The Fury follows a cast of interesting characters who travel to a Greek island and one of them ends up dead. Thank you so much to the publisher for allowing me to read the early digital copy and I can’t wait for this to be released!!

The Fury is written as a murder mystery from the perspective of Elliot Chase, one of the guests on a private island when the murder takes place. This story is as much about the characters, their relationships, and their history as it is about the murder itself. It also reviews the scenes from various points of view through the book, which can make the plot progression feel much slower than the authors other books (ex: The Silent Patient, which I loved!).

I enjoyed the narrative, despite the slower pace, but would have a hard time classifying this as a true thriller. For that reason I wasn’t too surprised at the twists, but it was an interesting read and I would continue to recommend this author to fans of the genre!

Many thanks to Celadon Books and Netgalley for an arc of this book.
Alex Michaelides does it again. We are following our main character Elliot, who is a playwright going to his friend’s Greek Island for Easter. Lana is a famous actress and Elliot’s friend and obsession. As we get into the story we discover that Elliot was a patient of Mariana’s who was the main character in Alex’s last novel The Maiden’s. Michaelides tells this story in the form of a play since Elliot is the one telling the story. During the first act we discover that Lana is dead. In the next we find out that she isn’t really dead and Elliot and Lana are carrying out a play that Elliot has written in order to get Lana’s husband and best friend to admit to having an affair. Lana is actually aware of the affair and confronts Kate about it and she admits to ending it with Lana’s husband Jason. Jason is in debt and needs Lana’s money. Elliot plans on Kate killing Jason and Lana marrying him instead. Lana and Kate hatch a plan to turn the tables on Elliot and make him think his plan worked. Elliot is believed to be dead and while everyone is celebrating Elliot comes back and kills Lana for not loving him. At the end of the book Elliot is at the same institution as Theo from The Silent Patient and Mariana comes to visit and it seems that a few years have passed since the events of The Maidens and Elliot decides to write his play. Michaelides once again writes a very compelling psychopath as our main character and narrator. I can’t wait to own this book in a physical capacity. Can’t wait for the next one.

I remember reading the silent patient in one sitting and while this was not that - it was extremely enjoyable. I liked the almost breaking of the “fourth wall”. I liked how the narrator was not predictable (this is the most I will say without giving away too much). The mystery aspect was not predictable though once it’s revealed - it almost feels like it was in front of you the whole time but in a very cat/mouse way.

I have been in a reading slump and this was the perfect book to snap out of it. 100% recommend, especially for folks who like Alex M’s books or are looking to get introduced to his writing

Five acts. Murder story.
There is a lot more complex characteristics than a simple who dunnit.
I enjoyed this book and the story, but it was a tad…meh. I loved the narrator personally. He was a tad all over the place, which I enjoyed because it created a map of how his mind works, chaos.
This is my second favorite of his three books, and I’m ready for the fourth already.

While I wasn’t a fan of Alex Michaelides book “The Silent Patient” this book was 10 times better. I couldn’t put it down. The twists and turns and just when you think you’ve figured it out another twist and turn happens right up to the very end. Absolutely loved this book.

Movie star Lana Farrar invites several close friends to spend some time on a private Greek island as she battles some private demons. While the island seems idyllic, the growing tension amongst the guests threatens to derail any serenity it promised. The Fury is the name for the fierce winds that typically lash the island, but it also describes the emotions building up in each of the island’s guests. The story is told through one of those guests in a narrative form, with a few quirky “asides” as the narrator speaks directly to the reader at various times. This unique effect works well, as the narrator beckons his readers to ‘pull up a stool and have a drink with him’ as he unspools event, not only on the island, but in the past as well. The reader is aware of a violent event that occurs on the island, as the narrator slowly builds the tension as the plot is revealed, and this format stays true right to the shocking climax. This style of storytelling may not work for everyone, but the intelligent dialogue and serene narrative has a way of hooking you and firmly holding your attention. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I want to start off by saying that this book gave me major Saltburn vibes for anyone who has seen that movie. The book is narrated by Elliot, who often can be found ‘watching’ his audience. While he does his best to stay a reliable narrator, he often can be found witnessing scenes he couldn’t have, and knowing fact he had no way of knowing. This often felt messy to me - was this a purposeful choice of the author, making us consistently second guess Elliot, furthering him as an unreliable narrator of this story, or just a bad choice to not have this in first person?

