Theodosia Benton turns up in Lawrence, Kansas, on her brother's doorstep, having left her university in Australia. She has decided to become a writer instead of a lawyer. Theo starts writing daily at a bar in town where she meets an older author whom she starts a friendship with. When she doesn't see him one day she goes to his home and finds him murdered. This starts a string of issues; more murders, conspiracies, blackmail and the need to disappear for several years before nearly everything starts to finally make sense.

Theo aspires to be a writer. She goes to live with her brother Gus while she is working on her novel. She ends up meeting a author named Dan and forming a friendship with him. Dan is found dead by Theo and then it becomes a story of who is the killer and why.

First I want to say thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an ARC ebook in exchange for my honest opinion. Even though this book was a conspiracy theorist book I enjoyed the mystery of it. I did feel Theo was a damsel in distress most of the book with her brother being the main rescuer but with everything that kept happening I think even the strongest women would fall apart. This book had non-stop murders that kept me gripped and wanting to know more. When it all came together in the end, I was dumbfounded.

I think the topics in this book were just not for me and my lukewarm feelings about this book were mostly a reflection of that. I enjoyed this author's prior book and I should have read the synopsis of this one!

I am certainly open to somewhat out-there conspiracy theories when they relate to things happening in the real world, or things that are not otherwise easily explained. Grassy knoll? I'll hear you out. White fiat uno? Tell me more. Owl attack? Weird, but explain it.

The conspiracy theories in this book have to do with doomsday scenarios and doomsday prepares, which I am very much less enthralled with and (to me) fall more into the cult category.

My true star rating would probably be a 3.5 but unfortunately Goodreads and Netgalley won't allow that half star!

4.5 stars / This review will be posted on goodreads.com today.

I’m a fan. Sulari Gentill writes fabulous crime novels that don’t feel like crime novels. The Mystery Writer tackles social media conspiracy theories and murder.

When Theo shows up on big brother Gus’s doorstep unexpectedly, she has no idea how this major change in her life is going to affect her and everyone around her. Theo has dropped out of law school in Tasmania because she now wants to be a writer, not a solicitor. Her big brother Gus lives in the US and is a defense attorney at a firm in Lawrence, Kansas.

Gus gives Theo a bedroom and a timeline that she must stick to before she gives up on university completely. He also agrees to keep ‘the ancients’ (their hippie parents) out of the loop until Theo makes a final decision about her future.

Theo finds a writing ‘office’ in a local cafe & pub, which apparently caters to other writers as well. She strikes up a relationship with another author, immediately reads all his published works, and asks him for advice and guidance. But when their relationship becomes more than just peers, and he is discovered murdered, Theo and her brother become the main suspects. And they become exposed to a very dark side of the publishing world they never could have imagined.

As I said, I’m a huge fan of Gentill’s writing. She is a master of sucking you into the story and world she’s created. I’ve never been to Lawrence, Kansas, but it sounds like an amazing place (the same goes for Tasmania!) Her characters are three dimensional and unique. I know I’ll continue to enjoy her novels for years to come.

I was intrigued by the premise of this book.

Young aspiring writer Theodosia (Theo), drops out of law college in Australia and arrives at her brother Gus's home in America, looking for lodging and help. Gus, a lawyer, encourages her, and she finds a local cafe where she writes during the day and befriends a well known author, Dan Murdoch. Dan is working on a new novel, and confides in Theo that he follows conspiracy theorists as part of his research. When Theo visits his house, she finds him dead...

Theo of course, is intent on trying to find the murderer, with the help of her brother and his best friend, Mac. Mac's family are Domesday preppers, and partly because of that, and partly because of Theo's closeness to the dead writer, the police have Gus and Mac as suspects.

Add in the conspiracy theorist's posts on the web, and the uneasy sense of Dan Murdoch's publisher being involved, and you have a complex plot with some interesting twists.

Parts of the book fell a little flat to me. Theo had just dropped out of law school, and so was clearly an intelligent young woman, but she didn't act that way at several times. The ending seemed rushed, with sudden time jumps forward, and several years fly by in a few pages. The ending didn't work so well for me.

However, I enjoyed the involvement of Mac's crazy family as light relief.

The Mystery writer is a murder mystery that started very slowly. The “world building” lasted for approximately 50% of the book, then the pace sped up rapidly and the next 30% of the book were exactly what I wanted - lots of mysteries, questionable people, weird motives and overall a fast paced thriller. But then the last 20% got me questioning if this is how a brother would react with the connections that he has.
I was hoping for a stronger story line and better use of the characters. Not to mention that the person behind the murder(s) was very obvious from the first official meeting.
I will highlight also my favourite parts: Horse the dog who has learned to growl and appear vicious on command, but actually is the biggest sweetheart, Mac’s nuts family (however, their involvement was a bit questionable to the plot of this book, but I enjoyed their weirdness either way) and of course the weird murders that happened around Theo as they created the tension that I was craving in the first half of the book.

FMC: Theodosia Benton
MMCs: Gus Benton, Mac Etheridge
single POV (Theo) - but after 70% or so also Gus and Mac, third person, single timeline.

