Unravelling Oliver
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4.2 • 149 Ratings
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- £4.99
Publisher Description
WINNER - IBA Crime Fiction Book of the Year
By the author of the Sunday Times Top 10 bestseller and Richard and Judy Book Club pick, Lying in Wait
'Truly excellent ... strongly recommended' Sophie Hannah
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'I expected more of a reaction the first time I hit her.'
Oliver Ryan is a handsome and charismatic success story.
He lives in the suburbs with his wife, Alice, who illustrates his award-winning children's books and gives him her unstinting devotion. Their life together is one of enviable privilege and ease - enviable until, one evening after supper, Oliver attacks Alice, leaving her fighting for her life.
Everyone around Oliver quickly realises that they didn't know him at all. Only he knows the lengths to which he has gone to get the life he so desired. But even he is in for a shock when the past catches up with him.
A gripping page-turner, Unravelling Oliver is perfect for fans of Erin Kinsley's Found and Shari Lapena's The Couple Next Door.
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'Incredibly brilliant' Marian Keyes
'Compelling, clever and dark ... you'll gobble it up in one go' Heat Magazine
'An ambitiously structured and compelling "whydunnit"' Daily Mail
'The compulsion to continue reading never wanes ... A persistently satisfying read' Sunday Times
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
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.
Customer Reviews
Highly recommend
An excellent story told from various characters points of view that all come together wonderfully
Another great read and something different!
A must read!
I could not put this book down! Excellent throughout.
Really good.
Would definitely recommend.