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The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby

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The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby

By: Ellery Lloyd
Narrated by: Eleanor Jackson, Joshua Akehurst, Nneka Okoye
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About this listen

'Intoxicating, enthralling, compelling' Harriet Tyce

‘Bold and ambitious and consuming from start to finish’ Louise Candlish

A stunning, intricately plotted and clever mystery’ Claire Douglas

‘Think The Secret History meets Saltburn’ Holly Watt

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Some women can’t be erased from history . . .

A story of love and madness, of obsession and revenge.

Paris, 1938: Runaway heiress Juliette Willoughby perishes, with her married lover, in an accidental studio fire alongside her Surrealist masterpiece, Self-Portrait as Sphinx.

Cambridge, 1991: Two art history students stumble across proof something sinister was at play in Juliette's death, threatening to expose the long-buried secrets of the artist's aristocratic family.

Dubai, now: An art dealer is accused of the brutal murder of his oldest friend – the last surviving member of the Willoughby dynasty.

Three suspicious deaths over the course of a century.

Is the key to unlocking them all hidden in Juliette Willoughby’s lost painting?


Narrated by a full cast including Nneka Okoye, Joshua Akehurst, Eleanor Jackson, Matt Addis and Polly Edsell

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‘A clever, richly imagined, first-class mystery. A story both thrilling and deeply layered, touching and fun. I loved it.’ Chris Whitaker

‘A whip smart page turner with twists and turns that'll keep a hold on you right up until the final, gripping denouement. A terrific, hands down, five star read.’ John Marrs

‘A big complex thriller about art, family secrets and dark academia and is hugely entertaining and fun. Fans of The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair will love it.’ Mark Edwards

©2024 Ellery Lloyd (P)2024 Macmillan Publishers International Limited
Literature & Fiction Suspense Emotionally Gripping Exciting Fiction
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What listeners say about The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Smart plotting with fine characters

A thoroughly enjoyable murder mystery adventure, full of smart twists and turns.

This book came recommended by the Financial Times, always a reliable source of fact, balance and good reads.

And this audio version doesn’t disappoint. Great narration!

Flitting backwards and forwards through time, the plot weaves together a nest of coincidences which are pretty fantastic at times, but always great fun. We go to Cambridge in the 90s, Paris during the surrealist art movement, Dubai today…

Central to this tale are three characters I’m missing already, Patrick, Caroline and the fierce survivor, Juliette. They’re such marvellously flawed, fractured but unbroken, people. Trying to do the right thing, battling what the can’t control and against all the odds… don’t let me give anything away. I envy you if you’ve yet to listen to this story of ‘who the hell dunnit if he/she/they didn’t…. You have it all to come. Enjoy.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wasn't sure to start with but really enjoyed it as it got going.

Wasn't sure to start with but really enjoyed it as it got going but pleased I stuck with it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Riveting story and stellar performance

The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby by Ellery Lloyd, the pseudonym for the husband-and-wife writing duo, is undeniably one of my favourite listens of the year. This audiobook weaves together multiple strands, time periods, and settings into a seamless and captivating narrative.

At the heart of the story is Juliette Willoughby, a runaway heiress and surrealist painter living in Paris with her older artist boyfriend. Her life in Paris is shrouded in mystery as she seeks to stay hidden from her family at Longhurst Manor.. As we discover more the depiction of her life there adds a rich, vivid layer to the story, making her character incredibly compelling.

Patrick and Caroline, who meet at Cambridge University in 1991 while studying art history, are on a quest to uncover more about Juliette’s art. These two settings are later intertwined with the present-day events set in Dubai, where all the mysteries come to a head.

The story also explores what Juliette left behind at Longhurst, adding a poignant dimension to her character. The sense of loss and the lingering impact of her past decisions resonate throughout the narrative, making her journey even more touching.

The characters are wonderfully developed, each adding depth and intrigue to the story. All three narrators do a stellar job, bringing each character to life with distinct voices and emotions that enhance the listening experience.

The plotting is intricate and brilliant, with each twist and turn carefully crafted to keep the listener engaged. Although I was unsure about my choice of listen at the very beginning, I quickly became absorbed in Juliette's story and found myself eagerly returning to this audiobook at every opportunity.

The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby is a mesmerizing blend of history, art, and mystery that I highly recommend. It’s a must-listen for anyone who enjoys richly woven tales that span different times and places.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Lots of melodrama, little substance

The story was a bit pedestrian and rather implausible. Also, I don't think I cared enough about any of the characters or their backstories. Shame as the college setting and art history themes all sounded great. The constant mispronunciation of 'Ely' in Cambridgeshire by one of the female narrators was really jarring, especially as the male narrator pronounced it properly - don't audible check the quality of the recordings for consistency?

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