A masterfully paced thriller about a reclusive ex–movie star and her famous friends whose spontaneous trip to a private Greek island is upended by a murder ― from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Silent Patient.

This is my favorite Alex Michaelides' novel so far. The plot and character interaction is so much more complex than his previous novels. The book is beautifully written with a first person/unreliable narrator who narrates from the sidelines at times and others as an active participant. I enjoyed his psychological portraits of the characters and their impact on the others around them. It is a story of manipulation, love and revenge. The twists at the end, although a little contrived actually added to the overall mood. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a huge miss for me. I waited to listen to the audiobook and that was a mistake. I didn’t connect with the narrator at all. I switched to the ebook and still wasn’t connecting with the characters or the overall plot. The pacing was all over the place and I struggled with finishing. The story was somehow too much and not enough at the same time. I love this author so I will give him another try in the future. I’ve seen a lot of good reviews for this one so I’m definitely in the minority. So if you are a fan of this author, then give it a try. I’m curious to see what you think!

Thank you so much for my gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

dnf’ed at 47%.

i was a big fan of the silent patient and was eager to get my hands on ‘the fury’ especially since it sounded like it would resemble ‘the glass onion’ in quite a few ways.

unfortunately it was disappointing and difficult to follow. i liked the style of narration the author chose to use but i found it hard to keep track of where we were and whether or not certain moments had taken place in the past or were currently happening. i might pick it up down the road again to give it a second chance because i am very intrigued to know how it ends but for right now i think it is best to put it down.

thank you to netgalley and celadon books for an e-arc!

"The Fury" by Alex Michaelides absolutely lives up to the hype of his breakout novel, "The Silent Patient". Taking a classic murder mystery format, this book follows a group of friends (or lack thereof) that travel to a Greek island to get away from their troubles, only to realize that there problems have followed them there.

Similar to 2022's Knives Out sequel "Glass Onion", Michaelides weaves this story together by sharing the same scene from different points of view, giving readers a unique perspective that many modern thriller/mystery authors do not provide. While this format seems best suited for the screen, Michaelides does a masterful job and making reading the same scene over and over again, not as dry as it sounds.

I found "The Fury" to be a delightful read that will be a new favourite for fans of the genre.

4/5

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me access to this book.

The Fury by Alex Michaelides is an intriguing story recounting the horror that happened on a secluded Greek island with a famous actress and her friends. I love Michaelides's style of writing. It's so poetic and philosophical. However, this one just didn't gel for me.

The story is told in the perspective of Elliot Chase, a playwright in his 30s(?). He admits from the get go that he has taken creative liberties in how he presents the different perspectives of the players. The novel follows seven characters who have traveled to a private Greek island for a short holiday. The plot bounces around and you get a clear picture of each person who was on the island when the tragedy occurs. The characters generally aren't very likeable. The novel was a bit slow going for the first 2/3, but picks up in the last 1/3 as there's more action. It leads to an intriguing conclusion and I'm unsure if I missed something or if we should trust the narrator.

This novel takes place in the same universe as The Silent Patient and The Maidens, so some of the characters referenced play major roles in those books. I have enjoyed reading theories about the novel.

Thank you Celadon Books for this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

I’d read (and enjoyed) The Maidens and The Silent Patient and I can safely say that Michaelides has achieved 3 out of 3 solid novels.

The Fury, set on a private island in Greece, follows the 5-act structure of Greek theatre: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution. I studied this format in some theatre courses in college, and I enjoyed how Michaelides paid homage to such a traditional format, especially given the novel’s setting. 

Our protagonist, Elliot Chase, is (fittingly) a playwright. Alongside him are:
-Lana, his friend, a former movie star
-Jason, Lana’s second husband, a big shot businessman
-Kate, a rough-around-the-edges actress
-Leo, Lana’s son from her previous marriage, an aspiring actor
-Nikos, the groundskeeper
-Agathi, Lana’s full-time housekeeper/cook

The fame element, while not essential to the plot, was somewhat interesting, especially in the many flashbacks that occur throughout the book. I also enjoyed that the narrator is sort of fame-adjacent, someone who canoodles with the stars but isn’t fully one himself.

The Fury has been compared to Knives Out, especially the semi-forgettable “Glass Onion” Netflix movie. With the many twists and turns and intricacies that occur throughout, I can see the parallels. I’d also compare the whodunnit plot and cast of characters — ranging from the upper echelon to the staff — to Lucy Foley’s works, which I’m fond of. One of the book’s strong points is that the reader is kept on their toes for a good portion of the story. 

