I read along to the audiobook. I liked the narrator and I believe it enhanced the reading experience.

Thanks netgalley for a copy of the arc.

I have only read The Silent Patient by this author (also on audio) and I really enjoyed the twist in it. I wasn't sure if I was interested in reading this new book of his, but several trusted friends really recommended it and particularly the well-narrated audiobook (by British actor Alex Jennings). I agree with others who've mentioned it - this audiobook was very well done.

The way this story unfolds takes a little bit to get used to, but I really found the omniscient narrator and first-person storytelling quite compelling and I was anxious to get to the ending and find out a bit about how the whole story unfolded. It's a bit of a locked room (locked island) mystery and the reader knows from the beginning that there is a murder but we are unsure who the murderer is or who was murdered until much further into the book. Our story's narrator, Eliott, appears to be quite inquisitive, observant, and intelligent, but also a bit biased.

Overall this was a great first thriller for 2024 though I can see how it won't work for everyone - I do believe that fans of Big Little Lies or Hercule Poirot would enjoy this story though. It's not a gory thriller type of story but there is one scene (unrelated to the murder at all) that turned my stomach (CW: bullying).

Lana is a reclusive ex-movie star. However, every year she comes out of her shell and invites her closest friends to her wonderfully, idealic Greek Island. But this time, her friends find themselves trapped and the night ends in violence and death!

Well, this was one of my most anticipated books of 2024. I was just a bit disappointed. This story tended to drag in places. I kept reading because I know this author. I know the ending has some surprises coming. Sadly, this tale did not live up to my expectations. And to be honest, that is my fault. I know better!!!

I will say, parts of this book are brilliant. I especially found the narrator, Elliot Chase pretty creative. The way the author wove him into this novel and used him is pretty ingenious. And of course, the ending has quite a few twists and turns. It just took way too long to get there.

And speaking of narrators…Alex Jennings does an outstanding job. I was a bit hesitant at first. But the further I went along in this novel the more I enjoyed him. He is so regal and his accent added so much!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Happy Pub Day to @alex.michaelides and his new book THE FURY! I was so ecstatic to receive an ARC of The Fury especially after reading the synopsis. A locked room murder mystery set on a beautiful Greek island? Yes please! A game of cat-and-mouse, whodunnit, filled with terrible people and good twists and turns— this book checks all of that. Each section or act of the book is like peeling back layers of an onion learning a little more information only to be wrong again. It will keep you guessing until the end.

I also loved the character tie-ins from his previous books. Another great one from Alex Michaelides! Available now!

Thanks @celadonbooks for my gifted copy and thanks @macmillan.audio for an ALC! I enjoyed both audio and reading with my eyes. The narrator fit Elliot’s character perfectly.

When Lana, a famous movie star invites a couple of friends to join her and her husband and son for a holiday on her private Greek island, a well-staged play begins to unfold with the actors having little knowledge about each other's roles and just who may end up dead. Elliot, the narrator tells of the events leading up to the murder and he intersperses his tale with his own side commentary as if telling the story to the listener over a drink. It seems that everyone on the island has secrets and ulterior motives that come out as they play their roles.
I loved the creative way that the author told this story.it really seemed that Elliot was speaking directly to the reader. The little "asides" that he included made the story so engaging. The characters were unlikable but this just made the story better. And the twists just kept coming! Definitely an enjoyable read! I also listened to the audio book and the narration was fantastic! I felt like Elliot was really telling the story directly to me.
#NetGalley #MacmillamAudio

Winter has firmly taken hold of South Texas this week, with temperatures refusing to rise above freezing for the past two days and even a few snow flurries filling the air. During this wintry spell, I've sought refuge nestled by the fire, immersing myself in the sun-soaked Greek island setting of Alex Michaelides's latest thriller, The Fury. This eagerly anticipated novel, the third from the bestselling author of The Silent Patient, was graciously provided to me by Michaelides's publisher in both book and audiobook format, delivering an over-the-top page-turner that proved utterly irresistible.

