Well hello to you my reader chums! I’m a big fan of thriller, murder-mystery-type novels as I adore endless curiosity and have a need to find out the answers.

I was obsessed with Lucy Foley’s The Hunting Party and when I saw this book, I had to give it a go and it didn’t disappoint! If you’re looking for a new murder mystery, here is my full review of The Guest List by Lucy Foley.

Following the perspectives of the bride, the best man, the wedding planner, the bridesmaid, the plus one and the groom, the plot is surrounding a wedding, held on a remote island in Ireland. Guests gather to celebrate the wedding of famous TV star Will and magazine publisher Jules. The wedding has to be perfect in every way and Jules has guaranteed that planning it all to the finest detail. However, as the celebrations begin and alcohol is consumed, gossip is spread, feuds unravel and jealousy rises, then a body is found - it’s not really the perfect day after all. 

The book explores the victim and which one of the guests is the killer?

The characters in this book were cleverly thought out, especially in how they link to each other’s lives. The number of times I had to gasp when another secret was unveiled!

Bride - I wasn’t a big fan of the bride at all and I think it’s how she was meant to come across. She is a very self-centred character who knows exactly what she wants and will do anything to get it. Due to her past trauma, her level of empathy is pretty low and she walks around with her obvious hatred.

Groom - My least favourite character of them all! At first, he is painted in a gorgeous and exciting light, however, the more I learnt about him, the more my stomach turned and he is the definition of a selfish and misogynistic man.

Bridesmaid - Olivia had to be one of my favourite characters and one to whom my heart went out to her the most. She had been through an awful time and how she explained her pain, was so real and insightful.

Best man - Jonno the best man I did feel sorry for to a degree as he never really fitted in with everyone around him including the groom and his other groomsmen and this is more apparent as I learnt more about his past and trauma.

Plus one - Hannah had to be the rawest, most authentic girl-next-door type of character which is why I loved her. She’s a mum and has that exciting personality about her. At first, I didn’t see why her role is so significant in the plot, but when the extra layer unveils, it’s intense.

Wedding planner - The wedding planner I didn’t pay much attention to but did have a curiosity about as in every chapter she would suggest pain to do with the island and it’s only at the end you understand what and why.

What’s interesting about the relationships overall in this book is how most go wrong as the story develops with lies and deceits revealed, unearthing who people really are.

Overall, this book was one of my favourite murder mysteries! The author has a brilliant way of building curiosity and mapping out a clever plot that I can even fathom. The way the character’s past and presents are brought together over the course of a wedding is genius, and who ends up being the culprit is so unexpected! I loved every page of this book.

I enjoyed the ending! I loved how it wasn’t what I expected and there were even surprises right up to the end.

I hope you enjoyed this review! What’s your favourite murder mystery?

Thank you for reading <3