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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
This was way too long and repetitive, although the plot was good.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Look Closer follows Simon and Vicky, a seemingly successful and stable couple living in Chicago. Simon is a law professor with a past that he keeps carefully guarded, while Vicky is a high-powered corporate executive. Their tidy world begins to unravel when Simon becomes entangled again with Lauren Betancourt—an old flame who winds up dead.
The novel starts as a tale of infidelity and betrayal but quickly morphs into something much darker and more tangled. Narratives shift, timelines backtrack, and every truth the reader assumes is slowly unraveled—revealing a brilliant web of manipulation, greed, and vengeance.
Themes
- Perception vs. Reality
The title says it all—nothing is as it seems. The book constantly challenges the reader to re-evaluate characters and events, pushing the idea that truth is often layered beneath deception. - Control and Manipulation
Nearly every character is trying to manipulate someone else—for money, revenge, or power. It becomes a central theme: who really has control, and at what cost? - Greed and Corruption
From legal loopholes to corporate fraud to long-game cons, Ellis explores how far people are willing to go when driven by greed—and how money warps relationships, morals, and identities. - The Past’s Grip on the Present
Simon’s troubled background plays a major role. The novel explores how people try to escape, bury, or reinvent their past—but it inevitably resurfaces.
Characters
- Simon Dobias
At first, Simon seems like a meek, slightly naive professor. But as the layers peel back, his cunning, trauma, and moral ambiguity make him one of the most complex characters in recent thrillers. - Vicky Dobias
Vicky is a force—ambitious, composed, and fiercely intelligent. Her role morphs from polished executive to something far more calculating. Her loyalty is a shifting line, and she’s always ten steps ahead. - Lauren Betancourt
A central figure despite her early death. Lauren’s presence looms large. Her motives are slippery—was she a victim or a player? The answer is one of the book’s many reveals. - Detective Circo
The detective digging into the case brings a gruff realism and dogged determination. He plays the audience surrogate, slowly uncovering the web of lies.
The Twists (Spoiler Alert)
Only read this section if you’ve finished the book.
Ellis executes twists within twists—just when you think you’ve hit the big reveal, he flips the narrative again.
- Simon isn’t the pawn—we learn he’s a master manipulator. His secret past, his ability to plot with precision, and his knowledge of the law become deadly tools.
- Vicky, too, is in on it—but with her own separate agenda. Her motivations aren’t just about love or loyalty—they’re about power and freedom.
- The big con: The murder is part of a long-term setup involving inheritances, embezzlement, and faked relationships.
- Every chapter reveals a new secret—texts, emails, forged documents, wire transfers—until your trust in every narrator is completely shattered.
Pacing & Structure
The pacing is perfectly engineered. The book reveals just enough in each section to keep you hooked, never over-explaining. Ellis’s use of alternating perspectives and time jumps adds to the tension and the rewarding payoffs.
Final Thoughts
Look Closer is an exhilarating thriller that keeps you second-guessing until the final page. It’s smart, intricately plotted, and full of morally gray characters. The way Ellis toys with perception, his legal knowledge, and his refusal to give you easy answers make this a standout.
If you loved the psychological games, shocking reveals, and morally twisted protagonists, you’ll probably enjoy authors like Gillian Flynn, Megan Goldin, or Alice Feeney next.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
DNF at 36%. Bored. A lot of repetition inside the plot and the main character was hard to like. Seems a bit overwritten, but I don’t feel excited to continue reading.