Audiobook Sample

Listen to the sample to experience the story.

Please wait while we verify your browser...

Hello, fellow travelers and story lovers,

There’s something about the wild isolation of the Scottish Highlands that stirs the soul, isn’t there? The moment I pressed play on “Hunting Party: A Novel” by Lucy Foley, narrated by an ensemble cast – Elle Newlands, Gary Furlong, Imogen Church, Moira Quirk, and Morag Sims – I was transported. The audiobook experience unfolds like a winding path through misty moors, pulling you into a chilling tale of friendship, secrets, and murder. As a travel writer who’s spent countless nights under foreign skies listening to stories, this one hit me square in the chest, blending the thrill of a suspense novel with the intimacy of a fireside confession.

It reminds me of a time when I was snowed in at a rustic cabin in Patagonia, the wind howling like a chorus of restless spirits outside. I’d popped in my earbuds and let an audiobook carry me away from the storm. That memory rushed back as I listened to “Hunting Party”. Foley’s tale begins with a group of Oxford friends reuniting for New Year’s at a remote hunting lodge – a setting so vivid you can almost feel the frost creeping up your spine. The premise is simple yet irresistible: old pals, a blizzard, and a dead body. Everyone’s a suspect, and the tension builds like a slow burn over a crackling fire.

What struck me first was how personal this story feels. I’ve sat around too many tables with friends from my own past, swapping tales of glory days while quietly nursing grudges we’d never admit aloud. Foley captures that perfectly – the way nostalgia can curdle into something darker. Her characters are thirtysomethings carrying a decade’s worth of baggage: unspoken betrayals, unrequited loves, and the kind of rivalries that fester over time. The isolation of the Highlands mirrors their emotional distance, and when the snow cuts them off from the world, it’s as if the landscape itself is complicit in the unraveling.

The audiobook’s strength lies in its pacing and atmosphere. The story unfolds like a journey through uncharted territory – each chapter a new twist in the trail. You can almost taste the champagne fizzing on New Year’s Eve, hear the crunch of snow underfoot, and feel the dread settling in as the body count rises. Foley’s prose, steeped in the tradition of Agatha Christie, keeps you guessing. Is it the aloof Miranda, the simmering Samira, or maybe Doug, the lodge’s enigmatic gamekeeper? The suspense is relentless, and just when you think you’ve got it figured out, the path veers again.

Now, let’s talk about the narration – it’s a masterclass in bringing a story to life. With five narrators, you’d expect a cacophony, but instead, it’s a symphony. Elle Newlands gives Heather, the lodge manager, a quiet strength that grounds the chaos, while Gary Furlong’s rugged tones suit Doug perfectly, hinting at secrets beneath his stoic exterior. Imogen Church, Moira Quirk, and Morag Sims weave the friends’ voices with such distinct flavor that you’re right there with them – laughing, arguing, accusing. It’s like sitting in a Oaxaca courtyard, listening to that grandmother I once knew spin tales with perfect timing. The audio quality is crisp, and at just over 10 hours, it’s the ideal companion for a long drive or a cozy night in.

That said, it’s not flawless. The cast of characters is large, and early on, I found myself pausing to untangle who was who – a bit like trying to remember names at a crowded hostel dinner. The narrators help, but a tighter focus might’ve sharpened the suspense even more. And while the setting is breathtaking, I occasionally wanted more of the Highlands’ raw wildness to seep into the story itself – think less manicured lodge, more untamed moorland. Still, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise gripping listening experience.

Compared to Ruth Ware’s claustrophobic thrillers or Tana French’s psychological depth, “Hunting Party” carves its own niche. It’s less about intricate plotting and more about the slow bleed of human connection gone wrong. If you’ve enjoyed “The Guest List” (also by Foley), this is a moodier, snowier cousin – perfect for fans of mystery, thriller, and horror with a suspenseful edge.

I’d recommend this audiobook to anyone who loves a good whodunit with a side of atmospheric chills. It’s ideal for those long winter nights when you want to curl up and let a story sweep you away – or, if you’re like me, for a solo road trip where the miles melt into the narrative. And here’s the best part: you can snag this audiobook free through certain platforms like Audiobooks.com with a trial. A suspense-packed escape for nothing? That’s a deal I’d take any day.

Reflecting on it now, “Hunting Party” reminds me why I love audiobooks. They’re not just stories – they’re companions. This one took me back to those nights in Chile, listening to García Márquez under a desert sky, or Oaxaca, where a grandmother’s voice turned history into magic. Foley and her narrators have crafted something special here: a tale that’s as much about the journey as the destination, and one I’ll be thinking about long after the last echo fades.

Until our next adventure, happy listening,
Marcus Rivera