Unraveling Oliver: A Novel

Written by Liz Nugent

Narrated by Sam O’Mahony

“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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Aug 22, 2017
• ISBN: 9781508237488

Liz Nugent

Liz Nugent has worked in Irish film, theater, and television for most of her adult life. She is an award-winning writer of radio and television drama and has written critically acclaimed short stories both for children and adults, as well as the bestselling novels Unraveling Oliver, Lying in Wait, and Little Cruelties. She lives in Dublin and has won four Irish Book Awards, as well as the James Joyce Medal for Literature. Visit her at LizNugent.com or follow her on Twitter at @LizzieNugent.

Reviews for Unraveling Oliver

[Kailynn O’Brien · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interesting storyline and plot. Kept me guessing. Quick & easy listen. Not my favorite from this author but entertaining enough for me. I enjoyed the narrators.

[Mikala · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book had me laughing and crying. The weaving stories were so well crafted! I just wish there was more to read! I want to know what happened next.

[Shaelyn P · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

wow just finished this in 6 hrs excellent book!! I liked the idea of a "whydunnit" instead of the typical and often predictable mystery of who the bad guy is. The narration was excellent although I did speed mine up to 1.5 as it was a bit slow for me. DEFINITELY WORTH A LISTEN!!

[Monique Edwards · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Good story. Too many characters. But good nonetheless. The unraveling off his tale was good nonetheless.

[GMunro · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a dark, layered, excellently written story. This would be a great book for a book club discussion. Many elements remained in my thoughts after I finished and kept swirling around asking: what does it mean to be good?

[janice pybas · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very interesting twists on the cruelty and suffering of the human spirit.

[Lynne Jonsson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was totally immersed in this book from the beginning to the end, which I wish didn’t come as I so enjoyed the book.
I never saw the twist coming although it was integral to the story and left me feeling the weight of the times and Wow!

[Joyce · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was an exceptional story of human frailty, misunderstandings and the fruit of living a life of unexplained cruelty. Thought it deserved6 stars!

[Frances watson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved this book.. Very good story. And narration was very good

[Kasey Hopkins · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book and narration! I finished it in a day.

[StephAlexandra01 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Interesting read. Audiobook was nice, too
I enjoyed the different points of view and voices in the audiobook.

[michelle · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Too many point of views as characters for me. It was almost hard to keep up with who’s who in the story. Interesting concept though. I guess I hoped for something more.

[Darcie Johnson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I knew there was a killing, but had to keep listening to see who got killed. Lots of clues, and twists that kept me intrigued until the end.