I need a few moments to come to grips with what I just read...

I love when a book leaves me gasping and wondering what the heck just happened here!!! No spoilers.

This is a crazy convoluted thriller that you have to read in one sitting because you can’t look away. I was glued to the pages flipping frantically, guessing wildly, and thinking I knew what was going on. I didn’t.

The writing is superb and a testament to two brilliant authors who really know how to write a thriller that keeps a reader thinking what in the world is going to happen next.

I won’t rehash the plot and I think it best if you go in blind without any preconceived notions. Know that you are in the hands of two masters and enjoy the ride!

I was able to listen to the audio book while also reading along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Peter Ganim, did a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life and enhancing the book with is excellent dramatic flair and depiction of the characters. This production really made the novel so much more enjoyable.

Highly recommend. One of my top 10 this year so far!

The Writer is a fast-paced, twisty thriller that hooks you from the first page. NYPD Detective Declan Shaw arrives at a luxury apartment to find a blood-covered woman, a dead body, and shelves full of books…that is the start of this wild ride of a read.

Is she the killer, or just living out one of her stories? That question will keep you guessing until the very end of this thrilling novel!!!!

With sharp dialogue, eerie atmosphere, and plenty of suspense, this is a gripping read that blurs the line between fact and fiction until the very last page. I loved this book so much and I highly recommend it.

Twisted Pages and Deadly Plots: A Thrill Ride from Start to Finish!

James Patterson and J.D. Barker deliver an electrifying collaboration in The Writer, a fast-paced thriller that grips you from the very first page and never lets go.

The story plunges into the dark, addictive world of crime fiction—with a chilling twist: the lines between reality and fiction blur when a reclusive bestselling author becomes entangled in a murder investigation eerily mirroring his own novels. The suspense builds relentlessly, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, the authors pull the rug out from under you.

What makes The Writer standout is not only its intricate plot, but the psychological tension and layered characters that keep you second-guessing everyone’s motives. Patterson’s trademark pacing blends seamlessly with Barker’s darker, more atmospheric storytelling, making for a partnership that absolutely works.

Perfect for fans of high-stakes mysteries and psychological thrillers, this book is a must-read. Clear your schedule—you won’t be able to put this one down!

Thank you for this 5 star book!

A well-deserved 4.5 stars to this exciting, twisty, shocking novel! After reading the 4MK trilogy last year, I was thrilled to see this novel out by Barker and Patterson! It definitely did not disappoint. Just when I thought I had it pieced together, the narrative shifted completely. The ending left me stunned all the way through the very last line. Definitely recommend to all thriller lovers and to anyone looking for a fast paced novel to keep them on their toes. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Writer by James Patterson and J.D. Barker was published on March 17, 2025. It opens with Detective Declan Shaw at a closed subway station trying to work up the nerve to commit suicide when he receives a call from his partner about a break in and homicide at the home of a true crime author. Shaw makes his way to the crime scene to work the case, and in a turn of events, Declan comes under scrutiny in another case loosely connected to this new case.

I received an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The Writer from NetGalley and Little , Brown, and Company for free in exchange for my honest review. I'm appreciative that my request for this book was approved.

With this story opening with the main character trying to commit suicide, I almost didn't go any further with the book. However, I am glad I stuck with it as it took me on a fantastic ride and had my emotions all over the place. There were so many twists and turns that just when I thought I had it all figured out, there was yet another turn. By the end of The Writer, the reader is left in a bit of a lurch in the way of a cliffhanger.

A lot of the characters were unlikable, including the main character, Declan Shaw. Despite Patterson and Barker doing their best to make Shaw unlikable, there was that "je ne sais quoi" about the character that made me actually really like him and root him on. And, we won't even talk about how unlikable the victim and true crime author character is throughout the storyline. The only completely likable character is Shaw's partner Cordova.

Despite all of the unlikable characters, I found myself reading as fast as I could to see what crazy thing would happen next and if Shaw would get away with a host of different crimes and manipulations. You'll have to read for yourself to find out what happens, but The Writer by James Patterson and J.D. Barker is one of the best books I've read that was co-written by Patterson. Four out of five stars.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

James Patterson and J.D. Barker's "The Writer" plunges readers into a labyrinth of suspense, deception, and psychological intrigue. The novel opens with a chilling premise: Denise Morrow, a bestselling true-crime author, is found covered in blood next to her murdered husband. NYPD Detective Declan Shaw is summoned to the scene.

