Attention: A Solstice Soirée Gone Sinister
Imagine a balmy summer evening, the air thick with the scent of pine and sea salt, as a glittering crowd gathers at a luxury resort nestled in Dorset’s ancient woodlands. I’m sipping coffee with Lucy Foley, the #1 New York Times bestselling author whose The Midnight Feast—a psychological thriller novel that’s one of the best thrillers of 2024—has readers buzzing like moths around a flame. This summer solstice thriller and luxury resort mystery novel weaves a folklore-inspired thriller vibe, blending locked-room mystery with eerie local legends. As we settle into a cozy café that feels one whispered curse away from the pages of her book, Foley’s ready to spill the tea (or perhaps the “Manor Mule” cocktail) on her latest masterpiece. Grab your invite to this folklore-inspired thriller—things are about to get delightfully dark.
Interest: Unraveling the Spell of The Midnight Feast
Why The Midnight Feast Is a Summer Solstice Thriller You Can’t Resist
Anastacia: Lucy, The Midnight Feast is like crashing a posh party where the champagne’s flowing but the woods are whispering creepy secrets. This psychological thriller novel is so atmospheric it’s practically a character. What sparked this luxury resort mystery novel? Did a real-life solstice celebration inspire the folklore-inspired thriller vibe?
Lucy Foley: laughs Anastacia, you’re spot-on about the creepy woods! I’ve always been obsessed with the summer solstice—it’s this magical, primal moment where light and dark collide. I was staying at a gorgeous rural hotel—think spa in an orangery, cocktails in a glade—and I started imagining what if this idyllic spot had a sinister past? The Manor, the resort in The Midnight Feast, grew from that, with its glossy wellness facade hiding old grudges and local folklore about “The Birds.” I wanted a summer solstice thriller that felt like Midsommar meets The White Lotus, where luxury and dread are two sides of the same coin.
Published in June 2024 by HarperCollins, The Midnight Feast is a best thriller of 2024, hitting Sunday Times bestseller lists and earning a 4.5-star Goodreads average. Set during the grand opening of The Manor, a wellness retreat in Tome, Devon, the story follows a cast of guests and staff—Francesca the founder, her husband Owen, mysterious guest Bella, and kitchen worker Eddie—whose secrets unravel during a summer solstice thriller celebration. A body is found, and the folklore-inspired thriller elements, like the menacing “Birds” legend, add a gothic chill. Vogue called it “an engrossing guessing game,” and readers agree, with 21,000 reviews praising its multi-POV, dual-timeline structure.
Crafting Characters That Haunt and Charm
Anastacia: The characters in The Midnight Feast—from unhinged Francesca to sweet Eddie—are so vivid they could stroll into this café. How do you craft a cast for a psychological thriller novel that keeps us guessing? And, cheeky question: which one’s your secret favorite in this luxury resort mystery novel?
Lucy Foley: I start with what people hide—everyone’s got a mask, especially at a place like The Manor. Francesca was a blast to write; she’s this wellness goddess with a dark edge, and her voice just poured out. Bella’s secrecy drove me wild—I kept wondering what she was up to. Eddie, though? He’s the heart of the luxury resort mystery novel. He’s a 19-year-old dishwasher, so earnest it hurts, and I rooted for him every page. Favorite? whispers Eddie. He’s the underdog you want to hug, but don’t sleep on Francesca—she’s a trainwreck you can’t look away from.
Foley’s multi-POV approach, a hallmark of her best thrillers of 2024, keeps readers on edge. Each narrator—Francesca’s ambition, Bella’s caginess, Eddie’s innocence—adds layers to the folklore-inspired thriller atmosphere. The 2010 journal entries of a teenage girl weave a haunting backstory, linking past sins to present chaos. Goodreads reviewers rave about the “addictive folklore element” and “ratcheting tension,” noting how characters’ secrets make the psychological thriller novel a page-turner.
Weaving Folklore into a Folklore-Inspired Thriller
Anastacia: The “Birds” legend in The Midnight Feast gives it such a creepy, folklore-inspired thriller edge, like The Wicker Man had a baby with Agatha Christie. How do you balance spooky folklore with the grounded suspense of a summer solstice thriller? And, nosy question: did writing those eerie bits ever spook you?
