“Searing, searching, finally scorching. Think Making a Murderer via Patricia Highsmith: an elegant kaleidoscope novel that refines and combines multiple perspectives until its subject is brought into indelible, tragic focus.” –A. J. Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in the Window “Pitch-black and superbly written.” –Ruth Ware, New York Times bestselling author of The Woman … New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in Cabin 10
“Top-notch grip lit…incredibly brilliant.” –Marian Keyes, New York Times bestselling author
Oliver Ryan has the perfect life. Elegant and seductive, he wants for nothing, sharing a lovely home with his steadfast wife, Alice, who illustrates the award-winning children’s books that have brought him wealth and fame. Until one evening, after eating the dinner Alice has carefully prepared, Oliver savagely assaults her and leaves her for dead.
But why?
The people who know Oliver can only speculate about the reasons behind his brutal act: his empty-headed mistress Moya, vain and petulant; Veronique, the French chatelaine who tragically lost everything the summer she employed him in her vineyard; Alice’s friend Barney, who has nursed an unrequited love for her since childhood; Oliver’s college pal Michael, struggling with voiceless longings that have shamed him for years. What none of them understands is the dark secret that lies behind his immaculate facade.
The revelations that come to light as the layers of Oliver’s past are peeled away are as brutal as his singular act of violence. His decades of careful deception have masked a life irrevocably marked by abandonment, envy, and shame–and as the details of that life are laid bare, Oliver discovers that outrunning his demons is harder than it looks.
With its insight into the mind of a psychopath emerging from the wreckage of his own misbegotten past, Unraveling Oliver is a chilling page-turner, brilliantly crafted and unexpectedly moving, by a stunning new voice in fiction. Liz Nugent “presents a fresh look at a man hiding his violent personality in this intense character study” (Publishers Weekly, starred review). As powerful as Patricia Highsmith’s unforgettable noir classic, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Unraveling Oliver will enthrall you from its mesmerizing opening line to its equally shocking last page.more
Described as a whydunnit rather than a whodunnit, Unraveling Oliver is an intricately woven story of a man who apparently has everything. Or does he? Highly suspenseful and told from the perspectives of the injured parties, it is the tragic story of a fractured mind. Some of the reviews indicate that readers found the alternating points of view hard to get to grips with, but I love this style. If a book doesn’t have that extra layer it can fall flat for me and I end up distracted and looking for food. This story intrigued me and after the last page, the plot was thick enough to stick for at least a week. Highly recommended.
I had a similar experience.
Easy and quick read of a sociopath through the lens of the people around him and the wake of destruction and despair left behind. Not the best treatment on the subject.
I liked this book
UNRAVELLING OLIVER is a disturbing psychological study of a truly horrible man. However, the book draws you into his twisted world to the extent you don’t care about, or notice, the occasional plot hole and some odd coincidences that pop up.
The story is told from the viewpoint of Oliver and several people who knew him – or thought they did. Even though this leads to some repetition in the narrative, each person speaks with a distinct voice. The only “faint” character is Alice, Oliver’s wife. I felt I didn’t get to know her.
This is a gripping read, but beware, as Oliver’s past is unravelled, you may become quite distraught when you realise you feel some sympathy for him.
Liz Nugent is great. I intend to read all her books.
This was a great read. The way the story is constructed held my interest and offered moments of unanticipated plot twists.
This book is entirely too detailed in its development of the characters. I was halfway through the book and after having skipped pages and pages of minute yet unimportant details, I still felt I was being “introduced” to the characters. When there’s no story line halfway through the book I’m not interested in finishing it.
An interesting study of the impact a true sociopath has on those that dare to have a relationship with him.
While I liked this book, I really did not like Oliver. I realize his childhood wasn’t easy, but he just was not a likable character. That having been said, maybe we truly were meant not to like him.
Enjoyed fresh approach
Very easy to read. Different from the usual fiction- good writing
You can stop wondering how a sociopath thinks after reading Oliver’s narrative parts of this novel.
Some really great characters in this story who truly come alive without much need for your own imagination. The characters really “step out” of the book. I really enjoyed this story.
I enjoyed this book immensely. Oliver is a character you won’t soon forget.
This book was different. I felt sorry for Oliver in a lot of ways. He inflicted a LOT of damage wherever he went, but mostly it was unintentional and a byproduct of his upbringing. I enjoyed it.
A good read and something a little different from the usual. Even though there was evidence of a traumatic childhood, the despicable Oliver still doesn’t get much sympathy.
Authors, when speaking about another author’s work in a blurb, simply cannot be trusted. This is a nice book. The language flows and the story is well told, but it is not a page-turner nor anything like “making a murderer” as one wit allowed in an incoherent outburst of hyperbole.
What it is though, remains worthy of a read. Ms. Nugent tells the tale of a disintegrating relationship – the reason behind the destructive behavior is a very lovely little twist. It put me in mind of a Black Mirror episode in which blocking devices had been developed to ward off those within one’s life too emotionally draining to deal with.
It’s a quick read, all the better as no one really comes off very well.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading and trying to guess how it will all end.
Definitely not uplifting but full of twists and turns, very thought-provoking. Excellently written
A bizarre whydunit.