Vantage Point
A Novel
by Sara Sligar
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Pub Date Jan 14 2025 | Archive Date Feb 14 2025
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Description
Succession meets Megan Abbott in this seductive, technological suspense about the dramatic downfall of one of America’s most affluent families.
"Terrifying and uncanny.” —Katy Hays, New York Times bestselling author of The Cloisters
The old-money Wieland family has it all—wealth, status, power. They’re also famously cursed.
Clara and her brother, Teddy, grew up on a small island in Maine in the shadow of their parents’ tragic deaths, haunted by rumors and paparazzi. Fourteen years later, they’ve mostly put their turbulent past to rest. Teddy has married Clara’s best friend, Jess, and the three of them have moved back home to take over the sprawling, remote family mansion known as Vantage Point.
Then Teddy decides to run for the Senate—an unnerving prospect made much worse when intimate videos of Clara are leaked online. The most frightening part is that she doesn't remember filming any of them. Are the videos real? Or are they deepfakes? Is someone trying to take down the Wielands once and for all?
Everyone thinks Clara is losing her grasp on reality. But she knows the truth: the videos are only the beginning. Years ago, the curse destroyed her parents. Now, it’s coming for her.
Sara Sligar, the critically acclaimed author of Take Me Apart, returns with a shocking family drama full of suspense. Brimming with palpable tension, Vantage Point carefully unravels a twisted web of family secrets and political ambition that raises questions about the nature of “truth” in our digital age.
A Note From the Publisher
Advance Praise
"Vantage Point oozes atmosphere and tension—I was seduced by the fabulously wealthy and famously cursed Wieland family and could not stop turning the pages until I learned every last one of their dark, dynastic secrets." —Jessica Knoll, New York Times-bestselling author of Bright Young Women and Luckiest Girl Alive
“Sara Sligar’s new novel is a primal scream, sounding a harrowing alarm about how thin (and deadly) the line between synthetic and real has become. A terrifying and uncanny novel, Vantage Point takes dupes and deep fakes to another level. Even the shrewdest reader will be left off kilter and unable to answer the most simple question: what did I just see?” —Katy Hays, New York Times-bestselling author of The Cloisters
"Vantage Point is a thoroughly modern Gothic novel that will have you turning its pages at warp speed. Sara Sligar has written a fearsome, sharp novel that is both timeless and culturally relevant and filled with dark delights." —Ivy Pochoda, author of Sing Her Down
“Vantage Point is a thriller for our times, where politics meets paranoia, and technology turns into terror. Sara Sligar has tapped into our most contemporary fears and turned them into a feast of a story. I devoured this book.” —Janelle Brown, New York Times-bestselling author of Pretty Things and I’ll Be You
"Vantage Point is a haunting, pitch perfect exploration of paranoia and perception, the ways we craft our identity both publicly and in our own minds, and the fine line between loyalty and complicity, power and control. Sara Sligar is that rare writer whose high concept is matched by faultless prose, rich emotional insight, and a vein of delicious dark humor that bleeds when pressed. This is a novel to devour, then savor. I loved every mind-bending page." —Katie Gutierrez, author of national bestseller More Than You'll Ever Know
“The kind of suspense novel that slithers under your skin—crackling with sharp writing and unforgettable characters. Sara Sligar makes it look easy with Vantage Point, an unforgettable story of family, identity, and how the two intersect—sometimes with deadly results.” —Alex Segura, author of Secret Identity and Alter Ego
"Vantage Point is a sophisticated suspense novel that’s as thought-provoking as it is unnerving. With her signature seductive prose, Sligar holds up a mirror to the dark side of privilege and the true horrors of being a woman on the internet, crafting a story that feels like shattered glass: brilliant and exquisite, but it will cut you deep.” —Layne Fargo, author of The Favorites and They Never Learn
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9780374282295 |
| PRICE | $29.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 400 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Jade H, Reviewer
Sligar's writing is sharp and engaging, with a keen eye for detail that brings the characters and setting to life. The plot twists and turns, keeping readers guessing until the very last page. The exploration of themes such as ambition, betrayal, and hidden motives adds depth to the story, making it not just a thrilling read, but a thought-provoking one as well.
