Content Warnings: murder, sexual assault, stalking, gun violence

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC!

After reading and enjoying Sulari Gentill’s The Woman in the Library, I was super excited to pick up her latest book, The Mystery Writer. I found The Woman in the Library to be clever and creepy, and I was hopeful that The Mystery Writer would top it.

To say I was disappointed would be an understatement, to say the least.

The Mystery Writer was a slow-paced, convoluted story that was honestly so ridiculous at parts that I had to roll my eyes and walk away. The novel follows the story of Theo Benton, an aspiring author who drops out of law school and moves to the US to live with her older brother. As she starts working on her manuscript, she befriends an older author who takes her under his wing. Everything is going great — Theo is finishing her manuscript, her relationship with her mentor is turning into something more — until her mentor ends up dead, and Theo is the prime suspect in his murder.

But that’s not all. It turns out that Theo’s dead mentor was involved in a conspiracy that might just go all the way to the top. And now Theo isn’t just caught up in a murder; there’s a whole web of secrets, lies, and violence in which Theo finds herself thoroughly wrapped.

This sounds right up my alley. So what went wrong?

To begin with, the writing itself felt amateurish and unedited. The book read like a first draft: lots of potential, but lots of cleaning up to do. I overlook a lot of typos and mistakes in ARCs, since they are not finished with editing, but this book had a long way to go in that aspect. There were also continuity errors and logical inconsistencies that took me out of the story on more than one occasion.

My biggest problem, though, was the character of Theo. I wanted so badly to like her, but I found her so clueless as to be unbelievable. I understand that books typically need miscommunication and bad choices for the sake of having a story, but this went far beyond that. Theo overlooked every red flag in her path and constantly put herself in harm’s way out of unimaginable ignorance. It was hard to root for her when it seemed every decision she made was so wrong.

I also found the plot to be unbelievable to the point of, quite frankly, absolute ridiculousness. This was not a murder mystery, it was a conspiracy-theory thriller completely unrooted in reality. With too many characters, a litany of alternating perspectives, and abrupt time jumps of years, I just could not center myself within this story. I could not even bring myself to invest in the story; I only wanted it to end.

I love metafiction and murder as much as the next guy, but sadly, this is not a book that I would recommend to anyone.

⭐️: 3.25 / 5

Publication Date: March 19, 2024

I want to thank Poisoned Pen Press and Net Galley for allowing me to get an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

The prologue leaves you with a sense of “wait…what?”. And if I’m being totally honest I don’t think it’s ever addressed later in the book either.

Some of the coolest aspects of this story, was that part of this book was the process of writing a novel. The use of electronic posts, reminded me of Reddit posts/comments and I thought that added an interesting element to the developing story.

As for my reservations, this book took a turn to the ridiculous. Some of the actions and decisions that the FMC does had me rolling my eyes a bit and felt like it was realistic. As for the rest of the plot, I was on board until the climax started to happen towards the end and it just felt so out of left field which I was really disappointed to see. Some scenes were summarized in an odd way instead of writing out the scene as it deserved while some paragraphs were dedicated to the FMC thinking through events that felt redundant.

Overall I liked this book but the ending really took away some of the enjoyment. I felt like this was a quick and easy read to get through. I think that others will enjoy this book and it definitely had a unique premise.

Would recommend for those who are fans of
- Books about writing books
- Author FMC
- Conspiracies

⚠️ violence, assault

I was at a loss for this one.

So many storylines going on, different perspectives, lots of characters, and just overall a lot going on. The act 3 switch and subsequent disappearance of Theo was a bit much for me, it seemed a bit out of character.

