The mark of a great psychological thriller for me is that after I have gotten to the end on the edge of my seat I immediately want to turn to page one and read it all over again to see what I missed and how much of it was there in front of me all along. One of the reasons I love thrillers is that they provide two very different experiences, the first read (which can never be repeated once you know all the things) and the later reads where you search out all the bread crumbs. Sadly, I have not read many thrillers lately because few have provided me this desire to go back to the beginning in a very long time. The Fury does this in spades!

I am also a self identified nerd, and the best thrillers for me are the ones that work with the craft of narrative to tell their story; unreliable narrators, out of order story telling, assumptions we are led to fill in without realizing it. etc. Michaelides uses all of this and more masterfully.

This is not a thriller for those who want a fast moving frantic plot driven story. This narrator is very meta (self aware). He knows he is telling a story to an audience and the meta narration figures intimately within the plot. In the beginning I actually thought this may be overdone for my taste, but by the end I believe the author walks that fine line well. So- if you like stories that blur the line between fiction and reality, if you like meta narration, and slow walk to an amazing end, you will like this book! Go in as blind as you can otherwise. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I listened to this book on audio which is my preferred way to read thrillers! I get so much more out the experience. Alex Jennings is so good at voicing this narrator! I loved how he captured so much of the nuances that allowed me to hate this character but also stay interested in what he had to say. It was like a one man theatrical live performance. I highly recommend getting the audio for this one- as character driven and slow build as the story is it will certainly enhance your experience with the story.

Thanks to MacMillian audio and Netgalley for allowing access to an ALC of The Fury in exchange for an honest review!

This was such an interesting read! It reminded me a lot of the Glass Onion movie. Unreliable narrator where the veil between the narrator and the audience is lifted. I was intrigued and constantly attentive of the storyline and where it was going.

The Fury is the newest book from Alex Michaelides, author of The Silent Patient. Like others in the series, this title is a thriller, this time in the vein of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None with our cast of characters traveling to a remote island for a vacation that ends in murder.

I have read both previous publications by this author and felt mildly uncomfortable with the representation of women in his previous works. This one continues the trend of sad, damaged women who need tortured, misunderstood men to run along and save them.

This book was paced very oddly. 50% of the way into the book still felt like the exposition while the ending felt rushed and confused. There is a lot of play with the reliability of the narrator, which I liked, but the multiple branching "gotcha"s became hard to keep track of after a point.

The characters, like in other books in this extended universe, were completely lacking in defining traits - except, maybe, "bitchy". Even Lana, the center of our narrator's world, seems shallow and vapid. The narrator, Elliot, was easily the most developed character and I actually did rather like him - as much as you can like him, that is. I enjoyed his tone and the repeated breaking of the fourth wall, pulling the reader in like a friend peeking backstage at a play. It makes you feel like you are a part of the story, and potentially in as much danger as the characters you meet on the island.

One thing I kept asking myself was, "Why is this book set in Greece?" The fact that the island and "help" are Greek is mentioned several times, but does not really factor into the story. The island could have been off the cost of Thailand, or Spain, and it wouldn't have made an ounce of different. Storms happen all over the world. If I book is going to lean that hard into a specific setting, it would be kind of nice if the culture played in a little more.

In general, I was not a fan of this book and will likely not be reading future publications from this author. I do hope those of you that are fans do find enjoyment in this title.

When I pick up (or pop in my earbuds for) an Alex Michaelides book, I know I'm going to be completely and totally entertained, and The Fury is no exception. Who is Elliot Chase, and what are his motivations? Is he essentially good, or is he pure evil? As the story unfolds, it's not entirely clear, but, in the words of Agatha Christie, and as quoted in The Fury, "Every murderer is probably somebody's old friend." The lines between enemies and friends, love and hate are blurred in this book, none of the characters are entirely likable, and i loved every minute of it. Narrated by Alex Jennings, the audio version is stellar!

Our narrator, Elliott Chase is a bit unreliable it seems. He's telling us this story, bit by bit - but what of it is true?

