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TL;DR: A group of thirty-something friends who met at Oxford gather at a remote lodge in the Scottish Highlands to celebrate New Year's Eve. A blizzard cuts them off from the world. On New Year's Day, one of them is found dead, and as the story moves back and forth in time, old jealousies and secrets reveal who the victim was and who killed them.
Table of Contents
The Hunting Party at a Glance
| Author | Lucy Foley |
| First published | 2019 |
| Type | Mystery thriller |
| Best for | readers who enjoy locked-room mysteries with dark secrets among friends |
The Hunting Party is a mystery thriller by Lucy Foley, published in 2019. It is told by several narrators and builds suspense around both the victim and the killer. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes murder, drug use and past trauma.
Main Characters
- Miranda: The glamorous, self-centered queen of the friend group.
- Katie: Miranda's quiet oldest friend.
- Emma: The newest member of the group.
- Heather: The lodge's manager, hiding her own past.
- Doug: The lodge's gamekeeper, a former soldier.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
The reunion
The friends, who met at Oxford a decade earlier, book an isolated estate in the Highlands for New Year. The lodge is staffed by Heather, the manager, and Doug, the gamekeeper, both of whom have reasons to hide away from the world.
Tensions
As the friends drink and celebrate, cracks appear. Miranda feels her friends have changed. Katie is withdrawn. Emma, the newest member, is desperate to be accepted. Couples argue, and secrets surface.
The body
On New Year's Day, a body is found near a waterfall. The narrative moves between the present and the days before, keeping the victim's identity hidden. A snowstorm keeps the police away.
Secrets
It emerges that one friend slept with another's partner, and a long-ago death from the group's past at Oxford connects to the present. Heather's own past trauma and Doug's war experiences add to the tension.
The truth
The victim is revealed, along with the killer, whose motive comes from years of jealousy and betrayal within the group. Old friendships are shattered. The survivors leave the estate, forced to face how little they truly knew each other.
5 Key Takeaways
- Old friendships can hide deep resentments.
- Isolation magnifies tension.
- The past is never truly buried.
- People wear masks even with friends.
- Envy can turn deadly.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- You can know someone for years and not know them at all.
- Celebrations can reveal hidden cracks.
- Secrets grow heavier with time.
Who Should Read The Hunting Party?
Read The Hunting Party if you enjoy atmospheric mysteries in the style of Agatha Christie, with modern characters. It suits adults.
About Lucy Foley
Lucy Foley is a British author born in 1986 who worked in publishing before writing. She began with historical fiction before turning to mysteries. The Hunting Party became a bestseller, followed by The Guest List, which won the Goodreads Choice Award, and The Paris Apartment. Her books often feature closed-circle murders.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of The Hunting Party:
- Which narrator did you trust least?
- How did the setting add to the suspense?
- What does the book say about friendship?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether The Hunting Party is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of The Hunting Party, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes. It is a quick, twisty read with a great isolated setting, perfect for winter.
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What to Read Next
- The Guest List by Lucy Foley: a murder at an island wedding
- And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie: the classic isolated mystery
- The Secret History by Donna Tartt: friends with a deadly secret
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Hunting Party about?
Friends are trapped at a Scottish lodge on New Year's, and one of them is murdered.
Who wrote it?
Lucy Foley, in 2019.
Where is it set?
At a remote estate in the Scottish Highlands.
Who narrates?
Several characters in turn.
Is it like Agatha Christie?
Yes, it is a modern closed-circle mystery.
What age is it for?
Adults.
How long is it?
About 320 pages.
Who is Heather?
The lodge's manager, who has her own past.
Is there a sequel?
No, but The Guest List is similar.
Why is the victim hidden?
To keep readers guessing until late in the story.
Who are the main characters in The Hunting Party?
The main characters are Miranda, Katie, Emma, Heather and Doug. Miranda: The glamorous, self-centered queen of the friend group. Katie: Miranda's quiet oldest friend. Emma: The newest member of the group.
Is The Hunting Party worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who enjoy locked-room mysteries with dark secrets among friends. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.