This book starts out with a bang! Olivia is a ghostwriter whose father wrote a book, and when he writes his second, her agent wants her to ghostwrite it for him. But they haven't spoken in 20 years as it's rumored he killed his brother and sister. And although she doesn't believe this, he now has Lewy body dementia so he drifts in and out of lucid thoughts. Vacillating in time between the present and 1975, the novel details her search through home movies, diary entries, and crazy theories that of course circulate through town. It's a crazy story with an ending I didn't see coming!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

I’ve not read a Julie Clark book before but really enjoyed this mystery/thriller. Looking forward to reading her previous books now! Interesting use of flashbacks to tell the story from different points of view whilst still keeping everything moving nicely.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing this complementary advance review copy. All opinions are my own.

Olivia is the daughter of Vincent Taylor, the surviving sibling of a horrible crime. His brother and sister were killed almost 50 years ago and he's never spoken about that night. As typically happens, some people believe he was involved because he lived, even though he had a solid alibi. Olivia and her father never spoke about that night and don't speak at all anymore until she's contacted to ghostwrite a story for him. Initially wary, she decides she can't miss this opportunity, as she desperately needs the income and publicity that she needs.

There wouldn't be much of a story here if the events unfolded like everyone thought, so we know there are going to be surprises and twists, and we're not disappointed. Many characters make believable suspects and you may find yourself racing through the story to figure out what really happened and how. There's a great vintage and nostalgic feel to the story, as parts of it are told in the past leading up to the murders. By seeing through the eyes of the teenagers themselves, you get a glimpse into every part of their lives, hidden from their parents, and never known to outsiders of the family who couldn't believe such a terrible tragedy occurred. One aspect I enjoyed most was that it wasn't simply an unknown perpetrator that got away with it, but a more complex series of events that led to the murders.

The only thing that didn't sit well with me was the whole 'no more lies, the truth needs to be told' rhetoric that Olivia continually spouts but then ultimately ignores as she too doesn't illuminate the entire truth upon discovery. Wasn't that the whole point of what she was doing? She ends up telling just enough of the truth, choosing which parts to keep secret to protect her family.

Immediately after I finished the book, I looked up other works by this author to start reading. I can't wait for her next one as I explore more of her books - finding a new author to binge is the best!

A question has haunted Olivia her entire life, who killed her aunt and uncle in 1975? She has been hired to ghostwrite her father’s memoir and hopefully get answers she’s always wanted. The Ghostwriter is a slow burn thriller that really shows how one night can rip a family apart. Julie Clark gives her great twists and turns throughout that keep you guessing until the end.

This narrative plunges into the turbulent consequences arising from strained family dynamics, betrayal, and the dangerous strategies linked to hidden truths. The storyline fosters an environment of tension, urging readers to maintain their focus as mysteries are gradually disclosed and motives are examined. The tale sustains its grip with unpredictable twists, astonishing disclosures, and deep emotional impact, making it challenging to cease reading.

The author has another great story to share. When the protagonist, Olivia, finds herself deep in debt, she is forced to accept a commission to ghostwrite her estranged father’s biography. His failing memory and a variety of stories, notes, films, and newspaper articles provide so many detours as we try to discover who killed Olivia’s aunt and uncle. A complicated plot worth trying to untangle.

I read all of Clark's books. She's that good! I like how thrilling her stories are. The Ghostwriter was enjoyable and mysterious. It captured my attention immediately. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I went into this book completely blind, as I have loved everything else Clark has written. And guess what? I loved this one too. The story centers on Olivia, who is a ghostwriter with not a lot of work options. When she is asked to work with her estranged father, she doesn't want to be pulled back into a family dynamic she has tried to escape, but she just doesn't have too many other options. Her father lives under a cloud of suspicion regarding the murders of his siblings decades before, and he finally wants to set the record straight. The story is told in alternating timelines between present time and the time leading up to the murders.

Olivia is a believable character with whom I could empathize, even when I didn't agree with her decision. Clark created a very believable dynamic between family members, both in the former and recent timeline. The story was part mystery and part coming-of-age, and there were parts that were poignant, while other parts felt hopeful. The mystery is great, and I enjoyed uncovering clues right along with Olivia as she searches for the answers that her family has kept close for so long. I really liked the way it ended, and felt like loose ends were tied up and the characters moved forward in ways I expected, based on their personalities.

Overall, this is another winner from Clark and now I just have to wait patiently for her next book to come out. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Masterfully plotted completely draws the reader in. Captivating narrative voice. Complicated characters & relationships.
Have liked all of the author’s works but this may be her best yet.
One of those rare books you can't wait to keep reading but never want to end!

With thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this e-ARC.

