Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Writer.

One of my favorite authors growing up was James Patterson, mainly the Alex Cross series.

Then, I grew bored of the series and my reading interests turned in another direction.

Recently, Mr. Patterson has been collaborating with other suspense and genre writers and I decided to give my once favorite author another try again.

I'm happy to say I've been enjoying these new collaborations and The Writer is one of them.

This is both a police procedural (which I love) and a mystery wrapped in a puzzle.

You have to follow the clues, pay attention to all the major and minor players in the narrative, and tease out the truth.

But what is the truth? Whose truth is it? Whose story is this?

I figured out some of the twists early on since I read books exclusively in this genre so I have a pretty good idea what tricks authors tend to throw at you.

Yes, the narrative will use some of your ability to suspend disbelief but you may as well go along for the ride. I did because I wanted to see how it ended, how everyone tied together and how it was resolved.

I liked the ending and Shaw's partner.

I love when the tables are turned. Again and again.

Wasn't in love with this book initially but it made up for it at the end. Lots of twists right to the end. I'm glad I stuck with it and I ended up enjoying it

Love...love...love this book. I started reading it in the evening and had to force myself to put it down to go to sleep. I picked it back up before my coffee was made. Such delicious twists and turns and unexpected revelations.

This book makes you question everything and everyone in it as reality blends with multiple narratives.

Five stars all the way.

When I see the name of this popular author, I want to read his book. He has co-authors often, but that is fine too. The title of this novel intrigued me. Writers writing about a writer. This is a page turner. The main character is mysterious. Is she guilty? Or Not? Red herrings kept me guessing. Thanks Netgalley

Sir Walter Scott's "Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive" never was more meaningful than in this impossible-to-put-down adventure. Nothing is as it seems, at least for very long; every "Aha!" moment - and there are plenty - is followed by a sharp intake of breath and a "But wait..."

At a crucial decision moment in his life, NYPD Detective Declan Shaw gets a call telling him to get to a crime scene stat. In a building occupied by the hoity toity and well-heeled, he finds a woman covered in blood sitting next to a very dead body. She's Denise Morrow, author of best-selling true-crime novels. The dead guy is her husband David, a health-care executive. That's a bit strange, but not nearly as much as the fact that she refuses to let anyone near her except Declan, who's never even met her.

Needless to say, almost all the evidence points to Denise as her husband's killer. Still, Declan and his partner, Jarod Cardova, think something is off (well, besides her insistence on having Declan present). Why on earth would she want him, and only him, on the case? In fairly short order, Declan learns that she's writing a soon-to-be-released book on an old murder case involving a 14-year old girl in 2018 - a case that was closed when the murderer was arrested and convicted despite his pleas of innocence - even from the jail cell he now occupies. Why would that matter? It was Declan who led the investigation and produced the evidence that put the guy away. And now, it seems, Denise has come up with some new evidence of her own.

Readers, of course, see the events as they unfolded back then and in real time from various perspectives; the devil, of course, is in the details. And I wish - oh how I wish - I could offer up a sample of just one. But no; I have no intention of spoiling even a single one of those "Aha" moments for others who want to read it (and if you don't, you'll be missing out on an exhiliarating ride). All I can say is this one's another winner for sure - a don't-miss standalone that will have you chilled, thrilled and aghast from beginning to end. My thanks go to the publisher, via NetGalley, for letting me in on the whole thing by way of a pre-release copy. Wowser!

I haven’t enjoyed a police procedural as much as I liked this detective story in a long time. It was a wild ride from start to finish. I’m not usually a fan of plot twists, but here, I loved every one of them. The story kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end, and I was constantly guessing what would happen next.

The pacing was just right, never dragging or rushing through the plot. The dialogues felt natural, keeping the story moving forward and maintaining the suspense. The recordings were another great addition, fitting perfectly into the story and adding to the atmosphere.

While I did have my own idea of how the ending could have played out, I think the actual conclusion was perfect. It tied everything together in a way that felt right, even though I initially expected something different.

It was a well-crafted and engaging read that kept my attention throughout. The twists, pacing, and atmosphere all worked together to make it a thrilling experience.

I thought I was going to get whiplash from all the twists, turns and change in story arcs. Wow! It felt like we were presented with a new revelation in each and every chapter! Bam! Twist! Boom! Turn! I loved it!

This book will keep you on the edge of your seat with every paragraph. Every Chapter. Right to the end! Seriously, even in the final chapter, there was a huge OMG moment, I was thrown for another loop that I did not see coming. I actually gasped.

I've read a lot of James Patterson's stories, but this was my first time reading the James Patterson / J.D. Barker duo, and I'm going to search for more! Together they really packed a lot into these pages and kept me guessing. If you like surprises and like to be challenged, you need to read this one!

For me the entire book was heart pounding angst and I loved it!

Thank you James Patterson, J.D. Barker, Little, Brown and Company, and NetGalley for this ARC. The above is my own and personal opinion.