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with the ebook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Strap in for a wild ride with "The Mystery Writer," where even the plot twists have plot twists, and the characters have secrets worthy of a daytime soap opera......…..

Book Information

The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentillis a 400-page mystery/thriller novel with a planned publication date of March 19, 2024. Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an Advance Readers Copy for review.

Summary

When Theodosia Benton ditches her law career for writing, she wonders if her family will back her and if she's any good at it. But she gets tangled up in a secret writer's world when her mentor is murdered. When cops suspect her brother, Gus, she steps in to save him. But things get messy as Gus follows clues left by the dead writer, putting them all in danger. To keep their secrets safe, Theo and her crew must face a deadly threat head-on.

My Thoughts

In "The Mystery Writer" by Sulari Gentillis, I found myself immersed in an entertaining tale that kept me eagerly turning pages. Despite its length, the story's intricate plot and surprising twists held my attention throughout. The Mystery Writer is a literary journey that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Gentillis skillfully builds suspense, gradually unraveling the mystery as the narrative unfolds. While the beginning may seem slow, the tension steadily mounts, keeping me on the edge of my seat. I looked forward to moments in my day when I could reopen the book and read just a few more pages. Though some aspects of the book felt exaggerated, such as the portrayal of the publishing company and the conclusion, the overlay of conspiracy theories added depth to the story.

One of the novel's highlights is its exploration of sibling relationships, which adds emotional depth to the plot. The bond between the adult siblings is portrayed with authenticity, enriching the story's dynamics. Additionally, the inclusion of the prepper family and their unique perspective added both nuance and humor, while the presence of Horse, the lumbering dog companion, added a touch of warmth.

The one challenge I had while reading the book was that the shifts in point of view were disorienting, requiring me to pause and reorient myself within the narrative. Additionally, some elements of the plot may strain credibility.

Overall, "The Mystery Writer" is a well-crafted novel with a thought-provoking plot and compelling characters. It offers readers an engaging and suspenseful reading experience that lingers long after the final page.

Recommendation

"The Mystery Writer" is a captivating book that keeps you engaged with its suspenseful plot and unexpected twists. With its intriguing characters and gripping storyline, it's an entertaining read all the way through. If you're a fan of mysteries and suspense, this book is definitely worth picking up.

Rating

4 Mystery Stars

As someone who judges a book by its cover, I was really surprised by this one. It wasn’t what I expected at all, and sadly, it was not my favorite. I really struggled, so much so that I requested the audio ARC and the print copy. I tried reading, listening and combining the two. Unfortunately, this one just fell short for me. I didn’t find any of the characters likable, and the lead was quite gullible. I’m not even sure who died and who lived if I’m being completely honest. Just not my type of story I guess? It read like a cozy mystery, but not quite. I can’t even pinpoint what went wrong here, but I did not enjoy it as much as I’d hoped.

Another great read by Sulari Gentill. The characters were fantastic and kept me flipping pages long past my bedtime. I loved the personal and professional dynamics. Lots of great emotional tugs.
Thank you NetGalley, Sulari Gentill and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read and review this book

The Mystery Writer is a thrilling literary rollercoaster that redefines the boundaries between reality and fiction. As Theo Benton navigates a hidden literary world, trying to unravel her mentor's murder, the intricate plot and suspenseful twists drew me into the mystery and crime genre. Gentill's skillful storytelling and exploration of the power of narrative have not only crafted a captivating tale but also revealed my newfound appreciation for the intricacies of mystery fiction. An enthralling read that ignited my love for the genre.

Chock full of conspiracy crazies and doomsday insanity, this novel will leave you feeling topsy-turvy in the best way.
Theo Benton leaves law school to pursue fiction writing. She moves in with her brother, Gus in Lawrence, KS, and ends up befriending the elusive writer, Dan Murdoch. But when Dan is murdered, Theo becomes the #1 suspect. Suddenly, her world and that of Gus and his friend and PI, Mack, become a waking nightmare. As the bodies pile up, Theo decides sacrifices need to be made and she promptly disappears. Gus and Mack try desperately to find Theo but someone definitely doesn't want them succeeding.
There are interludes in the book that help you to understand why Dan was murdered. And maybe the doomsday enthusiasts aren't so far off the mark with the conspiracies.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this e-arc.*

This is an interesting novel. It has a story within a story, and I admit I wasn’t quite sure how it fit with Theo’s. Luckily her part of the book was entertaining enough that I could keep reading until the eventual connection occurred. However I did find the book to get a bit sluggish & repetitive around the middle. I’m not quite sure if this will please everyone. It’s a murder mystery that’s for sure, but there’s a conspiracy angle that the author doesn’t stick the landing on for me. Overall I don’t think it’s a bad book, I just preferred her last one much more.

