Talk about an unreliable narrator.... not in a bad way though.. The Fury starts slow but picks up the last half. I enjoyed this one but The Silent Patient is still my favorite Michaelides book.

The Fury by Alex Michaelides (1/16/24) Review Pub 1/15/24 4 Stars
Published by Celadon Books

"My name is Elliot Chase, and I’m going to tell you a story unlike any you’ve ever heard."

Lana Farrar, a reclusive former movie star, always surrounds herself with her closest theatre friends at Easter. This year is no different. Invitations are sent out to Elliot along with her husband Jason, son Leo, best friend, and fellow actress Kate, plus her assistant. They all join her on Aura, her private Greek island off the coast of Mykonos to celebrate. Corks are being popped, the champagne is flowing, and secrets are about to spill. It appears not everyone and everything is quite what it seems. Before long gun shots are heard, and someone is dead. And that's just the beginning to what you think you know...

I almost set this one down in the beginning. It was a little slow for me when building the actual history, and secrets of the story and, it almost lost me. I stuck with it, and I am so glad that I did because the payoff was well worth the wait.

Elliot was a wonderfully written, unreliable narrator, the setting was divine, and the remaining cast were wonderfully horrible and morally grey.

Full of secrets, drama, obsession, and backstabbing, this story was a very entertaining read. I really enjoyed how the author intertwines Greek mythology into his books and The Fury reads like a Greek tragedy. I loved it! I think the ending is going to be divisive among readers. Some will love it while others may feel it is over the top. I can see both sides but, I’m with the loved it team. I got such a kick out of it. I gave The Fury 4 stars.

The Fury by Alex Michaelides will be available on January 16, 2024. Many thanks to Celadon Books, NetGalley for the ARC copy.

Book Review
The Fury
By Alex Michaelidis
Synopsis: This is a tale of murder.

Or maybe that’s not quite true. At its heart, it’s a love story, isn’t it?

Lana Farrar is a reclusive ex–movie star and one of the most famous women in the world. Every year, she invites her closest friends to escape the English weather and spend Easter on her idyllic private Greek island.

I tell you this because you may think you know this story. You probably read about it at the time ― it caused a real stir in the tabloids, if you remember. It had all the necessary ingredients for a press sensation: a celebrity; a private island cut off by the wind…and a murder.

We found ourselves trapped there overnight. Our old friendships concealed hatred and a desire for revenge. What followed was a game of cat and mouse ― a battle of wits, full of twists and turns, building to an unforgettable climax. The night ended in violence and death, as one of us was found murdered.

*I was given an advanced readers copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review*

My Rating: 5 stars

This book I found fascinating because it was traditional in the Greek tragedy sense, but so unique in the way that I have never read a novel in this type of classical all-knowing narration that is the pinnacle of OG Greek theatre.

I honestly thought this novel was going in one direction, and then it did a 180. It was sensational and theatrical, and such a fresh novel. The slow release of important information was really brilliant because the narrator is unreliable, but he is the one telling the story, so he is constantly trying to appear a certain way to the reader and not completely reveal his true nature.

Theater. Hollywood drama. Narcissism. Betrayal. Loved all of these themes and this novel.

NYT bestselling author Alex Michaelides surprised me with Fury, a gripping thriller about an ex–movie star and her famous friends who end up on a private Greek island vacation. What was supposed to be an enjoyable getaway is soon interrupted by a murder. The pacing was nice, maybe not overnight reading pace, but definitely a weekend read. The setting was depicted masterfully placing me right there in the characters world with them. I could see this book going to screen ala The White Lotus series.

I was so excited to read The Fury by Alex Michaelides but it turned out to be just a “meh” book for me, I think largely because of how the book is structured.

The narrator of the book, Elliot, is in love with Lana, his close friend and a popular actress. Lana invites Elliot plus her best friend Kate, husband Jason, and son Leo, to her private Greek island for a little getaway. It’s so gray and cold in London, wouldn’t they all benefit from some sun?

There is an ulterior motive, however…. and it will play out during their vacation in Greece. Of course, there is much more to the story and I don’t want to give it away. I would have enjoyed this more if it followed a linear plot, and Elliot wasn’t both the narrator and the best friend. It just didn’t grab me, but don’t let that deter you because several of my reading buddies absolutely loved it!

