The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley (eARC Review)

Format Read: eBook

Source: NetGalley

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction

Publisher: HarperCollins UK, Harper Fiction

Publication Date: 6th June 2024

Synopsis/Blurb (Taken from Goodreads):

“It’s the opening night of The Manor, and no expense, small or large, has been spared. The infinity pool sparkles; crystal pouches for guests’ healing have been placed in the Seaside Cottages and Woodland Hutches; the “Manor Mule” cocktail (grapefruit, ginger, vodka, and a dash of CBD oil) is being poured with a heavy hand. Everyone is wearing linen.

And yet, just outside the Manor’s immaculately kept grounds, an ancient forest bristles with secrets. The local community resents what they see as the Manor’s intrusion into the local woods and attempts to privatize the beach, and small skirmishes have erupted on the edges of the property between locals and the staff. And the whispers keep coming, about an old piece of pagan folklore—it must be folklore??—the Night Birds, an avenging force that can be called upon to make right wrongs that elude the law. Though surely everything at the Manor has been done above board.

On the Sunday morning of opening weekend, the local police are called. There’s been a fire. A body’s been discovered. Something’s not right with the guests. What happened on the grounds of the Manor the past 36 hours? And who—or what—is the cause?

THE FOUNDER

THE HUSBAND

THE MYSTERY GUEST

THE KITCHEN HELP

Everyone has an agenda. Everyone has a past. But not everyone will survive…The Midnight Feast.“

My Thoughts

I had the pleasure of reading “The Midnight Feast,” a gripping dark atmospheric thriller that unfolds at a newly opened, highly exclusive wellness retreat situated on the Dorset Coast.

The narrative initially unfolds at a leisurely pace, but soon gains momentum, drawing the reader in with its multiple points of view and three distinct timelines. While the initial confusion may be off-putting, the gradual convergence of these threads and the unexpected plot twists make for a truly enthralling experience. The infusion of folklore elements adds an eerie and captivating dimension to the story.

The characters in the book are skillfully crafted and intriguing, albeit not entirely likeable. With most of them harbouring secrets, it’s challenging to find someone to root for. However, I found myself surprisingly drawn to a side character named Eddie, and I couldn’t help but hope for a positive outcome for him. As for the other characters, they failed to evoke much empathy from me.

I would caution potential readers against learning too much about the plot in advance, as the element of surprise greatly enhances the reading experience. Overall, I believe this book is a perfect choice for readers seeking a compelling thriller to delve into this summer.

I am grateful to NetGalley and the publishers HarperCollins UK and Harper Fiction for providing me with a digital review copy (eARC). These are my honest and unbiased thoughts and I am sharing them voluntarily.

My Rating