Thanks NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I really love both of these authors, but when they come together, it is sheer brilliance. The twists in this book are amazing. I had absolutely no idea where the story was going to go until the very last page. It is definitely action-packed and totally binge-worthy. I love the connections with some true crime too. Certainly a book worth checking out when it’s released in March 2025.

Unlike most folks I haven't read nearly his entire backlist but I have picked up a few books here and there and this was a good one. Definitely enjoyed it.

When I see the name of this author, I want to read his books. He has several co-authors, and they don’t disappoint. This book is a page turner with red herrings that kept me guessing. The title hooked me. Writers writing about a writer is always mysterious, and the main character is intriguing. Quirky or not? Getting to the end could not come soon enough. I was not sure I solved the mystery. Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC to read and enjoy. All opinions are my own.

The Writer is fiendishly clever, twisted , dark compelling read with a extraordinary ending. Everyone and everything is questioned. The myriad of twists and turns become unexpected revelations. James Patterson and J. D. Barker are fast becoming a stellar duo in the collaboration of writing extraordinary suspense fiction.

Thank you to James Patterson and J. D. Barker, Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

First, I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the authors for the gifted copy of The Writer. This murder thriller was everything I wanted and more—I can’t wait for everyone to experience it when it releases on March 17, 2025!

This book grabbed me from page one and didn’t let go. It’s dark, twisty, and chilling, with a killer’s perspective that will send shivers down your spine. Patterson and Barker delivered a masterclass in suspense, keeping me on the edge of my seat with every chapter. The mystery is so intricately crafted, I was glued to the pages, desperate to piece everything together before the big reveal. Spoiler alert: I didn’t see it coming!

Relatable moment: You know when a book is so good you ignore everything around you? Yep, that was me. Cold coffee? Check. Ignored texts? Double check. My mind was too wrapped up in this brilliant story to care.

The pacing is relentless in the best way, the characters are beautifully layered, and the writing flows seamlessly. Patterson and Barker are a dream team, and this book proves it. And that ending? I’m still recovering.

Final Thoughts: If murder thrillers are your thing, The Writer is a must-read. It’s intense, addictive, and will leave you questioning everything. This was an easy 5 stars for me, and I can’t recommend it enough.

Thank you again, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this incredible book!

Look, i don't normally go for, well, pop. I'm not criticizing, it's popular for a reason, it just isn't really my thing. That said, this was a fucking great time.

The story starts fast-paced and doesn't give up until the last pages. The ending had my jaw on the floor. Only Patterson could be so clever!

When we meet NYPD Detective Declan Shaw, we feel for him. His job is difficult, his life seems not too great. And then comes the call that changes everything- we need you in a luxurious apartment near Central Park.

When he stumbles upon what looks like a cut-and-dry murder case, it turns into a game of cat and mouse that will have your head spinning. As the cast of characters grows and the murders do as well, you can't help but wonder who the bad guy is.

Set around the lives of Detective Shaw and true-crime writer (and supposed victim) Denise Morrow, you'll never guess the ending until you reach the final pages. Patterson and Barker definitely started 2025 off with a bang!

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

A thrilling book that keeps you turning the pages until the shocking ending. Full of twists and turns and shocks. Brilliant! I highly recommend reading this book! 📖

James Patterson and JD Barker do it again.

I've been a fan of James Patterson books for years and when I saw he partnered with JD Barker for The Writer, I knew I'd be in for quite a ride. Grabs you from the first page and takes you on all kinds of twists and turns.
This book did not disappoint and I'd love to see this as a movie or series.

Loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Writer.

One of my favorite authors growing up was James Patterson, mainly the Alex Cross series.

Then, I grew bored of the series and my reading interests turned in another direction.

Recently, Mr. Patterson has been collaborating with other suspense and genre writers and I decided to give my once favorite author another try again.

I'm happy to say I've been enjoying these new collaborations and The Writer is one of them.

This is both a police procedural (which I love) and a mystery wrapped in a puzzle.

You have to follow the clues, pay attention to all the major and minor players in the narrative, and tease out the truth.

But what is the truth? Whose truth is it? Whose story is this?

I figured out some of the twists early on since I read books exclusively in this genre so I have a pretty good idea what tricks authors tend to throw at you.

Yes, the narrative will use some of your ability to suspend disbelief but you may as well go along for the ride. I did because I wanted to see how it ended, how everyone tied together and how it was resolved.

I liked the ending and Shaw's partner.

I love when the tables are turned. Again and again.

Wasn't in love with this book initially but it made up for it at the end. Lots of twists right to the end. I'm glad I stuck with it and I ended up enjoying it

Love...love...love this book. I started reading it in the evening and had to force myself to put it down to go to sleep. I picked it back up before my coffee was made. Such delicious twists and turns and unexpected revelations.

This book makes you question everything and everyone in it as reality blends with multiple narratives.

Five stars all the way.

