The Midnight Feast is set in both the past and the present, and told from multiple POVs. The story reads easy enough, but the slow pace didn't interest me and it took me quite a while to finish the book. It was the last 15% of the book saved it for me, as that is where all the action finally takes place and answers are revealed. There is a quirky horror element to the story with giant birds. Of course I didn't believe for a second that the birds were scary, but I did want to know the why behind the birds so I enjoyed the ending where this aspect is explained. Overall I enjoyed how all the characters lives played out.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

The Midnight Feast is another hit by the talented Lucy Foley!

If you’re a fan of multiple POVS, locked rooms, and alternating timelines this is for you!

It’s a wild ride that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and William Morrow for the gifted e-book ❤️ #gifted. My review is comprised of my honest thoughts.

Read this if you like: Locked room, multiple POVs, alternating timelines

This is a mess. The timeline is all over. The characters are all unlikable. It was hard to keep up with. Also, birds??? I will read her books again, but this was not for me.

I initially picked up this title based on the author and the five star reads that I have given previously but there was just something in this one that made no sense to me. KI tried to follow along with the chapters but everything was confusing with the timelines and the back and fort between the character finding out what the story was really about was hard. I made it halfway and kind of gave up because my interest was no longer peaked . . This was not a recommended read and I recommend her books a lot.

This book was such a wild ride! I was guessing my way through the whole thing and most of what I thought was happening was so wrong. I was a little nervous because a different book I read from Lucy was so slow and boring but this one was the complete opposite. I love the way it is seen through so many perspectives and she really made you feel for the characters and their story. I highly recommend this book!

DNF.
I’ve read a few Lucy Foley books and had high hopes but I’m about 40 percent in and I cannot convince myself to pick up this book. There’s a lot of suspense but nothing has happened and I cannot continue to crawl through this book

Lucy Foley does it again! This was such a great story, a fun adventure of a mystery!

A new top-of-the line resort style retreat has been created in the midst of a forest. The locals hate it, the people staying love it - and the creator must keep it all perfect. Lucy Foley is a master of multiple POV. We get a lot of perspectives here, but their personalities and voices were easy to decipher and I never had to wonder who's POV I was in.

The suspense kept me flipping. I loved the addition of journal entries to give us the past versus present timeline! It was the perfect way to shake up the story and I loved the suspense and the build up. As I got closer and closer to the end, I was still guessing and wondering how it would all come together. Excellent as always, now I'm back to anxiously awaiting this author's next one!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

I must start by saying that I was thrilled to be chosen as a part of the ARC team for this book, and I have been interested in reading works from this author for a very long time.

This was a VERY, VERY slow start, There was a while that I was considering DNFing, (and I have literally never done that in my adult reading life) but I decided at almost exactly 50% of the way through the book (when it finally started to speed up) that I’d give the whole thing a shot.

I feel that while a lot of the mysteries, twists, and turns DID find their way to a conclusion, some of them where wholly unsatisfying and lacked some of the elements I’d have wanted to fully feel closure. I think I would’ve wanted at LEAST 30% of the book’s length to be cut from the first part and used to develop the ending more fully. For me, that could’ve made the difference between a book that I appreciated and a book that I unfortunately did not enjoy.

This was slow for me.
Pros: revenge story, great location, creepy vibes from the birds, short chapters
Cons: too choppy, could it all over the place

There was a little was a little twist, small one, but I honestly didn’t think I would finish this book. I actually put it down for over 2 weeks before I could pick it back up.

I usually love Lucy Foley books, this was the first that disappointed me. I’m sure many will love it, so give it a read if you like her previous books.

Thanks to NetGalley, Harper collins Canada, and the author for an arc of this in exchange for my honest review.

The Midnight Feast is the newest thriller by Lucy Foley. This one is set at the opening weekend of a very posh resort for the uber-wealthy. Franchesca has inherited the estate and turned it into a playground for the rich. She's hoping for an unforgettable weekend. She might get that in a form that she wasn't anticipating. Dark and atmospheric, this page turner will keep you up late reading to the very end. Read and enjoy!

How?

“The Midnight Feast” by Lucy Foley has astonishingly become the first of her works to grace my bookshelf, despite my voracious appetite for devouring nearly a hundred books annually. One might wonder if I’ve been living in seclusion to have only just discovered Foley’s storytelling prowess. Nevertheless, this revelation seemed a fitting prelude to my review, given the sheer enjoyment her novel provided.

