![](https://netgalley-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/a15cb8542c/images/icons/nav_back_xs.png)
Member Reviews
![](https://netgalley-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/a15cb8542c/images/profile-micro.png)
Synopsis: “This is a tale of murder. Or maybe that’s not quite true. At it’s heart, it’s a love story, isn’t it?
Lana Farrar is a reclusive ex-movie star and one of the most famous women in the world. Every year, she invites her closet friends to escape the English weather and spend Easter on her idyllic private Greek island.
------
Michaelides' The Fury reminded me very much of Benjamin Stevenson’s Ernest Cunningham books. The narrator is one of the main characters in the story… playing quite a central role and speaking directly to the reader.
The Fury is a twisty-read filled with secrets. All of the characters are painted in such a light that they could all be the potential murderer, although none of them could possibly have done it. It's a fun and interesting read that keeps you guessing.
Many thanks to Netgalley and MacMillian Audio for sharing a book that is difficult for readers to put down.
![](https://netgalley-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/a15cb8542c/images/profile-micro.png)
Absolutely one of my favorite reads so far this year! So cleverly written and the narration is amazing. The setting is on a private Greek island cut off by the wind. Love it! Of course a murder occurs and then the cat and mouse game begins.
![](https://netgalley-profiles.s3.amazonaws.com/avatar597637-micro.png?1725756172)
THE FURY
Alex Michaelides
Everything you need to know to be prepared for a five-star experience is in the synopsis. Everything you need for a five-star reading experience is in this book.
Let’s talk about THE FURY!
In THE FURY we are following a group of friends on a private Greek Island called Aura. Lana Farrar, the ex-movie star, has invited her very close friends to unwind and relax over Easter weekend.
By the end of the weekend, plans unravel, secrets are revealed, and someone ends up dead. We learn the who, the what, and most importantly the why, in this spectacular “WHYDUNIT” by Alex Michaelides, out January 2024!
I spent a weekend reading THE FURY. The first thing I noticed was how intentional the writing was. Thought and time and care went into thinking about what the words were saying, where the sentence was landing, and how the reader was experiencing the book.
I had a spectacular and unforgettable reading experience.
Just as the painting was in THE SILENT PATIENT, so is the wind in the fury. It’s a non-human entity that acts much like a character. It interacts with the scene; it has its own behavior and becomes just as vocal and informative as the dialogue between characters.
There are elements carried over from both THE SILENT PATIENT and THE MAIDENS. THE FURY is synergistic and felt like the culmination of something bigger than itself.
The sum of many parts.
There is something here for every reader out there and will be particularly compelling for die-hard thriller fans. This is the one you’ve been waiting for.
I cannot wait to hear this as an audiobook and I’m 100% rereading this with you when it comes out in January 2024.
Finally, again a book by Michaelides well worth the price of admission.
If this is the show, I want a ticket!
THE FURY...⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Celadon Books and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy and the awesome opportunity to provide early feedback!
![](https://netgalley-profiles.s3.amazonaws.com/avatar1240248-micro.png?1725756172)
I was hoping this book would take more advantage of its beautiful Grecian setting, but it...didn't. However, I love a multi-player mystery a la Agatha Christie.
I sufficiently disliked every character in this book, which I normally enjoy in a book, as long as I am not "supposed" to like any other them. However, my disdain for everyone (especially the narrator!) made it difficult to feel invested in who lived, died, murdered, or got murdered.
Another reviewer mentioned that this book contains a spoiler for The Silent Patient, so if you're planning on reading that, do it first.
I want to express my appreciation to Celadon Books for this Advance Reader's Copy, it pains me to write less than a stellar review because I just don't like doing that.
However, to me, this was the least successful of Michaelides' books. I loved The Maidens and I enjoyed The Silent Patient. I cannot imagine the pressure for a writer like Michaelides to keep producing high-stakes thrillers. Also, the cover of this book is GORGEOUS.
![](https://netgalley-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/a15cb8542c/images/profile-micro.png)
This book was just not my type of book. Don't get me wrong it was a great premise of secluded island and a murder and unreliable narrator which are all things I love in a thriller/mystery book. However, this book I couldn't get past the 20% mark. The audiobook reader they chose did not fit the narrator in the book so I would maybe give this book a chance to read physically, but this audiobook was not good at all.
![](https://netgalley-profiles.s3.amazonaws.com/avatar1085463-micro.png?1725756172)
I ended up DNFing this one. I was just not invested in the story. I wasn’t a fan of how the main character Elliot narrated what happened that night. This just wasn’t for me.
![](https://netgalley-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/a15cb8542c/images/profile-placeholder-micro.png)
I’m behind on posting this review to NetGalley, but here’s what I said about The Fury when I dnf-ed it late January. But first, let me say that I was so excited to get an ARC of this highly promoted and marketed novel. Thank you.
I didn’t finish so I won’t rate it. I will say life’s too short for this book whose best quality is the cover artwork. It took me 14 days to get halfway through and I have no desire to find out what happens.
