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Unraveling Oliver
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
In this compelling, clever, and dark (Heat magazine) thriller, a man s shocking act of savagery stuns a local community and the revelations that follow will keep you gripped until the very last page. This work of psychological suspense, a #1 bestseller in Ireland, is perfect for fans of Patricia Highsmith and Ruth Ware. I expected more of a reaction the first time I hit her. So begins Liz Nugent s astonishing debut novel a chilling, elegantly crafted, and psychologically astute exploration of the nature of evil. Oliver Ryan, handsome, charismatic, and successful, has long been married to his devoted wife, Alice. Together they write and illustrate award-winning children s books; their life together one of enviable privilege and ease until, one evening after a delightful dinner, Oliver delivers a blow to Alice that renders her unconscious, and subsequently beats her into a coma. In the aftermath of such an unthinkable event, as Alice hovers between life and death, the couple s friends, neighbors, and acquaintances try to understand what could have driven Oliver to commit such a horrific act. As his story unfolds, layers are peeled away to reveal a life of shame, envy, deception, and masterful manipulation. With its alternating points of view and deft prose, Unraveling Oliver is a page-turning, one-sitting read from a brand new master of psychological suspense (Sunday Independent) that details how an ordinary man can transform into a sociopath."
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review
BookMaven9
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ What a great title! Unraveling Oliver is just that. It starts off with Oliver and his wife, Alice, in the throes of an argument where he beats her u conscience. After that we get go back to the beginning of Oliver. We get each persons POV of Oliver through the years as well as narration by Oliver to understand the makings of a sociopath.

I loved the lead up to how it all unfolds or unravels

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CBee
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Thank you, Amy - always so sweet of you to think of me 💚😘 @AmyG Can‘t wait to read this!

AmyG That was fast! I think you‘ll like this one. Let me know. Hope you are feeling better! (edited) 5mo
CBee @AmyG I am! It isn‘t too painful thank goodness. 5mo
CBee @AmyG I‘m almost done with this and it‘s SO good. I want to read her other books now. 5mo
See All 7 Comments
AmyG I have another of her books-forgot which one. Glad you liked this, too!!! 5mo
CBee @AmyG thanks for sending it to me ❤️ 5mo
AmyG I will read the second book and if it‘s good I will pass that on. 5mo
CBee @AmyG ❤️ 5mo
54 likes1 stack add7 comments
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Lesliereadsalot
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Pickpick

This one‘s a gripper. Why did a famous children‘s author beat his wife to within an inch of her life? Who is he and what led him to this heinous act? He‘s one of the narrators along with many others who crossed paths with him throughout his life. So many interesting characters and a fast read.

AmyG Agreed! I really liked this one. Very entertaining. 6mo
Cathythoughts I enjoyed it too. She writes a good thriller 👍🏻 5mo
8 likes2 comments
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AmyG
Unravelling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Wonderful psychological thriller. Oliver beats his wife enough to cause brain damage. The book tells the story of Oliver and what brought him to this moment.

@CBee #TBRTarot

CBee Ooo. Sounds right up my alley 😱 6mo
Lesliereadsalot Already picked this up! 6mo
AmyG @Lesliereads So good. Enjoy! 6mo
62 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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AmyG
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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I found one! @CBee #TBRTarot

CBee Eek! That‘s great! I think I found one too, it‘s for “mom” but it counts! 6mo
AmyG @CBee Mom….It counts. I was shocked when mine said Mum. 🤣 (edited) 6mo
43 likes2 comments
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Cathythoughts
Unravelling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Pickpick

This is my third Liz Nugent. I think between a pick and a so-so. I nearly bailed, but she keeps you wondering about Oliver. The first page is awful.
I agree with other reviews that it is a good book to pass the time, but not memorable. Still , despite her horrible characters, I really enjoy her books as easy reads. I‘ve pre-ordered her new one. My favourite so far was Lying In Wait.

LeahBergen Easy reads are always needed. 😄 1y
Cathythoughts @LeahBergen Aren‘t they just !! ❤️ give the mind a rest. 1y
BarbaraBB I agree, an okay read but not memorable 1y
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Cathythoughts @BarbaraBB Yes ! But I keep going back for more 🤷🏼‍♀️ 1y
LeahBergen I‘ve sent you a little Christmas book from Book Depository. I thought I‘d warn you in case you didn‘t want to open it early. 😉 1y
Cathythoughts @LeahBergen Thanks Leah X that‘s lovely. I have also sent you a book from BD ♥️ 1y
LeahBergen Aww, that‘s lovely. Thank you! 😘😘 1y
66 likes7 comments
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Simona
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Pickpick

