Imagine this: you and your best friends rent a big lodge in the snowy Scottish mountains to celebrate New Year. The drinks are flowing, the fire is crackling, and you’re with your closest friends. It seems like the perfect way to start the year. But what if one of your friends doesn’t make it out alive?
That’s what happens in The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley. It’s a “whodunit” story with a twist, and it’s so exciting. I read it in just a few sittings, and I couldn’t stop. If you like stories full of secrets and surprises, you should read this one. Let me explain!
The Hunting Party Plot Summary
The story is about nine old friends who meet every year on New Year’s Eve. This time, they pick a fancy lodge in Scotland, surrounded by snow and mountains. It seems perfect, but there’s tension as soon as they arrive.
The group has different people:
Miranda: the pretty and popular one who likes attention.
Katie: Miranda’s quiet friend who has a secret.
Emma: the new person who planned the trip and wants to fit in.
And some others, each with their own problems.
As the weekend goes on, old fights and jealousy start to show. By the second day, things are getting tense.
Then, someone is murdered. But we don’t know who the victim is until later in the book. The story switches between different characters, and it jumps back and forth in time. This makes it hard to know who did it or who died.
The Hunting Party Review
Here’s why I couldn’t stop talking about The Hunting Party—and a couple of things you should know before you start reading.
What I Loved
The Place Feels Real: The lodge in Scotland is the perfect place for a mystery. Lucy Foley describes it so well that I felt like I was there with the characters, walking in the snow and feeling the cold wind. It’s beautiful, but also scary.
The Characters Are Real (and Sometimes Annoying): Lucy Foley does a great job of making the characters feel real, even if they’re not always nice. We all know someone like Miranda, who always wants attention. Emma, the person who tries too hard to fit in, feels very real too.
But what makes them interesting is that they have many sides. They are friends, but not always nice to each other. The story shows their jealousy and old problems.
The Mystery Keeps You Guessing: I’ve read many mysteries, but this one surprised me. Every chapter gives you some clues, but then a twist comes and changes everything. I thought I knew who did it, but I was wrong many times.
The Story Moves Fast: The book has short chapters that switch between characters. This makes it hard to put down because you always want to know what happens next. One more chapter turns into five before you know it.
What I Didn’t Love
Some of the characters feel a little too much like the usual types, like the guy who drinks too much or the woman who is always perfect. But even these simple characters make the mystery fun because everyone looks like a suspect.
Grab a copy of The Hunting Party from Amazon.
The Hunting Party Themes
Besides the mystery, the book talks about bigger ideas:
Friendship and Jealousy: The friends’ relationship isn’t as strong as it used to be. Jealousy and old fights get in the way.
Privilege and Power: Many of the characters are rich, and they act like they are better than others. This makes them unreliable.
Isolation and Survival: The snowstorm traps everyone together. They have to face their fears and past mistakes.
These ideas make the book more than just a regular mystery.
Final Thoughts Of The Hunting Party
Lucy Foley is great at writing fresh mysteries that still feel like old detective stories. The Hunting Party is one of those books that keeps you reading late into the night to find out what happens.
If you liked The Guest List by Lucy Foley, you’ll love this one. And if you’re new to Lucy Foley’s books, this is a great place to start. It has suspense, interesting characters, and a shocking ending.
So, what are you waiting for? Get comfy, grab a warm drink, and start reading The Hunting Party. You won’t regret it.
Where To Buy
Available at all major bookstores, including Amazon.
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