The Midnight Feast is set at The Manor, a brand-spanking-new countryside retreat that has opened on the Dorset Coast. Set against the backdrop of an ancient wood, guests gather for the opening of The Manor, but old friends and enemies are leaping out of the shadows. It is here that secrets and the dark history of The Manor and the woods become intertwined in a dark way.
This plot sets the scene for a perfect mystery. From the very beginning, the story builds with a sense of unease and ambiguity that kept me on the edge of my seat but still glued to the page, frantically wanting for answers. It may be slow in terms of build-up and pacing, but it works because this style of storytelling ramps up the tension and suspense in a way that is truly petrifying.
The character work is also great, with a set-up that felt indicative of the way authors such as Agatha Christie would introduce characters as suspects. Each has secrets and compelling backstories, which add to the entertainment value of the book as you never know who to trust. Most importantly, the mystery is aided by the setting, vivid descriptions and atmosphere.
Chilling, terrifying and filled with spine-tingling tension, The Midnight Feast is everything you want from crime fiction. It delivers a terrific sense of atmosphere, a nail-biting sense of suspense that builds with the ominous tone, and great pacing and plotting. It kept me guessing right until the very end. Foley’s well-crafted scene-setting completely absorbed me in the story.
The gothic and dark descriptions sent shivers down my spine, making for an enthralling good time.
Reviewed by Joshua Hortinela
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I’m the author of the murder mystery thrillers as well as the historical novels.
I came to writing through a love of reading – I previously worked with books as a fiction editor, a literary agent’s assistant, a bookseller and a literary scout!
Thanks to brilliant readers around the world, my novels have sold over five million copies, and been translated into multiple languages. I’m also a No 1 New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller. A life-long Agatha Christie fan, I also contributed to Marple, a collection of short stories featuring the legendary detective.
0 Comments