The narrative is a rollercoaster of twists and turns, with Patterson and Barker expertly weaving a tale that keeps readers guessing. Denise's character is a fascinating study in complexity—her profession as a true-crime writer adds layers of irony and tension to the story.

"The Writer" maintains relentless suspense while delving into the psychological depths of its characters. The authors explore themes of trust, betrayal, and the blurred boundaries between fiction and reality.

The novel's pacing is impeccable, with each chapter ending on a note that compels readers to keep turning the pages. The climax is jaw-dropping, delivering a twist that redefines the entire narrative.

Patterson and Barker have crafted a story that is entertaining and thought-provoking.

"The Writer" is a tour de force that showcases the combined brilliance of James Patterson and J.D. Barker. It's a must-read for fans of thrillers and psychological mysteries.

The description on Net Galley had me hooked and of course anything by James Patterson! Perplexing murder, fun read!

Best ending ever! The cover says, “You’ll never forget the ending…” Whoa, they weren’t kidding. The Writer by James Patterson and J.D. Barker was extremely suspenseful, especially during the second half. In true Patterson fashion, The Writer kept you on your toes as you try to figure out the mystery.

What Is The Writer About?
This thriller is about a true-crime writer, Denise Morrow, who is found next to her dead husband. She is covered in blood and holding a knife. NYPD Detective, Declan Shaw, finds her behavior odd and starts to delve deeper into the mystery. As he dives into her past, he begins to see that things are more sinister than he thought.

My Thoughts on The Writer:
I loved this book. I’m a big fan of James Patterson and his thriller books, but combine that with the talents of J.D. Barker, and this book is a hit! Just like in other Patterson books, he takes some time to set up the mystery. BUT, you know something great and suspenseful is coming. This book didn’t disappoint.

Declan Shaw is a likable and relatable character. I like how the character’s flaws are shown throughout the story. He doesn’t dress nicely, like his partner, Jarod Cordova. In fact, he reminds me a lot of Harry Bosch in the Michael Connelly series. He takes his job seriously, but he can definitely get in trouble while doing his best work.

I couldn’t stand Denise Morrow, but I was intrigued by her talents as a true-crime writer. It makes me wonder if true-crime writers have more of a criminal mind than criminals themselves. Ha. They research crimes extensively. Detectives should talk to them in real life to hear their thoughts on a case.

My favorite part of the book is all of the twists. They were brilliant and added to the story. I had to process the ending when I finished. I sat there and thought, “What did I just read???”

This is now one of my favorite Patterson books. Which one is your favorite?

I gave this book five out of five stars. It should definitely be made into a movie. I didn’t want to stop reading, and I will remember the ending for a while.

Thank you to NetGalley, James Patterson, J.D. Barker, and Little, Brown & Co for my free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

What a wild and twisty murder thriller which had me second guessing all the evidence and doubting everyone! Nothing is as it seems after Denise makes the 911 call about her dead husband and is found covered in blood and sitting by the body, all alone. And Detective Declan Shaw, with his own secrets and demons will be hard pressed to unravel it before someone else may end up dead. To put it succinctly, nothing is what it seems, things get turned on their head and the killer has all bases covered and has covered all angles and may very well get away with it all, or maybe not. This is definitely a great read with twists that will make you gasp and the ending will stick with you in a kind of laughing shock that is perfect. I had great fun reading this! I would recommend this to anyone who likes twisty thrillers. Be prepared to drop everything while reading this though, very hard to put down!

