A book review in 10 points (and quotes)
- Great Setting: Imagine lush green lawns, a centuries-old manor, and a shimmering infinity pool. The Manor’s grandeur contrasts with the eerie forest that surrounds it. The author’s vivid descriptions transport you there.
“Sparrow. You should get some help. Go to a retreat for a few months. Meditate. Honestly. It changed my life. Gave me purpose.”
- Good Dialogue: Conversations crackle with tension. Old friends reconnect, enemies exchange barbs, and strangers eye each other suspiciously. The dialogue and multiple POVs reveals hidden motives and past grudges.
“Rich people problems. Ruby says they manage to make everything into a drama because when you have no real difficulty in your life you end up creating your own.”
- Folklore and Spooky Vibes: The summer solstice—the longest day of the year—holds mystical significance. As the sun sets, ancient rituals resurface. The unsettling feeling grows as guests navigate their own secrets and unravel the manor’s dark history.
“There’s been a right of way through here for centuries – before that house even existed. You’re the ones trespassing. Local people have always walked among these trees … using their wood, their flora and fauna. There’s a unique convergence of ley lines here. Keeping people away from the land”
- Twists and Reveals: Foley masterfully parcels out information. Each character’s perspective peels back layers, exposing their true selves. Expect surprises and jaw-dropping revelations
“As though I have no right to be here. As though I have no authority over her. I hate that she knows who I really am. I hate that she looks at me and sees that grubby, lonely, unloved kid from the past.”
- Short Chapters: The pacing benefits from short, focused chapters. They propel the story forward, and especially in the later chapters, urging you to read “just one more.”
- Slow Start, Rewarding Finish: Initially, you might wonder where it’s headed. But as threads entwine and secrets spill, you’ll be glad you persevered.
- Locked Room Mystery: The manor becomes a pressure cooker, and suspicion mounts. Who can they trust? The claustrophobia adds to the tension.
“You know, sometimes I think this job’s OK. The pay’s all right. And then other times I think I’d really like to headbutt someone. Or just, like, torch the place.”
- Unlikeable Characters: Whiny, entitled rich guests clash. Their flaws—greed, jealousy, entitlement—fuel the drama. You’ll love to hate them.
“Turns out a leopard doesn’t change its spots, even if it’s covered them up with some wellness bullshit and white linen.”
- Stay Out of the Woods Energy: The forest looms large. It’s both sanctuary and menace. As night falls, whispers echo among the trees.
- Toxic Female Friendships: Beneath the glamour, friendships fray. Jealousies simmer, alliances shift, and betrayal lurks. These women wield power, but it’s a double-edged sword.
The Midnight Feast combines folklore, suspense, and flawed characters. It’s a feast of secrets, lies, and spine-tingling moments.
Although I really wanted to love this book, I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as “The Paris Apartment”.
Thank you to Exclusive Books for this gifted copy.
Published by HarperCollins Publishers and Jonathan Ball Publishers (in South Africa)
About this book: The Midnight Feast – Exclusive Books Online
Buy this book: The Midnight Feast – Exclusive Books Online
About the author: https://www.facebook.com/LucyFoleyAuthor
@roelia_reads #MondayMood and #TheMidnightFeast by #LucyFoley This is my carryover book from last month, an intriguing mystery thriller Have you read any of this author’s books yet? Her most recent work includes “The Guest List” (still on my TBR), and “The Paris Apartment” (which was a ⭐⭐⭐⭐ read for me)! #RoeliaReads #EBRecommends #booktok #booktoksa #bookworm #alwaysreading ♬ Lost in a Book – Outer Circle
