Sure to be a hot book of the summer! The perfect beach - or couch - read.

The Plot was, quite simply, un-put-down-able for me. It's not necessarily fast-paced, but I tore through it. Protagonist Jacob Finch Bonner is an unhappy instructor at a third-rate MFA program when he hears the sort of plot guaranteed to make a book a bestseller. Only problem? Jacob is a *formerly* promising young novelist - it's his student who's got the killer plot.

This is the sort of book that gives me premature wrinkles from all the times it makes me raise my eyebrows from intrigue. Author Jean Hanff Korelitz really puts the reader in Jacob's head. And then she ratchets up the suspense. Having had multiple previous novels adapted for TV/film, she wrote The Plot in a way that was easy to picture throughout. It was also well-paced.

I'd recommend this one to anyone who enjoys a mystery, and/or a book that'll keep you gripped. The audio production was great (and, given that I didn't want to put this one down, I was glad to be able to keep listening!).

Great thriller from the author of You Should Have Known! Jacob "Finch" Bonner is a bit of a failed writer. His first novel was notable but since then he has failed to produce anything of worth. He starts teaching at an MFA program in the mid-west. One of his students is ridiculously confident that he has "THE STORY." In a conference w/ Jake, he outlines this amazing story and Jake is blown away. He can see all the accolades, and the movie, and Oprah interview playing out for this guy. Jake is jealous but moves on with his life.
Years later, at a different writers' retreat, Jake is reminded of the amazing story his student shared with him. Wondering why that novel was never published, he starts digging around for the author. Who has since passed away. Because Jake remembers the plot of this story, he writes it himself. And receives all the accolades, etc. Except, someone REALLY didn't want this novel published. And the more Jake is trolled and the more he digs, the more he discovers why.

* Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the early e-ARC of this novel."

This is not a slow burn, it is an excruciatingly slllllllllllllllllllloooooooooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww burn. I almost DNFed this a dozen times. But I persevered.

Not only was this very slow to get interesting, but the beginning was kind of hard to follow. Again, I listened to the audiobook, so it is very possible this will not be the case in print. But the timeline jumps around a few times and I found it hard to figure out what was happening a few times.

The characters are all assholes. Which, I typically do not mind. But Jake was the worst sort- incredibly arrogant and I found him difficult to read. I felt like I wanted to punch him at all times.

Now- the "plot"- I had an inkling of where the book within a book was going fairly early on. And I was correct. I also figured out where the other plot was going, as well. I actually figured out the villain as soon as they entered the story. So adding that to the fact that it took forever to get going, this made the book very disappointing. I kept reading to know what this fantastic plot was, only to be completely underwhelmed.

As I said, I listened to the audiobook. I did not enjoy the narration, but I really think it was more the book than the narrator. The narrator was paced well and enunciated well. However, as mentioned before, especially the beginning was difficult to follow at times. Also my extreme disdain for Jake made me annoyed by the narration.

Basically, if you decide to read this, I would try the print version. This did not translate to an audiobook well. This is coming from someone who almost exclusively listens to audiobooks since I listen while at work. 75+ per year.

I was given an audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for this free audio version. As soon as I heard the synopsis for this book I knew I wanted to read it! Jacob Finch Bonner is a twice-published author who met mediocre success and is now teaching in the MFA program at a no name university. He encounters a cocky student, Evan Parker, who claims to have a sure thing. Then Bonner hears the plot. Years later, Bonner recalls he never heard about this sure thing book be published and looks up Parker. When Bonner discovers that Parker has died without publishing his book, he makes a decision that will alter his life and write the book himself. Parker was right, and Bonner receives all the accolades and attention for the amazing book he has written. And then the emails begin: you are a thief. Bonner is overwhelmed with guilt and becomes more and more obsessed with finding out who is sending these messages.
This novel is compelling and unique. In the beginning I kept reading because I wanted to know what the sure-thing plot was, but the resulting story kept me coming back for more. The narrator, at first, sounded like a computer voice, but it got better as I listened more. I was able to figure out the ending, but it was so well done and exciting I didn't care! I did not mind the switch back and forth between what was happening in the story and the novel Bonner wrote. Very well written and unique story.

