The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

Hardback:  416 pages      

Genre: Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Suspense                                         

Publisher:  Harper Collins 2024

Source: Tywyn Public Library

First Sentences: It's opening night of The Manor, the new jewel of the Dorset coastline.

Review Quote: ‘A high octane tale’ DAILY TELEGRAPH

Literary Awards: 
Audie Award Nominee for Mystery (2025), Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Mystery/Thriller (2024), She Reads Best of Award Nominee for Mystery, Thriller, & Suspense (2024)

Setting: Dorset, England

My Opinion: 

I first read one of Lucy Foley's novels in 2019 and this is now my fifth. Murder mysteries are not a favourite genre of mine but I enjoy her novels as I find the writing atmospheric with good characterisation.

'The Midnight Feast' is set in a luxury hotel during its opening weekend. The owner is Francesca who has inherited the house from her Grandfather. With the help of her husband Owen, the house has been renovated and turned into a well-being resort. Some of the locals are not happy about the development and remember only too well what happened there fifteen years ago. The story of events is told via dual timelines.

A slow burn of a story for me, apologies for the pun, not a spoiler, but there is a fire involved. It is not until the storyline is well evolved that the pace picks up.  Thriller fans will undoubtably enjoy this, I did but was not keen on the gothic folklore aspect.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads

In the shadows of an ancient wood, guests gather for the opening weekend of The Manor: a beautiful new countryside retreat.

But under the burning midsummer sun, darkness stirs. Old friends and enemies circulate among the guests. And the candles have barely been lit for a solstice supper when the body is found.

It all began with a secret, fifteen years ago. Now the past has crashed the party. And it’ll end in murder at…

Previous Review:  The Paris Apartment.  The Guest List

Author Profile:                

                                   

                                                      Courtesy of Goodreads

In her own words from her Goodreads Profile

Hello and welcome to my Goodreads page! I’m the author of the murder mystery thrillers The Midnight Feast, The Paris Apartment, The Guest List and The Hunting Party — as well as the historical novels The Book of Lost and Found, The Invitation and Last Letter from Istanbul. 

I came to writing through a love of reading — I previously worked with books as a fiction editor, a literary agent’s assistant, a bookseller and a literary scout! 

Inspired by trips to the West Country and local folklore I began plotting my latest novel, The Midnight Feast. A midsummer heatwave, a setting with a past, a reunion that takes a dark turn. And so The Midnight Feast came to life.

Thanks to brilliant readers around the world, my novels have sold over five million copies, and been translated into multiple languages. I’m also a No 1 New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller. A life-long Agatha Christie fan, I also contributed to Marple, a collection of short stories featuring the legendary detective.

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Lucy Foley Author - Facebook.   Twitter - Lucy Foley.    Goodreads Profile

Amazon Profile

An Ideal Husband by Erica James

Hardback: 406 pages

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, 

Publisher: Harper Collins 2024

Source:  Tywyn Library

First Sentence: It was a perfect March day and spring had arrived in all its glorious splendour. 

Setting: Suffolk, England

Review Quote: 'I love Erica James and her new book does not disappoint. She brings a real warmth to her characters and also a poignancy to her story telling. Highly recommend.' Netgalley Reviewer, 

My Opinion:  Erica James is one of my long time favourite authors for a guaranteed agreeable read. Once again she has not disappointed me.

'An Ideal Husband' is a contemporary family saga, covering a year in the life of the Langford family. A perfectly normal happy family, or so they thought until Kip Langford tells his wife Louisa that he is leaving her. The dynamics of the relationships within the family are full of emotion as they navigate a roller coaster of a year. What complicated individuals they all are and at times some of their behaviour feels unbelievable. Louisa in particular feels far too sympathetic and understanding of her husband's behaviour.  

Recommended to fans of contemporary escapism, remember that is what it is escapism and fiction which is why at times the reader may find it somewhat removed from the reality of such a situation!

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

The Langfords are a perfectly happy family. Louisa and Kip, happily married for nearly forty years, have raised their children and are now just settling into a new phase of life where they’ll have more time for themselves. Everything seems perfect. But then, one Boxing Day after a lovely family Christmas, Kip tells Louisa that their marriage is over. It’s not something Louisa saw coming. And what he tells her next is even more he’s fallen in love with their son’s ex-girlfriend, Zoe, the woman who broke Angus’ heart. So just like that, Louisa’s marriage is over… and her new life can begin. A gorgeous, gossipy family drama of a couple navigating a divorce, a woman on a journey of self-discovery, and an older man getting his just deserts.

