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Title details for Unraveling Oliver by Liz Nugent - Available

Unraveling Oliver

A Novel

by Liz Nugent
Sam O'Mahony
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
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1 of 1 copy available
"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 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 façade.

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.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    August 22, 2017

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781508237488
      • File size: 197086 KB
      • Duration: 06:50:35

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      Starred review from June 12, 2017
      The unfathomable motive behind a seemingly unprovoked attack by children’s book author Oliver Ryan on his wife, Alice, drives Irish author Nugent’s outstanding first novel. To most people, the handsome, charismatic Oliver and the plain, shy Alice appeared to have had a decent marriage for more than 20 years. The relationship was enhanced by Alice being the illustrator for Oliver’s world-renowned kids novels. Despite Oliver’s frequent affairs, he was discreet and the couple enjoyed a comfortable life in Dublin. The narrative alternates between those who knew Oliver and Alice at different times. Family members, friends, and acquaintances seek some clue to what caused Oliver’s brutality as Alice languishes in a coma. Even Oliver seems amazed at his actions because he was “fond of her, in my way,” and appreciative that Alice made no demands on him. The tension subtly rises as Oliver’s past unravels, revealing a loveless childhood rooted in religious hypocrisy. Nugent presents a fresh look at a man hiding his violent personality in this intense character study, which won the Irish Book Award’s Crime Novel of the Year. Agent: Marianne Gunn O’Connor, Marianne Gunn O’Connor Creative Agency.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Liz Nugent's debut novel is masterfully crafted to unwrap the mystery of what would compel Oliver, a famous author of children's books, to engage in savagery and deception that climaxes in his final brutal act of beating his wife, Alice, into a coma. Oliver's story is expertly and chillingly narrated by Sam O'Mahony. Each chapter of the book provides the perspective of Oliver himself or an individual who has known him over the years. In sharing their stories, these secondary characters attempt to shed light on Oliver's shocking behavior. The secondary characters are portrayed by a group of outstanding narrators whose voices, accents, and pace embody their personalities. The result is a totally engaging listening experience. E.Q. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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