This was a little two slow-paced for me and at times felt repetitive, like whole sections were copied and pasted from another chapter. I did like the general story and time jumps, but it didn’t hold my interest like I had hoped.

When faced with the only hope of saving her career or losing everything she has, Olivia does the one thing she thought she'd never do - return home and face her father.

Despite their broken relationship, and the many unanswered questions she has about the murder of his siblings when he was a teenager, she somehow managed to follow in his footsteps and become a writer as well. Only Olivia writes as a ghostwriter, while Vince Taylor is infamous. Except a debilitating disease has stripped him of his ability to write, and she accepts the job to ghostwrite his memoir.

So much of this novel is fascinating - the father/daughter relationship, the idea of being the only sibling remaining, the mystery of the novel, the process of being a ghostwriter. I was pulled into not only Olivia's story but also her father's, and the throwbacks to Poppy's perspective were outstanding.

I did find that there were parts in the middle that slowed the story and the pacing down, maybe some additional plot details or elements would have kept the pacing consistent. But I really do enjoy Julie Clark's writing and her ability to pull stories together.

Thank you to Sourcebooks and NetGalley.

4.5⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for the opportunity to read this eARC

Y'all, this book was SOO good. I devoured this one. The twists were twisty, the turns were turny and my gosh I had NO idea what the final conclusion was going to be (the best kind of thriller).

Olivia, a ghostwriter, is contracted to work with her estranged father, famous thriller author Vincent Taylor. Vincent has a complicated history, with his siblings being murdered in 1975 and the killer never caught. There have long been suspicions that Vincent himself was the killer. Olivia is determined to not only write the best memoir for her father, but to also uncovered the mystery of that day in 1975 and find that truth to what really happened.

This books has it all. The flashbacks to the 70s (including nods to the sounds that made that decade what it was), the twisty plot that kept me guessing, the questionable characters. The writing was superb. Standing ovation for Julie Clark

This was an excellent murder mystery that drew me in right away and that I had a hard time putting down. The story and characters were engaging and the idea of telling the story through a ghostwriter/unreliable narrator combination felt fresh and interesting. There were a few places when I found myself briefly lost (maybe because I was reading so fast?) but it was easy to get back on track and I couldn't wait to see how it turned out.

This book was so so so good. I loved the idea behind the Ghostwriter aspect. The plot twist was also well done - I predicted parts, but not all of it. The past 6ish months it has been hard for a thriller to stick out to me, but this one succeeded. Julie's writing always has a way of sucking me in, but I was also obsessed with Poppy and all of her flashbacks.

The anticipation and tension at every turn...I LOVED this so much!

Olivia is a successful Ghostwriter. But she has spent her whole professional life hiding the fact that her father is the famous horror author Vincent Taylor, also known as the prime suspect in the brutal slaying of his siblings. Following a scandal, her finances are severely constrained so she reluctantly agrees to ghostwrite her father's last book. In the process, she'll have to face all the secrets and ghosts in her family's past...

BRAVO 👏🏽 for a binge-worthy mystery that had me hooked! I can't count the amount of times I shouted "oh sh*t!" because I was truly stunned. Clark slowly (but skillfully) unravels the Taylor family's secrets and lies. The era and eerie atmosphere was so vivid that it felt like I traveled back to 1975. I WISH there was a way to watch the film reels that are described and so crucial to the plot (think QR codes like in TELL ME WHAT YOU DID.)

There are so many twists; some predictable, others surprising but either way, all very riveting. The unraveling of the father-daughter relationship between Vincent and Taylor is explored so powerfully; their dynamic is thought-provoking and quite emotional. The characters are well-developed and multidimensional. Is Vincent a reliable narrator? You'll find yourself asking that question throughout the whole story. We get a mixed timeline and perspectives from Vincent, Olivia and his sister Poppy. I would've really loved a POV from Olivia's mother, too.

If you enjoy stories revolving around a dysfunctional family and investigating a cold case murder, this is the book for you. You'll be thinking about it long after you've finished it.

I love Julie Clark’s books but this was not my absolute favorite. Still a good read though. I appreciated the story of Olivia wrestling with her past and her father’s past, but the ending didn’t quite do it for me.

5 *****

This author, Julie Clark, is new to me but I will absolutely be seeking out her other books to read.

