"That's how it started. How I discovered the dark secret that lived at the center of my family."

Ghostwriter Olivia Dumont is facing financial ruin after being torn down by another writer. When she gets asked to write a book for her estranged father (a legendary horror writer and also the prime suspect in the killing of his siblings as a teenager), she sees no other way forward than to accept the job. The truth will finally come out and it's up to her and her father to face it.

THE GHOSTWRITER by Julie Clark sucked me in right from the beginning. The premise of this book is so unique and I loved how Clark wasn't afraid to dive into darker subject matter in order to really flesh out this story and the characters who are at the core of it.

This story alternates between two timelines, 1975 and 2025 (loved loved loved!) and rotates through perspectives as well, which really helped sell the book within a book concept!

There were so many layers - within the story and the characters themselves - and I really enjoyed living in this world and being pulled into the mystery!

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the early copy for review - out today!

An absolutely thrilling read that will leave you hungry for more.

Struggling to remain afloat after a career misstep, ghostwriter Olivia Dumont will do just about anything to crawl out of the hole she's dug for herself. Even if it means taking a job ghostwriting for the last person on Earth that she would want to ghostwrite for: her father. She's spent decades of her life pretending to be anyone other than the daughter of famed horror novelist Vincent Taylor, having cut her father out of her life completely when she graduated high school. Not just because he was a drug and alcohol obsessed writer who shipped her off to boarding school, but also because the shadow of a now fifty year old murder has always been in his wake. And now, as her father is finally ready to tell all, Olivia will be forced to reckon with the past and the tragic event that has shaped their family since 1975. And when the truth finally surfaces, it's a revelation no one will be ready for.

I cannot describe to you just how brilliant this book was. The alternating past and present, multi-pov narrative that is at the heart of this story is everything a reader could want and more. Our main pov is Olivia, the estranged daughter and struggling writer. It is Olivia that this story hinges on, even more so than her father Vince. We also see an alternating of the 1975 POVs of Vince and Poppy, rounding the story out and giving glimpses of the truth as Olivia begins to put the events of that fateful June night together. These three voices weave together into a beautifully intricate mystery that can only be unraveled if you're able to follow the thread.

In particular, I really enjoyed the parallels between Olivia's lies and her father's. We see a girl who has done her very best to cut herself off from the father she felt abandoned by, to rewrite her narrative without him in it. Willing to live a lie because it's not as messy as the truth. The way that Vince's own life mirrors that, without Olivia even realizing it, is perfection. There is a lot of play on perspectives in this story, about the reliability of human narrators and the mind. The contrast that is made when some form of hard evidence is introduced that either contradicts or bolsters a story. Ultimately it's a tale about those perspectives, about unreliable narrators, and about the damage that secrets can cause, the ripples that reach out far further than we ever could have imagined.

To Ms. Clark I say, brava! I'm definitely going to be reading more of her books in the future.

Julie Clark does it again! She is an excellent storyteller and The Ghostwriter is no different.

Olivia Dumont is a talented ghostwriter who is down on her luck professionally, financially, and socially after a very public altercation with another author. She has been out of work since the incident and in major debt. When her agent lets her know that aging, acclaimed author Vince Taylor would like to hire Olivia to ghostwrite his memoir, her immediate internal reaction is no, despite her dire financial situation, due to the infamy surrounding Vincent Taylor. In 1975, his teenage brother and sister were found murdered in the family home and he was and is the #1 suspect. Although he had a solid alibiand was never arrested or convicted, he has remained under suspicion. He would like to set the record straight and wants Olivia to come to his home to be his ghostwriter. Seems like a great opportunity, however, he happens to be her estranged father that no one knows about because she has cut all ties from him, including her last name. Curiosity, debt, and lack of options prevail and she arrives back in Ojai, California to her childhood home to get it over with.

As she revisits the past through his guidance and going through old items, she learns things she doesn't necessarily want to know about her father, his brother, his sister and what really happened to all of them. Did he do it? Is he innocent? Who killed them? Why? All these questions and more are explored, answered, and re-answered in a story told from Olivia's view in the present day and through young Vincent's and his sister, Poppy's voices in the past.

This one kept me reading and guessing until the end. The ultimate reveal of what happened is gut wrenching but the ending is satisfying and realistic. Definitely recommend this one!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I was a big fan of Olivia. Her journey through the book was fascinating and well written. The story is told in two different time periods in a seamless manner. The mystery was compelling, and will keep the reader glued to the pages of the book.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions are my own.

3.75🌟

Ghostwriter Olivia Dumont has attempted to conceal the fact that she is the daughter of renowned author Vincent Taylor. Back in 1975, Vince became the prime suspect in the violent murders of his brother and sister. Trying to raise Olivia on his own became difficult, and he shipped her off to an international boarding school, leading to their lifelong estranged relationship.