The plot:

Lana Farrar is a reclusive ex–movie star and one of the most famous women in the world. Every year, she invites her closest friends to escape the English weather and spend Easter on her idyllic private Greek island.

I tell you this because you may think you know this story. You probably read about it at the time ― it caused a real stir in the tabloids, if you remember. It had all the necessary ingredients for a press sensation: a celebrity; a private island cut off by the wind…and a murder.

We found ourselves trapped there overnight. Our old friendships concealed hatred and a desire for revenge. What followed was a game of cat and mouse ― a battle of wits, full of twists and turns, building to an unforgettable climax. The night ended in violence and death, as one of us was found murdered.

But who am I?

My name is Elliot Chase, and I’m going to tell you a story unlike any you’ve ever heard.

Out on January 16.

I loved The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelidea, his debut novel. I was super happy when I received an ARC for The Fury because I wanted more from this author. This was a thriller about an ex-movie star and her friends who take a trip to a private Greek island and a murder. It was slow to get into but overall it was a good read.


Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review!

I had two very different opinions of Michaelides's last two books, so I had no idea where I would land with The Fury. What I found through these pages was a captivating story told by an engaging voice. There's a part of me that wishes I would have gone with the audiobook with this one, as it felt like I was in the midst of a conversation with Elliot, our very unreliable narrator. I don't want to reveal too much because it was such a fun experience to let the characters and twists and turns unfold through this meandering storytelling. I love that I knew *something* was up the entire time but could never quite put my finger on it. While The Maidens felt like a bit of a sophomore slump, The Fury feels like an engaging triumph. I was worried I may not get into it during the first act, trying to adjust to the way Elliot tells the story but by Act II, I couldn't put it down!

Thanks to Netgalley and Celadon Books for an advanced copy of The Fury in exchange for my review.

I didn’t hate it like The Maidens but I didn’t love it like The Silent Patient. The unreliable and unlikeable MC was an interesting touch. I did find it a little exhausting, however, that the narration constantly went back to feed you a little more context. But alas, that was clearly the point. In the end, it’s a fast paced thriller (mystery?) that I did have a tough time putting down.

This book was a thrill ride and I couldn’t get enough of it. I thought this book had a very unique premise that I haven’t read very much of so that really drew me in.

There were several times when I thought I knew what was going to happen and I was wrong. This was a great thriller and I enjoyed every page of it.

This is a page turning thriller about a ex-movie star and her friends who take a trip to a private Greek island and a murder. Initially it is a tale of murder, but maybe not? As you read you soon discover that at the core it may be a love story, which as it enfolds involves passion, resentments and from the very start knowing within 48hrs someone will be dead.
This is twisty, fast paced murder mystery that is so original and intriguing. It will keep you guessing until the final shocking end. The book is told from the perspective of one of the main characters, which I particularly enjoyed as a reader. Elliot Chase is captivating as the unreliable narrator.
This is one of those unique and rare books where nothing is where it seems, and Alex Michaelides does not disappoint. This book will take you on a ride that is exciting and entertaining.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read

What a unique well-written story. It almost feels like a throwback to the classics that you may have loved as a kid.

This book is a perfect example of how unpredictable and exciting murder mysteries can be. Just when you think you have solved the case, another twist is thrown in, keeping you turning page after page. Loved it!

I found this book a little slow at the start. By the middle of Act II though I couldn't put it down. At the end I was sure I had it all figured out, but was wrong. A great book overall.

I loved this book. I loved the narration style and being in Elliot's head. I loved the twists and the way that we got from the "murder" to the actual murder. The time flashes were well done and I enjoyed seeing how all the characters reacted to what was going on around them. Highly recommend.

i am a huge alex michaelides fan! silent patient was a book i read before it got extremely popular, which got me back into reading a few years ago! i cannot believe i received an ARC of his! so thank you so much to Alex Michaelides and Celadon Books for my copy of The Fury!
the writing is this book is wonderful. the main character was very interesting. i would say this is the best "unreliable narrator" story i may have ever read! elliot was brilliant and i felt as though i was reading a play! it was fun and unique. all the elects made sense and i appreciated the greek island setting. also the bits of psychology he adds in is always great for the nerd in me!
this book is character driven! i did find it to still be entertaining and it always pulled me back in. they were all very hard to trust though! so i didn't know who to believe.

