I was listening to the audiobook and found myself confused and irritated. The narrative seems to be shifting between three different perspectives, and one seems to be a book within a book. Problem is, that book within a book is not for me at all. There’s conspiracy and defiling the dead and an unknown villain, and it’s not my cup of tea at all.

I didn’t love the book inside a book idea. The narrator was okay and kind of took away from the book.

"The Mystery Writer" captivates readers with its enthralling thriller narrative and meticulously crafted plotline. Sulari Gentill, in her debut novel, showcases remarkable storytelling prowess that instantly captivates and leaves a lasting impression. As a newcomer to Gentill's work, I find myself drawn into the intricate world she has created, eagerly turning pages and eagerly anticipating each twist and turn. It's evident that Gentill has a unique talent for weaving suspenseful tales that keep readers on the edge of their seats. "The Mystery Writer" not only establishes Gentill as a notable author in the thriller genre but also earns her a devoted fan in me

Hm, I was hoping to love the book within a book vibe like The Plot but I didn't as much here. I liked the idea of meeting a famous author writing a book in a coffee shop and learning etc and finding them dead but I didn't love either character and it was all a bit random. There was like bonus borderline cult stuff happening hahah. The whole thing felt a little disconnected and I didn't feel like the plto was all that cohesive.

The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill might be seen as a scathing denouncement of the publishing industry if one were a cynic. Whatever the message, it was an excellent mystery, full of murder, threats, veiled or otherwise, and intrigue. It was comprised of a group of misfits lurking on the Internet to a young writer, hoping to publish her first work. Theodosia Benton, (Theo) had left law school in Australia and arrived on her brother’s doorstep without a real plan. She knew she didn’t want to return to law school. She and her brother were part aborigine, Australia. Their parents were vagabonds but wanted the best for their children. Gus was a lawyer, in Lawrence, Kansas. Theo would never be a lawyer. She took to spending her days in what was a cafe by day and a bar by night, writing. There were others writers there although they didn’t interact much. Until one day one did. Dan Murdoch. They became friends, then they made love, then he was murdered.

What a good story this was, if a little overboard, but most fictional murders are, aren’t they? Theo’s problems stemmed from immaturity, until they didn’t and she handled something, if not well, better. She trusted her publisher. Why wouldn’t she? They had published Dan’s books. They wanted what was best for her, didn’t they? What a good character. Her brother Gus, was as well. Both pretty clean cut young adults. Her parents were odd, but? The plot was improbable but interesting and well-thought-out. It kept me wondering. I figured out a little of it early on but hardly to the full extent. The only issue I have with the fabulous book is that the ending seemed a little rushed. It was like she didn’t really know how to end it and had a word limit. That didn’t negate the quality of the whole, however. Thanks, Sulari Gentill!

The narrator was Katherine Littrell who was excellent. She kept the momentum and made me want to keep listening. She was the perfect narrator for this book. Couldn’t have asked for a better one.

I was invited to read The Mystery Writer by Poisoned Pen Press and listen by Dreamscape Media. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #PoisonedPenPress #DreamscapeMedia #SulariGentill #TheMysteryWriter

3.5⭐️
( Audiobook - 4⭐)

When twenty-two-year-old Theodosia “Theo” Benton drops out of law school in Australia, she ends up in Lawrence, Kansas, at the home of her older brother Gus, a practicing lawyer. Theo is an aspiring writer and Gus is supportive of her goals, encouraging her to pursue her dreams. At Gus’ insistence, she finds a place to sit and write - a bar named Benders where she meets Dan Murdoch, a best-selling author whom she quickly befriends. Dan encourages Theo and from him, she begins to understand how the publishing world works. But when Dan is brutally murdered, Theo, Gus, and their friend Mac are drawn into a complex web of conspiracy, lies, deception, and murder. As the narrative progresses, Theo realizes that all was not as it seemed right in Dan’s world and that sometimes the truth can be stranger than fiction.

