Alright. I loved The Silent Patient and liked The Maidens. So you can imagine how excited I was when I got approved for this ARC.

Unfortunately it was very disappointing. The author was trying too hard to play into the “big twist” by using an unreliable, and incredibly annoying, narrator. Anytime we got to know a little bit about the other characters the narrator would come in and ramble for pages on end. It really took me out of the events happening on the island.

While I was reading I kept waiting for something to happen. When nothing happened at about 200 pages, I was expecting to have my mind blown by the ending. Clearly that didn’t happen.

Some authors do the book universe thing well. And while I think it was well played in The Maidens and The Silent Patient, it felt like an afterthought in this book.

Thank you to Celadon and Netgalley for the e-copy of this book!

Such a unique and twisty read from Alex Michaelides, author of The Silent Patient and The Maidens.

The Fury is full of twists and turns and just when you think you have an idea, your jaw is on the floor once again thanks in large part to the most unreliable and unstable narrator. It’s told from mainly two POVS and jumps back and forth in time- all while set on a private Greek island and London?! I’m sold!

Thanks to the author, NetGalley and Celadon books for the eARC.

I think Elliot would enjoy me starting my review with this quotation: "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts." Curtains.

Oh, I do love a good unreliable narrator, especially when that narrator comes right out at the beginning to say, “don’t trust me as all people are unreliable narrators of their own lives.” “Actually, do ttrust me.” “Okay, I wasn’t totally honest with you at this point, but I swear, I’m trying.” Elliot, you tease.

I like that Elliot was presented as a character and playwright, even though some of the literary heritage of this story relates more to novels. There are some Linnet, Death on the Nile parallels. Elliot mentions the Rime of the Ancient Mariner and quotes the Hemingway on the fallibility of storytellers - as stated, a consistent and recurring theme.

Also, anyone who has ever read a Michaelides book knows he is very connected to his Greek heritage and includes connections in his novels. For this one: the Greek Island, Agathi’s beliefs, Greek Street, London etc. Those additions felt standard for his writing. Here’s where I started speculating: the introduction of Jason as a character immediately had me questioning the name in relation to the story of Jason and Madea as his possible namesake. I won’t spoil for you; you can figure that one out on your own.

Overall, this is very much a whydunit over a whodunnit - a term I learned from this book. There were some parts of this narrative that were painful for me to read, especially as a mother. Apathy is cruelty, and cruelty can literally change a child’s brain chemistry.

I almost took a star away because of the actions of a particular character which felt especially out of left field, but I don’t want to mention them because it will definitely be a spoiler. However, I decided to leave it. If you have read it, and you want to know what I’m talking about, feel free to reach out. Otherwise, happy reading!

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for providing me with this eARC!

Thank you to Netgalley and Celadon Books for the eARC! And thank you to Alex Michaelides for the great book.

I would like to preface this review by saying that I have previously read his other novels, Silent Patient and the Maidens, in my opinion they should be read prior to this one. I feel that it necessarily would not be required but there are very slight references and the Epilogue has a spoiler for the Silent Patient.

As for the book itself, the way that this book is written is very unique and I do not recall a book that is written like it. I cannot think of a way to describe this book other than it starts midway through the storyline, then stops and goes back maybe a week prior to where it initially started then continues a little farther than where it had previously ended. Then this cycle repeats, each time you get more bits and pieces to the story. Then there are different unlabeled point of views. They are very sudden and inserted randomly but they provided information that is needed.

There are several twists and turns throughout this book and I do feel it is worth a read. I do feel it drug on a tad. But I believe that partially was due to the narrator's presence being such a vital part of the book as he is very biased, although he continues to try not to be. The narrator wants you to know what happened but he wants you to know how it happened, but he is constantly forgetting vital parts which is why he flips back to the start so he can tell you.

I don't think this is Michaelides best book as nothing will touch the Silent Patient in my opinion, but I absolutely ADORE the connections between the three. It makes me want to reread Silent Patient (followed by the Maidens).

I have read all of this authors other books and I found this one no less riveting. I always enjoy them and I always recommend them to everyone

Okay... where to start. There are a few things I enjoyed about this book. I loved the narrative style, and the way the narrator was communicating with the reader. In the way they told the story, it kept you guessing the whole way. I also want to say that there were quite a few twists that I enjoyed and overall... the plot and pacing worked. However my problems. The intentions of everyone in this book is super problematic, especially Elliot's. This book is just basically an "incel who writes plays." Like.... it was super underwhelming.