James Patterson and J.D. Barker truly knocked this one out of the park! This story truly held my attention all the way through. It had so many twists and surprises that I was kept guessing to the end. I kept thinking that I had figured out what had happened and who was conspiring with whom, and then something would happen to let me know that things were completely different. The characters were all dynamic and each had secret motivations that only they knew about. It was all around entertaining and the ending was a complete

This was an insane perfectly crafted story from Patterson and Barker. Definitely the best Patterson book I have read in a long time. SO MANY twists and turns that it is hard to keep up. You can't trust anyone! I was blown away by this one and read it in one sitting. Must read! Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Wow. This has got to be one of the best Patterson books I have read in a while. This one will have your head spinning right up until the last sentence. There are so many twists and turns trying to figure out who killed David, who is really the "bad guy," who is really being framed. My head was literally spinning. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Well, this was a twisty read!
LOL….the cat cam!
The story is full of suspenseful tension as per James Patterson’s writing style.
Some parts seemed a bit slow….
Overall, The Writer is an intense suspense thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat….just be ready for an ending that will surprise you.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

4.5 stars

This multileveled story pulls readers in from the start. It's brilliantly crafted and fast paced. Twist after twist keeps readers on the edge of their seats turning the page. And just when you think you have things figured out, you will likely discover that you are wrong.

This was such a brilliantly crafted tangled web of lies. It has been a while since I read a James Patterson novel, but when I saw J.D. Barker attached, I couldn't pass this one up. This is one of the rare books that I feel like my brain is a jumbled mess trying to keep up with all the twists. I am not normally a fan of a lot of twists because I often feel that it goes to the extent of the author trying too hard to impress the reader, and it ends up feeling cheap. This one, though, each and every one is genius and intricately laid out. This story was flawless and written by two of the best in this genre. You can't go wrong. Any and every fan of mystery and thrillers will love and devour this one. Five stars.

Thank you, Netgalley and Little, Brown and Company, for this ARC.

This book is just wow with the twists. I thought I had it figured out and then bam. Another turn. All good though. This book is one of those books that make you think. Who is playing who? Is it Declan that is being framed for real? Or what did he do so long ago? Is it the writer Denise? Is this just a book that Denise is writing and the stories didn't happen the way that they did? Did the husband really cheat? All these questions, and it still kept me guessing until the very end. And then something else happened. I really feel bad for Declan though. He went through so much and then everything that happened was like a roller coaster for his life. I would like a little novella to really end this story. Because we need to know what everyone including Harrison thought of this twisty fall out ending. I didn't even think about a certain thing at the end. But then I was like oh shit, how the hell can someone recover from that? And all the truths that came out. Such a crazy fantastic book.

"Well-orchestrated bullshit." ~ 83%

This quote perfectly describes James Patterson's newest thriller titled The Writer. Booklist recommends setting aside uninterrupted reading time. Early readers call it wild, full of twists, suspenseful and entertaining. But you're here for my opinion.

Let me tell what this story is about first. It begins with Detective Declan Shaw in the wrong place at the wrong time when he receives an order to get to a crime scene. In the affluent tower apartment, Shaw finds a woman waiting for him. She specifically asked for him by name. She's covered in blood. A knife and a body is lying dead on the floor. Shaw notices that every book in the luxurious apartment's floor-to-ceiling shelves is by the same true crime writer Denise Morrow. And now she's the number one suspect in her husband's murder.

When I say twist after twist after twist...it will make you spin! The Writer made a right turn when I for sure thought it was turning left. Patterson and Barker make a good writing duo playing off each other's strengths while maintaining a fast-paced page-turner. Well done and highly recommend!

Happy Pub Day, Patterson and Barker! The Writer is now available.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

The Writer by James Patterson and J. D. Barker is a mystery full of intrigue and suspense. There are unexpected twists and compelling characters. Definitely a book that you hate to put down.

I cannot say enough about this book, but I can't say much except MESSY has never had a better look! This story was so well plotted with the "i's" dotted and "t's" crossed. Yea go right ahead think you know where the story is headed.....you're wrong! I won't say anything else except Read, Read, Read.

Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and James Patterson/J..D. Barker for the ARC. The above opinion is given freely and honestly.

Okay, James Patterson seriously nailed it with The Writer. From page one, I was utterly hooked. The short chapters made it easy to keep reading — I kept telling myself "just one more" until I realized I’d read half the book in one sitting.

The story was packed with twists I didn’t see coming, and every time I thought I had it figured out, Patterson flipped the script. If you’re into fast-paced thrillers with tons of suspense, this one’s a must-read.