Let’s delve into the narrative. “The Manor,” a stately historical residence, has been transformed into a chic wellness hotel by Francesca Meadows, the original owners’ granddaughter. Despite Francesca’s efforts to infuse modernity into the grandeur of the past, the local community harbors a deep-seated resentment towards the establishment. Eerie occurrences begin to unfold, echoing the chilling local legend known as “the Birds.” The townsfolk’s ominous caution, “Beware of the Birds,” hints at a belief in the supernatural. Yet, could such a myth be linked to actual acts of murder?

Foley weaves a captivating tale through a kaleidoscope of perspectives, ensuring a fresh and engaging experience with each chapter. The plot thickens and time bends as a figure from Francesca’s past emerges during the hotel’s inaugural weekend, hell-bent on unearthing Francesca’s darkest secrets. Meanwhile, DI Walker, a detective, finds himself entangled in what appears to be a case of arson and homicide. The question lingers: Is the enigmatic woman the catalyst for these tragedies, or do the answers lie within the fabled superstition?

I award this book a solid 4 stars. It was on the cusp of perfection, but a few foreseeable plot twists held it back. Nonetheless, Lucy Foley’s narrative craft has piqued my interest, and I’m keen to explore more of her work—perhaps another title or two will warrant that elusive fifth star. Foley has certainly earned a spot on my watchlist for future releases; “The Midnight Feast” was an absolute delight.

A resort’s grand opening turns nightmarish, ending in ashes and bodies by the weekend’s close.

Francesca Meadows spares no expense on The Manor’s grand debut—a luxury resort built along the Dorset coastline and backing into a dense bristle of forest. Touting specialty cocktails, wellness amenities, crystal pouches, and custom totes for each guest—The Manor feels like a dream with its glimmering lanterns. But as the linen-clad guests mingle under the midsummer sun, old enemies deceitfully lurk, and the ancient forest, disturbed by the revelry, seethes for reparations of transgressions past.

“Keep the birds happy!” Francesca’s grandfa warned.

As the solstice celebration approaches, cloaked enemies reveal themselves, and black feathers ominously flutter across the property. By morning, the resort is reduced to ashes, and bodies are discovered.

Through multiple perspectives, the story alternates between past and present, weaving a sinister narrative infused with folklore (reminiscent of Hitchcock’s The Birds). As identities and connections unravel, we question: What really happened? Is it ‘The Birds,’ a specter from Francesca’s past, or something else entirely? Who is dead, and what truly happened at the midnight feast?

Foley masterfully crafts a narrative shrouded in menace and mystery. Despite what sometimes felt like a bewildering array of characters and shifting timelines, the story accelerates to an exciting and shocking set of final chapters.

Everyone hides something in this locked-room mystery teeming with myth, murder, secrets, and scores to settle—a deliciously dark summertime escape.

I really tried to like it but it was such a sllooowww drag. I think maybe because there are just too mucj characters. I took a break so many times for this. The plot is interesting but didnt just wow me

Oh, how I loved this book! Full of twists and turns, this is Lucy Foley at her absolute best. The story unfolds through two timelines and multiple points of view, doling out little nuggets of information throughout. I thought I figured out one of the twists midway through the book, but I was wrong and it was EVEN BETTER than what I imagined! The reveals lead to an action packed climactic sequence that had me on the edge of my seat.This one was absolutely unputdownable!

Mini synopsis: a weekend retreat goes wrong when the past is relived & secrets get unburied. Oh & there’s also a body 🤷🏻‍♀️

In true Lucy Foley fashion, we have a ton of characters with all kinds of crazy backgrounds. I saw some reviews say it was hard to keep all the characters separate, but I didn’t find that to be the case for me. I thought they were distinct & easy to keep track of. Another strong Lucy Foley point is the short chapters! Really feels like you’re flying thru the book. And the constant perspective change is something I love! she kept me on my toes wanting to get back to certain people & scenes! As far as the plot goes, it’s a little all over for me. The “birds” element left me confused (is it really or not? I still don’t know!) it’s caught in between reality & legend where some things to me left me confused! I also thought it was a little unrealistic that some of these people didn’t recognize each other. I mean I know they all spent only one summer together but it was a traumatic summer so I feel like that should be scarred in their memory! Overall, a solid read! I liked this a lot more than the Paris Apartment so I’ll consider that a win in my book!

