How appropros, to go from an Agatha Christie book to one that was so clearly inspired by her. The Guest List is a locked room mystery (or specifically, everyone is trapped on an island) and as I said in my last review, I had been on a big Agatha Christie kick, so this one seemed appropriate, as I had heard good things about Foley. And, exciting/suspicious/skeptical/fun news, in March 2025, Foley was tapped by Harper Collins to write the first NEW Miss Marple novel (!!!!??!!!!). I will be waiting with cautious optimism because luckily, I really enjoyed this book.
Foley has written a tight and compelling story about a wedding held on a beautiful and remote island.. From the very beginning, there are a TON of secrets and red flags being thrown around and if you’re able to predict where it’s all going, bully for you because I had no idea. Lots of gasping from me as things were revealed.
You know pretty early on that something really bad happens to someone, but it is a looooooong time before all is revealed. At first I was pretty frustrated in a “ugh, get to it!” sort of way, but then as little secrets were revealed allll over the place, the “big mystery” became the B Plot to all the juicy hot gossip being flung around, and of course, it’s shared in such a way from each person’s unique POV that you, the reader, know before the other characters, so you essentially get a double reveal as you are waiting for the other shoe to drop as characters perceptions and understandings of their friends and family are shattered.
A special note that I read this in audio form and the narrators did a phenomenal job, and with multiple people they were really able to lend authenticity to each POV. It’s a great book for summer, beach or otherwise. I’m excited to snag another Foley next time I’m at the library, and intrigued to read her Miss Marple book.