Set against the backdrop of a lavish opening weekend at an exclusive estate, The Midnight Feast revolves around a gathering of old friends and enemies, secrets simmering just beneath the surface. When a fire breaks out and a body is discovered, the guests’ tangled histories and hidden motives come to light, weaving a web of deceit, revenge, and lies.

Told from multiple pov's and timelines, Foley leads readers through a series of twists and turns, some unexpected and some carefully foreshadowed, but all satisfying. The characters are complex, and the mystery is both intriguing and unpredictable, with every revelation fitting into a larger, meticulously constructed narrative. As the story progresses, it becomes nearly impossible to put the book down, as each page turns with the promise of another piece to the puzzle. The payoff was worth the build-up and tension.

My rating 3. 5 stars rounded up to 4 for goodreads. Many thanks to netgalley and william morrow for the ARC.

I thought this was pretty good. I got very confused with the timeline changes but it had a good story.

Having read a previous book by this author, I came into The Midnight Feast with a sense of familiarity with Lucy Foley’s writing style. Once again, she delivered a compelling narrative that leans more toward mystery than a traditional thriller, which I found enjoyable.

The story unfolds at a deliberate pace, weaving suspense and intrigue into its plot. True to the author’s style, the characters are well developed, and their motives and relationships add depth to the mystery. While the stakes weren’t as heart racing as one might expect from a thriller, the atmosphere of tension and the steady unraveling of secrets kept me engaged from start to finish.

What stood out to me the most was the author’s knack for layering subtle clues throughout the story, as the mystery came together. The twists were clever without feeling forced, and the resolution was satisfying and well earned.

If you’re a fan of mysteries with a hint of suspense, The Midnight Feast is worth picking up. It’s clear that Lucy Foley has a strong grasp of her craft, and I’m looking forward to exploring more of her work in the future.

The Midnight Feast takes a while to get interesting, and sometimes things are obvious but the author still has to have a change in perspective to make it known. I really enjoyed the resolution, it felt more properly ended than the guest list. This book is largely very forgettable and not an impactful reading experience.

I just could not get into this one. I loved The Guest List, but this one did not have any appeal once I started reading it. I even tried the audio and I still didn’t enjoy it. I’m not sure if things were a little convoluted and that’s what threw me off, but I tried multiple times to come back and it just never got better for me.

I enjoyed this story. It was intriguing, dark, unpredictable and mysterious. The writing built a good picture of the setting. I really enjoyed this book:

Lucy Foley’s The Midnight Feast invites readers to a luxurious and sinister opening night at The Manor, an exclusive resort where the cocktails are as dazzling as the infinity pool. But beneath the glitzy veneer, tensions simmer among the guests, many of whom share complicated pasts. As the heat of the midsummer sun bears down, long-buried secrets resurface, culminating in a chilling crime that demands police intervention. With a diverse cast—including a girlboss, a husband, a kitchen staffer, and an enigmatic guest—Foley skillfully weaves a tale of shifting loyalties, hidden agendas, and deadly consequences, leaving readers questioning who will make it through the night unscathed.

While The Midnight Feast had its compelling moments, it ultimately felt a bit formulaic, echoing the trend of dual timelines converging for a big reveal. Though a few twists genuinely caught me off guard, the story felt overly long, and the large cast of characters—some with multiple names across timelines—made it tricky to keep track without taking notes. I appreciated how the narrative tied up almost all loose ends, leaving just one mystery open to interpretation, but the sheer number of characters occasionally detracted from the plot’s momentum. Reading over a few days made it harder to reconnect with the story, but I think a more focused approach might enhance the experience. Overall, I’d rate it 3.5 stars and recommend it to fans of twisty thrillers, with the caveat that keeping a character list might help avoid confusion

DNF at 45%

I think Foley is no longer an author for me. I find the premise and the ideas of her book so entertaining, and the execution always lets me down (besides The Guest List! Really enjoyed that one)I kept waiting for something to happen and honestly I was bored.

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley is a solid mystery thriller. I wouldn't say this has been a favorite from Foley, but it's still worth picking up if you like her style. With this particular release, I thought there were some missed opportunities that could have made it better overall.

Thank you to @netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A Chilling Mystery with a Slow Burn

The Manor is a suspenseful and atmospheric novel that delves into the dark secrets of the past. While the premise is intriguing, the slow-burn nature of the plot might not appeal to all readers.

The multiple perspectives allow readers to delve into the minds of various characters, each with their own hidden agendas and dark secrets. However, the large number of characters can sometimes be overwhelming, making it difficult to fully connect with each one.

The gothic setting of the manor and the eerie atmosphere contribute to the overall suspense. The author skillfully builds tension, but the pacing can feel uneven at times.

Overall, The Manor is a well-written and suspenseful novel that offers a chilling exploration of the past. While it may not be a fast-paced thriller, it rewards patient readers with a satisfying conclusion.

3.5 stars

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #williammorrowbooks #themidnightfeast #lucyfoley

It’s no secret that I love Lucy Foley’s writing and will read absolutely anything that she publishes!

I love the way she alternates POVs, I love the locations she creates, I love the tension she builds. I’m here for it all!