The first half of the book was quite slow paced for me - we were promised many twists and told to ‘hold tight’ by Elliot. I felt like a rabbit chasing a dangling carrot! By the second half of the book, I found myself questioning Elliot’s motivation, and his ‘why’. I was definitely interested in the ‘who done it’ draw of this book, and then end was really twisty if you can get through the first half. Overall this book is about 3 stars for me - I think it’s a decent twisty thriller, but with a slow start.

Also - don’t read the epilogue if you haven’t read The Silent Patient (my favorite book by this author) as it gives away the major twist for that book.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Celadon books for allowing me the opportunity to read an Arc of this book!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This book is great! It's fast-paced and some nights I didn't want to put it down when I knew I had work the next morning. It's a fun ride. You'll have a great time reading this book. This is firmly one of my favorite thrillers in the "Agatha Christie" type genre. I was put off by the narrator at first, but got used to it fairly quick.

Give this book a go! Even if this isn't typically your genre, it's fun and worth the shot!

This story has it all-a (fictional) celebrity, an isolated island, love, obsession, betrayal, and murder. Our narrator, Elliot Chase, promises to guide us through it all as he tells us the true story of what happened. But just how reliable is he?

I absolutely loved this book. I was disappointed by Michaelides The Maidens, but there was absolutely no disappointment here. This book is brilliant. Every time you think you have a grasp on what’s going on, Michaelides pulls the rug right out from under you. All the while, he’s playing with the ideas of nature versus nature, celebrity, and what it truly means to love. Michaelides is a genius with the unreliable narrator, and he plays with that to such perfection here. I highly recommend this book.

This book is a well crafted novel written from a first personal narrative which is unique. But the story line and the writing make you want to keep reading to find out what happens. The Fury is a well written twisty thriller it is not a popcorn thriller so be prepared to experience many highs and lows.

I think this may be my favorite Alex Michaelides book yet! I really enjoyed the narration format, and having Elliott address the reader directly. Right off the bat, you could tell he was an unreliable narrator, but it was especially fun when his story began to unravel. Michaelides has always provided an healthy amount of twists and turns in his books, and The Fury was no exception- at some points it seemed like he would never reveal the true mastermind behind the events that happened on the island. Plus, I loved the very subtle tie-in to The Silent Patient. Michaelides is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, and I am excited to see how he will continue to shock readers with his future offerings.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Celadon for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I love an unreliable narrator and Alex Michaelides delivers that in the form of Elliot. I loved the five-act structure of the book and the twists & turns. However, I didn't love the pacing of this book, nor the very "meta/broken fourth wall" style of writing. I didn't enjoy it as much as The Silent Patient, but others may love this one. Thanks for the opportunity to read this book!

✨ Review ✨ The Fury by Alex Michaelides; Narrated by Alex Jennings

This is the first book I've read by Alex Michaelides and so I went in with high expectations. I found it a fast and engaging read but I didn't love it either. The story's a "whydonit" murder mystery and it's written in layers of first person narrative where the main character (Elliot) walks you through the murder story in an effort to explain why the murder happened (more than solving who did the murder).

The story is set on a Greek Island where famous movie star Lana and her second husband and son, and her friends and two employees come together for Easter Break. The cast of characters was a little hard to tangle with at first but I eventually settled in. In the end, I'm not sure I found any of the characters particularly relatable or enjoyable, and I think that dimmed my experience a bit.

I did listen to about 1/4 of this on audio and found it engaging. I think I would have had a harder time settling into the cast of characters if I started with the audio.

The book is very attuned to cluing in the reader in on the narrative structure (e.g. me paraphrasing here but the narrator regularly makes notes like "I have digressed for too long" or "I wanted to give more context before I told you more about me"), which both added to the story and felt a little tedious after a while. *shrug*

Ultimately, I didn't hate it but I didn't love it either. I imagine readers will fall all across the spectrum on this one!

⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: mystery/thriller
Setting: Greece / London
Pub Date: 16 Jan 2024

Read this if you like:
⭕️ stories of the lives of the rich and famous
⭕️ windy Greek private islands
⭕️ first-person narration, talking directly to the reader
⭕️ whydonit style mysteries

Thanks to Celadon, Macmillan Audio, and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

Alex Michaelides is a really great writer, and he knows how to put a unique spin on each of his stories. My absolute favorite thing about this book was the writing. I loved how it broke the fourth wall. It truly felt like we were just sitting down with one of the characters listening to him talk about his story.

Unfortunately, I am one of those people that needs to love characters to love a story. These characters were unlikable, but I think that was the book of this book. However, the characters are my main complaint about this book.

I really have loved each of Alex Michaelides’ book, and I will always look forward to more!

