Handsome Oliver Ryan, rejected by his father and never having known his mother, is a successful writer of children’s books; his somewhat dowdy, reticent wife, Alice illustrates them. The novel opens with Oliver rendering Alice unconscious with a brutal blow. In each subsequent chapter, we learn something more about Oliver from acquaintances of the couple and Oliver himself.

I almost put this book down after the first chapter; Oliver presented as such a despicable person. But I forged ahead with this engrossing although somewhat unsatisfying read.

As the circumstances behind this heinous act are revealed layer by layer, the author is deft in taking the voices of the various characters and the reader learns the consequences of family secrets and the rigidity of society’s mores. Although I liked this book and would recommend it, at the end I was left with a feeling of “meh”. Perhaps you will feel differently.

This was an intense read and I loved every minute of it! Told from multiple perspectives, it literally unravels the character of Oliver who, in the first line of the novel admits he is shocked when he hits his wife so hard it knocks her into a coma. So begins a fascinating journey into the past and present of Oliver, his wife, and his friends and family as we glimpse details in each chapter that-- sewn together-- weave a tapestry of of emotional abuse, arrogance, and an evil nature that is inherent in his blood.. I'm a huge fan of flawed characters so this was an adventure that I couldn't put down. From the outset, Oliver is outspoken, condescending, and rude; yet he is able to rationalize every decision he makes which makes the novel even more chilling! Can't wait to read more from this author!

The story starts off with Oliver telling the reader that he has beaten his wife and put her in the hospital. The following chapters, written by friends and acquaintances and Oliver himself, do in fact "unravel" Oliver, telling parts of his life story as they each see it. The story is dark, psychologically-charged, and fascinating.

I'd be interested in discussing Oliver's last lie with other readers--a lie that he felt was in the best interests of another. Was it? Or does the truth empower you, set you free?

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read an arc of this fascinating new book.

You know how I'm always on the look-out for that next 'great' thriller, yet I seem to be persistently disappointed? Well...BINGO, found it! The second book by Irish author Liz Nugent is a winner. The story begins around the beating of Alice, with her husband Oliver as the culprit. Solid plot construction is typical for a thriller, but the grand surprise is the incredibly deep character development. The story unwinds through the eyes of many of the main, as well as peripheral, characters as these witnesses lay out the story of Oliver, slowing building the puzzle pieces together to form a composite picture of how this fifty-something year old man could have beaten his wife into a coma. Each voice is distinct and quite complex, bringing out their own flaws as well as the traits and behaviors that make up Oliver. It is a twisty tale, dark and shocking in spots, that will keep you up reading late into the night. Highly recommend this one if a psychological thriller is your thing.

Will post review (and link) the week after pub date....But I thought the book was wonderful. 4.5 stars!

"Shame, envy, deception, and masterful manipulation."

Oliver Ryan is a talented and successful author of children's books and his wife, Alice, is his illustrator. One night he goes berserk, beats, and leaves her for dead. How did a seemingly loving partnership go so wrong? Well, it's Oliver. Seems he's been hiding some terrible secrets all these years.

Great psychological fiction that kept me glued to the pages. Oliver's history is compelling as are all the narratives told from different points of view as they relate their interactions with Oliver from childhood on. I really don't think I would use the word, "evil", to describe Oliver or the overlying theme of this story. I think it's been well-documented that deprivations in childhood lead to flaws in personality. Is he a sociopath? I must admit to feeling a modicum of sympathy for Oliver though all the while being horrified by his actions. This was great storytelling and I don't want to say more in case I spoil it for other readers. The different perspectives from varioius times and places in the life of Oliver Ryan give glimpses into his world, but then -- no one ever knows for certain what is in the heart or mind of another person. Nor do we know exactly WHAT event, person, etc. can cause a severe defect in personality development. Highly recommended.

Dark psychological study of sociopathy,

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Gallery/Scout Press, and Liz Nugent for the opportunity to read and review this fascinating novel - I loved it! An amazing debut novel!

From the first line, "I expected more of a reaction the first time I hit her," you will be totally engrossed in this novel. Oliver and Alice are a seemingly happily married couple - he is a famous children's author and she illustrates his books - until one night when he first hits her and then beats her into a coma. The rest of the novel alternates voices of friends and neighbors as they react to the news of Oliver's savagery. The title is perfect - each chapter unravels a bit more of the story and a bit more about Oliver.

That this is a debut novel is amazing - each voice is so distinct and allows just a bit more of the story as you go along. Fascinating! Highly recommended!

