The Mystery Writer is a book with a very specific audience and it wasn't me.

Our main character Theo feels naive in a way that isn't entirely keeping with the background she's given as a former law student. She feels like a very thin character, which made it difficult to have any real feelings about what she was going through. Even her response to what happened to her first love interest felt facile and uncomplicated.

I wouldn't say this book is bad, but I am not the ideal reader for it.

Theodosia “Theo” Benton has dropped out of law school and committed to her writing. In order to make sure her parents don’t force her to change her mind, Theo runs from her home in Australia to Kansas City, Kansas. Her big brother, Gus, has recently become a partner in a law firm there, and he’s always had a soft spot for Theo. She knows Gus won’t turn her away.

Despite his initial shock at seeing her, Gus welcomes Theo with open arms. He’s happy for the opportunity to hang out with his baby sister and has no qualms about Theo walking away from college. Instead, he encourages her to work on her book.

Theo quickly gets into a routine: every morning she makes her way to the coffee bar, Benders, settles herself at a table and starts writing. The words flow easily, and Theo is happy. Every day she feels like she’s made the right decision to leave law school.

Soon she gets to know the other regulars at the coffee bar, including a man who she discovers is world-renowned thriller author Dan Murdoch. Bit by bit, Theo and Dan become friends and he starts mentoring Theo in her writing. Just as their friendship starts to mean something more, Dan is murdered.

The shock of Dan’s murder doesn’t have time to wear off before others connected to him are murdered too. The police start looking at Theo as their number one suspect for all of the deaths. Gus is beside himself trying to defend Theo, and he enlists his friends to the cause too. But Theo’s afraid that if she doesn’t take a stand herself, everything she’s dreamed of for her career as an author will come crashing down.

Author Sulari Gentill’s latest murder mystery reminds readers of her ability to build likable, sympathetic characters. Theo is the perfect representative of a young twenty-something who has all the hopes and dreams of a life full of opportunities, and Gus is the model older brother. The predicament the sister-brother pair find themselves in builds their relationship and draws readers in from the start.

Less successful is the plot itself. Gentill takes a little too long leading readers through each of the murders and how they affect Theo and the other characters. By the time the real action starts—when Theo becomes more proactive in trying to combat the police’s suspicion—the book is about 2/3 done. The novel would have benefitted from faster pacing earlier on to bring the crux of the plot and the climax to the fore. Readers might want to check this one out, being aware that they might need to be a little patient early on.

Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press and of course the author herself Sulari Gentill for an e-copy of this wonderful book!

The Mystery Writer follows a 22 year old woman named Theo (Theodosia Benton), who drops out of Australian law school and flies all the way to Lawrence, Kansas to live with her brother and write a book. She befriends a rather famous writer who has taken residency in this small town and he acts as a kind of mentor to her; until he's murdered. Now Theo is dragged in a swirling vortex of danger, murder and insane conspiracy theories! Who killed her beloved mentor? Why do the police seem hell bent on pinning it on her? What's really going on here? I'll leave that dear reader, for you to find out!

This book was such an interesting read and gripped me from the beginning. It actually starts with a conspiracy theory forum message board and it seems to come out left field. But as the story goes on it makes sense and just grabs you. I have to say that I'm quite interested in reading the both books that Theo wrote (especially Afterlife!) And I was hoping to hear more of them in the story! The story starts out a bit slow, but the last 40% of it really ramps up. My only complaint or note would be this. There's a time jump late in the book, and the way the book is formatted you can't tell right away. It really threw me for a loop!

If you want a story about understanding the process behind writing a book, sprinkled with murder mystery with a crazy conspiracy theory flare, then definitely check out The Mystery Writer!

It’s hard to write an engaging mystery that stands the test of time. It’s even more difficult to try and weave together mystery, current affairs, and serious themes like child rape with humor and romance. So it’s not surprising that even a seasoned writer fails at the task.

In the beginning, we meet Theodosia “Theo” Benton, a law school dropout with a dream of becoming a writer. She’s joined her brother, now a practicing attorney, in the United States to write her novel, and befriends an older writer at her local watering hole, who nurtures Theo’s talent and eventually becomes her lover. But when tragedy strikes, and Theo’s lover is murdered, conspiracy theories swirl, testing Theo’s ties to friends and loved ones, and ultimately her life.