Alex Michaelides' new novel, The Fury, is a murder mystery set on a remote island featuring a group of theater friends circling in the orbit of Lana Farrar, a reclusive and retired movie star. Elliot, a playwright and the narrator, delivers the story, revealing bits of backstory along the way. Elliot is not exactly reliable, but he does make a very engaging narrator.

The group, consisting of Lana’s friend Kate, an actress, Elliot, Lana's son, Leo, and Lana’s second husband, Jason Miller, assembles on Lana’s Greek island with her assistant, Agathi, and her caretaker, Nikos, as a wind storm, known as a Fury, blows in.

While some of the characters are a bit stock, the story is well-told through Elliot. Elliot’s tag line “Character is destiny” becomes ever more interesting as the story proceeds. And the twists at the end make perfect sense, even while they surprised this reader. I recommend this book for fans of locked room mysteries.

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the opportunity to read an advance review copy of this book.

I recently dove into The Fury, and while my expectations were high considering the author's reputation, the novel didn't quite hit the mark for me. Here are my thoughts:

Characters: Unfortunately, I couldn't find a character to truly connect with, which impacted my overall enjoyment. Some secondary characters had their moments, but a compelling main character was missing.

Genre: As a fan of twisty mysteries and thrillers, I appreciated the book's numerous twists. However, the slow pacing at the beginning left me wanting more immediate engagement.

Setting: The setting was a positive aspect of the book, offering a backdrop that I found enjoyable and well-executed.

Originality: While the plot had potential, I couldn't help but draw parallels to another recent read in the same genre and setting, impacting the overall originality.

Plot: The plot's potential was hindered by a writing style that left me questioning the authenticity of events, as hinted by an early narrator disclaimer.

Resolution: Although the resolution addressed some questions, it left me with lingering uncertainties. Despite this, it concluded in a fair sense.

Overall Rating: I'd give The Fury 3 stars. While it might not be a book I revisit, it could appeal to certain mystery and suspense enthusiasts. It's a matter of personal taste, and others might find more enjoyment in the novel's twists and turns.

I read this in 24 hours, could not put down! The pacing was excellent. I loved the creepy narrator and how the story unfolded. Loved the Greek island setting. A great start to 2024.

The story takes a while to develop, with several long, necessary flashback episodes, but once it gets going, it is not easy to put down.
I gave it the following SCORE:
Setting: Present day at a private mansion on a remote island near Mykonos
Characters: A unique cast, including Elliott, the primary storyteller, Lana, a former Hollywood star and owner of the mansion, her second husband, her teenage son, their good friend, Kate, who is also an actress, and the servants that take care of the island.
Overview: To say too much would risk spoiling the continuing changes in the story. The lead characters are invited to spend a weekend on the island with the hidden agenda of determining and confronting a presumed affair between Lana’s husband and Kate. The “Fury” is the intense winds that periodically attack Greek islands – but, of course, it also defines the motives and actions in the second half of the book.
What makes the book are the changing perspectives of the characters as the story progresses and you learn more from their backstories.
Recommendation: I rate this book 4 stars
Extras: Simply, I am a fan of books with unreliable narrators and this is a good one – not only from the first-person perspective of Elliott, who is definitely not to be trusted, but also from the ultimately revealed actions of the supporting cast. While not quite as good as Michaelides’ “The Patient,” this is a considerably more enjoyable story than “The Maidens,” and is recommended.
Thanx to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the opportunity to provide this candid review.

Well, I have mixed feelings about this one…..

The suspense is great, there are multiple twists and turns. Several times the plot does a complete 180, so the author definitely keeps you on your toes, and keeps you entertained.

However, all the characters are unlikeable to various degrees. This is likely deliberate by the author. I don’t mind flawed characters, however I personally find it hard to get engaged in the story when I’m not rooting for ANY of the characters. It’s a toss up, but my most loathed character would probably be the narrator - Elliot Chase. Elliot is a pretentious, unreliable and downright slimy character. Even with his traumatic childhood I had a hard time empathizing with him. I give the author props for provoking such a strong emotion in men regards to this character. However, with Elliot being the narrator we spend a lot of time with him, which is downright unpleasant.

We really don’t get to know the other characters that well, especially as we see them through Elliot’s lense. Lana, the star, and Elliot’s friend is reduced to a 2D character mostly based on her outward appearance. Kate, Lana’s BFF is a chaotic mess with a mean girl vibe. Jason, Lana’s husband is a handsome jerk.

I would say this book was an interesting, if not particular read.

Thank you to Celadon Books and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC of this book to read and review.