My first time reading a Sulari Gentill gook and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. I did enjoy the book and will read others by her. It did take me couple of days to really get into the story as it was a bit of a slow burn but once I did. really enjoyed it and was not wanting to stop reading it. Everything about this book screams plots twists and who is the killer and I couldn’t get enough. Every time I thought I had something figured out, I was wrong! Who knew a story about a law student turned writer could be turned into a great thriller?

As a reader and wish I could put my pen to typing, this story had the twists and turns I find enjoyable. I like to continue guessing as the page turns. Thanks for the ride. The characters are developed in pieces, which leave you to guess what else is there. Made me connect. The theories made me smile and laugh at a few thoughts. Reminded me of a touch of CSI and Law & Order.

I just reviewed The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill. #mysterywriter #NetGalley

This was different. I love conspiracy theory stuff in fiction because it’s based so strongly in possibly conceptual truths.

When Theo abandons her law career path and turns to her brother for a place to stay, she decides that her unfinished novel is what she wants. So, she spends time in a coffee shop “writing”… There she meets Dan, a well known writer working in a manuscript of his own. The two form a swift friendship, which quickly turns romantic.

But, when Dan is found dead and his manuscript missing, things become stranger and stranger. Theo knows that she needs to learn more about Dan and is determined to do so.

This was good. I enjoyed the characters and the plot, but there was something missing for me, something that kept me from fully engaging with the story. It was a fun and interesting take on the rich and powerful and how far the reach goes.

Sadly, I'm giving this a rating of 2.5 and rounding out up to a 3. I really enjoyed The Woman in the Library, so I had high hopes for this book and was thrilled to pick up another book by the same author. It initially started off well but then it got jumbled Yu and way too complicated. All of a sudden the genres became mixed up. It went from Mystery to like action thriller. I mean where did assassins fit into this. I made myself finish this book because I don't like to DNF a book. unfortunately, I did find myself skipping through parts that I found either confusing or not interesting. It's not a book I would recommend.

Overall, I enjoyed this book but sometimes the pacing felt a little slow and it dragged. The characters were great but sometimes there were elements that were so out there that I really had a hard time finishing this one. A majority of the storyline was revealed in the synopsis so there wasn't much beyond figuring out how everything tied together as it went. Some of the phrases were beautiful and Gentill has a clear mastery of their craft.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

With a title like "The Mystery Writer," a reader could be forgiven for anticipating a contemplative sort of book about the writing life. That is not what is on offer here.

Theodosia (Theo) Benton is a newly-minted writer who has an idea for a mystery novel. She is also fleeing law school and Australia and has ended up on her brother's porch in Lawrence, Kansas. Her brother, Augustus (Gus) Benton, is a partner in a law practice.

Gus takes her in, and wisely tells Theo she needs to have somewhere to go to work on her writing. How about a bar?

This works out well for Theo at first-- just not for the corpses that start piling up. And then not so well for Theo, who becomes a suspect.

"The Mystery Writer" is quite the page-turner. Several characters are not who or what they seem to be-- but which ones?

I enthusiastically recommend "The Mystery Writer," as well as the other Sulari Gentill book I've read, "The Woman in the Library."

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advance Reader's Copy of this book.

I really enjoyed the other book I read by Sulari Gentill and this one was no different. These books have a different quality about them that makes them very easy to read and make you think about them after you put them down. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone!

This was a slow burn read for me. It was fast paced as I'd like a book but I hung in there because I really like the writing style, character development & plot besides it being on the slower side. Everything tied together nicely. Thank you

I had high expectations for this, and it started off pretty well. I was amused by the Australian look at life in America. The promising start soon got bogged down with conspiracy theories, preppers, random violence, and it all didn't quite gel for me. The whole conspiracy theory angle didn't feel well-explained, and the changing POVs were a little shallow for me.

There is enough to keep one's interest, and I can see that many people loved all the different angles here. I just wasn't one of them.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being offered freely.

Intriguing mystery about how our personal stories can ensnare us in lies and deception whether on social media or in our family. I loved the story within a story format that the author uses to help increase the suspense. It can be a bit confusing but I dive in with a sense of humor and intrigue. Theo comes to live with her brother Gus in Lawrence, KS. They grew up in Australia but went to different high schools and colleges. Theo drops out of law school to become a writer. She meets Dan and falls for his charm and passion for writing. When she finds his dead body, all hell breaks loose for her and her brother. The author’s fans have a conspiracy theory about him and now Theo is their target. She must come up with a plan to avoid the killer and protect her brother. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this riveting book!

I found this book really intriguing. It’s been a while since I’ve read a mystery novel but I do have to say I feel proud of myself of still knowing how it was going to end pretty early on.

Theo leaves law school to become a writer and flees to her brother, Gus’, place. Theo meets Dan, an acclaimed author, who she slowly falls in love with after writing together. Unfortunately, this murder mystery starts with Dan. Theo, Gus, and their PI friend, Mac, work together to find out as much information as they can. Several plot twists and some pretty out there things occur that tie a lot together.