I was gifted an eARC, ALC and physical copy and I flew through this one, using all three at some point. I did love the narrator in the audio. It felt like you are being told a story by an old pal you haven't seen in a long time.

There was an interesting cast of characters - ex-movie star, Lana Farrar, and her husband Jason, her son Leo, her friends, Kate and Elliott (our not so trusty narrator), and two employees, Nikos and Agathi. They will all be spending some time at Easter on Lana's private island. Someone will wind up dead. But is it who you thought it would be?

This one is a large part mystery, part tragic love story, and totally captivating.

Many thanks to NetGalley, MacMillan Audio and Celadon Books for my various ARC versions in exchange for my honest review.

Just didn’t work for me. The book was too long and meandering to the point of exhaustion. I was left disappointed in the end.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced audio book. All opinions are my own.

Thx to NetGalley for this arc. Landed on 4 stars but it might have been high 3s. The story certainly had twists and turns and was quite meta. At the end it was starting to be confusing whose version of the plan we were getting. You see the same “scene” from multiple viewpoints, not only characters but with new information through which to process it. I use the word scene as at many points there’s a bit of a midsummer nights dream play within a play element happening. I was not wildly attached to any characters but I believe that was intentional. It makes all narration and information circumspect. I would recommend to my reading friends.

In The Fury, Michaelides skillfully delves into the psychological realm, crafting a locked-room mystery set against the backdrop of a captivating Greek island. With everyone portrayed as a potential suspect, narrator Elliot keeps us guessing through five intricately detailed parts of each character, with each offering alternative perspectives and nuanced observations. The plot intertwines seamlessly with the island's rich history, almost as if turning it into a character of its own. Elliot, our unreliable guide through this maze, adopts a narration style that almost includes the reader in the a conversation rather than a narration. I caught myself answering back several times which was a lovely humorous surprise. With all of the twists and the charming narration this is a definite recommendation.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillian Audio for this audiobook ARC

The Fury by Alex Michaelides is a book that I started and stopped over and over again. I was almost going to stop for good but pushed through and gave the audiobook one final try. The writing is unique in the way that the narrator of the novel "speaks" to the reader, but I am still not sure how I felt about this. There are many events that took place that the narrator could not have known about so that left me confused and made the story a bit unbelievable for me. I also like when thrillers give multiple POVs and since this was the "work" of one character is was pretty unreliable and not very insightful.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this gifted audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t have much to say about this book. It was easy to listen to but really didn’t capture my attention. I just think it was… fine?

I have mixed feelings on this one. On one side, I really liked the narrative voice, and the choice for the narrator to talk directly to the reader, as if he's recounting the story to the reader. On the other hand, this was incredibly boring. I didn't connect to the characters and the plot twist just wasn't that interesting? Kind of a bummer honestly.

Thank you to. NetGalley and the publisher for early access to listen to this title.
I had already read this and loved it so much I had to listen ti the audio version as well. It did not disappoint. I’ve really enjoyed the author’s previous work, but this is my favorite so far.
I loved all the twists and turns, and that it had me guessing until the very last page. I can’t wait to recommend this one!

Not his best, but still a good story. I didn’t feel connected to/ invested in the characters so much like I did in his other books. Narrator was great and did a good job of keeping the story moving.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a free audiobook of The Fury by Alex Michaelides in exchange for an honest review.

Regarding the book, I had high hopes for this novel as I really enjoyed “The Silent Patient” and “The Maidens,” but sadly this one isn’t in the same class. Narrated by Elliot Chase conjuring the spirit of The Great Gatsby’s Nick Carraway, The Fury attempts to be part Greek / Shakespearean tragedy (told in five acts) and part Agatha Christie locked room mystery. The action itself takes place on a Greek Island, and the title refers to the winds swirling around the island where Elliot, along with his friend and famous movie star Lana, Lana’s teenage son, husband, and others all converge for a holiday that turns deadly. Although all the ingredients are there, I found the telling choppy and the characters unlikeable.