Previous Reviews:  I have reviewed quite a few of her earlier novels on the blog. They are Tell It To The Skies,  It's The Little Things,   Hidden Talents, The Hidden Cottage, The Real Katie Lavender,  A Secret Garden Affair, Mothers and Daughters,  Letters From the Past,  Summer at the Lake,  Coming Home to Island House

Author Profile:         

                                       

Photo Courtesy of  Amazon

In the author's own words from her Amazon Profile.

Thank you so much for visiting my Amazon Author Page. My first novel - A Breath of Fresh Air - was published in 1996 and was selected by WH Smith as a finalist for their Fresh Talent promotion. Since then I have written many more novels, most of which have been bestsellers, including Gardens of Delight which won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award and features Lake Como, one of my favourite places to visit. My novel Summer at the Lake also features Lake Como and was a No.1 bestseller in Norway.

My twenty-fifth novel - A Secret Garden Affair - was published in the spring of 2023 and is my second book to be published by HQ Stories. Partially set in the summer of 1981 when Prince Charles and Lady Diana are about to marry, Libby discovers her fiancé has been cheating on her. Heartbroken, she flees London to go to Larkspur House in Suffolk to be with her great aunt Bess and the renown garden designer Elfrida Ambrose. As Libby tries to piece her life back together, Bess and Elfrida find themselves reliving the past with all its secrets and tragedies. 

My 26th novel - An Ideal Husband - is currently available in hardback and I hope you'll enjoy meeting the Langford family who have to face more than their fair share of trouble after Kip announces that he wants a divorce as he's been having an affair with their son's ex-girlfriend! The paperback will be published in November.

If you want to keep up with all my latest news, or simply get in touch to ask me a question about one of my books, you can find me online in all the usual places as well as my website.

Photographs, Trailer and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Erica James - Official Website.   Instagram - Erica James

Goodreads Author Profile  Erica James - Amazon Author Page.  Erica James - Facebook

How to Lose a Lord in Ten Days by Sophie Irwin

                                              

Ebook: 384 pages

Genre: Historical Romantic Fiction 

Publisher: Harper Collins July 2025

Source: NetGalley

First Sentences: 'Who wishes to marry me?' Lydia demanded, looking up from her novel in some alarm.

Setting: Regency London 

Review Quote: ‘Such style, wit and beautiful story-telling … Better than Bridgerton, as good as any Heyer’ Susan Lewis, Author 

My Opinion:  Sophie Irwin has a fresh approach to historical romance, so far her novels all being set in regency England, of which this is her third. They are very reminiscent of Georgette Heyer of whom I was fan, in my teens, many years ago. It did not come as a huge surprise, after reading her first novel, that Sophie Irwin actually wrote her university dissertation on the author Georgette Heyer.

In 'How to Lose a Lord in Ten Days' we meet Lydia Hanworth, a wealthy long woman, whose parents are determined she marry well. The highly eligible Lord Ashford is the perfect match in the opinion of her family when he proposes and Lydia finds herself engaged to him. Lydia however thinks differently and is determined not to marry him. The interactions between her and Ashford as the story progresses are amusing and as they slowly get to know each other, so do their opinions. Does hate turn to love though?

Definitely a fun read that at times is pure farce, but in a good way, written in a clever humorous style .This will appeal to fans of historical romance, particularly those that enjoy the Regency period and something that will make them smile.

With thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins and Sophie Irwin for giving me the opportunity to read and review. 

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

From the Sunday Times bestselling author of A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting comes a delicious new Regency romance…

Rich, handsome, and titled Lord Ashford, has every lady in England longing for his hand in marriage.

Everyone, that is, except Miss Lydia Hanworth – the only young woman Ashford wishes to marry.

Pressured into accepting Ashford’s proposal, Lydia has just ten days to free herself from her obligations before the engagement is publicly announced… what can go wrong?

Previous Reviews:   A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting    A Lady's Guide to Scandal

Author Profile:         

                                              

Photo Courtesy of Twitter                                                                         

Sophie Irwin grew up in Dorset before moving to south London after university. She has spent years immersed in the study of historical fiction, from a dissertation on how Georgette Heyer helped win World War Two, to time spent in dusty stacks and old tomes losing herself in Regency London while researching this book. Her love and passion for historical fiction bring a breath of fresh air and a contemporary energy to the genre, and Sophie hopes to transport readers to a time when ballrooms were more like battlegrounds.

