Look Closer

This edge of your seat mystery recounts the devious events that led to a grisly Halloween murder. Simon Dobias is a Chicago law professor going for tenure. He’s been contentedly, although not especially happily, married to his wife, Vicky, a social worker at Safe Haven, for nearly ten years. He’s also restarted an affair with a beautiful woman from his past after a chance meeting outside of Bloomingdale’s on Michigan Avenue. What begins with matching burner phones and clandestine meetings, ends with a Grim Reaper costume and the brutal murder of Simon’s lover. Whatever else you think you know in this twisty, intricately plotted story is almost 100% likely to be wrong. The story is told by the characters of Simon, who, of course show more is the obvious murder suspect; the equally unscrupulous Vicky; and Sgt. Jane Burke, the Grace Village officer charged with solving the suburb’s first homicide...and at least one surprise narrator. We learn about Simon’s relationship with ill-fated sexy, Lauren Betancourt, the circumstances surrounding her death, and the subsequent criminal investigation. Murder is far from the only crime committed amongst this shady bunch, or even the most recent. The full extent of these devious characters' various schemes and revenge plots is revealed in several clues, carefully scattered throughout the story, which, if you are talented in detecting murders, will lead you to the killer and the discovery of a shocking, if somewhat improbable, conclusion. Don't feel bad if you fail in this endeavor as I bet even seasoned mystery readers won’t be able to predict all of the knots in Simon and Vicky’s tangled web of deception. This is truly a roller-coaster ride loaded with unexpected twists and turns. Good work, Mr. Ellis. show less

Author David Ellis says that Simon Dobias and Vicky Lanier are two of his favorite characters he has ever written. They are sure to be two of readers' all-time favorites, as well.

The book opens on May 13 and an article written by Simon, an associate law professor, has just been quoted in an opinion issued by the U.S. Supreme Court. That is a very big deal indeed, and his friend and fellow professor, Anshu, is attempting to convince him to "dress for success" to enhance his chances of becoming a full professor. Moments later, he is summoned to the dean's office and informed that it would be best if he waits until next year to apply. As he leaves campus, Simon drags his key along the side of the dean's silver Mercedes coupe, leaving "a show more hideous scrape across the driver's-side panel." As he continues walking, he sees Lauren, a woman from his past. He follows her, at a distance, into a condo building and learns that she is married to a wealthy older businessman. With that information, he is able to locate Lauren's Facebook profile and glean more insight into her life. Suddenly, "it's all coming back, washing over me again," Simon explains in the first-person narrative through which Ellis tells Simon's story. "I should forget I saw you. I've put you behind me." But, of course, Simon is not capable of doing that. Simon purchases a journal with a green cover to match his green burner phone in which he writes to Lauren, documenting their first meeting after nineteen years and the details of the affair they launch into. Simon never got over what happened with Lauren so many years ago. Although he loves Vicky and acknowledges that he is a better man with her, theirs is a marriage without the passionate feelings he has for Lauren. Also, Simon longs to have children but Vicky flatly refuses. Soon, Simon is planning to leave Vicky in order to be with Lauren, who is already in the midst of divorce proceedings. In the meantime, with her husband out of town, Simon and Lauren enjoy trysts at her condo and text each other only at agreed-upon times. He uses his green burner phone and she uses the pink one he bought for her.

Simon inherited twenty-one million dollars from his father, who was also an attorney. But the money is held in a trust under the terms of which Simon cannot access the funds for any purpose that would benefit Vicky in any way for a period of ten years following the first day of their marriage. They will celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary on November 3, and on that date the restriction will be lifted only if Simon and Vicky have remained married and neither of them has ever petitioned to dissolve the marriage. So Simon cannot begin divorce proceedings until that date. And on that date, the funds become joint property. Simon is adamant that he and Vicky still care deeply for each other and he wants to share his inheritance with Vicky, although Lauren urges him to take steps to ensure that Simon collects the entire fortune.

Vicky keeps a cop-turned-private-investigator on retainer to ensure that it remains safe to continuing using the identity she assumed when she left home in 2003. The real Vicky Lanier was a seventeen-year-old high school student who went missing from Fairmont, West Virginia, and was never found. She was never fingerprinted or arrested, and never filed a tax return, enrolled in school, opened a bank account or obtained a credit card, received a 1099 or W-2, or established a social media account. Vicky looks enough like the missing girl to be convincing so long as no one checks her fingerprints, which are on file and would reveal her true identity. Vicky, who works as an advocate for victims of domestic violence, met Simon six weeks after her sister's suicide. Simon was facilitating a support group she attended. She was sad and angry, and Simon admits he was drawn to her because he was able to help her. Now, in her first-person account, Vicky describes her meeting with Christian Newsome, a strikingly fit and handsome investment advisor who only works with clients who have a minimum of ten million dollars to invest. He assures Vicky that once the trust assets become community property, she can spend the money without Simon's approval or knowledge. Vicky immediately commences an affair with Christian, who is not really a legitimate investment advisor. In fact, Christian is not his real name. He is a con artist looking for his next big score, as revealed in his first-person narrative.

