The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley

Book Review 

Title: The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley 

Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Crime 

Rating: 5 Stars 

Lucy Foley’s The Hunting Party is a chilling, atmospheric thriller that blends the classic closed-circle mystery with a distinctly modern sensibility. Set against the stark beauty of the Scottish Highlands, the novel explores how long-buried resentments and secrets can turn friendship into something far more dangerous. Foley uses isolation, shifting perspectives, and an ominous sense of inevitability to craft a story that is as much about human nature as it is about solving a murder. 

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The novel centers on a group of old friends who reunite to celebrate New Year’s Eve at a remote hunting lodge. What begins as a nostalgic getaway quickly grows tense as the characters’ pasts—and their grudges—resurface. Foley structures the narrative through multiple first-person viewpoints, a choice that deepens the suspense while highlighting how differently each character perceives the same events. This fragmented storytelling keeps the reader alert and engaged, constantly reassessing loyalties and motivations as new information comes to light. 

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its setting. The snowbound Highlands are not merely a backdrop but an active force in the story. The relentless cold, the encroaching darkness, and the impassable roads amplify the characters’ emotional claustrophobia. Foley’s descriptive prose makes the lodge feel simultaneously luxurious and menacing, reinforcing the idea that comfort and danger can coexist. The environment mirrors the psychological state of the group, as civility slowly erodes under pressure. 

Foley also excels at character construction, though not always in a way that invites affection. Many of the characters are deeply flawed—selfish, evasive, or quietly cruel—which can make them difficult to sympathize with. However, this is largely intentional. The novel asks readers to consider how well we truly know the people we call friends and how time can distort both memory and loyalty. While some characters verge on being archetypal, their collective dysfunction serves the novel’s central theme: that unresolved conflicts rarely disappear, they only wait for the right moment to resurface. 

In terms of pacing, The Hunting Party is a slow burn rather than a rapid-fire thriller. The tension builds gradually, relying more on atmosphere and psychological unease than constant action. For some readers, this may feel deliberate to the point of restraint, but the payoff lies in the mounting dread rather than shock value. When revelations do occur, they feel earned, the natural consequence of choices made long before the story begins. 

Overall, The Hunting Party is a compelling and intelligently constructed mystery that rewards patient readers. Lucy Foley demonstrates a strong command of mood and structure, delivering a novel that is unsettling not because of graphic violence, but because of its insight into human frailty and betrayal. It is a haunting reminder that the most dangerous enemies are often the ones who know us best. 

Buy it here: 

Paperback/Hardcover: amazon.co.uk                          amazon.com 

Kindle Edition: amazon.co.uk                               amazon.com