Originally posted to I Should Read That

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is a spoiler-free review.

I read and really enjoyed Lucy's first novel, The Hunting Party, and was really excited to read more thrillers from her. There's something about her 'posh, awful people doing awful things and having awful things happen to them' plots that I absolutely love -- they're so deliciously dark and compulsively readable.

In many ways, The Guest List feels very much like The Hunting Party. You have a group of posh people coming together for an event, more secrets than you can shake a stick at, and a murder. And just like The Hunting Party, we don't know who is murdered or who the culprit is until the very end. I really liked this format so I was pleased to see it used again so effectively.

There's a wide cast of characters with multiple points of view. Between the wedding planner, the plus one, the best man, the bridesmaid, and the bride, the book felt incredibly well balanced in terms of the shifting POV, which is no easy feat. I really enjoyed the wide cast of characters -- Foley has a real talent for creating interesting and well fleshed out characters that have interesting motivations. 

The only real downside of this book is the ending. While I found it satisfying, there was just so much coincidence! It all became a little unbelievable toward the end. To me, the book unraveled a little in the last 10-15%, which is just a shame because thrillers really have to stick the landing. However, this is obviously down to personal preference so I wouldn't let this deter you from picking up the book yourself.

The Guest List is another fun and compulsively readable thriller from Lucy Foley, perfect reading for a cold, winter evening.

CW: cutting, suicide and attempted suicide

3.5 out of 5 stars