I eat up James Patterson thrillers, and this was a very fun, different one that still felt like exactly what I look for in a page turner by Patterson. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC gifted in exchange for my honest review.

This book was full of morally grey characters (and a couple of full-on baddies as well). You probably won't like or root for anyone along the way, but you'll certainly root against people.

I knew who the main culprit was almost immediately, but the path to the end was still an adventure.

There's so much going on here that it felt almost like too much.

Regardless, if you like a good police procedural / murder-filled thriller, this might be the one for you. It's well written, fast paced, and I found it to be a nice way to spend a few hours outside of my own head.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐩 𝐠𝐨 𝐛𝐚𝐝? 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞. 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡, 𝐝𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐲. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲'𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐫𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧.

I'll have to admit, this one didn't grab me right away; however, when the characters started to resonate with me and the plot found its footing, I was hooked. The last 30% of this book had me in an absolute chokehold, and it's been awhile since I've encountered twists so masterful and diabolical.

NYPD Detective Declan Shaw is contemplating ending it all when he gets a call from his lieutenant summoning him to a crime scene. Declan's backstory wasn't initially explained, so that scene was puzzling at first. Let me go ahead and say that anything that feels out of place or unnecessary is there for a reason, so have patience.

When Declan arrives at the Central Park apartment, he's briefed--the woman inside called 911 to report a both a break-in and the murder of her husband, but it's her demand that has everyone baffled: 𝑵𝒐𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝑫𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑫𝒆𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒏 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒘. The woman is covered in blood, too much blood to have performed the life-saving measures she claimed, and Shaw is instantly suspicious. When he spots her shelves filled with hardcover books, he recognizes the name—bestselling true-crime author Denise Morrow, who just happens to be the blood-soaked woman.

This is a woman who has intimate knowledge of killers and the mistakes that got them caught. Has she used that knowledge to orchestrate the perfect murder? As more and more layers are peeled back, the truth becomes much more insidious than one could ever imagine. Run to grab this one when it's released March 17, 2025. Thank you so much to Little, Brown, and Company for the early copy.

A very creative whodunnit, where it isn't always clear who is the victim and who is the offender.
At the crime scene, it seems like an obvious case of spousal homicide.
Only two people are in the apartment - the dead husband, and the wife (covered in blood) with the weapon beside her.
But then comes the forensics that turn the whole case on its head. And that's only the beginning of what appears to be slight of hand, or as the detectives declare, a "three card monty."

So, who really is the killer?
Is it the famed true crime author, Denise Morrow?
Is it Declan Shaw, who Denise wrote about as a dirty cop?
Is it Geller Hoffman, a friend of Denise's and her lawyer, who may have played a role in a coverup?
Or just a random act of violence?
I don't think anyone believes the latter, but uncovering the truth was much more complex than I could have imagined.

While parts of the story are very methodical as the most police procedurals go, things really ramp up towards the end as one twist after another is revealed. And the ending is a big ol' chef's kiss! I just love when there's a twist on the last page.

Overall, fans of these authors are sure to enjoy this latest release.

The story pulls you in immediately, and the characters are complex. I really enjoyed the writer's angle in the story. There are many layers to this one filled with twists and turns. So good!!
This one left me completely stunned with a jaw dropping ending. Well played.
If you enjoy police procedurals, be sure to check it out. This is one of my favorite reads this year.

The Writer is a fast paced complex storyline with a constantly changing plot characters that are well rounded and interesting all have their own agenda and do whatever it takes to accomplish said agenda's and the unexpected little twists is what makes this a good reading experience when the author can make you think I didn't see that twist coming.
I received a advance reader's copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review

The Writer was full of twists and turns right until the end just as you would expect from James Patterson. I did not have as much reading time when I was reading this book so it took me a little longer than I expected but, that was not because the story was dull by any means. I thought I had it all figured out and then another twist. I highly recommend this book to those who like a fast paced thriller that will keep them guessing.

Thank you to Net Galley, James Patterson, JD Barker and Little Brown Publishing for the opportunity to preview this title. The opinions expressed are my own.
The Writer is expected to be released March 17, 2025.

The Writer is an all consuming, unputdownable, addictive thriller that had me hooked from start to finish. Right from the beginning I knew I'd love this story, I knew it would be twisty and unexpected. My jaw kept dropping throughout this whole book, twists left and right kept smacking me in the face. Be prepared to start this one and read it from cover to cover because it's that good!

I was second guessing everything and everyone. My heart was racing to connect the dots and see how it would all play out. This was such a clever and unpredictable ride, I am still absolutely obsessed!!

Overall, this was a fantastic, well plotted thriller that kept me guessing until the end. This author duo just blew me away with this one, and I can't wait to read more by them !

✨️Thank you to @netgalley, @littlebrown, @jamespatterson & @jdbarker for my gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Writer is probably the best of Patterson's recent books, the kind you can stay up all night reading.

