Jean Hanff Korelitz returns following her explosive first in the series, The Plot, with #2 in The Book series, THE SEQUEL — a darkly funny, razor-sharp, and suspenseful literary/psychological thriller that will keep you glued to the pages (in my case, glued to my iPhone for the exceptional audiobook).

About...

Jacob Finch Bonner was a struggling author and a writing teacher at a community college. When he stumbles upon a student's story, the plot and idea he thought could open doors for him. When he finds out the student is dead, he uses THE PLOT idea and steals it to write his bestseller. It turned into considerable success, but someone knew what he did. And they will make him pay. The suspense builds as the unknown threat looms over him.

Now he is dead, ruled as a suicide. Anna Williams-Bonner inherited his house, money, and royalty checks from the bestseller and movie rights to CRIB—inspired by her real life.

Anna decides to write her novel, which is a big success. On book tours, she is milking the sympathy of readers and fans by playing the poor widow in her late husband's shadow. After what happened, he just could not take it and committed suicide.

Now, she receives a suspicious note. Another manuscript is similar to her life story. What is going on? She returns to the scene of the crime, Ripley College, where her dead brother and husband path's crossed.

Who will win this wickedly delicious game of cat and mouse? Let the games begin. The thrill of the chase and the unknown outcome will keep you on the edge of your seat.

My thoughts...

Oh my, I loved THE SEQUEL!

I had not read THE PLOT first, so I stopped in the middle of THE SEQUEL to buy and finish the audiobook. The audiobook was just as good, but THE SEQUEL was even better. If you enjoyed the first, you MUST read the second.

TWISTY, SMART, and CREATIVE!

Jean Hanff Korelitz is a master storyteller, and THE SEQUEL is brilliantly written against the backdrop of the first book, with clever literary chapter titles.

It was fascinating to see a sociopath transform from a monster to a widow in disguise. Anna is an unreliable narrator, and I enjoyed watching her become unhinged. I love thrillers with dark humor—well done!

INTENSE and IMPRESSIVE! When dark secrets of the past are unraveling, there is no way to stop as you enter the mind of this devious literary couple! Highly entertaining and wicked fun.

Audiobook...

I highly recommend the audiobook narrated by the dazzling Julia Whalen (a favorite narrator). She delivers a stellar performance, bringing the characters to life and adding a new dimension to the story.

Recs...

This is for fans of The Plot and the author and those who enjoy dark humor, satires, and well-written, twisty psychological thrillers with a literary twist. Those who enjoy Kaira Rouda, Hank Phillippi Ryan, and Jeneva Rose's work will devour THE SEQUEL.

Thanks...

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and #MacAudio2024 for a gifted, advanced listening copy via NetGalley and Google Play in exchange for an honest review.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Oct 1, 2024
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4/5 stars

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy!

I listened to this immediately after finishing THE PLOT, which was good and bad! Everything was fresh in my mind, which definitely added to the dimensional experience I had with this story, but these books were so different that it took me a minute to settle into this new structure. Anna was a super fun character to follow -- she's so clever and, at times, infuriating. There were moments where I wanted to yell "girl, what are you even thinking right now?!?!" but, alas, I did not. And, despite that, the story wrapped up really nicely, with fantastic and unexpected twists until the end. I would definitely read more in this series, if we get so lucky!

I wish I had read these two a little closer together (The Plot and The Sequel), but still this book was fast paced and bingeable. I finished the audio in a day. The audio didn’t have the same aesthetic that I remember from the first book physical copy with clearly delineating a book within a book, but I knew what to expect enough that I could still follow along with where the narration was going. I enjoyed how the book picked up from the first one and carried the story on in an engaging way.

I was fascinated with the usage of POV to move the narrative along, but also put the reader inside the FMC's head. And the twists kept coming, just when I wasn't sure where the book could go - there was another direction introduced that really made for a fun ride.

