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A review by katsbooks
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
“In my experience, those who have the greatest respect for the rules also take the most enjoyment in breaking them.”
"...sometimes the smallest currents are the strongest."
This was a fun read. When I started, I thought it was more of a thriller. So I started getting bored in the first half. Then I realized that this was more of a mystery and the fun was trying to figure out died and who-dun-it. At first, I was annoyed that we didn't know who died, just that there was a victim but then it became kind of fun to try and figure out who the victim was as well. I liked how the author formatted the two timelines. The narrative was almost cinematic in nature. I could easily see it becoming a movie. I also really enjoyed the different relationships and how we delved into the background of a number of characters. It made the mystery fun as you slowly figured out what each person's motive might be and why how they could easily have become the victim. My major critique of this novel is how the relationships between the women characters were written. Each of their motives had to do with their romantic relationships with men. Specifically Jules and Hannah's relationship was not my favorite. I don't think this novel would pass the Bechdel test which is a bit disappointing. I get that the author was casting suspicion to make the reader question everyone's motives but why do they always need to be wrapped up in their relationships with men???
"...sometimes the smallest currents are the strongest."
This was a fun read. When I started, I thought it was more of a thriller. So I started getting bored in the first half. Then I realized that this was more of a mystery and the fun was trying to figure out died and who-dun-it. At first, I was annoyed that we didn't know who died, just that there was a victim but then it became kind of fun to try and figure out who the victim was as well. I liked how the author formatted the two timelines. The narrative was almost cinematic in nature. I could easily see it becoming a movie. I also really enjoyed the different relationships and how we delved into the background of a number of characters. It made the mystery fun as you slowly figured out what each person's motive might be and why how they could easily have become the victim. My major critique of this novel is how the relationships between the women characters were written. Each of their motives had to do with their romantic relationships with men. Specifically Jules and Hannah's relationship was not my favorite. I don't think this novel would pass the Bechdel test which is a bit disappointing. I get that the author was casting suspicion to make the reader question everyone's motives but why do they always need to be wrapped up in their relationships with men???
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Alcohol, Classism, Drug use, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Murder, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Blood, Abortion, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, and Vomit