The Guest List by Lucy Foley

The bride ‧ The plus one ‧ The best man ‧ The wedding planner ‧ The bridesmaid ‧ The body

On an island off the coast of Ireland, guests gather to celebrate two people joining their lives together as one. The groom: handsome and charming, a rising television star. The bride: smart and ambitious, a magazine publisher. It’s a wedding for a magazine, or for a celebrity: the designer dress, the remote location, the luxe party favors, the boutique whiskey. The cell phone service may be spotty and the waves may be rough, but every detail has been expertly planned and will be expertly executed.

But perfection is for plans, and people are all too human. As the champagne is popped and the festivities begin, resentments and petty jealousies begin to mingle with the reminiscences and well wishes. The groomsmen begin the drinking game from their school days. The bridesmaid not-so-accidentally ruins her dress. The bride’s oldest (male) friend gives an uncomfortably caring toast.

And then someone turns up dead. Who didn’t wish the happy couple well? And perhaps more important, why?

Publisher: William Morrow | Genre: Thriller/Mystery | Source: Publisher | Rating: 4.5 Cups

 

If you’re looking for a quick, atmospheric thriller set on an island with a horrific past, then The Guest List is the book for you.

 

Jules, owner of the online magazine The Download, has planned what is marked to be the wedding of the year to Will, who happens to have his own survival show (think Bear Grylls), on a remote island off the coast of Ireland. With their nearest and dearest gathering for their wedding, Jules expects things to go off without a problem but things change on the wedding night when a body is discovered.

 

When the book opens, we know there’s been a murder. What we don’t know is who was murdered, who the killer is, and why. As the story flips between the present (the wedding night) and the day before, we’re introduced to those closest to the wedding and soon discover each of them is harboring a secret that could be motive for murder. With each guest aware of the island’s dark and ghoulish past, it’s not long before their location starts playing with their emotions.

 

While the book starts off at a slower pace, the middle and ending flew by as each character’s story starts to reveal their connection to the person who was murdered and the victim is slowly revealed.

 

I enjoyed this thriller but had a hard time finding a character that I liked—I don’t believe any of the characters expect for one was created to be likable. They all have flaws and faults that I don’t believe to be redeemable and for characters in their thirties none of them had much maturity.

 

Although I liked watching the twists, turns, and reveals this thriller offered, I spotted them coming from a few chapter in. I even spotted the connection between the characters and the one who was murdered. While I knew the direction it was heading, I still find this one to be an entertaining thriller.

 

The only problem I had with this one was the ending felt a bit abrupt and I was left wondering what happened after the fallout and where these characters landed after going through the turmoil caused over two days. I do think this one could have benefited with a more in-depth epilogue.

 

This was my first time reading a book by Lucy Foley and I was impressed with her style. I’ve heard that The Hunting Party is a bit stronger than this one and I’m eager to check it out.

 

Overall, this was a very atmospheric thriller with a slight gothic feel. Slightly reminiscent of Agatha Christie but with a nod to Lord of the Flies and Big Little Lies, The Guest List grips you in its mystery and doesn’t let you go until the end.