The major flaw — I won’t go so far as to say *tragic* flaw — of the book is its characters, who never feel like fully fleshed out people to me. I couldn’t really connect with the characters, and not just because they are unlikeable. They almost felt like cardboard cutouts, like hollow people I was watching from afar. But maybe that was the intention? Maybe we were supposed to be voyeurs the whole time, like an audience watching a play, disconnected yet still holding onto their every line? Regardless, I don’t know if it was the right choice, as I truly didn’t care which characters lived and which ones died by the end.

All in all, this was a solid, fun read, yet another strong work from Michaelides.

I really enjoyed this book - character development was thorough, I loved the setting of a private Greek island. The ending catches you off guard and it’s a true AM story! Thank you for the ARC! I recommend reading this book highly.

Michaelides' latest is a murder mystery that builds its story with ever-increasing suspense and a growing whipping of the wind. Everything is wound tight. Pulled taut. Orchestrated within the confined structure of a five act play. It all starts off with a soft gale, where the narrator slowly introduces and details the lives of Lana Farrar and her group of friends as they gather to spend the weekend on a private Greek island. However, it isn't long before things devolve into a blustering storm of fury as sordid events unfold and murder is plotted, planned, and carried out--with secret motivations and manipulations being administered behind the scenes.

The narrative voice is unique in that Elliot Chase, one of Lana's friends, is recounting the tale. He often breaks the fourth wall, bouncing back and forth between directly addressing the audience like an old friend and offering a more detached, almost omniscient, perspective in an attempt to preserve his own credibility. It makes for an interesting unfolding of events because it encourages readers to parse through all the subtext he lays out and dissect all that he is (or is not) saying.

All in all, I thought this was a well-paced, character-driven thriller. I couldn't help but note the Knives Out: Glass Onion feel of it, with all the murder suspects not only knowing each other but being trapped together on a small island. I also couldn't help but draw parallels between Elliot Chase and Nick Carraway from The Great Gatsby because of how they both idealized Lana and Jay Gatsby in their own ways, and, as a result of that, put them up on a pedestal. They felt eerily reminiscent of one another in that respect. At the same time, I thought the unreliability their narratives struck entirely different tones in the end, leaving readers with wildly contradictory feelings about them, and I rather enjoyed that.

I imagine some readers may not enjoy the narration style in this, but if you're a fan of forced proximity in murder mysteries, or you care to witness a group of ritzy friends being shady and betraying each other on holiday, you won't want to miss this one!

3.5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the ARC in exchange for my review.

An alright book, this definitely isn't for everyone. Once the book gets going the plot is interesting but there is a lot of set up with a narrator that readers will either really enjoy or find annoying.

Alex Michaelides' debut novel, "The Silent Patient," captivated readers with its jaw-dropping twist at the end, leaving them eager for more from this promising author. Unfortunately, his latest release, "The Fury," falls short of expectations, especially for those who were drawn in by the brilliance of his previous work.

The primary letdown comes in the form of the anticipated twist. In "The Silent Patient," Michaelides showcased his prowess in crafting unexpected and mind-bending conclusions. Regrettably, "The Fury" fails to deliver a comparable punch. Readers, accustomed to the author's signature twisty narratives, may find themselves waiting in vain for the revelatory moment that never materializes.

The plot, while initially promising, lacks the same level of suspense and intricacy that made "The Silent Patient" a standout psychological thriller. The narrative unfolds at a steady pace, but the absence of a compelling twist leaves the story feeling somewhat flat and predictable.

Character development in "The Fury" also pales in comparison to Michaelides' earlier work. While the author demonstrated a great ability to delve into the complexities of the human psyche in his debut, the characters in this latest offering feel one-dimensional and fail to evoke the same level of empathy or intrigue.

Despite the disappointment, it's essential to acknowledge Michaelides' skill in building an atmospheric setting. The psychological elements are still present, but they are overshadowed by the unmet expectation of a groundbreaking twist.

In conclusion, "The Fury" may leave fans of "The Silent Patient" yearning for the same level of narrative brilliance. While Michaelides' writing style remains engaging, the absence of a stellar twist and the underwhelming character development make this novel fall short of the high standards set by its predecessor.

Thank You to NetGalley for the ARC copy of The Fury. I personally loved this book. It is thrilling and leaves you invested in the story until the very end. Couldn’t guess the plot twist which is something very important to me in mystery/thrillers. Highly recommend!

Well this was a wild ride! If you like an unreliable narrator this is the book for you. The setting moves from London to a Greek Island with a cast of unlikeable characters. Lana is a retired movie star that is loved by everyone. She invites her family and friends for an island escape which soon becomes a lot more complicated with various interesting twists and turns. Yes there is a murder but there are so many different aspects surrounding it. As this is a psychological thriller I will leave it there.

A pulse pounding page turning thriller. Alex Michaelides delivers brilliant thrillers and The Fury is no exception.

