Lucy Foley books in order (+ my personal ranking)
Looking for a complete list of Lucy Foley books in order, and wondering which ones are actually worth reading?
Here’s everything you need to know about Lucy Foley’s books, from her early historical fiction to her bestselling thrillers, with honest thoughts on each of her thrillers.
Whether you’re brand new to her work or trying to decide what to read next, this guide covers publication order, what each book is about, and how they compare.
Lucy Foley books in publication order
Here are all of Lucy Foley’s books in order of publication:
- The Book of Lost and Found (2015)
- The Invitation (2016)
- Last Letter from Istanbul (2018)
- The Hunting Party (2018)
- The Guest List (2020)
- The Paris Apartment (2022)
- The Midnight Feast (2024)
- Coming soon: Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel: The New Miss Marple Mystery (2026)
Lucy Foley thriller books in order
Lucy Foley is now best known for her locked-room thrillers. These are the books that made her an auto-buy author for me, and the ones most readers are looking for.
The Hunting Party (2018)
This is where I’d recommend starting.
A group of Oxford University friends reunite at a remote lodge in the Scottish Highlands to celebrate New Year’s Eve. When a blizzard cuts them off from the outside world, and one of them is found dead, it quickly becomes clear that everyone has something to hide.
Told through multiple perspectives, the tension builds as each character’s motives are gradually revealed.
My thoughts: I read this in less than a day and couldn’t put it down. The pacing is incredibly sharp, the structure is clever, and I genuinely didn’t guess the ending. It’s still my favourite of her books.
If you enjoy this one, you’ll probably also like Gone Girl for its shifting perspectives and unreliable characters.
You can read my full review of The Hunting Party here.
👉 You can pick up a copy of The Hunting Party here.
The Guest List (2020)
Set on a remote island off the coast of Ireland, this follows a glamorous wedding that takes a dark turn when one of the guests ends up dead.
The story unfolds through multiple viewpoints, with each character revealing secrets, grudges, and hidden motives.
My thoughts: This is classic Lucy Foley. The setting is atmospheric, the characters are deeply flawed, and the tension builds brilliantly. It’s one of those books where every chapter makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about the characters.
I’ve also featured this in my list of addictive books to read if you’re looking for something you can’t put down.
👉 You can pick up a copy of The Guest List here.
The Paris Apartment (2022)
A woman arrives in Paris to stay with her brother, only to discover that he has disappeared. As she starts to investigate, she realises that everyone in his apartment building seems to be hiding something.
My thoughts: This was my least favourite of her thrillers, and it took me much longer to get through than her other books. There are definitely some strong twists, and I didn’t see the ending coming, but I wasn’t as invested in the mystery, as I couldn’t connect at all with the protagonist.
👉 You can pick up a copy of The Paris Apartment here.
The Midnight Feast (2024)
Set at the opening of a luxury hotel on the Dorset coast, this brings together a carefully curated guest list for a glamorous launch weekend, where, unsurprisingly, things don’t go to plan.
There’s a strong undercurrent of tension from the start, with old relationships, buried secrets, and a setting that feels just slightly off beneath all the polished luxury.
My thoughts: This was my third favourite Lucy Foley book. The characters didn’t stick with me quite as much as in The Hunting Party or The Guest List, but I absolutely loved the setting – there’s something about a luxury hotel thriller that just works, and it very much gave White Lotus energy.
That said, I was still completely hooked while reading. I actually bought this in a bookshop, immediately went to a café, and ended up reading most of it in one sitting, which tells you everything you need to know.
👉 You can pick up The Midnight Feast here
Lucy Foley’s historical fiction books
Before writing thrillers, Lucy Foley published three historical fiction novels.
If you’re shocked to discover this, you’re not alone!
These are often overlooked, but worth knowing about if you enjoy slower-paced, character-driven stories.
The Book of Lost and Found (2015)
A dual timeline novel that weaves together art, family secrets, and a long-buried love story.
What to expect: A much slower, more reflective read than her thrillers, with a strong emotional core.
👉 You can pick up a copy of The Book of Lost and Found here.
The Invitation (2016)
Set on the Italian Riviera in the aftermath of World War II, this follows a group of glamorous but complicated characters drawn together by a mysterious invitation.
What to expect: Atmospheric, escapist, and focused on relationships rather than suspense.
👉 You can pick up a copy of The Invitation here.
Last Letter from Istanbul (2018)
Set during wartime Istanbul, this is a story of survival, love, and impossible choices.
What to expect: Emotional and historical, with a very different tone from her later work.
👉 You can pick up a copy of Last Letter from Istanbul here.
Do you need to read Lucy Foley’s books in order?
No. Her thriller novels are all standalones, so you can read them in any order.
That said, I’d recommend starting with The Hunting Party and then moving on to The Guest List. They follow a similar structure and are her strongest books, so they’re a great introduction to her style.
Best Lucy Foley books (my ranking!)
If you’re trying to decide where to start, here’s how I’d rank her thrillers:
- The Hunting Party
- The Guest List
- The Midnight Feast
- The Paris Apartment
Final thoughts
Lucy Foley has a very recognisable formula now, but it works.
Her books tend to feature isolated settings, multiple narrators, and characters who are, at best, morally questionable. The tension comes from slowly uncovering what each person is hiding, until everything clicks into place at the end.
If you enjoy twisty, character-driven thrillers that keep you guessing, she’s absolutely worth adding to your reading list.
If you’ve read any of her books, I’d love to know which one is your favourite!