I was intrigued by the premise of The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill. Cleverly crafted and well-paced, with a solid mystery at its core with some interesting twists along the way, this novel surely held a lot of promise. My first problem with the novel was the fact that I wasn’t a fan of Theo, who is portrayed to be a bit too naïve for my liking. I did like the other characters and especially loved reading about their lives in Tasmania and the bond between the adult siblings even though they didn’t spend much time together growing up. The conspiracy theories and doomsday preppers added to the intrigue (and the entertainment value) in the story and I was eager to see where the characters finally landed. I also wasn’t a fan of the time jumps (yes, more than one) toward the end which made me feel like I was missing parts of the story, despite the narrative feeling a tad too lengthy. Usually, I love complicated mysteries and enjoy trying to guess the identity of the culprit and don’t mind suspending disbelief. However, the plot became too convoluted (laughably so) toward the end and way over the top for me to appreciate the direction of the story or the final revelations.

I really enjoyed The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill and was eager to read the author’s new book. While the premise of the novel is enticing, and I found some of the characters and plot twists definitely interesting, I didn’t enjoy this one as much as I had hoped.

I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by Katherine Littrell. The excellent narration breathes life into the story and the characters and makes for an engaging immersion reading experience. The audio narration definitely enhanced my overall experience with this novel.

Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for the digital review copy and Dreamscape Media for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The narrator is great but I just couldn't get into this one. I thought it was slow going at the beginning and while the blurb made it sound exciting, I didn't find that to be the case with this book. I didn't like the FMC, I found to be ridiculous at times. The ending had me confused as all get out.

Parts of it also reminded me of the author's first novel:
1) Australian woman moves to the U.S., (acts like she moved from Mars to Earth)
2) There are coffee shops
3) Friends made along the way

Definitely not for me.

A big "Thank you!" to Sulari Gentill, NetGalley, and Dreamscape Media for an eARC of The Mystery Writer.

I want to start off by saying I L-O-V-E-D this book! The plot was so interesting, the narrator was great, and I honestly did not want this book to end! It was one of my favorite books of 2024 so far!

Things I loved:

The plot was so multi-layered. Gentill sets up the reader to think there is something fishy going on with Dan's murder, but as we learn more we start to truly wonder if Dan's research into conspiracy theories actually really got him killed. Was it an aggressive fan, did Theo or her brother actually kill him, or was it someone from the Frankenstein Project?!

The characters were so relatable and lovable. Theo is just trying to make it by after some horrific events. Gus is being a great older brother by being there for her, even when she made some unfortunate mistakes. Together they grew up under less than ideal circumstances, but it brought them together and I loved how they were both constantly thinking of each other.

The twist about 3/4 of the way through had me so confused. After all Gus, Theo, and Mack had researched and fought for, to have Theo just vanish?? Seriously?? But it made for a great ending and really tied up some loose ends.

Things I didn't love:

That this book ended! I got so invested in the characters that I wanted to read more about how their lives turned out and if another agency like Day Delos appeared in the future! Also - did Mack's crazy family ever get charges dropped on them? This book definitely has potential for a sequel and I, for one, would definitely be here for it!

4.5 stars rounded up!

I was excited to read this book after I enjoyed The Woman in the Library so much. Unfortunately, I didn't like this one quite as much. The summary indicated that Theo, the FMC, disappears after her brother is accused of murder. This happens at about 70-75% through the story. The build up was just too slow and slogged in certain parts. There were also some alternating POV chapters meant to shed light on an underground website spouting conspiracy theories.

Overall I was invested enough into Theo as a character to see the story through, but it was a bit disjointed and the flow was not as smooth as I would have preferred.

The audio narrator was really good though and I love the Australian background of Theo and her brother.

Law student Theodosia moves from Australia to Texas to live with her brother, where she finds herself with a mentor in fellow writer Dan Murdoch. When Theo stumbles across a murdered Dan, she soon becomes the number one suspect. But could the answer lie in the conspiracy theories Dan was researching? Or does Theo know even less about Dan than she had realized?

Right off the bat, I found myself incredibly intrigued with the story and where it was headed. I thought the author did a good job of hooking the reader in and establishing the main characters. The character development itself seemed solid, and the plot easy to follow. And then, things began to go off the rails. The storyline became hard to follow, characters were added left and right, conspiracy theories abound, and the pacing of the story overall felt a bit…wonky.

