THE GHOSTWRITER was another hit by Julie Clark, whose books I have always devoured and enjoyed. This one was no exception, with a riveting plotline fraught with mystery, lies, unreliable stories, and a touching conclusion that wrapped up enough loose ends while also leaving some open to interpretation. The flashbacks were well done and weaved into the story perfectly, putting into perspective what actually happened versus what was told to have happened. This added another layer of depth to the story and enhanced the narrative toward its inevitable conclusion.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read and review THE GHOSTWRITER.

A really great and atmospheric read. I loved all of the twists and turns. I do feel as though the ending was a bit rushed though. The author spent so much time building up to the ending, and I feel as though it deserved more time.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I have been in reading slump for a couple of months, unfortunately. This book pulled me out of the slump with the first page! This was incredibly well done. The storyline was fabulous! Told in multiple POVs and timelines made this a fast paced read. I finished it in one sitting and just couldn't put it down. The characters were well done and relatable. Great read get your copy now!! Highly recommend

This was a strong thriller and enjoyed the overall story being told in this world. It had that element that I was looking for from the genre and description. The overall feel worked with everything that I was wanting from this and was engaged with the story being told. Julie Clark has a strong writing style and can’t wait to read more.

Julie Clark is my favorite author. I’ve read both The Last Flight and The Lies I Tell twice. When I saw her upcoming novel, The Ghostwriter, on NetGalley I immediately downloaded it and began reading. My desire was to read it straight through without stopping, but life’s pesky interruptions got in the way. Over the next two days I found myself going over details of what the main character was discovering as she wrote her father’s memoir. I’m happy to say The Ghostwriter is another intriguing novel from talented Julie Clark and I’m recommending it to all my friends.

I was sooo excited to get this early copy from netgalley because I’m obsessed with Julie Clark and this book was no different. If you like multiple POVs & unreliable narrators you will love this!! Such an addictive and gripping story :) thank you netgalley!!

Wow, this is the first book I have read by Julie Clark and it blew me away. This book is full of family drama, alternating between time frames and narratives. Everyone I thought I know what was happening, I was thrown another curve ball. Looking forward to reading more by this amazing author!

I'm a huge fan of Julie Clark. What I think I like most about her books is her ability to deliver a solid mystery while always writing a very different book. Hers never feel like repeats. When Olivia Dumont is offered a ghostwriting job that will in many ways, save her life, she can't say no--but she learns soon enough its to write the autobiography of her own father, who she's estranged from and who is possibly a murderer. The clues are unveiled one by one in a particularly satisfying way. I would highly recommend!

Just when I truly thought nothing could top The Last Flight she gives us this one. This brilliantly twisty mystery, intertwined with a deeply sentimental and dysfunctional family drama, is the kind of book that lingers in your mind long after you finish it. With its thought-provoking themes, resonating yet tragic events, and unique perspectives, it’s a perfect choice for book clubs, thanks to its flawless execution, layered characterization, and a heartfelt, meaningful ending that I wholeheartedly enjoyed! This was a haunting fantastic story woven together so well that it was hard for me to put my kindle down. Definitely a strong recommendation for this book. It's flow was flawless and the direction it took me in made me realize that secrets can ruin the life we were intended to lead .If your in a reading slump this is one that definitely can pull you out of it!

Wow, this book completely blew me away! From the first page, I was hooked on Olivia Dumont’s story and the tangled web of her family’s dark past. The premise alone—working with her estranged father, legendary (and infamous) horror author Vincent Taylor, to uncover long-buried secrets—was enough to pull me in and the execution was absolutely amazing!

The mix of multiple POVs and dual timelines was handled so well. I usually get nervous about stories that jump around too much, but this one was seamless. I felt like I was solving the mystery right alongside Olivia, uncovering every clue and trying to piece together what really happened. And those moments where I thought I knew where it was going? Nope—Julie Clark kept me second-guessing myself right up until the end.

Olivia’s character really resonated with me. She felt so real—flawed and torn but also determined and strong. Her relationship with her father was so layered and emotional, and I found myself rooting for her even when she made tough or questionable choices. And getting the perspectives of Vince and Poppy from the time leading up to the murders added so much depth and kept me glued to the page.

This story isn’t just a mystery—it’s a deep dive into family dynamics, secrets, and how the past can haunt us. I couldn’t put it down and didn’t want it to end.

