Through writing these reviews, I have found just how important a story’s setting is in my enjoyment of a book. The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley is so atmospheric, the setting feels like a character in itself. As the story begins, a group of thirtysomethings is traveling to a remote estate in the Scottish Highlands for a New Year’s celebration. They were friends at Oxford and reconnect for annual getaways; the idyllic hunting estate seems perfect for reminiscing, drinking champagne and celebrating together.

As a blizzard sets in and old secrets begin to emerge, tensions run high and the group snaps. Now one of the group is dead. Who is the killer – and who is dead?

The cold, remote Scottish Highland estate is the perfect atmosphere for this “locked room” style mystery. As the group arrives, the estate and grounds seem like a fun getaway, but as the story progresses, they begin to see it as threatening. The blizzard prevents anyone from leaving or entering the estate, so by the time the murder occurs, they know it has to be one of their own who did the killing.

Lucy Foley sets post-murder scenes against pre-murder scenes so you know SOME of what happens, but slowly find out how it got to that point and what actually occurred. That type of story structure along with the remote Scottish Highlands made for a perfectly constructed slow build of tension. I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend it!

Check it out The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley at the Library (https://catalog.lclibs.org/polaris/search/title.aspx…) or through OverDrive (https://lclibs.overdrive.com/media/4056911).