Vantage Point is a sharply observant and uniquely layered tech thriller that blends deepfake technology, holograms, and turns a chilling family curse into a suspenseful and thought-provoking story. This story is about Clara and her sister-in-law Jess and explores themes of guilt, grief, trauma, and how relationships evolve under the weight of public scrutiny and personal secrets. Their complex, love-hate friendship is emotionally deep and the creative Wikipedia-style entries on the family curse are chilling and such a clever narrative device!

The writing is exceptional and unique - both wry and serious at the same time. The writing is self aware, and it was such a joy to read what I could tell was a thoughtful and purposeful narrative. While certain plot points require a suspension of disbelief, the emotional core remains grounded and powerful. The story thoughtfully touches on issues like slut-shaming, political ambition, eating disorders, and self-sabotage, with strong character work throughout. It may seem like this kaleidoscopic book is doing too much, but I thought it was done well here. The twists were genuinely shocking, and the final chapter truly delivers!

Vantage Point is the perfect name for this book. Different viewpoints often result in wildly divergent perceptions of reality. Sometimes, you can’t even trust your own eyes.

In Vantage Point by Sara Sligar, we meet the Wielands. They have always lived under a shadow. Some say they’re cursed. Tragedy has plagued the family for generations. Author Sara Sligar pulls us into this complicated family history of old money, political ambition, and a sense of impending doom.

Siblings Clara and Teddy return to Vantage Point, their family’s secluded mansion on the Maine coast, to support Teddy’s Senate campaign. Teddy’s wife, Jess, works behind the scenes to hold the family together and maintain their polished public image—but she has secrets of her own she wants to keep buried. When pornographic videos of Clara begin appearing online, everything starts to unravel.

Clara isn’t even sure whether the videos are real. With a history of substance abuse and mental illness, how can she know if they’re deep fakes or simply events missing from her memory? She tries to figure out who’s behind the leaks, but the more she digs, the more twisted things become.

Vantage Point blends Gothic atmosphere with commentary on consent, power, memory, and how technology can be weaponized in the wrong hands.

Recommended for fans of psychological suspense with a slow burn, and readers who love family sagas with layers of secrets.

I received this advance reader copy of Vantage Point from MCD and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A mildly terrifying book about what could be, I do truly wish that publishers would stop comparing things to Succession though.

Wow, this book! Pay attention when you read it!

At first I thought, is this ever going to have a point? And then it did, and a complicated one at that!

What a family. It all revolves around Clara Wieland, her brother Teddy, and his wife Jess. The story switches timelines at will, moving back in their lives and then to the present, when Teddy is running for senator. His campaign is in increasing turmoil, and it all starts with Clara and her sad troubled past. I wasn’t sure whether to believe Clara was telling the truth or to think she needed to be back in the hospital! But the kinks finally began to unfurl and some things were clearer and eventually it all came to light—-there was an explanation for all these terrible occurrences!

The ending was a shocker to me and not at all what I was expecting. It’s the story of a wealthy family whose money does nothing to bring them happiness—-it only makes them more physically comfortable in their misery. But the ending leaves us with some contentment for the future.

3.5 stars
Thus was an interesting book of a family that’s wealthy and lost their parents many years ago. The brother is running for mayor and his sister is looked at as the one that needs help. Deep fakes start coming out about the family Which causes quite a stir. Will they be able to figure it out?

If you like tech thrillers, you would definitely like this one. Clara and Teddy grew up on an island. Their family has a tragic history and there is a curse in a family. Every family member has mysteriously died. Leaving Clara and Teddy alone. But the curse might come for them too. Fourteen years later, Teddy married Jess, Clara’s friend and moved in the remote family mansion known as the Vantage Point. They were getting grip of the reality until the intimate video of Clara gets leaked online. But she doesn’t remember recording it. Is the curse coming for her or someone is trying to ruin the family’s reputation. Expect the unexpected, family secrets, political ambitions, mystery, buried truth, and shocking revelations.


Thanks to the Publisher

I really enjoyed this technological suspense novel. Thank you so, so much to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for allowing me to read this title!

Blurb:
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.

