In "The Fury" by Alex Michaelides, readers are taken on a rollercoaster of twists and turns throughout the 320-page mystery thriller. As a fan of Michaelides since his groundbreaking 2019 novel, "The Silent Patient," I was eager to see how he would venture into new territory with this latest release.

The novel introduces Elliot, a character among several others in the narrative. Michaelides' attempt to diverge from his previous works is evident, but the question of its success remains subjective. While the book is undeniably interesting, it falls short of the high standard set by "The Silent Patient." This deviation is primarily attributed to the reliance on twists and the narrative choice of placing the point of view squarely on Elliot.

The use of an unreliable narrator, while adding an element of intrigue, doesn't resonate well with the reviewer. Elliot's sly and conniving personality is enjoyable, but the lack of trustworthiness established from the beginning hinders the engagement. The reviewer expresses a desire for readers to independently decide on Elliot's credibility rather than having it explicitly stated by the character and the author. The predictability of confirming earlier suspicions and voiding the last 50 pages multiple times is a drawback.

The central character, Lana, is portrayed as three-dimensional and captivating. However, this depth doesn't extend to the other supporting characters, making Lana the standout in the narrative. Despite its flaws, "The Fury" remains a readable and enjoyable experience, offering a fun ride for readers. The reviewer advises potential readers to brace themselves for multiple bumps and turbulence in the narrative, humorously attributing it to "Grecian winds."

Love, friendship, murder, glamour, betrayal, lies, secrets... this book has it all! A master of suspense and shocking twists, Alex Michaelides once again understood the assignment. The Fury's atmospheric Greek setting coupled with a cast of unforgettable characters make this novel an enjoyable, fast-paced read. And while definitely different from his first two stories, with a cozier vibe and more playful narration, it still kept me hooked wondering what kind of blindside was coming.

I'll admit though, in the beginning I had a feeling where the story was headed. The breadcrumbs left along they way painted a pretty predictable picture of what was to come and the execution was a tad bit drawn-out, with lots of confusing, and misleading talk addressed directly to the reader, which is not usually my cup of tea. However, about 3/4 of the way through I found myself a attached to the whimsical narrator Elliot Chase, and there I was hanging on the edge of my seat waiting for the conclusion.

While not my favorite of his works, The Fury still fully delivered and I'll definitely be recommending!

I listened to This is my least favorite of this author so far. I could never connect with the main character or with the story. I tried to follow and understand all going on but it was a little disorganized, messy if you will. It was very slow-paced for me. Very messy and all over the place. Very annoying at times.

Thank you to Celadon Books and Netgalley for the Advanced Free Copy, in exchange for an honest review.

Wendy

The Fury started off real slow for me. We start with Elliot Chase, who is here to tell us a story. I really liked this idea, but since this is supposed to be a thriller I expected something that moved a bit faster and the first half of The Fury was quite slow with the second half picking up speed so fast I was a bit surprised.

Elliot meanders through quite a bit of set up and I know my mind wandered a bit. The ending definitely made it worth it though, I appreciated the twists and turns - not everything is what it seems - as we dive further into the murder and who did it. It was well thought out and executed at the end.

In the end I ended up liking this one, but The Silent Patient and The Maidens are both a step up from The Fury.

After years of folding into a quieter life, former starlet Lana Farrar asks her closest friends and family to join her for a weekend on her private island in Greece. Our narrator, Elliot Chase, shepherds us through the motley cast of characters and the events surrounding the weekend, but be careful who you trust.

Stylistically, this book feels unlike either of the author’s past works, and the earlier parts (although a bit slow) carry a tone reminiscent of Benjamin Stevenson’s Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone—whimsy with a broken fourth wall. While it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, I loved it and think it shows Michaelides’ range as a writer.

While the end fizzled out for me, I did have a true jaw-dropping moment where I had to snap my kindle case shut and just gape.

