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
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
