I was really let down by this book. I am glad I had an audio copy as well; I think this book is much easier to digest on audio. By the end, though, it feels like a big waste of time.



I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

This review is based on an advanced audiobook copy by Macmillan Audio production from Celadon Books. Thank you to @NetGalley, @CeledonBooks, and @MacmillanAudio for the opportunity to listen to the ADC!

Alex Michaelides does it once again in The Fury, a psychological thriller that is one heck of a ride. The twists keep on coming throughout the book. When the story begins, we meet Elliot Chase who is the narrator of the story, but we find that is not all. He tells us that we are going to hear a story like no other before and in my opinion that is the truth.

A group of “friends” vacations on a private Greek island only to learn that the word friend is maybe not the correct word to use. There are trials and tribulations, meaningful twists, superior character development, and an unbelievable plot in this one.

The biggest question in the book concerns Elliot and the question as to who he is. You will not want to turn this off until the end.

This was the audiobook version was narrated by Alex Jennings. His voice matched perfectly with the tone of the book and Elliot’s character. I was able to listen at a higher speed easily and didn’t feel it was rushed or that the voice was running away.

* By: Alex Michaelides
* Narrated by: Alex Jennings
* Length: 8 hrs and 8 mins
* Release date: 01-16-24

@AlexMichaelides
@AlexJennings

What a wild take on an unreliable narrator! Okay, I was hesitant going into this one; like many readers, I loved THE SILENT PATIENT and I hated THE MAIDENS. For me, THE FURY sits happily in the middle of them.

It probably won't be for everyone, but I loved the quirky narration style. He talks directly to the audience, seeks to build inside jokes, and lets us in on his stream-of-consciousness; I think the style lends itself well to the audiobook format; had I read a physical copy, I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much. With that, the book felt a bit slow - working through the plot, on top of the narrator's commentary, pulled the pacing down a bit. (But I did adore Alex Jenning's performance!)

However, even with my issues of the pacing, I did love the ending! There were two twists that I audibly gasped at - in the primary ending and again in the epilogue. I wish there were more of that punch throughout the novel.

I think Michaelides really went for something different with this novel - which I appreciate! - but, when looked at as a whole, it just missed the mark every so slightly for me.

First of all, I loved listening to this book. The narrator did a fantastic job and I don't think I would have enjoyed this book as much on paper. The narrator gave emotion and life to the story. I was really questioning if I would end up liking the book through the first half. It was a little slow and uneventful, but as the novel wrapped up I realized that everything had been perfectly set up. So if you're bored at the beginning, stick it out as the second half makes it worth it. The mystery was unique with a beautiful but ominous secluded setting. The cast of characters were eclectic but we mainly get to know the main character through his point of view. Overall, I highly enjoyed how unique and twisty the story was. I highly recommend to anyone who loves suspenseful secluded mysteries.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me an ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I really enjoyed The Silent Patient but not so much The Maidens so I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this book, but it turned out to my favorite of his 3 books. The unreliable narrator was unlikable in the best way. He reminded me of Nick Carraway from the Great Gatsby. Michaelides brings the Greek island setting to life beautifully. There were many twists and turns, some predictable and others not, and I flew through this even though I wanted it to last much longer, I just couldn’t put it down.

I was lucky enough to receive the digital and audio ARCs. The narrator, Alex Jennings, was wonderful and really brought Elliott to life.

4.5/5 stars!

Thank you to Celadon and NetGalley for the audio ARC!

Thank you @celadonbooks for the #gifted ARC/ALC of THE FURY!

I’m not going to lie, I was so nervous to get burned again after reading THE MAIDENS and while I enjoyed this one more than THE MAIDENS, this will also be my last book by Alex Michaelides that I read.

I’m instantly mistrusting of narrator’s who promise to tell you the whole truth because really whose truth is it they are telling? And this particular narrator, Elliot Chase, just gave off the vibes that he was trying to play cute with “the truth” from the very beginning. Add in the fact that he keeps circling back and adding more details or slightly changing events, and I was over it.

My biggest complaint about this book (and THE MAIDENS) is how all of the side characters, but the female characters especially, felt like cardboard cutouts who were there just to prop up the narrator and make him interesting. We have Lana, the beautiful and tragic movie queen who he clearly adores, and Kate, the angry and bitter working actress. It just felt so tropey. I’m still not convinced the author knows any women in real life and is instead just writing how he thinks women are.
The saving grace for me was the audiobook narrator. His voice and narration were fantastic and I would definitely listen to more books narrated by him.

I’m certainly in the minority for not loving this book or this author. So if you’re a fan, please don’t let my review discourage you from picking up a book you’re excited about. And if you didn’t love it, just know you’re not alone!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6157877248
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C2Kt4QKxzWs/

I’ve never read a book quite like this one. This murder mystery with an unreliable narrator was exciting and interesting with reveals at just the right time and was incredibly bingeable! For fans of Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. The way the characters were introduced with just the right amount of background information for me to feel for them with out info dumping. So glad I picked this one up!

A book I can’t stop thinking about. This book kept me up late reading because I couldn’t stop. Full of twists and turns and always had me guessing. I absolutely LOVED it! Thanks NetGallery!

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!