Read this if you like:
🔪Murder mysteries
🍸Rich-people antics
🔍Agatha Christie
🇬🇷Hints of Greek mythology
🏛Theater kids who grew up but never grew out of the drama

4/5 ⭐️

My deepest gratitude to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the digital arc. As always, the opinions expressed here are 100% honest and entirely my own.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this for my honest review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The Fury is a suspenseful page-turner, one that will be difficult for readers to put down. The multiple twists were fantastic (my head was spinning) and the author’s writing was exceptional. I was entranced throughout this book and the ending did not disappoint!!

Thank you for allowing me to read this book. I enjoyed the setting of the book and it is the first time I’ve read a book set in Greece which kept me engaged. Overall, I was genuinely interested in what was to come within the plot. However, there were sometimes when I wasn’t as interested in the flow in the narrative. Therefore, I took one star off. I found the narrator’s telling of the story to be unique and that kept me interested. I enjoyed Alex Michelides writing style and this is the second book I have read by them. Thriller and Mystery is one of my favourite genres and this one did not disappoint.

Thanks NetGalley,

I enjoyed the book but it was a bit odd and it had so much promise at the beginning even though it was a bit of a slower pace. For as great as his first novel was this one fell flat. I had it figured out pretty quickly so that was a bummer. The Silent Patient had me guessing the entire time and as much as I enjoy an over the top story this one too much. There were characters in there that didn't really have any role to play except the pages they took up in the book. This could have been a fantastic novel the story was there I just didn't care for the style it was written in and the outlandish ending.



Lana Farrar is a reclusive ex–movie star and one of the most famous women in the world. Every year, she invites her closest friends to escape the English weather and spend Easter on her idyllic private Greek island.

I tell you this because you may think you know this story. You probably read about it at the time ― it caused a real stir in the tabloids, if you remember. It had all the necessary ingredients for a press a celebrity; a private island cut off by the wind…and a murder.

We found ourselves trapped there overnight. Our old friendships concealed hatred and a desire for revenge. What followed was a game of cat and mouse ― a battle of wits, full of twists and turns, building to an unforgettable climax. The night ended in violence and death, as one of us was found murdered.


My name is Elliot Chase, and I’m going to tell you a story unlike any you’ve ever heard.

Thank you Celadon, NetGalley, and Alex Michaelides for the ARC!

I have now read all 3 novels by Michaelides and I really enjoyed this one as well! I did predict a few twists in this one, but overall I found it a great thriller.

I will say that the writing style is quirky and readers are either going to love it or hate it. I don’t think there is going to be many in-between. I enjoyed it, personally. I haven’t read many fiction novels that used a narrator that spoke directly to the reader.

I will say, The Silent Patient does remain my number 1 favorite of Michaelides’ novels. It’s the book that got me back into reading back in 2020 and will always hold such a special place in my heart. I did like The Fury better than I liked The Maidens.

Will absolutely be recommending this book to others!

**Contains Spoilers**

With this being my second Michaelides read, I knew to go into it not trusting the narrator. Mentally ill storytellers are his signature style in the genre. With this being said, I felt like I could predict the whole thing. The narrator was scheming and plotting while telling only half the story to the reader. It was a nice little twist at the end to see him get what he had coming to him, though. Not at all a bad read— it kept my interest but just not nearly as captivating as The Silent Patient.

Thank you to Celadon Readers Program for my advanced readers copy!

The Fury was for sure unexpected. I definitely wouldn’t mark it as a “fast-paced” thriller. However, I did enjoy the uniqueness of the writing style.

3.5 stars rounded down because I was expecting a bit….more?

Alex Michaelides NEVER disappoints. Another 5 star read with twists I couldn't predict. Loved it! Thanks netgalley & the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Completely blindsided…

I truly was in shock & disbelief listening to the last 30% of this book. The entire plot and storytelling of this book was genius and kept me on my toes. Highly recommend for all my thriller loving & hopeless romantic friends!

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this ARC!

Thanks to NetGalley and Celadon books for the chance to read Alex Michaelides newest novel! I have been a fan since The Silent Patient & The Maidens, so I was beyond excited to get a chance to read an early copy of The Fury.