“There were seven of us in all, trapped on the island. One of us was a murderer.”

With a unique literary spin and an unreliable narration, Alex Michaelides (The Silent Patient, The Maidens) imparts the compelling story of a murder on a Greek island.

We meet playwright Elliot Chase—the narrator—who at once shares there’s been a murder, but before we learn who died and who’s responsible, he unfurls the story in five acts—present and past, learning about each of the characters: movie star and best friend Lana Farrar; her friend and actress Kate Crosby; her husband, Jason Miller; her son, Leo; her housekeeper, and her caretaker . We also discern through brief mentions that Elliott struggles with his traumatic childhood, which led him to live with an older female writer for some time, and ultimately allowed him to cross paths with Lana.

Over Easter weekend, everyone gathers on Lana’s private Greek Island—the site of the murder—and an island rumored to be cursed, and battered by wild, raging windstorms.

As an omniscient (and unreliable) narrator, Elliott chooses what he shares and when, shaping what transpired to maximize dramatic impact. His perspective manifests his own shortcomings, and I think most readers (like me) will find that he isn’t a very likeable or trustworthy character. However, if you consider that Michaelides uses Elliott as a literary device to impart his story, I find it a very effective approach. I was riveted, clamoring to see how it all would happen (as I admittedly and rightly guessed the murder and murderer).

Even so, the climax is exciting, surprising, full of twists, and indeed, as Elliott suggested, brimming with drama. Part locked room mystery, part Greek tragedy, I really loved it overall and blew through the pages. Replete with betrayal, manipulation, toxic relationships, jealousy, and resentment, it was a unique, fun, and fast-paced novel easily devoured.

A private Greek island, 3 gunshots, 1 dead and 6 potential suspects. A narrator who walks you through the story as it unfolds while possibly holding back details until he absolutely has to deliver them to you. A timeline that unravel secrets and motives as you navigate the five acts.

This was such a fun read! I particularly loved the narration style that was delivered via the character of Elliot. I loved the “luxury” murder-mystery style and the intricate game of cat and mouse that unfolded. The many sides to the story keeps you guessing until the very end. Couldn’t put this one down!

Delighted to include this title in the January edition of Novel Encounters, my column highlighting the month’s most anticipated fiction for the Books section of Zoomer, Canada’s national culture magazine. (see column and mini-review at link)

If you are looking for the silent patient part two this novel is not it.

Elliot is the narrator in this tale of murder and intrigue. Lana is a movie star who has been out of the line light for ages. She finds out her husband is cheating on her with one of her best friends. Not to worry! Elliot is here to save the day.

Elliot comes up with an idea for Lana and her husband and friend to go to her island for a vacation and to confront the two cheaters. Chaos ensues with a plan to pretend Lana has been murdered.

Let me say that I didn't mind the jumping timelines, or the fact the characters are all terrible people. I was on board with this book the entire time, until I got to the plot twist. The ending fell flat and it didn't hit at all for me. I felt like it took forever to get to the end just to be disappointed. Maybe you'll enjoy the twist more than I did but I felt it was quite lack luster.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc

Another great novel from Alex Michaelides! The Fury was a nice balance of thriller, mystery and and the development of friendship that takes a deadly and twisted turn. When friends gather at a remote island in Greece to celebrate Easter the mood goes from relaxing to murder when one friend is killed, Thanks to#CeladonBooks # Netgalley

"The Fury" by Alex Michaelides is a tale shrouded in intrigue and deception. The novel's strength lies in its atmospheric setting—a private Greek island owned by the enigmatic Lana Farrar. The allure of the isolated island, coupled with the backdrop of a reclusive ex-movie star'sgathering, sets the stage for a story that promises both opulence and suspense.

Michaelides skillfully constructs the narrative through the voice of Elliot Chase, adding a layer of mystery to the storytelling. Elliot's perspective provides readers with a unique lens through which to view the events that transpire on the island, drawing them into the intricacies of the characters' relationships and the undercurrents of tension that simmer beneath the surface.

"The Fury" is a novel that tantalizes with its promise of an unconventional narrative and a murder mystery set in a glamorous and secluded locale. While the pacing and structure might pose challenges for some readers, those who enjoy psychological thrillers with intricate character dynamics will likely find themselves engrossed in the world crafted by Michaelides.

Thank you NetGallet and Celadon Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.