![](https://netgalley-profiles.s3.amazonaws.com/avatar656801-micro.png?1725756172)
Thank you, NetGalley, for an audio-ARC of the Fury by Alex Michaelides; narrated by Alex Jennings.
"The Fury" is a thrilling mystery set on a Greek island, where a group of celebrities grapples with murder and betrayal. Written in a theatrical style and narrated from the protagonist's perspective, this fast-paced novel keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the shocking conclusion. With its fast-paced plot and richly drawn characters, "The Fury" keeps readers guessing until the very end. Each twist and turn adds to the suspense, creating an atmosphere of intrigue and uncertainty that will leave you on the edge of your seat. If you're a fan of mysteries filled with drama and betrayal, "The Fury" is sure to captivate you from start to finish. Prepare to be swept away by this thrilling tale of secrets and lies in the world of the rich and famous. Alex Jennings is the perfect voice for Elliott.
![](https://netgalley-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/a15cb8542c/images/profile-micro.png)
I was so displeased with this title. So much so that I have dragged my feet about giving a review. This is the second of three titles written by the author that I disliked so much that I could not finish the book. Sadly I will not be reading future books by the author.
![](https://netgalley-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/a15cb8542c/images/profile-placeholder-micro.png)
Another hit by Alex Michaelides! His books never disappoint and this one kept me guessing throughout. Highly recommend!
![](https://netgalley-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/a15cb8542c/images/profile-placeholder-micro.png)
Unreliable storyline, who done it on a deserted Island.
I had super high hopes after silent patient, however it did not meet them.
I did find the short characters segmented the story more than necessary.
Narrator-did not enjoy the accents. Think the main character was well protrayed. Would have rathered seperate narrators for the significant characters
![](https://netgalley-profiles.s3.amazonaws.com/avatar1002523-micro.png?1725756172)
Another disappointing read, but this one was the worst so far. The narrator did a great job with what he was given to work with, so my issues solely lay at the feet of the author. Now, I’m not saying this is an objectively bad book. Agatha Christie made a name for herself for a reason and Michaelides does a fine job with the retelling. This is purely a preference thing. That said, I can’t be the only one. I hated the theatrical nature of the narrator speaking directly to the reader. It totally detracted from the story itself in my opinion. It was so jarring, in fact, that I ended up having to rent this on Libby to finish and write this review because I simply did not want to pick it back up again while I had access to it on the NetGalley app. I did not like the narration and regular interruption to have some sort of discussion with “the audience.” I also felt like I got whiplash, goig from what felt like not much going on to a frenzy of activity and emotion. This just wasn’t the book for me. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. Stick with Silent Patient style novels!
![](https://netgalley-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/a15cb8542c/images/profile-placeholder-micro.png)
First off, I would like to thank NetGalley and Macmillan audio for an advanced copy of this audiobook to listen to and review.
I am a huge mystery/thriller fan and have enjoyed the author’s other books: The Silent Patient and The Maidens. This book, The Fury, is set in the same “universe” as the other two, and contains a few spoilers, so I would recommend reading them first before The Fury.
The narrator of the audiobook was very good, had a pleasant voice and tone, good pacing, and kept me engaged throughout the story. The story itself, however, I found VERY SLOW until the very end. Also, the story echoes a classical Greek tragedy, and the characters are definitely types, and the narrator is enigmatic but blatantly unreliable. There is a very unique narrative structure to this story, with many literary references and nods.
While not a “locked-room” mystery, this book centers on a group of 7 people trapped on an isolated Greek Island. And of course, there’s a murder. The narrator of the story is Elliot Chase. Other players include Lana Farrar (former movie star), her husband Jason, her son Leo, and her friend Kate (an actress of the theatre). We get every piece of the story directly from Elliot, which seems odd that he knows so much about everyone and their individual perspectives. We learn different facts and stories about each player, all leading up to the climax point, the murder. But of course there is a twist! I sure didn’t see it coming, but it also somehow wasn’t surprising either.
I would definitely recommend this book to fans of the author. The Silent Patient is still my favorite of the 3, but this one was definitely interesting, with its playwriting elements. Additionally, I am not a super-huge fan of stories written from an omniscient narrator POV, so if you are like me in this, you may not enjoy this book as much as the others. However, I am glad I listened to it and will definitely be recommending it to my book club to read.
![](https://netgalley-profiles.s3.amazonaws.com/avatar306915-micro.png?1725756172)
<originally posted on Instagram>
Dual reading experience ✌️ Thanks to @celadonbooks and @macmillan.audio I listened to the auto book for The Fury while I read along 📖👀🎧 Which is by far my favorite way to consume literate - is’t Alex Jennings reading voice absolutely dreamy!?!
Listen, if thrillers have taught us anything, it’s “do not, under any circumstance, join “friends” on a private island excursion”. Lucky for us, this group of trash for human beings did not get the memo - as a result, one of them is murdered... Dun dun duuun.
We learn from the very beginning this brilliantly structured murder mystery is not a whodunnit, but a whydunnit... and I’m going to tell you, it’s also a whodunnwhat - to no surprise, a very unreliable character is our guid through the tangled web.
