Jean Hanff Korelitz has a knack for dissecting the intricate, often treacherous, world of literature and those who inhabit it, and with "The Sequel," she takes a thrilling, meta-fictional dive even deeper. Building skillfully on the foundations of her previous work (which fans will immediately recognize and appreciate), Korelitz once again proves herself a master of the literary thriller, delivering a story that is as intellectually stimulating as it is suspenseful.

Our protagonist is Anna Williams-Bonner, a woman who has, by her own estimation, "taken care of business." Having navigated the stormy waters of plagiarism accusations that plagued her late husband, bestselling novelist Jacob Finch Bonner, Anna now enjoys the seemingly serene life of a literary widow, her days cushioned by perpetuity checks. Contentment, however, breeds its own form of ambition, and Anna, convinced of her own literary prowess, decides to try her hand at writing a universally lauded bestseller: "The Afterword."

But as Anna basks in the glow of her own debut's acclaim, the past resurfaces in the most chilling way. She begins to receive excerpts of a novel that should, by all accounts, no longer exist—a literary ghost haunting her perfectly curated life. It quickly becomes terrifyingly clear that someone out there knows far too much: about the convenient demise of her brother, the controversy surrounding her late husband, and perhaps most disturbingly, about Anna herself.

"The Sequel" is a fascinating hall of mirrors, reflecting on themes of authorship, ownership, truth versus fiction, and the lengths to which one will go to control their own narrative. Anna is a complex, cunning, and deliciously amoral protagonist, living up to the synopsis's promise that she is, "by any standard, a master storyteller." This trait isn't just about writing, but about crafting and controlling the perception of her own life, making her a compelling, if not always likable, figure to follow.

Korelitz's prose is sharp, witty, and incisive, cutting through the veneer of the literary world to expose its inherent vanities and vulnerabilities. The pacing is taut and propulsive, each revelation tightening the screws of suspense as Anna desperately fights to maintain her grip on her story and her hard-won security. The novel cleverly employs its meta-narrative, making the reader question not only what's true within the story, but also the nature of storytelling itself.

While "The Sequel" will undoubtedly resonate most deeply with those who have read Korelitz's previous foray into this world, providing rich layers of irony and context, it also stands firmly on its own. Enough information is deftly woven into the narrative for new readers to quickly grasp the stakes and become fully immersed in Anna's escalating predicament.

In summary, "The Sequel" is a sophisticated and electrifying psychological thriller. It's a gripping exploration of identity, legacy, and the dangerous game of truth and lies, all wrapped in Korelitz's signature literary flair. Prepare to be unnerved, entertained, and thoroughly engaged as Anna battles for the sole and uncontested right to her own story—a battle she is uniquely equipped to win, or so she believes. Highly recommended for fans of intelligent suspense and anyone fascinated by the dark heart of the creative process.

𝙈𝙮 𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

𝙈𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨:

Jean Hanff Korelitz is so good at peeling back the layers of ambition, deception, and literary ego, and The Sequel is a juicy, sly continuation of exactly that. If you loved The Plot, you’ll enjoy being back in that twisty orbit — and if you didn’t read The Plot, you probably should before diving in.

This one isn’t quite a thriller, but it is propulsive. The tension builds in a more cerebral, almost metafictional way — which sounds pretentious, but Korelitz makes it fun. We’re back with Jacob Finch Bonner, now basking in the glow of (borrowed) success, and this time the questions turn inward: what’s left when your big story is over? Is redemption possible if it means spinning a new narrative — or another lie?

It’s a slower burn than The Plot, and a bit less shocking, but it’s sharp, observant, and satisfyingly self-aware. Korelitz skewers the publishing world and our obsession with storytelling while still delivering a story that’s entertaining in its own right. A smart, layered follow-up — and a fun one to discuss after.

Thank you to NetGalley, Celadon Books, and Jean Hanff Korelitz for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz is available now.

Big thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio & Celadon Books for the ARC & ALC copies!!

While Jean Hanff Korelitz’s sequel had moments of intrigue and thoughtful character development, it ultimately didn’t deliver the same punch as its predecessor. The pacing felt uneven, with long stretches of introspection that dulled the suspense. Some returning characters lacked the depth or evolution that would have made their arcs more compelling. It’s not a bad book by any means—Korelitz’s prose remains sharp and intelligent—but it didn’t quite justify the need for a sequel. A decent read, but not a standout.

