This was a really good suspense novel! I loved the premise of the story even though I found the characters to be mostly unlikeable.

Usually I would rate a book that I really liked at 5 stars, but I only rated this one 4 stars for a couple of reasons. First, I figured out the big twist ahead of time! But mostly I didn’t give it a higher rating because I found the paragraphs to be long and often too wordy!

I would still recommend this book - it is a clever one! Thank you NetGalley!!

This slow burn thriller caught me by surprise. After seeing the publicity it got with LFL, I knew I needed to read it ASAP. So glad I did!

The Plot is not just a book, but instead, a book within a book. The title itself gives the reader an inkling that this book contains a plot within a plot, which is a huge undertaking for an author. But Korelitz does it very well with this cat and mouse plot (no pun intended).

The story is told from our main protagonist’s point of view, while interspersed with bits of the book he wrote (albeit with a “stolen” plot), and I found his voice captivating. He was an average guy pulled into a “game” that was way more intense than anything he was prepared for. I liked how relatable he was because his actions didn’t seem outlandish or crazy, but how I may have reacted in a similar situation.

This is definitely a slow-burn type of read, with the middle being pretty stagnant, but so worth it to get to the end. Honestly, it’s not often that an ending could make my jaw drop, but it did. The Plot was a different type read and I loved how it made me think about what goes into the writing of a book. Can you own a plot? Stories get retold and rewritten all the time, so where does taking someone’s plot and writing it as your own fall into plagiarism? I’m sure writers will find this plot even more engaging than I did.

Jacob Finch Bonner has published 2 books but no one wanted to publish his later works (and apparently he never heard of self-publishing). He is scraping together a living teaching writing and editing books. Evan Parker is one of his most arrogant students. He is certain that he has a unique plot that will be a sure fire hit, with a twist that will shoot his writing career into the stratosphere. After Evan dies, Jake takes the plot and writes Crib which in fact does become a huge success. It gets Jake a movie deal, a contract for further books and a wife.

After a while, Jake starts to get anonymous messages accusing him of theft. The messages are followed by an online campaign with the same accusations. Jake is a very nebbishy character, so his first reaction is to take to his bed. Later, Jake tries to track down who could have known Evans’s plot

First, don’t believe the blurb that says that this book is “breathtakingly suspenseful”. There is zero suspense until the last 5% of the book, and that is pretty tepid. This is an entertaining book with a nice twist at the end. I liked the way Evans plot was doled out over the course of the book. However, a lot of the book is slow. Also, why do authors think it’s OK to write books full of whining about how hard it is to write books. Do their readers/customers really want to hear that? Lots of jobs are hard. Do you want your surgeon to sit you down and tell you what an awful day they just had? The book held my interest and I would read more by this author.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

At first, this book seemed a little dry. The author did a great job establishing the mundane life of the has-been writer. About 1/4 of the way through, things started picking up and by about 3/4 of the way through, I didn't want to put it down. And that ending! While somewhat expected, it didn't end how I expected. I've been telling everyone I know about this book, it is that good.

Many thanks to Celadon Books, NetGalley, and Jean Hanff Korelitz for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 stars - rounded up. A book within a book that is 100% non-formulaic. It most definitely takes a certain amount of chutzpah to structure <i>The Plot</i> the way Korelitz has—to claim that the fictional story will be a surefire bestseller, and then in case we doubt her, to share parts of that fictional story in her actual story to reveal just how good it is. That takes balls. As many have mentioned, there is a slow start to this book. It definitely has that older-school pacing, in which suspense slowly builds. The pace is measured, not breakneck. If you are the type of person that likes to predict what is going to happen, this might not be the book for you, since I think, if you've read a lot of mystery/thrillers, you can spot it pretty clearly early on. Tbh, it didn’t diminish my enjoyment of it at all though. In a way, that only makes the story more enjoyable, ratchets up the tension tenfold, and makes the bold ending that much sweeter. I'd still recommend it to mystery/suspense/thriller lovers. It's a very clever plot/story, the characters are flawed and fascinating, and the writing is very very good

Korelitz is definitely proving herself as a versatile writer with this latest thriller. My first encounter with her work was Admission (which I enjoyed), and she kept me guessing with The Plot! Highly recommend!

I don't read a lot of thrillers, and I could see where this one was going, but I really enjoyed watching the main character figure it all out.

This book took me a while to get into but im glad i stuck with it. It was a good story even if i did figure out the "plot" twist!!!

'The Plot' by Jean Hanff Korelitz was one I was greatly anticipating as my summer thriller, and it did not disappoint. As a former teacher, an avid reader, and wannabe writer, the idea of stealing a former student's plot once they have passed away was beyond intriguing.

Author Jacob "Jake" Finch Bonner is in quite a rut after the acclaim of his one major "hit" starts wearing off. But could he stoop so low as to steal the storyline of a deceased student...a plot that very few people even knew about? Maybe even just he and said student...?

But someone else must know since his new fame is being questioned by an anonymous social media poster as he/she starts outing Jake online.

I figured out most of the twists and turns of THIS story's plot, but was still incredibly impressed with how it was all planned out and presented. This was a solid 4.5 star read for me. It could have been a 5 star, but dropped down a smidge since I had figured out the "surprises" early on... But it was still an incredible ride.

A HUGE thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the opportunity to read and review this page-turning read.

