Publication Date: 03rd June 2025
Genre: Suspense Thriller
3.7 Stars
One Liner: Interesting!
Ghostwriter Olivia Dumont hid the truth about her father. He was the famous horror author Vincent Taylor, who also happened to be a suspect in his sibling’s brutal death. When Olivia reluctantly agrees to ghostwrite her father’s last book, she doesn’t realize she will have to face her past and the darkness that comes with it.
The story comes in the first-person POVs of Olivia (more %), Poppy, and Vincent.
My Thoughts:
Firstly, that cover deserves a special mention. I admit to grabbing the book more for the cover than the premise. Of course, I previously enjoyed one of the author’s books, so that was a factor too.
The pacing is great in the first-half. There’s a short note about the setting, which should help readers familiar with the region to understand the changes the author made.
The story starts with a bang. Nothing like murder and secrets to keep people of all ages gossiping for decades!
Emotions like resentment, frustration, anger, helplessness, caution, worry, etc., freely flow on the pages. It’s easy to feel for the FMC and root for her success.
The second half has more reveals about the past (naturally), so the pacing dips a little. Also, there are times when the plot seems to go nowhere. I think this is deliberate as the narration is in the first-person and shows how the FMC struggles with the events.
Some of the side characters are surprisingly good. Jack and Poppy, especially! There isn’t much character development, but that’s not what this genre is about. We get the thrills, though you can guess a few reveals.
Still, I like that the FMC doesn’t drink herself into oblivion from start to finish. She’s got a brain and does her best to use it. She actually listens to good advice, so that’s even better! Someone else seems to have taken that role, though it is thankfully off-page.
Another reason I enjoyed the book was the ending. Unlike the current trend of ‘twisty’ last chapters that add carter-sized plot holes to the story, this one has a more balanced ending. It could be a bit tame for thriller fans, but I approve of it.
This isn’t your edge-of-the-seat thriller or a high-tension suspense novel. It’s got a mystery, some thrills, a bit of drama, many lies and secrets, and a conclusion that manages to bring everything together. Predictable, but no big deal.
To summarize, The Ghostwriter is an interesting book with a bit of everything to keep your entertained for a while. The writing style is easy and keeps the dark elements contained despite the triggers.
Thank you, NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, for the eARC.
#NetGalley #TheGhostwriter
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TW: Mentions of animal death, mention of rape, mentions of abortion, mention/ hints of pedophilia, alcoholism, drug abuse, parental abandonment, and chronic illness.
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