Julie Clark has officially earned a spot as one of my favorite authors. If she keeps delivering stories this smart, gripping, and emotionally rich, I’ll be first in line to read everything she writes. Highly recommend this to anyone who loves mysteries with heart and depth!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Ghostwriter is a delightful “slow-burn page turner”. It is murder mystery, family drama and psychological suspense rolled into a very deftly wrapped package. I absolutely devoured this book.

I enjoyed the setting — Ojai, California (which I visited about 20 years ago), as well as the book's time-flips back into the 70’s — a decade I remember well!

I’ve read the other books by Julie Clark. While I also enjoyed them, I feel that with The Ghostwriter, she has really honed her skills at crafting suspense novels.

Wow - what a fantastic novel told in a totally engrossing format. Clark pulls the reader between timelines and perspectives seamlessly. The writing to me was almost reminiscent of King - the way you can be transported into a decade and feel exactly what the family dynamics are, picture the atmosphere of the time and feel like you are stepping back to another place. Loved this read and can’t wait to tell more people about it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

My jaw is on the floor. I DEVOURED this ARC. I am so picky with my mysteries & thrillers because so often I can guess the direction it is headed, and often times ideas are repeated and overused. This book blew all of my expectations out of the water. The writing was addictive and the pacing was perfect. Each chapter revealed just a little bit more information that had me dying to read more. I loved the ending and I loved that Olivia’s relationship with her father had healed.

If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would do so without hesitation. I have not read a book in years that made me have goosebumps on my arms with the reveal of the book occurs. Olivia is a ghostwriter that had found herself in a little trouble in the author scene. She receives an offer from her estranged father, a famous author, to ghostwrite a book with him revealing their families dark, dark secret surrounding the murder of his siblings. Oh, I wish I could keep telling you all about this book. It is living rent free in my mind! I could not put this book down. AMAZING!! Thank you for allowing me to preview this book for my honest opinion. I can hardly wait to press it to my friends.

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this title, and it’s explosively good. I’ve been in a bit of a slump lately, every book I’ve picked up has been sort of “meh”. This one gripped me immediately, and all I wanted to do was read. I devoured it over the course of a couple of days (work got in the way) and it left me stunned at the final conclusion. It’s got great multiple timelines and viewpoints that allowed the story to unfold in a very satisfying way. Loved it!!!

Unlike anything Julie Clark has written before, this twisty tale of family secrets will pull you in from the first line. The dual timeline, paired with multiple points of view, completely immerses you in the tragic story of the Taylor family and the murder of two of their three children in the 70’s.

Fast forward to present day where the Taylor’s surviving son Vincent, now a famous author, summons his estranged daughter to ghostwrite his memoir as he slowly succumbs to dementia. Will her research finally solve the murder of her teenage aunt and uncle long before her birth? And does she really want to know the truth?

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! This was one of my favorite thrillers of the year so far. In addition to a murder mystery, it explored grief, forgiveness, and the reliability (or unreliability) or memory. Instead of the typical trope of an unreliable narrator, there were intermittent flashbacks to other characters with conflicting POVs that led to questions and suspense to drive the plot. This book kept me guessing until the end and even the final chapters left a hint of ambiguity (but not enough to be disappointing or frustrating). An original storyline, compelling characters, and overall satisfying mystery read!

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark is an exceptional psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page to the last. Clark’s storytelling prowess shines through in this intricately woven narrative, blending suspense, mystery, and deep emotional resonance. The story centers around two women with intertwined secrets—one a bestselling author hiding from her past, and the other a ghostwriter caught in a web of deception. As their worlds collide, the stakes escalate in ways I didn’t see coming. Clark expertly explores themes of identity, betrayal, and redemption, all while maintaining relentless tension and surprises that kept me guessing at every turn. The characters are vividly drawn, each with compelling motivations and flaws that make them utterly relatable and human. The pacing is impeccable, with each chapter revealing new layers and twists that deepen the intrigue. Clark’s sharp and elegant prose creates a dark, moody atmosphere that perfectly complements the story’s psychological depth. What truly sets The Ghostwriter apart is how Clark balances suspense with heartfelt moments, making you emotionally invest in the characters’ journeys. It’s a smart, engrossing novel that challenges perceptions and rewards careful reading. In summary, The Ghostwriter is a standout in the thriller genre—well-plotted, emotionally rich, and utterly gripping. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a well-crafted, page-turning suspense novel. Five stars without hesitation!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC – this was one of the best thrillers I’ve read this year. The Ghostwriter is an addicting mystery that had me hooked from the first page, with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. But what sets this book apart is its emotional depth and literary complexity. It’s not just a quick, cheap-thrills read; it’s a layered, gripping story that lingers long after you’ve turned the final page.