The writing in this is great, lots of twists, deception and just so many layers to the story. Plus that ending! I need to know the fallout.

My review of The Writer by James Patterson & J.D. Barker is on the blog today: https://emeraldmaple.wordpress.com/2025/02/23/book-review-the-writer-by-james-patterson-j-d-barker/

Thanks to @netgalley and @littlebrown for the advance copy for review

The Writer by James Patterson and J. D. Barker is a very highly recommended twisty procedural/thriller. Wow! This is an excellent, suspenseful, twisty roller coaster ride of a novel and it left me dizzy from the twists and turns.

NYPD Detective Declan Shaw is planning to jump in front of a subway train when he gets a call from his investigative partner, Jarod Cordova. He wants to know how fast Shaw can get to the Beresford building on Central Park West. A woman returned home to the tower apartment there and found her husband dead. She is asking for Shaw by name.

Once there Shaw sees bestselling true-crime writer Denise Morrow, covered in blood, sitting next to her dead husband. It seems a clear-cut case, but Denise has an alibi and it becomes even more complicated. Searching the apartment it is also discovered that she is writing a book casting doubt on a case that Shaw and Cordova worked on in 2018 that involved the murder of a fourteen-year-old girl in Central Park.

That's all you need to know - once you start reading you will be hooked almost from the start. There are chapters presented from Now and Then (2018) and also excerpts from police transcripts along the way.

The writing is absolutely exceptional, the pace is fast, and the plot is clever and intelligent. There are so many complications and layers of deception in this unpredictable procedural. What you can expect are several stunning revelations and absolutely jaw-dropping twists along the way in this truly addictive, un-put-downable novel.

As for the characters, you won't know who to trust or believe. The whole narrative is one shrewd complicated cat and mouse game where the roles keep changing and then another switch appears to shake it all up again. I'm not saying anything else but read this novel!

The Writer is a perfect choice for readers who love procedurals with plenty of twists. Thanks to Little, Brown and Company for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Amazing! 4.5 stars ⭐️ Many twists and turns throughout this entire story - I was completely enthralled! 🤩

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

The cover sold me, but the inside hooked me until the very last word. This is a whodunit like no other, with layers of deception that leave you questioning who's good and who's bad. I felt like every chapter was my favorite, with each new secret more intense than the last—an absolutely gripping read.

This book is heavily plot-driven, with every page turn revealing more secrets and truths. If you're searching for a novel where you'll fall in love with the characters, this might not be it. Although the characters are interesting and dynamic, there's not really anyone to fall in love with—well, maybe just one! Definitely a book worth re-reading time and again.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of The Writer by James Patterson and J.D. Barker, published by Little, Brown and Company

Absolutely fantastic book! Everything about this was great from the storyline to the characters and the twists and mystery of it all. I loved following this story of who killed who and when and for what reason. It was so twisted and even though I following along, I still didn't guess who dunnit. The characters and story were brilliantly crafted and written.
I think this is one of the first books I've read by wither of these authors, will definitely follow them and read more
I really didn't want this novel to end! I'd give it more than 5 stars if I could

More Twists and Turns Than The Gordian Knot

NYPD Detective Declan Shaw is recording Maggie Marshall's crime scene for later transcription. She went missing two and a half days ago. It looks like she put up a struggle. A handprint on her throat with petechial in one eye strongly suggests strangulation as the cause of death. She has a bruise on her stomach that appears as if the murderer held her down with his knee. Because of the rain and her most likely thrashing around, there may not be much evidence under the fingernails. From the footprint evidence, he believes that the murderer returned to the scene. A crime scene tech says that he found a cigarette butt and is told to bag it. A watch with "Lucky" inscribed on the back was found. The head of Park Services thinks it may belong to a park worker, as one worker goes by Lucky. From this start, the twistiest novel that I have ever read starts.

This novel has two threads: the murder investigations and the perpetrators. Quickly apparent is that the evidence is entirely inconsistent. This thread has many twists, with one being quite significant. I describe it at the tsunami level, as my entire understanding was swept away after it occurred. This is also true in the perpetrator's thread, except there are two. As for trying to follow a very complex investigation, there was an adequate discussion between Shaw and his partner, Jarod Cordova, which helped me understand the nuances of the evidence's inconsistencies and the meaning of any breakthroughs. Working through the evidentiary problems and anticipating how all the murders are solved did not let me put this novel down.

Declan Shaw is a troubled character, as shown in the subway scene early in the novel. Although his father is dead, they continue conversations. He has a strong relationship with his partner. At the start, I thought I knew this character, but as the novel progressed, he wasn’t the character I thought. New issues emerged. This aspect of the novel enhanced my reading enjoyment,

One of the aspects that can cause some readers to stop reading is present in this novel. It is the level of vulgar and rude language. Their level was one of the highest in the novels I have read. The level of impious language is not far behind. Even at this level, it is consistent with the events occurring in the novel. There were no intimate scenes, and violence was described after the fact except for one death. This is a standalone novel, so no events from the previous novel should concern the reader.