The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz is the follow-up to The Plot, a book I enjoyed, but this one just didn’t land the same way for me.

This time, we follow Anna, the widow of Jacob Finch Bonner, as she steps into the literary spotlight herself with her debut novel. But soon, strange messages start arriving—pieces of a story from the past that threaten to unravel everything Anna has built.

I found the concept intriguing, but for some reason, I just couldn’t fully connect with the story. There’s a lot of focus on manuscript reading and the behind-the-scenes world of publishing, which I think slowed things down for me. It wasn’t a bad read—I finished it—but I didn’t love it either. It felt a little flat compared to The Plot, which kept me hooked from start to finish.

If you’re a fan of literary thrillers and the idea of a slow-burn mystery within the world of writers appeals to you, this might be worth picking up. For me, though, it was just okay.

Anna Williams-Bonner is a widow. Of course, that's because she killed her husband, Jacob Finch Bonner but let's not be picky. He was a successful novelist but that's because he had stolen the plot of her brother's novel, which was a thinly disguised version of Anna's life, one she never wanted publicized. Her brother is also among those no longer living along with the rest of her family.

Anna decides to write her own novel of the experience of being a widow and losing someone to suicide which is what the world believes happened to Jacob. To her surprise it becomes an immediate bestseller and soon she is off on a book tour across the country to make appearances at bookstores and clubs, being interviewed on podcasts and radio shows. She could get used to this.

But something is wrong. She starts to get little notices that tells her that someone out there still knows her secrets. She thought she had gotten rid of everything but now she's getting pages from his manuscript in the mail, and even worse, so are Jacob's parents and her publisher and agent. Anna knows she needs to track down the culprit and take care of the problem before it ruins all her plans for the future.

Jean Hanff Korelitz is a successful author of both literary fiction and now she has written a couple of mysteries. Several of her works have been adapted for television series or movies. In this book, she follows up on her book The Plot, which introduced the characters featured in this one. Readers will be intrigued and repulsed by Anna and amazed at how her life seems to go her way, with of course a few murders along the way. I listened to the novel and the narrator had the perfect cold yet self-assured narration to bring Anna to life. This book is recommended for mystery readers.

Oh man what a let down. Not as good as the first book, because it was the first book told a second time in a different manor. I felt like this was super predictable and some parts were very confusing.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this audiobook production.

This is the follow up to the novel The Plot. This book focuses on Anna the widow of Jacob from the first book. Jacob was a struggling writer and teacher of creative writing. He steals a story from one of his students. This book becomes a best seller. In the second book we see Anna reap the rewards of the best selling book. She was sent parts of a book that tells things that she thought was gone forever. But her past is coming home to roost. She must protect her story no matter what it takes. What a tangled web Anna weaves.

If you're a fan of Jean Hanff Korelitz's The Plot, you absolutely have to pick up the audiobook of The Sequel, narrated by the incredible Julia Whelan. She's a superstar for a reason, and her performance here is, as always, pitch-perfect.
This book is incredibly twisty and intriguing, keeping you guessing all the way through. It dives deeper into the aftermath of the first book, revealing more layers of a very complicated situation. Korelitz cleverly expands the narrative, adding new dimensions that make everything feel fresh yet connected.
It's a really smart and compelling listen, full of those complex dynamics that make you wonder about everyone's true motives. Fans of the first book, and anyone who loves a good mind-bending thriller, won't want to miss this one.

The Sequel is a brilliantly crafted, thought-provoking novel that delves into creativity, ambition, and the complexities of friendship and identity. Jean Hanff Korelitz’s sharp, insightful writing pulls you into the lives of her richly drawn characters, making their struggles and triumphs feel deeply real.

The story’s exploration of what it means to create original work—and the pressures that come with success—is both timely and timeless. The suspenseful plot twists keep you hooked, while the emotional depth adds layers that linger long after you finish reading.

This book is a must-read for fans of literary fiction and anyone who loves a smart, engaging story about the costs of ambition and the power of storytelling.

