Minnie's Fiction Addiction

👀 First impressions:
The Guest List by Lucy Foley promises a stormy island, a glamorous wedding, and a body before the cake is even cut. On paper, it’s the perfect recipe for a modern murder mystery. The story unfolds across multiple perspectives including the bride, the groom, the best man, the bridesmaid, and the wedding planner, each with their own secrets simmering beneath the surface.

It’s a setup that feels deliciously dramatic, and Foley’s writing instantly sets the scene. The wild Irish island is the perfect backdrop for paranoia and betrayal, and the tension builds steadily toward the inevitable tragedy.

✅ What I Liked:
The atmosphere is impeccable. The isolation, the unpredictable weather, and the increasingly uneasy wedding guests create a tangible sense of dread. Foley also does a great job exploring the dark undercurrents of ambition, jealousy, and resentment that swirl beneath picture-perfect occasions.

Her short, snappy chapters keep the pace brisk, and the multi-perspective format means you’re constantly shifting sympathies and suspicions. It’s compulsively readable, the kind of book that’s easy to race through in one sitting.

❎ What I didn’t Like:
While the setup is strong, the payoff feels a little too neat. The twists are well planted but ultimately predictable, and many of the characters lean too heavily into stereotypes such as the icy bride, the arrogant groom, and the bitter outsider. The emotional depth that could have made the reveal truly shocking never quite lands.

It also suffers a bit from the “multiple POV fatigue” that can make it hard to connect deeply with any one character. You’re kept at arm’s length, watching the drama unfold rather than feeling it.

📚 Why You Should Read This Book:
If you’re in the mood for a fast-paced, escapist thriller that feels like a modern Agatha Christie crossed with a Netflix drama, this will absolutely deliver. It’s atmospheric, cinematic, and full of page-turning tension, just don’t expect it to reinvent the genre.

💭 Final Thoughts:
The Guest List is entertaining and stylish, with strong pacing and an irresistible premise. But for all its tension and polish, it never quite reaches the emotional or psychological depth it hints at. A solid, enjoyable read that’s fun in the moment but fades quickly once the mystery is solved.

🛍️ Where to buy
To buy your own copy click HERE and HERE

Final Rating ★★★ – A slick, suspenseful page-turner that entertains but doesn’t surprise.