And of course I love Julia Whelan as a audiobook narrator!! She did a great job with this one. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the audio version of this book!

Let me start by saying that if you haven't read THE PLOT, you really should read it before you dive into THE SEQUEL. I've seen some reviews saying that it is not necessary, but I think to really understand the beginning (okay middle and end too) of this installment, it is best that you do. Heck, I even recommend rereading a summary of THE PLOT if it has been awhile because while this book covers some backstory. it would be helpful to have the plot of THE PLOT (har har) fresh in your mind.

Next thing, I LOVED the narration of this audiobook. Major hats off to Julia Whelan who is basically a narration queen. If you dabble between both modes of reading, I think the audio is the way to go here. I feel like Julia captured Anna perfectly.. Now for the book itself, THE SEQUEL included one of my favorite tropes which is about (unhinged) authors and the publishing industry. Add that in with the unhinged, perhaps, unreliable narrator and the mystery of who knows what Anna knows, and this was a real winner for me.

Thank you NetGally and Macmillan Audio for my ALC in exchange for a review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This was so engrossing! It’s about a widow of a famous author who has just published her own book. However, when she and others begin to receive items sent in the mail from an anonymous sender, Anna is forced to reckon with her past, and its string of bodies. I found it deliciously entertaining and I so enjoyed it!

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The Sequel is literally a sequel so read The Plot first. I have seen some reviews say this can be read as a stand alone, and it can, but I think the story is more enjoyable having the background knowledge from The Plot. I listened to this and it is read by the phenomenal Julia Whelan so if you like audiobooks, I would go with that format. There is not much I can say about this book with spoiling it, but if you liked The Plot I recommend this one. Even if you didn't like The Plot, give this one a try...I liked it better than The Plot.

📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
The Sequel (The Book, Book 2) by Jean Hanff Korelitz
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 293 / Genre: Psychological Thriller
Audiobook Narrator: Julia Whelan
Duration: 10 hours
Release Date: October 1, 2024

A professor steals a book idea from a student who died before he had a chance to publish his book. The problem is it’s a true story that involves murder and shocking truths. And the very real people in that story are out for vengeance.

First, I will say that I enjoyed both The Plot and The Sequel. Both were well-written with interesting characters. But I am confused about the point of The Sequel. It’s basically the same story as The Plot but from a different point of view. There’s a little more info given about what happens after but it’s almost the same book. I would say just listen to The Sequel if you haven’t read The Plot because Julia Whelan narrates it so I enjoyed it more than The Plot, which was narrated by Kirby Heyborne, who did a fine job but you can’t get better than Julia.

Thank you, @Macmillan.Audio and @NetGalley for my gifted copy.

I enjoyed the first book in the series, and I wasn't exactly sure how the author was going to write a second book but I wanted to read it to see what would happen next. I was pleasantly surprised where the story went. I don't think it was as good as the first one, but it was still a really enjoyable reading experience and I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen next. Even though the main character isn't a good person, she was so relatable, and at the same time unhinged. I can't wait to see what the author will write next.

I loved The Plot so I was excited about this one as the continuation of that story.

What I liked:
- Anna is not a likable character but she's not exactly unlikable either. I did have empathy for her and wanted her to reach some kind of resolution.
- The plot moved along at a good pace.
- There were several twists that I didn't see coming and I liked seeing the pieces come together.

What I didn't like:
- While I enjoyed the twists, it did border on being a bit overly complicated.

I enjoyed The Plot and was satisfied with the ending, so I was not even expecting a sequel. Did the story really need to keep going? I don't think so, I think it would have been fine to stop after The Plot. But I stil find The Sequel to be a fairly enjoyable story, and I did want to keep reading to see what would happen.

The Sequel focuses on Anna Williams-Bonner. After her husband's death (as described in The Plot), she is moving on and writing her own novel. She publishes a novel and becomes a best-selling author herself. But her success is short-lived when she starts receiving threatening notes from someone who seems to know all the secrets she has spent her whole life trying to hide.