Oliver is successful writer of children‘s books, and his story begins with the end - aggressive outburst. Through different peoples from his past we slowly start to unraveling what Oliver hides and why is he an insensitive jerk. Good for passing the time, or - when you can‘t decide what to read next …

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Simona
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Very intriguing beginning 🤨 #FirstLineFridays

BarbaraBB What you say 😱 2y
rockpools Huh. That‘s some start. 2y
36 likes2 comments
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maich
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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#WindsofMarch #treeoncover #clouds
@Eggs

I received this book in Litsy swap and still haven't read it🙈
You can see in background that we have cloudy and windy week. 🌥

#unravellingoliver #liznugent #cloudy #thriller #paperback #tbr #march #litsyfun

Eggs Double play❣️ ❤️☁️ 🌳 💙 3y
maich @Eggs yes😊 3y
33 likes2 comments
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vlwelser
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Pickpick

This is pretty creepy. You know from the beginning who the bad guy is but the story delves into how truly bad he really is.

#BookSpinBingo square 6 and officially giving up on October
@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
35 likes1 comment
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KaylaD
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Pickpick

Dollar Tree for the win!! Who would of thought that they would actually have good books!! Best dollar I‘ve spent in a while!! #pageturner #happyreading

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Soubhiville
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Pickpick

Wow! I was expecting a thriller, but the title perfectly describes this book: we hear about Oliver from people who knew him throughout his life, as well as his own point of view, and those tellings reveal a bit at a time the events that may have brought him to the point we find him at the beginning of the book.

I really liked this, much more than I thought I would. Although it is dark and sad, some of the characters are remarkable.

MyNamesParadise This was on my tbr list a while ago but had lost track of it. I‘ll have to put it back on! 4y
68 likes1 comment
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BarbaraBB
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Mehso-so

An engaging read about a man in #Ireland who beats his wife into a coma and how it came to this. A story about his dark past. A book to be forgotten before the end of the weekend probably. But good enough in times of Corona.

#ReadingEurope2020 🇮🇪

saresmoore What a lovely space! 4y
Librarybelle Such a gorgeous photo! 4y
batsy Agreed, beautiful space you have there 😍 4y
See All 6 Comments
Redwritinghood That back wall is gorgeous 4y
BarbaraBB @saresmoore @Librarybelle @batsy @Redwritinghood Thank you ladies, I make the most of home these days 😀 4y
ValerieAndBooks Love your decor 😍! 4y
68 likes6 comments
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abookishbutterfly
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Pickpick

Unraveling Oliver is captivatingly dark with an uncommon plot. All of the characters were interesting to analyze and the tale of what Oliver did to Alice is a haunting one. I‘d definitely recommend this to anyone who appreciates the study of human behavior.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3279582754

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Laughterhp
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Pickpick

Decided to pick up a mystery to keep me engaged and it was set in Ireland. So this is how I celebrated St Patty‘s Day! 🍀

Oliver beats his wife into a coma in the first chapter. You then hear his history from him and people who knew him and Alice. It was interesting reading a mystery where you knew who did it and how. And you are trying to determine why. But does it really matter why?

The story kept me very engaged and some was shocking.

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Laughterhp
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Here‘s a quote from page 14. Not a lot of interesting quotes on this page. I‘m currently only 46 pages in.

#IsolationInteractions

TheKidUpstairs I like it! It intrigues me enough to stack it, thanks for playing! 4y
marleed As a motherless daughter essentially raised by nuns, I get this ;) 4y
CarolynM I think that's a great quote! "Shaken the nun out of her"! ??? 4y
See All 6 Comments
CarolynM Oops, just realised I missed reading the final "e". Still funny, but maybe not quite so much. 4y
Laughterhp @CarolynM It‘s supposed to be her. 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ I mistyped it and was too lazy to fix it. I didn‘t realize it was wrong until after I posted it. 4y
CarolynM Glad I'm not the only one who does things like that😉 4y
51 likes6 comments
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AudiobookingWithLeah
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Pickpick

MY RATING⇢ 4.7 STARS | GRADE A
FEATURING⇢
Character Study
Psychological
Thrillingly Twisted & Twisty
Ireland
Full Cast Narration*
Oliver is a monster...the opening line is in reference to him hitting his wife so brutally, she's in a coma. This is the story of how Oliver came to be who he is, and the people who shaped him and even some who were shaped by him. It is, essentially the unraveling of Oliver...

9 likes1 comment
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LittleMummyMe
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Pickpick

This book was clever, dark and sad...Oliver certainly is a disturbed character.

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LittleMummyMe
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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What a start to a book! 😳😳😳

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Arvena
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Pickpick

Interesting character dissection like peeling an onion. Perfect title!
A quick and engaging read.
My only disappointment was the ending...