I really liked the idea and how it unfolded. The story within a story was really interesting and the plot within the plot was unique and surprising. I found the real life plot to be predictable and would have preferred to have been surprised by the ending, I definitely think the author is clever enough to achieve that.

well well well. what a clever little novel this turned out to be.

I admire the way Korelitz folds two stories into one, I am always impressed by a good title (and a double-entendre gets 11/10). I would classify this as a literary thriller, with a twist of the campus novel and the background of a Joan Didion novel. I found it very engaging and I did not "get it" (the twist) too soon, as I've heard other readers did. This book strikes me as very postmodern, as I suppose books about writing usually do, but this one doesn't try to be too smart about it. I'd love to read more of the authors books, and have already ordered The Devil and Webster. I think that readers who like this will like "Victoria Sees It" by Carrie Jenkins (and vice versa)..

Ummm what?! Ok so here’s what caught my attention, it’s a book about a book! Are you really a book worm if you don’t make it, your life’s mission to read all the books that are about books – Just Kidding! Read what you want but, you should probably read this too, because it will blow your mind! Like I predicated one or two of the main plot twists and when said plot twists were revealed, I was still in shock! Well done Jean Hanff Korelitz!

So basically, The Plot is about Jacob Finch Bonner who had dreams of becoming a famous author, he even published his first book, but then ended up teaching in a third-rate MFA program where he no longer writes. Here he meets a very arrogant Evan Parker, who has every right to be arrogant, you see he has the perfect plot.

Cut to a few years later Jakes career could not get any lower, until he hears about Evan Parkers death, the death that took place before he was able to write his book. Well Jake jumps right on that, as any self-respecting writer would and becomes the famous author, he always dreamed of being.

Life is so good, until he gets an email that makes him regret everything. Someone knows he’s a thief. This is when Jacob decides to learn more about who Evan Parker is. Questions begin to arise as well, where did Evan get this idea from? And more importantly who did he get this story from?

I really enjoyed The Plot, it wasn’t too fast paced, but it was super engaging. Some of the twists and turns were predictable but the way they were disclosed was beyond what I imagined. I highly recommend everyone pick this up! You won’t regret it.

Thank You to Jean Hanff Korelitz and Celadon Books, for the digital ARC provided through NetGalley in exchange for a candid review!

A slow-burn suspense that is equally engaging and distinctive. JHK writes brilliantly, depicting and effortlessly incorporating some of the darker, self-deprecating sides of the writing. The characterization is bold and intriguing and immediately engages readers. While the narrative itself is not be overtly tensive or elusive for the genre, the bit of mystery that is set forth and the story itself more than make up for it. Great read!


Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC of the #ThePlotBook which was read and reviewed voluntarily.

#suspense #readreviewrepeat #bookstagram #celadonbooks #jeanhanffkorelitz #bookish #readingstacks

This took some time to get into, but once I did, wow. Jean Hanff Korelitz knows how to write a suspenseful story that keeps you on your toes. I didn't know much about the plot *pun intended* when I requested it, but after watching The Undoing, I figured it had to be good! I am so glad I went into it blind because even though you figure the twist out pretty quickly on your own, I feel knowing more about the story would have given it away a little sooner. Even with the twist becoming clear early on, it did not take away from the suspense the author can give you!

I enjoyed the structure of this book - the book within the book. I found it to be a bit slower than I expected, but I think that was based on my expectation.

Absolutely not what I expected. Like not at all. Good slow burn. I think readers will be surprised by this one.

In The Plot, our main character Jacob Finch Bonner is basically a failed writer making ends meet by teaching at an MFA program. Then one of his students, Evan Parker tells Jacob he doesn't need his help, and that he has a plot of a book that will become an instant best seller. He then tells Jacob of the plot of his new book.

Then suddenly, Evan is found dead - but the plot is too good for Jacob to just let it go. He publishes it under his own name. But then, really strange things start happening.

I didn't know that a thriller can surprise me as much as this one did. The Plot is simply an excellent book for readers like me who feel that they've seen it all. Let me tell ya, you didn't! Also, as I simultaneously read and listened to this novel via audiobook, I fell in love with the story even more. The writing really comes to life and I truly got lost in the story. Highly recommend this gem.

Fun, but a bit predictable, this novel still makes for a fun summer read, especially if you're craving twisty mysteries.

What a fun read! This book is about Jake Bonner, a writer who had a strong debut, but is struggling with his writing career. When he is teaching at a small writing school in northern VT, he hears the perfect plot from a young writer who knows the book will be a success. Years later, when he hears the writer is dead, and his story with it, Jake decides to write the story himself. And it's a success! A best-selling novel, on Oprah, Speilberg will direct the movie adaptation. Having gone to college in VT, I loved the locations in the book. The story was intriguing and the story within the story carried it along. While I did figure it out about 65% through, I still enjoyed the story and the exciting conclusion.

Ultimately, it’s predictable, but that’s not to say it wasn’t highly enjoyable along the way. To be clear, I’m the stupidest of mystery readers (to the extent this is truly a mystery) and even I figured out both the book’s novel twist and the ultimate bad person terrorizing our (sort-of) hero. But I still enjoyed Korelitz’s writing, the generally nasty tone and the fun she must’ve had getting a lot of writer’s complaints off her chest through her protagonist.

Go ahead and read it - much like the fictional novel within this book, this book is clearly going to be made into a movie by an very good director, and you might as well be in on the fun early on.