Review of "The Fury: A Murder Mystery" by Alex Michaelides

This murder mystery reads like an homage to Agatha Christie, from which it borrows classic suspense tropes. The story is narrated by fortyish Elliot Chase, a playwright who revels in his friendship with the rich and famous, especially Lana Farrar and Kate Crosby.



⭐️ Lana Farrar is a stunning retired movie star who made scores of movies - romantic comedies, thrillers, and tragedies - and is still recognized wherever she goes.



Lana's career was largely crafted by her first husband, producer Otto Krantz. Otto was a controlling man, and oversaw every aspect of Lana's life. This became oppressive after a time.
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Lana retired after Otto died, and devoted herself to their now teenage son Leo.



Lana's current husband is handsome Jason Miller, a businessman who fancies himself a hunter, and has a collection of guns.





⭐️ Kate Crosby is a beautiful stage actress who grew up in London, but is currently working in the states. Kate is very talented, but also temperamental and hard to direct. Unlike Lana, Kate smokes and drinks constantly, and tends to be larger-than-life with a restless energy.



Though they have opposite personalities - and Lana met her husband Jason when he was dating Kate - the women are still best friends.



Narrator Elliot Chase admits he's something of an unreliable narrator, but he tells us (truthfully) that he had a traumatic childhood, and lived with an older woman, a playwright named Barbara West, for many years.

Elliot's first play, based on his life with Barbara, was a huge success, and propelled him into the world of celebrities like Kate and Lana.



The crux of the story occurs on a tiny Greek island called Aura, a wedding gift to Lana from her first husband Otto. Lana arranges for an Easter weekend party on Aura, which is twenty minutes from Mykonos by boat.



Lana, Jason, Leo, Kate, and Elliot all go to Aura for Easter weekend.

Also present are two employees: Lana's long-time nanny, cook, and housekeeper Agathi.....



.....and Nikos, Aura's caretaker, who looks after the island's house and grounds.



During the Easter weekend, the guests dine, drink, swim, take walks, argue, and spend an evening in a restaurant on Mykonos, which is described as the stuff of picture postcards: Blue-and-white fishing boats, tangled nets like balls of wool; the sound of wood creaking on water; and the thin smell of gasoline on the sea breeze.



Mykonos's bustling waterfront cafés are packed; there are the sounds of chatter and laughter; and there's a strong aroma of sludgy Greek coffee and deep-fried squid.





In typical Agatha Christie style, there's a shooting on Aura, but high winds delay the arrival of the police, who can't get a boat across from Mykonos. As the guests and employees wait for the authorities, there's action, drama, and surprising revelations.



That's all I can say without spoilers, except to note that armchair detectives who like to follow the clues and identify the perpetrator will get a run for their money.

Recommended to fans of twisty mysteries.

Rating: 3.5 stars