📝 Why It Stands Out:
📖 Complex Characters – This isn’t your average thriller. The characters are messy, flawed, and fully realized, making the stakes feel real and the twists genuinely surprising. Olivia Dumont’s journey as the estranged daughter of a disgraced horror author adds a layer of emotional tension that elevated the entire story.
🔀 Expertly Woven Flashbacks – The alternating timelines and multiple viewpoints were perfectly executed, adding depth to the mystery without ever feeling confusing. I found myself hanging on every reveal, trying to piece together the puzzle.
🎭 Emotionally Charged Ending – Without giving anything away, the ending was both satisfying and heart-wrenching, tying together decades of family secrets in a way that felt earned and deeply impactful.

💥 Final Take: This is my first book by Julie Clark, but it definitely won’t be my last. If you’re a fan of thrillers that dig a little deeper and pack an emotional punch, this one is a must-read.

💬 Have you read The Ghostwriter? What other twisty thrillers should I add to my list?

Olivia Dumont, a talented writer in her forties, has built her career as a non-fiction ghostwriter. A recent incident has tarnished her reputation and has put her in financial hardship. She receives a lucrative offer to ghostwrite a book for Vincent Taylor, a bestselling writer of horror novels. Unknown to the publisher and her agent, Olivia is Vincent's estranged daughter, and the book is his memoir. Fifty years ago, Vincent's older brother, Danny, and younger sister, Poppy, were murdered in their Ojai, California, family home. The double murder has never been solved, but Vincent has long been the primary suspect in the court of public opinion. Not only does Olivia need the money, but she desperately wants to know, after all these years, what happened in 1975. Her ailing father is an unreliable storyteller, so Olivia has to uncover the secrets that devastated many lives.

After loving The Lies I Tell and The Last Flight, Julie Clark became a must-read author. The Ghostwriter is another highly satisfying book from Clark, who expertly weaves in great twists. The story is told in both the present and in 1975, revealing the complex family dynamics of the Taylor siblings, leading up to the day of the family tragedy. It's a well-crafted mystery thriller and a heartbreaking story with intriguing, multi-layered characters. I was captivated.

4.5 stars.

WOW WOW WOW! As much as I loved her previous books (𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘍𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘐 𝘛𝘦𝘭𝘭), this is my new favorite Julie Clark book.

It has everything I want and love in a good mystery:
-complicated characters, full of heroic qualities and bad decision making
-thoughtful plot construction, details that matter, red herrings that made sense but still intrigued me, and while I thought I had it all figured out, I did not
-complicated family relationships
-gorgeous writing without being too verbose

My prediction…this is gonna be a BIG summer hit

I was a big fan of Clark's "The Lies I Tell", so was very excited to dive into "The Ghostwriter". It did not disappoint! I love the concept of our main narrator, Olivia, unravelling the events of her aunt and uncle's deaths by way of helping her father (the person long thought to have killed them) write his memoir as his health and mental capacity begins to fail him. It's an intriguing premise and an effective storytelling device. Nothing is ever quite what it seems, as details are pieced together via unreliable narrators and unique perspectives, including diaries and found video tapes. Even revelations that may seem predictable come with a twist, and it really kept me guessing up until the very end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy!

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark is a very highly recommended, clever mystery and family drama that unfolds in two timelines while exploring a tragic event from the past.

Olivia Dumont is a ghostwriter who has been estranged from her father, the famous horror writer Vincent Taylor, for years so she is shocked when she is offered a job writing a book for him. It isn't a horror novel. It's a memoir focused on events from June, 1975, when his two teenage siblings, Danny and Poppy, were murdered in their Ojai, California, home. Throughout Olivia's childhood in Ojai rumors were always swirling around that Vincent was responsible for the murders.

