The MidnighList t Feast by Lucy Foley is a mind-bending psychological thriller that explores themes of personal identity, how social influences can determine a person’s ultimate destiny, and a quest for redemption.

Both of Lucy Foley’s bestselling novels The Guest List and The Paris Apartment were obviously popular with readers and critics alike. Having read neither, I’ve only admired her work from afar, so this is my first book from the British author. The popularity of those previous novels boded well for me enjoying her latest novel The Midnight Feast and motivated me to request an advanced reader copy. The novel seamlessly blends mystery and suspense and is chock-full of twists and more than a little creepiness.

I must confess that I disliked almost all the characters in this book, yet that didn’t affect my interest in them or my enjoyment of the story. I’m tempted to believe Foley may have intentionally drawn these characters as a challenge to the reader to engage with them despite their lack of likability. Foley puts the reader in the heads of many of the characters of this book, so we learn who they are and what they are like first hand, as well as from the opinions of the other narrators. This multiple narrator approach made it a challenge to identity the protagonist of the book, but there was never any doubt about the identity of the antagonist, although it wasn’t until near the end when the reader learns just how villainous the person is.

Besides the multiple narrators, Foley also relies on a diary kept by one character to help the reader understand and follow the plot. And the novel alternates between three significant time periods (one period via the diary) throughout, sometimes abruptly, but always adeptly.

Foley delays revealing several secrets until the very end, including what motivates two of the key characters in their respective quests for redemption. It’s a twisty read most certainly and happily there’s satisfying closure at the end where justice comes late.

I found The Midnight Feast a pleasant introduction to Lucy Foley, whose style I found somewhat reminiscent of Agatha Christie. I definitely plan to read more from this author.

William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins, will publish The Midnight Feast on June 18, 2024. I received the advanced readers copy of the book used for this review from the publisher via NetGalley, which represents my honest opinions.

Book rating: ★★★★