Vantage Point is a twisty, modern thriller that weaves together family drama, political ambition, and cutting-edge tech with a touch of gothic intrigue. Clara Wieland’s struggle with mental health and her place in her cursed, high-profile family forms the emotional core of the story. When deepfake videos threaten to derail her brother Teddy’s Senate campaign, long-buried secrets start to surface, and the Wieland family must confront their dark past.

Sara Sligar masterfully balances suspense and deep character work, creating a story that’s as thought-provoking as it is page-turning. The unique Wikipedia-style entries on the Wieland curse were a fascinating touch, adding richness to the family’s haunted legacy. Though the ending felt slightly rushed, the gripping narrative, atmospheric setting, and exploration of modern tech’s dangers make this a highly recommended read for fans of smart thrillers.

I did not expect to like this book as much as I did! Wow what a ride.
When I saw this was a “tech thriller” I was concerned because that didn’t seem like my jam. But it’s safe to say I don’t mind a tech thriller. I really enjoyed it.
Clara and Teddy are brother and sister from a well off family. Jess, Clara’s best friend, is married to Teddy creating the perfect family drama set up. Y’all, there is so much drama in this book. When Teddy decides to run for senate, compromising videos of the family start to pop up. But why can no one involved in the videos remember the situations recorded? This book is twisty and cool and kept me intrigued the entire time.
Thank you netgalley for the ARC!

I had the privilege of listening to an advanced copy of the audiobook for Vantage Point by Sara Sligar. The use of multiple narrators added depth to the storytelling and provided an enjoyable listening experience.

The novel centers on the affluent Wieland family, who are plagued by a notorious curse that has led to numerous tragedies over the years. As Teddy embarks on a Senate campaign, intimate videos of his sister, Clara surface online—videos she has no recollection of filming. This raises questions about the authenticity of the footage and whether someone is using deepfake videos to undermine the family.

The exploration of themes such as deepfake technology and holograms adds a chilling layer to the narrative, making it a thought-provoking tech thriller.

If you’re intrigued by stories that delve into the dark side of technology and enjoy complex family dramas, with often unlikable main characters, Vantage Point is a read for you.

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc!

juicy
rich people behaving badly
elements of mystery and thriller

all in all i was completely consumed!

Thank you MacMillan Audio for the review copy, this was an excellent production for Sara Silgar's new book Vantage Point and I appreciated how stylized parts of the audio were and the performances from all three voice actors, particularly Helen Laser who is becoming a favorite narrator. This is a complex story, one that if filled with themes on AI and gaslighting, on rich people problems and mental health and viral videos, and one that leans into the messy toxicity of famous, in the public eye family relationships. What stood out was the development of the story, how Silgar plays with Clara's storyline to twist and turn the story around to the reader as well as to her characters, and how the story leans into, more than expected, the role of deep fake videos, how harmful use of AI can wreck lives and cause those dominoes to fall as they will until more and more people are hurt. What worked less for me for the book, not the production per se, was how really unlikable each character was , I felt no real connection to the characters, I wasn't sure I really cared enough to know what was going on even though the plot was though provoking... when I can't find myself really wanting redemption for anyone it's hard to really like a book. That being said, this is one read that is worth discussing for the bigger themes explored and introduced. 4 star plot, 3 star execution.

NOTE: themes on mental health, substance use, and eating disorders are present.

The lives of a small Maine family and their bid for power in politics. There’s something sinister going on beneath the surface. By the description, I thought I would enjoy this book much more than I did. It was a bit of a slog in places and as a native Mainer myself, I found the descriptions of the land and the people to be those of someone who hasn’t spent any real time in the state