Oh my gosh, where do I even start? This book was such a whirlwind! Like, it had all the makings of a juicy thriller—murders, secrets, and plot twists that totally made my head spin. Every time I thought I had it all figured out, boom, another curveball. It’s like the story was playing a game of “gotcha” with me the entire time.

The pacing? Perfect. The suspense? Through the roof. The characters? Okay, they weren’t exactly people I’d want to hang out with, but they were totally fascinating to watch unravel. And let’s talk about the ending—it was satisfying, but not in the “tie it all up with a bow” way. More like the “drop the mic and walk away” vibe. If you’re into detective stories with a side of “wait, what just happened?” moments, you’ll probably devour this one like I did.

Big thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Wow! Patterson and Barker did not disappoint with this one. The levels of deciet by so many in this book kept me changing my thoughts on the guilty part throughout the book. The characters were developed well and while there were many twists and turns all of it was conceivable. I highly recommend this book!!

A new stand alone novel by James Patterson and J.D. Barker, The Writer is a wild rollercoaster of a read. The intricacies of the twists and turns of the plot make this a tough one to put down. Red herrings abound and the ending is totally unpredictable.. A fast paced read that will linger in the reader’s thoughts well beyond the last page.

I’ve been reading James Patterson for well over 20 years, and while his earlier books are definitely my favorites, any book of his is sure to send you on a wild ride! Definitely give this one a try if you like his other work.

Wow! I love James Patterson and I read all the Alex Cross and Women’Murder Club books. This is a stand alone book and it is actually one of my favorite books from the authors. It starts out with a bang and ends with an even bigger one. There are so many twists and turns that just when you think you have it all figured out, you find out you were wrong, and I don’t want to give away any of the surprises. Please pick this book up and enjoy the ride. You will not be disappointed.

The Writer by James Patterson & JD Barker
James Patterson books rarely disappoint and this one definitely did not. I started and finished it in one day. Lots of twists and turns and that ending will blow you away.
NYPD cop Declan Shaw is thinking of ending his life in front of a train when his partner calls him to a crime scene involving a famous true crime author. Denise Morrow finds her husband murdered when she returns home after a book signing. She asks for Declan Shaw, which is odd especially since her soon to be released book doesn’t paint him in a very good picture. This book will reel you in and keep you hooked wondering how the heck this is all gonna fit together.

JD Barker does it again, another 5 star read. This book had me shouting "WHAT?!" out loud several times. Great page turner, great plot and overall just great writing.

Some critiques:
-I constantly mixed up the characters of Harrison and Hoffman, I wish the names were way different than each other. I honestly just finished the book in the middle of the night last night and unsure if those are even the right names.
-I found several spelling and grammatical errors which I reported to Kindle, but I don't even know if those are validated.

I would never want to get into the mind of JD Barker because he has to be the most clever author I've come across. Because this book was so great, I am now inclined to read all of his joint books with Patterson. I've honestly never been a Patterson reader but boy I am now!

5/5 and will recommend to all my reader friends.

**SPOILER ZONE BELOW, DONT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK**



-The T-shirt that Denise was wearing.... Cordova figured that out at Declan's apartment?! Come on! How many people own blue Oxford shirts? I think if there was a lipstick stain or grease stain from the bacon she was cooking, it would've been WAY more believable.
-The Quimby Cam of it all... HAHAHAHAHAHA When the group was cheering to that "company," I thought it was a plot hole, but the END!!! Boy oh boy that was great. I love an abrupt ending when all ends are tied up.

Review Copy

Patterson and Barker did it again! Those two work together like peanut butter and chocolate. THE WRITER was such an intensely fast paced, tightly crafted novel that I read most of it in one sitting. Then after crashing for the night I woke up and finished it.

It's the story of a true crime writer - a very successful one - and her family and the NYPD.

I don't think thrillers get any better than this, but who am I to say? Luckily for us, both authors have more books coming out this year. Make sure you preorder this before you forget.

Thia is a very highly recommended 5 star read.

The Writer by James Patterson and JD Barker is a fast-paced, twisty crime thriller that keeps the tension high from start to finish. This was my first Patterson novel, but since I’m a big fan of JD Barker’s 4MK series, I couldn’t wait to see how this collaboration compared. While it doesn’t quite match the complexity, character depth, or suspense of the 4MK series, I still found it to be a fun and entertaining read. The pacing is quick, with no slow moments, and the twists just kept coming. Every time I thought I'd hit the big reveal, another twist popped up and I couldn't wait to read the next chapter.

