This haunting novel is a masterful exploration of identity, escapism, and the blurred line between liberation and self-destruction. Andy Giles, a man suffocating under the weight of a failing marriage and a passionless career, is instantly compelling in his vulnerability. When he discovers Ralph’s—a mysterious members-only club promising freedom from reality—his transformation into the masked figure Hannya is thrilling and tragic.

The author skillfully captures Andy’s descent into reckless hedonism, creating an atmosphere thick with tension and moral ambiguity. The scenes at Ralph’s are vividly rendered, equal parts seductive and sinister, making the club feel like a dangerous fever dream. As Andy’s double life spirals out of control, the story grips you with its unflinching portrayal of obsession and the human craving for reinvention.

Beneath the novel’s intoxicating premise lies a sharp commentary on identity, anonymity, and the cost of seeking freedom at any price.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Fast-paced, brutal, and enthralling, Fragmented drags the reader into the misery of Andy’s day-to-day life and the route he takes to escape it. It was very easy to become intrigued by the characters and feel like you were experiencing each scene as it was happening. This was a hard book to put down because I kept wanting to know what was going to happen next, as it’s obvious that the author is building up to a grand finale as we watch Andy spiral deeper and deeper into the conflict between the misery of his daily life and the temptation of Ralph’s and its horrible consequences. I thought this was a unique and gripping psychological thriller, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for the e-ARC!

Fragmented
By Alex Mura
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Eyes Wide Shut meets Fight Club meets Breaking Bad meets Romeo & Juliet meets Requiem For A Dream …. but also nothing like any of those! Ha! Completely unique. What a ride this book was!!!

What do you do when your life becomes so mundane and you feel so invisible and unimportant in your own skin that you don’t think you can take it another day? Well, I can tell you what Andy Giles does… he enters an underground elite secret world where everything and nothing is what it seems.

The constant feeling that there are dangerous layers to this secret society grows and grows with each page. Wanting to know but also terrified to find out sums up my feeling throughout.

Angst, danger, spice 🔥, tragedy… and more. Alex Mura delivers it all in this story.
Big thanks to Alex Mura, NetGalley and Hanabi Press for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Available April 1st!

"Fragmented" by Alex Mura is a intense and fast-paced, four-star read! Andy, an underappreciated history teacher stuck in a mundane life and a stagnant marriage with a wife more focused on work than on him, finds his world turned upside down after meeting a stranger at a bar. The stranger offers him an invitation to an exclusive, members-only party—one that will change his life forever.

Mura’s writing is gripping, and I flew through this book, eager to find out what would happen next. This is a thriller on the darker side, perfect for readers who enjoy an edgier, more unsettling story. However, if you're looking for a standard thriller, this might not be the best fit. Be sure to check the trigger warnings, as this story contains several. You can probably imagine what happens at an exclusive club where masked members spend the night drinking and doing drugs—but trust me, Mura takes it even further.

This is the second book I’ve enjoyed by Alex Mura, and I look forward to the next terrifying offering!

Thanks to Hanabi Press, Alex Mura, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.

Thank you to Alex Mura, NetGalley and Hanabi Press for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

Fragmented is a dark and twisty tale about the battle between what we have, what we want in life and our morality when making these choices. Is the grass really greener on the other side? What part of ourselves must we give up to find out? Can we loose ourselves entirely in this pursuit. This is a fast paced chaotic thriller that grips you and doesn't let go.

Thank you NetGalley! 4.5⭐️ A horrifically fascinating story of Andy Giles. Married to a workaholic wife, Andy works as a history teacher for the kids of the upper echelon not making anywhere near her salary. Unhappy in his marriage, his job, his finances and his life choices, Andy becomes embroiled in an exclusive club. The club has 3 rules that cannot be broken for any reason. Everyone is anonymous under masks and costumes. Freedom is what was offered by attending but it’s disguised under hedonism and more. As he becomes more entrenched in the club, he must face his own conscience and humanity. Excellent book!

Thank you to Netgalley for this arc. It was something different and unique, but I loved it. It was very good and very enjoyable.

