Many thanks to my friends at @celadon for the #gifted copy of this book.  

 

“We are all the unreliable narrators of our own lives.” 

 

Cleverly written and completely addictive.  This is Michaelides at his BEST!

 

Pull up a chair and grab a drink.  Elliot Chase has a yarn to weave.  It’s a tragic tale of Greek proportions about that weekend on a secluded isle with friends where comradery was traded for murder.  

 

Uniquely recounted, Chase talks directly to the reader as though an old, trusted friend.  This gave the read an immersive feel.  He’s chatty, snarky, and witty, which completely dazzled me even in the moments that he totally annoyed me.  

 

The mystery is meticulously balanced between intrigue and fun.  It’s dishy and full of drama with a gripping unraveling of secrets, schemes, and betrayal.  

 

There’s a real cleverness found in this execution.  As Michaelides extricates the motives of each character, the story shifts from the classic whodunnit to a much more intriguing whydunit. 

 

The small nods to his other books totally satisfied.  

 

And then there’s that ending.  THAT ENDING!  It solidified this novel as a favorite.  Chef’s kiss.  👌🏻

 

Smart and engaging from start to finish, Michaelides has mastered the art of the unreliable narrator.      

 

This book made for a great discussion with my friends @thebookend.diner and @stumblingintobooks.  I loved how our interpretations fit together, and that truly heightened the experience.