Review of "The Hunting Party" by Lucy Foley

Review of "The Hunting Party" by Lucy Foley

The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley is a chilling, atmospheric thriller set in a remote hunting lodge in the Scottish Highlands. The story follows a group of old university friends that reunite every year, and this year they are ringing in the New Year together. Much like her other novel “The Guest List” author Lucy Foley uses the isolated setting to heighten the tension and suspense. Along with the friends are the lodge crew who offer some suspicious activity that adds to the mystery.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its shifting points of view. We get to know each character through the lens of the other characters, and we get bits and pieces of the puzzle. The story also jumps back and forth between present day murder, and the past two days leading up to the murder. The structure mirrors the blizzard surrounding the lodge, which is disorienting, relentless, and impossible to escape. The novel does deal with themes of loyalty, ambition, expectations and the dark past of friendships. However, the ending doesn’t really deal with or resolve any of those issues.

Unlike “The Guest List” I didn’t like the characters in this book, and I was about 20% into reading it before I actually got hooked, and started to find the characters interesting enough to continue reading. I don’t think Foley drops enough subtle clues or hints about each characters motivation and some characters are completely useless, such as Samira and her husband Giles. The main focus characters are Miranda, Emma, Katie, and Heather, the last one being the manager of the lodge. There is just too many characters that are unnecessary.

While the setting for the novel does provide isolation and intrigue, it also feels too deliberate, because of the added information that doesn’t have anything to do with the actual murder. This story has too many red herrings and the actual serial killer they keep mentioning actually had nothing to do with them and was found miles away in another town. The other suspicious characters also prove pointless and only there to add to this side plot about the hunting lodge being a front for criminal activity.

The pacing in this book I felt was slower than “The Guest List”, and it took too long to reveal actual information about the group of friends. The end twist was a bit shocking but only because it feels like information was left out and purposely revealed at end. I also felt like the character that died wasn’t as deserved and it was more of an accident than deliberate. Which is fine, but a bit anti-climactic. Also, it feels like the friends that were the ones harboring secrets and betrayal, get off scot free.

So, overall I did enjoy this novel, the short length helps. It’s a decent suspense but not a good mystery because you really have no way of guessing who died or who the killer is, until the last few chapters. The ending comes a bit out of left field, but I think it mostly works. If you enjoyed “The Guest List” you might like this novel. If you just like a short, character driven suspense then this might be for you. But if you’re look for a proper mystery that you can have fun guessing  along with, then this is not for you.

 

Review of "The Guest List" by Lucy Foley

Review of "The Guest List" by Lucy Foley

Lucy Foley’s The Guest List is a character drama masked as a mystery thriller. The opening chapter sets up a murder mystery, but we don’t know who died until the end of the book. It allows suspense to build throughout the novel. The story is set on a secluded Irish Island with caves and graveyards during a storm. The setting creates an eerie atmosphere that helps heighten the tension of the mystery.

Foley’s writing blends classic whodunit elements with modern suspense that focuses on the characters. The narrative is told from multiple character viewpoints. The switch between characters adds to the chaos of the mystery. Each character carries secrets, grudges, and hidden motivations, making everyone a potential suspect. With every new chapter the characters reveal a small part of the larger picture that leads into the mysterious death.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its setting. Foley uses this claustrophobic environment to great effect, crashing waves, looming cliffs, and unpredictable weather mirror the emotional storms. Jealousy, betrayal and guilt fuel the guests motives and create controversy amongst each other. The author skillfully examines how long-buried resentments can lead to conflict with others and unfortunate consequences.

While this book might be a slow burn, it keeps the reader engaged by constantly layering the character drama and making us sympathetic with some characters and disliking others. Several times throughout the novel I thought I had guessed who the murdered victim would be only to change my mind repeatedly, truly leaving the end a mystery.

However, the book does fall into certain narrative traps, such as having characters hide information for someone for no reason. Or having certain characters not knowing each other, when it seems like they probably should have based on their friendship circles. But without those tropes there would be no mystery, it would just be a murder.

Overall, The Guest List is a compelling, tightly plotted novel that delivers twists, tension, and a satisfying payoff. Foley delivers a solid suspense novel that balances atmosphere, with character development, and mystery. I don’t think this book would be for everyone, because it is character driven and a slow burn. But if the plot seems intriguing to you, then I recommend giving this book a read.