At first, when I started listening to this I thought that I was reading Kill All Your Darlings by David Bell. I was so confused, wondering how I was reading the same book with a different title. And since then, I could never get into it again. I did not like this book.

What a different, yet interesting ‘Plot’!

Jake is a creative writing teacher who feels that his own career has tanked. He meets an arrogant student who says that he has the most unique, incredible, never done before plot for a best-selling novel. Over the next few years Jake doesn’t see the novel ever get published and, after doing a bit of investigating, determines that his ex student is dead and he decides to take the plot concept and write the book himself. It becomes a smash hit but then he gets an email letting him know that someone knows that he stole the story..

I loved:
📖 the writing! amazing, it pulled me in and I got lost in the pages! I knew Jake’s character like a real person when I was done.
📖 the concept and her use of the inner story, reading about Jake with chapters from his novel spliced in was so interesting and engaging!
📖 the pace! even with Jake’s novel woven in, it began incrementally to quicken and build until I couldn’t put it down
📖 the discussion of stealing a plot, I was on edge about this one since we all know you can’t steal a plot? We would have very few books in the world! But this was handled so well and as the story unfolds, and the layers are uncovered, it worked so well!

The only challenge in this read for me was the falling action/denouement, I struggled with this today after finishing the read last night because it may have been a ‘me’ issue! was it because I guessed what was happening too early? Did I love it so much that I was just upset the action was over? Was I unhappy with the resolution? I’m not sure but what I do know was it got me thinking 🤔 and that’s awesome when a book leaves you with that feeling.

I really enjoyed the audio experience! Jake’s narration done by Kirby Heyborne was smooth and easy to listen to. It would have been made even better by a female voice playing the other roles as I love a multiple narrator but it was still an audiobook that I would definitely recommend.

The Plot publishes on May 11th and I thank Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advanced peek! 📖

This book was fantastic. Here we have an example of an "obsessed writer". I am an "obsessed reader". The Plot was a perfect match for me. I thoroughly enjoyed all the literary references woven throughout the narrative. Although the reader may deduct who the antagonist is early on it does not take away from the suspense. We witness the downward spiral of a tortured soul in our protagonist and I have to say it gives all "the feels" (as the kids say these days). Enjoyable and masterfully written, The Plot is a gut-wrenching, paranoia-laden ride that will keep you hanging to the very end!

All the best story plots have been written and rewritten over time. But Jacob Finch Bonner has a plot that will put them all to shame. This amazing, never done, shocking twist plot has put him on the Best Sellers list. He is touring the country, talking about his process and basking in his fame. The only problem is, the plot wasn't his to take.
When Jacob starts receiving threatening emails, calling him out as a thief, his whole world starts to fall apart. He was sure that no one else knows where he got the story from. As he digs deeper into the origin of the plot, and who it originally came from, Jacob learns that the story maybe based on someone's life. And that someone wants it back.

This book is making some big noise on Bookstagram. I was really hoping the hype wasn't going to lead to disappointment, as so many books have recently. Fortunately, the buzz is spot on with this book.
The Plot is a plot within a plot that leads to a plot. lol. Confused and amazed? Don't be, it all makes sense in the story. We are given the main story, about a struggling writer who stumbles on an amazing plot line. Then we are told that amazing plot through the storytelling genius of two writers, the unpolished student and then the teacher. Both stories collide and eventually lead to a legit plot, a burial plot. Its all sorts of crazy and unbelievable, unfolding in each chapter.
The whole book is beautifully written, and fast moving. I got so lost in Jacob's paranoia and his amateur investigation that I felt his anxiety myself. When the big twist was revealed, I actually shouted in approval. I sort of figured it out a few chapters before the end, and was waiting and waiting to be vindicated. It all unfolded brilliantly.
I did read this book as an audiobook, which always helps bring things more to life. The narrators voice fit Jacob's, anxious and depressing personality. Surprisingly, he also mastered the female characters as well. Audio really added extra to a book that has extra everything!

"You act like stories don’t have real people attached to them. It’s hurtful, Jake."

This book was FANTASTIC! It started slow for me but once Jake met Anna things picked right up!

Imagine if you wanted, so very badly, to write a best-selling novel. Imagine, if you "borrowed" a plot that was unheard of and gripping. Imagine that the plot was true.....