The main characters—Theo, her brother Gus, Gus’s friend Mac—are frustratingly sanitized and predictable: Theo, the impulsive, injured young writer, both so earnest to share her vision and naive to the consequences of her actions. Gus, the protective older brother who will give up everything for his sister, even when that’s the worst thing he could do for her. And even Mac, the most compelling of the three, comes off a bit shallow, the wealthy black sheep in a family of conspiracy theorists who can’t help but fall for his friend’s little sister.

But most frustrating is that the story has so much meatier material that is touched on and then largely forgotten in the service of a rather dull set of twists and turns. Theo’s skin color, and the implications that would have almost certainly had on her treatment in a small, rural town in the American heartland. Her history of sexual trauma and the impact that would almost certainly have had on a real person. Gus’s reasons for leaving Australia. Mac’s childhood in what amounts to a doomsday prepper cult. I mean, his mother SHOT HIM! That’s got to leave more than impressive scars. Most of these themes cropped up from time to time, mostly in passing, and seeing them float by, never fully explored, gave the reader the feeling of being emotionally manipulated. It’s unfair to sprinkle in actual interesting subplots like these and then move on to tired, superficial plot devices.


In the end, I suppose I didn’t so much feel cheated as that I had abandoned hope of finding a deeper meaning. And once I let that go, the last quarter of the book was enjoyable. But if given the chance to start again, I think I would have passed this book by. There are better uses of time. Certainly more edifying, but also more satisfying.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book! My review will appear on my blog on 3/12/24: I will also promote it on Instagram and post the review to Goodreads, The Storygraph and retail sites around this date.

Review:
In Sulari Gentill's novel "The Mystery Writer," readers are taken on an exhilarating journey into a world where conspiracy theories become a chilling reality. Gentill took an interesting approach to the literary world and the power of words, crafting a narrative that kept me turning the pages.

The story follows protagonist Theodosia Benton, who makes the daring decision to abandon her university studies in Australia and move to the United States to live with her brother to pursue her passion for writing. Armed with only a few belongings and an unfinished novel, she arrives at her brother's doorstep, uncertain of the challenges that await her. All she wants to do is try her hand at writing a book, but what unfolds is far more than she bargained for.

Theo soon finds herself entangled in a clandestine world of conspiracy theories where narratives and personas are carefully constructed and controlled until freedom is just as mysterious as those who control it. When her mentor, a highly successful author, is brutally murdered, Theo becomes determined to seek justice - however, her world crumbles when she and her brother become the prime suspects in the investigation. In a desperate bid to clear their names, Theo embarks on a treacherous path that threatens not only her own life but also the lives of anyone who knows her. Who knew her simple dream of becoming a published author would be so dangerous?

Gentill's ability to seamlessly blend the worlds of literature and conspiracy theories is remarkable, resulting in a novel that defies genre boundaries. I've never read a book like this before, and I found myself completely captivated. Several times, I questioned what was happening and what the author was attempting to achieve, but in the end, it paid off.

The author's exploration of themes of control is particularly captivating. The narrative delves deep into the idea that books can be weaponized, used to manipulate, and destroy lives - and to an extent - the safety of our country. This chilling concept raises thought-provoking questions about the responsibility of authors and publishers and the potential consequences of their creations.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its well-developed and complex characters. Theo Benton is a multifaceted protagonist, full of determination and grit. Her dedication to justice and protecting her loved ones makes her a relatable and sympathetic character. Supporting characters, such as Theo's brother Gus and his best friend and PI Mac, add depth and intrigue to the narrative, further immersing readers into the intricate web of lies and secrets.

Another thing that I liked about this book was it could have gone in so many directions, and it almost seemed as though the plot could crumble at any moment, but the author adeptly kept things on track and wrapped things up in a satisfying way. I had my suspicions of who/what was behind everything, and while some of them played out, there were a few surprises along the way.

My only gripe with this one was there were a few chapters about 2/3 of the way in that felt rushed and almost unnecessary to the overall plot. This is a small gripe, though, and it in no way ruined my enjoyment of the book.