I think if I had read the first book in this series, I would have enjoyed this one more. That being said, it was still a good read. I don't think it had enough standout qualities to really be recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz is a suspenseful follow-up to The Plot, focusing on Anna Williams-Bonner, who is thrust into a web of secrets and threats as she navigates her success in the publishing world. As mysterious messages begin to surface, Anna is forced to confront her past while trying to protect her newfound fame. With sharp writing and unexpected twists, this psychological thriller offers an engaging and thought-provoking read. Great audio quality and narration

THE SEQUEL was just as twisty as I hoped it to be! I loved the audio format and what a delight to see it was narrated by the best, Julia Whelan.

*many thanks to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

I enjoyed The Plot, so I was excited to read The Sequel, and I was lucky enough to read them back-to-back. Unfortunately, after being initially intrigued by the plot, I felt that the Sequel started to drag on. I couldn't connect with the MC at all, and I found there was a lot of unnecessary casualties in the book. The plot points also seemed kind of ridiculous at points, which isn't always a deal breaker for me, but it just didn't work for me here. I think this one will end up being forgettable.

Fantastic follow-up! Surprising from beginning to end. Clever and captivating! Highly recommend! Five stars.

Very twisty! I hadn’t read the first book of this series, so it took me just a little bit to get into it and follow along - but it was really easy to jump right in and be enamored with this book.

Suspenseful, and I didn’t t see that twist coming!

Is it wrong to like such an unlikeable character? I don’t know, but I am here for all things Anna Williams-Bonner in THE SEQUEL. Korelitz enters her character’s head and crafts a spectacularly entertaining, candid, and down-right addictive thriller.

For those of us who have read THE PLOT, Anna is not a new character. However, entering into her orbit once again is just as good as the first time. I loved the harsh wit and criticism Anna has for those around her. It offers a refreshing candor. Within her mind, this woman knows who she is and owns up to her choices. As the reader, you can understand the why of her actions even if you don’t agree with them. This combined with the resurfacing of the past is why the sequel to THE PLOT is so captivating.

As she plays with a clever look at the publishing industry and the darkness of a psychological thriller, Korelitz has created a story that allows the reader to have fun while being on the edge of their seat. I honestly didn’t know what Anna would do next, and I loved every minute of it. THE SEQUEL was just as twisty as THE PLOT, but dare I say it, even more turns. Now my only question is…will Anna be back for round three? I hope so.

Audiobook Note: The way Julia Whelan narrates this book is exactly what you would want as a listener and reader. She breathes life into Anna as we go further down the rabbit hole of the character’s past and present. The inflection and pace moved the story along and kept you wanting more.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Glad that i read the first book so close to starting this one, very good series (so far!)

100% you should read “The Plot” before reading “The Sequel.” The newly widowed Anna surprises herself by deciding to write a novel. 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.

I am not sure how to even review The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz. I don’t want to give away any spoilers for this book and The Plot (of which The Sequel is, well, a sequel). I’ll just say a couple things. The Sequel is not a standalone novel. You absolutely cannot read this book without finishing The Plot (and it’s best to read the two books back to back). And not much happens in The Sequel that hasn’t already happened in The Plot. Honestly, I think the book was an unnecessary sequel.

Another fall favorite is Jean Hanff Korelitz's The Sequel is a follow-up to The Plot. Like The Plot, The Sequel has a wild plot revolving around writers taking other people's plots and stories. I listened to this book as an audiobook. I don't want to spoil the plot, but essentially it follows up from where the last book ends. It begins with the wife of The Plot's main character, who was a disillusioned professor teaching introductory writing classes to disinterested students. Much to his surprise, one of the students has a gift for writing, a student who is disrespectful and downright obnoxious.

The professor has spent most of his professional life trying to write a bestseller that will free him from teaching and allow him to dedicate all his time to writing. And now here is a student - one who is barely passing his class - penning a bestseller with the ease of a pro. Then the student dies, leaving the manuscript in the professor's hands. This is the professor's one shot at achieving his dream of becoming a bestselling author. He knows it's wrong, but his desire to be successful at all costs outweighs his moral compass.

In The Sequel, the professor passes away, ironically at his desk doing the thing he loved the most: writing. His wife is left to pick up the pieces. She writes a novel, which becomes a bestseller. But her motivations for writing her book, and for being the wife of the professor, are questionable. The Sequel was just as fast-paced and entertaining as The Plot - it also tied up some loose ends from The Plot. I hope there is a third book in this series!