The Fury

⭐️ 3.25

I picked this book up on a recommendation. I didn't know what the plot was about or that it was a mystery/thriller, so I walked in with zero expectations. After having read [a:Freida McFadden|7244758|Freida McFadden|https:images.gr-assets.com/authors/1701487498p2/7244758.jpg] and [a:Lisa Jewell|93504|Lisa Jewell|https:images.gr-assets.com/authors/1657723367p2/93504.jpg], I think this book had very big shoes to fill in regards of constructing a good mystery that keeps me guessing. What I enjoyed about this book was the set-up. I thought having the book take place as a playwright was a very clever idea, reminiscing of how Jewell wrote [b:None of This Is True|62334530|None of This Is True|Lisa Jewell|https:i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1686092508l/62334530._SY75_.jpg|98147299] as a podcast/news story bit. However, I just wasn't hooked.

I thought the main narrator was extremely annoying. I immediately got a white-knight savior complex from him. And he was definitely creepy! Especially more so as he explained how he had stalked Lana for years until he finally made his way into her circle.

I wasn't invested in the characters really. I didn't get enough information to even want to keep up with them. I even forgot what Jason was to Lana. For a bit, I thought he was his eldest son lol. I immediately figured out that Elliot was the one that would kill Lana, that Jason and Kate were having an affair, and that Nikos was in love with Lana. What I didn't understand is why Agathi was so willing to go along with the plan to scare Elliot, even going so far as letting Jason break Elliot's jaw. I don't know. I just didn't get to know her character enough to justify that.

Overall, this was an ok read. Would I read it again? Probably not. Would I recommend it to others? Maybe if you need a mindless read in between books.

The Fury Alex Michaelides For the last few months my ‘reading’ has been limited to audio books only. I wonder if I might have felt differently about this book had I read the hard copy. The story is told from the perspective of the narrator, the actor, Elliot who is also one of the characters. I found the writing style dragged on slowly, possibly enhanced by the ‘droning’ tone of the reader of the audio book. A review I read claimed that the Thriller was a ”masterclass in psychological suspense, that keeps the readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.” That was NOT my experience! With that said, once I was into the story, I found myself caught up with the characters and was intrigued to find out how the plot was going to pan out, and where the truth lay. A group of friends are invited to spend an ill-fated holiday together on the small Greek Island, owed by one of them, the well known actress, Lana Farrar. All of the characters seem to be flawed in one way or another, with history and grievances that make them less than good friends. One of them ends up dead, but who it was and who was the murderer is anybody’s guess, as each act reveals different outcomes. In the end I did enjoy the book, however I did not think it was a great read.

Easy read. The plot and characters keep this interesting. A few twists.

Good ish, entertaining with twists!

Thank you Celadon for the ARC and Macmillan Audio for an early audio copy. Third time was the charm! I didn’t get the hype for Michaelides’ first two books, but “The Fury” completely hooked me. It was a slow burn in the best way possible, methodically introducing a fascinating mix of characters before the murder happened. The pacing felt deliberate, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of Agatha Christie. With the secluded island setting, I was hoping for a locked-room mystery—a subtle nod to *And Then There Were None*, one of my all-time favorites. Also, Alex Jennings as the narrator was fantastic. His measured, unhurried voice made the slow build even more enjoyable. I could’ve listened to him all day!