With its gripping storyline, multifaceted characters, and thought-provoking themes, this is a must-read for fans of mysteries and literary fiction. This one had me on the edge of my seat until the very last page.

As in her previous novels, the author centers her story around books, their writers, and their readers, and this one has a great premise once again, as the world of doomsday 'preppers' collides with the world of writers, agents, and publishers. The main characters, Theo, her brother Gus, and their friend Mac, emerge from the page almost instantly as relatable, believable, yet quirky and compelling personalities. The action propels the story forward from the murder of an older writer who has befriended Theo, and the three become entangled in a conspiracy more fantastic than any theory, yet believable within the novel's context. I loved this intricately-plotted book and read it in a couple of sittings as it raced towards its climax and conclusion. The ending chapters, alternating between points of view and time frames without any delineation between them, were mildly confusing at first but served to further increase the tension and suspense of the final chapters.

Theo and Gus, Australian siblings, and Mac, their American friend, grew up with “off the grid” families. They find themselves in Kansas trying to solve a series of murders for which they are suspect. Theo’s dream is to become a writer. When she emigrates to join her brother, he supports her. She meets a famous writer, falls in love and then discovers his dead body. She is also associated with the next two victims. When her brother is seriously injured, she confesses to murder and disappears off the face of the earth. The storyline is interrupted by outbursts from conspiracy theorists, along with sensational headlines, bereaved fans and rabid stalkers. I had difficulty maintaining interest in Sulari Gentill’s latest work. I grew weary with the plot twists and confused at times with the supporting characters.

Honestly I feel like the description gives way too much away. I felt like I had already read the book as I was reading it for the first time.

Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill
This novel starts out slow, switching from an online conspiracy theorist chat group, to Theo and Gus Benton, a brother and sister team from Australia. Theo has recently moved to Lawrence, Kansas to live with her lawyer brother. She has quit law school and is serious about writing a novel. After finding a coffee shop to work at each day, she meets other writers and becomes a part of a small community. Eventually, she becomes close to one special writer, the famous Dan Murdoch.
Theo and Dan begin working together, and after a horrible discovery, Theo is drawn into a crime scene and a dark works of intrigue. Her first novel has been sent to a publisher and she may be on her way to being published, but the police thinks she’s guilty of murder.
This story has many twists and turns, and the theories and followers of the murdered author are confusing. This clever plot does get resolved in a satisfying way, but the journey there was sometimes hard to stick with.
#netgalley

The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill is a story that I found challenging to finish. I was not a fan of the weepy and whiny Theo. She frequently needs to be rescued (it gets tiresome) by her brother, Gus, and his friend (as well as associate), Mac. It is good that Theo and Gus are supportive siblings (they are there for each other and Theo really needs Gus). The first three quarters of the book is setting up the plot (which we basically know from the blurb) and the conspiracies (which were really not needed). The conspiracy theories were tedious, implausible, and repetitive. I did not enjoy the repetitive dialogue on Americans and their personalities. Their beliefs on gun violence began to grate on my nerves (they made it sound like every American carries a gun). I believe Mac’s family of preppers are supposed to be funny, but I found them scary. The political chat room discussions were tedious (and irritating). I did not enjoy the political undertones in the story (I can turn on the news for politics). The author exaggerated Christians and conservatives (while there are some overzealous individuals, the majority are not). Over exaggeration and implausibility applied to most components of the book. I found the story to be too long, and the first third moved at a snail’s pace (actually, that is an insult to snail’s). In the last third, the tale begins jumping forward in time (sometimes months, sometimes years). After the slow pace of the rest of the book, the ending is rushed with loose ends (I find unanswered questions frustrating). The Mystery Writer was an unenjoyable reading experience.

3.5 stars

This book jumped several sharks, and I still can't decide if I was on board with the absurdity or not. It bounced between an online forum of conspiracy theorists and Theo, our FMC, who's just dropped out of college in Australia and moved to Kansas to reunite with her brother and write her first book. While Theo meets Dan, a famous and established author, and forms a mentor/mentee relationship with him that crosses the line into something more, the conspiracy theorists are worried about large corporations killing children and resurrecting them a la Frankenstein's monster for "research".