Overall, "Vantage Point" is a must-read for fans of suspenseful, character-driven novels. Sara Sligar has crafted a tale that will linger in your mind long after you finish the book.
Thank you for the ARC
Virginia S, Reviewer
Have been super delayed writing this review because of covid so my thoughts aren’t as fresh as they could be but this was sooo good. I loved the use of Wikipedia entries here — a great way to do exposition. This is a slightly futuristic, tech-based horror that still feels very much in the realm of possibility. Deep fakes are only going to get more realistic, and the potential consequences of that technology is honestly terrifying.
Anyway, so much to love about this. A creepy and unsettling story about the dark side of technology and the danger of men desperate for power and recognition.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Anna W, Reviewer
Vantage Point was an unexpected delight! The novel follows the Wieland family (think Kennedy) as one member runs for office and the other falls apart in a blaze of scandal. A subtle commentary on the social media age we live in, who among the family will be left standing in the face of controversy? Although these characters are not particularly likable, who can say no to tales of the rich and powerful behaving badly?
I rate this book 5 stars, and recommend it to someone looking for a thought provoking thriller with a political edge. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for making an advance copy of this book available for my honest review.
Christina M, Reviewer
An affluent political family, deepfake technology, holograms and a famous family curse, what’s not to love? An utterly absorbing, unique, and intriguing look at the dramatic downfall of a wealthy family after deeply embarrassing videos emerge of each of them, turning a political career into turmoil and raising questions about the line between public-private personas and the nature of truth-fake news in our digital age. Clever, stylish and sinister.
Brenda R, Reviewer
Delighted with this engaging, suspenseful tale. Loved how the author brought interesting characters to life in a rich, dark setting that is arguably a character itself. Not only is this a story of ambition and betrayal, but there are many thought-provoking themes that make you sit back and take notice. This one stuck. And those twists!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. Look forward to seeing what else Sara Sligar writes!
Jennifer H, Reviewer
I finished Vantage Point several days ago and cannot stop thinking about it. This forthcoming novel from Sara Sligar offers a suspense-filled story centered around tech. I was incredibly impressed by how Sligar uses deepfakes and holograms to create an unreliable narrative. We often think we can outsmart advancements in digital tech, but Vantage Point left me doubting characters, perspectives, and events.
The first third of the novel is somewhat difficult to read because it deals with a lot of heavy subject matter, including sexual violence and eating disorders. While these themes reappear later in the novel, the focus shifts, and the pace of the novel rapidly progresses, making it difficult to put down.
I quite enjoyed the way the author utilizes multiple perspectives throughout the novel. We are forced to favor interpretations of events based on our connections to the characters, and the amount of trust (or lack thereof) they generate for us as readers. There is a lot of good commentary to be found in Vantage Point on how we traditionally view women’s voices and memories as less credit-worthy.
In summary, I would recommend this book to lovers of suspense and digital ethics, with the caveat that some topics will be sensitive and difficult to read. A huge thank you to FSG and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Vantage Point will be published on January 14, 2025.
Reviewer 1086818
The unhinged elite of Saltburn with the political plot points of Succession meet Bladerunner tech in Vantage Point. Sligar’s writing buried its hooks into me and wouldn’t let me go until the very last page. I’m predicting this is going to be my favorite thriller of 2025. The shining stars of this story are the characters. Every single person felt so real I could almost reach out and touch them. Holograms, curses, political intrigue… there is a lot that drew me into this story but what kept me turning page after page was Sligar’s prose and dedication to character construction. Absolutely a five star read.
Trigger warnings: Eating Disorders, online harassment, revenge porn
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