MyNamesParadise I‘ve looked at this one in the past but never picked it up. 4y
12 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Samplergal
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Pickpick

Great story! It‘s a quick read and will keep your interest.

JennyM I thought this was cleverly done. And great on audio! 5y
78 likes1 comment
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Samplergal
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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My walking audiobook for the weekend.

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TheBookkeepersApprentice
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Ready for @DeweysReadathon tomorrow, can‘t wait! #deweys24hourreadathon

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tammysue
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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#FooledYou👌🏻

Oliver is successful, writes children‘s books and is longtime married to his wife who illustrates them. Underneath the facade he‘s a master manipulator who fooled everyone.

#SpringIntoReading
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @vkois88

JennyM Great pick....and a great book! 5y
tammysue @JennyM Thanks Jenny! 💛 5y
53 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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SilversReviews
Unravelling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Upon recommendations by friends, I downloaded the audio version of this book by Liz Nugent from the Libby app. 😍

TorieStorieS This one in on my nightstand!! 6y
tammysue I really liked it! 👍🏻 6y
SilversReviews @whatshesreadingnow 😊Thanks for letting me know. 6y
52 likes4 comments
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suzanne.literarylife
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Pickpick

Love this psychological thriller about a loving husband who suddenly beats his wife to near death, and the multiple perspectives that finally help us know the characters and understand what happened. See my review at https://youtu.be/nA2HsSTuMGo
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#literarylife #bookreview #books #thriller #psychologicalthriller #unravelingoliver #liznugent #bookworm #bookwormreading #bookish #booklover #booknerd #booktoread #thrillerbook #thrillerbooks

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JennyM
Unravelling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Pickpick

We meet Oliver after he‘s just beaten his wife unconscious. However, rather being brought on the usual thriller ride, we are taken back through Oliver‘s past to understand, in part, how he came to be. The writing was insightful and, essentially, it was psychological profiling at its best. The audio was also really good, with a cast of gorgeous Irish narrators. And bonus, it was quick at a little under 7 hours.

Cinfhen I‘m curious about this book and her other book 6y
Cinfhen I‘m just so weary of thrillers recently 6y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled @Cinfhen Lying in Wait is good too! 6y
Cinfhen Oh good!! Thanks for the feedback @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled it‘s been on my radar for a few months!!! 6y
65 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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suzanne.literarylife
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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review
tammysue
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Pickpick

“I expected more of a reaction the 1st time I hit her”

By all accounts Oliver is handsome + successful w/a loving wife.
The perfect man?
Hell NO. The perfect monster is right.. Oliver is what nightmares are made of.
Like peeling an onion his destructive behaviors are unraveled with each person he encounters. As the story advances you see further into his shallowness, arrogance + bigotry.
Kudos to Nugent for this clever dark disturbing story! 4☆

robinb What a line!!! 😳😳😱😱 Sounds like Oliver is definitely twisted! Is that the opening line?! 6y
tammysue @robinb Yes it is.. he‘s something else Robin!! Think along the lines of sociopath lol! 6y
robinb @whatshesreadingnow that‘s exactly what I was thinking....evil! 😱😱😱 6y
90 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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JennyM
Unravelling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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16 | #ABBAInAugust

Starting #AsGoodAsNew audio today 🎧

Cinfhen Keep us posted... 6y
Cathythoughts Will be interested to hear your thoughts.. I‘m finding it hard to get a good audio these days 6y
JennyM @Cathythoughts @Cinfhen it‘s good so far, not your usual psychological thriller. And the narrators are Irish, with beautiful accents, just like yourself I‘m sure Cathy ☘️ 6y
See All 6 Comments
Mdargusch I‘m anxious to see how you like this! 6y
emilyhaldi 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 6y
Reviewsbylola Sounds like a good one! 6y
58 likes3 stack adds6 comments
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SassyPants617
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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I‘ve been waiting to grab this from the library. It also helps me with my #LitsyAtoZ reading challenge. I‘m getting close!

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JennyM
Unravelling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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1 | #HeatOfJuly

In this debut, Nugent slowly (#Despacito 😉) and carefully takes the reader back to the start of Oliver‘s childhood and uses alternating perspectives to provide 360 degree insight into the development of his sociopathy.

It‘s been on my TBR for too long and, with rave reviews, I must bump this up.

