Lucy Foley Books: A Guide to Her Novels

Lucy Foley is a British author known for suspenseful, atmospheric novels in which secrets, complicated relationships and carefully constructed settings take centre stage. Her books range from historical fiction to modern murder mysteries, making her a good choice for readers who enjoy stories with vivid locations and plenty of twists.

Lucy Foley’s books in order

For readers who would like to explore her work from the beginning, her novels were published in this order:

1. The Book of Lost and Found (2015)
2. The Invitation (2016)
3. The Hunting Party (2019)
4. The Guest List (2020)
5. The Paris Apartment (2022)
6. The Midnight Feast (2024)

Historical fiction: her earlier novels

Foley began her career with historical fiction. The Book of Lost and Found follows a young woman investigating the life of a mysterious artist, taking readers across places and periods as she searches for answers about her family. The Invitation is also a story of romance and mystery, set against the glamour of post-war Europe.

These earlier books share Foley’s interest in the past, family histories and the way long-held secrets can shape people’s lives. They offer a different experience from her later thrillers, with more emphasis on historical settings and relationships.

Lucy Foley’s mystery and thriller novels

The Hunting Party marked a move towards the locked-room-style mysteries for which Foley is now widely recognised. A group of old friends gather at a remote Scottish lodge for New Year, but their holiday takes a sinister turn. The isolated setting and shifting points of view build suspense as the story reveals the tensions beneath the group’s polished surface.

In The Guest List, a wedding on a remote island brings together a bride, a groom and an assortment of guests with their own histories and grievances. When a storm cuts the celebration off from the mainland, the festivities become the backdrop for a murder investigation. The novel’s changing narrators invite readers to piece together what happened and why.

The Paris Apartment moves the action to a Parisian apartment building. Jess arrives looking for her half-brother, only to find that he has disappeared. As she gets to know the building’s residents, she begins to uncover the secrets behind their seemingly ordinary lives.

The Midnight Feast is set at a luxury hotel on the Dorset coast during its opening weekend. The return of a woman with links to the property unsettles the celebrations, and the story moves between different perspectives and timelines to reveal the events behind the mystery.

What makes Lucy Foley’s books distinctive?

Foley’s thrillers often bring a group of people together in a confined or remote setting: a lodge, an island, an apartment building or a newly opened hotel. Each character has a perspective, and each perspective may leave something out. This structure lets the reader gather clues gradually while questioning who can be trusted.

Place is important, too. Foley uses settings not merely as backdrops but as part of the atmosphere: isolation, bad weather and unfamiliar surroundings can heighten the sense that escape is difficult. Her novels also explore friendship, status, jealousy and the gap between public appearances and private lives.

Which Lucy Foley book should you read first?

Readers looking for a contemporary murder mystery could start with The Guest List or The Hunting Party. Both feature an ensemble cast, a secluded setting and a mystery assembled through multiple viewpoints. For a more urban story, The Paris Apartment offers a suspenseful introduction to Foley’s twist-filled style.

Those who prefer historical fiction may want to begin with The Book of Lost and Found or The Invitation. Whichever book you choose, Foley’s novels are well suited to readers who enjoy atmospheric settings, interwoven secrets and mysteries that keep changing shape as the story unfolds.