- What were your overall thoughts about the setting at the Dorset coastline and the town Tome? How did the setting serve as a character of its own?
- Part of the novel focuses on a local folklore about the Birds, a cult who protects the town. What did you think about the Birds? How did it help to add a creepy element to the story?
- The story is told in two different timelines—the present in the year 2025 and a journal from 2009. Why was it important to include the journal entires as well?
- We read the perspectives from many different characters. How does the multi-perspective technique help to build tension in these kind of stories?
- Why did Francesca decide to turn The Manor into a luxury resort? Did she really think her past wouldn’t come back to haunt her?
- Why was it important for Bella to attend The Manor opening and confront Francesca about the past? What was she hoping to achieve?
- At the beginning of the novel, we know a body has been found and The Manor was set on fire. Who did you suspect the body was at first?
- There’s a ton of connections in this story—Francesca’s husband, Owen, is actually from Tome and he was picked on as a child. Eddie, the dishwasher, is a local who had an older brother. What was your impression of all the connections between the past and present in this novel?
- As a teenager, Bella embarked on a summer romance with a guy named Jake. But all that comes to a grinding halt during Frankie’s party. Frankie makes poisoned brownies, and a local named Cora eats one and dies. Let’s talk about all the developments from that fateful night.
- Why did Jake take a dark turn and eventually leave town after that night? And on same token, why did he become a detective focused on cold cases? Were you surprised when it turned out the detective investigating was actually Jake?
- We find out that Cora was actually Owen’s mother. Let’s talk about that reveal.
- When Francesca tries to escape from everyone chasing her, it’s Eddie who puts on the Bird outfit and causes Francesca to go off a cliff. What was your thoughts as you read all this unfold? How will this impact Eddie going forward?
- The story ends with Eddie living with guilt, and his mother revealing that she’s part of the Birds. Jake and Bella meet for a drink. Owen inherits The Manor and decides to turn it into a place where locals can enjoy. What happens next for all the characters going forward?
The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
More discussion at bookclubchat.com. These questions contain major spoilers.