Elyse Friedman

Framed as a young journalist’s attempt to tell the story of an unspecified traumatic event that had it all: “sex and drugs (not the regular kinds), multiple deaths (untimely, natch), rich folks and rituals and loads o’ lawsuits — even a celebrity cherry on top.” The central figures are a blissed-out busker named Eldrich, a university psychology student named Amy, and John, an artist with almost no scruples who initiates a relationship with Amy but soon realizes that Eldrich has show more more potential for transformation. With John as principle manipulator it isn’t long before Eldrich is presented as a New-Age guru whose following grows and grows. Even if it weren’t flagged on the opening page of the novel, it seems almost inevitable that this was always a disaster waiting to happen.

By rotating through the three principles’ points of view, Friedman gains breadth but loses depth. Even Amy, who probably ought to be the most relatable person, is opaque. And this creates a problem for what the story is ultimately about. It doesn’t seem to really be about these characters. Which makes it therefore seem to be primarily about the looming disaster. But that’s not really such an interesting subject.

Nevertheless, I’m sure Friedman had fun writing the acerbic John and the very odd Eldrich. And some of the minor characters, such as Phil, are endearing. You won’t find this to be the answer to everything, but it may help pass the time until the answer comes along. show less

Alana Shropshire's seventy-six-year-old father, Edward, is a billionaire and a widower. Alana, who lives in Toronto, has long been estranged from him and her brothers, Teddy and Martin. Unlike her siblings, who have money to burn, Alana's lifestyle is the antithesis of lavish. She drives a broken-down SUV and has a part-time job in a shelter for victims of domestic abuse. In addition, she a single mother whose eleven-year-old daughter, Lily, suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy. When show more Edward announces that he plans to marry his young nurse, Kelly McNutt, her brothers hound Alana with frantic text messages, emails, and phone calls. It is obvious to them that Kelly is a gold digger, and they are desperate to enlist their sister's help in getting rid of Ed's bride-to-be.

"The Opportunist," by Elyse Friedman, is a satirical story about cynical people for whom everything has a price tag. Ed is a foolish and amoral old man whose second wife drank herself to death. He is recovering from a stroke and in addition to his nurse, he relies on his solicitous staff to maintain his houses, gardens, and four-deck super-yacht ("a floating luxury hotel"); prepare his meals; and transport him to wherever he wants to go. After leaving Lily with a reliable caregiver, Alana flies to her father's island retreat on the West coast of Canada, where her dysfunctional family is gathered.

This is a clever, darkly humorous, and salacious novel in which nothing is as straightforward as it seems. Martin, Teddy, Alana, and Kelly are engaged in a complicated, high-stakes game. They lie, conspire, and resort to violence to achieve their goals. The conflict between them is not just about who will get the biggest share of Edward's estate. It is also about retribution for misdeeds that go back decades and meting out justice to those who believe they are untouchable. The ending is a humdinger. Kudos to Friedman for writing this well-plotted, intense, and riveting psychological thriller. show less

☆☆☆☆.5
This is my first book by Elyse Friedman and it was a delightful family drama! “The Opportunist” was the second novel this month that made me wish I was relaxing beside a pool so I could fully enjoy these obnoxiously wealthy people fighting over more money than anyone should ever need.

Ed Shropshire is the elderly patriarch, in declining health, who is getting ready to marry his twenty-eight-year-old nurse. Wow…huge age difference and he’s not asking for a prenup! His two show more sons—Martin and Teddy—are livid. Even though they are part of the family business and will still be getting plenty when their billionaire father dies, all they can focus on is part of the family fortune that Kelly will be taking from them.

Martin contacts their sister—Alana—who has been estranged from the family since she left home. She’s a single mother with a disabled daughter and struggles financially. When Martin asks her to help with the matter, she refuses. Eventually, she caves as the bills pile up and Martin sweetens the pot.

Alana returns to the family estate which sits on a private island. This family has everything…a yacht, private jet, high-end everything, and servants to make sure everyone is attended to around the clock.

The intense plot slowly gives us crucial glimpses into the past as it slowly reveals shocking surprises. I was never sure who I could trust. At first, Alana and Kelly seemed to be the only “normal” people but then nothing was as it seemed.

This was a quick and fast-paced story that was filled with so much! The author did a fantastic job of keeping it short and to the point. The audiobook was excellent and I was pleasantly shocked and pleased with the ending! Fantastic summer read!

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Alana has been approached by her brother return home and do something about her father. Alana has not even been in touch with her family in decades. But, her father has decided to marry his very young nurse. Alana’s brothers are having a complete hissy fit. Their inheritance is in jeopardy and they are not going to stand for it.

I usually do not get surprised by much…but this book had a twist that I did not see coming. Yep…it got me! I loved how this author manipulated the reader. And show more this family…they are something else. Greed is a powerful thing!

I am not going to talk about the characters because I might slip and give something away. Just know this is one messed up group of people and you think you know…but you don’t know. I am definitely going to have to read more by this author!

Need a twisted thriller with a surprise ending…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review. show less