The Ghostwriter is a dual timeline story, as the narrator is working to discover the truth of what happened in 1975 – in her own family history. It's very well written and structured – I was drawn in from the beginning and just kept going. The protagonist is unearthing the truth – or various people’s representation of the truth – at the same time the reader is, so we are forming our own opinions and impressions at the same time. It was very intriguing.

The characterization was well done, not just for main characters but even those with only a few scenes. There were no scenes that felt awkwardly inserted just so a piece of information could be delivered. The “unreliable narrator” aspect was right up front, totally natural and plausible. And the final resolution, and how it was delivered, was both a surprise, and believable.

I definitely recommend this book!

I'm not a writer, but I imagine it's a gamble (and a skill) to write in such a way to have your reader truly feel as frustrated as its protagonist. It took me a few more days than usual to get through the story because I felt that annoyance and needed a break, but it was worth it. There really were some well written twists and turns as well as lessons learned about the writing process. Enjoyed it. Will recommend.

Julie Clark can do no wrong, always five star BANGERS!

This one started off somewhat slow but I was still intrigued and wanted to know all the secrets. The last half pulled me deep. I kinda knew part of the ending but it wrapped up so nicely that I can’t help but give it five amazing stars.

Thank you NetGalley for the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

3.5* but rounding up because I kind of liked that you didn’t get a completely solid answer to everything and some things were left open.

I had a good time reading this. I enjoyed the setting and the way the story unfolded. The pacing was good and the small reveals but unreliability of them made the story compelling. I was invested in the story and the characters.

Some of the twists and reveals, especially with Danny, started to feel a bit like the author was trying to add twist after twist. The intent was likely to create flawed characters but some of the reveals made the character a lot more than just “flawed”. I’m still rounding up because I did really enjoy the book overall and would definitely read more by Julie Clark.

Wow! Julie Clark surpasses her other great suspenseful works. A page turner of the highest degree with a twist that I didn't see coming. Expertly crafted from the points of view of the major characters in whom you believe. Dissects to the core a family of the 60s and 70s with many secrets and emotional hangups, as well as the mores of the 70s. You will not forget Olivia or Poppy. I hesitate to say more out of concern that I may give the twist away.

Thank you NetGalley! I’m a fan of Julie Clark. This is an other great read by her. What a crazy thing for a daughter to end up ghost writing her father’s book. Especially one that involves a cold case. The multiple POVs and timelines really helped set the story

Julie Clark’s The Ghostwriter is a haunting, slow-burn mystery that sinks its hooks in gradually—and then refuses to let go. Told through dual POVs and timelines, the novel weaves together the present-day perspective of Olivia Dumont, a ghostwriter hiding from a notorious past, and the harrowing summer of 1975, when her family was shattered by a double homicide that still casts a long, dark shadow.

Olivia, the daughter of infamous thriller author Vincent Taylor, has spent her career avoiding the spotlight her father’s legacy brought her. But on the brink of financial collapse, she agrees—reluctantly—to ghostwrite his final book. What begins as a professional obligation quickly turns personal, forcing Olivia to confront not only her father's demons but her own fractured memories of a family ripped apart by violence.

The strength of The Ghostwriter lies in its layered storytelling. The 1975 timeline immerses readers in the lead-up to the brutal murders of Olivia’s uncle Danny and aunt Poppy. Poppy’s voice, especially, shines—bold, intelligent, and emotionally resonant. Her chapters were the standout for me, filled with heart and an urgency that deepens the tragedy we know is coming.

Vincent, as both a character and narrator, is a fascinating study in unreliability. His chapters drip with tension, and you can never quite tell what’s truth, what’s self-justification, and what’s omission. That murkiness keeps the suspense high, and I found myself constantly questioning everyone’s motives and memories.

The pacing starts slow, but once the characters are established, the narrative momentum kicks in—and doesn't stop. Clark masterfully builds tension, offering just enough clues to make you feel like you’re on the brink of understanding—only to drop a twist that reshapes everything. At one point, I was so wrapped up in the drama and mystery that I was literally talking (okay, yelling) at the characters. The emotional stakes are high, and the family drama unfolds with a cinematic quality that makes this read feel like it belongs on screen.

Though I thought I had some of the plot figured out, the final reveals had me second-guessing everything. The ending was gripping, and I flew through the last third of the book, desperate to uncover the truth behind Danny and Poppy’s deaths.

If you're in the mood for a character-driven mystery filled with emotional complexity, long-buried secrets, and a satisfyingly twisty payoff, The Ghostwriter delivers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me an eARC of this wonderfully satisfying mystery/thriller.