In alternating chapters, Ellis also details the investigative efforts of Sergeant Jane Burke, a dedicated thirty-seven-year-old detective set on finding the person who murdered Lauren on Halloween while wearing a Grim Reaper costume and specific brand of sneakers.

Or perhaps, with the exception of the details surrounding Lauren's murder and the search for the killer, none of the above is entirely accurate.

Because in Look Closer, nothing is as it initially appears. All of the narrators are wholly unreliable. Ellis skillfully keeps readers guessing as he injects shocking plot developments and unpredictable revelations into his fast-paced, inventive, and superbly clever story. It quickly becomes evident that his characters do not, in all cases, possess accurate information about each other but, rather, are operating on the basis of their own beliefs and assumptions, many of which are erroneous. Even though each of them believes that they are fooling the others. Ellis lets readers in on his characters' secrets as the story proceeds, allowing them to enjoy seeing what the clueless characters will do next, and inspiring feverish reading to see if the characters get tripped up by their misperceptions.

Remarkably, Ellis manages to make both Simon and Vicky so likable that, even as more details are revealed about their respective pasts, motivations, and goals, it is hard not to cheer them on . . . despite the fact that many of their actions are downright despicable. Credit Ellis's ability to invoke empathy for two people with troubled backgrounds who have sustained great losses. In Vicky's case, the tragic loss of her sister continually reverberates in her life and inalterably altered the trajectory of the lives of her two beloved nieces and her sister's widower. Vicky is committed to preventing what happened to her sister from happening to other women and their families. But does that justify her actions? Simon is a Fourth Amendment scholar who truly loves the law and teaching, in large part because of the example set by his mother, who was a trailblazing, brilliant, and fearless litigator. His family history, however, has made him the subject of suspicion, speculation, and gossip. And informs the angry, resentful, and obsessed man he is today. But, as with Vicky, Ellis challenges readers to ponder whether Simon's long-simmering desire for retribution is a morally acceptable motive for his behavior. Ellis says he wanted to write about both justice and revenge. "I tried to hit it all," he recalls. "I couldn't pick, so I decided to throw both in." It was a savvy choice.

Eventually, Ellis reveals the surprising ways in which all four characters -- Simon, Vicky, Lauren, and Christian -- "are tied up with each other" and chronicles Burke's dogged refusal to conclude her investigation until she uncovers the relevant connections between them. But can she muster enough credible evidence to hold anyone accountable for murder? Ellis credits his partnership with Patterson with teaching him the value of the succinct, crisp writing style that propels the story forward at an unrelenting pace. The crackling dialogue is entertaining and revelatory. Ellis deftly uses his characters' conversations and Simon's journal to display their core traits, old grudges, and relationships with each other.

The fun Ellis had writing the book is readily apparent on each page . . . and infectious. Look Closer is a smart, thoroughly engaging, and enjoyable thriller about obsession, revenge, greed, and a ruthless quest for justice. It is one of the best psychological thrillers of 2022.

Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader's Copy of the book. show less

"Look Closer" by David Ellis is a rollercoaster of a thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, earning a solid four-star rating. Simon and Vicky, on the surface, appear to be a typical wealthy Chicago couple with stable careers, but beneath their facade lies a complex web of secrets, deception, and the chilling possibility of murder.

The narrative takes a thrilling turn when the body of a socialite is discovered in a mansion nearby, and the true nature of Simon and Vicky's relationship begins to unravel. Ellis weaves a tale reminiscent of "Gone Girl" and "Strangers on a Train," creating a suspenseful and riveting story that leaves readers questioning everything they thought they knew.

One of the most striking aspects of "Look show more Closer" is the series of unexpected twists that are expertly sprinkled throughout the book. The author's ability to keep readers guessing and continuously deliver unforeseen surprises is nothing short of impressive. As a result, the narrative is a whirlwind of suspense and revelation, causing readers to gasp, ponder, and, in some cases, even need an ambulance for the severe whiplash inflicted by the story's rapid turns.