When a ghostwriter is given the job of writing her estranged father’s memoir, this very compelling book happens. Vince Taylor, a renowned writer has been surrounded by rumors of the murder of his siblings. As he moves toward serious illness and death, he wants to clear the record, but the problem is that he doesn’t know the truth! Olivia, who has tremendous financial issues, agrees to be his ghostwriter.

She takes on the tasks of writing and attempting to uncover the truth about the killing of her aunt and uncle, as teenagers. So, as with all of Clark’s novels, I was totally involved in this one. I was rooting for both Olivia and her father. I found this a very engaging book.

Thank you Netgalley for this opportunity.

I've been in a bit of a book slump, but The Ghostwriter yanked me right out of it. I loved the characters, the setting, and the different relationships. There were a lot of well-worn tropes this plot could have easily used, but the author very deftly swerved away from them.

Normally, I struggle with multiple POVs and time jumps, but this is an example of where it works really, really well. The flashback chapters were just enough to further the mystery without taking over as the primary plot line. Additionally, they did a great job of adding intrigue and intentional confusion, obscuring the reveals until the end.

Oh my goodness- how can I actually describe this book in the right words! It was totally absorbing and I could not put it down. It was atmospheric and haunting and kept me guessing right to the end. I listened to a soundtrack of music from 1975 to give me a real feel for the life of the main family and it just added to the experience. There was such a build up of suspense, with so many twists and turns written so beautifully it just flowed. I would highly recommend getting hold of this book as soon as it is released and will be seeking out more of Julie Clark’s work as soon as possible!

This weekend, I binged @julieclarkauthor upcoming release, #TheGhostwriter. I’ve been a fan of Julie’s books since her debut and I have to say, I think this is her best yet. Shifting timelines and multiple POVs, with family drama, The Ghostwriter had me rapt from page 1. This doesn’t release until June, but I highly suggest you put it on your radar now, this is one you won’t want to miss! An easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ !

Julie Clark’s Ghostwriter is a gripping, emotionally intense story that dives deep into the chaos caused by dysfunctional families, betrayal, and the risky games that come with hidden secrets. It’s as much about survival as it is about finding a sense of self, with Clark expertly unraveling how pain and confusion shape the lives of her characters in complex and unexpected ways. The story keeps you on your toes, constantly guessing as secrets unravel and motives come into question. From start to finish, it holds your attention with its twists, surprises, and emotional depth, making it impossible to put down.

Wow, this is the first book I have read by Julie Clark and it blew me away. This book is full of family drama, alternating between time frames and narratives. Everyone I thought I know what was happening, I was thrown another curve ball. Looking forward to reading more by this amazing author!

Fast-paced writing with a good plot! Weaving back and forth in time and perspectives, we learn about Olivia’s father’s past and the secrets that still affect them today.

Secrets within secrets, lies upon lies, woven through the years with false truths shading lives. Gripping and addictive as the secrets of past and present slowly unravel to reveal the final truth. A winner of a mystery.

When I saw a new book from Julie Clark pop up, I ceased reading anything and everything immediately to dive into this one! I’ve loved her last two former books and if you haven’t read The Lies I Tell and The Last Flight, you should!

Vincent Taylor is a famous author who is known for his best selling novels. At an old age he is dying. He wants to write one last book about a terrible crime that occurred in his household. His brother and sister were stabbed to death and the public has always assumed he was the culprit. The case was never solved.

However, Vincent needs a ghostwriter. He hires his daughter, Olivia, who was once a famous ghostwriter for the the job.

When Olivia arrives and starts working with her father, she realizes there are secrets he has harbored for years. Did Vince kill his siblings? If not, who did?

Told from the past of his murdered sister’s diary and from the present of Olivia. A slow burn with a shocking ending. I will say that this is completely different from her last works. I thought it was a great story, just a little too slow for my liking.

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’m such a big fan of Julia Clark’s books. So when I saw this one I jumped at the chance to read it. Well, I’m so glad I did. This is such an amazing, complex book. Everything is written beautifully. We really get to know the main characters so well. The twists and turns are amazing. You really don’t see them coming and you think you know what’s going on, but really you don’t. I loved the narration, the duel timelines and the strong female/feminist characters. Such a good book! I can’t wait for her next one!

There is a coldness to the start of this book. Olivia has had a lot bad stuff happen to her over the years, and she is a closed off narrator, not immediately compelling or captivating — and that is part of what makes this book so compelling and captivating. Clark manages to show us all the reasons Olivia acts the way she does and gets us on her side as she deals with the difficulties of her family history and her current present situations. The dual narrative, past and present, is especially appropriate given Olivia’s father’s mixing of timelines. Altogether another great twisty mystery from Clark