Vantage Point by Sara Sligar was a repetative book that was not for me. This is a me problem and I truly belive in the right hands, it would be glorious!

Vantage Point is the kind of book that completely sweeps you away from the first page! It’s a perfect mix of suspense, drama, and emotional depth that keeps you hooked throughout. I couldn't put it down—every chapter left me wanting more. The way the author weaves tension into the plot is just brilliant, and I was constantly trying to figure out what would happen next!

The main character is so relatable, and I found myself really rooting for her. She’s complex, smart, and full of layers, which made me want to dive deeper into her journey with every turn. Plus, the relationships in the story are full of twists and surprises, which kept me on edge and guessing until the very end.

What I loved most was how the story made me feel all the emotions—tension, excitement, and even a little heartbreak. It’s definitely one of those books that stays with you long after you’ve finished it. If you love thrillers with a strong emotional core and tons of twists, Vantage Point is a must-read!

This one was just okay for me. It held my interest for the majority but there were a few sections that I was just skimming to get through. it has a strong concept and the writing is good it just left me a little 'meh'. And that ending? oh well...

This one was so good! Tense and a little bit of corporate America, dark stuff going on. This was described as succession vibes, which makes me want to watch that even more!

I love a good thriller that ties in the contemporary world that isn't just a battered woman. Held my interest and I enjoyed!

Great Gothic Mystery!! The plot seems familiar - family curse in Northeast US with siblings running the foundation but then so many twists and turns made this a page turner for me. There are some disturbing portions which deal with addiction and some crude language and descriptions.

I loved the way the author took us on the journey of getting to know the two best friends (and wife of the brother). Great perspectives and background which helped create mystery and doubt as you read more of the book!

Loved the plot twists and the arc of Clare. It felt authentic!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux / MCD for sharing the digital review copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.

I was not able to read this book and review it before its publishing date but now that I read it I have given it 2 stars.

Siglar's skillful use of deep fake technology is terrifying, and also provides readers with the opportunity to question Clara's reliability as a narrator, even as she and her allies question the evidence of their own eyes and memories.

Enjoyed the first 2/3rds but then it kind of ran off the rails. Lovely writing and I'll definitely keep Sligar on my list.

Vantage Point was an excellent read. The writing was propulsive and the character development was rich. I would read more from this author.

TW: eating disorders, cyber bullying

This is a distinctive and gripping tech thriller that blends deepfake technology and holograms with a legendary family curse.

The concept of the book was intriguing, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I expected. The story felt lacking, and I was hoping for more unsettling events. It also felt a bit slow-paced. I struggled to connect with the characters, as they seemed unlikable to me.

The ending was questionable

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to honestly review.

Vantage Point by Sara Sligar is a captivating domestic thriller that combines family drama, suspense, and modern concerns about privacy and technology. Set against the backdrop of Maine’s wealthy Wieland family, the story follows Clara Wieland, who returns to her family’s estate, Vantage Point, after a period of personal turmoil. Along with her brother Teddy, who is vying for a Senate seat, and her best friend Jess, Clara’s life is upended when an intimate video of her surfaces online—one she has no memory of creating. As the family grapples with the scandal, they are forced to face the unsettling possibility of deepfake technology and the darker side of digital manipulation.

Sligar’s storytelling is both sharp and engaging, weaving together themes of identity, family loyalty, and the intrusiveness of technology. The tension builds as Clara navigates the murky waters of her public and private selves, all while uncovering family secrets that threaten to destroy everything she knows. The novel’s exploration of the digital age’s impact on privacy and perception feels timely and relevant, making it not only an intriguing thriller but also a thought-provoking commentary on our current societal climate.

With well-developed characters and a plot filled with twists, Vantage Point is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a suspenseful narrative that challenges our understanding of truth and identity in an increasingly digital world. Sligar’s debut novel offers an exciting mix of mystery and emotional depth, leaving readers hooked from start to finish.

I just honestly did not like this book at all. I was intrigued by the premise but felt the story was so drawn out and boring. The characters lacked a certain depth that made them hard to care about.

I’ve seen comparisons to Succession with this type of bad rich people, but definitely wouldn’t say so myself.