Thank you for sending. I enjoyed reading and will be recommending to patrons. This literary thriller kept me engaged and I think that other readers will find Theodosia interesting to read about.

Gentill has an entertaining and original idea going on here, but the execution just was not there. I think many readers will be able to figure out “whodunnit” early on, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing until you find yourself reading so much unnecessary information about people who end up not adding much to the story. The entire story hinges upon the Idiot Plot, or Theo’s lack of self preservation and common sense. The last third of the book was so convoluted and confusing — with the protagonist disappearing, the random time jumps with Gus & Mac, to the “action scene” and POV switches mid paragraph — that I really think this book needs another round of developmental editing.

I found the excessive and heavy handed opinions on Americans, American values, guns & Americans carrying guns to be grating after awhile. I understand that the author is Australian, the protagonist is Australian, and Australia has strict gun laws, but scenes where she fixates on the “no guns” sign in the cafe, pausing to remark upon the guy who grew up in a doomsday prepper family knowing a lot about guns, and when Theo wonders if Mac’s brother (who is a doctor) wears his holster while he does rounds in the hospital…Like girl, come on now.

It’s clear that Gentill is a student of the mystery writer game, and she is no doubt a great writer with entertaining & original ideas, but it almost felt like she was trying to do too much in this one story.

Thank you NetGalley for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Note: I'm using the CAWPILE system, invented by the booktuber "Book Roast." CAWPILE is an acronym for the criteria she rates books on: Characters, Atmosphere, Writing, Plot, Intrigue, Logic, and Enjoyment. Each category is rated 1–5, and the average out of all 7 categories is the overall rating. I'm so excited to use this system and review this book, so let's get started!

*Characters*
I love the characters so much, although the cast was pretty small. The main characters consisted of Theo, the protagonist, Gus, her brother, and Mac, a cute private-eye. The sibling relationship between Theo and Gus was so realistic and the protective-older-brother dynamic really enhanced the novel. We also met Don Murdoch, a fellow writer who Theo eventually came to know quite personally.
Therefore, I'm going to be giving the characters a 5 star rating.

*Atmosphere*
I was immersed in this novel. This was the kind of book that most readers would want to stay up during the night to read. It was marketed as a mystery, but it had more of a thriller vibe due to the plot twists, writing style (more on that later), and energy. If I had to capture the ambience of this book in a few words, I would describe it as the result of heavy dark academia mixed in with some cozy lofi mystery.
I was able to picture the setting, and characters well, and the energy in the scenes was usually palpable. Therefore, I would rate the atmosphere 4 out of 5 stars.

*Writing*
The author's views on political matters, particularly Americans and g*n issues, was so evident in the novel. Even though I agreed with some of it, this put me off. The one-dimensional political analysis made the Theo look so innocent. Like, she's was just a lost, little Australian, shocked by the guns in America! This was sad is because I thought the book was going to be a lot deeper when I started reading.
Despite this, everything else was great. The dialogue to narration ratio was very good, and the story flowed very easily and felt beautiful but effortless at the same time. The writing deserves at least a 4 out of 5 stars.

*Plot*
There were parts of the story that I thought were dragged on and things got a bit tedious, especially in the beginning. However, the last 1/3 was very fast-paced heavy with the plot twists. In fact, the difference was so stark that if you took the first segment and the last segment, it would seem like a completely different novel, which was odd.
The ending was certainly unique from the other books I've read, and it did surprise me, but that's primarily because it was so random and out of the blue. It's not a bad book, but I would rate the plot 3 stars.

*Intrigue*
For me, at least, this thriller wasn't the kind of book that had me wishing I was reading it 24/7. Instead, it took me some light mental convincing to pick it back up. That being said, I was definitely intrigued to see where the story goes, what happens to the characters, and how things evolved.
This story held my attention throughout. Therefore, I'm rating the intrigue as 4 out of 5 stars.

*Logic*
The characters acted in accordance to their motives, and I never found any plot holes. Because this book was set in the real world, there was no excess worldbuilding. Everything fit the story, setting, motives, and backgrounds perfectly, so I'm rating the logic 5/5 stars.

*Enjoyment*
I've portrayed this book in a negative light during some aspects of this review, but I actually did enjoy this read. It was captivating, with relatable characters and fun plotlines. This book definitely a 5/5 for enjoyment.