I liked learning more about Anna's backstory. At times it felt like she was a real human and almost likeable, and I think it added depth to her character to learn more about what she has been through.

I did think this story was more of a slow burn, and it ended up feeling too similar to the first book-- rehashing the original story and then also adding a new story that was very similar to the original story of The Plot. Again, I question whether there was enough story here to necessitate an entirely new book.

So my thoughts are a little divided with this book. I liked some of it but also felt it was repetitive.

This novel is a sequel to The Plot, a 2021 bestseller that's a highly meta suspense story about an author who appropriates a former student's plot idea to write his own hit book. You definitely need to read The Plot first before diving into this one! (I loved it when it came out, and before reading the sequel, I went through a detailed recap-which I recommend if it's been a while for you too.) I'm hesitant to say much about this book because even revealing the basic premise could spoil The Plot if you haven't read it yet but plan to.
What I can say is that this is another brilliantly written, suspenseful novel set in the world of writers and books.
It's unsettling to read from the perspective of a excuse the shalter actins, but it yest
understand why they think they're justified. It kept me on edge the whole time, constantly guessing!
This is the third book l've read by Jean Hanff Korelitz, and l've enjoyed all of them. She has a real gift with language.
There are also some great meta moments, like a conversation between characters about how sequels are never as good as the original-though, in this case, the sequel is just as strong. Initially, I wasn't sure why The Plot needed a follow-up, but I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.
The audiobook narration by Julia Whelan was amazing so if audiobooks are for you, I highly recommend this one !

I liked The Plot better. You do need to read it first before jumping into this one. Anna, Jacob’s wife, is now an author, and finds herself in a similar situation as her late husband. It’s a quick listen, read by my favorite Julia Whelan. Would definitely recommend if you read the first. Korelitz knows how to tell a story that you don’t see coming.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the ALC.

I have seen mixed reviews for this one and I think that is only because The Plot was very good. I thought The Sequel was just as good. I really enjoyed it and thought how it all came together was good. Some of it was a little far fetched at the end but overall it was a fun thriller that was very engaging!

This was an incredibly clever and creative literary thriller! I love reading books about books, and this one had me so captivated and intrigued that I couldn’t put it down!

Warning! This sequel is a direct continuation, so be sure to read The Plot first! When I heard Jean Hanff Korelitz was releasing a sequel, I’ll admit I was curious but also a bit nervous about whether it could live up to the originality and excitement of the first book. To my delight, i was pleasantly surprised and it exceeded my expectations.

I especially appreciated the note at the end, which highlights that all the chapter titles pay tribute to some truly remarkable novels.

P.S How brilliant and clever is the marketing with the slider cover?! 👏

The Sequel had great audio narration. The story was compelling enough to keep me glued to it, but as I was going back and forth between the ecopy and the audiobook, I found that the characters were hard for me to enjoy. I enjoyed the mystery of trying to figure out who was threatening to out the main character's past, but I didn't love the route to getting to the resolution. This is a book where the lead is not a hero and frankly most all the characters were either mercenary or evil in some way or another. I guess they had to be in order for the reader to tolerate how Anna resolved her problems. I am just not the right audience for that kind of protagonist lead. I found myself captivated with the story, but dreading what would always come next. I would recommend it to people who don't mind sociopaths as much as I do. Ha.

If you enjoyed The Plot, then you're going to love The Sequel! It's a wonderful follow-up to a unique story. I went into this one anticipating having all of my questions answered and got that and so much more. If you plan on reading The Sequel, then you seriously must read The Plot first. These are not books that you should read out of order.

Anna Williams-Bonner is an absolutely fascinating character. She's interesting, sarcastic, and a villain that you can't help but like. It was intriguing being in her head and learning her secrets and her side of the story. There were plenty of unexpected twists and turns, and overall, The Sequel is a gripping mystery that kept me entertained all the way through.