Alex Michaelides can write. Of course, I have come to know this based on his previous books, but this one felt different. I became invested in each of the characters and their hopes for their future, waiting up until the end to see how it would all resolve. Or not resolve.
This book is a ride that took me all over the place (in the best way.) Emotional whiplash, if you will.
A group of friends (although the term "friends" feels off for this book) goes on a last minute trip to a private island in Greece. Honestly, I don't think any more about the plot needs to be shared!
This book is worth devouring.

In Alex Michaelides newest book, there's a remote island, a unique cast of characters and of course, a murder. The most interesting thing I found about The Fury was the character narration. It felt and read like a play, which was intentional due to the nature of the plot. Breaking the fourth wall, addressing the audience and the way the narrator views himself leaves reader to question the reliance of him.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and its Knives Out: Glass Onion-esq plot. I did get lost and felt that the plot lulled in several areas, which made me like this book less than Michaelides' other books.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I recommend reading THE FURY by Alex Michaelides. I like the way the narrator inserts himself into the story. Someone is just telling me a story, and I am riveted and must keep reading. Michaelides is able to mix verb tenses seemlessly, resulting in a fluid narrative.

There are times while reading this book when I am reminded of a show I watched on PBS, The Darrells of Corfu. It’s the initial comfortable setting of Michaelides’ Aura, the invented Greek island similar to Corfu, that helps create the lull before the storm that is to come.

The thriller progresses with the right amount of foreshadowing to advance the notion of doom and propel me to read on. There comes a point in the story when it is hard to stop reading. Even after encountering a couple of plot points that I think veer off track, I find myself wanting to know what happens next and read on to the satisfying conclusion. Thank you, Celadon Books and NetGalley, for giving me the chance to read and review an advance reader copy.

The narrator of The Fury, Elliot Chase, is an unpredictable narrator that takes the reader on a journey to discover what really happened on the island of Aura. The novel goes back and forth between past and present tense- all through the eyes of Elliot. As I was reading The Fury, I found that the first 100 or so pages had a lot of detail that was needed for the twists and turns that occurred later in the book. I will say, I was not expecting the ending and really enjoyed reading this story play out. I highly recommend reading The Silent Patient and The Maidens prior to reading The Fury as the books crossover briefly. Thank you NetGalley, Celadon, and Alex Michaelides for an ARC of The Fury in exchange for my honest review!

"The Fury" by Alex Michaelides is a psychological thriller with a cleverly written plot and intriguing cast of characters. As always, Michaelides’ delivers unexpected twists and turns.

As soon as I started The Fury, I was instantly hooked. I loved the storytelling but felt like once I hit the middle of the book it dragged a bit. It picked back up at the end which was well worth the wait. I really enjoyed the format and style of writing.

Thank you to Celadon Books for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review. The Fury is out now.

Michaelides has truly never steered me wrong and The Fury was no exception. We follow Elliot, the narrator, as he heads on vacation with movie star Lana Farrar and her group of friends to Lana's private island in Greece. All of the characters have an intertwined web of issues with one another, however all is going well until someone ends up dead.

My favorite part of this book was the chapters of narration from Elliot. It felt very similar to the vibes of the movies Glass Onion or Knives out- think witty banter and scenes playing out from different characters perspectives. He tells the story to you like you're an old friend and it added so much to the storyline to feel like you had the inside scoop. He narrates the story as if he were writing a screenplay and the book is broken down into five acts; *genius*.

The Fury was the perfect mixture of excellent writing, short chapters and twists and turns with a mixed bag of characters that kept me guessing the entire time. While it's not exactly a fast paced novel, it flips back and forth in time leaving you wanting more. I loved the nods to The Silent Patient at the end and his references to Agatha Christie throughout.

Maybe I'm biased as a huge fan of his but I'm incredibly impressed, Mr. Michaelides, but what else is new? Five stars all the way. Definitely recommend it if you enjoyed his other novels and/or Knives Out and Glass Onion!

A masterfully paced thriller about a reclusive ex–movie star and her famous friends whose spontaneous trip to a private Greek island is upended by a murder.

Thank you to Celadon Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced readers copy of this book. This in no way affects my review, all opinions are my own.

This thriller was... okay. To start, I think the way this book was narrated was really interesting. I loved the unreliable narrator who never did anything to convince you that he could be even remotely reliable. There were some fun twists in the story that kept my interest, although towards the end it definitely got a little predictable. There were a couple of loose ends that bothered me by the last chapter but I feel like it just added to the overall mess of this book.

I do think that even though the book was an easy one to read and a fast one to get through, it was kind of a slow burn. I thought most of the characters were interesting but some of them could've benefitted with more of a background story. Overall, this was fine. Not bad, but not my favorite.