Ahhhh! What a great book! I absolutely love Julie Clark and her clever plot twists! Story development and character development!

The Last Flight threw me for a loop and her second book, I found just okay, but the thought process behind Clark’s writing is superb. I find myself wondering how does she come up with these clever twists?!

The twist in this book is no different, but I do feel this story was a little different than her others. The writing evolved. The themes evolved. The characters made me feel intense emotions. And that, my friends, is worth the trip of this book. A must-buy!

Wow this is the first book that I have read by this author and it does not disappoint. I really enjoyed it more and more as the story continued. Such a very original story and so many layers, just when I thought I had figured it out it took me in a totally different direction. It stuck with me long after I finished it.

Wow, this was such a thrilling read. There were so many twists and turns I did not expect throughout the book, which kept me guessing all the way until the end. I did find the story to start off slow but around the 20% mark it really took off and I could not flip the pages fast enough. The book is told in multiple POV's which gives us an inside look into the past and what happened to Poppy and Danny. Overall, this was an excellent read for anyone looking for a thriller with characters that are full of secrets.

In The Ghostwriter, Olivia is asked to ghostwrite her fathers last book. She does not have a good relationship with him and hasn't spoken to him in years. She reluctantly agrees and when she arrives at her fathers house, she finds out he is sick with Lewy bodies. It turns out, he wants to finally reveal what happened back in 1975 to his brother and sister in his final book. They were murdered but no one was convicted but rumors swirled that Olivia's Dad Vincent was the murdered. He is ready to set the record straight.

Julie Clark’s The Ghostwriter is a captivating thriller that explores the complexities of family secrets and the pursuit of truth. The story follows Olivia Dumont, a ghostwriter who has spent years avoiding her father, Vincent Taylor—a famous horror author with a troubled past. In 1975, Vincent’s teenage siblings died under mysterious circumstances. Although he had an alibi, suspicion has always surrounded him. Years later, struggling financially, Olivia agrees to ghostwrite her father’s final book, only to learn that he plans to reveal the truth about that tragic night.

Clark crafts a compelling narrative that shifts between past and present, slowly unraveling layers of mystery and emotion. The characters are richly developed, with Olivia’s internal conflict and Vincent’s mysterious nature adding emotional depth. The story maintains a steady sense of suspense, drawing readers in with its twists and turns as it builds toward a dramatic conclusion.

While the novel effectively balances psychological tension with character-driven storytelling, the pacing occasionally falters. Some sections delve deeply into backstory, which can slow the narrative’s momentum. Additionally, while the ending is satisfying, a few plot points could have been explored in greater detail for a more thorough resolution.

Overall, The Ghostwriter is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that blends psychological suspense with an emotional exploration of family relationships and the lingering effects of past trauma.

I was thrilled with a chance to read and review Julie Clark’s latest thriller, “Ghost Writer.”

Olivia grew up in the shadow of rumors that her father, horror writer Vincent Taylor, killed his two siblings when he was a teen. While evidence never substantiated such an accusation, the killer of Olivia’s aunt and uncle was never found. As soon as she could, Olivia left Ojai, never to look back.

Years later, Olivia is contacted by her agent about her ghost writing job—to write Vincent Taylor’s memoir. Olivia could say no—but her own career has been derailed—and she desperately needs the money. She reluctantly agrees, but when she reunites with her father, she is shocked to discover her dad is suffering from Lewey body dementia and does not have much time left to tell his story.

This story gives the reader flashes of the past as Olivia discovers information (but is it reliable) in the present. Julia Clark is a smart writer who creates captivating characters. In fact, what I enjoyed about this book as it spent time exploring Olivia’s relationship with her dad. Unlike Clark’s previous work, this story moves more slowly but for good reason.

Thank you Julia Clark, Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to give this an early read.

This is my first Julie Clark book and I can’t wait to read it more by her I found it a true page turner with many twists and turns kept me reading late into the night. #netgalley#sourcebooks

I’ve been impressed by Julie Clark’s novels over the years, and this one did not disappoint.