When I see the name of this popular author, I want to read his book. He has co-authors often, but that is fine too. The title of this novel intrigued me. Writers writing about a writer. This is a page turner. The main character is mysterious. Is she guilty? Or Not? Red herrings kept me guessing. Thanks Netgalley

Sir Walter Scott's "Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive" never was more meaningful than in this impossible-to-put-down adventure. Nothing is as it seems, at least for very long; every "Aha!" moment - and there are plenty - is followed by a sharp intake of breath and a "But wait..."

At a crucial decision moment in his life, NYPD Detective Declan Shaw gets a call telling him to get to a crime scene stat. In a building occupied by the hoity toity and well-heeled, he finds a woman covered in blood sitting next to a very dead body. She's Denise Morrow, author of best-selling true-crime novels. The dead guy is her husband David, a health-care executive. That's a bit strange, but not nearly as much as the fact that she refuses to let anyone near her except Declan, who's never even met her.

Needless to say, almost all the evidence points to Denise as her husband's killer. Still, Declan and his partner, Jarod Cardova, think something is off (well, besides her insistence on having Declan present). Why on earth would she want him, and only him, on the case? In fairly short order, Declan learns that she's writing a soon-to-be-released book on an old murder case involving a 14-year old girl in 2018 - a case that was closed when the murderer was arrested and convicted despite his pleas of innocence - even from the jail cell he now occupies. Why would that matter? It was Declan who led the investigation and produced the evidence that put the guy away. And now, it seems, Denise has come up with some new evidence of her own.

Readers, of course, see the events as they unfolded back then and in real time from various perspectives; the devil, of course, is in the details. And I wish - oh how I wish - I could offer up a sample of just one. But no; I have no intention of spoiling even a single one of those "Aha" moments for others who want to read it (and if you don't, you'll be missing out on an exhiliarating ride). All I can say is this one's another winner for sure - a don't-miss standalone that will have you chilled, thrilled and aghast from beginning to end. My thanks go to the publisher, via NetGalley, for letting me in on the whole thing by way of a pre-release copy. Wowser!

I haven’t enjoyed a police procedural as much as I liked this detective story in a long time. It was a wild ride from start to finish. I’m not usually a fan of plot twists, but here, I loved every one of them. The story kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end, and I was constantly guessing what would happen next.

The pacing was just right, never dragging or rushing through the plot. The dialogues felt natural, keeping the story moving forward and maintaining the suspense. The recordings were another great addition, fitting perfectly into the story and adding to the atmosphere.

While I did have my own idea of how the ending could have played out, I think the actual conclusion was perfect. It tied everything together in a way that felt right, even though I initially expected something different.

It was a well-crafted and engaging read that kept my attention throughout. The twists, pacing, and atmosphere all worked together to make it a thrilling experience.

I thought I was going to get whiplash from all the twists, turns and change in story arcs. Wow! It felt like we were presented with a new revelation in each and every chapter! Bam! Twist! Boom! Turn! I loved it!

This book will keep you on the edge of your seat with every paragraph. Every Chapter. Right to the end! Seriously, even in the final chapter, there was a huge OMG moment, I was thrown for another loop that I did not see coming. I actually gasped.

I've read a lot of James Patterson's stories, but this was my first time reading the James Patterson / J.D. Barker duo, and I'm going to search for more! Together they really packed a lot into these pages and kept me guessing. If you like surprises and like to be challenged, you need to read this one!

For me the entire book was heart pounding angst and I loved it!

Thank you James Patterson, J.D. Barker, Little, Brown and Company, and NetGalley for this ARC. The above is my own and personal opinion.

Detective Declan Shaw’s life is about to end when he gets a call from his partner. Denise Morrow’s husband is dead and on her 911 call she says, Declan Shaw. Let the investigation begin. It seems cut and dry. Denise is covered in blood and no one else accessed their apartment. But when the evidence makes it to the lab, nothing adds up. If Denise did not kill her husband, David, who did?
A complicated plot with so many twists and turns. Quimby, Denise’s cat was the only character that I did not think had a hidden agenda. Oh, and Otto Penzler from the Mysterious Bookshop played a small part in this Cray Cray story. I could not turn the pages fast enough to figure out whodunnit, how they dunnit, and why. 4.5 stars.

Exhilarating! Just when you think you understand what is happening next, another stunner comes out of nowhere! Evil, corruption, and crime all collide in this awesome story. A jaw-dropping, gasping thriller!

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Hang on tight… best-selling authors James Patterson and JD Barker are about to take you on one heck of a roller coaster ride!

Popular true crime novelist Denise Morrow just found herself in the headlines. But for all the wrong reasons. Her husband has been murdered and she is the number one suspect.

It’s up to detectives Declan Shaw and Jarod Cordova to put the pieces of the puzzle together and wrap it in a bow to present to the DA. But come on, that would be too easy, right?

Just when you think you have it cleverly figured out. When you convince yourself there cannot possibly be another twist. Well my fellow thriller fans, you couldn’t be more wrong! You will be in for one shock after another all the way to the very end! Bravo!

I’ve only recently made my way back to the world of James Patterson. And his collaborations with many of my favorite authors have provided me with some of my favorite thrillers!

Can’t wait for more!

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company.