This is just flat out great reading, no other way to state it. Unable to put it down until finished. I could almost relate to some of it, being an unwanted child. The characters are larger than life and many of their actions are very believable. A journey through life’s joys and hardships, discoveries and loss. An exposé of character flaws in love relationships with each relevant voice telling their version of this emotion invoking story. From life in Ireland, with strict religious character to a summer of learning and experience in the less rigid French countryside. Plagiarism, deceit, betrayal, jealousy, all comes into play in this “all is fair in love and war” story.

Told from the perspectives of several key characters, the chapters in this debut novel weave together a portrait of a young man who seems exceptionally likable on the surface. Readers, though, know otherwise right from the start; successful book author Oliver Ryan (who writes under the pseudonym of Vincent Dax) readily admits punching his wife, Alice, into unconsciousness and a coma from which it's likely she'll never recover.

Since my husband comes from Irish stock (and, in fact, his surname is Ryan, the same as the central character), I was more than a little excited to receive a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. When I opened it on my Kindle, however, my first reaction was far less enthusiastic. For the past couple of years, you see, I've often spoken of growing weary of books in which the chapters shift points of view, each one building on background that leads to the grand finale when everything comes together. That said, I've also maintained that this technique, while it may be over-used, is extremely effective when it's done well. And it's done very well here.

Set in Ireland (where reportedly it was a bestseller, I assume when it was initially released in 2014), the book begins with Oliver's astonishment that he actually punched the daylights out of his wife - even though it's pretty clear that he's treated her like dirt from the git-go. From there, his earlier life is described by other characters, beginning with Barney, the guy Alice dumped after she met Oliver and began illustrating his books. There's Michael, whose sister Laura was at one time a serious contender for the role of Oliver's wife, plus a couple of others who reminisce about Oliver's past and, of course, Oliver himself. Details of his life are unraveled, as it were - coming together again to show how, why and by whom Oliver's dark side was nourished (clearly, the devil is in the details, none of which I can reveal here without spoiling things for other readers).

At any point along the way, did I feel sympathy for Oliver? Not once. Were there times the story seemed a titch unbelievable? Perhaps - but this is a novel, after all, so a little bit of crossing over that line is perfectly acceptable. More to the point, was I disappointed when I reached the end and there were no more pages to read? Absolutely! Put another way, this book is a gem - highly recommended.

I saw the advertised opening line of this book.
I expected more of a reaction the first time I hit her.



Oliver is a bit of a nutter, he is a very successful children's author who likes things just so in his life. He gives no thoughts to whether his wife or anyone around him have feelings. He just doesn't have time for that.
So when he finally snaps off his rocker and beats his wife into a coma (not a spoiler) we have to take a look back at his life.

And the first few chapters are pretty dark and juicy. Then you start hearing all about Oliver's past and the author kinda tries to make you feel sorry for him at times. (I didn't but I'm a heifer.) I got bored with how the story started going along a predictable path. (yes, I know I suck.)


I'll keep reading the dark stuff because when one is good..You. It's really good.
But when they are bad..


Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.

4.5 Stars for this highly entertaining and original debut novel by Liz Nugent.

" Oliver Ryan is a handsome and charismatic success story. He lives a life of enviable privilege and ease with his wife. Alice. Enviable until one evening after dinner, Oliver attacks Alice so viciously that he beats her into a coma"

After reading the blurb of this novel I wasn't sure I wanted to read this book and the first sentence of the book left me a little shell shocked.

I expected more of a reaction the first time I hit her. She just lay on the floor holding her jaw. Staring at me. Silent. She didn't even seen to be surprised.

Firstly let me assure the reader that this author really knows how to tell a story without shocking the reader with graphic scenes of violence or abuse and yet this novel is original and stunning in terms of plot and writing. The title Unravelling Oliver is exactly what the book sets out to do and throughout the journey of the novel we meet some very interesting characters and are given their insights in Oliver as a child and man.

I read this for a book club read and I think it will be a wonderful discussion book as there is so much going on in this story. The characters are superbly drawn, the plot original and the writing is of a high standard.

A short book with only 230 pages but Liz Nugent certainly packs a punch with this debut novel.

A page turning psychological thriller told from multiple first person viewpoints. Unraveling Oliver is filled with intrigue, unexpected twists and turns and highly recommended.

3 stars!

“I expected more of a reaction the first time I hit her. She just lay on the floor holding her jaw. Staring at me. Silent. She didn't even seem to be surprised.”