Dan stumbles across the forums and starts interacting on them as research for his next novel, but when he turns up dead, the conspiracy theorists are convinced it was the work of Project Frankenstein, and rally. Unfortunately for Theo, they decide she's the culprit, and chaos ensues. Theo's only option is to solve the murder, before Dan's crazy fans find her.

This is a tongue-in-cheek depiction of how ridiculous America's gun-waving, doomsday-prepping, conspiracy-gobbling, chronically online citizens have gotten in the last 5 years. There were parts that really cracked me up, parts that kept me guessing, and parts that had me wondering what the heck I was reading. I didn't love Theo as a character, but the story was fun once I leaned into how wild it was. If you're a writer yourself you'll particularly appreciate the parts that focus on the publishing industry and Theo learning her craft. You may guess parts of the story, but I guarantee you won't predict the entire thing, because IT GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP. 
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I really liked The Woman in the Library, and was enjoying this through the first half as the mystery and tension slowly build around Theo, Then in the second half she suddenly disappears, years pass as her brother and friend search for her, and then there is a rushed conclusion. The pacing issues and shift of focus from Theo weaken what could have been a great story.

Theo Benton drops out of law school and moves in with her brother to pursue a career in writing. Her brother encourages her to find a bar to write at, which is where Theo meets fellow writer, Dan. They form a quick relationship and Dan helps Theo with her novel, but discourages her from signing with his agency.
When Theo finds Dan dead in his home, she, her brother and his friend, Mac, find themselves caught up in a string of murders. Theo must do whatever she can to protect her brother, solve Dan’s murder and not get dragged into the conspiracy theory world she believes led to his murder.
I really enjoyed the doomsday preppers and conspiracy theories, which I thought gave the book some unique twists. I was drawn in from the very beginning.
This was my first time reading a Sulari Gentill book and it certainly did not disappoint! Thank you to NetGallery and Poisoned Penned Press for the ARC!

Thanks to the publisher, author and NetGalley for the ARC.

The Mystery Writer introduces us to Theo as she flees law school in Australia to land on her brother’s doorstep in America, with aspirations of becoming a writer. Encouraged to get out from under his feet and meet new people, Theo is ushered out of the house and takes up residence in a local coffee shop where she meets Dan. The book has lots of twists and deals with conspiracies and cancel culture within this mystery. Really enjoyed

Theo leaves law school in Australia and arrives on her brother's doorstep in America. Theo longs to write her first novel, and her lawyer brother encourages her to go for it. Soon, Theo writes daily at a local bar where other authors gather. She finds a mentor at her writing place and a friendship follows. When her mentor is murdered, Theo finds herself in a whirlwind of trouble. There are conspiracy followers who believe her mentor was their leader. Soon, Theo is drawn into a fight for her life and that of her brother's. As the story builds, the reader finds hidden conspirators who will stop at little to keep control of their wealth and business. A good read--quite a few characters to track. Thanks to Net Galley for the arc.

"From 2023 Edgar Award nominee and bestselling author Sulari Gentill comes a literary thriller about an aspiring writer who meets and falls in love with her literary idol - only to find him murdered the day after she gave him her manuscript to read.

There's nothing easier to dismiss than a conspiracy theory - until it turns out to be true.

When Theodosia Benton abandons her career path as an attorney and shows up on her brother's doorstep with two suitcases and an unfinished novel, she expects to face a few challenges. Will her brother support her ambition or send her back to finish her degree? What will her parents say when they learn of her decision? Does she even have what it takes to be a successful writer?

What Theo never expects is to be drawn into a hidden literary world in which identity is something that can be lost and remade for the sake of an audience. When her mentor, a highly successful author, is brutally murdered, Theo wants the killer to be found and justice to be served. Then the police begin looking at her brother, Gus, as their prime suspect, and Theo does the unthinkable in order to protect him. But the writer has left a trail, a thread out of the labyrinth in the form of a story. Gus finds that thread and follows it, and in his attempt to save his sister he inadvertently threatens the foundations of the labyrinth itself. To protect the carefully constructed narrative, Theo Benton, and everyone looking for her, will have to die."