Jacob Finch Bonner saw moderate success with the publication of his debut novel. Unfortunately, his second release failed to garner any attention and he fears he’s fallen into obscurity. He finds himself teaching creative writing to others and knows all too well the starry eyed dreams of the hopefuls who fill his class.
One student stands out: Evan Parker, tight lipped about an idea he has for a novel yet arrogant enough to brag to anyone who will listen that he’s come up with the perfect plot for a runaway bestseller.
Jake is ready to brush off Evan’s arrogance but then he hears the plot …and he has to agree that it is going to be a complete and total success.

A few years later Jake discovers Evan died soon after the creative writing course — presumably before he could finish his novel or even reveal his idea to anyone else. Jake can’t forget that incredible plot, in fact, it’s too brilliant not to share with the world.

So Jake writes the novel based on Evan’s idea and finally has the fame and success he's longed for as an author; he even finds love on his never-ending book tour. He’s enjoying every moment of his success until he receives the first of many brief and menacing emails: “You are a thief.”
Jake’s life could come crashing down at any time. In order to find out who knows the truth, he has to learn more about his late student and what he uncovers is that his bestselling novel may not be fiction after all…

The Plot is a story within a story. Readers follow Jake’s story and as it progresses we get excerpts from his novel. When the plot of his novel is eventually revealed, it was a letdown because it is a pretty formulaic thriller twist. That choice seems to be tongue-in-cheek commentary on the author’s part; Korelitz delivers some amusing insight into the publishing world and a writer’s life.

The story is at times clever with the way it appears to poke fun at - while paying homage to - the “psychological thriller” genre trends of the past decade, and I was hoping Korelitz would deliver a truly surprising twist ending. Unfortunately, the twist was glaringly obvious to me and I was left thinking this is just your average middle of the road thriller which means a highly entertaining beach read but nothing shocking or new.

I recommend The Plot to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers, suspense, and books about books.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing me with an advance audio copy in exchange for my honest review. The Plot is scheduled for release on May 11, 2021.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for gifting me with an audio ARC of Jean Hanff Korelitz’s literary thriller The Plot. In exchange I offer my unbiased review.

What’s that quote, enjoy the journey forget about the destination. That’s sort of my advice with this novel. Any good reader will immediately see the ending early on, but it doesn’t really matter, if you’re focused on the journey.

Jacob (Jake to family & friends) Finch ( he added that as homage to his favorite literary character) Bonner, was once the publishing world’s darling. A new & noteworthy young talent who just couldn’t find success after his first novel. Now he’s teaching at a third rate Creative Writer’s Workshop, where he’s forced to engage with what he deems inflated egos of his students who show no talent or skill, but rather they can afford the fee to indulge their fantasies of becoming the next wonder kid. When a pompous student begrudgingly shares his plot for what the student swears is the next big thing, Jake is miffed as he has to inwardly agree.

Fast forward a few years later, Jake has sunk even lower in his estimations, as he is now a caretaker/ advisor at an upstate writers retreat where in exchange he’s given shelter and small fee. An encounter with a rude would-be author reminds Jake of his past student, which leads to a Google search, where he uncovers the student has died young & tragically. Jake convinces himself he needs to pen that great sure fire novel that was told to him years ago. “Borrowing” the plot, Jake writes that instant, hottest, bestseller, mega-hit, enjoying all the accolades, recognition and wealth he has dreamt about. Except someone knows this story isn’t Jake’s to tell.

Jean Hanff Korelitz raises lots of interesting questions/ideas about appropriation, writers, publisher’s, agents and others who deem works worthy or create hype and literary buzz. I think if you read deeply this book has more than a few plot holes but it’s still a story to sink your teeth in. The audio narration was well done,adding to Jake’s discomfort and general dread of getting caught as the next James Frey, he is after all an Oprah Winfrey bookclub author. This book has lots of literary nods and winks, which was fun to see and the story within the story was equally sharp.

Definitely a great beach read and possibly the newest hottest must read summer blockbuster everyone will be talking about.

