Reviewing: The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley

Read time: 3 minutes

📚 Genre: Mystery Thriller
🎧 Format: Audiobook
🗣️ Narrators: Gary Furlong, Elle Newlands, Morag Sims, Imogen Church, Moira Quirk
⏱️ Duration: 10 hours
🕵️‍♀️ Book Club Theme: Authors like Agatha Christie

Book blurb:

In a remote Scottish lodge, a group of old friends gathers for a New Year’s celebration, but their reunion turns deadly when a snowstorm traps them and one ends up dead. Lucy Foley’s The Hunting Party unravels a chilling murder mystery, narrated by multiple voices—Miranda, Katie, Emma, and others—revealing secrets, betrayals, and hidden motives. As tensions rise and the body count grows, the question isn’t just who’s dead, but who’s guilty. Published in 2019, this gripping thriller keeps readers guessing until the final twist.

Let’s talk about the book:

It’s downright wild how The Hunting Party dials up the toxicity within its friend group until it almost feels surreal. So many red herrings, emotional landmines, and secret histories that the drama barely lets up. Lucy Foley has crafted these characters to be part of a tradition: old “friends” who have become more like frenemies, holding together out of habit and nostalgia rather than genuine warmth. Their connections are heavy with grudges, betrayals, and the kind of competitive edge that makes every gathering a potential battleground.

There are plenty of red herrings, which is fun for a whodunit, but the excess left me more confused than intrigued. Add in the toxicity of this so-called “friend group”—the bullying, manipulation, and constant undercutting—and I couldn’t help but wonder: why are they even friends? Friends are the family you choose, and you can always “unchoose.” Maybe I’m naive, or maybe just lucky, but I’ve never met people who thrive in such poisonous relationships.

The audiobook narrations were a mixed bag: the female narrators—Elle Newlands, Morag Sims, Imogen Church, and Moira Quirk—brought lively energy and emotional nuance to their characters. Unfortunately, Gary Furlong’s narration of Doug fell flat, depriving a key character of the depth and grittiness he deserved.

It’s not a bad thriller, but it’s not one I’ll be raving about at book club either, considering I am reading this for a book club. If you love complex mysteries, it’s worth a shot. Just keep a character chart handy.

Would I recommend it?

If you’re into dark thrillers exploring toxic friendship, jealousy, and mystery wrapped in a snowy Scottish setting, this one’s worth a look. It’s got the tension, the twist, and enough drama to fuel great book club debates, although it won’t make your “all-time favorite” list. 

Let’s Talk Toxic Friendships

What’s the most toxic friend group you’ve read about, and would you stick around for their drama? Drop your thoughts on The Hunting Party. Let’s talk twists, drama, and frenemies!

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