Read if you like:
🐦‍⬛ Creepy Bird Vibes
🐌 Slow Burn Pacing
⏳ Past and Present
#️⃣ Multiple POV
👯‍♀️ Mean Girl Friendships
💰 Badly Behaved Rich People

In this small town, there is folklore about “the birds” who right the wrongs against the town and it’s people. And let me tell you, the vibes from this aspect of the story telling make the vibes creepy and ominous AF!

This book is told in the past via journal entries from the summer that teenage Sparrow is taken under the wing of rich Frankie and they are ‘friends’ for the summer. In addition to the past at the Manor, we are also getting the timeline of before the Solstice, the day of, and the day after as something big happens the day of the Solstice 15 years later when Francesca is opening weekend of her luxury vacation spot on her inherited family estate, The Manor she has put together with her new Husband.

Throughout the book we get the POV of Sparrow’s diary entries from 15 years prior, Frankie, Eddie, Owen, and Bella leading up to the events during the solstice celebration as well as the DI’s POV the day after.

The mix of POV and secrets really kept me on my toes all the way through the final reveals and to the very last page!

If you are looking for a small town slower paced thriller with different POV that don’t necessarily make sense in the beginning but all come together so well by the end, I highly recommend this read!

Thank you so much to the publisher, William Morrow for my gifted ARC and finished copy in exchange for my honest review!

"Midnight Feast" by Lucy Foley captures the essence of intrigue and tension akin to a mix of "The White Lotus" and Agatha Christie's classic mysteries. Set amidst the luxurious backdrop of The Manor's opening weekend, Foley's narrative explores the clash between privileged guests and local community tensions, reminiscent of the social commentary and suspense found in "The White Lotus". Combined with Foley's knack for intricate storytelling and atmospheric suspense akin to Christie's mysteries, "Midnight Feast" promises a riveting read that keeps readers guessing until the very end.

I loved Lucy Foley's past books especially The Guest List and The Paris Apartment so I was excited to get into The Midnight Feast. The Manor is a historic house in the town Tomb, that is being made into a bougie hotel by owner Francesca Meadows who grew up in the town. The hotel seems like the perfect escape for privileged guests but Francesca's past becomes unraveled and not all the guests are just harmless guests. Through multiple POV we learn about a few characters past and what goes down at the midnight feast.

I really liked the different chapters representing different characters views especially the journal where we learned about Bella's past. I felt at times the book was really slow at times until I got to 80% through when anticipation was high and I couldn't put it down. It wasn't my favorite of Lucy's books, but I'm excited to read more from her in the future.

Lucy Foley does it again – a moody, atmospheric thriller with shocking twists and an unpredictable ending!

In a small coastal country town, Francesca Meadows inherits her grandfather’s land and turns it into an insanely expensive chic resort. However, the locals aren’t too happy about her invading their town and bringing hordes of uppity visitors along with her. Opening weekend for The Manor dawns on the summer solstice and all hell breaks loose. With many secret characters lurking in the shadows, it’s anyone’s guess as to who is behind the chaos. Francesca seems to have many enemies and people who would love to see her resort fail. What happens on the night of the summer solstice will surprise and enthrall you.

The book itself gets off to a bit of a slow start. It takes a while for the reader to finally be invested in the characters and their lives. But once things start to build, it’s nearly impossible to put the book down. There are two timelines (current day and 16 years ago) to the story, and both seem to be building to a large unfortunate event that will end in death and change the course of the characters’ lives forever. The multiple plotlines building at the same time constantly keeps the book interesting. The ending to the current day events is the big climax, and it was filled with twists and turns that the reader doesn’t see coming. Many truths are revealed, deaths displayed, and secrets come to light. The ending quarter of the book is extremely gripping and will have you putting off your daily commitments just to see how things end.

My only criticism would be in reference to the characters’ lack of depth. Many of the characters seemed very one-dimensional. Strictly out for revenge or transfixed on something that happened to them and unable to let those thoughts go. Even in a thriller that is more action-based than character-based, it would be nice to feel connected to the characters or understand them as people a little better.

I will recommend this book to all my followers. This is an excellent choice for Lucy Foley fans, thriller/mystery fans, or anyone who wants to find a book that will grip them with suspense and wondering.

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley was a disappointment. Despite the intriguing premise, the story fell flat due to its one-dimensional characters and predictable plot. The pacing was painfully slow, making it a struggle to get through. Foley's previous works had me excited for this novel, but unfortunately, it failed to deliver the suspense and depth I expected. The twists were telegraphed far in advance, and the ending left much to be desired. Overall, this book felt like a rushed effort.