Lana Farrar once had it all—she reigned as the "it girl" in Hollywood for several years, starring in numerous blockbusters and ascending to the heights of global fame. Now retired, she embraces a reclusive existence, content to lead a life away from the glaring limelight. Yearning to escape London's gloomy weather, Lana retreats to her private Greek island, Aura, for the Easter holiday. Joined by her husband Jason, teenage son Leo, actress friend Kate, and playwright companion Elliot, Lana anticipates days filled with sunshine, relaxation, and cherished moments with her closest friends and family. Little do they suspect that by the weekend's end, one of them will be dead.

"We are all the unreliable narrators of our own lives."

Elliot, Lana's playwright friend, takes on the role of narrator, recounting the events leading up to and following the unexpected death. Was it the result of the island's infamous winds, known as the menos or "fury," or a deliberate act by one of the humans? As Elliot delves into the layers of this narrative, revealing more details about the island's reality, doubt creeps in regarding the reliability of our narrator's perspective. Is everything presented as it occurred, or does a more sinister truth lurk beneath the surface?

Delving deeper into The Fury would spoil the thrill of discovering its story firsthand. Alex Michaelides skillfully employs an unreliable narrator, reveling in weaving a narrative that continually twists into its final form. Echoing the structure of a classic Greek tragedy, the story unfolds in five distinct acts, with each new segment adding depth to the existing knowledge. It plays like a blend of "White Lotus" and a traditional locked-room mystery, resulting in a captivating thriller that enthralled me. Each character is propelled by individual selfish motivations, turning the discernment of their true intentions into an integral aspect of the story's intriguing enigma. While the plot may sometimes venture into the absurd, it is all part of the fun of this story. The Fury is a campy and melodramatic thriller that, while not reaching the heights of The Silent Patient, doesn't aim to replicate it. With the right expectations, it offers a delightful and engaging read.

I have loved all of Michaelides books up until this point, but this one took me for a ride. It is a love letter to drama and plays and unreliable narrators. Michaelides is great at slow burns, and I typically love slow burns, but I did find this one to be a little too slow for my taste. It very nearly takes until the 80% mark before the story really begins to come together in a cohesive way. It was most definitely predictable to a point, but that did not take away from my enjoyment of the book. The ending was very well done but I did have to take a star because of how slow the first 80% felt. If you liked the first two books, this is most definitely worth picking up. The audiobook narrator also did a great job, I think he was a perfect fit for the role. Would recommend.

This was a creative and intriguing setup, but ultimately not the right fit for me. I really struggle with stories where all the characters are unlikeable and I couldn’t really get past that. It was hard for me to have no one I wanted to root for. I thought the setting was really neat and the narration framing was unique.

The audiobook was skillfully narrated and easy to listen to.

I'm trying to gather all my thoughts after reading/listening to this book. First off, the overall style and format was so unique and I really enjoyed that! The audiobook was perfection! The narrator, Alex Jennings, was a perfect voice for Elliot. Add an audiobook, this was so nicely done and deserves 5 stars.

The first half of the story was very slow and dragged. I considered DNFing a few times, but I really wanted to finish and see the "twists" everyone was talking about. The twists were "eh", and that's why I'm giving it only 3 stars. Not my favorite, but not horrible either.

*Thank you so much @celadonbooks for the ARC copy. And thank you @macmillian.audio for the #gifted audiobook.*

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for granting me access to this audiobook!

The story starts off with the narrator explaining that his recounting of the story might be unreliable at times, which truly sets the tone for the rest of the novel. As a reader, I was always trying to figure out wether his accounts were truly what happened or not, anxious to find out what would happen next.
The narrator also states that his recounting will be told in the same format as he would tell it to a friend in a bar, jumping back and forth in the timeline, which is a perfect manner of explaining how it feels like to listen to the book.
Up until about the halfway mark of the book, I got a bit bored with the long and very detailed interactions between the characters. Their feelings and thoughts were deeply explained and I had trouble understanding how so much detail was pertinent. I get that the characters are meant to be complex beings, but still feel like the infinite details of each relationship dragged on.
The fourth act is when the story really picked up in my opinion. I enjoyed this part more than all the others. The many details given were somewhat important, but I still feel like it could have been done in a more effective/efficient manner.

