The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill is about a young aspiring writer, Theo Benton, who finds herself out of her depth soon after falling for an older, high-profile, accomplished writer.

Each chapter begins with an excerpt from an online conspiracy theorist discussion forum. I didn’t mind it and thought it quite entertaining because I find such theories so ridiculous that if they were true, I’d be okay with being fooled.

The story kept me primarily engaged, but it had a lot going on and was challenging to follow at times. There were so many different characters doing all the things with spotty timeframes that I had to skip trying to piece it all together and just finish the book.

Overall, I’m glad I read it and that it didn’t end the way I predicted it to. 🤯

Thank you, @netgalley and @poisonedpenpress, for an advanced reader copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

#mysterywriter #NetGalley

This was an interesting book for me! I didn't realize it bordered on historical fiction, but it didn't really affect me. The plot wasn't what I was expecting or something I thought I would enjoy, but it actually was very good and different! I had trouble at first trying to decipher between the POVs, but I listened to the audiobook and it helped me understand it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and author Sulari Gentill for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

Sulari Gentill's The Mystery Writer is a gripping literary thriller that challenges perceptions and delves into the dangerous world of hidden identities and narratives. When Theodosia Benton becomes entangled in a murder investigation, she uncovers a labyrinth of secrets where storytelling is weaponized. As the stakes rise, Gentill expertly navigates twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the final page. The Mystery Writer is a compelling read that will leave fans of thrillers craving more from this talented author.

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. This is quite the twisty thrill ride with an unexpected ending. Highly recommend!

DNF at like 70%

I feel really bad about his rating, but I really just could not get through this book.
It wasn’t keeping my attention, I didn’t feel a connection to the characters, and I just had such a hard time getting through this. I even downloaded the audiobook to get through this… just not for me.

Thank you so much Netgalley & Poisoned Pen Press for an e-ARC of this book.

The Mystery Writer follows Theodosia Benton after she drops out of law school and shows up on her brother’s doorstep ready to write a novel. As she settles into her new life, she finds a coffee shop to work at where she connects with another writer. He turns out to be a very successful and famous author and he becomes a mentor to her. Until he is killed! Theo teams up with her brother and his best friend, who is a PI, to find out what happened to him.

I flew through this book. It was quite a wild ride. The mystery was very dramatic and compelling, with a hint of conspiracy theory, and the structure was cool, which I have come to expect from Sulari Gentill. I loved the characters and immediately connected to Theo and her struggle. While I did kind of suspect the ending, I wasn’t mad about it and still found it to be a very satisfying and exciting conclusion.

Mystery Writer
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Author: Sulari Gentill

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley, Poisoned Press and Dreamscape Media and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: 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.

My Thoughts: I love books that contain books or writers, so I gravitated towards this one. Theo decides to abandon her career was an attorney and finish that unfinished novel that she has been working on. While Theo knows there will be challenges, she doesn’t expect what comes next. A highly successful writer takes her under his wing, then wounds up murdered. The initial suspect is her brother, Gus. Theo then shifts into protection mode to save her brother and does what she never thought she would have. Then Gus has to save his sister and follows a thin trail.

The relationship between Theo and her brother has been estranged since childhood. There was an incident involving a cult and ever since then, their relationship has suffered. Their grandparent’s will required them both to become lawyers, to get out from their parent’s cult ways, and as a bonus they get a trust fund. Theo just could not continue on the lawyer path, when her dream is to become a writer, so she moves and comes in contact with Dan. Just as she finishes her novel and wants to get in the hands of a publisher, Dan is mysteriously murdered in her house. Now she is suspect and her brother’s job is in jeopardy due to her involvement. To complicate matters, Dan’s close friend and PI, Mac, comes to aide, so she thinks. However, Mac’s family, the Etheridge Family, have some odd conspiracy theory beliefs. As Theo is trying to come to terms with Dan’s murder, she becomes enmeshed with some fans, then a hungry journalist is threatened to expose her secrets, not to mention the Etheridge Family, whom are very powerful and extremely wealthy.

