4.6
Slight downgrade in stars for a heavy belly in the middle of this one, but a tight, tight ending, which I adore, relentlessly.

This could have been a slam dunk for me - it has three intersecting timelines, multiple POVs, an interesting historical fiction aspect, and several different mysteries set in the art world. The problem for me is that I guessed several of the big twists on page 37 (not joking). So, I basically read 300 more pages to confirm what I already thought.

There were many elements of the book that just felt unnecessary. Several storylines didn't go anywhere, and one character is given a tragic backstory with absolutely no pay-off. It felt like the writers (Ellery Lloyd is a pseudonym for a husband-and-wife team) decided they needed to add a bit more trauma into the plot, but this wasn't really explored at all besides making the novel a bit more heavy in parts. They also tried to include a weird almost supernatural theme since one of the characters is obsessed with Egyptology. None of this worked for me.

I definitely understood what they were trying to do with these characters, but the predictability ruined it all in the end.

I took a chance on this one for sure, and it definitely delivered. The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby surrounds the mystery of the Willoughby family and a famously lost painting from the 1930s.

We follow three POVs through two timelines and three perspectives that eventually emerge into one single timeline that ends in murder and finding out what happened to two missing persons.

This book is packed full of mystery. It pieces together in a way I did not expect, although I did figure out one pretty big piece along the way. Overall, this book was incredibly enjoyable once it got going. I will admit that the beginning was a bit slow. To be honest, with the way the story was put together, I don’t know how it could be written any differently.

Overall, thoroughly impressed! Would definitely read Ellery Lloyd again!

Absolutely captivating. Often I don’t care for multiple story lines set in different periods but this was executed perfectly. Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby is a great mystery filled with twists. I truly enjoyed this story told through different eras.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper for an e-arc in exchange for an unbiased review.

This is the second book I have read by Ellery Lloyd and I have to say, I want to read more from them. I loved the premise of the book, and it did not disappoint.

There are only two things people know about the Surrealist painter Juliette Willoughby - that she died in a fire with her more famous artist lover, and that none of her artwork survives. But, when two art students begin to study Juliette they find there may be darker secrets beyond the story everyone knows. Secrets that are still having repercussions decades later.

This was an absorbing mystery that I did not want to put down. I loved the different timelines that were layered on top of each other to bring the story to life and create layers to the mystery. The characters were engaging and their stories in the overlapping timelines, the revealed the secrets which remained hidden for so long.

I really loved this book, it has great references to the art world of the 1930s and was intriguing. I would recommend this book wholeheartedly.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc digital copy to read and review.

Ellery Lloyd is back, with their best novel yet. The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby is like if The Goldfinch and Maestra had a baby. Since those are two of my enduring favorites, that’s high praise. There might even be a dash of Saltburn thrown in for good measure (think big heaping English manor with expansive grounds and eclectic mix of characters). It spans decades from the 1930s to present day, with shifting points of view between Juliette’s diary entries from the 1930s in Paris, and Caroline and Patrick’s POV from both 1990s Cambridge and present day Dubai. Juliette was the young daughter of an English MP and an aspiring artist, and ran off with a much older German artist to Paris. Her one and only piece of art caught the Surrealist art world by storm just before her until timely death in a fire that cost the life of herself, her artist lover, and her art. All that survives of her is a few footnotes in the art history books. Fast forward to the early 1990s in Cambridge, Caroline is an art history student interested in studying Juliette for her thesis. Together with Patrick, they inexplicably find items of Juliette’s in the library - items that should have perished in the fire. When they later find photos of her painting mixed in with photos from her family estate, Caroline and Patrick begin their quest for the what happened back in the 1930s. Flash forward to present day, and Caroline and Patrick have Juliette’s painting… but how? This is where our book begins - and the rest of the novel is spent piecing together the clues, while jumping around in the timelines and POVs. Engrossing from the very first page, I had trouble putting the book (my kindle) down until the very last page.

i’ve enjoyed Ellery’s other books. this one was a little harder for me to get into with all the art talk and different timelines. once i powered through the beginning, i did really start enjoying it, but it was a very slow start for me. can’t wait to see what they put out next!

Thank you so much to Harper and netgalley for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I had a hard time keeping track of all of the storylines and it was just a lot. I was also just bored throughout and I wasn’t enjoying it.

I think art lovers might like this one a bit more than I did.

I hope others love this one but it wasn’t for me.

This was an intriguing story, but sometimes jumping between storylines and timelines can make a book a little more difficult to follow, and I thought that was the case here. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love Ellery Lloyd's previous books, so I was very excited to get an advanced copy of The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby. Between the history and the art aspects, there's a lot of intrigue built in. However, I struggled with all of the time and perspective jumps. It slowed the pace in a way that made me struggle to stay interested. It wasn't a fit for me, but I'm sure lots of other readers will love it.