Lucy Foley: The Birds came from my love for Daphne du Maurier—think Rebecca meets The Birds. I wanted a local myth that felt real, like something whispered in Tome’s pubs. The folklore grounds the luxury resort mystery novel by tying the Manor’s glossy present to its murky past—it’s not just a ghost story; it’s a warning. Balancing it was like mixing a cocktail: a splash of eerie, a dash of psychological suspense. Spooked? leans closer There’s a scene with the woods at night that had me checking my windows. I may have slept with a light on. Don’t tell.
The folklore-inspired thriller elements elevate The Midnight Feast above typical thrillers. The Birds, tied to Tome’s history, add a supernatural shiver without overpowering the psychological thriller novel’s core. Short chapters and shifting timelines—present-day solstice, 2010 journals, and post-murder aftermath—keep the pace relentless. Harper’s Bazaar called it “everything you want in a thriller,” and its best thrillers 2024 status reflects its grip on readers.
Desire: Why The Midnight Feast Will Keep You Up Past Midnight
A Luxury Resort Mystery Novel That Hits Deep
Anastacia: This summer solstice thriller tackles revenge, privilege, and buried trauma with such flair. What do you hope readers take from The Midnight Feast, especially those drawn to Bella’s secrets or Eddie’s heart in this best thriller of 2024?
Lucy Foley: I hope readers get lost in the luxury resort mystery novel—the glitz, the dread, the woods that feel alive. Bella’s journey is about facing the past, which I think hits home for anyone carrying old wounds. Eddie’s just trying to do right in a world that’s unfair, and I hope that resonates. If someone finishes The Midnight Feast feeling thrilled but also seen, maybe questioning who gets to rewrite history, that’s the goal. Oh, and I hope they’re a little scared of birds afterward. Just a little.
The Midnight Feast’s emotional depth makes it a standout psychological thriller novel. Its themes—class tension, hidden truths, the weight of memory—mirror The Guest List but with a darker, folk-horror twist. The Manor’s opulence, from infinity pools to solstice feasts, contrasts with the gritty local resentment, creating a folklore-inspired thriller that’s both escapist and raw. Fans of Ruth Ware or The White Lotus will devour its mix of glamour and menace, as Booklist noted: “Chilling, exciting, and hugely satisfying.”
The Mind Behind the Mystery
Anastacia: Your thrillers, from The Hunting Party to The Midnight Feast, feel like invitations to deliciously dangerous parties. Is there a bit of Lucy Foley in Francesca’s ambition or Bella’s scheming? And what’s a quirky writing habit fans of this best thriller of 2024 would be shocked to know?
Lucy Foley: I’m probably Bella’s overthinking and Francesca’s love for a good aesthetic, minus the unhinged bits—hopefully. I write for people who love a twisty escape, and The Midnight Feast is my most personal yet, maybe because I became a parent while writing it. It made me think about legacy and secrets. Quirky habit? I sing creepy nursery rhymes—like “Teddy Bears’ Picnic” but spookier—while plotting. My neighbors probably think I’m summoning spirits. It’s very folklore-inspired thriller of me.
Foley’s warmth and wit shine, making her the perfect guide for a summer solstice thriller. Her process—blending research trips to luxe hotels with a knack for twisty plots—crafts a luxury resort mystery novel that feels cinematic, with readers on X calling it “a perfect summer thriller.”
Action: Don’t Miss This Best Thriller of 2024
Why You Need The Midnight Feast Now
As our coffee cups tremble (blame the Manor’s ghostly vibes), I’m struck by how Lucy Foley has woven a psychological thriller novel that’s as intoxicating as it is unsettling. The Midnight Feast is a must-read folklore-inspired thriller, blending summer solstice thriller energy with luxury resort mystery novel glamour. Whether you’re a thriller junkie or craving a best thriller of 2024, this book will keep you guessing till dawn. Don’t wait for the solstice—grab The Midnight Feast from your local bookstore or online before the Birds come calling.