Olivia Dumont is a ghostwriter down on her luck. She has to pay a court settlement to her nemesis, and she can’t score any work. But when the ideal, lucrative job lands in her lap, she takes it despite it being to ghostwrite her estranged father Vincent’s memoir. He was finally going to write about the pivotal time in 1975 when his older brother Danny and younger sister Poppy were murdered in his family home.

Olivia is an interesting, secretive character. It makes some sense since she is the child of two secretive parents. I really enjoyed the multiple POVs and the time jumps back to 1975. I felt like I got a good sense of Vincent’s family back in 1975.

This was a fun ride, as all of Clark’s books are. At times, you don’t want to think too hard because a few pieces don’t make the most sense (Olivia wouldn’t talk to either of her parents for decades?). I felt that sometimes this novel circled the drain a bit too long before coming to a conclusion. Ultimately, though, I thought many elements of this were well done, and I had a great time immersing myself in the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

It publishes June 3, 2025.

The plot got a little confusing at times, but overall I found it to be an interesting and unique story of a woman trying to learn the truth of her family. In the end, I just felt sorry for everyone (except that one person we know who you are); I liked that it didn’t all tie up nicely but instead stayed messy and without exact answers.

Wow, another amazing mystery from Julie Clark! Each of her books I have read are different in content but are the same, I can't stop reading, want to see what will happen next, and just great twists and turns. Julie Clark has grabbed my attention and anything she writes I will read.
This book takes place in Ojai California a city I know of and have visited but never really thought much about. It takes place in 1975 and present day. The characters are close to my age and the events that are mentioned going on in the world I remember well. The Taylor family both in 1975 and in the present time are dysfunctional at best. Yet they are very relatable. I usually connect with at least one of the characters but for me, this story didn't have that and I didn't need it. I found. myself early on Googleing different things in the book to learn more. Like I knew what a ghostwriter was but I wanted to know more. There was much I learned from this book, that I had never even thought about before. Would I recommend this book "Absolutely yes!!" .?
Thank you to Julie Clark, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Netgalley for the ARC. This review is my personal opinion

This book grabbed me from the very first page. I knew it was going to be amazing and I was right. I read, then turned back a few pages and reread them as every scene pulled me into the lives of the characters outlined in this story. I was soaking in every word and refused to be rushed despite the urge to get to the solution. This dark, twisted journey was wonderfully written and executed in a manner I found to be highly addictive. I loved everything about this story. Ms. Clark effortlessly pulled me and kept me engaged all the way to its most satisfying conclusion. I’m on my way to check out her backlist!

I was overjoyed to receive an ARC of Julie Clark’s latest novel, “the Ghostwriter,” since I thoroughly enjoyed her previous books which tended to be fast paced thrillers with interesting settings. The summary of “the Ghostwriter” also sounded intriguing as it described a down on her luck ghostwriter, Olivia, being asked by her estranged father, a horror novelist, to help him write his memoir which would finally delve into the secrets surrounding the murder of his brother and sister in the summer of 1975.

Despite the promising premise, the book was somewhat of a disappointment. First, within the first 20% of the book, it detailed the narrator finding a dead hamster, which had suffocated to death in a box with insufficient ventilation and then went on to describe a cat being tortured and buried. The cat’s death was a significant part of the story and not done just for sensationalism, but I’m not generally in favor of novels where a cat’s violent death is a central thread of the book. For this reason alone I almost DNFd the book, but since I had agreed to write a review in exchange for an ARC of the novel, I felt obligated to continue reading.

The second aspect of the book I found disappointing was the glacial pace of the narration and the somewhat claustrophobic setting of a dilapidated guest house above a garage and a couple of rooms in her father’s house, where the narrator spent most of her time. Others who are not as sensitive about the subject of dead cats and who don’t mind a slower paced book might find this mystery entertaining.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for providing me an ARC of the novel in exchange for my honest review.