I thought the writing of the book was very unique. It is definitely not a fast-paced thriller, but I enjoyed it overall. I always love an unreliable narrator. I could definitely see some split opinions on this one, but I liked it! 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved Michaelides' previous two novels so I was super excited to jump into "The Fury", which offers a tantalizing premise, blending murder and love on a private Greek island. Narrated by Elliot Chase, the novel promises a unique story, however, the execution falls short.

My biggest gripe is the book's inconsistent pacing, which disrupts the narrative flow, leaving readers grappling with abrupt shifts between suspenseful moments and slower, less engaging passages. While the promise of a murder mystery looms, the story often veers into tangential reflections, diluting the tension.

Character development also proves lacking, with the central figures feeling thinly sketched. Lana Farrar, the enigmatic ex-movie star, and her friends become mere pawns in a convoluted game. The narrative struggles to evoke empathy or investment in their fates, hindering the emotional resonance crucial to a compelling mystery.

But, despite its flaws, Michaelides demonstrates skill in constructing twists and turns, leading to a memorable climax. The tale's potential is evident, but for me, the inconsistent pacing and underdeveloped characters detract from its overall impact.

3.5 stars

The Fury is a book that will transport you to both the Greek island it is mainly set on, but also to dreary London which the characters are trying to escape. Told like a play in five acts it isn't a fast paced thriller. The story meanders around thanks to the narrator Elliot. He tells you want he thinks you should know in the order he thinks you should know it. This makes for an interesting storytelling experience. The book claims to be a story of murder or love (you can decide which you feel is more of the main topic) but in fact it seems to be more so a story of the circle surrounding ex-movie star Lana, and thanks to his way of storytelling, especially Elliot. If you are looking for an intriguing story filled with murder, love, a locked room setting, betrayal, and drama all told at a leisurely pace you can stop searching, and pick this up.

An added bonus is that this book is set in the same world as Michaelides' other novels. The main characters from The Maidens, and The Silent Patient are there, but not having read those other titles does not deter from understanding of this one. They are just Easter eggs for fans.

I really enjoyed this propulsive locked-room thriller set on a private island in Greece. It moves very quickly, despite relatively little actually happening, and for a quick read this is perfect. The ending didn't quite live up to my hopes, however, as the twist (in my opinion) was pretty easy to see coming, and the other parts I didn't expect weren't really that exciting. However for the setting on a Greek island, the lavishness of wealth, and the fast moving story, I do recommend this!

Thank you to NetGalley, Alex Michaelides and Celadon books for the free ebook I exchange for an honest review.

I feel like I’m still processing this one a bit - it’s written very uniquely and it took me a few chapters to get into it. I loved the twists and the past and present back and forth we see, but it was my favourite novel of his. It’s definitely unique and totally worth reading, but it didn’t live onto the hype for me personally.

I loved The Silent Patient, but The Maidens missed the mark for me. I was excited about this one, but sadly, it, too, left me disappointed. The pace was so slow, which made it hard to get and stay engaged. The narrator switches at odd times. The twists were lackluster. The characters were flat and unlikeable, so I didn't really care about the ending, which I found to be a bit bizarre. I also found it very strange that there's a spoiler for The Silent Patient . I'm glad I'd already read that, and I didn't really see the purpose in giving the spoiler. I liked the setting and the premise, but, for me, it fell flat in the execution.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the opportunity to read and review for one of my favourite thriller authors!

The Fury was a dark story but light in a way that kept it readable and enjoyable throughout. Michaelides has a way with words that I can't place but can appreciate. I was hooked from page one, even though not really a whole lot was happening a lot of the time.

I loved the perspective we get in this book, as you get to know the narrator before he ever even really tells his own story, just based on how he judges and describes the other characters. We get to also see the power of feelings and emotions, and also how heartbreak and longing can dissolve into irrational and intense behaviours.

Reading a thriller without a major twist (which is knowledge you are given very early on) was a strange experience, and even though there were twists, they weren't jaw dropping or shocking by any means, but this story was enjoyable on its own, without the need for crazy plot twists. It still allowed to theorizing and it still had that want-to-know-the-truth, page turning affect to it.

Overall, loved this book! Definitely happy to add it to my collection and can't wait for more from this author!