Julie Clark has such a knack for writing thrillers that are sharp, emotional, and completely immersive—and The Ghost Writer is no exception. The story centers on a woman hired to ghostwrite the memoir of a notoriously private author, but of course, nothing is as it seems. What starts as a simple job slowly spirals into a layered story about secrets, reinvention, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.

I loved how character-driven this was while still keeping the tension high. Both women felt fully fleshed out and flawed in ways that made their choices believable, even when I didn’t always agree with them. The twists landed well, but it was the emotional depth that really stuck with me.

If you’re a fan of slow-burn suspense with a strong emotional core—something like The Plot or The Last Thing He Told Me—this is definitely one to pick up.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the chance to read an early copy.

This is a fast-paced, twisty tale told from several points of view and in two time-frames, 1975 and the present. That does not always appeal to me but it works really well in The Ghostwriter. Danny and his sister Poppy are found dead in their home on carnival night in 1975. When a murderer is not identified, their brother Vincent, despite an unshakeable alibi, is considered by much of the community to be the prime suspect. Fast forward to 1975 when Vincent, now a famous horror writer, hires his estranged daughter, Olivia, to ghostwrite the story of the events leading to the fateful night that affected the family and friends for decades to come. Why would he do that and what story does he want her to write?

It would be unfair to reveal more of the story as Ms. Clarke does a great job of fleshing out the characters and slowly unveiling their personalities and issues. It grabbed me from the start and, if anything, got even more compelling as It went along. I appreciate receiving this advance review copy from NetGalley and reading Julie Clarke for the first time. Can’t wait to read more by her.

This story had me on the edge of my seat! Addicting and entertaining. I enjoyed the plot line and the twists, but I did find some timelines confusing. However, I thought the story line was unique (to me) and had a good time with this book!

Release: June 2, 2025
Author: Julie Clark
Publisher: Sourcebooks

Rating: 4 ★

In the summer of 1975, tragedy strikes the Taylor family when two teenage siblings are found dead in their home, leaving only their brother, Vincent, as the sole survivor—and the prime suspect in the court of public opinion. Though never charged, Vincent lives under a cloud of suspicion for decades, even as he becomes a bestselling horror author.
His daughter, Olivia Dumont, has spent her entire career keeping their connection a secret. But when she's faced with financial desperation, she reluctantly agrees to ghostwrite what’s supposed to be her father’s final book. What she doesn’t realize is that Vincent has something very different in mind—he’s finally ready to break his silence and reveal the truth about that horrific night.
The Ghostwriter was an absolutely gripping read that hooked me from the very first page. Julie Clark masterfully weaves together mystery, family secrets, and emotional depth in a way that kept me turning the pages late into the night. The dual timelines and shifting perspectives were done seamlessly, making the unraveling of the story feel both immersive and engaging. I loved how the book explored the complex relationship between Olivia and her estranged father, a famous horror author, as they confront the haunting truths of their shared past.
The story had a perfect balance of suspense and emotion, with enough twists to keep me guessing without feeling overdone. Even when I thought I had it figured out, Clark surprised me again. Olivia’s character felt incredibly real—flawed but strong, and her journey felt authentic throughout. The flashbacks added so much context and made the mystery even more compelling.
If I had one small critique, it would be that the ending felt a bit rushed compared to the carefully built tension throughout the book. I would’ve liked just a little more time to sit with the resolution. Still, that didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment.
This book pulled me out of a reading slump and reminded me why I love psychological thrillers. It’s part family drama, part murder mystery, and entirely captivating. Highly recommend for fans of smart, emotional, and layered suspense.

Favorite Quote:
"I used to think that running away from your life could save you, but now I know that running only makes you more of a prisoner."

This was a fantastic read! It kept me engaged the entire read and it kept me hanging on wondering what turn was coming next! Julie Clark is one of my top favorite authors and this one disappoint! I Will be purchasing this one on June 3rd!

this was thrilling and captivating and kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat. absolutely think it will be a read people will be carrying with them through summer and fall.

Thank you to Sourcebooks for an e-ARC of this author’s latest page-turner, available everywhere next month.