Overall, I had fun reading 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝗿𝘆. It is filled with backstabbing, secrets, and deception... 🎶 these are a few of my favorite things.
However, I really craved stronger character development. I feel the lack of characterization may have been intentional, as Elliot has no reason to show all his cards, but one cannot form a full loaf of bread with mere breadcrumbs - nonetheless, the unique storyline that unfolded like a play kept me fully captivated.
Final thoughts - If you love unfolding the mystery more than suspense, this is a good book for you. I went in with hesitation, because I was not a fan of The Silent Patient, but I found the Fury to be significantly better developed and if you’re in the same boat as me with the former novel, you will too.
![](https://netgalley-profiles.s3.amazonaws.com/avatar1223811-micro.png?1725756172)
I loved the writing style and story progression of this book! The Fury is a story told by Elliot Chase, in a first person interview dialogue style. The pacing of this book was so good. It really did feel like I was sitting down with Alex as he told me this story. I loved his tangents he would go on to give more context to the story and it gave this story more life. The way he revealed information to the reader also made this story more enjoyable!
I received the audiobook version and it was so good! This is the perfect book on audio. It feels like a friend is telling you a bedtime story. Alex Jennings was the perfect narrator for this book! I don’t think I would have enjoyed this book as much if I didn’t listen to the audio version.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio-arc of the The Fury by Alex Michaelides!
![](https://netgalley-profiles.s3.amazonaws.com/avatar711629-micro.png?1725756172)
We're getting there Michaelides. I keep waiting for another Silent Patient level novel from him...fingers crossed for the next one.
I couldn't stand the ending of The Maidens. I literally threw the book. Thankfully the ending of this one was much better. I saw some of it coming, but not all. I enjoyed the storytelling of this novel, but it did drag at times and I would feel myself becoming less invested. Thankfully I stuck with it because the last 50 or so pages were really good...but you are probably going to need to push through to get there if you are an "action packed" lover. You also need to be able to enjoy a book that doesn't have any likeable characters.
Overall, I give it four stars and recommend picking it up if you enjoyed his other books.
![](https://netgalley-profiles.s3.amazonaws.com/avatar593359-micro.png?1725756172)
What a fun quick read/listen. I have loved Michaelides’ books and while it was different than his other two-it was still really good.
There is no really mind shattering turns, but I do like how he sets the book up in 5 Acts. And the reader quickly becomes invested in the characters (who are all vacationing on a Greek island when one of them gets murdered).
![](https://netgalley-profiles.s3.amazonaws.com/avatar924640-micro.png?1725756172)
The Fury is a fast-paced, closed environment style mystery with a relatively small cast of characters and suspects.
It’s one of those books where basically every character is unlikable, but especially the narrator. That said, I started off reading this physically, then switched to the audio about halfway through, and I really felt that the audiobook narrator matched the energy and vibes of Elliot, our MC, and overall did a great job!
One if the things I liked best about this book was the unique storytelling style! It’s told in part like a play, like a classic tragedy, but also like the narrator is speaking conversationally directly to you, the reader. That bit of fourth wall breaking I thought was well done and added a lot of dimension.
Story-wise I feel like the book was trying a little too hard, but I was pretty entertained. The ending was twisty but not quite mind blowing.
In general, I would recommend to thriller lovers, and I’m looking forward to picking up Michaelides The Silent Patient, as I’ve heard that one is even better!
![](https://netgalley-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/a15cb8542c/images/profile-placeholder-micro.png)
Didn't love this. Found the story telling to be a bit disjointed. The main character went of frequent tangents which distracted from the overall story.
![](https://netgalley-profiles.s3.amazonaws.com/avatar1001034-micro.png?1725756172)
A murder-mystery with red herring upon red herring, with each of the 5 acts revealing a twist I did not see coming. Elliot is the narrator of this story, and his self-proclamation of being unreliable made me intrigued from the beginning. He sets out to tell the story of a murder on a famous actress’ island with the killer being one of a close band of comrades. This plays out between a playwright (Elliot), two movie stars turned best friends (Kate and Lana), a husband (Jason), and a devoted son (Leo) on a remote Greek island with a widowed caretaker (Nikos).
Listening to this story as opposed to reading it hooked me immediately as it connected me to Elliot as the narrator, and allowed me to understand his biases in a more personal way. His continual breaking of the fourth wall also felt more tangible when listening as if Elliot was a real man retelling this tale to me over the phone.
Overall, I was entertained and sped through this book, ravenous to hear the ending especially with all of the twists that appeared in each part. However, I was ultimately dissatisfied by the ending, and felt instead of leaving me gutted (which I believe it was meant to), I was just irritated. Each of the five parts contained some reframing of the story either in narrator or revealing a previously believed truth to be a lie; at first this was shocking, but it grew old after the second time it happened. Perhaps my opinions of this book are best summed up by a quote from Elliot himself; it was “a tale of beautiful, well-intentioned failure”.