If you're a complex novel reading kind of person this is the one but it wasn't for me

This was my first book from this author and I promise you it will not be my last, what a great story!! I was a little hesitant at first when the story seems to show signs of conspiracy of a Frankenstein Project, but it worked so well with the main story!
Theodosia shows up on her brothers doorstep in America after dropping out of the Australian university and wants to become a writer instead of a lawyer. As she finds a local coffee shop to start writing her book, she meets up with a famous author Dan Murdoch. Their friends is fast and feelings are starting to evolve between the two of them when Dan gets murdered and it appears that Theo is the number one suspect. This is where the book gets wild and super interesting! Publishers are shady and twisted, Theo gets herself further and further in the weeds of more murders and the people finding a conspiracy with the whole ordeal are out for blood.

The only negative I have about this book that knocked it down from 5 stars to 4 for me was the last quarter of the book. The entire book was well paced and provided just the right amount of details until the last quarter. Then it kind of just jumps to the ending. It felt a little rushed and like he was just trying to wrap things up. I did like how there were no loose ends and all my questions were answered, but I think it could have been a bit more detailed in the end.

Overall this was a EXCELLENT book and I will be seeking out more reads from this author.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

3.5 stars

In Gentill's latest THE MYSTERY WRITER, Theo (female) arrives at her brother Gus's house after having dropped out of law school and deciding to become a writer. Theo soon decides to continue writing at the local hangout Benders, and there she meets Dan, a published writer, who is also there to write. They start up a friendship (and more!), but when Theo discovers Dan's dead body, she is pulled into a mystery where her brother is the main suspect. Gus's friend Mac, who is from a doomsday prepper family, is also pulled into the mix.

There was a slow start to this, which I really enjoyed as I settled into the story. The slowness continued until past it had worn out its welcome. A lot of the middle is about the logistics of hiding, which frankly wasn't that interesting. And then there was a burst of 10-15% of the book toward the end that read like an action novel, and it was almost too chaotic. So the pace was rather uneven, and for most of the time I felt like Goldilocks (mostly wanting a faster pace, but toward the end wanting a slower pace).

I liked the atmosphere for most of the book except toward the chaotic end. There was some intrigue. I felt like the author had some things to say about publishing via the story, which I liked, but it was much more subtle than, say, YELLOWFACE.

I felt like the author held us a distance from the characters. Mac was my favorite character. Perhaps that was because I got to see Mac interact with his family. I was intrigued by the family Gus and Theo came from, so I was frustrated that we didn't get to see more dynamics with their parents.

I wasn't wowed by the author's previous thriller THE WOMAN IN THE LIBRARY, so perhaps I should have skipped this because this author may not land for me like she does for others. It was an overall solid mystery, but there were a few elements that didn't quite work for me (the pacing, felt like I didn't get a close view of the characters, wanted to explore more of Gus's and Theo's dynamics with their parents).

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ok first speaking as someone who doesn’t have siblings but always wanted them the sibling love in this book was amazing. They would truly do anything for eachother.

There was a lot going on at ask times with this book and that was kind odd confusing for me but I really enjoyed this book a lot.

Theodosia Benton leaves her home in Australia to join her brother Gus in Lawrence, Kansas. She’s dropped out of law school, giving up her parents’ plan for her to follow the family tradition, choosing instead to follow her own dream of becoming a writer.
Through pure luck, or, perhaps karma, she is befriended by Dan Murdoch, a famous novelist, in the coffee shop/bar where she spends her days writing. He takes an interest in her writing, and mentors her through the months it takes to finish her book. Finally, it’s done, and a prestigious agency wants to put her under contract. She tries to give Murdoch the good news, but it seems that he’s ghosted her. When she goes to Murdoch’s home, she finds out why. The door is open, and she stumbles through a pool of blood to see his dead body.
This sets off a series of events that sends her life, and the lives of those close to her, on a path straight to Hell. She’s the primary suspect in the murder, and her brother, in trying to defend her, gets caught up in the mess. Soon, everyone she is close to is in danger.

