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sydneys_literarylifestyle's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A book that must be devoured. Once you start reading this book you will not be able to put it down. I have never had a story take a hold of me the way this book did. Every chapter and every character is described so vividly you will be on the edge of your seat until the very end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Sexual assault, and Animal cruelty
uranaishi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Sexual assault, Car accident, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Death, Gaslighting, Body shaming, Confinement, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Animal death, Blood, Cursing, Classism, Stalking, Alcohol, Grief, Sexual violence, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Rape, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Dementia, Adult/minor relationship, Sexism, Excrement, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Addiction, and Alcoholism
amateur_bookworm's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
My summary: A posh hotel opens in Dorset on the edge of the woods that locals consider to be sacred. The owner, Francesca, has poured herself into the Manor to make it a an exclusive and inviting resort for the wealthy, with an emphasis on spiritual wellness. Celebrating the opening weekend during the summer solstice, it is sure to be unforgettable and put the Manor on the map. But Francesca’s ethereal positivity starts to crack as bits of the deeply buried past begin to emerge during opening weekend. From the owner to the guests to the employees to the locals—no one is telling the truth and everyone has something to hide. And the locals, far off the beaten path in their small town of Tome, have always found that justice seems to be meted out when deserved.
My thoughts: Attentive reading is richly rewarded in this deviously dark thriller. If you like doing puzzles, this book is very satisfying. Lucy Foley masterfully weaves this story together until you feel like you’ve been transported directly into the middle of it. I was quickly pulled into the thrall of this twisty story set in an otherworldly feeling town. The story unfolds with jumps in time between the past, the weekend before the solstice, and the weekend after the solstice. I had no idea where the story was leading at any point, and many of the twists are completely unexpected. It was really satisfying as the pieces clicked into place and the mystery unfolded as you read. I can’t tell you many how many “Aha!” moments along the way made me want to go back and reread from the beginning after more pieces clicked together. There are a lot of characters and it feels like there’s a lot going on, with truly impressive depth to the layers of the story. Everyone seems to have motive, which is always my favorite in a mystery. Lucy Foley is absolutely a mad genius. This book rekindled my love of suspense and mystery books. This is—by far—my favorite Lucy Foley book yet.
••••••••••
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishing for the ARC copy of this book.
••••••••••
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishing for the ARC copy of this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Car accident, Confinement, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Blood, Death, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Violence
Moderate: Stalking, Abandonment, Animal death, Bullying, Classism, Gaslighting, Infidelity, and Sexual assault
bricrowder's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this fun and exciting thriller! I'm a fan of Lucy Foley and this is probably my favorite of hers so far.
Like her other books there are multiple perspectives. Luckily it wasn't too confusing to keep up with.
Even though all of the characters are complex and have flaws, there are more characters that you root for than those you don't, which I really liked.
The book centers on a brand newly open expensive hotel/retreat in the English countryside. They are having their opening weekend. As the weekend progresses and they prepare to have their solstice midnight feast event, strange things begin to happen. There is a rift between the fancy location and owners and the local town so it is tricky to know who and what is causing the odd and disturbing events.
It was a fast-paced book. There was lots of action and a mystery unraveling.
It had a clever ending with multiple great twists and character/plot developments.
If you are a fan of the author, murder mysteries, and multiple perspectives, where you try to figure out who are the victims, heros, and villains, then this is the book for you!
Like her other books there are multiple perspectives. Luckily it wasn't too confusing to keep up with.
Even though all of the characters are complex and have flaws, there are more characters that you root for than those you don't, which I really liked.
The book centers on a brand newly open expensive hotel/retreat in the English countryside. They are having their opening weekend. As the weekend progresses and they prepare to have their solstice midnight feast event, strange things begin to happen. There is a rift between the fancy location and owners and the local town so it is tricky to know who and what is causing the odd and disturbing events.
It was a fast-paced book. There was lots of action and a mystery unraveling.
It had a clever ending with multiple great twists and character/plot developments.
If you are a fan of the author, murder mysteries, and multiple perspectives, where you try to figure out who are the victims, heros, and villains, then this is the book for you!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
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