I only found one issue where, by all appearances, a good cop would easily offer to falsify a police report to take the spotlight off his partner. As minor as it may seem, it is the worst thing I found. What I especially liked was the ending. It was a surprise, but it provided enough information that all wrongdoers did or would face the consequences of their acts. I was also impressed that all the loose ends produced by all the twists and turns were tied up by the end and not as is common in the last few chapters.

This is the third novel I have read by these authors in collaboration. I have also purchased another, which is now on my to-be-read list. J.D. Barker is one of my Must-Read authors, and this collaboration only strengthens my assessment when Petterson is added. If you enjoy an intriguingly complex novel, consider this one. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I rate it with five stars.

I received this novel's free prepublication e-book version through NetGalley from Little Brown & Company. My review is based solely on my own reading experience. Thank you, Little Brown & Company, for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.

This is definitely one of the best books I've read in a while. The story is filled with thrills and chills. I couldn't put this one down. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to read one of the best books of this year.

I had the pleasure of receiving an ARC of The Writer from NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company, and I have to say this book was a wild ride. Chapter 2, which I consider the real opening chapter, is hands down the greatest opening chapter I’ve ever read. It pulled me in instantly, delivering a level of excitement I haven't felt in a long time while reading.

Patterson masterfully builds suspense throughout the novel, keeping the twists sharp and the pacing relentless. The story unfolds with high stakes, compelling characters, and the kind of thriller intensity that makes it hard to put down. It was shaping up to be a solid five star read, but the very end didn’t quite stick the landing for me. While still a satisfying conclusion, it didn’t match the brilliance of the rest of the book, which is why I’m giving it four stars instead of five.

Overall, The Writer is a phenomenal read that delivers everything you’d want from a thriller just be prepared for an ending that may leave you wanting a little more.

Multiple murders and way too many suspects make this a twisty, heart stopping, thrill ride of a book!

I thought I had it all figured out - then realized I was only half way through and knew "The Writers" wouldn't let that happen! Even the ending left you with unanswered questions! Probably one of his best!

In James Patterson's latest book, NYPD Detective Declan Shaw gets a call: How fast can you get to the Beresford building on Central Park West?

In the tower apartment, Shaw finds a woman waiting for him, and she’s covered in blood. A body is lying dead on the floor of the living room.

Every book in the apartment’s floor-to-ceiling shelves is by the same author: bestselling true-crime writer Denise Morrow.

Declan is more involved with this crime than meets the eye, so is the writer innocent or guilty?
​
Great read!

I enjoyed this book. It had a lot of twists and turns to it. That is why I always look forward to reading books by James Patterson. The ending wasn't what I expected, it was better. I'm grateful that netgalley and the publishers let me read this in exchange for an honest review.

The twists, turns, angles, accelerations and decelerations in the plot literally gave me whiplash, That is not a complaint as it was one heck of a ride. The Writer has what I would term a mundane title but that is the only thing dull about this story that starts off with a suicide attempt and a dead body. A best selling true crime writer, living in an upscale apartment building on Central Park West, dials 911 and repeatedly asks for NYPD Detective Declan Shaw, whom she supposedly does not know personally and has never met. Shaw’s partner, Jarod Cordova, notifies Shaw who at that moment is both contemplating and attempting suicide. Yes, you read that correctly. Shaw and Cordova rush to the scene of the supposed break-in (most assumptions and assertions in this tale are believed to be the case until the case is solved), and murder. Shooting off her gun at the first responders, the writer will only allow Shaw to enter the apartment. It is the writer’’s husband who has been murdered and she is found kneeling by his body, covered in blood with a knife lying between her and the victim.
Each of the events that take place from that point on take the solving of the murder one step forward and one step backward. No one is really whom they seem to be. It is the ultimate whodunit. Is the writer a victim or a suspect? Why did she specifically ask for Declan Shaw? How well does Cordova know his partner? Why would Shaw want to die? A murderer with a steadfast profession of innocence who was apprehended by Shaw, an avaricious and duplicitous writer who might have new evidence in the case, several dead bodies, various motives, lies and coverups all make for exciting reading. And of course there is that TaDa! moment when you think you have everything figured out and then one of the characters simply enters a room and everything changes.
Multi-dimensional and flawed characters, fast pacing, and well timed surprises allow the reader to just stand on the sidelines and watch the escalating events very much like watching a juggler tossing balls in the air.
This clever crime thriller mystery will serve as an excelllent gauge by which I will judge my future reads in the genre.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for an advance copy of James’ Patterson’s and J.D.Barker’s novel, The Writer, and the opportunity to offer an honest review of the book.