Now, her father is sick and writing his memoir. With few other options, Olivia has agreed to be the ghostwriter for the book. Back in her hometown, she is trying to figure out who is telling the truth about what happened that fateful day.

I enjoyed this. It kept me interested, and I finished it quickly. The chapters alternated between Olivia's current POV and the different siblings in 1975. It's hard to tell where things will go and if her dad is actually telling the truth, which made me want to know more. I would definitely read another book by Julie Clark.

Recommended for readers who enjoy alternating POVs, mysteries, and family drama.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC.

✍️ Book Review ✍️

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Publication: June 3, 2025

Rating: I enjoyed it!

I wasn’t a huge fan of Clark’s first book but this was way different! I was sucked right in and found myself flipping pages late in the night! Overall, a fun gripping mystery!

For fans of:
🖊️ First person POV
📖 Multiple POVs
🖊️ Dual timeline (present & 1975)
📖 Cold case
🖊️ Dysfunctional family
📖 Slow burn
🖊️ Red Herrings

THE GHOSTWRITER
Julie Clark

The summer thrillers are here, and I want to start with an excellent one.

Olivia is a ghostwriter. One day, she receives a request from her agent. Her father, Vincent, would like her to ghostwrite his latest project.

She reluctantly agrees.

If you’ve seen the publisher synopsis, you know my hands are tied. So, I’ll leave it there.

No Spoilers Here!

I enjoyed my time reading THE GHOSTWRITER. There are two storylines. The main one is fully fleshed out and explored. The secondary storyline felt a bit rushed, which was my only complaint.

The characters are constructed well, the writing is great, and the pacing is pitch-perfect. This would make an excellent Father’s Day gift for someone who is stuck in a thriller rut.

THE GHOSTWRITER instantly reminded me of the show HAPPY FACE. If you like that show and the dynamics it presents, I would recommend checking out THE GHOSTWRITER.

Thanks to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark | Sourcebooks Landmark for the advanced copy!

THE GHOSTWRITER…⭐⭐⭐⭐

“The Ghostwriter” is a twisty, suspenseful story that kept me guessing every step of the way. The uniquely intriguing premise pulled me in from the very start and held me captive right up until the very end.

Though a bit of a slow burn, it is a cleverly written, emotionally-layered mystery composed of dysfunctional family dynamics and long-buried secrets just waiting to be unearthed.

This is the second book by author, Julie Clark, that I’ve read to date, and she has proven—yet again—that when it comes to writing thrilling, masterfully compelling stories, she hits the mark every time!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this advanced copy!

I could NOT put this book down! I absolutely loved the atmosphere of this book. The suspense builds slowly but not so slow that you lose interest. It’s very hard to find that perfect balance and Julie Clark Mastered it here. Throw in complex relationships just to add a little extra to the story.

This is my third book by the author and I’m looking forward to reading more!

Olivia Dumont has agreed to ghostwrite the latest novel by legendary horror author Vincent Taylor, her estranged father. No one knows he’s her father, and she’s reluctant to take the contract but feels she has no choice due to financial obligations. As a child, Olivia and her father played many treasure hunt games. Vincent appears to be carrying those games on, which frustrates Olivia. She wants to finish the book and leave. However, the more clues she finds, the more answers she wants. Did her father kill his two siblings or was it someone else? And why?

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Olivia Dumont because of financial problems agrees to ghost write a memoir for Vincent Taylor, a horror author, prime suspect in the 1975 murder of his brother and sister Danny and Poppy in Ojai California, and Olivia's father who she has kept secret from everyone including boyfriend Tom and literary agent Nicole 

A page turner in my opinion, I never would have guessed the plot twist and how the story came together, the characters were well thought out and showed the depth into each one. My favorite was Poppy. The setting was also well done I'm happy that I read The Ghostwriter and can't wait to read another Julie Clark novel. I think fans of Lisa Jewell would enjoy The Ghostwriter"

I received an ARC of this book. Excellent story, full of suspense and secrets. A family mystery with many twists. Highly recommend!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I STAYED UP UNTIL 2AM FINISHING THIS BOOK. I tried going to sleep, I really did. But every time I closed my eyes, I just kept thinking about this book, and I neeeedddddedddd to know how it finished.
This book practically wrote itself! Olivia Dumont is a ghostwriter, and the only daughter of the infamous horror author Vincent Taylor, whose siblings were murdered in 1975. Vincent decides to tell HIS version of what really happened that night. But can we trust him?
This story has complex family dynamics and a twisty mystery. Julie Clark is a MUST read author for me! The Lies I Tell was one of my favorite reads. Many thanks to the author, Sourcebooks and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#TheGhostwriter #JulieClark #NetGalley #SourcebooksLandmark #BookLove #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks #SummerBooks #NewThriller

I am blown away! Having never read anything by this offer and deciding to go to this book blind was the best idea.
I absolutely loved everything about it, and while it was my first book by this definitely will not be my last!

