Too many plot lines, point of views, and timelines. I found myself checking out on multiple occasions. Didn’t enjoy the characters either. I had such high hopes for this but left feeling a bit disappointed.

THE MIDNIGHT FEAST by Lucy Foley (The Guest List and The Paris Apartment) is a complicated puzzle with events spanning several years. Francesca (Frankie) Meadows and her architect husband Owen Dacre have recently renovated The Manor and are throwing an opening weekend extravaganza for pampered, privileged guests. All is not quite what it seems in this "horror adjacent" (per Booklist) and "grisly treat" (per Publishers Weekly) tale, however. The innuendo and strangeness in this mystery certainly kept me up at night, as multiple narrators provide plenty of motives for the death and destruction Foley describes. Time shifts add to the uneasy mix of secrets and lies in what NPR calls "an absolute bonkers delight" THE MIDNIGHT FEAST was a LibraryReads Hall of Fame selection for June 2024.

Thank you for the ARC !
I enjoyed this book and all the others this author has written .
It was a little hard to get into the story at first but if you stick with it , it’s worth it!

This book was such a ride! It’s got that signature Lucy Foley vibe—suspenseful, moody, and full of twists that keep you guessing until the very end. The atmosphere is so rich, it feels like you’re right there in the middle of all the drama, which makes it impossible to put down.

The characters are messy and complicated (in the best way), and everyone’s hiding something, which adds so much tension. You’re constantly wondering who’s telling the truth and what’s about to unravel next. The pacing is spot-on, with just enough breadcrumbs to keep you hooked without giving too much away.

If you love a good mystery with a side of drama and unexpected turns, this one totally delivers. It’s like a delicious midnight snack for your brain—dark, satisfying, and a little indulgent.

The book features a large cast of characters, each with a distinctive voice and crucial role in the narrative. Bella's journal entries provide a deeper understanding of some characters from their youth, highlighting how some people never change but only become better at hiding their true nature. The villain in this tale is particularly captivating, exuding a sense of entitlement and delusion that makes for compelling reading.
The story unfolds with numerous mysterious layers, some predictable but many surprising, leading to great twists and a satisfying ending. The small-town vibes and subtle supernatural undertones enhance the sense of unease that pervades the novel. Foley's writing is both atmospheric and character-driven, making every moment of the book engaging.

Usually a fan of Lucy Foley and have enjoyed many of her previous books, but this thriller missed a lot of the thrill.

The multi-pov felt choppy and messy. The first half of this book felt like the longest exposition ever written. Unfortunately, this one was a miss for me. I highly recommend the authors previous works however.

This just wasn’t it for me. I was not able to get invested in the characters, and the plot felt a little choppy and far fetched.

Definitely have mixed feelings on this one! A very entertaining read but also didn’t have the same anticipation as “the guest list” for me. Will definitely be reading anything Lucy writes in the future!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. I'm sure this is a case of "it's me, not you", but this one was a DNF for me. I really tried to get drawn into the story, but after 20% I was more than lost about the characters and setting so I decided to put this one down.

Lucy doesn’t miss and this was just another banger. I was guessing the whole time and honestly that last twist gave me whiplash! Definitely pick up in you like locked room thrillers

I was hooked to The Midnight Feast from the beginning. Through the multiple POVs the reader learns that everyone is connected to The Manor via their past. But that past has more to reveal as all the twists and turns come to light.

I want to thank William Morrow & Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

I hate to say this but I think this was a last shot for Lucy Foley for me. I absolutely love the Hunting Game and since that one they have all kind of been blah.

Midnight Feast is about a 15 year mystery and one woman’s plot to reveal that mystery at any cost. The plot wasn’t bad, and the pacing was good. The author has a gift for describing locations. If it wasn’t for the snooty people, murder, and crazy, dramatic people, I’d want to visit.

I didn’t like most of the characters and couldn’t relate to any of them. I also prefer to steer away from pagan-filled books. It’s just a personal preference. All in all the book had a lot of positive parts.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

First of all, I received this as an e-ARC so thank you Harper Collins and Lucy Foley. This will be a more critical review so if you do not like to read critical/negative reviews, this is your warning.

