Book Review
Lucy Foley has once again delivered exactly what she’s known for—an atmospheric, locked-room mystery filled with secrets, simmering tension, and a cast that feels straight out of an Agatha Christie–styled setup. But what truly sets this book apart is its tone. Foley leans into a slightly gothic, eerie vibe this time, and it works beautifully, heightening the suspense with every chapter.
Her characters are all mysterious in their own shades, each one guarding their secrets with quiet intensity. No one is entirely trustworthy, and as Foley gradually peels back their layers, you can’t help but stay glued to the pages. The collision of past and present is handled so cleverly that some revelations genuinely catch you off guard.
If there’s one thing that made me pause, it’s the idea of someone not recognizing a person from their near past. Lifestyle changes can alter someone, yes—but only to a limit. Still, the clever multiple-POV narration more than balances this. Foley keeps us guessing from the start by refusing to reveal who the victim is, and that uncertainty adds its own delicious tension.
The cast isn’t particularly “likable,” and that’s intentional—but Eddie easily became my favourite. And one of the things I enjoyed most was the subtle supernatural flavour: the odd behaviour of birds, the cryptic journal entries… just the right amount of eerie without drifting into full-blown paranormal territory.
Overall, this book is classic Lucy Foley with a refreshing twist—dark, atmospheric, tightly paced, and just unsettling enough to keep you reading long after you meant to stop.
My Rating
Book Blurb
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.
THE FOUNDER * THE HUSBAND * THE MYSTERY GUEST * THE KITCHEN HELP
It all began with a secret, fifteen years ago. Now the past has crashed the party. And it’ll end in murder at… The Midnight Feast.
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