Fragmented by Alex Mura
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This book is an exciting and face paced psychological thriller!
Andy, a bored teacher, is searching for more out of his life. He gets an invitation to a “special” club and is very excited to check it out! As a new journey and transformation unfolds, life takes some weird and dark turns for Andy.
This story is intense, mysterious and suspenseful!!
I was very entertained from start to finish and didn’t want to stop reading!
The author does a very good job with the writing of this story. It’s my first book from Alex, but I’m excited to read more.

Thank you to NetGalley for an arc of this awesome book!
*It comes out April 1st, so make sure to grab a copy of this amazing thriller!!*

Terrifying and Twisted, utterly compelling.
An intense, well written gem of a tale that I devoured in one sitting, unable to sleep until I reached the devastating conclusion.
Honestly, this is a must read that many could relate to, the daily routines, boredom, repetitive lives and the desire to be better and given an incredible opportunity to change… What would you do and at what cost?
Absorbing, chilling and thoroughly immersing this fantastic read is highly recommended.
5 Stars from me.

This book starts off easy going, but you immediately feel the undercurrent of something ominous. The more you read the more that feeling grows. Mr. Andy Giles is a history teacher but settled into this position rather than pushing for what he wanted to achieve. His wife Grace over works leaving their relationship stale and just coexisting. This is until Andy meets a stranger at the pub and with just one word, the ominous feeling has its target, ‘Ralph’s’ a notorious, secret, exclusive, invitation only club.

There is an edginess that surrounds and encompasses the notorious ‘Ralph’s’. The instructions are to the point, but are also aloof giving off a vibe of wariness. The build up of anticipation is delivered perfectly. You feel all the turbulent emotions alongside the MMC as he first enters ‘Ralph’s’ as if experiencing them alongside him. The impression given from the author in this scene is as if by entering this notorious club, Andy has been reawakened, when as a matter of fact he becomes one with the mask that is upon his face.

The element of wariness always remained until the moment it finally revealed itself in a way that was truly unexpected. I was struck with a sense of horror and angst alongside the MMC. All it took was that pivotal moment for the story to shift on its axis and turn dark and foreboding. With eagerness I kept reading until all the secrets start to unravel, along with the anticipation of what’s to come next.

The spiralling continued to take its shape in new forms whilst the twists and turns jumped up and ensnared me in its grasp. The turn of events that seemed to happen so rapidly, but so slowly at the same time, was nothing I’d ever have predicted.

The ending was a perfect way to end the cataclysmic turn of events, but also leaving an element of shock and in turn wanting, to know what just happened and what comes next. The author seems to have given the reader the power to determine how the last words are interpreted and whether or not the story ends there.

It’s not very often I stray from my usual genres, but I’m glad I did. This authors writing is a true masterpiece that enraptures you and leaves you wanting more.

I had the privilege of reading this as an ARC. Funny story…I read an ARC by Alex Mura last year and that book stuck with me. Silence In The Basement. I remember the story, I remember the title. But evidently forgot the author. Because when I saw Fragmented in Net Galley as an ARC for me to read my thought was “oh, let me check out Alex Mura. See if he’s any good to me”. 🤣🤣🤣🤣. Yall…
He IS! And he was a year ago too! 🤣. I suck at even remembering what I just finished reading so for me to remember the title and the story of a book I read a year ago…it’s gotta be good! All that is to say…. Alex Mura is an author worthy to be remembered and should be spoken of much more often! Now Fragmented, the new Alex Mura ARC I just finished will be released April 1. I highly recommend going and ordering it! Not gonna lie, I saw the cover and thought “eh…it looks like a historical type book”. That’s because I suck and totally judge books by their covers. I’m SO glad I gave this book a chance because this is one of the top 2 faves for me so far this year! (I’ve probably read about 15-20) The story line is SO different than the typical story line. Had me sooooo wanting to know how this could possibly turn out. If it wasn’t for life, I’d have devoured this in one sitting. I absolutely love the way this author writes. His verbiage. His metaphors. His style. It grabs a hold of me and keeps me interested. I have Aphantasia…full on 5 and I just don’t envision what I’m reading. At all. Yet, somehow this dude is able to draw me into the story and make me feel all the feels. And this book had me feeling so much hatred for the MC. Yet also felt bad for him. Then right back to hatred. The emotions and the gasps were real and for a “5”, that’s a BIG deal! There’s a little spice in this and a little horror. But I was here for it!
Y’all give Fragmented a read. You won’t regret it!

