Summary
-
The Midnight Feast
continues Lucy Foley’s trend of using a multi-POV structure, an approach that’s proven divisive. - Thriller books that have many different perspectives can make it hard to relate to certain characters or keep up with all the narratives.
- Multiple POVs makes sense for
The Midnight Feast,
which looks at multiple sides of a conflict and keeps secrets from its readers.
:Lucy Foley’s new thriller book is titled The Midnight Feast, and it follows a divisive trend from the author’s previous novels — but its story probably wouldn’t work without it. Foley is well-known among thriller readers, so it’s no surprise her latest release is one of the most-anticipated books of June 2024. The Midnight Feast hit shelves on June 18, and its setting and narrative make it a perfect summer read. Set at a luxury resort called The Manor, the novel follows the clashing guests and locals before and after tragedy strikes the venue.
Like Foley’s prior books, including The Paris Apartment and The Guest List, The Midnight Feast is pitched as a “locked-room mystery” (via Goodreads). It’s set in an isolated town, and the narrative jumps around in time to tell its story. The Midnight Feast also features a hallmark of Foley’s work, though it’s one that’s proven divisive among readers. Despite complaints, Foley continues this trend in The Midnight Feast. And while it may not be every reader’s preference, it does do an effective job of weaving this story together.
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The Midnight Feast Uses The Same Multi-POV Structure As Lucy Foley’s Other Books
Foley’s thriller books tend to be told from multiple perspectives, a trend that started with The Hunting Party back in 2018. The author continues to use this multi-POV structure in The Guest List and The Paris Apartment, even increasing the number of characters telling these stories. And given that this is a well-used strategy for Foley, it’s no surprise that she features several different POVs in The Midnight Feast. It’s a hallmark of her work, though it doesn’t seem to resonate with everyone. While some Goodreads reviews praise this approach, others cite it as a shortcoming.
The Midnight Feast
unravels from the eyes of multiple characters — and it even jumps around from past to present and works journal entries into its narrative.
Even still, The Midnight Feast unravels from the eyes of multiple characters — and it even jumps around from past to present and works journal entries into its narrative. The journals set up the book’s past storyline, while the perspectives of the influencers and employees at The Manor tackle the present. A local police officer is the primary POV for the future timeline, which alludes to what will happen at the end of the main one. These varying perspectives add tension, but there are valid reasons some readers would prefer less of them.
Why Some Readers Are Frustrated With This Lucy Foley Book Trend
It may come as a surprise that readers are divided on Foley’s multi-POV trend, but it makes sense given the inevitable effects of this structure. Although jumping from character to character has its benefits, there are notable downsides. For one, the reader doesn’t get the opportunity to connect with any character thoroughly, as they’re constantly shuffled from person to person. This is made worse by the fact that none of the characters in The Midnight Feast are all that likable. Given more time in their POVs, it’s possible readers could connect. Sadly, the book doesn’t allow for this.
Additionally, using multiple POVs can prove confusing, especially when a book already features more than one timeline. The Midnight Feast does a decent job of setting its perspectives apart, with Foley giving each character their own distinct voice. Even with this to differentiate, there are a lot of moving parts to Foley’s 2024 book. Some readers may feel it’s difficult to keep up with, and they may not find the investment worthwhile, especially if there’s no one they’re rooting for.
Having Multiple Perspectives Makes Sense For The Midnight Feast
The Midnight Feast‘s multi-POV structure may not be for every reader, but it does make sense for the much-anticipated 2024 thriller book. Foley’s latest showcases both sides of a feud between a local town and the wealthy influencers disrupting its peace, and having more than one perspective allows her to dig into all sides of the conflict. There are also several characters whose identities are meant to be twists, and their secrets are better kept when the book limits the time spent in their heads.
In general, this is the biggest reason Foley uses more than one POV in
The Midnight Feast
: it helps keep readers in the dark about certain elements of the story, building tension ahead of major reveals.
In general, this is the biggest reason Foley uses more than one POV in The Midnight Feast: it helps keep readers in the dark about certain elements of the story, building tension ahead of major reveals. To the author’s credit, this does work for most stories in this genre, ensuring thrillers have endings that don’t disappoint. But spending more time on a select character’s point of view might help these novels have more of an emotional impact. It’s a trade-off that The Midnight Feast makes, and it means the book will appeal more to some readers than others.