Amazon.ca:Customer reviews: The Club: A Novel

Reviewed in Canada on May 15, 2022

I love a good thriller, and this one checked all the boxes...murders, nefarious celebrities, an exotic location. And everyone has a motive. Highly enjoyable summer read!

One person found this helpful

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Chris MacKechnie

The rich are different from you and me

Reviewed in Canada on August 13, 2022

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As a member of Soho House, which was obviously the inspiration for Home, (albeit much more downscale), I found this book fascinating. Great story, interesting characters and a mystery that unfolds slowly.

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The Cookster @ Reviewer ranking #42

Cleverly constructed mystery ... but a touch overwritten.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 4, 2022

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Rating: 3.4/5

I was very impressed by Ellery Lloyd's debut novel, "People Like Her" and there is also a lot to like about the second book that the husband-and-wife writing partnership has produced. This time around the pair have produced another contemporary thriller, but on this occasion it is set in the glitzy, glamourous and exclusive world of a celebrity club rather than that of online "influencers".

The narrative is provided from the viewpoints of a number of key protagonists, plus an additional perspective in the form of an article in "Vanity Fair" that appears at the end of each chapter. Events unfold across two timeframes, which is quite neatly handled: The "Vanity Fair" piece provides a retrospective report on events surrounding the opening of the latest addition to "The Home Group" portfolio, the "Island Home" club. The accounts from the other characters relate events as they were happening at the time of that same opening. As we gradually learn more about each of the narrators and the high profile members of "The Home Club" it soon becomes apparent that nobody is quite as they would appear and everybody has something to hide.

Like their previous thriller, "The Club" is a cleverly constructed mystery with plot lines that have been well thought through. The characterisation is also appealing and the two writers once again make a good fist of delivering authentic differentiation between the protagonists. Seeing the portrayals of the various world famous stars is great fun and also allows the reader to play their own game, guessing which real life celebrities may have provided the inspiration for these fictional creations.

All of that said, on the whole, I didn't think this consistently matched the overall quality of Ellery Lloyd's debut. It could have - and probably should have. The ingredients are all there to make this a top notch mystery thriller, but certain sections struck me as a touch overwritten and this, in turn, had an adverse effect on the pace of the novel. Nonetheless, this is still an enjoyable mystery and well worth adding to your reading list.

6 people found this helpful

aekwright

Had to finish - but for all the wrong reasons

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 2, 2022

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Once I started this book I had to finish it, but for all the wrong reasons. I needed to see if it got better and "who dunnit". The plot was weak and poorly written with predictable high drama amongst the and famous. The characters were almost stolen and thinly veiled versions of stars of recent years. Dead bodies were piling up all over the place in this far fetched and disappointing read. I recommend you skip this one and fine another book club read.

7 people found this helpful

Womanoftheweald

PRIVATE MEMBERS

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 14, 2022

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A knowing look into the world of the much vaunted private members clubs , those trendy city hangouts and country house haunts of celebrities and one percenters. An Agatha Christie for the social media age. Enjoy

6 people found this helpful

kaila shepherd

A Murder Mystery Unlike Others

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 25, 2022

Verified Purchase

I happened to purchase this book because I had finished mum last read and needed another one for my daily boat journey. I had seen that it was a Reese Witherspoon book pick and though "Reese seems to know what's good, let's give it a shot". I am so glad I did! From the first page of the prologue, I knew that this going to be good. Not only are you trying to figure out who does and why, you are trying to piece together character relationships, motives, and even trying to guess which characters are loosely based on celebrities that we know and love (Captain Aquatic... And Ron Kox). An interesting concept for a book and I would recommend people read it and read it quickly.

If this is ever made into a film (Reese, I know you love trying your hand at adaptations!), can Kurt please be played by Timothee Chalamet!? It just works in my mind.

One person found this helpful

Malcolm R

Sinks into the mud off Essex

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 25, 2022

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Hallo! magazine does murder mystery or rather murder explanation; explanation of everything until - quickly - tediousness sets in. You do not know who has been killed until over three quarters of the book have elapsed which is why I kept reading it, more explanation follows and yet more after retribution has its day. Almost every chapter ends with a “tah dah” as the credits roll or this adverts intrude. Light as a feather so at best holiday reading leaving the book behind you won’t worry about the absurdity of an ultra exclusive hotel on the Essex marshes or the plot holes. Otherwise don’t bother.

One person found this helpful

LJBentley

Beach Read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 7, 2022

Verified Purchase

The Club by Ellory Lloyd is the story of what it is like to be famous. The good part – parties, celebrity friends, exclusive freebies and also the seedy underbelly where every move you make is watched, scrutinised and used to bring you down.

It is a fast paced thriller with mulitiple threads to the story which is both the story’s credit and detriment. The detriment because at times I fiound myself a bit lost with the characters and didn’t feel that they were fully fleshed out enough for me to discern who was who but to its credit I did struggle to guess who had caused the crimes.

For me, The Club by Ellory Lloyd is a story of two halves – there are great aspects to it but it needed more in the character development – because I couldn’t always fully create a character in my mind I failed to care enough about them. It is, however, a great beach read. Perfect for the summer holidays,

The Club by Ellory Lloyd is available now.

W5 reader

I cannot understand why this book is so highly rated

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 13, 2022

Verified Purchase

I am full of admiration for the marketing machine behind this title which persuaded me to part with my money. This is a preposterous tale with as far as I can see, no redeeming features whatsoever.

The book shows every sign of having been written by committee. The characters are wooden cliches, the plot is ludicrous and the whole tome is overwritten. Avoid and save your money.

2 people found this helpful

winbmth

Entertaining quick read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 10, 2022

Verified Purchase

I chose this book as it was trailed as a locked room type mystery - which it isn't and to be fair doesn't really attempt. It is a murder mystery of sorts though not so much who as why done it, and the "twist" was revealed well before the end of the book. I enjoyed the multiple points of view and timelines and the back stories helped flesh out motive. But the characters lacked depth - well into the book I was struggling to remember who some of them were - and few were relatable at all so it was hard to care what happened to them. Some may enjoy all the details of celebrity lifestyle and excess - I didn't find it all that interesting, just slightly revolting. Overall it was an enjoyable light read and I would probably read another by this author if it turns up in the 99p section!

5 star		31%
4 star		35%
3 star		25%
2 star		7%
1 star		3%

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