JHK has absolutely cemented herself as an "auto buy" author for me now. The Plot was so perfect that I thought "why mess with a good thing?" I also thought it would be like other sequels-- good, but not as good as the original.. I am happy to report that I was wrong! I was hanging on every word and I have to tempt fate to ask: can she make it a trilogy?

The story was compelling enough to keep me glued to it, but as I was going back and forth between the ecopy and the audiobook, I found that the characters were hard for me to enjoy. I enjoyed the mystery of trying to figure out who was threatening to out the main character's past, but I didn't love the route to getting to the resolution. This is a book where the lead is not a hero and frankly most all the characters were either mercenary or evil in some way or another. I guess they had to be in order for the reader to tolerate how Anna resolved her problems. I am just not the right audience for that kind of protagonist lead. I found myself captivated with the story, but dreading what would always come next. I would recommend it to people who don't mind sociopaths as much as I do. Ha.

This felt completely unnecessary and mind-numbingly repetitive. Not only were entire situations and even words (lachrymose is TOO SPECIFIC A WORD for multiple characters to use it!) repeated over and over, but the whole plot also felt like a retread of the first book. Despite this being a sequel, it's somehow still all about that first book from The Plot. The pacing was off (the first 20% is Anna writing a book and then going on tour zzzZZZzZZz), there were too many endings, and nothing felt earned or satisfying.

This was disturbing and as propulsive as the first book in the series. Even though she's a terrible person, I found myself rooting for the main character. This book kept me guessing until the very end, and I'll be thinking about it for a long time.

So, this is "The Sequel" to the "The Plot" and I must admit that I had a very similar reaction to both books. Primarily because they ARE the same book. Same storyline, same characters, same type of twist (though the one in The Plot was MUCH more interesting), in general just very little to set this book apart from the first. And, the main character is just so unlikable, in addition to being a narcissistic, emotionally vacant, psychopath. At least Jake had some warmth to him, and you could understood what was driving him (mostly popularity). But with Anna, it isn't really apparent what she wants. She just keeps plodding through the obligations of life - including the book tour related to a well-received novel and tracking down everyone who has (or might) done her wrong - all in a very one-dimensional way

It was also quite evident that the author really wanted to present social commentary around the publishing industry and indeed, the overall crazy world we are living in today, but it mostly felt out of place and a bit heavy handed.

Mostly, it felt like there was a lot of "fluff" to pad the length of the book overall, and specifically certain scenes. Anna was thinking, and over-thinking, the same things at the beginning of the book that she was at the end. It was like wading through an OCD mind to get to the plot points. Perhaps that was intentional? Regardless, it was painful to deal with the repetition, particularly when it felt like a less satisfying regurgitation of the first book.

Please note: I received a digital copy from Netgalley & Celadon Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

Easily one of my favorite books of 2024!

They say sequels are never as good as the first book, but I enjoyed this one just as much. The author, Jean Hanff Korelitz, created such an interesting premise that I couldn’t put it down. Some sequels pick up years after the original story, but this one begins in the wake of (spoiler alert) Jake’s death. (Btw, if you haven’t read The Plot then do so immediately!) Anna Williams-Bonner, widow of late best selling author, Jacob Finch Bonner, continues to honor him after his tragic death. Promoting his past work and supporting his upcoming novel, while touring for her own debut, The Afterword. Anna receives a threatening note. Someone knows the truth. And she’s forced to find out who, snuffing out the threat of her dark past for good.

The Sequel picked up perfectly where The Plot left off. And like the first book, this one had me on the edge of my seat. Like all of the author’s books I’ve read so far, the pace is steady and the suspense is palpable. She really knows how to make you root for the most awful characters. Anna is one of the darkest protagonists I’ve ever read and yet, I was desperate for her to succeed in covering her tracks. I was gripped from the first page (already knowing what she was capable of), and the tension only ramped up once she received a note revealing there was someone out there who knew the truth of her past.