Sulari Gentill’s follow up to The Woman in the Library, started off with a bang, but ended with more of a fizzle. Is this book bad? Not at all. Does it have a few issues that prevented me from really liking it? Yes. Would I recommend it? If you are someone who loves to get embroiled in conspiracy theories, I’d say yes! Give it a go. If not, this might not be the book for you.

I went back and forth between the physical book and audiobook. Katherine Littrell did an excellent job narrating, and I think it’s why I enjoyed this story more than others. If you are wanting to read this one, and you enjoy audiobooks, my recommendation would be to read this one with your ears.

Read if you like:
•more mystery than thriller
•conspiracy theories
•books about writers
•movie like plot lines

Thank you Poisoned Pen and Dreamscape Media for the gifted copies.

This book was a roller coaster! The narrator did a great job at keeping my attention. However, I did find myself a bit bored at times. It was a good listen.

I’ll be honest, I requested this title from NetGalley and either completely forgot the premise of the book or requested it without reading the synopsis.🤦‍♀️ I’m not sure how I missed that this was more on the thriller side versus mystery. This was not at all what I was expecting when I started reading but I really enjoyed it.

Throughout the book, I had different theories as to who was guilty but ultimately I didn’t see the ending coming. Halfway through two murders were committed and I didn’t have a clue who was responsible.

The book is mostly told from Theodosia’s POV but with the point of view from an Internet forum of conspiracy theorists.

At one point I found myself getting frustrated with Theo. While she was thrown into a mess of a situation, I wished she would have had more of a backbone and stood up to the gaslighting that seemed to be coming at her from every other character.

The plot really picks up as the story approaches its conclusion. This was my first novel by Sulari Gentill and I’ll have to dive more into other books by her. I enjoy thrillers if I can’t see myself being in a similar situation. Seeing that I'm not an expat from Australia trying to publish a book after dropping out of law school I felt fairly certain I wouldn't get too creeped out. This storyline was very intriguing and it wasn’t gory. As far as thrillers, this one is probably more on the docile side with more emphasis on the mystery elements.

Thank you, NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Dreamscape Media for the ALC and ARC.

Scandal and chaos, chaos and scandal. Murder, murder and more murder. This book was wild! Conspiracies, doomsday prep families, a horse-sized dog, homicidal monopoly publisher.... I might have to write a full spoiler review on this one.

The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for the free audiobook.

Blurb:
There’s nothing easier to dismiss than a conspiracy theory- until it turns out to be true. When Theo abandons her career path as an attorney and shows up at her brother’s doorstep with two suitcases and an unfinished novel, she expects to face a few challenges.

✨My thoughts:
I didn’t love this one as much as I hoped. It started strong and held my attention.. mostly* but somewhere along the way I lost interest. I thought the narrator was fine but it felt long. Our main character, Theo wasn’t lovable either. Maybe it was just my mood but overall this story fell slat. I still have The Woman in the library in my TBR and hopefully I have a better time with that one. The mystery writer is out now!

Happy reading 📖

DnF at 20% this is awfully dramatic response to a brief fling/one night stand dying. Theo was a wet blanket of a main character, sorry for the brutally honest response 🥴

This book started strongly, and I was invested in the story, but after a pretty long and involved setup, things really fell apart about 70% in. It felt like I missed something, then it felt like the author ran out of steam. The narrative devolved into mostly telling to reveal how everything played out. All in all, the pacing was very uneven.

We start with a long setup of Theo(dosia) who has moved from Australia to Texas to live with her brother Gus after deciding to stop her studies to become a lawyer to try her hand at becoming a writer. She writes every day at a cafe and befriends Dan Murdoch, who she discovers is also a writer. The two bounce ideas off of each other and Theo finishes her book. She asks Dan to pass it on to his agent and he refuses. When she goes to his house later to talk about it, she finds Dan murdered. This starts a long (long) string of events which includes conspiracy theories, deaths, disappearances, wrongful accusations, and other sinister things.