*Conclusion*
The average of all my ratings was 4.29 stars, which will be rounded down to four stars. I really enjoyed both reading this book and writing this review, so thank you for sticking until the end! I really appreciate it. Like last time, I know I wrote a lot, but I hope that, somewhere between my critiques and praises, you found out whether this book was for you. Netgalley gave me a free review copy (but as always, my opinions are my own) and I owe you all a lot for reading my posts :)

Paige, signing off

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Post Date: November 25, 2023
Blog url: http://www.pagesofperfiction.com/
Review link: http://www.pagesofperfiction.com/2023/11/the-mystery-writer-by-sulari-gentill.html

The Mystery Writer is a great layered mystery novel and I loved all of the character and world building the Sulari Gentill added to the novel. I will definitely be re-reading to find even more details.

Thank you for the advance copy.

I really enjoyed this book. I went in blind and I think that was a great choice given the odd nature of some of the concepts that really make the book unique. I did find some aspects predictable, but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all. I found myself unable to put the book down and sacrificed other tasks to just keep reading and see what’s next. Great work by the author, will enjoy seeing what other works they have out there!

*marked as read with four stars on Goodreads.

Aspiring writer Theo leaves law school in Australia and heads to her brother’s home in Lawrence, Kansas where she hopes to become a writer. She soon meets a successful author, who takes her under his wing. When the author is found murdered, Theo and her brother become the prime suspects. The Mystery Writer is a bit of a jumble, as it mixes in a confusing subplot involving conspiracy theorists with a basic murder mystery. The plot is far-fetched and strained, and fails to sustain any suspense and was difficult to follow at times. While this type of story may appeal to others, it wasn’t for me. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Although Sulari Gentill is a great author, 'The Mystery Writer' lacks spark. The book is almost meta, in examining the world of writers and books through Theo Benson and her brother. The main character leaves school to finish a novel and is drawn into a murder, but she subsequently finds her brother as a suspect and takes drastic steps.. The story is too fantastical - balanced on minutiae and the 'brilliance' of Theo and her brother. The characters were very interesting but everything was just 'too much' and as a reader, it was impossible to remain in the story. Will definitely try other books by Gentill and hope for more engrossing stories.

Despite the title, this really isn't so much a mystery story as it is a slow-building thriller.

Sulari Gentill is fast becoming a favorite author for me. She has a gift for wild plot twists and intricate story-telling. The Mystery Writer kept my attention throughout while weaving unexplained deaths, internet trolls, doomsday preppers, and conspiracy theories into a surprisingly easy-to-read book. Our heroine, Theodosia "Theo" gets involved in a murder and the story hurtles along until all of the threads unravel.

I was a bit disappointed in the ending which after all of the wild craziness, felt anticlimactic and rushed. Still a solid stand-alone book that I recommend!

Review of Advance Reader’s Edition

Traveling from Sydney to Lawrence, Kansas, Theodosia Benton shows up on her brother’s doorstep. She explains to Gus that she’s left law school and wants to pursue her interest in writing. Theo settles in and, at her brother’s suggestion, finds a café-bar in which to sit every day and write.

Staking out a table at Bender’s, Theo settles down to write but soon strikes up a friendship with another author who is a regular at the bar. He is the acclaimed novelist Dan Murdoch . . . and he takes an interest in Theo’s writing. But when Dan is murdered, Theo becomes a suspect, as does her brother, Gus.

Who killed Dan Murdoch? And why?

=========

Most chapters in this enticing thriller begin with snippets of conversations from conspiracy theory chat rooms, creating an undercurrent of uncertainty and apprehension that is perfect for this unfolding narrative. Filled with secrets, lies, and misdirection, the unfolding tale keeps readers guessing. Suspenseful, imaginative, and complex, the telling of this tale is so captivating that readers will find it difficult to set aside before turning the final page.

Theo is a likable protagonist; characters are nuanced and believable. Strong characters populate the narrative; the relationship between Theo and Gus is both genuine and heartfelt.

Readers who appreciate thrillers and mysteries will find much to appreciate here. The unique plot of this intriguing narrative brings more than a few surprises as it twists and turns its way to a delicious denouement.

A guide for reading groups is included as is an informative and interesting question-and-answer conversation with the author.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book from Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
#mysterywriter #NetGalley

First off, thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an eARC for my honest review.