Scenes that I still think about include the forest where she was forced to dig her own grave, and the trip to her old childhood home in Vermont to look for the original manuscript. The way she’d reminisced about watching her brother from the trees at the edge of the property was chilling. The lunch with her agent and publisher at Balthazar was hilarious. The dialogue felt like a behind-the-scenes reveal of industry gossip. The ending was satisfying with no loose ends, even leaving it open for a possible third installation in the series…one can only hope!

5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For readers who enjoy an elevated thriller with clever twists, a flawed protagonist, and a book within a book.

What a story, what a sequel! I liked it even better than THE PLOT. Crazy and unexpected twists, and the whole time I found myself rooting for the villain. Thank you #netgalley.com for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Give this to your readers who can't get enough twisty psycho-mysteries. They will love it! This is a sequel to the author's book, The Plot, carrying on with a new protagonist, Anna, who was the now dead Jacob Finch Bonner's wife. As his widow, she has written her own novel, which while not quite as successful as her late husband's, is doing very well. Unfortunately, a voice from her past is accusing her of plagiarism, and she thought she had meticulously covered her tracks. She proceeds to finish the job in this incredibly absorbing, engaging, un-put-downable thriller. Just when you think you have Anna all figured out, she surprises you. Great read and very satisfying!

Thank you Netgalley for the follow up to, "The Plot" by Jean Korelitz. Of the two titles, I think I liked the Sequel better than the Plot and I'm really glad this author chose to write a book 2! I thought both were fantastic and I'm hopeful for a book 3!

Although I did read "The Plot", I think this stands on its own if you haven't read it. The shift here focuses on Anna in the aftermath of her husband's death and as she publishes and promotes her own novel "The Afterword". As her star rises and she becomes well known, pieces of another novel begin to arrive in her mail, that of her in-laws and publisher that again raises the question of her husband's plagiarism. Afraid of what this means to her life and financial security, Anna is forced to revisit her past and rectify some of the wrongs.

I have never started a review this way but .... I am so glad that book is over! I am an outlier again, based on the high praise I have seen for The Sequel. When I read The Plot, I thought the premise sounded intriguing, but the execution of that novel fell flat for me. In my opinion, this was worse. I found this story to be quite repetitive, not only in the re-telling of The Plot plot, but also, in the excruciating detail of every action the main character took. The author also seemed to enjoy re-hashing what the character had done and what she was planning to do, over and over. I made no connection with Anna, the protagonist in The Sequel and I wished her dead often throughout the novel, just so all would be finished. Anna was a straight-up psychopathic serial killer with a list of characters that had wronged her, without any proof of these accusations, except in her own twisted mind.
I relish a great, twisty novel with depth, an interesting storyline, well-developed characters and a plot that goes somewhere. The Sequel did not produce any of those characteristics. I

The Sequel is the follow up to "The Plot". The story starts with Anna Williams-Bonner, who decides to write her own book after the death of her husband. She finds out someone is after her and accusing her of wrong doing. It is full of twists and turns and will have you on the edge of your seat until the end.

If you enjoyed "The Plot", you'll enjoy "The Sequel".

I enjoyed the page-turning “literary” thriller The Plot, and this book is an enjoyable follow-up. "The Sequel" by Jean Hanff Korelitz offers a compelling exploration of fame, creativity, and the often tumultuous relationship between an author and their audience. Korelitz's prose is sharp and engaging, capturing the nuances of her protagonist’s internal struggles. The themes of identity and artistic integrity are woven seamlessly into the plot, prompting readers to reflect on the nature of success in the literary world. However, I did find the pacing uneven at times, particularly in the middle sections where the introspection can feel prolonged. The supporting characters are well-drawn but occasionally lack depth, leaving some subplots feeling underdeveloped. Overall, "The Sequel" is a thoughtful commentary on the complexities of the creative process, enriched by Korelitz's keen insights into human nature.