3.5 stars rounding up. That was a horrible look at what could almost be real life. This was a twisted look at someone who had most of what he wanted in life, but thought he needed more. A crazy lapse into drugs, alcohol, women and debauchery. Thank you to Netgalley for the early ARC.

Book Review: Fragmented by Alex Mura

Introduction: Fragmented by Alex Mura is a dark, psychological mystery thriller that explores the fragility of identity and the lengths a person will go to escape their reality. Set against the backdrop of a high-end members club, the novel takes readers on a twisted journey through the psyche of a man on the brink of losing everything. With his personal and professional life in shambles, Andy Giles is drawn into a mysterious world where boundaries blur and chaos reigns.

Summary: Andy Giles, a man whose passion for teaching has become a mere routine, is drowning in the weight of his collapsing marriage to his wife, Grace. When a mysterious stranger introduces him to Ralph’s—a club that promises an escape from his monotonous life—Andy decides to reinvent himself. Adopting the name Hannya, he surrenders to a life of indulgence and reckless abandon. However, what begins as a thrilling escape soon spirals into something far more sinister, as the innocent theatrics of Ralph's take a dark turn. As Andy is confronted with increasingly dangerous choices, he must ask himself: how much of his soul is he willing to destroy for the sake of freedom, and what horrors is he willing to commit in the process?

Analysis: The strength of Fragmented lies in its portrayal of Andy’s internal struggle. As the protagonist navigates through his emotional turmoil and attempts to redefine himself, the reader is forced to grapple with questions of morality, identity, and self-destruction. The narrative unfolds in a way that keeps the reader on edge, constantly wondering what Andy will do next and how far he is willing to go.

The setting of Ralph’s, with its allure and promise of freedom, creates a perfect stage for the psychological tension to escalate. The atmosphere is charged with mystery, and the author expertly blurs the lines between fantasy and reality. As Andy transforms into Hannya, the reader is reminded of the fragility of self-control and the dangers of unchecked hedonism.

The supporting characters, particularly Grace and the stranger who introduces Andy to Ralph’s, serve as catalysts for his descent into darkness. Their motivations and interactions with Andy further complicate his already fragile state of mind, adding layers of intrigue and suspense.

Writing Style: The writing style is both immersive and unsettling. The author skillfully crafts a narrative that pulls the reader into Andy’s world, making the descent into chaos feel inevitable and all-consuming. The pacing is steady, with enough tension to keep the reader engaged, but there are moments of reflective pause that allow for deeper emotional insight into Andy's character.

Themes: At its core, Fragmented is a meditation on the cost of freedom and the pursuit of personal reinvention. It explores the dangers of escapism and the consequences of abandoning one’s true self in the quest for liberation. The novel also delves into themes of trust, identity, and the lengths people are willing to go to in order to escape their pain and dissatisfaction.

Conclusion: Fragmented is a gripping, thought-provoking thriller that masterfully combines suspense with deep psychological exploration. Andy’s journey is one of self-destruction, and the novel raises important questions about the nature of freedom, identity, and the darkness lurking within us all. For fans of psychological thrillers that keep you questioning what’s real, this is a must-read.

Rating: 5 stars

Andy, the MMC, history teacher is bored with his life, feels unappreciated in his work and senses his wife is having an affair. After meeting a strange man at a bar and is invited to “Ralph’s” the world as he knows it changes. This private club is suppose to offer “freedom” an escape from reality where masks are worn at all times, he enters a world of darkness, drugs, sex and torture. Things begin to unravel for him in all areas, at Ralph’s , at work with his students as well at home with his wife. So in the quest for this “freedom” to reinvent himself he slowly loses himself to insanity.

I enjoy dark reads and thrillers as well. I just felt the characters didn’t have that much depth to them. Some parts of the story felt rushed and other parts I was frazzled with where the plot was going. The ending with Red being revealed… with all of the chaos I didn’t remember who that was. It was an okay read for me. 2.5 out of 5

Fragmented is a party—a dark, disturbing party—but a party all the same. Once you step into Alex Mura’s twisted world, there's no turning back.