Loved this! From the first chapter I could not put this down! It’s completely different than what I expected. The cover made me think Contemporary Fiction, but it was a very in depth, unique thriller. I loved Gus, Theo, and Mac. I was hoping and praying throughout that Mac would not end up an antagonist. I won’t spoil it for you and say either way.

I put that it was slow paced just because it was very thorough. I enjoyed the small details and the glimpses of just normal life not detrimental to the plot. I’m jealous that they were able to live on pizza, burgers, and grilled cheeses the entire time.

Content warnings: excessive cursing (99% being F bombs.) no details with sex but mentions of past rape.

4.5 ⭐️

A story that combines the world of writers with a good old whodunnit! This is one that I absolutely could not figure out before the story's resolution. Love the ride!

Sulari Gentill writes a FUN mystery. The pacing, the plot, the people--it's part SNEAKERS and part Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. I am absolutely tickled by the LFK details--from the Pig to Stull, it was well done. If bodies are going to start dropping in Lawrence, I am glad Gentill is responsible.

"The Mystery Writer" is a thrilling page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The story follows Theodosia Benton, a writer who gets caught up in a real-life murder mystery. As she tries to solve the crime, she uncovers a hidden world of secrets and lies.

I loved this book because it's full of twists and turns that keep you guessing. Theodosia is a relatable and likable protagonist who is easy to root for. The writing is engaging, and the story is well-paced, making it hard to put down.

The book also explores themes of identity and the power of stories, which added depth to the mystery. It's a great read for anyone who loves a good thriller, and I highly recommend it.

"The Mystery Writer" is a gripping and entertaining book that will keep you up late turning pages. With its surprising plot, memorable characters, and thought-provoking themes, it's a must-read for fans of the genre.

Thank you Netgalley for a an advance copy ♥️

The Mystery Writer was a slow starter to me but it didn't take me long to become engrossed and then there was nothing slow about this book.

An aspiring writer, a murdered mentor and a community of online conspiracy theorists who may know more than anyone believes all come together to make a non stop mystery chase which keeps the pages turning.

I wasn't sure when I started The Mystery Writer if I was going to finish it but I am so glad I read a few more pages and discovered a really good mystery.

This one was a little out of my comfort zone. I'm not big on mystery-thrillers, especially when they focus heavily on cults and conspiracy theories but I enjoyed this more than I thought I would.

For me, it started out a little slow and I think the book could have been ended a lot faster than it was, but the middle was done well enough to keep me reading.

I didn't find it easy to connect with the characters, but the mystery and the hints at what was going on throughout the book were enough to keep me hooked, which I appreciate since this isn't my go-to genre. I won't lie - the fact it was a story about a writer drew me in as well. As a reader, putting something about reading or writing in the title and on the cover is usually enjoy to convince me.

This was the first Gentill I've read but I would definitely pick up something else by her.

it's time to bust out your tin foil hat for this one.

the Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill taps into conspiracy theories and the hidden world of book writing.

Theodosia Benton, leaving her law career to pursue writing, finds herself entangled in a murder mystery when her lit mentor is killed and her brother becomes a suspect.

I guessed a major plot point early on [making it less of a mystery for me] but the journey through the book's multi-layered narrative was still good.

the alternating perspectives add depth to the story, leading up to an array of plot twists at the end -- a few felt rushed but the epilogue rounds out the story, providing that satisfying closure .

thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advance reader copy. Mark your calendar for this release in March!

I really liked this book, it was different than anything else I've read which was a breath of fresh air. I will be recommending this to my friends, and auto buy this author!

Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this arc in exchange for an honest review. This book really surprised me. I put off reading it for quite a while because I thought it was a cozy mystery. The cover doesn’t do justice to the story. I really enjoyed this and it’s not a cozy mystery. It’s a suspense involving doomsday preppies and conspiracy theorists. I kept reading wondering what on earth is going on. I thought the plot was original and well thought out.

A well written thriller with a fresh premise. I enjoyed how the plot flowed — it was quite a rollercoaster to be reading this story. It was as if you were there with the characters and witness the events unfolding. (Round off rating - 4.5 stars)

The book goes to a million unexpected places. The story starts out well when Theo gives up university and goes to visit her brother so she can write her first novel. She meets a fellow writer and from that point the whole goes wild. You literally can’t even guess what will happen next. Some parts seem like a spoof, other parts a really bad far-fetched movie, but what you actually have is a book with real page turning quality, that you have to know what happens in.