I really enjoyed Theo's journey from the start. She is quirky and ultimately searching for the life for her when realizing being a lawyer isn't for her. I like how this showcased we can change the direction of our lives, even when there is outside pressure from others. I loved the relationship between Theo and her brother, Gus, and of course, the dog, ironically named Horse. The relationship between Theo and Dan was interesting and I was immediately waiting for the shoe to drop with the build up Sulari provided right from the beginning. The writing was in a way ominous as you knew what was going to happen but the writing still pulled a reaction from me which is huge because I usually don't like when I already know plot points. Theo was surprisingly naïve with her interactions with people which I wasn't expecting and I found myself telling her to be more cautious and wanting her to speak her mind and stop following with whatever someone was saying. The mystery surrounding Dan as a person and the addition with the snippets with the conspiracy theory had me hooked. Once Dan was murdered, things really took off and you get to see so many of the twists and turns play out which kept me wanting to read more. There were parts that kind of dragged and I felt didn't flow the best but overall I thought it was a good read and was different from other books I read which I loved.

It took me a little while to get through the book but that is not a reflection on the actual book itself. When I had time to read I was engrossed and flew through the pages with ease. Overall, this was an enjoyable read for me and I recommend it!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thoughts: Wow. This was definitely not what I was expecting. It was much more. First of all, it’s a thriller, not a cozy mystery. The main character, Theo, sometimes comes across as naïve and meek, but by the end, she has grown into a stronger person. I loved the character of Mac, and Gus wasn’t too bad either. And the dog, Horse, was adorable. The plot was at times a little confusing, but did work out in the end. In fact, the end surprised me a little, but in a very good way. It’s definitely not the kind of work I usually read, but I’m glad I did. It was very different and intriguing.

Recommendation: Recommended.

Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

I decided to read The Mystery Writer, based on the previous Sulari Gentill novel that I had read, The Woman in the Library. No two books could be so different. I learned a long time ago to always complete a novel, once started. Sometimes a writer will surprise readers with something totally unexpected. That was not the case with The Mystery Writer. Finishing this novel was a real struggle. All of the conspiracy stuff was a distraction that was confusing and served no purpose. The relationship between brother and sister and their family had possibilities that went unfulfilled because of other distractions.

The Mystery Writer takes a lot of work and constant rereading to try and understand the point of so many confusing digressions. Reading The Mystery Writer was a great deal of work and without the hoped-for reward. It is rare for me not to enjoy a novel. However, I realize that not every book appeals to every reader. Reading tastes are highly individualistic. Films are the same way. My grandsons loved a very strange film that won many awards, but I totally missed the point. I kept wondering why they were laughing.

Thank you to the author, Poison Pen Press, and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I encourage people to read all of the reviews for any book they consider purchasing. Many people enjoyed The Mystery Writer. I am just not one of them. 2.5/5

This book certainly had an interesting premise that would appeal to many readers who are fascinated by authors and their process. The story of a hopeful author trying to get a book published while wrestling with issues in the rest of her life was interesting, but I must confess there were clues dropped like lead weights that alerted me far too early in the story to a likely solution to the mystery.
I’m not suggesting this story is a waste of time, but by the end it really jumps the shark. If you don’t mind some over-the-top situations and solutions, give it a try.

Theodosia Benton leaves Sydney, Australia and school and goes to her brother Gus, a partner in a law firm in Laurence, Kansas. Gus supports her efforts to write full-time and she then meets another writer, Dan Murdoch. When she discovers his body and that he was murdered, the police suspect her. Mac Ethridge, a private investigator and friend of Gus, is asked by Theo to look into Murdoch's death, but when two more bodies are found, all three are now suspects while at the same time, Theo's life is in danger.
A tense story that builds slowly to a thrilling conclusion with cut throat publishers, doomsday preppers and maniacal fans.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this e-galley of "The Mystery Writer".

"The Mystery Writer" by Sulari Gentill presents a unique blend of mystery, literary exploration, and conspiracy, making for an intriguing narrative. The story revolves around Theodosia Benton, who abandons her legal career to pursue writing, leading her into a hidden literary world where identity is malleable.