Not a huge fan. I found this one kind of overhyped and to be perfectly honest the ending was pretty predictable about half way through. I could appreciate the moral dilemma of being presented with a "home-run" plot story that the author shared with you but wasn't able to use before they died. What floundering writer wouldn't be tempted by that? But when "the plot" is finally revealed I was underwhelmed. In the end just an okay read but I won't be recommending it unless you're a die-hard suspense lover or really like books about writing and writers. Who is Maud Dixon was a MUCH better recent addition to this genre (in my opinion). Thank you to NetGalley for my advance listening review copy of this book out May 11th.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

Jacob Finch Bonner was an author who after a promising start hasn't impressed the publishing world in years. He is teaching a writers workshop when he hears a student's intriguing plot idea. Years later, Jacob finds out the student passed away and never wrote the story. Jacob writes his version of the story and it is a huge hit. Then the threats to expose him begin.

I liked the story inside the story best. Took me a while to get into it but it was worth the getting through the slow start. Narrator did a good job.

Audiobook narrated by Kirby Heyborne. He’s one of my favorites and I thought he did a great job. I’m giving this a high 4 stars.
This mysterious, thrilling novel kept me listening. Just when I thought it would go one way it would flip around in another direction. It had me questioning all my beliefs about writing and where we find our stories. And can we learn to write? Maybe.
I thought it was good and I highly recommend it.
Thanks Macmillan Audio via Netgalley. I’ve voluntarily given my review.

The Plot was definitely intriguing and I LOVED the book-within-a-book premise! I also liked the characters. I did see the ending coming from a mile away but I still enjoyed the ride. The only thing I found difficult with this one is that I did not like the narration which made it hard for me to get through. I think I would have enjoyed this one more if I read the physical book. Thank you Macmillan audio for the opportunity to listen to this one!

Listening to this audiobook was a thrill ride that sent a chill up my spine! The story is about a mediocre author named Jacob Finch Bonner, who hears about a book plot that will top all others from a student in a writing workshop he is teaching. When this student dies suddenly before he is able to tell his story, Jake decides to write the story himself and rides the waves of accolades that follow until he receives an anonymous email stating "You are a thief!" The story alternates between Jake's story and pages read from The Crib, which is the title of the book with the infamous Plot.

The plot of this story is engrossing, uncomfortable and unpredictable, and I couldn't put it down until I reached the conclusion.. a truly satisfying thriller! The audiobook narration by Kirby Heyborne is on point and really adds to the spooky ambience of the story.

Jean Hanff Korelitz has crafted a great story and one that asks some interesting questions.. what does it mean to steal a story? Is the plot of a story owned by it's originator, even if it hasn't been written?

The Plot...is about a plot. One that is too good no to be written. The Plot was told to Jacob Finch Bonner by an obnoxious writing student. Jacob is very hard to like. He has disdain for pretty much everyone. But especially his students. Most especially for Evan Parker, the man with the plot. A man so easy to dislike.

Years later, having never written anything near as good as his first novel, Jacob goes in search of the plot. It seems that he should have heard of this book by now, because it really was an awesome plot. But...nothing. When he decides to write the book himself, he finally gets that blockbuster success he has always wanted. But someone knows what he did.

The book has excerpts from The Crib (book with said plot) which made me really want to read The Crib! While the whole thing started off a bit slow for me-I hated Jacob and I've heard stories like this before-it eventually took off for me. I think that part of my disconnect in the beginning was the fact that I went back and forth between the novel and the audiobook. Once I got into the plot and characters a little more I easily went back and forth between the two with no problems.

And I loved the ending. Creepy and effective.

Jean Haniff Korelitz created some characters to cheer for and against and created a twisted tale about who really owns a story.

Special thanks to Jean Haniff Korelitz, Netgalley, and Celadon Books for the ARC for me to review.

4.5 stars

After finishing a two-year MFA writing program, Jake publishes his first novel The Invention of Wonder. But after many years and 4 different book manuscripts, every publisher he approaches refused to publish his books. He worked at a writing program and while teaching a class he stumbles across a student who just happens to have a plot that no one can mess up, it is an instant bestseller even if the person who wrote it had no talent. It kills Jake that this person has come up with this book after he has spent so many years trying. Then as time passed and this MFA program is no longer around Jake still things about that student and his plot. This is when Jake realizes the student died shortly after he was his teacher, without ever publishing this book. What a perfect opportunity and Jake does not let it pass. Jake writes his own story using this plot and just like predicted it becomes an instant hit. He is going to book tours interviewing with many tv stations, is on Oprah’s book club, and has a movie in the works. Then he begins to receive incriminating messages that contain his worse fear. Someone knows his secret.