BarbaraBB Smart pick! This sounds like a good read. Thanks for joining 😘 6y
JennyM @BarbaraBB thanks for organising😘 6y
54 likes1 stack add2 comments
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literarilythrilling
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Used book store successes!

tammysue Great haul! 🙌🏻 ❤️ all bottom three, have not read Unraveling Oliver yet. 6y
literarilythrilling @whatshesreadingnow Oh good to know! I'm excited to read them all! 6y
10 likes2 comments
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ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Pickpick

Best first line ever: “I expected more of a reaction the first time I hit her.”
Oliver has just assaulted his wife, Alice. This book is told from multiple POVs to explain Oliver. He‘s rarely a sympathetic character, and the backstory leading up to this first line is a wild ride. Highly recommended - this is a fast page-turner.

53 likes2 stack adds
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GloVerdino
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Book mail!!

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cinann
Unravelling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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It's very hard to read the books you already own when you work at the library and you see books that you really want to read.

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GloVerdino
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Yay! I love winning things! Has anyone read this one?

JoScho I haven‘t read it but yay!!! 6y
Laughterhp Congrats! I‘m so jealous! I entered this giveaway too! I haven‘t read it, but it‘s on my TBR. 6y
GloVerdino @JoScho @Laughterhp thanks! I'll let you know how it is!😉 6y
See All 6 Comments
Valink Nice! Was this a Goodreads giveaway? 6y
GloVerdino @Valink yea, my second one already! 6y
Valink @GloVerdino I won one a few years ago. I clearly don‘t enter enough! 6y
12 likes6 comments
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Chocamanda
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Pickpick

This story is told in 1st person through many perspectives. While the 1st person is rife with potential for unreliability, there are two kinds in this book: unreliability due to personality defect, and due to access to false information. Oliver is the former, who begins his life as pitiable, but grows to be a parasitic adult. By contrast, Eugene, who is developmentally disabled, can only evaluate his circumstances based on his limited scope.

Chocamanda There's so much more I want to say about this but I can't fit within the character limit! Read the book! It's a great psychological thriller 🤓 6y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Just started this - Im loving it! 6y
20 likes2 comments
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Chocamanda
Unravelling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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I'm starting this audiobook today in honor of meeting Liz Nugent yesterday at #baybookfest . I also got a signed copy of Unravelling Oliver 🤗. Liz Nugent is a very intelligent and warm person, and also shares my love of a chillingly ambiguous ending to a good thriller. I'm going back to the festival today where I hope to meet the amazing and wonderful Joyce Carol Oates! I think I'm on a confidence high after meeting Nigella Lawson last week 😂

23 likes1 stack add
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Myhusbandhatesreading
Unravelling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Pickpick

Just finished this one on our ride home from a wonderful, relaxing weekend. Good book. The life of Oliver, told in several different people‘s perspectives. What an unlikeable character!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

HOTPock3tt Nice review! Love your litsy handle btw! 🤣 6y
54 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Myhusbandhatesreading
Unravelling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Next...

monkeygirlsmama I enjoyed this one. 6y
Alfoster Me too.!😍 6y
62 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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Samplergal
Unravelling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Have any of you read this one? It looks good but the budget has room for one last book. Is this one for buying or borrowing?

Lovesbooks87 I read it, it was okay. I would borrow it. 6y
Alfoster I liked it!😍 6y
72 likes4 stack adds3 comments
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Oryx
Unravelling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Recommended read on today's daily audible deal.

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FeedTheCrime
Unravelling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Pickpick

Such a clever and addictive thriller. I could not put this book down! Learning about Oliver from the perception of those he has come into contact with throughout his life, is such an original and interesting concept. The only negative I have is that the book was not longer.

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lostintherain
Unravelling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Pickpick

Reading Unraveling Oliver reminded me of watching a true crime episode on television where they interview a variety of people in order for you to get a sense of who the offender was. It‘s not a “who done it” but a “WHY-Done-It”. Full review on my blog.
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https://www.lostintherain.com/2018/02/book-review-unraveling-oliver-by-liz-nugen...

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Carolefort
Unravelling Oliver | Liz Nugent
Pickpick

The story begins with Oliver Ryan, a best-selling children's author, violently beating his wife. From that point on, the novel goes back in time. Unraveling Oliver peels back the layers of Oliver's life, leading up to the domestic violence, revealing how his life brought him to sink to such a level. I highly recommend this book, especially if you like reading psychological suspense. There is much to enjoy here. A captivating read.

Cinfhen I'm loving your reviews!!! 6y
13 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Lovesbooks87
Unraveling Oliver | Liz Nugent
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Mehso-so

This book was okay. I felt like it gave way to much of a background story and didn't focus on the main issue that started the book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

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GirlWellRead
Unravelling Oliver | Liz Nugent
Mehso-so

Nugent has a fresh approach to this genre—there is no question of whodunit, and there is no doubt as to what the crime was. Instead she takes the reader on a ride to figure out what could have driven someone to commit such a horrific act. For a debut, this is a solid effort, and I can't wait to see what Nugent writes next.