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!

From the beginning I was curious as to what was going to happen with Theo. I knew this book would have to live up to it's title, and it did. It was thrilling and full of conspiracy theories. It had a lot going on and with that I couldn't stop reading. Thanks for the advanced copy

The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill is a gem disguised as a literary thriller. It has single handedly reignited my love for literary fiction with its cast of characters, mysterious circumstances, and superb storytelling. The writing immerses you into the story from the depictions of the characterizations to the coffee shop environment. I enjoyed the easy nature of this book. Annnddddd it's a book about books one of my favorite tropes.

The Mystery Writer is a standalone literary mystery thriller by Sulari Gentill. Released 19th March 2024 by Sourcebooks on their Poisoned Pen Press imprint, it's 400 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is a competently written and plotted mystery featuring an author who fled a career path as an attorney to become a full-time writer. There are some aspects of the story which will require the reader to bring a hefty suspension of disbelief including conspiracy theories and reasonable (?) motives for murder. Ms. Gentill does (as always) a stellar job of characterization and the interplay between the adult siblings in the story are nuanced and very well rendered.

It's a long book for the genre. The middle third of the book felt disproportionately long and tended to drag somewhat, and the ending was unequal to the task of tying the whole into a cohesive narrative. The choice of alternating PoV was also quite jarring and disconnected and didn't help the story coalesce into a coherent unit.

Three stars. Probably worth a look for particular fans of the author.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Another book by Sulari Gentill that hooked me in from the beginning!
Theo Benton is a young woman, newly moved to the US from Australia. She settles in Lawrence, KS, where her older brother lives. She just wants to start over and become a published author, but ends up caught in all kinds of conspiracy and misunderstanding.
I really liked Theo as a main character. She's young and a bit naive, but she is also determined to follow her dream and is fiercely loyal to the people who matter to her.
The first 70% or so of the book was fantastic. One thing after another happening, which kept me wanting to constantly pick up the book and find out what was going to happen next. I really liked the side characters as well, Theo's brother, Gus, and the friends she makes who help her along.
The last 30% of the book was a bit jarring. The timeline had several abrupt jumps and the pacing changed completely. While the events taking place in that time do make the change make some sense, it made it less enjoyable to read. I still finished that portion in one sitting though because I just had to know how everything wrapped up.
Overall, a good book, and I look forward to what Sulari Gentill writes next.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for this book. I really like the beginning of this story until it seemed to be more conspiracy people then the story I thought it was going to be.