The only thing I did not like was that it is sometimes hard to follow the wording, and I got lost because the story often interrupts sentences with side points before finishing the sentence. At some points I found myself forgetting how the sentence started and having to go back to figure out how the end of the sentence connected. So, the sentences are long-winded. In the beginning, it was a problem for me but as I got into the book, I no longer noticed it, so I think I got used to the writing style.

There were many things that made me get completely lost in the story. One is how realistic it all played out and the way Jake thought. It was so realistic I almost kind of feels like a lot of the character concerns and worries about writing and publishing a book come from the author's own fears or at least the fears most authors have. Like how Jake mentions he sent out manuscripts and hadn’t got one single review. Little things like this throughout the book made it so realistic that I could relate to the thinking and worries that Jake has. People who read a lot will enjoy the little things only people who read a lot will get like how when you say to people, “I have counted and I have read (a certain number of books)” What you really mean is that Goodreads told you the number of books you have read

In the book the plot that Jake stole is always being explained as being one that anyone could write because it is just so good, well this is half true with this book. The plot and the twist at the end were so epic I completely agree this will be a total hit, but I am not sure if anyone could write it because this author set the bar high. The way it played out had me strung along for the ride and man that ending had me gasp and think how clever. I read a lot of suspense and psychological thrillers so I don’t get surprised very much, but this has to be one of my favorite reveals and endings in all the books I have read.

I also think this is going to be a compelling read because we are hearing the story from the bad guy’s perspective. We know he has done something bad by stealing the plot of this story. So we want to like him but also hate him for doing it, so yeah this is definitely going to make this story interesting.

As the book continues, we spend the story watching as Jake travels and meets with anyone having anything to do with his former student, trying to find the person who is getting ready to ruin his life. At parts, it went a little slow, but it allowed for many different possible people to be the person who is emailing Jake. Then we not only get to hear from possible suspects but also get to learn about the sketchy history of Evan Parker's past and the deaths in the family. Let me just say there is more than just a plot to be revealed in this book.

Another thing I loved so much about this book was that we actually got to read parts of the book in this book. So, it was a book within a book, if you can get your mind wrapped around this wonderful insanity. There wasn’t a lot of the story in this book but just enough for us to understand what is happening in the book Jake wrote, so we get to skip the boring parts and jump to the exciting parts.

There was nothing special about the audiobook recording for this story. I like the narrator's voice, as it was very soothing to listen to but it just didn't have a lot of variation when reading. I did listen to it at a higher speed, but this isn't anything wrong with the narration because I listen to all my audiobooks at a higher speed.

There is a lot of things I could say about this book, but I am so glad I got the chance to read this book, one of my favorites.

I'm fascinated by the literary world, so was excited for this one and it did not disappoint. This is definitely a slow burn, but it is worth the wait once the suspense amps up.. Each secret that was revealed kept me listening long after I'd told myself "5 more minutes." It was fresh and original which can be hard to do in this genre and I didn't see the ending coming. The narration was well done and I'd highly recommend listening to this one!

What constitutes plagiarism? Theft of words, theft of idea...both?

These questions are at the center of THE PLOT by @jeanhanff- I totally loved it! It’s a smart psychological thriller set in the literary world and I finished it over the course of 2 days.

You have an author, Jake, whose latest novels have failed to live up to the hype of his first. He’s now barely writing at all and is teaching at a 3rd rate MFA program. He’s basically just floating along, unsure if he’ll ever publish again, until one of his students comes to his office and changes his life. He shares the plot of a story he plans to write and claims that it can’t fail- and he’s right. When years later Jake finds out the story never came to fruition he feels like he’s got no choice but to tell that story. Cut to, years later when he's a big success - and someone knows what he did and is not happy about it. The suspense kept growing and growing and I was so uncomfortable! A mark of a great thriller to me. Highly recommend!