A fun read - would recommend. Thriller at nature but the character development was enjoyable and well done.

3.5 stars. I’m going to say something blasphemous for a book lover: this would be better as a movie. I think the pacing and time jumps were weird and a shorter time limit to tell the story would make it more suspenseful. Some of the things that felt out of the blue might be better twists for a movie where you can drop visual clues.

Sulari Gentill’s The Mystery Writer is a sharp, inventive literary thriller that blurs the line between fiction and reality in unexpected, delightful ways. Packed with intrigue, dark humor, and sly commentary on the literary world, this novel is a standout for mystery enthusiasts and fans of stories that explore the power of storytelling itself.

Theodosia “Theo” Benton is a compelling protagonist, navigating her personal reinvention with a mix of determination, wit, and vulnerability. Abandoning her career as an attorney to pursue her dream of becoming a novelist, Theo stumbles into a shadowy world where the act of storytelling is far more sinister than she ever imagined. Gentill masterfully weaves layers of conspiracy into this narrative, keeping readers guessing as Theo’s journey shifts from an exploration of identity and ambition to a high-stakes battle for survival.

The book’s brilliance lies in its clever deconstruction of the writing world. Gentill pokes fun at the pressures authors face—identity, audience expectations, and the commodification of creativity—while crafting a page-turner packed with suspense. The story within a story, led by Theo’s murdered mentor and Gus’s unraveling of the labyrinthine threads, mirrors the larger themes of control and reinvention, adding richness to the plot.

Gentill’s prose is razor-sharp, laced with wit and an undercurrent of tension that grips the reader from the opening chapters. Her ability to balance humor with genuine peril sets The Mystery Writer apart. The twists are well-executed, and the finale delivers an unexpected punch that’s both satisfying and thought-provoking.

While the novel offers plenty of thrills, its heart lies in its exploration of identity and the sacrifices people make in the pursuit of passion and purpose. Theo’s relationship with her brother Gus adds emotional depth to the narrative, grounding the wild twists in a core of familial loyalty.

The Mystery Writer is an intelligent, wildly entertaining ride that will delight readers who love mysteries, meta-commentary, and stories that challenge conventional expectations. Gentill’s clever, genre-bending tale ensures her place as a master of literary suspense. Highly recommended for fans of Benjamin Stevenson or anyone looking for a fresh take on the mystery genre.

A solid three star novel- entertaining enough, with a plot that has some different or uncommon elements, but contains some editorial choices that the reader might not have made. A workhorse of a mystery novel that will get the job done. Not one that I expect patrons to be raving about, but will keep avid readers satiated.

I had no idea where this book was going from the very first page and it turned out to be a good thing. The novel is normally not my preferred genre but I liked the conspiracy theory vibes. The mystery is complicated and multi-layered, so it's not a book you'll want to breeze through. It was a touch too long, but the end delivered a solid payoff.

"The Mystery Writer" by Sulari Gentill is an engaging and well-written novel. With surprising twists and a unique style, it kept me guessing until the end. Perfect for fans of suspenseful and intelligent mysteries.

After reading The Woman in the Library, I was determined to read any book that Sulari Gentill releases! Such great thrillers with great characters and she always appeals to the booklover in us!

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill.

Theodosia Benton leaves her career as an attorney to join her brother in America so she can pursue a career as a writer. She begins going to a local eatery and bar to work on her novel where she meets one of her literary idols. The two have a strangely brief and abrupt affair after which the writer-lover ends up murdered. Theodosia finds his body and then becomes part of a strange series of events involving this man’s former agent and publishing house.

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. The pacing seemed rushed in some places, and too slow in others. The main character was so naive, it caused me much eye-rolling. The conspiracy theories were loose and the book seemed to change directions a lot. The story also felt about 100 pages too long. I did finish the book, but it was not a page-turner for me.

Really enjoyed this from start to finish. Didn't want it to end. Will definitely read more of this author in the future.

A captivating mystery novel

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this review copy and the opportunity !

I was so excited to start this book after reading great reviews on Netgalley but after multiiple tries to start this story, I was just unable to get into it and was unable to finish it. This has nothing to do with the writer/writing themselves, as the prose was interesting and the cast of characters showed promise, it just wasn't for me.

The writing was good but I couldn't finish this book because I was a bit confused by the narrative personally.

The beginning was slow, but that's not necessarily an issue as long as the "getting to know" the characters, especially the protagonist works well. In this case, it was a bit of mixed feelings.
The entire premise held a lot of promise, but like it happens often, sometimes the story lost itself in the idea development. The Mystery Writer had good moments as it built its suspense with the mystery surrounding the murder and all the bizarre things happening to the protagonist. It was also very interesting to reflect on the idea of "How far would you go to have a book published?" On this point, the story had some Yellowface vibes. But The Mystery Writer extrapolates this idea a bit too much, making the suspension of disbelief hard to achieve at times, but especially as we get to the resolution.
Still, it was a good, entertaining story overall, nothing mind-blowing.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much @poisonpenpress and @netgalley for the copy of this eARC!

This literary thriller follows the story of an aspiring writer who falls in love with her literary idol, only to be devastated when he is murdered the day after she shares her manuscript with him.

Although the book had a slow start for me, it managed to keep my attention throughout. There were numerous moments when I thought I had figured out the plot, only to be completely surprised by unexpected twists.

I particularly enjoyed the secondary characters, especially the complex dynamic between the adult siblings, who hadn’t grown up together. The setting in Tasmania was also a highlight, adding a unique atmosphere to the story. I appreciated the blend of conspiracy theory discussions and the varied third-person perspectives that kept the story fresh.

All in all, this was an engaging and suspenseful read that kept me on the edge of my seat. The author did an excellent job with the ending—it was truly satisfying.

I couldn’t connect with either the plot or the characters in this book. I read the entire book but didn’t get much out of it.
This book was a miss for me.

The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill is a super intriguing read if you're into mysteries with a twist. The story follows a famous mystery writer named Rowly, who’s living his best life in a small town, until things start getting weird. He’s got this new character in his book that might be based on a real person, and suddenly, life starts to feel a little too much like fiction.

What I really enjoyed about this book is how clever it is. There’s so much attention to detail, and the way the mystery unravels makes you want to keep reading just to figure out what’s going on. Rowly’s character is super interesting, he’s not just a writer, he’s also dealing with his own personal stuff, which adds a nice layer to the story. The pacing is slow at times, but it builds the suspense, so you’re constantly wondering what’s going to happen next.

The plot twists are great, and just when you think you’ve got everything figured out, the book throws something at you that makes you rethink everything. It’s not a super fast-paced thriller, but it’s definitely a good one for anyone who loves a mystery that’s a little more psychological.

Sulari Gentill knows how to twist a plot! The whole book is seething with tension and filled with miscues. It's the best kind of mystery. By the time I was at the end, I was thoroughly confused and I enjoyed every minute.

I have enjoyed some of this author’s books. They were clever and imaginative. Unfortunately, this book was slow and the plot was convoluted and preposterous. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

I was first introduced to Sulari Gentill two years ago—  The Woman in the Library absolutely captivated me! When I saw her name on The Mystery Writer, it was an immediate NEED TO READ for me! And it did not disappoint! Theodosia Benton does a life-180 and decides to pursue writing instead of law, showing up on her brother Gus's doorstep hoping for his support as she writes. As Theo works on her novel at a local cafe, she befriends a man— who turns out to be a super famous author. A few weeks later, he's murdered. The police are on the case, but when they start looking at Gus, Theo starts going down some unconventional— and unsafe– paths to discover the true murderer. I loved this book and can't wait for Sulari's next one!