Detective Declan Shaw’s life is about to end when he gets a call from his partner. Denise Morrow’s husband is dead and on her 911 call she says, Declan Shaw. Let the investigation begin. It seems cut and dry. Denise is covered in blood and no one else accessed their apartment. But when the evidence makes it to the lab, nothing adds up. If Denise did not kill her husband, David, who did?
A complicated plot with so many twists and turns. Quimby, Denise’s cat was the only character that I did not think had a hidden agenda. Oh, and Otto Penzler from the Mysterious Bookshop played a small part in this Cray Cray story. I could not turn the pages fast enough to figure out whodunnit, how they dunnit, and why. 4.5 stars.

Exhilarating! Just when you think you understand what is happening next, another stunner comes out of nowhere! Evil, corruption, and crime all collide in this awesome story. A jaw-dropping, gasping thriller!

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Hang on tight… best-selling authors James Patterson and JD Barker are about to take you on one heck of a roller coaster ride!

Popular true crime novelist Denise Morrow just found herself in the headlines. But for all the wrong reasons. Her husband has been murdered and she is the number one suspect.

It’s up to detectives Declan Shaw and Jarod Cordova to put the pieces of the puzzle together and wrap it in a bow to present to the DA. But come on, that would be too easy, right?

Just when you think you have it cleverly figured out. When you convince yourself there cannot possibly be another twist. Well my fellow thriller fans, you couldn’t be more wrong! You will be in for one shock after another all the way to the very end! Bravo!

I’ve only recently made my way back to the world of James Patterson. And his collaborations with many of my favorite authors have provided me with some of my favorite thrillers!

Can’t wait for more!

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company.

WOW! This is the most twisted thrillers I've read in a long time.
There are lots of red herrings, twists, and shocking discoveries. All the pieces of the story come together into an awesome read, one I couldn't put down once I started. Even the ending was a great surprise! Cannot recommend enough!
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The mark of a gifted storyteller is one that keeps readers guessing throughout the novel. When I first started #TheWriter, I wasn't sure it was the right book for me. A transcript depicting a cold case commenced the first chapter and from there, I struggled to piece together the puzzle.

Discovering breadcrumbs trailing between the past and present is when the story takes on a life of its own. There are so many twists and turns that unraveling a strand, reveals roads ahead.

While I normally provide a brief synopsis of the story, I fear giving away an intentional clue. I leave the decision in your hands, do you dare pick up the novel? If you're brave enough to take the plunge, get ready for a twisted tale that proves 'the pen is mightier than a sword.' .

I adore these two authors so knew I had to have this book! Denise Morrow is a true-crime writer and has just published a book about Maggie Marshal whose killer "Lucky" is now on death row. Declan Shaw is with the NYPD and is at a subway station getting ready to jump and end his life. But when that doesn't happen, he's pulled into the most exciting, exacerbating crime he's ever seen that involves bloody knives, allergies, subterfuge, and the most unlikely aliases you could imagine. This pulled me in and never let me go!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

This is my book of 2024! So good and a literally gasped at the ending. James Patterson is a consistent write and for the most part you know what you are getting—a great story! But this really exceeded my expectations and I have already been recommending it to others! 5 ⭐️

The cover of this book says "You'll never forget the ending" - and believe me you'll never forget this book - WOW EXPLOSIVE!!! Patterson and Barker are the drivers of the roller coaster and the masters of leaving their readers on the edge of their seats. Believe me, you will not forget a word of this book!

5 stars for this book by James Patterson and J. D. Barker. James Patterson is not my normal genre but he is such an amazing writer I feel every book by him is amazing! i truthfully appreciate being allowed to read this before publication date. I will be purchasing a copy for my library. Both writers did a fantastic job!

The Writer is diabolically clever, twisted , dark compelling read that grabs you from the first to the last page.

It should come with a warning that you wont be able to put the book down.

Detective Declan Shaw has been summoned to a murder scene at a luxurious apartment ,

The victim's wife is found beside him and it looks like a simple open and shut case.

You could not be more wrong.

Twists and turns, red herrings, unlikeable characters that are scheming (dont turn your back on them) keep the pages turning.

I dont want to give anything away but I will say dont get to complacent as James Patterson and J. D. Barker have more than one trick up their sleeves that will have you gasping for air.

I cant recommend The Writer highly enough so grab your copy, walk the dog and then settle in to read The Write in one sititng.

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the privilege to read and review The Writer.

So freaking good! There were so many twists. I could NOT put this book down!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

The Writer by James Patterson/J.D. Barker was absolutely gripping! A fast-paced read with lots of twists, turns and jaw dropping moments which I found I could not put down! I loved it, especially the last few chapters! Rating: 5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown and Company for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. Publication date: March 17, 2025

WOW. What a book. One of his best. The ending was not what I expected. But was perfect for this story. A cat cam, who knew? One of my favorite authors.