October 2021 Top Novel: "The Guest List" by Lucy Foley

It’s a strange thing to crave a mystery when life already feels unpredictable, but maybe that’s exactly why The Guest Listlanded so well. There’s something deeply satisfying about stepping into a world where every detail, every glance, and every old grudge serves a purpose; and Lucy Foley delivers that with precision.

Set on a stormy, windswept island off the coast of Ireland, the story invites readers to a wedding no one will forget. Literally. A body turns up before the cake is cut, and from the first page, Foley builds an atmosphere so rich in tension that you can practically feel the damp air cling to your skin.

Told from multiple perspectives, each guest holding a piece of the truth, the novel unravels with the kind of delicious unease I adore in a good thriller. There’s Jules, the razor-sharp bride hiding a secret. Will, the too-perfect groom with a past. The best man, the sister, the wedding planner; they all bring their own baggage to the party, and it’s not the kind that gets neatly stored in overhead compartments.

I found myself devouring chapters just to chase the next reveal. And yet, what made the novel stand out wasn’t just the plot twists (though those are great), but the characters themselves. They’re flawed in the most human ways: jealousy, insecurity, guilt. Foley doesn’t lean into caricature; instead, she gives each voice a reason to be heard, and each motive a thread of empathy.

Reading The Guest List felt like being dropped into a live-action game of Clue, except everyone’s beautiful, resentful, and possibly lying. It reminded me of how we all curate our own narratives, even at something as carefully orchestrated as a wedding. Maybe especially then.

And as someone who’s attended her share of picture-perfect celebrations with underlying tension, this book felt more real than I expected. Just without the murder. Thankfully.

If you’re in the mood for something sharp, suspenseful, and satisfyingly dark, The Guest List is your invitation to lean in close, and question everyone.