I wasn’t sure what The Screenwriter would be like, as I’ve reviewed other books involving jobs in the movie industry and wasn’t hooked on them. The Screenwriter turrned out to be completely different. I was hooked by the setting and Marnie’s backstory with the apartment. It had great visuals and I was concerned for Marnie and was wondering if she’d get the ghostwriting job or not. I enjoyed following her journey.

The novel is written in the first person, and the author goes really deep into Marnie’s thought, feelings and what she sees and experiences. It’s the perfect POV choice for the book as it makes it immediately immersive.

The Screenwriter was gripping and twisty and kept me awake listening to it, as I really wanted to know where the story was going to take me next.

Thanks to Amanda Reynolds, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

5 stars.

I have been a fan of Amanda's work for a little while now. I have read and enjoyed every book that she has released to date. When I heard that Amanda was due to release another book, I knew that I had to grab a copy and read it at the earliest opportunity. Well ladies and gents the wait is over because Amanda's new book is called 'The Screenwriter' and it was released on 16th January 2024. Overall I did enjoy reading 'The Screenwriter' but more about that in a bit.

I have to be honest and say that it took me a little while to get into 'The Screenwriter'. Part of the problem was that I found it extremely difficult to warm to the main character of Marnie. There was just something about her that set little alarm bells ringing in my head. It could be that I have read too many crime or psychological thrillers and I believe nobody and suspect everybody. However as the story continued, Marnie intrigued me more and more. I developed my own suspicions as to how the story was going to pan out so I had to keep reading to see if I was anywhere near the truth or if I had wandered off in the opposite direction. This wasn't a book that I was able to read in one big reading binge but I did manage to binge read the book over three days. All too quickly I reached the end of 'The Screenwriter'. I found 'The Screenwriter' to be an interesting and tense read, which certainly kept me guessing.

'The Screenwriter' is well written. Amanda certainly knows how to grab the reader's attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a story. For me, this was more of a slow burn type of psychological thriller. The story set off rather slow but as the story continued the pace gathered momentum. Amanda clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She makes her characters seem just as real as you and I. I can't actually say that I particularly loved any of the characters but at the same time I didn't especially dislike them. I love the way in which Amanda makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story. That's how I felt anyway.

In short and overall I did enjoy reading 'The Screenwriter' and I would recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Amanda's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.

It's a contemporary psychological thriller with an unreliable narrator and a small cast of mostly unlikeable characters. Marnie is a ghostwriter with aspirations and the skills to be a screenwriter. Her chance to make it big appears to have come and gone, and now she has to take a ghostwriting job to pay the bills for an actress whose life has taken a tragic turn. This is an atmospheric thriller set in a toxic ethos. There is an underlying sense of danger. The suspenseful plot reveals its secrets as the story unfolds, and the pacing is good. I did guess most of the twists, which made this a satisfying read. I like the story's sense of menace and its contemporary relevance.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

The Screenwriter by Amanda Reynolds was an excellent book and had me gripped from the beginning till the very end.
Marnie Wilde is hired to be a ghost writer, and to write the memoir of Blythe Hopper, who is a celebrity A-lister, and who once had Hollywood at her feet. But, Blythe also a celebrity with a several dark secrets, which makes her story so appealing to publishers and the public, everyone wants to know more about her.
But, writing Blythe’s memoir isn’t the only reason why Marnie has taken this job. She also has several questions of her own and these have to be answered, but, when she finds these answers they will lead her down some dark paths in her quest for the truth, will she be strong enough to take the truth?

Wow this book is brilliant and will have you guessing till the end.

Another excellent book by Amanda and I highly recommend this book

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance copy.

Very scary and not what I expected. Sometimes my attention wandered and I had to go back and re-read pages. Just not my thing at all. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Blythe and Dom Hopper have been married for 30 years and live in a large home called The Towers in London. Blythe is an actress and Dom is a screenwriter. Their marriage was in trouble as Dom’s last writing was rejected. They fought a lot and she ended up killing him. Now, Blythe wants to hire a ghostwriter to write her memoirs before her trial for murder.

Harry represents Marnie Wilde, a screenwriter, whose upcoming series has just been cancelled. Now, he is offering her the job of ghostwriting for Blythe. While she feels it’s beneath her, Marnie accepts the job and heads to move in with Blythe for a short while as they undertake this task. The problem is that Marnie can’t seem to stop drinking and is now flat broke.