I enjoyed Gentill’s approach to interweaving conspiracies throughout and I thought this was such an interesting take; showing just how pervasive conspiracies can be. While ultimately much of the novel, especially the final conspiracy twist, felt unlikely, I thought that this perfectly fit the novel - as don’t all conspiracies seem unbelievable until they’re proven true? Yet, this book is confusing in the beginning. It has chat room sessions in between the story and as a reader they lack context. You are wondering what it all means.

There were places in this book where I felt Gentill lost the plot a little, and I wasn't sure how it would all come together. The last 20% of the book was a RIDE, so it did throw me off a little. I wish we had gotten more about Mac's family and how they were involved in all the conspiracies.

However, once you start to figure out what is going on, you cannot wait to see what is going to happen next. Could a conspiracy be in play?

I would say this is more of a cozy mystery than a thriller, but still enjoyable.

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the eARC of this book!

Much like The Woman in the Library, this book was great in premise but not in execution.

Theodosia Benton has chucked law school and flown halfway around the world to show up on her brother Gus's doorstep in a tiny Kansas town where he practices law. The details of her departure are fuzzy but she has decided to give herself the opportunity to pursue her true passion: writing. With Gus's encouragement, Theo finds herself becoming a regular at Benders, a local bar where she sits with her laptop and works on her novel. And Benders is where she meets Dan Murdoch, a bestselling author who just happens to also frequent that establishment.

Theo and Dan strike up a friendship, mainly discussing Theo's historical mystery with Dan giving advice and support to his new friend who is slowly becoming more than just a friend. As they get to know each other, Dan also starts to share details about his own novel in progress and the inspiration he's been drawing from online forums devoted to pedaling conspiracy theories. Things are going well until Theo shows up at Dan's apartment only to find him dead on the floor and Theo is suspect number one. With the help of her lawyer brother and his private investigator Mac, Theo sets out to find Dan's killer but in the process unearths an even larger conspiracy far beyond what Dan could ever have imagined in his novels.

There were parts of this book that I really enjoyed but I had a hard time with the conspiracy theory angle and how it fit in to the overall mystery. I often felt myself being yanked away from the heart of the story to read these strange ramblings that were meant to be a forum for sharing bizarre theories. By the time I finished reading I was relieved that it was over and was left feeling rather unsatisfied with the conclusion. I definitely would not have chosen to read this book had it not been on NetGalley.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Theo is not happy in her life. She decides to make sone changes because she wants to write a book. This decision she makes will change her life in many ways. This book was a quick read.

For the most part I enjoyed this story very much. The relationship between Theo and her brother, Gus, was realistic and fun to be part of. It reminded me of the best playful times with my own brothers, and the bond was deep between them.

When Theo discovers the murder of her friend and mentor, Dan Murdoch, she is in so much shock she has a hard time functioning. The police consider her a main suspect and that thread of suspicion is pulled through the bulk of the story.

The author did a great job creating tension and wonderful characters. However the ending fell short. I can't say how specifically without giving a spoiler and I don't want to do that.

Conspiracies abound in this tale of an aspiring writer gets deeply involved in a publishing organization that isn't what it seems to be. As the body count starts adding up, the story takes a bizarre path that requires the reader to suspend disbelief. The ending jumps a very large shark.

I couldn’t put this one down! At the heart, it was a murder mystery, but it has so many other elements—conspiracy theorists, writers, cozy coffee shops, romance, and murder without the gore. Although the ending felt a bit rushed, the story kept me guessing and turning pages until the very end. A unique and interesting story! Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced copy!

I have mixed feelings about this one. Parts of it I enjoyed, the character of Theo and her growth, I liked the concept of the book and I get what it was trying to achieve. It didn't quite get there for me though. It was entertaining as a story of good vs evil and a look at conspiracy theories, so if i take it as just that...... 3.5 rounded up

Not enjoyed this one as much as I had the author's previous book. I felt that the book was overtly long and predictable at the same time as it became increasingly bizzare as it progressed.