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cj_mo_2222's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed reading The Guest List and The Hunting Party (in spite of the unlikable characters in both) and thought the premise of Foley's newest book sounded intriguing. A luxury resort is having its grand opening celebration. Most people are having a wonderful time, but many local residents resent the resort owner and what she has created. Some of the guests and employees may have a motive for being there other than enjoying the ocean views and curated food and drinks. There is a flash forward very early on in the book letting you know that all is not going to go as planned at the main event - the Midnight Feast.
This book was another one that was full of unlikable people. I was able to find a couple people to root for, but I wouldn't want to spend much time with most of them. One exception is resort employee Eddie, who I really liked throughout the book for his honesty and down-to-earth personality. The story is told in three timelines showing events leading up to the party, the aftermath, and journal entries from one of the characters written 15 years ago. The journal entries are an excellent way to show past events, but I kept getting confused about the sequence of events in the other timelines.
There were frequent mentions of local folklore throughout the book that added to the creepy, foreboding atmosphere, but was also confusing. However, I found it clever how some of the characters are slowly revealed to have unexpected connections. The way everything comes together for a fitting and surprising ending helps bump this book up to four stars.
I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and William Morrow Books. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Bullying, and Classism
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Sexual assault
jmkendall0218's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Drug use, Bullying, Death, Sexual harassment, Classism, Murder, and Emotional abuse
uranaishi's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Sexual assault, Car accident, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Death, Gaslighting, Body shaming, Confinement, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Animal death, Blood, Cursing, Classism, Stalking, Alcohol, Grief, Sexual violence, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Rape, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Dementia, Adult/minor relationship, Sexism, Excrement, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Addiction, and Alcoholism
amateur_bookworm's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
My summary: A posh hotel opens in Dorset on the edge of the woods that locals consider to be sacred. The owner, Francesca, has poured herself into the Manor to make it a an exclusive and inviting resort for the wealthy, with an emphasis on spiritual wellness. Celebrating the opening weekend during the summer solstice, it is sure to be unforgettable and put the Manor on the map. But Francesca’s ethereal positivity starts to crack as bits of the deeply buried past begin to emerge during opening weekend. From the owner to the guests to the employees to the locals—no one is telling the truth and everyone has something to hide. And the locals, far off the beaten path in their small town of Tome, have always found that justice seems to be meted out when deserved.
My thoughts: Attentive reading is richly rewarded in this deviously dark thriller. If you like doing puzzles, this book is very satisfying. Lucy Foley masterfully weaves this story together until you feel like you’ve been transported directly into the middle of it. I was quickly pulled into the thrall of this twisty story set in an otherworldly feeling town. The story unfolds with jumps in time between the past, the weekend before the solstice, and the weekend after the solstice. I had no idea where the story was leading at any point, and many of the twists are completely unexpected. It was really satisfying as the pieces clicked into place and the mystery unfolded as you read. I can’t tell you many how many “Aha!” moments along the way made me want to go back and reread from the beginning after more pieces clicked together. There are a lot of characters and it feels like there’s a lot going on, with truly impressive depth to the layers of the story. Everyone seems to have motive, which is always my favorite in a mystery. Lucy Foley is absolutely a mad genius. This book rekindled my love of suspense and mystery books. This is—by far—my favorite Lucy Foley book yet.
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Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishing for the ARC copy of this book.
••••••••••
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishing for the ARC copy of this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Car accident, Confinement, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Blood, Death, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Violence
Moderate: Stalking, Abandonment, Animal death, Bullying, Classism, Gaslighting, Infidelity, and Sexual assault
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