Marnie finds the house to be large but she is told to stay in a small annex on the grounds where Dom used to write. It’s primitive and dirty but she accepts it. The large house itself is dusty and the kitchen is dirty. Marnie’s male assistant cooks for her but to keep her figure, she never eats, just existing on cigarettes and lots of alcohol. Enough with any spoilers. But one last hint: This story can be compared to the #MeToo events in Hollywood.

This book is distressing and cringe-worthy. It’s scary but kept me reading without a break. The secrets that are revealed are mind-boggling, but the ending is oh so good. Enjoy!!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A good psychological thriller set in hit weather. The heat plays into the plot which is not something you have in all books. Told in 1st person POV by Marnie we are the story through her eyes so there is more mystery about the other characters. You don’t know who to trust as Marnie uncovers more and more secrets. I enjoyed the book and all the secrets.

I’m afraid I really struggled with this book. The description sounded just like my favourite type of story, but I struggled with Marnie, I wanted to shake her and I’m afraid my focus was lost with her whining description of how her life was falling apart but her opportunities were squandered. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this early preview copy.

This is my first book by this author. I found it a bit slow and couldn't really see where it was all going. I persevered, and it picked up about halfway through. It had a great ending.... give it a go

I loved the premise and was keen to get stuck in but I just couldn't! I tried but it felt so slow and the characters just fell so very very flat. I just didnt take to them so wasn't that fussed and I kept waiting for the suspense to kick in or for things to actually happen but they didn't. There were some good twists and it's well written but as I said, very character driven by unlikeable characters. This sadly wasn't for me however, the ending was really unsuspected and readers who do like slower, more intense, character led books will probably really enjoy it

I’m a huge fan of Amanda Reynolds’ writing, so I couldn’t wait to read her latest novel, The Screenwriter. We meet Marnie, who has been hired to ghost-write the memoir of Blythe Hopper, a celebrity A-lister, who once had Hollywood at her feet. Blythe is also a celebrity with a few dark secrets, which makes her story so appealing to publishers and the public. But writing Blythe’s memoir isn’t the only reason why Marnie has taken this job. She too has her own questions and these lead her down some dark paths in her quest for the truth.

Marnie is a character with a really interesting backstory. As she begins to get to know Blythe, we begin to see the type of person Blythe really is, and Blythe does come across as self-indulgent and psychotic. Amanda Reynolds delved into Blythe’s personality really well, and this really adds to the tension between her and Marnie. It really does seem, at the start, that Blythe hates the idea of Marnie being in her life at this moment, and it feels as though she might stop and say no to this project at any moment. Blythe also looks down on Marnie, and doesn’t show any trace of warmth towards her at all. This really does make their working relationship intense, and I was never sure just how much danger Marnie was in. We get the sense that Blythe may have been involved in some horrific events in her life, but there is still a sense of uncertainty. This made me wonder if Marnie would continue to stick out with the project.

Marnie is particularly interested in what happened to Blythe’s previous husband, a famous Hollywood Director, who was shot dead only a short while ago. He may also have known something about Marnie, and she is desperate to find out what it was he may have known. There is such a tense atmosphere surrounding this, which Amanda Reynolds builds so well.

I was totally hooked from the first chapter and I wanted to see just what Marnie would uncover about Blythe and about herself as well. The secrets that Marnie discovers are even darker than she at first, could’ve ever believed possible. There is such a tense finale as these secrets are finally revealed. Amanda Reynolds really had my eyes glue to the page, as I had no idea how things were going to end for Marnie.

The Screenwriter is an addictive psychological thriller that I really enjoyed.

I really wanted to love this book but for some reason I didn’t. It took me ages to get into it and I couldn’t warm to any of the characters. It’s cleverly written and I was compelled to finish it and there were some good twists so I would rate it 3 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the chance to review.

The Screenwriter was a very slow moving read for a thriller type of story. The heroine is caught up in a situation that should have felt more life-threatening but most of the threats were made up in her own head. I did not really like her or sympathize with her at all as the story unfolded. I don't like the character trope either where she is a heavy drinking, unkempt and sloppy person but still seems to hold a decent job or have a better than average place to live. I don't want to put spoilers in here but I could not quite believe the resolution of the story either when all events led to a conclusion. Not sure I want to recommend this one.

Thank you Amanda Reynolds for the ARC in exchange for a review.

The Screenwriter" by Amanda Reynolds is a riveting blend of mystery and psychological drama, masterfully weaving a tale that blurs the line between truth and fiction. Reynolds plunges the reader into the gritty world of ghostwriting and Hollywood's dark underbelly, crafting a narrative that is as engrossing as it is unsettling.