Unraveling Oliver was a book I didn't think I'd get approved of. First of all I love the cover so much, it's different from the usual covers of the genre and I don't know why but I absolutely loved it. So when I got approved - after weeks of reading slump - I thought this is it. This is the book that will put an end to it and indeed, I read this in two days which is awesome.

The book starts with the above quote. Oliver has just hit his wife and is dealing with the aftermath of his act. Immediately after it we're taken a few decades back as the story spans a good 50 years, from Oliver's parents to later in his life, after he hit his wife. Now, normally I'd be annoyed at the timeframe of the book but oddly it was interesting going back so many years ago and seeing the little things that ultimately shaped Oliver's character.

As a person he is downright unbearable to read. Obnoxious, arrogant, a homophobe at times, mean and a cheater among other things. And yet still by the end of the book I didn't hate him which baffled me so much.

The story although is centered around Oliver's life and his wife's assault, is told from roughly 10 POV which is mainly the reason I didn't rate it with 4 stars. After that shocking opening, the story drags a bit as we're told about his childhood and revisit scenes told from different POV. How many times can you read the same scene? It did have the desired effect, seeing different people react to stuff that was happening but it is a methodology that works best from on-screen adaptations, on paper, the repetitiveness kind of takes away from the major story.

The story has a lot of twists and by the 90% mark it really delivers a shocking finale - the book really earns the title but the journey there is slow. Overall this was so interesting to read - that comes from someone who was in a serious reading slump people - and I will definitely read more from the author.

Let me just say, Wow!!! I was so totally engrossed in this book, that I read it in one sitting. I can't wait to recommend it to everyone I know. Everyone who loves a dark and mysterious, sadistic, evil main character. A character who makes you truly hate him.
All the characters in this book are amazing. Each offers an important part to the storyline.
I love this book. I highly, recommend it. Read, it!
5 Stars. I'm going to go read it again!!!

This one had me gripped from the beginning to the end, a chilling story, and great writing! It opens with Oliver having punched his wife, Alice. Even though she is unconscious, he beats her into a coma. Why? What led to this vicious behaviour? The book covers a period of about 50 years. Friends and neighbours give their perspective of Oliver in alternating chapters and it is beautifully done. Oliver gives his view also. He certainly had a rough time as a youngster but that does not excuse his behaviour. He is sly, deceptive, a liar and is cold and unfeeling. The story truly unraveled Oliver, so we could see what was inside, what was his core. I just loved it!

I grabbed a copy at BEA and met the author, who was charming and terrific. The debut novel, I read in one sitting and loved every page of this twisty, intoxicating read. The characters are fully realized, and the pressure and suspense is terrific. This is a sure-fire deserved bestseller from an author who I hope has more in store!

Unraveling Oliver is a witty story of an unlikeable character - that you are still able to sympathize with. Liz Nugent writes with clarity and humor to reveal complex characters. I highly recumbent Unraveling Oliver.

This was a real psychological thriller. It really makes one think and be aware of all the biological & external circumstances that can affect & alter one's life. I enjoyed the way this story was presented, working backwards to literally "unravel" the story. The different perspectives all tied the story together nicely.

I feel that my rating might be misleading. This was an excellent book, just not what I expected from the description, and not what I expected overall.

Unraveling Oliver is told through the viewpoint of several people who know, or have known Oliver. They are telling his story because Oliver, in a fit, beat his wife Alice, who is now in a coma. So how did he get here? We learn Oliver's backstory and a few side stories. Oliver has had a tough life.

I wasn't satisfied with the story. I know a lot of people are going to be all over this book, because, as I said, it IS a good book. Just not for me.

Oliver Ryan has never displayed any violent tendencies and, as far as any of his acquaintances know, Oliver's brutal assault of his sweet, shy wife is wholly shocking. Through the perspectives of different characters who have known Oliver over the course of his life the reader uncovers, or, shall we say, "unravels", the person behind the seemingly put-together, if distant, Oliver.

While well-written and certainly engaging (I read through this novel in nearly one sitting--it's a fast 250 or so pages) this thriller was not for me. Oliver is a psychopathic monster and right out of the gate, from the first few lines of the book, I hated him. No perspective did anything to make him more human or to remotely endear him or justify him in any way. An entire book devoted to the deconstruction of a character who is ferociously unsympathetic is not for me. The bizarre incorporation of race and mental disability further pushed me away from the novel. Stars for good writing but not a book I would recommend.

My Rating: 2/5