The dark world of the literati!

Theodosia Benton, an aspiring author, abandons her legal career to pursue her passion for writing. Little does she know, this decision will plunge her into a hidden literary world where identities are remade for the sake of an audience. When her mentor, a successful author, is murdered, Theo becomes entangled in a complex web of mystery and intrigue. As the police target her brother as the prime suspect, Theo takes drastic measures to protect him, unwittingly threatening the foundations of the literary labyrinth. In this literary thriller, the boundaries between reality and fiction blur, and a writer's voice becomes a weapon with dangerous consequences.

"The Mystery Writer" by Sulari Gentill is a stunningly original and captivating literary thriller that challenges the conventions of mystery novels and the art of storytelling. Theodosia Benton's journey from abandoning her legal career to navigating the labyrinth of a hidden literary world adds a mischievous twist to the narrative. The author weaves a complex tale where conspiracy theories turn out to be true, and identity becomes a malleable construct in the pursuit of a good story.

Gentill masterfully explores the impact of a writer's voice, depicting it not just as a tool for storytelling but as something that can be controlled and weaponized. The murder of Theo's mentor sets the stage for a rollercoaster ride where the boundaries between reality and fiction are blurred. The labyrinthine plot keeps readers on the edge of their seats, with Theo's quest for justice turning into a perilous journey where the very foundations of the literary world are at stake.

The narrative skillfully navigates the complexities of family bonds, the consequences of choices, and the power dynamics within the literary landscape. As Theo and her brother Gus become entangled in a narrative that threatens their lives, the novel poses thought-provoking questions about the nature of storytelling and the lengths one might go to protect the carefully constructed narrative.

"The Mystery Writer" is not just a thriller; it's a thought-provoking exploration of the impact of words and narratives on our lives. Sulari Gentill's mastery of storytelling shines through, making this novel a must-read for those who appreciate literary fiction with a thrilling edge.

Thank you NetGalley and Poinsoned Pen Press for the ARC of this book!

I don't even know where to begin with this book. WOW! This book immediately had me hooked and genuinely took me on an adventure. I thought that there were several twists and turns, and I really enjoyed where it landed.

Thank You NetGalley and Poinsoned Pen Press for a complimentary copy of this novel!

WOW!!! Where to even begin with this novel?!? Theodosia (Theo) Benton is studying to be a lawyer in Australia, but her true passion is writing. Her brother Gus is already a successful, well-established lawyer in Kansas. So, Theo ditches law school and arrives on her brother’s doorstep. She begins to work on her novel at a local bar where she meets a fellow author, Dan Murdoch. Over a few months time, they form a deep bond that eventually becomes intimate. When Theo asks Dan to reach out to his publishing agency, Day Delos and Associates, he is hesitant to do so, saying they would not be a good fit for her. Not long after, to show Dan no hard feelings, Theo goes to his house to invite him to dinner to meet her brother. She had been waiting for him at the bar all that day, but never showed up. When she gets to his house, there is a man running out of Dan’s house and Dan is lying dead in a huge puddle of blood.

Other bodies start to drop dead; and Theo, Gus, and a friend of theirs’, Mac, end up getting blamed for the murders. On top of all this, Dan’s manuscript for his new novel has gone missing and it may have a connection to some kind of conspiracy theory. With everything going on, Gus getting shot and blamed for the murders, Theo vanishes. A letter arrives in the mail from Theo eventually stating she is to blame for everything, but no one knows where Theo is. The question still remains why was Dan murdered? And what happened to his manuscript? Where is Theo? Who is behind all the other murders and conspiracy theories?

What a brilliant novel!!! I loved every minute of it!!! This is the second novel by Sulari Gentill I have read. The first one was The Woman in the Library!!! I am definitely looking forward to more of her books!!! I love her style of writing!

There's always those books that grab you and get you interested but then take you on a ridiculous roller coaster. That was this book. Theo leaves law school, shows up on her brother's door, and says she wants to be a writer. Okay, so far odd but cool. Then she meets an author she admires while sitting at a coffee shop/bar. This is where the story took a turn for me. All the pieces began going every direction. There were several fishy things that did not click for Theo and left me as the reader saying DUH!

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book.