Let me start with I LOVED The Silent Patient, that is THE book that got me back into reading after YEARS of a hiatus. It truly blew my mind, The Maidens was fine, it was not nearly as stellar as The Silent Patient, but I understood what happened, it just wasn't for me.

Now, The Fury was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024, and I was SO excited when Celadon sent me a physical ARC copy in the mail!!!

The Fury felt like an Agatha Christie wannabe but on a really funky acid trip. This was such a let down, I truly felt like I wasn't following the story one bit. Yes the MC was an unreliable narrator but this story was unoriginal, and very Agatha Christie coded.

The constant breaking of the fourth wall was too much for me, it was an interesting take and wouldn't have irked me as much if it wasn't used so often. Elliott went on way too many tangents, if you know me and how I feel about Agatha Christie, I would've preferred a Hercule Poirot announcement to this back and forth whiplash of a plot twist.

I would've DNF'd this book if it weren't for my besties buddy reading it with me - overall I really was disappointed in this story and may be done with Alex Michaelides finally....

This book kept me wanting more from the start. The writing style is excellent & the excitement kept me guessing until the very end. Excellent book!

Thank you NetGalley for an e-arc of this book! I really enjoyed the beginning of this book! the writing was quirky and it kept me hooked. About mid way through I was starting to lose a bit of interest as it felt like I was being led on a bit. The whole, 'just you wait what happens next' started to get a bit tiring for my personal taste. I definitely recommend this book to people who enjoy that though because I think the author did it well. I feel like the ending was pretty surprising and there were a lot of great twists as well.

𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 5⭐️
𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎: Thriller📚

𝙼𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
Its been awhile since I’ve given a thriller 5 stars but I really enjoyed this one.

𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
Private Greek island setting
Slow burn thrillers
Unreliable narrator
Lots of twists
First person POV
Movie star FMC
Addictive redas
Tragic love stories
Unlikable characters

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚍:
Short chapters
Unique format, gave play vibes
The ending!

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛:
Beginning was tad slow and receptive but it was worth it

𝙵𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚀𝚞𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚜:
★ “We are all the unreliable narrators of our own lives.”

Woah I truly hated this book so much.

I didn't think it could get much worse than THE MAIDENS, but I was wrong. This book was slow, unsatisfying, and dull. I kept waiting and waiting for something to happen...and then the book ended.

I could say more, but my mom always told me that if I don't have anything nice to say, I shouldn't say anything at all.

A winding tale of human character, emotions, relationships, flaws packaged in a thrilling tale of an evening of violence and lies among a Hollywood star and her entourage vacationing on her private Greek island. This book definitely keeps you guessing until the very end. The narrator has a very unique voice - the perspective is that he is personally telling you about this event. You’re on the edge of your seat listening for more. Well done and captivating.

I wish I could give this book 10 stars. It was that good. I have read this author before and knew I liked his storytelling. This book was written in a unique way. The story is told to the reader by one of the main characters as if he is having a conversation with you and telling you this amazing story. He starts telling you a piece of the story and then gets off on a tangent as he remembers some background information that you need to know to understand this part of the story. You know, just the way we all do when we are telling a story to friends. I really enjoyed this book and the way the story was told.

A literary dance of secrets and backstabbing…..

~My Thoughts~

In Alex Michaelides' "The Fury," I found myself immersed in a unique narrative that skillfully combines aspects of mystery, romance, thriller, and tragedy. The storytelling is fantastic, adopting a conversational style. It's like eavesdropping on the juiciest bar tale – full of drama, obsession, and unexpected betrayals.

The book is a twisty journey through a locked room murder mystery, with each of its five acts revealing more, building upon the intricacies introduced in the previous act. Michaelides weaves a web of secrets, hidden agendas, and obsession, keeping the reader guessing throughout.

The narrator's voice plays a significant role in enhancing the entertainment value. The conversational tone is engaging, making the storytelling not only entertaining but also thought-provoking. The characters are expertly developed, contributing to a well-crafted plot that kept me on edge.

The book seamlessly blends good prose with a unique and original plot. It's a testament to Michaelides' skill that the story remains unpredictable, defying expectations. The book is rich in imagery, creating a vivid and immersive experience. Michaelides' narrative is a seductive tango of mystery, where every move leaves you craving the next.

~Recommendation~

"The Fury" stands out as my favorite among Michaelides' works so far, offering a refreshing take on the murder mystery genre. The combination of a compelling narrative style, well-developed characters, and an unpredictable plot makes it highly recommended for those who appreciate a gripping and immersive storytelling experience.

