The Midnight Feast

by Lucy Foley

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Summary

Secrets. Lies. Murder. Let the festivities begin…

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.

But under the burning midsummer sun, darkness stirs. Old friends and enemies circulate among the guests. Just outside the Manor’s immaculately kept grounds, an ancient forest bristles with secrets. And the Sunday morning of opening weekend, the local police are called. Something’s not right with the guests. There’s been a fire. A body’s been discovered.

[summary provided by GoodReads]

GoodReads Nominee for Favorite Mystery & Thriller 2024

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GoodReads:3.58
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My Review

This was my second book by this author, and it was a bit of a letdown compared to how much I enjoyed The Guest List. The story didn’t quite measure up for me. The multiple character POVs were a little confusing at times, but I listened to the audiobook with a full-cast narration. The different voices really helped distinguish the characters, and the performances were done very well.

The story unfolds over just a few days, and it felt like the author tried to pack a lot into that short timeframe. However, it remained intriguing and kept me guessing throughout. There were a few slow moments, but the murder mystery held my attention.

The book starts with a mysterious body, and from there, we’re trying to figure out who it is, who killed them, and why. It had a fun, Agatha Christie-esque vibe, which I enjoyed. All the narrators felt unreliable, so I never knew who to trust. The story alternates between past and present timelines, which makes it interesting to piece together how past events influenced the present. There are also journal entries where you’re left guessing the identity of the writer.

This story has a similar vibe to the show Nine Perfect Strangers, so if you enjoy that TV series, you may enjoy this book. It also unfolds over a few hot summer days, making it a great choice for a beach read or a summer mystery. There aren’t any truly thrilling moments, so it leans more towards being a mystery than a thriller.

There is some language and a little bit of spice. I would rate it around PG-13, it’s not too graphic. 

Overall, it was a decent mystery with some odd but intriguing local town folklore about birds. I really enjoyed the audiobook and the short chapters. Although it was a bit disappointing, I would still recommend it to fans of the author or anyone who finds the plot appealing. Just be sure to go in with low expectations.