This book was not terrible by any means. It had an interesting plot but the execution did not quite meet the mark. From the very beginning, the book jarringly jumps from pov to pov, from far past to recent past to present and back, completely disorienting me so I had no idea what was going on and not in a good way. It took me quite a while to understand what was happening and the motivations of each character.

The villain is predictable. You see it coming a mile away. I hope that wasn't intended to be a mystery because that failed miserably. This is read kind of like a party island mystery where you're introduced to five to ten different characters and you learn who they are over time, however there is also a time jumping element including diary entries that make it far too confusing.

The twist at the end was far too CONVENIENT to be believable. A little bit of it would have been fine but the author went overboard, making me questions the laws of statistics. There is no way it would have happened to work out so perfectly. Just not possible.

That being said, I did not hate the book. It was still mildly entertaining and it was not a struggle to get through. What helped was listening to the audiobook which has a cast of voice actors for each character, which I love! It was kind of fun to read and I don't regret it at all, but it was just not something to write home about. It wasn't bad and it wasn't good. To paraphrase Emma Skies, it was a book.

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley is an atmospheric read that expertly blends mystery and suspense. Set in an isolated location, the story pulls you into its world from the first page, with well-drawn characters and a plot that keeps you guessing.

Foley’s writing is engaging, and her ability to build tension and keep readers on edge is impressive. The atmosphere she creates, particularly through the setting, eerie undertones, and multiple points of view, is what makes the book stand out. Each chapter reveals more layers, keeping the pace steady and making it difficult to put down.

The characters are well-developed, with motivations that feel believable, though there were moments where a few of them could have been explored further. That said, the story is strong enough to make up for this minor flaw, and the ending is satisfying, if a bit predictable. It’s the perfect read for fans of psychological thrillers.

Overall, The Midnight Feast is a captivating, well-paced novel that will keep you intrigued and entertained from start to finish. It’s a perfect choice for those who enjoy atmospheric mysteries with rich character dynamics.

Thank you William Morrow and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Lucy Foley's books just FEEL good, somehow. This one was no exception! I loved the setting and the vibe.

AMAZING. No notes, my favorite Lucy Foley ever. I think this should be on the top of anyone's Lucy favorites!

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley was an enthralling and entertaining read from start to finish. Set against the picturesque Dorset coast, the novel centers on the grand opening of The Manor, a luxurious wellness retreat owned by Francesca Meadows. Foley masterfully crafts an atmosphere thick with tension, as the opulence of The Manor starkly contrasts with the unease of the local community.

The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, each adding depth to the intricate plot. The dual timelines seamlessly weave together past and present, gradually revealing long-buried secrets and simmering resentments. Foley’s portrayal of the enigmatic group known as “The Birds” adds a layer of mystique, intertwining local folklore with the unfolding drama.

What I found particularly compelling was Foley’s critique of the commercialization of wellness culture. Through Francesca’s character, the novel delves into the commodification of ancient practices, highlighting the tension between genuine spirituality and its monetized counterparts. This theme is explored with nuance, prompting reflection on the authenticity of modern wellness trends.


Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lucy foleys books are hit or miss for me. The premise of this one sounded good but there were a lot. Of characters POVs in the beginning and it was a bit hard to follow. I made it to the end but this was not my favorite by her.

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley had me hooked from the very first page. The luxurious setting of The Manor made for the perfect setting for a thriller/who-dun-it. As the book starts, you can feel the dark secrets of the past slowly creeping in. The cultish undertones definitely added a unique twist, although at times, I felt like the plot dragged a little.

That said, the twist at the end? I actually gasped out loud! The way everything wrapped up was satisfying, and it made all the slow-burn moments worth it. If you're a fan of suspenseful, atmospheric thrillers with a dose of mystery and a shocking conclusion, The Midnight Feast is definitely worth reading. It’s a bit slow at times, but the ending more than makes up for it.