~Rating~

4 Layered Stars

Thank you Celadon Books and Netgalley for a copy of this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This review is sadly going to pain me. I was SO excited to get an early copy of The Fury. The Silent Patient, also by Michaelides, was the book that hooked me back into reading years ago. I hate to say this, but this book was such a disappointment. When I got to the end, I wanted to say, "That was it?" I could have sworn the book needed to keep going for at least 30 more pages. The entire pacing at the beginning of the book was slow and then the end was rushed.

In the end, I would have a hard time recommending this book to readers, but would encourage them to read The Silent Patient instead. Which, there was a major spoiler in the epilogue that was not forewarned. Do not read The Fury if you haven't read The Silent Patient.

BLOWN AWAY (…sorry I had to) by this book. I felt like someone took me by the hand and started sprinting through the eye of a tornado, and somehow now I’m sitting on the other side wondering what just happened to me.

Which is to say, I *loved* this books.

I particularly liked the through-line of theater in this. That our narrator is a playwright and that he tells us this story within the five act play structure. As I was reading this, it really did feel like I was watching a play in my head. Or a Wes Anderson film? Big play energy but also kind of a weird indie film that feels simultaneously a deep punch to the gut and an little overly-choreographed. In fact, if this ever gets made into a movie, I am here and now petitioning that Wes Anderson be the director to do it.

Anyway.. part of why I loved the 5 act structure was in how we are told the story chronologically in the first act but then in act two, and three, and so on, we get to go back to the beginning and go at it with a new lens. It was so fun !! PLUS when we got to the end of act one I was left feeling like wait a second, is that it, what are we gonna do for the rest of the book?? I wanted a chance to sink my teeth into the story so it was a lovely surprise to go back and do it again through a different lens.

The narrator was so fun to get to know during this read. It felt like we were having a conversation and he really was pulling me in, enticing me to trust him more and more with each page. But the other characters as well! I was enraptured by Lana and Kate. Such a wonderful cast.

Thank you for giving me access to this book!

I really loved The Silent Patient and didn’t really like the follow up book The Maidens, so I really wasn’t sure what to expect from this third book by Alex Michaelides. The writing style was different and I will say that none of the three books have a similar voice or style. I listened to the audiobook of this one and I really liked the narrator, I thought he did a good job bringing a bizarre narrator/story to life. The narrator to this story is Elliott Chase who fancies himself a writer even if he hasn’t had much success. The narrator really brought him to life and I could totally picture him. That being said Elliott Chase wasn’t a very likable person and he told the story in bits and spurts going back in time to tell a part of it again. It was an interesting style to tell the story of a murder, and it did keep me guessing. I did like the tie ins that make it clear this book is connected to the two prior books (if you haven’t read those, don’t read the epilogue, you won’t miss much and it gives a bit of a spoiler for The Silent Patient). Elliott starts the story off with promising the reader he will tell a tale of a retired movie star, her friends trapped on an island and a murder, and he promises it will be a murder like none you’ve ever heard before. Overall this book wasn’t bad, I thought it took a little long to get to the story and was repetitive at times, but the last act was pretty interesting and tied things together well. Overall I gave it 3.5 stars rounded up because I did enjoy the ending.

Alex Michaelides has done it again. Solid 4 star book for me. I will admit that it does start off slow and it’s more of a slow burn type of thriller than an action packed one. It provides a lot of information regarding what takes place. It has an unreliable narrator that you never know what’s gonna happen. The setting of the island in Greece is beautiful and the last, 30% of this book had my jaw on the floor. I highly recommend this, especially if you liked any of his other books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for an advanced reader copy of The Fury. Since I own both copies of The Silent Patient and The Maidens, I was very excited to jump back in to Alex Michaelides words.

The Fury begins with Elliot Chase, although we do not find that out right away. Elliot is telling the story of a murder on a Greek isle from his POV. As the reader, we also get to know 6 other characters. Their stories all intertwine to where you are never quite sure who has been murdered, who pulled the trigger, and -at times, who is even narrating. The concept of the storytelling was interesting, and I enjoyed the short chapters that kept me guessing.

I did not enjoy Elliot as a character, and it was hard to tell if that was purposeful to the story or not. However, I did like how the story was laid out in “play format” with the 4 acts, and the twists were very surprising. Overall, I would give this book 4 stars.

I am so sorry to say that I didn’t love this. This was actually my first book from him and I will read his others because I know this writing style is different from his other books. The Agatha Christie style I guess just isn’t for me. I thought this was really overwritten and I felt the plot was not strong at all. It was honestly a bit boring for me. I think it will be for some people. If you want a book that breaks the 4th wall and is a classic who dunnit with some twists then give it a chance. I’m anxious to read his others.