Reviews with content warning for Toxic relationship - The Hunting Party

I finished it but it was my least favorite by this author (the third I read from her and the first that I guessed every single "twist"). The characters were not as well developed but the narrative around the setting was lovely. Ok for a quick vacation read.

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moyarb's review against another edition

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challenging dark slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I did love the setting and how isolated it felt. It set the mood and the last 20 chapters or so were enjoyable. Unfortunately, this was too slow for me (It's 60 chapters plus an epilogue!), but I think if I didn't go in expecting a whodunnit and seeing the reviews on the back cover comparing it to Agatha Christie, I probably would've enjoyed it more. This wasn't a murder mystery, but more like a domestic drama with some suspense sprinkled at the end. The characters were either very unlikable or boring, and the ending wasn't satisfying. Of the trope about a group of longtime friends who secretly hate each other, this was the weakest.

Earlier this year, I read The Paris Apartment which is Lucy Foley's most recent work and the first book of hers I read. I loved The Paris Apartment, but having read The Hunting Party and the preview of The Guest List, Foley's mysteries are pretty much the same format: Multiple POVs set back and forth in time during the present and the time leading up to the present and I suppose it all depends on execution because I think The Paris Apartment was more engaging and had a good blend of the drama and the mystery. At least it showed that Foley improved on her formula.

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rmperash's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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radhikag's review

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challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was really well done. I did not see the twist coming though I probably should have.. couldn’t put this down towards the end and already want to read more! This was different from the Guest List and the Paris Apartment in how closely entangled everyone was before the fateful trip / event but I appreciated the same style of switching timelines and POVs.. all together makes for a v interesting story!

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