I think some of the jumps towards the end of the book could have been explained a little better but I also felt like the ending was a bit rushed. There were also some loose ends that I dont’t think were really covered, but that’s ok. Overall, I think this was a good story and it helped me get back into the world of mysteries. It sounds like there could also be a sequel to this book which could be pretty cool.

I received an eARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

Rating 2.5

I enjoyed The Woman in the Library so I was excited to pick up this one from the same author. It started well but then it got too complicated. I felt like I was reading an action movie script... with incredible plots of "assassins" and power. I'm very curious about what other people think... I finished it because I didn't have anything else to do otherwise I would have DNF it unfortunately.

The mystery and writing were excellent, but I was a bit confused throughout most of the book. This is one that I will need to come and re-read at a later time and give another try.

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I heard really great things about Gentill’s precious books, so when I saw this one I knew I needed to read it. It’s not per se that this book was bad, I just wasn’t compelled to read it and struggled to pick it up. I wasn’t invested in the characters and didn’t care to find out what happened. This one very much gave me the same vibes as Yellowface which unfortunately I found a let down as well.

The ending was very unbelievable and just a lot. Here’s to hoping others enjoyed it more than me!

Thank you to Netgalley & Poison Pen Press for the opportunity to read this ARC. I do enjoy and appreciate all the books I have the opportunity to read, even if they aren’t for me!

I enjoyed this book at first, but halfway through, I got tired of all the conspiracies and all the back and forth. I did like the story overall. I would try this author again.

This enticing, clever mystery has multiple twists and turns that never cease. It is a difficult to put down because of the fast and compelling plot.

Theodosia Benton is arduously working on a novel, her first, and slowly becomes friends with Dan, a well-known, respected, mysterious author. Then the relationship becomes more than just a friendship. When Dan is found murdered, Theo's brother, Gus, a well-known, successful lawyer, is accused of Dan's death, and confusion reigns. The years go by, and questions dominate the book.

Gentill's writing is skillful and her plot making is brilliant. The secrets of every character add suspense and accusations that persist until the very end of the book. Mystery readers everywhere will love this book.

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book.

I have never read a book by this author before so I wasn't sure what to expect but I loved this murder mystery entered on books, writing and publishing. It gave me vibes of Yellowface at times just from the publishing perspective, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I would like t thank Net Galley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. I read Sulari Gentill's last book , The Woman in the Library last year. It was a book with in a book, a twisty, convoluted tricky to follow thriller. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was looking forward to reading this book. It was also a book about the writing of a book, a twisty , convoluted tricky thriller.I did not like it near as much.I wanted to, I really did. The characters were not as compelling, and the story lines were not just twisty, but knotted. It is the story of Theodosia Benton, known as Theo, who leaves law school in Australia and moves in with her brother in Lawrence Kansas.Theo wants to write and is working in a book. She meets a famously reclusive writer and shares her manuscript.They begin a relationship, and then he is murdered.Suddenly Theo's world is turned upside down. Her life, and her brother's is threatened.I do not want to give any spoilers, ( and quite frankly I do not know if I can unravel the plot sufficiently).There are a lots of characters, and subplots ,conspiracy theories. and doomsday preppers. It is a lot to read and understand. There are some good parts, and some interesting twists, but I am left feeling not excited, or caught up, but exhausted from to understand it all.

conspiracy, thriller, mystery, mystery-writer, suspense, justice, siblings, false-information, falsely-accused, family-dynamics, riveting, extremists, murder****

Theo dropped out of college and moved away and to live with her older brother and met up with an established writer who mentored her. When her mentor is murdered, the police take a serious interest in her brother and she begins her search for justice.
I came for this author and stayed through the unusual action. I still like the Rowland Sinclair series best, but this writer could do a dictionary and make it a good read!
I requested and received an EARC from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. Thank you!

This being my second time reading a book by Sulari Gentill, I wasn’t certain if her creativity would shine through as clearly as it had in her previous effort. I needn’t have worried. She is brilliant at the turn of phrase. Her interest in writing about writers and the writing process itself is fascinating. I like that she doesn’t describe her characters in detail. She mentions this in a conversation early in the book where the main character asserts, “it allows the readers to find themselves in your characters and perhaps to recognize their own bias.” Indeed, Ms. Gentill’s book revealed my own bias as I assumed each of the characters was just like me. But stopping from time to time to imagine the characters as very different than me made the reading experience that much richer.

The dynamics of the different relationships that occur throughout the book--not to mention the twists and turns of the plot were enjoyable. This author is an expert in crafting a story to keep your interest and keep you guessing. Her books are the kind that make you want the story to continue after its conclusion.

I received a copy of The Mystery Writer, by Sulari Gentill by NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an honest review.