Marnie, a former writer of celebrity tell-alls, is a character you can’t help but root for. Her aspiration to break into screenwriting and the struggles that follow make her relatable and deeply human. Reynolds does an excellent job of painting Marnie's desperation, which drives her into the arms of the infamous Blythe Hopper, a former Hollywood star accused of a heinous crime. The dynamic between Marnie and Blythe is electric, a dance of cat-and-mouse that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The setting in the Hoppers’ lavish London home adds a layer of opulence to the story, contrasting sharply with the sinister secrets that lurk within its walls. As Marnie delves deeper into Blythe's past, unearthing long-buried secrets, the plot thickens, entangling her own history with that of her subject. Reynolds' skillful narration keeps the suspense high, with twists and turns that keep you guessing.

What makes "The Screenwriter" stand out is its exploration of the consequences of obsession and the lengths one will go to uncover the truth. The novel is a compelling examination of the human psyche, showcasing Reynolds’ ability to delve into the complexities of her characters. The intertwining of Marnie's past with Blythe's provides a rich backdrop for a story that explores themes of identity, redemption, and the murky waters of the truth.

In conclusion, "The Screenwriter" is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and mysteries. Amanda Reynolds has crafted a novel that is not just a journey into the lives of its characters, but also a deep dive into the shadows of the storytelling world. The book is a gripping, thought-provoking, and ultimately satisfying read that leaves you pondering the nature of truth long after the last page is turned.

I enjoyed this quirky, dark thriller. Marnie starts her new ghostwriting job which involves moving in with a celebrity. The more Marnie gets to know her, the more suspicious she gets about her involvement in deaths of those around her. Will Marnie make it out alive?
'The Screenwriter' is a very intense book which for the most part I enjoyed. However I think this was too long and a result the pace started to drop and my interest waned a bit. The characters are interesting to get to know, I do not think any were particularly likeable but it did not seem to matter for this book. There is a lot to this which I enjoyed but it did get a bit confusing in places.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance copy.

I really didn't click with this book. My attention wandered from early on and it was a bit of a struggle to finish.
I didn't like any of the characters but worse, I didn't really mind what happened to them. Maybe the TV series will be better

Struggling screenwriter, Marnie is offered an amazing opportunity to write the memoir of film star Blythe. Blythe has been accused of murdering her writer husband and is facing a jail sentence.
The story is told through Marnie as she tries to work out if she killed him and why and how she received an email from Blythe’s husband after he died.
Really liked the story although I didn’t like any of the characters. Marnie’s character was unlikable but relatable and I did end up wanting her to find out the truth and save her career.

This was full of intrigue from the very first page. So many twists and turns but also very easy to follow and keep up with. Marnie is a ghost writer and is also trying her hand at being a screenwriter. When she is asked to ghost write the memoirs of Hollywood actress Blythe Hopper she has an ulterior motive. Dom Hopper was murdered by his wife Blythe but two days later sent Marnie an email……… The characters were so well thought out and the plot covered the seedier side of Hollywood as well as the glamour. This has everything you want a thriller to have, it’s a dark and twisty page turner that is full of secrets. Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC

I loved this book from start to finish. The word that comes to mind is "unsettling," and I loved every minute of it.

Actress-turned-outcast Blythe Hopper is ready to reveal her secrets in a tell-all memoir, taking us on a journey through the glitz and darkness of Hollywood.

Marnie, the aspiring screenwriter hired to write Blythe's memoir, becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind her husband's shooting. But there's more at play than just a scandalous story, as the lives of these two women are intertwined in shocking ways.

The Screenwriter is an engrossing novel that had me hooked until the very end.

Thanks to NetGalley, and Boldwood books for my free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved it: Hollywood excitement and dark mystery in an enthralling plot. The tale of Blythe Hopper, an Oscar winner who subsequently became a suspected murderer, is interlaced with the story of the main character and his path.

Matters get more complicated when the protagonist receives a mail from the deceased husband of Blythe that promises answers to the old unanswered questions. This email, sent after the sender’s death, adds an extra layer of surrealism that prompts the reader to delve deeper into the narrative.

Additionally, the atmospheric tension is set within a beautiful mansion in Hampstead. More importantly, the story’s plot moves fast enough to sustain tension and mystery at every point throughout.

In general, this is an exciting read that combines elements of mystery with celebrity culture. The Screenwriter by Amanda Reynolds is a must-read in 2024!

Thank you to Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.