Thriller recommendation – The Guest List by Lucey Foley

Initial Thoughts

I love a good thriller, especially one set in an isolated location with secrets bubbling under the surface. The Guest List promised suspense, a party on a remote island, and a wedding with more tension than romance. I went in expecting a cozy mystery with a few twists but Lucy Foley delivered so much more.

From the first chapter, I was hooked. The story jumps between multiple perspectives, each guest revealing their motives, insecurities, and secrets. The island setting, dark and stormy, made the tension almost palpable, like the waves themselves were warning of disaster.

What Is The Guest List All About?

“life is only a series of days. You can’t control more than a single day.”

The story takes place on a remote island off the coast of Ireland, where a glamorous wedding is about to happen. But behind the champagne and laughter, every guest has something to hide. A high-profile journalist, the bride’s estranged family, a secret lover, and even the wedding planner, each has their own secrets and reasons to want the day to go differently than planned.

When a murder occurs, no one is above suspicion. Everyone’s story is unreliable, and the tension ratchets up with each chapter. Foley skillfully builds a sense of dread, making even the smallest interactions feel like a clue.

The Guest List by Lucy Foley – My Review

“When I step outside the sun is just beginning to go down, spilling fire upon water. It tinges pink the mist that has begun to gather over the bog, that shields its secrets. This is my favourite hour.”

I gave this book four ⭐⭐⭐⭐stars. Foley’s writing is sharp and immersive; she keeps the pace tight, and her multiple viewpoints never felt confusing. I loved how she revealed information slowly, teasing the truth just enough to keep me guessing without frustrating me.

The characters were intriguing and complex. No one was purely good or evil, which made the mystery more compelling. I found myself questioning motives, second-guessing alibis, and wondering if I could have predicted the ending.

The setting also deserves a mention it’s atmospheric and claustrophobic, perfect for a suspense story. The stormy island feels like another character, isolating everyone and turning small conflicts into matters of life and death.

And the ending was satisfying and shocking in all the right ways. Foley tied all the threads together while keeping a few surprises up her sleeve. I closed the book feeling satisfied.

Final Thoughts

The Guest List is exactly the kind of thriller I want to read: tense, clever, and packed with twists. It’s a story about secrets, lies, and the dark sides of human nature, wrapped in a glamorous and deadly setting. Fans of Agatha Christie–style whodunits and modern psychological thrillers.