I absolutely Loved this book! I’ve read the previous two modern day thriller books by the author(s) and really like them a lot. This one felt different to me, more of a mystery with a back and forth time line (1938/1991/2023) and narration I loved the subject being art, I was an art minor in College/Uni. I loved the Cambridge University setting so much as I love any University setting in novels. The back and forth narrative was gret, I loved hearing both main characters thoughts. I also really liked them both. This book is really complex, but not difficult to read at all and will keep you wanting to know more throughout.

In 1938, British heiress and Surrealist artist Juliette Willoughby died in a fire at her studio in Paris along with her lover, a famous artist. Her most famous painting, “Self Portrait As Sphinx” also went up in flames.

Fifty years later Caroline Cooper and Patrick Lambert, two art students at Cambridge discover that the fire wasn’t an accident and they delve into the history of Willoughby’s famous family and its legendary curse…and the way it might be connected to a present day murder in Dubai.

A fun little mystery with lots of great references to the art world of the 1930s. Nothing too shocking happens, but I enjoyed it all, especially the way the “middle time” story works out…things aren’t always so rosy. Recommended, especially for those who enjoy the Surrealists.

Please take note of this book and don't just add it to your ever-growing to-be-read list, where it might get lost among the towering shelves like Mount Everest. Instead, dive into it as soon as you get the chance! This gem stands out as one of the best books of the year, and I want to make sure it's on your radar!

Let's give a round of applause! This book is truly extraordinary, featuring flawless execution across different timelines. It explores various themes through well-developed characters, while its ongoing mysteries keep you on the edge of your seat, delivering a reading experience that is both unique and immensely enjoyable. It seamlessly blends historical fiction with mystery, offering a gripping saga of a dysfunctional family filled with backstabbing, scheming, betrayal, lies, and secrets. At its heart is the captivating story of a woman artist fighting to survive and leave her mark on the world, her battle against insanity, and an epic love story that spans generations.

The narrative unfolds through different timelines, including the exploration of Juliette Willoughby by Cambridge art students in the early '90s, Juliette's escape to Paris with her lover Oskar in 1938 as documented in her diary, and the present time where the discovery of Juliette's famous portrait becomes entangled in scandalous events surrounding art dealer Patrick Lambert's arrest.

The book is rife with mysteries, such as the whereabouts of two missing individuals—one maid who disappeared during Juliette's childhood and Freddy, the black sheep of the Willoughby family who vanished into thin air in 1991. There's also the intriguing backstory of Juliette Willoughby herself, her tumultuous childhood, her escape from her controlling family to pursue her artistic dreams, and her ill-fated romance with Oskar. Erlich And let's not forget the dark secrets lurking within the Willoughby clan, all of which are masterfully woven together to reach a satisfying conclusion, with the help of main narrators Caroline Cooper and Patrick Lambert.

The story kicks off in a Dubai gallery showcasing Juliette Willoughby's masterpiece, "Self Portrait as Sphinx," miraculously found after being presumed lost in the fire that claimed the painter's life. Before we know it, we're transported back to 1991 Cambridge, where Caroline and Patrick embark on a journey to uncover the secrets behind Juliette Willoughby's tragic fate, aided by Caroline's discovery of Juliette's secret diary.

What happened to the missing people in the Willoughby family estate? Why was Patrick convicted? What truly happened to Juliette, and how did her famous painting survive the fire? All these questions are answered satisfactorily, leading to a thrilling conclusion that will leave you at the edge of your seat.

Overall, I give this book a glowing rating of 5+ stars. It's a truly exceptional read that you won't want to miss!

A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Harper for providing me with a digital review copy of this addictive book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The latest mystery novel by Ellery Lloyd is chock full of entertainment, told during three time periods, in three places and from three points of view.

1938, Paris - Juliette Willoughby is a runaway heiress/surrealist artist who dies suspiciously in a fire in Paris alongside her famous married lover. Her masterpiece, Self Portrait as Sphinx, is thought to be among everything destroyed.

1991, Cambridge University – Caroline and Patrick meet as art history students working on dissertations on the Surrealist movement. Caroline’s subject is Juliette. Caroline finds Juliette’s journal in a research library and realizes there’s a mystery to be solved. Self Portrait as Sphinx seems to hold terrible secrets that the Willoughby family wants to remain hidden.

Present, Dubai – Patrick, now an art dealer, in possession of Self Portrait as Sphinx, has been arrested for the murder of his oldest friend.

While I found this book to be slow starting, once it picked up, it was amazing to see how the author wove all of the stories and characters together. There were things I was able to guess but, even so, there were multiple surprises.

I found the main characters to be likeable, the plots intricate and believable and the ending satisfying.

Definitely recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was a little unsure going in...A tale in 3 periods - 1938/1991/current - and the POV of the two protagonists. I was sure I was going to get lost somewhere. Somehow, the authors managed to make it all flow in a way that was easy to follow and very enjoyable to read. Without much knowledge of art, or frankly much interest, I also wondered how involved I would get with the story, but I found myself very ready to go back to it. I enjoyed this much more than the last I read by this duo. Kudos.

I was looking for a mystery for the weekend and this was perfect. Surrealist and Egyptian art, 1930s Paris, a college secret society, and rich people drama all drew me in. A multi-narrative story told primarily in the 1990s (and then the present) by two art students and in the past by the title character Juliette, an heiress-artist, the plot flies as the two students solve an intricate puzzle of what happened to Juliette’s masterpiece? While the mystery is complex with many twists and turns and murders to solve, I like when I can look back as I’m reading, see the pieces, and try to figure out the next clue like I could here. This is a more about a smart, quick paced plot book than one with serious character development or dialogue, but I did still find myself wishing that Juliette and her painting were real. All in all a fun time and I appreciated the women’s history nod towards the end. I would love to watch this as a movie or limited series. Happy I got read to this advanced copy through NetGalley/Harper.

The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby is a richly written and enthralling mystery with intelligent twists and turns to keep the reader engaged throughout.

Told during different timelines and points of view, it is clear nothing is as it seems in this story. When Caroline and Patrick, two Cambridge art history students, start researching Juliette Willoughby's masterpiece Self-Portrait as Sphinx, they begin to unravel the complicated mystery that surrounds the artist-turned-heiress, her lover, and her art - all of which were presumed lost in a tragic fire in 1938.  Caroline finding the masterpiece fully intact after 50 years (and where that ends up leading) is just the start of many twists to follow. The more Caroline and Patrick learn about Juliette and her art, the more it overtakes their lives.  

The husband and wife writing team known as Ellery Lloyd delivers a strong story to follow their bestseller The Club. While The Club was a fun read, there is something more compelling about the mystery in The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby. Part old-school mystery, part art heist, and part romance, it delivers on several fronts, with the one downside being the story runs out of steam a bit at the end. In fairness, there was a lot to wrap up, and the reader isn't left with any lingering questions.

This would be a great option for a book club or even consideration for a movie adaptation.