Great tale. Dual time-line and I must admit the "past" held more narrative appeal, but as always, Clark did not disappoint. I'm a sucker for father-daughter stories, the more dysfunctional the better, and this one is a good one.

I loved The Last Flight, but found The Lies I Tell to be just okay so I wasn’t sure what to expect from The Ghostwriter. The premise was intriguing and felt unique which is what drew me in. However, I wasn’t a fan of the writing style or execution. The first half of the book is an extremely slow build while the second half picks up slightly with more flashbacks that help move the story along. I found Olivia to be a dull and unengaging protagonist with no real character growth. Of all the perspectives, Poppy’s was the most compelling. Vince’s chapters, on the other hand, read more like a teenage girl than a boy which pulled me out of the story. It was frustrating how often information was repeated as if the reader couldn’t connect the dots on their own. Many side characters seemed to appear out of nowhere and felt underdeveloped. The last 15% of the book is where the action finally kicks in and the ending was decent. Overall, I don’t think Julie Clark’s writing style is for me.

The best ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me so far this year! The Ghostwriter is an engaging, compelling, complete book from start to finish. This book was so well thought out and written, I could not put it down. I loved the surprising twists and drama, the determination of the main character and the personal growth she achieved. The ending was amazingly satisfying and completely unpredictable. I wish I could read it again for the first time, and I don’t do that with many books. Highly recommend!

The premise of this thriller is immediately engaging, drawing readers in from the very start. The plot unfolds with well-timed twists that are both surprising and satisfying. The mystery takes a slow-burn approach, but the pacing is spot-on—never dragging, always keeping the momentum going. The dual points of view add depth and intrigue, effectively maintaining suspense throughout. It’s a book that’s easy to get lost in, and just as easy to finish in a couple of sittings.

Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable read for fans of suspense and thrillers!

The Ghostwriter is another excellent thriller from Julie Clark. I absolutely loved the author’s previous two books, and was super excited to have the opportunity to read an early digital copy of her latest book. The Ghostwriter is a suspenseful, riveting, emotional read. I didn’t want to put this book down until the very end. It truly had me on the edge of my seat, A huge thank you to Source Landmark Books, the author and Netgalley for the eARC of the book.

Olivia Dumont is a struggling ghostwriter. One day her agent calls her with an offer to ghostwrite the last novel of one of the top horror writer, Vincent Taylor. But Vincent is not just a well known author, he is also notoriously known for being the main suspect in the horrific murders of his two siblings back in the summer of 1975. Vincent has never spoken a word about the murders that happened that ominous night, so long ago. However, the secret in all of this is that Olivia is his alienated daughter. And when she figures out that it’s not the actual novel her troubled father really wants her to write, but a memoir instead, an accounting of that night. Olivia knows the only way she can write this novel is to truly investigate what took place on that murderous night, fifty years ago. Is she ready to untangle the lies that her father might be hiding? Olivia will have to determine whether she wants to lay bear her own past life with her father, and the prospect that he could certainly be a murderer. Will Olivia be able to deal with the fallout of what she uncovers about her own family?

The Ghostwriter is a blistering, twisty, shockingly unforgettable story that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it. If you are looking for an amazing summer thriller/mystery, this is the one. The Ghostwriter definitely should be at the top of your summer reading list.

I really enjoyed 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙮 @julieclarkauthor ! This is a thriller that pulls you in and makes you feel something, not just race through the pages for the plot twists. It follows Olivia Dumont, a ghostwriter who’s hit a rough patch financially and ends up taking on a job she never wanted: ghostwriting a memoir for her estranged father, Vincent Taylor. And not just any father…Vincent is a famous horror author who’s been haunted by suspicion for decades, ever since his teenage brother and sister were brutally murdered back in 1975.

The setup is enticing: a daughter with a ton of unresolved anger, a father finally ready to spill his secrets, and a murder mystery that’s been left to rot for years. But what I love is that the author doesn’t just give us a crime story. She gives us this layered family drama underneath it all. The book flips between timelines, bouncing from the tense present-day writing sessions to the events of that long-ago summer, and slowly, we start seeing how the truth is way messier than anyone’s been telling themselves.

Yeah, there are twists and reveals. I guessed a couple, but a few caught me off guard, which made it all the more satisfying. If you’re in the mood for a slow burn thriller with real depth, one that gives you characters you can chew on along with the mystery, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳 is a super pick.

Thank you @bookmarked & @netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.