This was quite the intriguing read! The story is set during 3 different times throughout history. First, in Paris in 1938 when runaway heiress, Juliette Willoughby dies along with her lover in an accidental studio fire, along with her masterpiece, Self Portrait as Sphinx. Second, in Cambridge in 1991, when two art history students uncover proof that something more than an accidental fire happened to Juliette. Third, in Dubai, current time, an art dealer is accused of a brutal murder of a friend, who happens to also be the last surviving member of the Willoughby dynasty.

Woah! This story is just as much murder mystery/suspense as it is historical fiction. It was such a fun ride, and a super fun book to read. If you like multiple timelines, and especially if you like art, then this would be a great read for you! I enjoyed it greatly.

The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby by Ellery Lloyd is a fun read!

This story is uniquely told three viewpoints, Caroline, Patrick and Juliette’s journals. It makes the story exciting to read. Caroline and Patrick are on the hunt for Juliette’s lost self portrait; portraying herself as a sphinx. Does the panting exist and if it does what secrets does it hold.

This book has a lot to offer: a mystery, secret societies, art, love, Egypt, and Paris. I was immediately sucked into this world. I enjoyed how the story was told and unfolded through multiple view points. I especially enjoyed the setting.

Everything Ellery Lloyd writes is fun! I really enjoyed The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby and would recommend it to anyone looking for something different to read this summer! I can’t wait to read what Ellery Lloyd does next.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I've loved Ellery Lloyd's books previously and figured I could jump on to the historical fiction aspect to this one. I do think this is a great book for those who love historical fiction and mystery thrillers, but sometimes the historical part did slow it down for me more than I thought it would. But the storytelling is great, this comes down purely to preference for me.

I will definitely keep reading their books though!

An okay 3-star read, "The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby" weaves a complex tale of mystery and intrigue across three different timelines and points of view. Juliette Willoughby's story unfolds through the lens of Paris in 1938, Cambridge in 1991, and present-day Dubai, each offering a unique perspective on the events surrounding her tragic demise.

From the outset, the premise of unraveling the truth behind Juliette's death and the secrets concealed within her family's history promises a gripping narrative. However, the execution falls short in some aspects. While the multiple timelines and shifting points of view add depth to the storytelling, they also contribute to a disjointed reading experience at times.

The themes of love, madness, obsession, and revenge are skillfully interwoven throughout the narrative, providing moments of intrigue and suspense. Yet, the pacing may leave readers struggling to fully immerse themselves in the story, as it takes time to adjust to the shifts between timelines and perspectives.

Despite its flaws, "The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby" is a novel worth exploring for those with an interest in art history and mystery. While I wanted to love it more, I'm ultimately glad I read it, as it offers enough intrigue and depth to keep readers engaged, even if it requires patience to navigate its complexities.

This was a very interesting read! I wanted to read it because I really enjoyed The Club, these authors' previous book. Well, yeah. This one is nothing like that. And that turns out to be pretty cool! Now, buckle up and sit in ready to pay attention as there are different time periods and a lot of moving parts. An artist in the 30's and her famous painting perish in a house fire. Now it's the 90's and an art student discovers a photo of that famous painting that suggest a possible crime. But WAIT! Now it's present day and there's a murder in Dubai! WHAT??? Not to worry! All is nicely and suspensefully tied together! I ended up liking this one even better than The Club and am excited to see what's next!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Ellery Lloyd and Harper Collins for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I will post my review to Amazon, Facebook and other retail and social media sites upon publication day of Jun 11.

A captivating story that deftly weaves time periods. It offers a fictional peek into the art history world and the hidden lives of artists, especially women.

It was an engaging, fun, and interesting read that really embodies the message of creating a convincing and compelling story to give life and credibility to paintings.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 rounded up
Fast paced and easy to read. Wonderful use of multiple timelines and easy to follow them. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

This was an interesting mix of genres: mystery, thriller and historical. I liked the past and present time lines weaving a fascinating story of one messed up family.

Juliette Willoughby an artist died in a fire and all her art work was lost in the fire. Caroline discovers one of the paintings at Harry’s 21st birthday party at the Willoughby house. She goes on to write a book and become an expert on Juliette’s art.

The Willoughby family is thought to be cursed as tragedy and death surround the family.

This was very entertaining and some parts so bizarre but you I was glad I went in blind and could be shocked.

Disclaimer: Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins for the ARC!

WOW!!! I was NOT expecting to be blown away by this book. There were so many twists and turns I wasn't expecting. The way the author tied it all together was beautiful. I love how complex and layered the characters were.

Though I saw the twist coming, I'm still very impressed at the way everything is tied together. No stone was left unturned.

I typically save 5-star reviews for books that are so good, they alter my brain chemistry. So far in 2024, this is the only one that's earned 5 stars from me. I can't wait to see what the authors write in the future.