Olivia Dumont has established a career of ghostwriting for some of the world’s biggest names, only to become persona non grata after disparaging her competitor. With a crippling mountain of legal fees to pay off, Olivia knows she has to say yes to her next project if she has any hope of fixing her career. The subject? Her estranged father, a prolific writer in his own right, and the prime suspect in the decades-old slaying of his siblings. As she works to piece together that time in his life, a tiny piece of her starts to think that her relationship with her father can be salvaged after all.

I liked this novel but I wish there was more of a suspenseful, almost thrilling end for the present day. The past was resolved, relationships were changed, and that was kind of it.

I found this to be an extremely well done and atmospheric read. I loved the multiple POV and the build up to the end as the novel went on - it kept me guessing throughout and I wasn't ever quite able to pin down where it would go. I wish the ending had been a little bit more flushed out, but overall I loved this book! Julie Clark is now an auto-buy author for me.

This was a very slow read for me: 7 days to be exact. However, I never wanted to give up on it. Sure, it was a slow burn, but I knew it would be worth it and I was right! I became invested in the childhood memories more so than the present story, but that was enough for the author to get her hooks in. Dysfunctional families at their worst is my guilty pleasure in reading and this paid off big. Besides the drama and mystery, I felt the transformation of the main character and that really gave the book that last star. Thank you to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

As a huge fan of this author’s earlier books, The Last Flight and The Lies I Tell, I had high hopes for The Ghostwriter. Those hopes, unfortunately, fell when it took me several attempts to even begin the book, unlike the author’s previous works, which grabbed me immediately,

Once I was able to actually start reading the book, I was surprised to find myself not enjoying the story as much as I had expected. First, it wasn’t a thriller, but a mystery about a double murder that had taken place 50 years prior. Not a problem, just different. Next, I simply did not like any of the characters and really didn’t care what happened to them. The main character of Olivia, especially, seemed rather dull and listless. The book also felt repetitive and long-winded. It seemed to just ramble around a bit at times. Definitely not my favorite work by this talented writer.

My copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review it.

Was thrilled when I received this galley, having enjoyed all the author’s previous books, and this did not disappoint. Tore right through it - not only Clark’s signature quick pace and twists and turns, though also enjoyed the unfolding of the MC’s complicated relationship with her father. Clark will continue to be a must-read for me.

I’m a BiG fan of Julie Clark and I’m excited to say she does not disappoint in her latest. I’m just blown away by her writing and storytelling abilities. I loved the characters, strong females (Poppy & Olivia). A complex family with long buried secrets. I loved the multiple povs and timelines. Clark took me back to 1975 and I felt like I was right there. It all comes together in a banger of an ending. This was great from start to finish. Thriller/suspense fans MUST not miss this!

When I say, I had to force myself to put this book down, I’m not exaggerating, even a little bit.

I was so engrossed in this book, I was staying up late to finish the next chapter or to see where the next twist was coming. I seriously think this is in the running for one of the best books of the year so far. The mystery was super engaging, the characters were great…… but I’m getting ahead of myself.

Olivia Taylor Dumont left home for boarding school at 14 and never looked back, leaving behind her famous, or shall we say infamous horror author father Vincent Taylor, who has been plagued by rumors since he was 16 years old that he was responsible for the murders of his siblings in 1975. He never commented on the matter which only fueled speculation. Now a ghostwriter, Olivia finds herself in financial trouble after a small scandal herself, when the call comes from her agent that Vince Taylor specifically requested Olivia to help him write his next book. But the project is not one of his famous horror stories. It is a super secret project: a memoir about his youth, finally revealing what happened all those years ago.

The set up of this book was so intriguing that I immediately knew I had to read it. And wow, the author really delivered. Not only does it give us this awkward reunion between a mysterious father and his heartbroken daughter, but there’s and added element in there that I won’t spoil for you, even though you learn it pretty early on in the book. It creates this whole mystery around Olivia’s father and how the memoir will turn out.

The story as well takes some twist and turns as Olivia does her own investigating surreptitiously while talking to her father and getting his point-of-view, as her contract states that she cannot talk about the book with anyone. So we learn from various angles what exactly happened back in 1975, and when the picture finally comes together, it’s a shocking revelation that just blew my mind.

This book was just a perfect mystery from start to finish in my mind. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great read, especially as summer gets underway.

I can’t recommend it enough.