Olivia accepts the job because she needs the money. Once she arrives in Ojai, she learns that Vincent is in poor health and has been diagnosed with Lewey body dementia. He has notes for the book, but can no longer write it. Olivia must try to decipher his notes and piece together clues from other sources to try and determine what really happened to Danny and Poppy fifty years ago.

The writing and plotting is excellent in this slow-burn mystery/thriller/family drama. While the start feels slow moving, the suspense and tension keep building up along with the pace as more information is uncovered and Olivia tries to piece clues together. It is unclear if Vincent is telling Olivia the truth or if he even honestly recalls what happened. The NDA Olivia signed also prohibits many of the obvious research routes she would normally take.

The narrative follows two time lines. In the present Olivia is searching for information in Vincent's notes, Poppy's diary and later her films, and some interviews. From the past are flashbacks and observations from Poppy and Vincent in 1975. The balance between following Olivia in the present and the scenes in the past work exceptionally well together in the narrative while proving more insight, clues, and twists. They are all compelling characters as you follow their stories. The final denouement pushed the rating up on this one.

The Ghostwriter is an excellent choice for those who enjoy a murder mystery mixed with a family drama. Thanks to Sourcebooks for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

A super twisty and compelling read. I loved bouncing between the timelines and the POVs, and the story had me flipping the pages to find out what really happened. I thought the relationship between the MC and her partner could have been a tiny bit more fleshed out, and so their main conflict would pack a bigger punch, but overall a great read!

SO SO GOOD! One of my top thrillers of the year so far! Oh the twists and turns Julie took me on, watch out Cedar Point she's coming for your gig!!

There are so many elements here that I love (a long-ago murder, the possible involvement of a loved one, untrustworthy/unreliable characters) that it felt like the book was written for me! There are plenty of twists on the way to the reveal, keeping me turning the pages and saying "just one more chapter" late into the night.

4.5-5⭐️

My second book by her and all I wanna do now is read her third one. I already love a good thriller but when it reads has a true-crime element and some mixed-media involved?! Chef’s kiss.

This one kept me on my toes from the very beginning and never let up. I was left wondering who really killed Poppy & Danny. Continuously attempting to unravel the mystery of Olivia & Vince’s strange relationship and the ones they formed with others involved in the mystery.

This book could have went on and on and I would have kept reading with no issue. I lovedddd it.

This was a really great layered and emotionally charged thriller. Olivia, the main character, is a ghostwriter, but also the estranged daughter of an infamous horror writer (think Steven King) who also has a murder in his past that was never solved. People don't know she's his kid so no one understands why she is chosen to ghostwrite his memoir. Especially since she was recently "cancelled" after a scandal. As the book unfolds, Olivia must untangle the truth from her father's hazy and sometimes dishonest recollections of the events leading up to the murder.

Julie Clark is an excellent writer and her books have more depth and meaning than the usual popcorn thriller. Here, I liked the themes of the father/daughter relationship, the commentary on ghostwriting (you get the impression the author has some experience!), and the well-plotted and intriguing murder mystery. I'll be excited to read whatever Julie Clark writes next.

Unreliable narrator? Check. Story I could not stop reading? Check. Finding out who actually killed a brother and sister 50 years ago? Check. This book is a wild ride and I was hooked the entire time. We start off with Olivia Dumont, a ghostwriter with some issues in the publishing world getting approached to ghostwrite a book for her estranged father. She needs the money so she heads there immediately and is met with an ill father that is struggling to remember what happened some days. The writing starts off immediately but not everything is adding up, and the secrets she unveils just might solve this mystery. This entire story is a give and take of information. While you might get some information, it might be wrong. I was eager to see what really happened at the end. If you are a fan of mystery and thrillers you need to pick this book up.

I loved this book from the very start to the ending. Olivia is a writer and she has been estranged from her father and mother for years. When Olivia was very young her mother up and left so Olivia’s father Vincent raised her until she was sent away to a school. But when Vincent was a teenager his sister Poppy and brother Danny were murdered in their home. Many people were sure that Vincent had been the one that murdered them. Vincent had been diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia and he wanted to have the truth come out. So in comes Olivia as the ghostwriter. Can Olivia find out the truth or just what her father wants people to know? She did connect with an old school friend and her mom to try to get some clarity. Loved the twists and turns in this book.

I received this ARC from Netgalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.