The characters were well developed, had depth, were mysterious, and very intriguing. Theo was a bit naive, maybe even too much. The author’s writing style was complex, contained multilayered narrative, twisty, suspenseful, and brilliant. The conspiracy theories and doomsday scenarios really elevated the novel. The only thing that was a tad confusing was the time jumps at the end. The characters were built up with backstories. The plot was developed into twisty layers. The flow and pacing was spot on for the most part. The first 60% was paced just as a thriller is expected, then it slows for a bit, then the final chapters heat up with a conclusion that is freaking amazingly brilliant, even if some believe it was a little outlandish.

This is a little on the longer side at 400 pages for the book or 10 hours and 52 minutes for the audio. I had the pleasure of having both the audio and digital version of this ARC. This is a very unique premise. One I have not read before, and that kept me engaged.

This is a twisty thriller with a unique plot premise. Theodosia has worked hard as an aspiring writer only to find herself immersed in a massive conspiracy. Did she play a role in the death in question? This book really leaves you second guessing details you resd, checking back in earlier chapters for clarity and that ultimate jaw dropper toward the end. Join the ride, it's a twisty one!

@ghostmom_thrills

I liked the relationship between Theodosia and Dan while it was developing. The other characters where pretty well developed. Some of the plot was pretty predictable but there were a few twists at the end. Fun mystery with literary tie-in. Some romance also

Upon finishing this novel, I found myself standing at a crossroads. My thoughts were as tangled as the plot itself—swinging between appreciation and disappointment. Let me break it down…

What I liked:
* Creative whodunit/unique idea – I love the concept and I was initially engaged.
* Strong, intriguing introduction – The opening chapters had me enthralled.
* Conspiracy theory premise – I love a good conspiracy theory!

What I didn’t like:
* Convoluted plot - Unfortunately, around the 30 to 40% mark, the plot became a bit too convoluted, leaving me slightly bewildered.
* Main female character - While flawed characters can be relatable, the FMC’s naivety and excessive angst grated on me.
* Reinforced stereotypes - I cringed at moments when the narrative perpetuated stereotypes. It detracted from the overall experience.
* Ending erratic – The ending was all over the place.

As a first-time reader of this author, I don’t regret picking up the book. However, it didn’t quite “wow” me as I’d hoped. Perhaps her previous work, The Woman in the Library, will leave a stronger impression. I’m eager to read it next.

Thank you @netgalley and Poised Pen Press for copy of this book, which I have read and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Mystery Writer is my first experience with Sulari Gentill's work and it was truly a wild ride. Without revealing too much, the story revolves around Theo and Gus Benton--a sister and brother who grew up in Tasmania and now live in Kansas. Theo is an aspiring author and when her friend and fellow author is murdered, the two team up with a private investigator to get to the bottom of his death. Ensuing twists and turns kept me reading on, but, unfortunately, the ending was a bit strange. The pacing and POV switch around and the ultimate reveals are less than satisfying.

I couldn't believe the ending hedged on a debut(!) author writing an international bestseller (translated from Spanish!) that incites a publishing cabal to spend millions(!) of dollars and commit dozens of unsolved murders(!) to keep their authors in hiding just to control their lives and all their future book sales(!). My god--truly a writer's fantasy!

The Mystery Writer follows Theo, an Aussie law school drop out starting on her dream to become a writer. Little does she know her entire life is about to get turned upside down when she meets bestselling author Dan Murdoch.

I love Sulari Gentill's writing. I love way she reveals plot twists and makes you fall in love with her characters. If you're looking for an action packed murder mystery with a whole lot of dysfunctional family shenanigans, definitely pick this one up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC!

This was an interesting book and not in a good way. I liked it at first even though it didn't seem like it entirely matched the description that was given.

For example, this line in the blurb: "Then the police begin looking at her brother, Gus, as their prime suspect, and Theo does the unthinkable in order to protect him." This part literally does not happen until about 78% of the way through the book.

And once it reaches that point it just becomes a whole bunch of telling and not showing.

Overall the pacing was incredibly strange and I didn't like how it suddenly seemed as though it shifted genres 2/3 of the way through.

