Picture a British storytelling duo spinning tales that unravel the glitzy chaos of social media and celebrity life—meet Ellery Lloyd! This pseudonym hides the dynamic husband-and-wife team of Collette Lyons and Paul Vlitos, whose psychological thrillers like People Like Her and The Club hook readers with suspense and sharp cultural insights. Their knack for blending pulse-pounding plots with digital-age anxieties has made them a standout voice in modern fiction.
Ellery Lloyd’s stories aren’t just page-turners; they’re mirrors reflecting our obsession with online personas and the secrets we hide behind them. Let’s dive into their world, from their creative beginnings to their lasting impact on the thriller genre.
The Making of Ellery Lloyd
Collette Lyons and Paul Vlitos, the brains behind Ellery Lloyd, bring a rich blend of expertise to their craft. Collette, a seasoned journalist, has shaped stories for The Guardian, The Telegraph, and The Sunday Times, with past roles as content director at Elle UK and editorial director at Soho House. Paul, a novelist and academic, penned Welcome to the Working Week and Every Day Is Like Sunday and serves as a professor of creative writing at the University of Surrey. Their London-based partnership, fueled by shared parenthood and a love for storytelling, birthed Ellery Lloyd in 2021 with their debut novel.
Their complementary skills—Collette’s insider knowledge of media and Paul’s literary finesse—create a unique storytelling alchemy. Inspired by their own experiences navigating modern life, they craft narratives that feel both thrillingly escapist and eerily relatable.
Ellery Lloyd’s Unforgettable Stories
Ellery Lloyd’s novels are psychological thrillers that peel back the glossy veneer of fame and influence. Their debut, People Like Her (2021), follows Emmy Jackson, an Instagram influencer whose curated life as @the_mamabare hides dark secrets. The novel, a Richard & Judy Book Club pick, explores the dangers of oversharing online, blending domestic suspense with a chilling stalker subplot. Critics praised its “deliciously dark” vibe and “Gone Girl-esque” twists.
The Club (2022), a Reese Witherspoon Book Club selection, takes readers to Island Home, an ultra-exclusive celebrity resort where ambition and secrets collide in a deadly weekend. Described as “Marple meets Succession,” it’s a glitzy whodunit that skewers privilege and reputation. Their latest, The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby (2024), weaves a historical mystery about a 1930s artist’s death, proving their versatility in tackling layered narratives.
Their style is marked by taut pacing, multi-perspective storytelling, and incisive commentary on social media’s impact. Whether exposing influencer culture or elite excess, Ellery Lloyd’s works resonate with readers who crave suspense with substance.
Why Ellery Lloyd Matters
Ellery Lloyd’s impact lies in their ability to make the thriller genre feel urgently contemporary. By dissecting the digital world—Instagram facades, influencer pressures, and the commodification of privacy—they tap into modern anxieties with precision. Their novels, translated into multiple languages and optioned for film, have captivated global audiences, from book clubs to bestseller lists. Their collaborative process, balancing Collette’s journalistic grit with Paul’s academic depth, sets a new standard for co-authored fiction.
Beyond entertainment, their stories spark conversations about authenticity and the cost of fame in an always-online world. For fans of Liane Moriarty or Clare Mackintosh, Ellery Lloyd offers a fresh, thrilling lens on society’s obsessions, cementing their place in the psychological thriller pantheon.
- Key Works: People Like Her, The Club, The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby
- Genres: Psychological thriller, suspense, mystery
- Notable Recognition: Reese Witherspoon Book Club, Richard & Judy Book Club
Ready for a thrilling ride? Snag The Club or People Like Her and dive into Ellery Lloyd’s electrifying world of secrets and suspense!