Photographs, Trailer and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Twitter Profile   Sophie Irwin - Instagram  Goodreads Profile  Amazon Author Page

The Italian Vineyard by Anita Chapman

Ebook:  357 pages Kindle edition

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction,

Publisher: July 2025 by Bookouture

Source: My Kindle Library via NetGalley

First Sentence: The woman pushed open the shutters and was blessed with the most breathtaking view - one she'd fallen in love with at first sight, since arriving from England only days before.

Setting: Italy

Review Quote: ‘Wow, what a story!... Amazing!... Very emotional… Heartbreaking… So very beautiful! You just can’t put it down, from the beginning till the last pages.’ NetGalley Reviewer, 

My Opinion: 

Just two years ago Anita Chapman published her first novel. In this short period of time she has established herself as an author that writes captivating stories in Italian settings and 'The Italian Vineyard' is her fourth published novel.

This latest story is a dual timeline one set in the 1930 's and the present day. The main protagonists are Kate, in the 21st century  and her great grandmother Lady Charlotte in the 1930's. In 1939  Charlotte was presented with a very special gift of fine wine and it is this vintage bottle that links these two women and their personal love stories together. The backdrop for this emotional yet uplifting novel are the wonderful settings of Italy and the Surrey Hills.

Once again Anita Chapman has transported me to places I am familiar with. She successfully shares her own love of Italy by writing stories that feel realistic. Perfect escapism for Italophiles and those readers that enjoy a satisfying story with an element of mystery.

It is with thanks to Bookouture, NetGalley and Anita Chapman that this title was made available for me to read and review.

Previous Reviews:   The Venice Secret.   The Florence Letter.  

The Tuscan Diary

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

Gazing out over the lush, rolling vineyards of Verona, Kate thinks of the gift that brought her to Italy. The dusty bottle of wine from her great-grandmother’s cellar, which holds the key to a family mystery that will change everything…

England, 1939. After her husband’s unexpected death, Lady Charlotte throws herself into reviving the vineyard at his beloved home, Copeley Park – desperate to focus on anything other than the dangerous secret she now carries. Along with her head gardener, Albert, she travels to Verona for research, where she is quickly distracted by Italy’s beautiful golden light and vibrant mimosa flowers. But just as her heart starts to open up, the threat of war spreads across Europe, tearing apart Charlotte’s plans for her future and leaving her with a heart-wrenching decision to make…

Now. Devastated by the loss of her mother and newly single, Kate asks to work at Copeley Park – her family’s failing estate – to take her mind off her heartbreak. But when she learns that the park’s stunning vineyard might have to be sold, she’s determined not to let this beautiful piece of her family’s history go. And when she’s given a dusty old bottle of wine that belonged to her great-grandmother with a note attached from a mysterious ‘B’, she convinces handsome head winemaker Ben to accompany her to Verona to unravel its secrets…

But as Kate and Ben grow closer against the stunning sunsets of Italy, will Kate discover that some secrets are better left buried in the past? Or will unravelling the romantic mystery at the heart of the vineyard lead to a future Kate could only ever have dreamed of…?

Lose your heart to Italy in this beautiful, moving story of family secrets and letting those you love inspire you. Readers of Lucinda Riley and Fiona Valpy will fall hard for this enchanting, escapist and romantic page-turner.

Author Profile:         

                                                     

            

                                                  Courtesy of Amazon Profile

Anita Chapman enjoyed writing stories from a young age, and won a local writing competition when she was nine years old. Encouraged by this, she typed up a series of stories about a mouse on her mum’s typewriter and sent them to Ladybird. She received a polite rejection letter, her first.

Many of Anita’s summers growing up were spent with her family driving to Italy, and she went on to study French and Italian at university. As part of her degree, Anita lived in Siena for several months where she studied and au paired, and she spent a lot of time travelling around Italy in her twenties. 

Anita likes to read journals and diaries from the past, and one of her favourite pastimes is visiting art galleries and country houses. Her first published novel, The Venice Secret is inspired by her mother taking her to see the Canalettos at The National Gallery in London as a child. 

Since 2015, Anita has worked as a social media manager, training authors on social media, and helping to promote their books. She’s run several courses in London and York, and has worked as a tutor at Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College.

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Twitter Profile.  Anita Chapman - Facebook Profile.   Author - Official Website

 Goodreads - Author Profile