Andy Giles leads a mundane life until he's invited to join Ralph’s, an exclusive, hedonistic society. The rules are strict: 100 members, no personal details, costumes required, and masks must never come off. As Andy becomes Hannya, he plunges into a world of drugs, alcohol, sex, and torture, constantly torn between his desires and his moral compass.

Mura takes you from 0 to 60 in the first few pages, and I was hooked. The visceral descriptions of Ralph’s, especially during Andy’s first visit, create an intoxicating atmosphere. The juxtaposition of Andy’s “normal” life and his dark indulgences shows how quickly he’s transformed by the allure of moral freedom. Mura’s pacing makes you feel the weight of every drug and drink consumed.

Fragmented is a gripping dark thriller that explores the internal battle between temptation and morality. It asks: When does the thrill of the forbidden wear off? What masks do we wear to hide our true selves?

For lovers of dark, psychological thrillers, Fragmented is a must-read, especially in the Fall/Winter months. Just be ready to feel disturbed long after you finish.

Thank you to Alex Mura and Hanabi Press for this eARC.

Andy Giles is a miserable, mediocre man child who find no joy in his career, his home life, or within. Enter Ralph’s, a posh, secret society that meets monthly for ever evolving debauchery. What starts out as a sexy, drug fueled, hedonistic escape, turns dark and dangerous very quickly. Andy, or Hannya continues to spiral, both in his secret life Ralph’s, and his real life - with his wife, Grace & at work, taking his personal misery out on students.

Fragmented was a quick read, it was hard to put down, but the ending left more to be desired. The characters were all vile.

It’s a no from me.

Certain books you read and you know pretty much how the review will go as you are reading them

This is not one of those

I guess I would say its a psychological relationship based horror thriller, I will let the author answer and agree/disagree with that

What is for sure is it is unique

We meet Andy, a bored hubby teaching at a ‘well to do’ private school who randomly after work goes for a drink and meets a man who infers about a club where ‘anything and everything’ goes, after his seciond meeting with the man he receives handwritten a invitation to the said club, ‘Ralphs’

Now when it says ‘anything goes’ Andy presumes that it really doesn’t but he soon finds out it does, and here I must warn that drinking, drugs, sex and torture are among the more than scary offerings for patrons

Andy battles with what he sees but in the interwoven story about his relationship with his wife she notices he is changing, it is interesting to see him trying to cling on to his marriage as he gets more embroiled in the club and the people he meets there

His need for the monthly meets at the club become powerful, as he has met someone there and is intoxicated with her, but will the club, what he sees and partakes in be the end of him….?

At times not an easy read re the subjects but it is a powerful one, I read in more or less one sitting and was horrified by the club but needed to know what Andy was going to do as his life spiralled

A very well written ‘be careful what you wish for’ tale of lust and power and things becoming not just uncontrollable but taking over your whole life

Be wary of any invitations to clubs that promise you the world as they can also take it away from you

Challenging in parts but uncompromising in its narrative and story

An intriguing, thriller novel about a history teacher who’s life has become dull. He joins a club, Ralph’s, with a perfectly even 100 members, all masked, identities hidden at all time. He starts to lose himself in the club and lose his sanity as well. I love main characters that slowly go insane and the ambiguous ending was an interesting way to end it. The only annoying thing was that when Red’s identity was revealed, I didn’t even remember who that was

Wow! Alex has done it again.

I chuckled, I cringed, I read with eyebrows raised and jaw on the floor.
I was INVESTED in this story.

All the things you want in a great book are right here in THIS very book. It was fast paced, suspenseful, definitely thrilling and an absolutely wild ride. Be prepared to clutch your heart and gasp loudly.

Fragmented

What an amazing fast paced read! I was glued to this Arc as soon as I opened it! A history teacher feeling like an afterthought in his relationship and feeling unappreciated within his career (students & the education system) looking for something to excite and free his mind, and he thinks he finds it! He goes to a Members club, (Ralph’s ) where everyone is hiding something, what are they hiding he wonders? Once you spot what they are hiding, you can’t unsee it, so it is explained! Twists and turns I did not see coming! So AMAZING you have to read!!

I would highly recommend this book & cannot wait to read more by this author!

Thank you Alex Mura, Hanabi Press , and NetGalley for allowing me to read this amazing Arc!