The Ghostwriter is a mystery/thriller about a woman named Olivia Dumont who returns to her hometown to help her father, famous horror author and prime suspect in the murders of his siblings, write his newest novel. Upon arrival she is told to write his memoir about the killings but he is diagnosed with Lewy body dementia and she can't trust his memories. So what really happened to his siblings? Did her father get away with murder or was there something more sinister at work the night of his siblings deaths?

If you're looking for a fast paced mystery/thriller with lots of twists, The Ghostwriter is the perfect book for that! I found this so easy to read and it constantly had me second guessing what really happened! I think the detective part was really entertaining and I liked how the mystery unfolded. I was actually pleasantly surprised by the twists as well. I did not guess who done it! That is always refreshing when a thriller keeps me on the edge of my seat trying to figure out who actually did it! I also was not expecting to feel so sad for these characters, especially Vincent (Olivia's dad) and Olivia herself. Their relationship, or lack thereof, was depressing! Their emotions were so vivid and real. Even Poppy (Vincent's sister) had very very strong chapters that evoked fear and this overwhelming sense of dread and unease. I was very impressed by that!

I will say the only thing I disliked was the mother. It took way too long for Olivia to reach out to her and question her about everything- and yes she also played a big part in that time. Every time she was mentioned I was like omg just go talk to her already! And then when she did show up she just pissed me off! Not a very likable character because of some things she does and that made me think poorly of some things for the ending. I'm trying to be vague to avoid spoilers, sorry!

Overall, I would give this a 4/5 star rating. I really enjoyed this. It was a good mystery thriller and I really enjoyed my time reading it, especially after all the stinkers I've been reading from this genre lately! Be sure to pick this up when it releases on June 3!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you so much Sourcebooks Landmark for an ARC of this title. This book gets 3.5/5 stars. I absolutely love books that contain bookish things and knowing our main character was an author in this book was definitely a big draw.

Olivia finds herself in a pickle after she is ostracized from the writing community for posting opinions about another author on social media. With legal fees piling up, a mortgage to pay and no work opportunities in sight, she knows her current lifestyle is bound to change. Out of the blue, she is contracted by her estranged father to ghostwrite his last book. She makes some shocking discoveries as she peels back the layers of her family's history to tell the truth about what happened decades previously.

I enjoyed the journey this story took us on and appreciated the various twists and turns. I do feel like the author could have done more to make Olivia a more dynamic character, which is why this is only a 3.5 star for me. Still a great atmospheric read and would recommend.

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark is more than a thriller.This family drama is told in multiple points of view and timelines but is still easy to follow. Olivia Dumont is offered a ghostwriting job she really needs but did not expect.The subject is her father from whom she has been estranged.He has been a suspect in the death of his siblings for many years.You will love reading about her search for truth in the past!Enjoy this exciting book!Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for allowing me to read this ARC!

5-Star Review – Ghost Writer by Julie Clark

I was so excited to get my hands on an ARC of Ghost Writer—and it absolutely delivered! I devoured this book in record time. Julie Clark has once again proven herself a master of twisty, high-stakes thrillers, and Ghost Writer might just be her best yet.

The pacing is razor-sharp, the characters are layered and compelling, and the tension never lets up. I was hooked from the very first page and couldn’t stop until I hit the jaw-dropping ending. It’s just as addictive and fast-paced as The Flight Attendant, if not better.

If you love smart thrillers with bold female leads, secrets, and plenty of suspense, Ghost Writer is a must-read. Clark fans and newcomers alike are in for a wild ride.

Wow. I absolutely loved The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark. In this story, Clark deftly weaves multiple timelines, offering tiny glimpses as to who really killed the two teenagers-a sister and brother- in their home back in 1973.

There is so much to appreciate in the storytelling… pain, regrets, shame and secrets… from each of the main players. I did guess the secret discovered on Poppy’s 11th roll of film, and although I wish maybe there weren’t quite as many clues before the big reveal, I still appreciated how it all wasn’t quite as open and shut as many townspeople long believed.

This was my first book read by Clark, but definitely won’t be my last. If you enjoy domestic suspense thrillers, The Ghostwriter should be right up your alley.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Release date June 03, 2025
Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

After loving this author's previous works, I was excited to read this. The mystery was great and I really felt surprised at the end. I felt like it was a little slow but that was probably just a me problem.