✨✨✨Tragic & Dramatic ✨✨✨

I really enjoyed The Ghostwriter, it was so good!!

This mystery/thriller/family drama grabbed my attention right away and kept my attention!! It was very fast-paced and intriguing.

This story is told in the present and in the past (1970s) with multiple PoVs and it was done incredibly well by the way! This book is twisty, tragic, thought provoking, dramatic, suspenseful, and atmospheric!!

This is the first book I’ve read from Julia Clark and I’m impressed. I loved it!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is expected to be released June 3, 2025.

I wish I could give this book more than five stars, it’s just that good! Olivia is tasked with ghostwriting her famous father’s memoir regarding a family tragedy. Secrets, lies, family relationships and murder! The plot is simply brilliant, the characters are so well developed I felt I knew them, and the writing is flawless. Easily the best book I’ve read so far this year. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next in the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.

WOW!!!! I absolutely loved this book. The story, the characters, it was so hard to put down. I was so excited and couldn’t hardly wait for this to be published so when I received an early copy I screamed! Thank you so so much. I would rate this 100 if I could!

first of all, thank you to netgalley and the publishers for an arc in exchange for an hoest review!

overall, this was a satisfying and well-done mystery - i wouldn’t classify it as a thriller because while there is action, it’s all taking place in the past and the general mission of the plot is to figure out what happened. that said, it does a really good job of keeping you guessing without introducing unnecessary twists or being something that you, as a reader, can’t largely figure out by the end.

i thought the writing overall was great, with compelling and well-developed characters. there were a few times the pace started to flag for me, but that could be a maddie issue vs. a writer issue. definitely would recommend this for mystery fans!

This one was definitely intriguing and I was hooked with the storyline. I felt as if the middle was a bit slow. I did enjoy the multiple POVs and the back and forth timeline. The twist was absolutely twisty in the end for sure. I will definitely read this author again!

Julie Clark is back with another un-put-down-able thriller. She doesn't use too much fluff to get the story across, which means you're constantly in the midst of the mystery. While the book felt a bit repetitive at times, it was still engaging and I just had to figure out how it ended.

This is Julie Clark’s best book. Wow - the weaving she did to tell a complicated story - it’s so good! The story of Olivia coming back to learn of her father’s family is a guessing game and a treasure hunt of epic proportions. Told in alternating perspectives - You’ll not see the ending coming your way. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

BookCLE IG Account: https://www.instagram.com/bookcle/

Links:
Goodreads—https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7187644448
Fable—https://fable.co/review/e597ff3d-ebc3-46e3-a6fb-8f837709fc1f/share
Substack—Coming soon
Instagram—Coming soon
Bluesky—Coming soon

Review:
My favorite aspect of Julie Clark's writing style is she wastes no time—she gives you just enough backstory to tether you to the narrative before plunging you deep into the bowels of the story. And "The Ghostwriter" is no different, investing the reader from jump with its fresh yet nostalgic dual-timeline, creating a true-crime lover's dream.

When Olivia Dumont, a struggling ghostwriter with famous lineage, is forced to confront her fraught family legacy in order to keep herself financially afloat. Dumont, the daughter of notorious horror writer, Vincent Taylor, has been hired to write her estranged father's final book, only to be pulled into the web of an old, unsolved murder, one that has loomed over her father for decades.

Clark's storytelling bends time and perspective to create a rich (and THRILLING) atmospheric mystery told through present-day narration, fragmented memories, and vintage video recordings. I felt whisked away to the 1970s, immersed in suffocating patriarchy, blurred lines, and toxic masculinity. Clark nailed the era and the vibe I'd imagine the 70s were like. Then she would warp the reader straight back to present day to detangle a fractured father/daughter relationship. The two timelines have their own identities yet belong together in tandem. Complicated, yes, but never clunky. Every character is a suspect, and just when you think you’ve figured it out…you haven’t. And the twist...well, that's all I'm saying. STELLAR twist work here.

"The Ghostwriter" is the best fictional Dateline you could imagine—equal parts sinister family drama and true crime spectacle—and you won't want to look away.

Thank you to Julie Clark, Sourcebooks Landmark, & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my authentic review.

This was a fantastic twisty thriller that I couldn't put down. I loved the pacing and the movement back and forth in time. I really enjoyed the mystery and the fact that when I started it I wasn't sure it was going to be for me but quickly grabbed me and kept me turning pages. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion!

The Ghost Writer by Julie Clark pulled me in right away. What starts as a writing job turns into a deep dive into long-buried family secrets, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. The twists were smart and unexpected, and the emotional layers hit hard. Clark’s writing is sharp and full of insight—some quotes really stuck with me. If you’re into mysteries with heart, this one’s totally worth your time.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC.

I was thrilled with this thriller!!  I haven't read one in a while, and it reminded me just how much I love a good, twisty mystery - especially from an author I already adore.  I'm so excited I got the chance for an early read.  
The story follows Olivia Dumont, a ghostwriter who's kept her true identity secret: she's the daughter of Vincent Taylor, a famous horror author who was once the prime suspect of his own siblings' gruesome murders.  With money running out, Olivia agrees to ghostwrite her father's final book - and what she thought would be a simple job quickly turns into something far more chilling.  As she digs into the past, she's forced to face long-buried family secrets and the ghosts that haunt  her legacy.
This book had such a great atmosphere - creepy, emotional, and suspenseful.  I did not see the twists coming, especially the ending.  It kept me on edge the whole way through.  I knocked off a half star just because I wanted a little more at the end, but overall, I loved it!  Highly recommend if you're in the mood for a dark, family-centered thriller that delivers big surprises. 4.5 stars!!