The Fury

Author: Alex Michaelides
Publisher: Celadon Books
Publication Date: January 16, 2024
Category: Mystery

My rating: 2 ⭐️ ⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I appreciate that the three books released by this author thus far had three different plots and styles, which keeps things interesting. If you enjoyed his prior books, you may enjoy this one.

The consistently good thing about this author’s books is that there will always be a somewhat predictable but fun twist toward the end. The consistently bad thing about these books is that they’re a slow burn and much of the middle could have been left out or written more strongly. I did love The Silent Patient, so I was expecting more with this third book.

I hope the author writes more and the editor gives critical feedback. The repetition and fluff could be edited out or written more strongly. Example: ‘She found nothing. Of course she found nothing, there was nothing to be found. Everything was okay. This was all in her head.’ Also, the format of: Try this try that. Not this not that. Kate would x, Kate would y, Kate would z, gets frustrating when it happens so many times in a book. The reading level is below what I enjoy. If you’re okay with this style, then read this and enjoy. The presentation in this book is different than the prior, so expect that. The book is mostly the main character as a narrator telling a story and then changing it and repeating that he leaves out some details. The build got removed so many times that I lost interest in the ‘truth’.

Do I continue to read this author? Yes. I’m hoping for another hit and I believe it can happen.

I loved the narrative style in this latest mystery from Alex Michaelides. The story is told from Elliot Chase’s perspective, breaking the fourth wall and speaking directly to the reader. The narrative is slow and drawn out at times, feeling as though you’ve sat down to enjoy a drink with Elliot as he tells his tale of friendship with the iconic Lana Farrar.

We are dropped right into the heart of the story, with the murder happening in the opening pages. But Elliot lets us know, “This is not a whodunit […] If anything, it’s a whydunit.” (Forgive any typos, I am working from the audiobook and not an ebook.) This sets the stage for a slow-burn, character-driven mystery. There are twists along the way, but settle in for an interesting narrative versus a fast paced thriller.

I really enjoyed listening to this, the narrator is fantastic. I could not put The Fury down; just when I thought I knew where we were headed, the story would shift and leave me guessing again.

Loved the unique style and interesting characters. This is a great book to pick up for your 2024 reading!

This book is written as if you met the narrator in a bar, and he's telling you his story. It's a unique way to tell the story. The uniqueness doesn't end there. We know there is a murder, but who did it is the story. Each of the moments that lead to the murder is the story. Learning about each character is the story.

As I read/listen to thrillers, I am also trying to figure out the twist and who dun it...and this book didn't disappoint.

This story evolves with each chapter, bringing you into the book. It was hard to stop when the story entranced and enthralled me.
An absolute must-read.

I listened to the audible, and the fantastic narrator brought the story to life.

📚📚The Fury" bills itself as a tale of murder, but at its core, it attempts to weave a love story amidst the complexities of relationships on a secluded Greek island owned by the reclusive ex-movie star, Lana Farrar. While the premise held promise, the execution fell short of expectations.
The narrative unfolds as the characters find themselves trapped on the island, revealing old friendships concealing hatred and a desire for revenge.
Unfortunately, the story's potential is hampered by its pacing. The plot drags on for an extended period, making it a tedious journey for the reader. The promised twists and turns are present but fail to inject the much-needed vigor into the storytelling.
🎧🎧One significant drawback was the narrator's inability to captivate or engage the audience effectively.
The narration lacked the depth and connection required to make the characters and events resonate. The climax, touted as unforgettable, is overshadowed by the book's overall lackluster tone.
In conclusion, "The Fury" struggled to maintain momentum, resulting in a story that felt prolonged and uneventful. While the premise held intrigue, the execution left much to be desired, making it a challenging recommendation for those seeking a gripping thriller.