If you like conspiracy theories, preppers and clandestine organizations, then this book is for you. Unfortunately for me, I should have read the book blurb more carefully as I was expecting a mystery of a different sort. Nevertheless, the book flowed well through most pages. The main character, Theo(dosia) was for a 22 year old fairly naive, perhaps because of her upbringing. Good thing she had her brother, Gus and his good friend, Mac, to advise her. Closer to the end, the story seems to become disjointed, if not unbelievable. It was an okay book, just not at the top of my list. Thank you Netgalley and Poison Pen Press for an early copy. This review is my opinion. 3.5 stars

Lover murdered.
Brother is a suspect.
Who can she trust???
Theodosia is a 22 year old woman. Dropped out of Law school in Australia and moved to U. S to fullfil her dream of being a writer. He brother is supportive and is encouraging her. She starts to go a coffee shop regularly where she meets another writer Dan they get to know each other , him helping and mentoring her and being her confidant. Then, they are in relationship till one day she finds him murdered and her brother is a suspect.
If you like, conspiracy theories and twisted stories this one is for you. As for me, I didn't enjoy this one as much as her previous novel The Woman In Library but I believe that every story has it lovers and what wasn't for me might be the best book for someone else's so make sure to check it out
Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher for granting me an ARC of #TheMysteryWriter in exchange for my honest review.

Xoxo💋

Poisoned Pen Press provided an early galley for review.

I am instantly drawn to stories about writers. They are my kindred spirits.

I read a book by the author a few years ago - The Woman in the Library and liked it. Once more we are dealing with a story premise involving writers. The prologue and many chapters open with details and conversations that slowly start to form a bigger picture that is key to the plot. They are intriguing and mysterious. However, these do not overshadow the main narrative involving our writer-to-be Theo.

I enjoyed the relationship between Theo and Dan Murdoch, mostly for the insider glimpse into the world of writers. I appreciated the guidance Dan provided, and then I was surprised (though I shouldn't have been) by the turn the relationship took (in several ways). It certainly kept my attention focused and my curiosity piqued. I also found Theo's conversations with the publishing agent Veronica to be very revealing (the author here clearly writing about what she knows - interacting with the world of publishing).

But as the bodies start to stack up, my view of Theo shifted. I started to see her more as a victim and as an observer to larger events going on around her. She finds herself caught up in circumstances and with factions well beyond her control. When the final third of the book hits, the story has taken a completely unexpected turn that left me in even more of a confused state. If that was the reaction the author was trying to evoke in the reader, mission accomplished. Sulari does manage to bring it all around in the final chapters to explain everything.

Theo drops out of college and shows up at her brothers front door. With a slightly rocky/mysterious past, Theo is hellbent on writing a novel and her brother Gus takes her in. Soon after, Theo befriends a fellow writer, but when he is discovered murdered, things get really messy. There are tons of conspiracy theories and Theo finds herself in the middle of it.

I had a few complaints. This story was LOOOOONG. It took forever to develop, and then would have these rework abrupt time jumps. Like 3 years and now Gus has a cane and wtf did I miss?! I didn’t even feel like I knew the characters and what was happening.

The ending seemed VERY rushed. Like we took 8 hours to get to this point, and it’s done in 1 anticlimactic chapter. Also the fact that the author had every American in her story carrying a gun? Please, Gentill, go eat some Vegemite and recognize not every American is a gun-toter 🥴

My issue was, I read Woman in the Library and liked it… so I expected something similar/equally as readable. To be honest, up until like 70% of the way through, this was a 3.5/4 star book for me.

The rushed ending, lack of excitement, and overall sense “wow this was underwhelming” leaves me at a 2.5.

Great thriller! The book grabbed my attention right from the start. I loved the connection between writers and conspiracy theories. I was kept guessing in how the truth will come to light. I am hoping for a reappearance of Veronica!

I found The Mystery Writer difficult since I don't enjoy reading about conspiracy theories, doomsday preppers, and an literary agency that fuels false information. I won't get into the plot. The blurb on the back of the story gives away too much as it is. I never fully invested in the characters because of the over-the-top story. The story ends with a set-up for a sequel since one of the antagonists gets away.

I enjoyed the author's previous work, The Woman in The Library, so I was even more disappointed in this one.

The Mystery Writer starts with such a strong premise that ultimately falls flat.

Unfortunately, our MC Theo is so clueless and somehow people around her keep dying. It’s so hard for me to believe a woman who was in law school could be so stupid in so many ways. She constantly was making herself look guilty as well as not seeing a LOT of red flags ahead of time.

As the story went on, I found myself getting more and more frustrated. There are so many side stories that ultimately didn’t add to the story – talking about Qanon-esque forums, doomsday preppers, growing up on a commune, etc. This could have had a much smaller scope and been so much more effective. Also there’s a very jumpy timeline and point of view shift around the 75% mark and I found it totally ruined the flow of the story that was already being set up.

I did really like the characters of Gus and Mac (and of course, Horse). They were really well conceptualized, and I loved the family dynamic with Gus and Theo. It just wasn’t enough to carry the rest of the book.

Thank you to #NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Sulari Gentill for the opportunity to read The Mystery Writer, to be published 19 March 2024. 4/5 Stars for this different take on mystery writers. Theo decides to leave University where she studies law, to move to her brother’s house to write a novel. During her time there, a murder occurs which ultimately involves her and her brother. Good read. #NetGalley #PoisonedPenPress #SulariGentill #TheMysteryWriter