Another great book from Sulari Gentill! This mystery involves books, writing and the publishing world. I could sense some of the twists coming and was frustrated with some of the things that Theo did, she was just too trusting. More surprises were waiting and weaving in the conspiracy theory made for fun reading. I did enjoy the ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I devoured Sulari Gentill's The Mystery Writer. This novel brilliantly intertwines the intricacies of the literary world with a gripping murder mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat. Theodosia Benton's journey from law school dropout to embroiled murder suspect is both thrilling and deeply human. Gentill's masterful storytelling and vivid character development made me feel every twist and turn alongside Theo and her brother Gus. The novel's clever incorporation of conspiracy theories and the hidden dynamics of the publishing world added layers of intrigue that I thoroughly enjoyed unraveling. The Mystery Writer is a superbly crafted thriller that I couldn't put down and highly recommend to anyone who loves a well-told mystery with unexpected depth.

This book has such an interesting premise and it started off well. However, the ending left me feeling very underwhelmed.

Theo seemed naive and way too trusting. There was also way too much going on, and because of that, the plot felt muddled.

I did enjoy the other book I read by this author, so I'm sure I'll give another one a try. This one just didn't work for me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The best part about this book was that it was different from any other mystery/thriller book I read. The worst part about it was that it was too long and towards the end, i had lost interest completely and wasn't convinced at all.

I enjoyed the Woman In The Library so was eager to read The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill and was not disappointed. When Theo packs up and moves from her Law School to the United States to live with her brother Gus to pursue a dream of becoming a published author, she finds solace at a local coffee shop. It is there that she meets published author Dan who helps guide the book she is working on. Over time, she falls for him and asks him to help her get her manuscript to an agent and things don’t go well. The next day, she discovers him dead in his home. Gentill is an unreliable narrator pro, and in this case, almost everyone in this story seems a like suspect. I loved how the POV of the online chat helped bring doubt about our main character but also tied all of those involved together. The back stories of Theo and Gus and Gus’s friend Mac don’t help as the police are looking for answers. This book had a sprinkling of stalkers, cults, mental health, gaslighting, and of course murder with an ending you couldn’t predict. This book is perfect for fans of mystery and thrillers alike. Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If you want to feel like Sherlock Holmes - read Sulari Gentill's latest!! I never know where her plot lines are taking me but the endings have left me feeling like I just read a masterpiece. Such a fun puzzle and plot lines to follow. It's everything I needed to bust a reading slump!

Sulari Gentill's writing has once again impressed me!! After reading The Woman in the Library, I knew I had to get my hands on her next book. I've read them both before reading any spoilers - and I'm so glad that I made sure to avoid any reviews before reading!!

THOUGHTS:
- Gentill will continue to be an auto-buy author for me!

**Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤

First I would like to thank Poisoned Pen Press for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the story of Theodosia Benton, Theo, who leaves law school in Australia to move in with her brother, Gus, in Lawrence, Kansas and write a novel. While she is writing her book she frequents a cafe and starts up a friendship with another author, Dan Murdoch, with whom she shares her ideas and first draft with. After a memorable day together, Theo stops by Dan's house to find his murdered body and she becomes the prime suspect. As the police continue to investigation into the murder, Gus brings in his friend and PI, Mack, to try and help figure out who is the true culprit. While Theo, Gus and Mack investigate on their own the police start looking at all of them as potential murder suspects while ruining their lives.

What I Loved:
- Mack, he grew up in a family of dooms day preppers and due to this he has developed a set of skills and reputation within law enforcement which both helps and hurts his cause
- Twist, I could figure out some of the mystery of this novel but I think I was more surprised of the depth of the conspiracy that we learn at the end of the story
- Theo, an Australian living in the middle of America I enjoyed how she was written cause I believed the culture shock especially around gun culture in the US
- Gus, he is the big brother all younger siblings wish they had cause he is always encouraging and protecting Theo even if it negatively impacts him
- Blogs, there are conspiracy theory blog posts throughout this story and as a lover of conspiracy theories I loved these little tidbits

Overall I really enjoyed this book, it did have a bit of a slow start and was a little confusing at times but it really all came together at the end. I think the ending and the overall "big bad" reveal is something that will stick with me for a long time cause it was such a unique idea and chef's kiss. If you like a mystery with great characters, crazy family dynamics and an unique "big bad" then I would recommend this book, and if you are an audiobook lover its a great listen as well!