Ellis's storytelling prowess lies in the fact that the twists are so well-executed that readers are too absorbed in recovering from the last one to predict the next. This skill in misdirection and the element of surprise ensures that the plot maintains its intensity and keeps you engaged until the very end.

While "Look Closer" may not be a deep philosophical tome, it delivers precisely what it promises—a thrilling, mind-bending experience akin to enjoying cotton candy for your brain. It's good, unadulterated fun, perfect for anyone seeking a thrilling escape through the pages of a suspenseful novel.

In conclusion, "Look Closer" is a wild and unpredictable ride that lives up to its promise of keeping readers engaged and intrigued. With its numerous twists and turns, it's a solid choice for those who love a good, heart-pounding thriller. While it may not be a literary masterpiece, it certainly excels at delivering suspense and surprise, earning it a strong four-star rating. show less

This book has so much going on, but in a great way. So many twists and turns, you won't even realize are coming/happening and then suddenly it's turned on it's head. I think the title is perfect actually, because no matter how much you're paying attention, you're not. A couple issues I had were a few things were very predictable, I'm not sure if that was intentional or not, but it felt odd given how well everything else was hidden. Also, some of the scenes felt a little out of place, almost like an editor told the author they needed a way to explain how X got to Z because something was missing; so a scene was squished in somewhere. This only happened a couple of times and I understand how a story with so many spinning plates can forget show more a few minor details, but continuity matters in a story like this. I do really like this author and the way he thinks so I will absolutely check out more. show less

HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY! (July 5, 2022)

4.5⭐️

Look Closer by David Ellis revolves around Simon Dobias and Vicky Lanier Dobias, a married couple who have been together for almost ten years - the husband, an associate professor in law aspiring for a tenured position and his wife who works with victims of domestic abuse- respectable people, comfortably well-to-do and about to come into a lot more money from a trust fund after their 10th anniversary. Their marriage might not be perfect- a fact that they both acknowledge but they seem to be okay with the status quo. Or are they? When Lauren Betancourt, a wealthy woman with links to Simon is found hanging in her home you begin to question whether Simon is truly the respectable law professor show more he appears to be or if he is hiding a more diabolical side to him. Is Vicky aware of her husband’s true nature? Everything is not as it seems – both Simon and Vicky have secrets – the kind that they would do anything to protect.

When I started with the novel, it seemed formulaic- unhappy couple, infidelity, murder, multiple PoVs and rambling journal entries leading to what I presumed would be a predictable ending! I WAS WRONG! Describing these characters and their dynamics as complicated would be a gross understatement. A plethora of twists and turns, revelation upon revelation with past and present grudges, betrayals and manipulation and a cast of shady supporting characters with hidden agendas of their own make for an absorbing read. Who is the real victim here? Who is guilty or rather guiltier? Who is conning whom and who is complicit? I felt only sympathy for the investigators who were assigned to solve the case and were taken on a wild ride in the process! Saying anything more is impossible without giving away too much. However, this is a lengthy novel that could have been more concise and it took a while to gain momentum (approximately the 25 % mark for me) but once I was engaged I found it hard to put down. Gripping and suspenseful, this is a smartly crafted thriller that I would not hesitate to recommend. This is my first David Ellis novel and I look forward to reading more of his work.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for a digital review copy of this riveting novel in exchange for my honest review. show less

This book made my jaw drop. If I could have started a slow clap at the end of it, I would have. I will say that I sort of guessed one big twist, but once it began to unfold it was even deeper than I could have guessed. The characters felt real, as in I felt like I knew them, until I didn’t.

I've read and enjoyed previous books by David Ellis - but I have to say that his latest - Look Closer - is my favorite.

From the publisher's description: "Simon and Vicky couldn’t seem more normal: a wealthy Chicago couple, he a respected law professor, she an advocate for domestic violence victims. A stable, if unexciting marriage. But one thing’s for sure … absolutely nothing is what it seems."

The plotting of Look Closer is so very, very clever. Simon and Vicky each have their own agendas and their bottom lines seem be punctuated by dollar signs. There are many other characters in the mix as well who are also looking for a payout. Look Closer is told by many voices. With each new chapter I could take that information and predict show more how things would playout. Uh huh...wrong. I was surprised so many times with as each new turn took things in another direction. And yes, there are twists. I love being unable to figure out how things are going to play out.

And that's where I'm gonna leave - you need to discover this tale without spoilers. Four hundred and sixty four pages of absolutely addictive reading. An easy five stars and definitely recommended. show less