The Guest List Book Review: A Gripping Must-Read

Title: The Guest List
Author: Lucy Foley
Published: 2020 (February 20)
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 320
Format: Hardcover / Paperback / eBook / Audiobook
Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Crime, Psychological Fiction
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About Author

When I first picked up The Guest List, I was instantly curious about its creator, Lucy Foley — a British author whose mastery of mystery, thriller, and fiction has reshaped modern contemporary storytelling. Born on 16 August 1986 in Sussex, England, she carries the essence of English literature in her veins. Having studied at Westbourne House School in Chichester, Portsmouth High School, University College London, and Durham University, she grew into a thoughtful novelist with a strong English nationality identity. Before turning to writing full-time, she worked as an editor for Headline Publishing Group and Hodder & Stoughton, sharpening her storytelling instincts.

Her journey flourished when The Guest List, a thriller novel published on 2 June 2020 by William Morrow, became a New York Times and Washington Post best-seller, praised by Library Journal, Booklist, The New York Times Book Review, Good Housekeeping, Marie Claire, Buzzfeed, Harper’s Bazaar, Shelf Awareness, and PopSugar. The review circles buzzed with excitement as the book earned an accolade among the Best Thrillers of 2020, securing the Goodreads Choice Award for Mystery & Thriller (2020) and a CWA Gold Dagger Award Longlist mention. Her later work, The Paris Apartment, published on 22 February 2022, was another mystery thriller novel highly anticipated by Goodreads and Good Housekeeping, marking yet another brilliant year in Foley’s storytelling career. Whenever I revisit her works — from the haunting rhythm of The Guest List to the layered intrigue of The Paris Apartment — I can feel her literary craftsmanship evolve with each page.

Book summary

ChatGPT said:

The Guest List by Lucy Foley is a chilling mystery-thriller set on a remote island off the coast of Ireland, where a glamorous wedding between Jules, a sharp and ambitious magazine publisher, and Will, a charming television star, takes a dark turn. As guests gather amid the stormy weather, buried secrets, old resentments, and hidden motives begin to surface. Told through multiple perspectives, the story unravels the twisted connections between the bride, groom, bridesmaid, best man, wedding planner, and others—each with something to hide. When a body is discovered, the celebration spirals into chaos, leaving everyone wondering not just who was killed, but why.

Plot

From the very first page of The Guest List, Lucy Foley pulls readers into a world of suspense, secrets, and chilling mystery. I’ve read my fair share of stand alone fantasy books, ya fantasy trilogy, and fantasy duologies, but this novel captured my attention in a very different way. It’s not about dragons or magic—it’s about human flaws, envy, and deceit that can be far darker than any fantasy villain. I first came across this book while browsing Reese’s Book Club selections for June 2020, and it instantly became one of my most memorable reads of the genre.

The story takes place on an isolated island off the coast of Ireland, where guests have gathered for a lavish wedding. The bride, Julia “Jules” Keegan, is a smart, ambitious magazine publisher, and the groom, William Slater, is a handsome, charming, television star and celebrity survivalist. The setup feels perfect: the designer dress, the remote location, the champagne, and the waves crashing below the cliffs. But beneath this elegant surface, something sinister brews—resentments, secrets, and jealousy.

As I listened to the audiobook version, the Irish accent in the narration by Jot Davies, Chloe Massey, Olivia Dowd, Aoife McMahon, Sarah Ovens, and Rich Keeble made the Irish setting come alive. The atmospheric sounds and emotional tones made me feel trapped on the island with the characters. This sense of being locked in, unable to escape, mirrors the story’s tropes of a locked room murder where the characters are isolated, and the killer is among them.

Foley’s storytelling structure is Multi-POV, told through alternating perspectives of the bride, bridesmaid, best man, wedding planner, and a few others. Each voice adds another layer of intrigue and suspense. While some readers found the multiple points of view confusing, I thought they added richness and depth. The overlapping memories, backstory, and emotions create a web that’s both intimate and unnerving.

The plot begins with celebration but slowly turns dark. Between the storm, the booze, and the forced mingling of relatives and friends, old wounds resurface. I loved how Foley used fakeouts and red herrings to keep readers guessing. One moment you think you know the murderer, and the next, you’re proven wrong. It reminded me of a literary Clue board game, full of suspense and subtle hints that lead you astray.

Around the sixty percent mark, the story’s pace shifts dramatically. After a series of minor incidents, there’s finally a scream, and the real plot development begins. I remember thinking how brilliantly Foley built the tension—it’s a slow-burning thriller that demands patience, but the payoff is worth every minute. The storm intensifies, the narrative unravels, and each character’s darkest side comes to light.

There’s an undeniable Agatha Christie-esque quality to the story. The New York Times Book Review even compared it to classic Agatha Christie tales, with a modern twist. While Foley doesn’t imitate the old-fashioned tone, she channels the same sense of confined dread and psychological unease. Her characters feel human, flawed, and often unlikeable, but that’s what makes them real.

The venue itself—a historic mansion surrounded by violent seas—serves as more than a setting. It becomes a silent witness to murder, crime, and emotional chaos. The storm outside mirrors the turmoil within. It’s an atmospheric masterpiece, a semi-closed property that amplifies both suspense and claustrophobia.

As the story moves toward its finale, Foley ties every thread neatly. There are a few convenient plot turns, sure, but they lead to a satisfying ending. I loved the cleverness in how the small details—a flashlight, a stray remark, or a moment of silence—fit perfectly into the bigger mystery. It’s what makes this a 5-star read in my book.

Characters like Johnno, the best man, are written with a complicated mix of guilt and sympathy. His backstory intertwines with Will’s boarding school past, creating layers of resentment and shame. Hannah, the plus-one, brings another emotional perspective, caught between Charlie and Jules’ uneasy friendship. And then there’s Eoife, the wedding planner, whose quiet presence hides much more than it seems.

Every scene builds toward that one terrifying question—why did someone end up dead? The final reveal is both shocking and emotionally satisfying. The pacing of the climax feels intense but not rushed. You can feel the storm battering the island as the truth emerges, each word sharp and deliberate.

As a fan of mystery-thrillers, I couldn’t help but compare it to The Hunting Party, another Foley novel set in Scotland. Both share similar predicaments and resentments, but The Guest List feels more polished, with stronger character development and an even more atmospheric design.

When I finally reached the last page, I understood why this book became a New York Times best thriller of 2020, a Goodreads Choice winner in the Mystery & Thriller category, and a finalist for Book of the Year. It’s haunting, entertaining, and utterly gripping. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys serious or adult mysteries that test both the heart and the mind.

And for anyone who loves intricate storytelling—whether you’re drawn to ya fantasy trilogy, fantasy duologies, or complex human dramas—The Guest List will remind you that sometimes, the most dangerous magic is hidden in the hearts of people.

Overall Conclusion

The Guest List by Lucy Foley is a brilliantly crafted mystery-thriller that combines sharp writing, layered characters, and an irresistibly tense atmosphere. Set on a remote Irish island, it captures the perfect balance between elegance and chaos, turning a dream wedding into a web of secrets, resentments, and shocking revelations. The story’s multi-POV structure and slow-building suspense create a deeply immersive experience that keeps readers guessing until the final page. Whether you love psychological thrillers or classic Agatha Christie-esque mysteries, The Guest List delivers a haunting, satisfying read that lingers long after the last chapter.