I really enjoyed Julie Clark’s
Last thriller and was very excited to read her latest!

I was very quickly invested in The Ghostwriter but by the 20% mark, not much else had happened and my interest started to wane. While I found the writing engaging, I found the plot less so. The pace felt slow and the story felt repetitive. I also didn’t fully believe a lot of what was happening which always pulls me from the story. With all that said, I did still enjoy this one- it’s just slower than most thrillers.

I think if you like thrillers- you will enjoy this one! Her last was better imo but I’ll continue to read what she comes out with.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

This book masterfully blends family drama, a unique mystery, and a shocking tragedy. While some twists may seem predictable, you’ll keep second-guessing yourself until the very end. The truth is revealed through shifting perspectives, and nothing is entirely reliable—especially the narrators.

The intricate portrayal of the father-daughter relationship and the mystery’s progression, unraveling like a treasure hunt, was utterly captivating. This book is a masterclass in suspense and emotional depth.

Olivia, a struggling ghostwriter, is called to the home of her estranged, horror-author father to write his final book. This should be straightforward; he claims he has it mostly finished, just needing some polish. However, the notes prove indecipherable as his memory fades—and he just might be confessing to a decades-old murder.
Julie Clark has mastered the art of pacing, giving the reader just enough breadcrumbs and theories to make it unputdownable. I was fairly certain I knew what happened several times, but I ultimately couldn't get the answer quite right. Her focus on the mystery is complemented by a fascinating family dynamic, tackling aging parents, strained relationships, and complex moral questions in a way that all feels realistic and emotionally moving.
Fans of Riley Sager and A Good Girl's Guide to Murder will love putting together the puzzle pieces, and I think they'll be surprised by how invested they are in the people of The Ghostwriter.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the eARC!

This book kept me guessing about what really happened the night Poppy and Danny were murdered. I liked the way it went back and forth from present day to 1975 with various points of view. I will definitely read more by this author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I'm always a little wary of writers writing about writers, but the protagonist of this sophisticated novel was deeply human and her issues were both fascinating and deeply relatable.
I was impressed at how many threads Clark wove together, from what was happening with Olivia's relationship with Tom, to the antagonist that was threatening to take her job, to the A-story of her trying to solve the murder mystery. This novel was masterfully told. I enjoyed the writing and while I saw the ending coming (minus a few particulars), I was still intrigued by how it unfolded. Brava Julie Clark!

Julie Clark’s *The Ghostwriter* is a gripping mix of psychological suspense and family drama, all wrapped around a haunting tragedy from decades ago. The story kicks off in June 1975 when the Taylor family is rocked by a horrifying event: teenage twins are found dead, and their only surviving sibling, Vincent, becomes the main suspect. Even though he’s never convicted, the gossip sticks with him, and he ends up turning his notoriety into a successful career as a horror novelist while keeping some dark secrets hidden.

Then we meet Olivia Dumont, Vincent’s estranged daughter. She’s been living her life as a ghostwriter, keeping her relationship to Vincent a secret to escape the shadows of his past. When Vincent asks her to help finish his last novel, she sees it as a chance to finally uncover the truth about what really happened in their family.

Clark does an amazing job switching between past and present, cranking up the tension as Olivia delves into the mystery of that night. The book dives into how memory can be unreliable, the tricky nature of family ties, and the heavy weight of secrets that can haunt you.

What makes *The Ghostwriter* stand out is its emotional depth. Clark doesn’t just throw in twists for shock value; she explores how much secrets can weigh on people. Olivia’s path is filled with tough discoveries, but it’s also about taking back her own story from the past.

Dark and captivating, *The Ghostwriter* isn’t just a crime novel; it’s a thoughtful look at guilt, legacy, and the hunt for the truth that sticks with you long after you've turned the last page.

i don’t really have much to say about this one, whether that’s good or bad depends on who is asking. i didn’t hate this but i didn’t love it either. i wish a lot of the secrets and what happens got spilled sooner. it was very hard to stay super invested and i felt kind of bored at times. overall wasn’t horrible, just not what i was expecting.

The Ghost Writer by Julie Clark is hands down one of the best books I’ve read lately. It’s a gripping, emotionally layered mystery about a daughter hired to ghostwrite a book about the long-unsolved murders of her estranged father’s brother and sister murders that took place almost 50 years ago.

What starts as a job quickly becomes a personal reckoning. As she interviews people connected to the case and digs into buried truths, she’s forced to confront not only the mystery surrounding the deaths but also her own complicated family history.

There were definitely clues along the way, and I had a few suspicions about what might have happened but the twists still caught me off guard. The way everything comes together at the end is so satisfying. It wraps up beautifully without feeling overly neat, and every thread feels earned.

Julie Clark’s writing is both sharp and thoughtful. She weaves in quotes that really stay with you, like:
“Relationships aren’t transactional.”
This line says so much about the emotional core of how love, family, and forgiveness can’t be measured or bargained for.

Another standout quote, and one that feels like a guiding principle for the novel (and all books) is:
“Every chapter has to have a point. Even if the reader can’t yet see it. Every story told must serve two purposes—to allow your reader to know your characters better, and to push the narrative toward the conclusion.”

Another line that resonated: “It felt like a metaphor for how we all try to build something meaningful on top of the ashes of painful history.”

If you’re looking for a smart, emotional mystery that balances suspense with real heart, The Ghost Writer is a must-read. Julie Clark delivers a story that’s twisty, haunting, and keeps you up reading all night!

Fabulous book. I loved how the author used the POV of one of the characters in the past as chapters interspersed with the protagonist's story. It was a great mystery story as well as a personal growth story that showed how one's past influences their present and future life. I found myself wanting to read just one more chapter. Highly recommend.