I had to suspend disbelief throughout most of the narrative and overlook a few plot holes, but that didn’t take away from how much fun I had reading this novel. The pages flew by, and I was never bored. The Writer isn’t your typical gritty, realistic police procedural or a character-driven story. Instead, it’s a clever, twist-filled thriller that’s both highly entertaining and a thoroughly satisfying way to spend an afternoon.

The Writer had me completely engrossed from start to finish. . . . and the ending was absolutely perfect!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Little, Brown and Company, James Patterson and JD Barker for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review!

What an amazing, jaw dropping book!
Barker and Patterson always deliver on what they say they are going to

Thanks NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I really love both of these authors, but when they come together, it is sheer brilliance. The twists in this book are amazing. I had absolutely no idea where the story was going to go until the very last page. It is definitely action-packed and totally binge-worthy. I love the connections with some true crime too. Certainly a book worth checking out when it’s released in March 2025.

Unlike most folks I haven't read nearly his entire backlist but I have picked up a few books here and there and this was a good one. Definitely enjoyed it.

When I see the name of this author, I want to read his books. He has several co-authors, and they don’t disappoint. This book is a page turner with red herrings that kept me guessing. The title hooked me. Writers writing about a writer is always mysterious, and the main character is intriguing. Quirky or not? Getting to the end could not come soon enough. I was not sure I solved the mystery. Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC to read and enjoy. All opinions are my own.

The Writer is fiendishly clever, twisted , dark compelling read with a extraordinary ending. Everyone and everything is questioned. The myriad of twists and turns become unexpected revelations. James Patterson and J. D. Barker are fast becoming a stellar duo in the collaboration of writing extraordinary suspense fiction.

Thank you to James Patterson and J. D. Barker, Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

First, I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the authors for the gifted copy of The Writer. This murder thriller was everything I wanted and more—I can’t wait for everyone to experience it when it releases on March 17, 2025!

This book grabbed me from page one and didn’t let go. It’s dark, twisty, and chilling, with a killer’s perspective that will send shivers down your spine. Patterson and Barker delivered a masterclass in suspense, keeping me on the edge of my seat with every chapter. The mystery is so intricately crafted, I was glued to the pages, desperate to piece everything together before the big reveal. Spoiler alert: I didn’t see it coming!

Relatable moment: You know when a book is so good you ignore everything around you? Yep, that was me. Cold coffee? Check. Ignored texts? Double check. My mind was too wrapped up in this brilliant story to care.

The pacing is relentless in the best way, the characters are beautifully layered, and the writing flows seamlessly. Patterson and Barker are a dream team, and this book proves it. And that ending? I’m still recovering.

Final Thoughts: If murder thrillers are your thing, The Writer is a must-read. It’s intense, addictive, and will leave you questioning everything. This was an easy 5 stars for me, and I can’t recommend it enough.

Thank you again, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this incredible book!

Look, i don't normally go for, well, pop. I'm not criticizing, it's popular for a reason, it just isn't really my thing. That said, this was a fucking great time.

The story starts fast-paced and doesn't give up until the last pages. The ending had my jaw on the floor. Only Patterson could be so clever!

When we meet NYPD Detective Declan Shaw, we feel for him. His job is difficult, his life seems not too great. And then comes the call that changes everything- we need you in a luxurious apartment near Central Park.

When he stumbles upon what looks like a cut-and-dry murder case, it turns into a game of cat and mouse that will have your head spinning. As the cast of characters grows and the murders do as well, you can't help but wonder who the bad guy is.

Set around the lives of Detective Shaw and true-crime writer (and supposed victim) Denise Morrow, you'll never guess the ending until you reach the final pages. Patterson and Barker definitely started 2025 off with a bang!

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

A thrilling book that keeps you turning the pages until the shocking ending. Full of twists and turns and shocks. Brilliant! I highly recommend reading this book! 📖

James Patterson and JD Barker do it again.

I've been a fan of James Patterson books for years and when I saw he partnered with JD Barker for The Writer, I knew I'd be in for quite a ride. Grabs you from the first page and takes you on all kinds of twists and turns.
This book did not disappoint and I'd love to see this as a movie or series.

Loved it!