Tag Archives: Psychological Thriller

Review: The Midnight Feast

The Midnight FeastThe Midnight Feast
By Lucy Foley
William Morrow & Company, 9780063003101, June 2024, 368pp.

The Short of It:

In the end, disappointment.

The Rest of It:

“It’s the opening night of The Manor, the newest and hottest luxury resort, and no expense, small or large, has been spared. The infinity pool sparkles; 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 it’s not too long before the local police are called. Turns out the past has crashed the party, with deadly results.” ~ from the publisher

This story alternates between when these characters were young, and them as adults. As youths, I was taken in by the story. But the adult characters were such crashing bores. I’ve read two other Foley books and enjoyed them quite a bit, but this one lost me every time the story turned to the present.

As a mystery, nothing is surprising and some of the antics are quite juvenile and ridiculous. I’m okay reading a book for its entertainment value but about halfway through that desire left me but I pushed through to finish it.

I know some people enjoyed this one but I do not recommend it. Read one of her other books.

Source: Borrowed
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.

Review: The Drowning Woman

The Drowning Woman

The Drowning Woman
By Robyn Harding
Published by Grand Central Publishing, 9781538726761, June 13, 2023, 336 pp.

The Short of It:

Harding does it again.

The Rest of It:

Lee Gulliver never thought she’d find herself living on the streets–no one ever does–but when her restaurant fails, and she falls deeper into debt, she leaves her old life behind with nothing but her clothes and her Toyota Corolla. In Seattle, she parks in a secluded spot by the beach to lay low and plan her next move–until early one morning, she sees a sobbing woman throw herself into the ocean. Lee hauls the woman back to the surface, but instead of appreciation, she is met with fury. ~ Indiebound

I’ve read a few Harding books and they never fail to pull me right in. I mean, to the point where everything is pushed aside so I can be left to read. The Drowning Woman was no exception.

Lee, forced to live in her car and desperate for human interaction can’t help but fall under Hazel’s spell. What is this woman’s story? Why is she trying to kill herself? Outward appearances will tell you that Hazel has everything. A gorgeous beach house, money at her disposal and a handsome husband. But Hazel’s life is a mess and she wants out. Is Lee desperate enough to get tangled up in this web of lies if it means a chance to improve her life?

There are plenty of plot twists to keep the story moving. I eagerly picked the book up in-between work assignments, chores, and the like. I enjoyed it!! Recommend.

Source: Review copy provided by the publisher.
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.