I found the plot to be way too detailed about some things, and then at one point years go by and we just get a couple of paragraphs to recap what happened. I also thought the romance plots were a little too insta-love for me, but maybe lots of time had passed and I just didn't realize it? Who knows with the way this book is written.

There is nothing realistic about the way things play out, unless you are the kind of person who believes conspiracy theories and then you might find it plausible. I'm sure some will. With the pacing issues I found this to generally be just an okay read. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did an excellent job with the various accents and that kept me much more interested in the book than I might have been otherwise.

Overall, an interesting mystery. Theo Benton gets herself wrapped up in something much larger than I originally thought and the ending was unexpected. The characters were OK but I didn’t really like Theo or Dan, and I felt that, despite the length of the novel, I didn’t really get to know her that well. Also, the ending seemed rushed to me after what seemed like hours of set up to get to it, making a lot of slow-moving portions throughout the middle of the book and then a quick, unsatisfying ending.

I had the pleasure of receiving "The Mystery Writer" from the publisher, and the moment I laid eyes on the cover, I was hooked. The allure of the artwork promised a story worth embarking on. From the beginning, I found myself engrossed in the author's exploration of American stereotypes, delivered with a curious blend of satire and unsettling accuracy. This quirky narrative choice added depth to the story, making me question the boundaries between fiction and reality—a theme that resonated throughout the book.

One of the highlights for me was the rich atmosphere woven into the narrative, creating a vivid backdrop for the intriguing characters. The mentor-mentee dynamic between the writers was a particularly enjoyable aspect, adding layers of complexity to their relationships. I appreciated the intimate glimpse into the daily life and inner thoughts of the female lead, Theo. It brought a sense of authenticity to her character and allowed me to connect with her on a deeper level. As the story unfolded and tensions escalated, I found the pacing to be perfectly suited to the narrative, maintaining suspense while staying true to the characters' motivations and development.

The synopsis hints at a labyrinthine journey into a hidden literary world, and "The Mystery Writer" certainly delivers on that promise. The murder mystery intertwined with themes of identity and the power of storytelling kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. Overall, "The Mystery Writer" is a gripping literary thriller that challenges perceptions and delves into the darker corners of the writing world. Sulari Gentill has crafted a tale that is both thought-provoking and thoroughly entertaining, leaving readers hungry for more.

*3.5 Stars On My Instagram Account*

"Becoming a writer is one thing, staying one is entirely another beast."

"Poets are apparently excellent assassins."

In the often make your head spin The Mystery Writer, by truly intriguing mystery author Sulari Gentill, it often felt like two different mysteries that converge at the end.

I really enjoyed the set up of this murder mystery. Theodosia (Theo) Benton is a 22 year old law school drop out who, rather than go home to her parents in Tasmania, heads to Lawrence, Kansas to hide out with her older brother, and successful lawyer, Gus and his faithful dog, Horse. She decides to pursue her dream of being a writer.

Writing at a local cafe she meets a known older author who becomes her mentor then lover. She finds him brutally murdered in his home and is a suspect. Gus and his firm's P.I., Mac, are trying to help her but when two more murders connected to the author occur, not only is Theo arrested, so are Gus and Mac.

Somewhere in the middle of all this killing, conspiracy theorists believe the dead author was killed because of the "truths" he knew and Theo becomes public enemy number one. I have to give credit to voice actress Katherine Littrell for balancing Theo's anxiety and naivety as her world implodes and she believes the only way to save Gus and Mac is to "die."

Though I knew from the start who was responsible for the murders, I enjoyed the journey. I appreciate the themes of how misuse of social media, false narratives, and outrageous conspiracies can lead to destroyed lives. That theme just became a bit overwhelming and rushed near the end. Money and power can corrupt but it may be the (mystery) writers with a conscience that saves us from ourselves.

I received a free copy of this book/audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

I was eager to dive into this book; the first few chapters were captivating. The buildup was excellent, but then it veered off track. Too many elements were introduced and towards the end, it felt like a completely different story.

The protagonist, Theo Benton, is an aspiring writer whose life is turned upside down when her mentor and lover is murdered. With the help of her brother Gus and his private investigator friend Mac, they embark on a quest to unravel the case.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the free audio copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.