Having been blown away by 'The Silent Patient' I had high expectations for Alex Michaelides' new book - I certainly was not disappointed.
The writing is exquisite, the setting perfect and the twists and turns incredibly clever.
The Fury is a “whydunnit” as Elliott the narrator calls it, blending fact and fiction and keeping the reader guessing until the very end. Just when you think you have it sussed, the author springs another surprise!
Lots of crime thrillers these days tend to be much of a much but this one certainly is different. I cant recommend it enough.
I am grateful to Netgalley and the publishers for the privilege of reading an advanced copy of this fabulous book.

A retired movie star of some repute invites her best friends to her private island, Aura. Set in the Greek Cyclades, it is a beautiful though somewhat austere island due to the wind known as The Fury.

What starts off as an Easter holiday to get some sun, soon turns into a chaos of mystery, intrigue and deception.

This is my first book by Michaelides and I was drawn in by the synopsis. Though not a bad book, it was frustratingly slow and drawn out, could have been a bit punchier, especially as the twists and turns were there, though some fairly predictable.

I will look out for The Silent Patient, as I gather this first book was excellently reviewed, with subsequent books not quite as well received. Though I understand that there is a spoiler in the epilogue of this book for TSP, I will have forgotten it by the time I get around to reading it! That said, bad form for an author to include spoilers in following books.

Thank you NetGalley.

3.5/4 stars ★★★★☆

It goes unsaid that anything Michaelides writes will be compared to 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘗𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵. I found this much more enjoyable than 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘴, but fear nothing will compare to the twists and unpredictability of his first novel!

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘶𝘳𝘺 is set up like a classic murder mystery, with 7 people stuck on a private island, and one of them is killed. It leans more into themes of greek tragedy, and our narrator is actually a playwright (rather than a psychotherapist - yay!), making it unique from the previous two books.

The pros for me were the execution of the unreliable narrator (we know Michaelides is excellent at this!), short chapters and twists, especially towards the end. I loved the way Elliot told the story and broke the fourth wall. However, I struggled with how slow-paced it was - more of a character study with a lot of setting up/backstory.

Characters from 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘴 and 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘗𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 are mentioned and it’s fun to see the overlap in the timelines. I’d love to see if these easter eggs are leading to a future book where these characters come together in one storyline - wishful thinking?

For some reason there is actually a major spoiler for 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘗𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 in the epilogue - I guess the logic being that most will have already read it?? 𝗗𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁!!! Don’t risk spoiling one of the best twists of all time for this!

Ironically, I think those who haven’t read 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘗𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 would be impressed with 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘶𝘳𝘺, but unfortunately this falls slightly flat in it’s shadow.

Interested to see what everyone thinks in 2024! I think it’ll be a marmite book - love it or hate it?

*Thank you Michael Joseph / NetGalley for provided me an ARC.
𝘜𝘒 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘋𝘢𝘵𝘦: 1st February 2024

I am not really sure what I thought of this book. I don’t like that it is written in the first person, I can’t say I enjoyed it as I didn’t like the characters, but I am glad I carried on reading to the end. Lots of twists and turns, I didn’t see it ending the way it did- so surprise it was worth reading to the end
Thanks to Netgalley for letting me read the ARC

My first Alex Michaelides book. The plot is narrated by Elliot and is a tale of intrigue and murder set out in five acts.
I struggled to engage with any of the characters and found the book slow.

I thank Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the opportunity to review it though

Thank you to Netgalley for the review copy.

I loved The Silent Patient so was really looking forward to reading this but I have to be honest and say I didn’t like the style of writing in The Fury - it was difficult to feel empathy for any of the characters and the pace of the book is quite slow.

A slow burn thriller about a murder on an isolated Greek island. An atmospheric nod to Agatha Christie, with all the classic Alex Michaelides twists and turns. Unfortunately it was slow in a frustrating way and predictable if you've read his other work. Not one for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Lana is an ex film star, and is very famous. Every year she goes to her private Greek island, inviting those closest to her. And this year is no different, as she jets off with her husband, teenage son, housekeeper, and two friends with her, Elliot and Kate. But some of these guests have secrets that they don’t want exposing, which leads to tragedy and murder.

This was set out like a play, with 5 Acts that tell us the story of who, how, and why there was a murder. We read predominantly from Elliot’s point of view. The writing was witty, and was very fitting for the style of writing involved. I didn’t much connect with the characters, but I did like the character of Lana, and how sometimes fame isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. This wasn’t just a story of murder, but also love.

Lana Farrar, a former Hollywood star, invites two of her friends to join her for an Easter weekend break on her private Greek Island. Also present are her husband and teenage son and the island's caretaker and her housekeeper Agathi. What happens during that weekend and the events leading up to it are told by one of the guests Elliot Chase who tells the story as if he's having a private conversation with the reader. I found this rather off putting to start with but soon became intrigued by what is essentially a tale of unrequited love, jealousy and revenge. To say there are plenty of twists and turns is an understatement!

We start off getting to know the characters Lana, Elliot, Kate from theater. Lana invites them and others to her island home in Greece. This is a slow burn murder mystery told in five acts and is narrated by Elliot. It picks up towards the end and is quite twisty! Thank you Celadon for a gifted copy.

Another gripping thriller from Alex Michaelides. An isolated island a small party for friends and many hidden secrets. I love a 'locked room mystery' and this was exactly what I love. I couldn't out the book down!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.

Review

The Fury
by Alex Michaelides
⭐️⭐️

Let me set the scene. Told like a Greek Tragedy in five acts, this is a twisted tale about a murder that takes place on a privately-owned Greek island. Or is it? Every year, movie-star Lana Farrar invites a group of her closest friends to spend time on the island of Aura. Elliot Chase, a longtime friend of Lana who is also our narrator, recalls the events leading up to an unforgettable night full of deception and revenge. But in true Michaelides tradition, not everything is as it seems.