That said, while the book earned three stars, Alex Jennings’ narration of the audiobook was excellent and elevated my rating to four stars for this medium. He got the dismissive, sarcastic and dramatic Elliot just right. I’d definitely listen to more narrated by this voice actor.

🎧Song Pairing: Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley (I laughed)

💭What I thought would happen:

Predictions. - Something evil eye tying to Greek mythology. Likely the author will quote glorified old white authors like Walt Whitman - going on the bingo card.

FOLLOW UP - Quoted Tennessee Williams in chapter 2. I am dead

📖What actually happens:

Not gonna bother. Murder mystery.

🗯Thoughts/sassy musings:

I find this author to be pretentious. It’s always like he wants us know he read his grade 10 summer reading list 😂🤦🏼‍♀️ always quoting and recognizing ancient racist sexist white men.

I was bored but prior works lead me to believe there’d be a twist, hardly. Not 💯 predictable but not anything to get hard over.

My hot streak had to come to a halt. The Fury had to achieve something…

Anywho, I am done with this author. ✌🏻

I’m sad to say that this book didn’t work for me. I always enjoy an unreliable narrator but I didn’t care for the way Elliot constantly addressed me, the reader. Additionally, he discusses things that he couldn’t possibly know which made the narration style unrealistic.

The main issue with this story, in my opinion, is that none of the characters are likeable or relatable in any way. They were also so incredibly uninteresting that I just didn’t care about the outcome of the novel.

I hate to rate an arc one star but I just couldn’t find anything positive in this story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

The Fury could be the appropriate title for my love affair with Michaelides' books. I have such a toxic relationship with equal parts of I don't get the hype and OMG I can't stop working through this latest installment. The Fury is no different. Another WILD ride from the author that provides no other option.

Buckle up for London and Greece and a literary life lesson that when the Fury blows, you best take cover!

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.

Story: 🌟🌟🌟
Narration: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Overall: 🌟🌟🌟💫

The Fury is the newest mystery from Alex Michaelides. It is an Agatha Christie-esque mystery about a trip that ends in murder. It has an ex-movie star, a private Greek island, and plenty of twists.

While I enjoyed this story, I wasn’t completely in the mood for the writing style. It was definitely different and I could see many enjoying this literary take on a thriller. I particularly loved the third act. Overall, a fun change of pace from a popular author.


ALC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Read if you like:
💨 Short Chapters
🧐 Unreliable Narrators
🔀 Lots of Misdirection
🇬🇷 Greek Tragedies
🏛️ Locked Room Thrillers/
🏝️ Greek Island Settings
🗣️ 4th Wall Breaks
🤐 The Silent Patient

The book itself has a bit of a slower pace, but the chapters are short and makes this one much more readable because of the short chapters.

The book is formatted like a play and continually references Greek tragedies and playwriting so the layered effect was well done for the writing.

The entire book is from Elliot’s POV and he breaks the 4th wall often with the reader to admit his deceptions and circle back to where he has been deceptive in his story, especially when telling the story from other POVs of his imagining of what occurred from their POV while telling of the story of a murder that happened with his friends on a Greek island, owned by his friend and crush Lana.

There are so many points with the characters on the island that they could be stabbing each other in the back and be the killer or killed to the point you don’t trust who will be murdered, and by whom so it really is a bit of a who done it, with a splash of who was killed, with a lot of the why did the murder happen?

If you like a slower paced atmospheric type mystery with a self proclaimed unreliable narrator that likes to break the fourth wall with twists and reveals until the last page I highly recommend this one!

Thanks so much Macmillan Audio for my ARC in exchange for my review!

This book is the epitome of the unreliable narrator. At least he admits it! It did keep you wondering, while he was narrating, if this was real or if he would stop and say it didn't happen. It was a story unlike anything I have read. Most books I read, I root for the main character. This was one of the first times I started to dislike the MC and wished someone else told the story. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing though. The narrator made revelations slowly about his true self...almost.