Look Closer by David Ellis Summary

Look Closer is a psychological thriller about Simon and Vicky, a wealthy Chicago couple whose seemingly stable marriage conceals a complex web of secrets. When a beautiful socialite is found hanging in a nearby mansion, their hidden lives begin to unravel. The novel explores obsession, revenge, and greed through alternating perspectives and timelines, revealing a whirlwind affair, a twenty-million-dollar trust fund, and decades-long grudges. Both characters are liars, leaving readers to question who is conning whom in this wickedly clever exploration of deception and possibly the perfect murder.

David Ellis is an Illinois Appellate Court Justice and Edgar Award-winning author who has written over 11 solo novels and 9 books co-authored with James Patterson. Born in 1967 in Downers Grove, Illinois, Ellis won the prestigious Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best First Novel for Line of Vision in 2002. Before becoming the youngest-serving justice of the Illinois Appellate Court in 2014, he prosecuted and convicted Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich in the impeachment trial. Ellis balances his judicial career with writing, waking at 3:30 AM to craft his legal thrillers.

Look Closer is perfect for psychological thriller enthusiasts who enjoy complex plot twists and morally ambiguous characters. Readers who appreciate authors like Gillian Flynn, B.A. Paris, or those who enjoyed David Ellis's previous work will find this compelling. The novel suits anyone interested in stories about marriage secrets, obsession, and revenge told through multiple perspectives and timelines. Fans of legal thrillers and crime fiction with intricate plotting will particularly appreciate Ellis's sharp, precise prose and the carefully constructed atmosphere of unease.

Look Closer is considered one of the best psychological thrillers of 2022 and is absolutely worth reading. Critics praise it as "smart, thoroughly engaging, and enjoyable," with Simon and Vicky being among David Ellis's favorite characters he has ever created. The novel masterfully combines suspense with unexpected revelations, maintaining tension through alternating timelines and perspectives. Ellis's background as both a bestselling author and appellate court justice brings authenticity to the legal elements while his crackling dialogue and crisp writing keep the story moving at an unrelenting pace.

Look Closer explores trust, betrayal, and the facades people maintain in relationships and society. The novel delves into obsession and revenge, particularly through Simon's inability to let go of his past with Lauren despite his marriage to Vicky. Greed plays a central role with the twenty-million-dollar trust fund motivating characters' actions. David Ellis examines the ruthless quest for justice, asking whether the ends justify the means. The psychological depth reveals how people construct false identities and the devastating consequences when those carefully built illusions collapse.

Simon is an associate law professor whose article was quoted by the U.S. Supreme Court, though his career ambitions are thwarted by his dean. He becomes obsessed with Lauren, a woman from his past, and begins an affair while married to Vicky. Simon longs for children but Vicky refuses, creating tension in their marriage. Vicky appears to be Simon's stable partner in a wealthy but unexciting marriage, yet both characters are revealed to be liars with their own hidden agendas. David Ellis crafted them as complex, flawed individuals whose dual natures keep readers constantly guessing their true intentions and motivations.

The burner phones in Look Closer symbolize secrecy and deception in Simon and Lauren's affair. Simon uses a green burner phone that matches his green journal where he documents their relationship, while Lauren uses the pink one Simon purchased for her. These phones allow them to communicate only at agreed-upon times when Lauren's husband is away, establishing strict boundaries to hide their relationship. The color coordination between Simon's phone and journal suggests his meticulous planning and obsessive nature. These devices become crucial plot elements representing the hidden channels through which characters conduct their secret lives.

David Ellis employs alternating perspectives and timelines throughout Look Closer to maintain suspense and gradually reveal secrets. The narrative structure ensures that just when readers think they understand the plot, new twists shatter their expectations. Simon's story is told through first-person narrative and his green journal entries to Lauren, documenting their affair and his inner thoughts. This complexity requires close attention to detail but ultimately pays off as puzzle pieces come together in a satisfying and unexpected conclusion. The multiple viewpoints add depth to characters, making their motives and actions more intriguing while slowly revealing how Simon, Vicky, Lauren, and Christian are all connected.

Look Closer qualifies as a psychological thriller through its exploration of characters' inner worlds, hidden motivations, and the mental games they play with each other. David Ellis excels at creating a tense atmosphere with sharp, precise prose that enhances the overall feeling of unease. The novel focuses on psychological manipulation, obsession, and the facades people construct rather than physical action. Ellis delves deep into why characters behave as they do, revealing grudges, obsessions, and ruthless quests for both justice and revenge. The constant questioning of who is conning whom creates psychological tension, making readers doubt everything they think they know about the characters.

Critics consistently praise Look Closer for its wickedly clever plotting and thoroughly engaging narrative. David Ellis's crisp, succinct writing—honed through his partnership with James Patterson—propels the story forward at an unrelenting pace. The crackling dialogue is both entertaining and revelatory, displaying characters' core traits and relationships. Simon and Vicky are highlighted as particularly memorable characters, with Ellis considering them among his favorites. Reviewers note the satisfying way Ellis reveals the surprising connections between all four main characters while maintaining suspense about whether Detective Burke can gather enough evidence to hold anyone accountable for murder.

David Ellis's experience as an Illinois Appellate Court Justice and former prosecutor brings authenticity to the legal elements in Look Closer. His background in constitutional law and his role prosecuting Governor Blagojevich's impeachment trial inform the novel's exploration of justice, evidence, and accountability. Ellis credits his legal career with teaching him precision in language, which translates into the sharp, economical prose that drives Look Closer forward. His understanding of how cases are built and investigations conducted adds realism to Detective Burke's dogged pursuit of connections between the characters. Ellis balances creative and legal writing, sometimes letting judicial ethics concerns impact his editorial decisions.

Some readers find the multiple perspectives and shifting timelines in Look Closer disorienting at first, requiring close attention to detail to follow the narrative effectively. The complexity of the plot structure means readers must stay highly engaged to track which character is speaking and when events are occurring. However, most critics acknowledge that this initial confusion is intentional and ultimately pays off as the intricate puzzle comes together. The novel demands active reading rather than casual page-turning, which may not suit readers seeking straightforward thrillers. Despite these structural challenges, the overwhelming critical consensus positions Look Closer as one of 2022's best psychological thrillers, suggesting the narrative complexity enhances rather than detracts from the overall experience.