The Fury

 Tell me a story... about a quiet vacation gone wrong

The Fury by Alex Michaelides

Expected publication date: January 16, 2024

Date read: January 9, 2024

Audiobook narrated by Alex Jennings

Lana Farrar is a reclusive ex–movie star and one of the most famous women in the world. Every year, she invites her closest friends to escape the English weather and spend Easter on her idyllic private Greek island. You probably read about it at the time ― it caused a real stir in the tabloids, if you remember. It had all the necessary ingredients for a press sensation: a celebrity; a private island cut off by the wind…and a murder.

I wasn't sure what to expect here; I've never read any Alex Michaelides before, even though I know a few people who have loved his previous books. So when I saw this was coming out, I figured it was as good a place to start as any.

This book is told from the point of view of Elliot, Lana Farrar's close friend and confidant. We're told right from the start that there is a murder, and that this story is less of a whodunnit than a whydunnit (although we, as the audience, are still not told for sure who the victim is until late in the book). I found Elliot to be a fascinating character. He's not particularly likable (although none of the characters really are), and also seems to be a little untrustworthy. But is he just unlikable, or is he also an unreliable narrator?

As mentioned, most of the characters are at least a bit unlikeable - I think Lana is probably the most sympathetic, but even she is far from perfect - but they are mostly still really interesting to follow. The book almost had a Great Gatsby feel to it in that way (although I've never been a huge fan of Gatsby and liked this book a lot better). 

I also highly recommend the audiobook. Alex Jennings does a fantastic job of bringing Elliot's voice to the story. He was great to listen to and never once took me out of the moment. His narration made me feel like I was listening to a character tell me a story, rather than a voice actor reading me a story. 

Overall, this is a really fascinating character study tied up in the package of a murder mystery. I can't compare it to his other books, but I imagine that his fans will not be disappointed, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good thriller. 

Rating: 5/5 stars

Content warning: murder, physical assault, emotional manipulation

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.