The Plot was one of my favorite books of the year when it came out and I was surprised how well done it was in every aspect. So I was a little surprised to see a sequel pop up. I didn’t learn my lesson and went into this one with meager expectations and was once again blown away. The writing is superb, the characters nasty and wonderful, and the plot a rip roarer that is both entertaining and substantial. Amazing.

Definitely propulsive fiction. And such an unlikable narrator, yet I actually quite liked her. She has morals and standards, even if they are quite different from what most of society has. I found her sympathetic even though she committed so,so many murders. Quite the ride. Glad I took it.

The Plot was one of the best books I read the year it was published so no doubt I was going to pass up The Sequel! I was not disappointed. It picked up very close to where The Plot left off and continued with Anna Williams-Bonner's life. An excellent and intriguing book! Loved it.

What an exciting and suspenseful novel that pulls you in right from the start. The main character, Anna Williams-Bonner, is an interesting and complex figure who does whatever it takes to protect her secrets and maintain control of her story. The plot twists and turns in unexpected ways, keeping the reader guessing as Anna’s carefully planned life starts to fall apart.

Korelitz’s writing style is engaging and filled with sharp humor, which makes it fun to read, even as the suspense builds. The book also gives readers an inside look at the publishing world, which adds another layer to the story.

I was interested to see how this would continue The Plot now that Anna has gotten rid of her husband. It seemed to be more of a retelling of The Plot than a Sequel to it. Anna is a completely unlikable character, which is usually fine, but Anna lacked any of the spark or humor or complete darkness that makes an unlikeable character fun to read. While the story was loaded with twists and turns of varying believability, , I found it to be a bit boring.

Thank you to NetGalley and the to publisher for this eArc in exchange for my honest review.

2 stars
The Sequel
Jean Haniff Korelitz

I have never started a review this way but .... I am so glad that book is over! I am an outlier again, based on the high praise I have seen for The Sequel. When I read The Plot, I thought the premise sounded intriguing, but the execution of that novel fell flat for me. In my opinion, this was worse. I found this story to be quite repetitive, not only in the re-telling of The Plot plot, but also, in the excruciating detail of every action the main character took. The author also seemed to enjoy re-hashing what the character had done and what she was planning to do, over and over. I made no connection with Anna, the protagonist in The Sequel and I wished her dead often throughout the novel, just so all would be finished. Anna was a straight-up psychopathic serial killer with a list of characters that had wronged her, without any proof of these accusations, except in her own twisted mind.
I relish a great, twisty novel with depth, an interesting storyline, well-developed characters and a plot that goes somewhere. The Sequel did not produce any of those characteristics. I found the author's style of writing to be pretentious and condescending. I think a great editing job could have reduced the novel in half and maybe encouraged a more developed plot - a more interesting story.
I would like to thank #Netgalley and Celadon Books for the eCopy of The Sequel. I present an honest review,from my point of view.

The newly widowed Anna surprises herself by deciding to write a novel. Even more surprising, she turns out to be very successful at it. Unfortunately, she starts getting contacted by a mystery person who seems to know way too much another book from her past.

This is a very entertaining book featuring a villain for whom I found myself rooting. It can be read as a standalone, because the author rehashes most of the plot of the first book, but I recommend reading “The Plot” first. It is also an entertaining book, and if you read “The Sequel” first it will completely spoil “The Plot”. I liked the author’s snark about writers and the publishing industry. There was even a passage that perfectly reflected what I wrote in my review of “The Plot”:

“First of all, it wasn’t even that hard. The way they went on, all those writers, so incessantly, so dramatically, they might have been going down the mines on all fours with a plastic spoon clenched between their teeth to loosen the diamonds, are wading in raw sewage to find the leak in the septic line, running into burning buildings with forty-five pounds of equipment on their backs. But this degree of whining over the mere act of sitting down at the desk, or even reclining on a sofa, and … typing?

Julia Whelan did a wonderful job narrating the audiobook. She expressed all of Anna’s sarcasm, anger, anxiety, envy and bitterness. (You won’t really find lighter emotions in Anna.) 4.5 stars

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