I would like to express my appreciation to A Macmillan Audio production, Celadon Books, and Netgalley for providing me with an advance audiobook in exchange for an unbiased review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
So at first I was expecting a faster paced murder mystery book. I discovered this was more of a slow starter. Once I got into it I really enjoyed it. It was well written and thought out and the narrator was great.

More often than not I will read a book because of a great recommendation, a super cool cover or the title is super intriguing. I follow a similar pattern when buying wine, I love a beautiful label. I jumped in head first into The Fury not knowing anything about the book or the author.

My first impression of the audiobook was intrigue. I liked the narrator's voice and inflections, and as Elliot tells his story the intrigue grew. Then it felt like a bait and switch, there's backstory and fluff and became a bit bored. I decided to read the synopsis on GoodReads trying to gauge how the story might unfold. GoodReads describes The Fury as "a masterfully paced thriller", so I buckled up and kept listening/reading. I kept waiting for the hook to return. Redemption comes in the last 25% or so. Revelations finally start coming into the light! I was caught me off guard and pleasantly surprised...and that's all I can say without spoilers.

I'm really interested to hear if friends have a similar thoughts, or if I'm odd (wo)man out.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advanced audio in exchange for an honest review.

First, I'd like to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audiobook. This is my honest review of The Fury.

I was so excited when I saw Alex Michaelides had another book coming out. Like many, I was a huge fan of The Silent Patient and my expectations were high. I'm afraid my high expectations played a part in my feelings towards this book; I didn't love it.

The narrator of the audiobook was amazing, but the narrator of the book (Elliott Chase) was not. I found myself struggling to pay attention and keep up with everything he was saying. There was SO MUCH setting the scene and talking, not enough suspense for me. There were twists I was not expecting, but it ALL happened at the very end of the book. The first 50-70% of the book was so drawn out and slow to me that by the time I got to the end, I didn't really care who died or how it was done. There were seven characters and I feel as if trying to portray all their relationships and describe them, I felt the character development was lacking and I didn't have any opinions for any of them, the narrator included.

In the epilogue there was a hint towards The Silent Patient and I enjoyed that little tidbit, although it could possibly be seen as a spoiler for those who have not read the book.

I enjoyed the audio very much. The tone was nice, speed was a good rate. The narrator chosen for Elliot was very good. The story however....it was lacking. Extremely predictable. It was a bit of a let down. I do not think the synopsis was a good representation of the story at all. This was a story of someone mentally ill horribly in love with someone unattainable. Overplayed and underwhelming.

I think if you go into this expecting it to be more of a slow burn, character study vs. a murder mystery, you'll walk out pleased. Yes, there is a murder, but it is slowly revealed.

We are given multiple characters to learn about. Each chapter focuses on one person and what's happened in the past or currently in their life. I liked this, but I did take notes to start out, just to make sure I stayed on top of things. I did enjoy the short chapters.

I enjoyed the Greek location and the Greek tragedy told in 5 acts. Overall, I thought the book was fine, it was decent, but I'm not overly enthralled with it. It was just a bit to slow for me at times.

The audiobook was well done, I liked the narrator, Alex Jennings. He seemed to match well with Elliott the narrator telling the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance ALC.

The blurb for The Fury grabbed my attention. A famous former movie star and her friends trapped on a Greek Island and someone is murdered – sign me up.

Elliott Chase is our narrator and listening to the audio worked perfectly for the writing style. Elliott constantly addresses the reader, tells us the events but only from the angle he wants us to see, and acknowledges his flaws as a narrator. It was interesting how he goes back over scenes, each time adding new details, but how he could have known some piece is unclear. Jennings does a good job of hitting Elliot’s tone and moods. Honestly, the fact that it was an audiobook is what allowed me to finish it.

The setup was so promising, but the book never lived up to it. The narrative style came across as trying too hard to be clever. I didn’t care about any of the characters and while the island should have been gorgeous, all we know about it is its wind- the fury. There were several twists, at least one of which seemed rather ridiculous. I also kind of hate the cover.