I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook narrated by the always amazing Julia Whelan. As usual, she was fantastic and brought Anna vividly to life. Honestly, though, Julia Whelan could read me my grocery list, and I would love listening to every word.

I'm very much hoping we haven't seen the last of Anna. A continuation of this series would make me immensely happy!

Thank you, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley, for this ALC.

The Sequel is an excellent follow-up to The Plot. I gave The Plot 4 ⭐ and eagerly needed some unanswered questions addressed. I'm happy to report that they were indeed answered in The Sequel. I highly recommend reading these books in order to get the full experience.

I loved living in Anna Williams-Bonner head. She's sarcastic, has zero patience for people, and, ultimately, just wants to be left alone. However, Anna decides to pen her own novel, convinced that it can't be that difficult. And sure enough, her book, "The Afterword," becomes a massive hit. As Anna embarks on promoting her novel, a mysterious figure threatens to expose her long-buried skeletons. What follows is a gripping cat-and-mouse game as Anna sets out to uncover the identity of this individual and eliminate any incriminating evidence.

I thoroughly enjoyed the unexpected twists and turns in The Sequel. While the pacing may have dipped slightly toward the middle, the ending was absolutely worth it. Additionally, I had the opportunity to participate in a Zoom chat with Jean Hanff Korelitz, where she revealed that she wasn’t quite done exploring Anna. 👏

I paired the audio and physical book. When Julia Whelan is listed as the narrator, you're definitely in for a treat! She completely embodied Anna's antiheroine spirit. If there's a book 3, I hope she's the narrator again!

I was not a huge fan of the over-hyped The Plot, but when I saw that Julia Whelan was narrating I thought I’d give it a go and am very pleased that I did.

Anna Williams Bonner, widow of plagiarist Jacob Finch Bonner, is living the life of a literary widow when she decides to write her own novel, loosely based on her life with Bonner. It turns out she’s got talent and it all goes swimmingly well, with doors opened for her by her connections, until someone starts sending sections of the novel that Bonner copied, which is a lightly fictionalized account of Anna’s own life, murders included.

Anna is not one for letting things get in the way of her perfect life and as someone has decided to threaten her she is not going to take it lying down. With some sleuthing and careful planning, Anna sets out to eradicate anyone who knew what she did in the past. She is a deeply unsympathetic character but I was rooting for her, as her opponents are not particularly pleasant either.

This is something of a meta novel with a discussion early on about how sequels never live up to their predecessors. It took me a while to cotton on (listening instead of reading) but the chapter titles are all sequels - some successful, some not so much. This one is a successful sequel, enough that it made me think about going back to The Plot and see if Julia Whelan could work her magic on that too.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the review copy.

I recently read The Plot because I saw this sequel was being released and found the premise intriguing. So if you already read and enjoyed The Plot, then I would definitely recommend The Sequel.

We catch up with Anna, who has become famous as her husband's widow. She has decided to follow in his footsteps and become a novelist herself, having released her debut, which is already a bestseller. Anna seems to have gotten everything she always wanted, until she begins to receive those past manuscript pages from an anonymous source. Much like her late husband, she must investigate who is behind this ploy to destroy her reputation.

I didn't enjoy The Sequel as much as the Plot, but it was still a good thriller. The author did a good job of making the audience understand and have some empathy for Anna. Even though she is clearly a sociopath, I found myself stuck between rooting for her and hoping she gets caught, once and for all!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an audiobook to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

While not quite as memorable as the first book, I enjoyed this foray into another character's twisted mind in this sequel to The Plot. The voice of the main character grabbed me right away (probably in part because the audiobook narration was such a great fit), and I loved that so much of the story took place within the world of publishing. There was some great tongue-in-cheek commentary on the writing life that made me laugh, and it was really interesting to see the inner workings of Anna's mind, and though she was deplorable in many ways, I found her highly entertaining. This author has a talent for writing compelling, readable stories, and I devoured this one.