I was so excited for this one so you can imagine how grateful I was to be given the chance to read it early. I loved The Silent Patient and really enjoyed The Maidens, but regrettably this one just didn’t do it for me. I found the pacing way too slow, I didn’t gel with the writing style, and I failed to connect with any of the characters. All of this combined meant that I found myself trudging through the book, rather than turning pages with anticipation. The final twist was reasonable, but by this point I just wasn’t as invested as I could have been. I hope this review doesn’t put anyone off, as reading taste is incredibly personal and you yourself might find a lot to like with this one but unfortunately, it just wasn’t my cup of tea!

P.S The Epilogue contains a spoiler for Michaelides first novel, The Silent Patient, so please be aware of that before reading!

Thank you kindly to both @netgalley and @michaeljbooks, a division of @penguinukbooks, for giving me the opportunity to read this early in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review.

I enjoyed this psychological thriller. I liked how the drama unfolded slowly peeling away another layer of events with each act so by the end I still wasn't sure which version was the truth. Was it as multi-layered or was it just one single act of unrequited love. Who knows - only Elliot does.

The narrator - Elliot - was really well written. I couldn't stand him!

Well.
We all love unreliable narratives and narrators and this hits all the bullseyes 🎯
I actively raced through this book because I wanted to know what happened to Elliot and Lana. Kate I couldn’t really have cared for - same with Lana’s husband he seemed a bit one dimensional and lacking. Other than that it’s a great book and one I would recommend heartily to my friends

A new Joan Collins mixed with Stephen King.

I could not put this book down. I thought at first it was going to be one of the books with no substance. Just went to show how wrong I was.

Plot lines, screen scripts, madness, jealousy, greed, and a sun-kissed island. what more do you want from a book?

Get this book as soon as you can for a Winter night reading.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this excellent book.

I am a huge fan of this author, so literally couldn't wait until February to read this. This book is like no other psychological thriller/murder mystery, although the premise may trick you into thinking so. Elliot tells us a story predominantly set on a beautiful Greek island. A murder mystery with so many twists and turns and so beautifully written, I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend every book written by this author, but this is definitely my new favourite. Put it on your wishlist x

I love a twisty turny books and the Fury does not disappoint!! I love all of Alex Michaelides‘s books and this one is another example of an amazing psychological thriller that keeps you guessing every single page!

I’ve read a couple of Alex’s books so thought I knew what to expect but no….

A deserted Greek island with a group of friends. Or are they friends! As one of them is going to murdered.

Will it be Lana, a retired movie star who had the world at her feet? Or her son Leo, who is hiding a pretty big secret. Could it be Kate, a West End actress with plenty to hide. Or Lana’s husband Jason, who is keeping a huge secret of his own…..

Also on the island is Lana’s housekeeper and our narrator Elliott - but just how reliable a narrator is he?

Who in the island can be trusted and who will live to tell the tale?

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review.

A Greek Tragedy in Five Acts

Seven characters, including Lana Farrar, a beautiful ex-movie star, and our narrator writer, Elliot Chase, Aura, Lana‘s private Greek island in the Cyclades, which is currently cut off by the Menos (The Fury), a wild and predictable wind, three gunshots and a body lying amongst a circle of ruined Roman marble columns. This is a Greek tragedy, a tale of love and death, ‘twas ever thus. However, this isn’t a Christiesque “locked island“ whodunnit, this is a whydunnit, a character study. The scene is set, we have the cast, the ferocious weather, the love, the hate, the enchantments and the schemes but will the fates intervene? Pull up a seat, perhaps at a bar, maybe even at the Coach and Horses, martini extra dry in hand and listen very carefully as Elliot tells all. Or does he?? Maybe it would be wise to hold that second or third martini.

Alex Michaelides’ writing quite simply captivates and enthrals me from start to finish and this is yet another novel he has penned that I love. This has all the elements of a Greek tragedy with characters central to the proceedings and how they interact with fate, free will and destiny. The setting on Aura is fantastic and the Menos adds an extra bite to what unfolds. In addition, we have omens, oracles and premonitions, magical characters who cast spells and enchantments, maybe even acting like the ancient gods themselves, and the whole thing builds to chaos and ultimately to tragedy.

I love the style it’s written in as Elliot narrates as if he is talking to us, so it’s lively, witty and chatty and I enjoy how he keeps inserting himself into the storyline which constantly changes direction throughout the five acts. The short, sharp chapters perfectly match his tale.

The complex characterisation is outstanding as you realise some are wearing masked facades acting their way through, so you keep changing your mind about them, trying to weigh up their reliability or otherwise. The vibes between the seven changes like The Fury and some have every right to that fury.

The unsettling, multilayered plot is utterly immersive as we witness calculation, delusion, vengeance and destruction with lives crumbling like a house of cards. The toxicity builds much like the Menos on the fateful evening in question. As if this isn’t enough, who is watching who? It’s a dangerous cat and mouse game, but it’s Alex Michaelides style, so you don’t actually know who the mouse is or even which cat is messing with it, which is genius! It has more twists than the labyrinth of Daedalus and is equally “skilfully wrought“.

Overall, this is a clever addictive read, a kind of Agatha Christie meets a Greek tragedy of Sophocles or Euripides meets a modern day thriller. Highly recommended.

PS Don’t miss the nods to The Silent Patient!

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Michael Joseph, for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

I was really excited about this book. But unfortunately it didn’t live up to my expectations. I wasn’t keen on the writing style and this meant that I couldn’t relate to any of the characters. I kept waiting for a massive twist, which never arrived.