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark is the kind of thriller you’d want every book you read to be! This book has it all…2 murdered siblings right at the start of the story, intriguing characters, different POV, and a mystery that’s pieced together over time like a puzzle. I really enjoyed learning about the relationship of Olivia and her father as she returns to his home to help him write his book. There’s tensions there that really sell the doubt she has on her father’s innocence in the murders of his 2 siblings when they were younger. The townspeople’s doubt on his innocence,, even though he was never charged due to having an alibi, also raises our suspicions as the reader as we gather all of the information from the different POV. There wasn’t a boring or unnecessary part of this story. It’s written so incredibly well, with twists and turns that I didn’t even see coming. And the end? It’s rare to have an ending that I as the reader feel satisfied. This nook though, I wouldn’t change a thing! Can’t wait to recommend for my book club so we can discuss!

As a ghostwrite, what would you do if you were asked to write your father's memoir? Yes? What about if it's believed he murdered his two siblings? OH, he also has dementia. Mix that all together and you get a recipe for disaster, or in this case, a really good book.

I throughouly enjoyed this one. The end leaves you guessing and wondering what actually happened. Read it and tell me who you think did it!

This book is part family drama, part murder mystery, centered on a long-estranged father and daughter. The father, a famous author, is facing a recent diagnosis of Lewy body dementia. The daughter, a ghostwriter with her own career troubles, takes a job helping him write what may be his final book-even though they haven't spoken in years.
Their shared project unearths decades-old family secrets, including a shocking truth about a murder the daughter always believed her father committed. Set in a small town shaped by rumors and silence, the story explores grief, forgiveness, and the complicated love between parents and children.
Personally, having lost my own papaw to Lewy body dementia, parts of this hit deeply. That said, the portrayal of the disease didn't quite align with reality, which pulled me out at times. Not a dealbreaker, but noticeable.
Still, this was an emotional, layered read —and if you've experienced a loved one fading in and out of memory, it'll likely strike a chord.

I really enjoyed The Ghostwriter! Olivia is a ghostwriter in need of work after getting herself into a bit of a professional scandal. Lucky her, a job falls in her lap in the form of her famous author father, who’s writing a memoir based on the murders of his brother and sister back in the 70s—crimes for which he’s been under suspicion as having committed himself for over fifty years.
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Secrets and family drama and lies, oh my! As Olivia researches the past, aided by her ailing father’s memories and notes and one of the victim’s old videos and diary, we get a picture of sibling turmoil, strained relationships, and precarious family dynamics. The story builds and builds and is layered with chapters set in the past that really add to the tension.
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I thought the middle dragged the tiniest bit, but once we hit 80% I couldn’t put it down! Those final Poppy and Vincent chapters hit with a bang and I loved the ending! The last chapter was surprisingly poignant and moving. 👏
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Four enjoyable stars! Thanks a million to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the arc!

I really wanted to love The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark, but unfortunately, it just didn’t pull me in the way I had hoped. The premise was intriguing, and Clark’s writing is solid, but I found it hard to connect with the characters and the pacing felt slow in parts. There were moments of tension and insight, but overall, the story didn’t grip me or leave a lasting impact. A decent read, but not one that stood out for me.

A good, slow burn thriller. I thought I maybe had it figured out but this was an interesting ride trying to figure out what actually happened. More depth than your typical popcorn thriller.

I love when a thriller keeps me guessing on what is fact and what is fiction, and The Ghostwriter had me doing that until the end. Add in the multiple point of views you get with the flashback chapters and this was another winner from Julie Clark for me!

Olivia is a ghostwriter who is struggling with getting writing gigs and could really use the money since she got herself into a bit of trouble. When she gets the call that the famous writer Vincent Taylor wants her to ghostwrite his memoir, she isn't thrilled about it, because Vincent is her father who she has been estranged from for years. When Olivia and Vincent reunite, she learns that the book she thought she was writing is not the one Vincent wants to tell, he wants to share with the world what really happened when his brother and sister died in the same night.

I liked that Vincent was set up as an unreliable narrator as he shared his family's story with Olivia. Every time she thought she was getting a peak into the past, something happened to make her dismiss everything she learned and it kept me guessing with what really may have happened to Poppy and Danny on that fateful night in 1975. While I did start to piece some things together, the outcome of everything did take me by surprise.