The Midnight Feast drew me in from the start as we arrive at The Manor, an over-the-top luxury retreat located in a small town. Rich people doing weird rich people things is always intriguing to me and Foley gives readers a birds-eye view into the mind of our estate’s owner, Francesca, and her husband, Owen. I was a little worried these two might come off as superficial characters, but there are plenty of secrets being hidden by then to add layers of depth.

In addition to these two, readers are also able to connect with a mysterious Manor guest, a Manor employee, and journal entries from a summer long ago that clearly hide a long swept under the rug truth about the Manor.

Add in a fun, local legend of The Birds to give a creepy folklore vibe and this book was chef’s kiss entertainment!

Try to go in as blind as possible with this one and just soak up the fun!

Make sure you can sleep late the day after you start reading The Midnight Feast, by Lucy Foley, because this thriller will keep you up until you finish. The characters are suspicious and dark, but fun, and you'll be obsessed with figuring out "who did it." Recommended for fans of The White Lotus and Agatha Christie. Now I want to read more of the author's books.

**4.5 stars**

I really enjoyed this mystery/thriller read; between the different POVs and the flashbacks via journal entries., it rarely felt slow. This book had a fun twist on a local town with folklore of "the Birds" which are known to right wrongs and find their own ways of justice.

This book had a perfect amount of "rich people and their lavish life" and "local townies" vibes that I think balanced each other out pretty well. I did find the main character, Sparrow, super annoying but there was a decent character arc for the other characters involved in the plot lines.

Also the last line of the book- ICONIC, loved it!

I have read some of Lucy Foley's previous books, but would put this one on top by far and away! Definitely recommend for a fast read mystery/thriller!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

The Midnight Feast is set in the small, seaside town of Tome where a new luxury resort is having its opening weekend. Francesca inherited the land from her wealthy grandparents, and with the help of her architect husband is opening The Manor for wealthy clients to come and take in the sea air. The locals aren't happy about the opening, however, and they've made it clear through council meetings, making a ruckus on the public beach and in the woods near the resort, and not so veiled threats involving The Birds of local folklore. All the tension comes to a head the night of the solstice during the Midnight Feast where guests get carried away drinking, staff try to deal with chaos, locals crash the party, and dark secrets are revealed.

The Midnight Feast was a very entertaining book. The chapters were quite short and fast paced. They were told from alternating perspectives and included sections from a "Summer Diary" from 15 years before the events of the book. All of the characters had distinct voices, but I never really felt like I got to know them that well. All of the characters were connected, some with more obvious connections than others, and it was fun to see how they all unfolded. I enjoyed the folklore of The Birds as they added an unnerving atmosphere to the book, but I felt like they could have been included in the narrative a bit more. I would have liked slightly more character development as well. This is a good book for fans of fast-paced thrillers and cold cases.

For the most part, I enjoyed this. Even the amount of times we had to read about birds 😂 (IYKYK). But the underlying story was very Midsommar/Hereditary and some other movies along those lines. I think it could've been a little bit shorter, but then I'm not sure if all of the past would've been explained well enough. All in all, a satisfying read.

This was my first Lucy Foley book and it did not disappoint! We followed 5 different point of views, which may seem confusing, however she did such a good job at distinguishing their different personalities! The audiobook was also so good as well, as they were all different voice actors! This is set at a newly opened manor by a well off couple in a smaller town. There definitely is a questionable past as we meet other characters and trying to figure out why they’re there or what they are hiding. I loved how all the loose ends were tied up at the end and figured out WHY we were following a certain persons point of view as well. Had a real good time with this one!

Lucy Foley’s The Midnight Feast sets the stage with her trademark atmosphere and intrigue, but the slow start may test your patience. Once the story picks up, the twists and revelations make it worth sticking around. If you enjoy suspenseful, character-driven mysteries, this one delivers in the end.

This was a little slower paced than other books I’ve read by Lucy Foley, but I still really enjoyed it! It was a bit of a mystery/thriller without putting you too on edge. The multi timeline and multiple POV kept it interesting throughout!

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley is a gripping mystery set in a historical manor turned wellness hotel. Francesca Meadows, the granddaughter of the original owners, renovates the estate into a luxury retreat, but the locals resent its presence. Strange occurrences tied to local folklore—particularly ominous birds—cast a dark shadow.

Told through multiple perspectives and shifting timelines, the story keeps readers engaged but occasionally disoriented as past and present blur. The suspense deepens when a woman from Francesca’s past arrives during the hotel’s opening weekend. As the tragedies unfold, the mystery builds: is the woman responsible, or is the culprit tied to the superstitious myths surrounding the manor? Foley delivers an atmospheric tale that blends eerie folklore with modern drama, keeping readers guessing until the end.

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley is a suspenseful thriller full of unexpected twists and connections. I will say that it took me a while to get into the book as the pacing at the beginning was a bit slow, but once I did I couldn't put it down. The book is set during the grand opening of a rustic resort experience (it made me think of super expensive glamping), with tension between the wealthy owners and guests and the locals. The chapters jump between multiple different perspectives and timelines, weaving together the story of what has happened in the past to bring all of the characters to the same place at the same time. Of course everyone has a secret! Everything gets tied up nicely in a very satisfying resolution at the end (with a good final twist!). Overall another solid suspenseful book from Lucy Foley. Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC.