A satisfying, twisty tale

This is a tale of murder.

Or maybe that’s not quite true. At its heart, it’s a love story, isn’t it?

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.

I tell you this because you may think you know this story. 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.

We found ourselves trapped there overnight. Our old friendships concealed hatred and a desire for revenge. What followed was a game of cat and mouse ― a battle of wits, full of twists and turns, building to an unforgettable climax. The night ended in violence and death, as one of us was found murdered.

But who am I?

My name is Elliot Chase, and I’m going to tell you a story unlike any you’ve ever heard.

I hadn’t read either of Michaelides’s best-selling and acclaimed previous novels — The Silent Patient and The Maidens — but the premise for this third novel really caught my attention: a reclusive ex-movie star and a few of her famous friends take a spontaneous trip to a private Greek island, and it’s a trip that ends in murder. I dove in pretty much as soon as I received the review copy, and I very much enjoyed the ride.

[Quick note: I read this a while ago, but work and life got in the way, and I kept forgetting to write the review.]

It’s very difficult to review this novel without spoiling some pretty great reveals and twists. The author has said that this novel is, in part, an homage to the crime and mystery authors whose work he grew up loving (including Agatha Christie). It’s unsurprising, therefore, that the novel has the feel of a classic mystery — albeit, one updated for the present and contemporary market. There are unreliable narrators, mysterious agendas, nefarious plots, and an evocative location. Despite the familiar tropes, The Fury is nevertheless a fresh take on the genre.

Michaelides’s novel is told mostly from the perspective of an Elliot Chase, a struggling writer who has become part of movie star Lana Farrar’s orbit. He’s had one hit play produced, but hasn’t really done anything since. He’s a very good protagonist and guide to Lana’s world and life; not because he’s a great person, or a great friend to Farrar. Rather, it’s because he’s quite awful: he’s manipulative, needy, insecure, and so desperate for fame, fortune, and others’ approval — especially Lana’s — that he perceives almost everyone else as a threat or mark. His narcissism is toxic in the extreme, and he works constantly to keep Lana onside, while creating wedges and distance between her and her family and other friends. Michaelides does a very good job of painting a compelling picture of a terrible person, parcelling out details as the novel progresses. (The final chapters are particularly satisfying and interesting, as the author offers some alternative perspectives on events, making this ultimately a satisfying read.) I think the only thing that wasn’t as well-developed or explained was Elliott’s peculiar relationship with his now-deceased benefactor.

The other characters, viewed almost entirely through Elliott’s distorted lens, are also very well-drawn. Despite the sneering or vindictive patina that Elliott’s thoughts convey on them, the reader nevertheless is able to discern something different from the characters’ behaviours (not to mention Elliott’s), which adds another layer to the unfolding mystery.

Tightly-written, solid characterization, and great pacing combine to make this an engaging and satisfying read. Very much recommended to mystery fans.

*

Alex Michaelides’s The Fury is out now, published by Celadon Books in North America and Michael Joseph in the UK.

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Review copy received from publisher