I don’t remember the last time a book gripped me so completely that I lost track of time, but The Ghostwriter did just that. I started it in the evening, thinking I’d just read a few chapters before bed—and the next thing I knew, the sun was rising. I simply had to know the truth.

The story is utterly mesmerizing, blending past and present in a way that keeps the tension simmering. Vincent Taylor is an enigma—was he a victim, or a murderer who got away with it? And Olivia? Her struggles, both with her career and her fractured relationship with her father, felt so raw and real. Watching her unravel his secrets had me holding my breath.

There were moments when I literally gasped out loud, and I couldn’t stop flipping the pages. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, Clark hit me with another twist that left me questioning everything. The eerie, atmospheric storytelling made me feel like I was right there, sifting through the darkness of the past alongside Olivia.

This is one of those rare books that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page. If you love psychological thrillers with deep emotional stakes, The Ghostwriter is an absolute must-read. Just be warned—you won’t be getting much sleep once you start!

This was a good slow burn mystery. I liked the back and forth timelines and the chapters told from Poppy and Vince's point of view. I've really enjoyed all of this author's books and will continue to read anything she puts out!

This was such a great book. It piqued my interest in so many ways. It was a great story full of lies, suspense, mystery, twists and many secrets!!

It was such a sad story and the way the characters all had a secret of their own, made this story that much better. I thought I had figured out the entire story but didn't guess correctly in a few things. It was so sad to learn about Danny and what had happened to him. It did not excuse his behavior, but knowing what happened to him, explained many things.

Poppy was such a free spirit who wanted to make a difference in the world. It saddened me to know that her life was cut so short by a predator who didn't feel any remorse. The audacity of that person staying where they were all those years later, enraged me!! Acting like nothing happened!!

I felt so bad for Vince. It seemed like out of all of them, he had the worst luck. He survived and had to live with resentment, guilt, sadness, and rage. He turned to drugs and alcohol and ultimately forgot about his daughter, Olivia. He spent so many years reliving that night, trying to figure out what truly happened to his sister. Although he knew what happened to Danny, he had to take that secret to the grave to protect someone else. It all made sense at the end.

I think the author did a great job in the development of this novel. I liked the way all characters came together in this story. I recommend to anyone who enjoys a great book with many mysteries.

This is a 4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ for me! I would definitely read it again!

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Nope, this didn't just happen

I didn't have to beg, plead, sell a kidney?

Did the book goddesses really align to bring me my most favored authors, sure to be best seller?

Julie Clark, I hang on your every word. The minute I conclude the most recent published, I start salivating, drooling, over the release of the next. There is no way I could control myself when they just keep getting better and better.

The Ghostwriter

This IS the book of the year, and you heard it here first.

Jam packed with twists and turns, you won't pick up your jaw fast enough before your gut punched with the next revelation.

Let's go people, I might be Julie Clark’s self proclaimed "hype girl" but it’s well deserved.

Check out this teaser :

From the instant New York Times bestselling author of The Last Flight and The Lies I Tell comes a dazzling new thriller.

June, 1975.

The Taylor family shatters in a single night when two teenage siblings are found dead in their own home. The only surviving sibling, Vincent, never shakes the whispers and accusations that he was the one who killed them. Decades later, the legend only grows as his career as a horror writer skyrockets.

Ghostwriter Olivia Dumont has spent her entire professional life hiding the fact that she is the only child of Vincent Taylor. Now on the brink of financial ruin, she's offered a job to ghostwrite her father's last book. What she doesn't know, though, is that this project is another one of his lies. Because it's not another horror novel he wants her to write.

After fifty years of silence, Vincent Taylor is finally ready to talk about what really happened that night in 1975.

A great twisty book full of mystery, family drama and secrets. Love this author and have enjoyed every single book she has written!

Olivia Dumont is a ghostwriter & gets assigned a job for the best selling author Vincent Taylor. Vincent was a suspect in the murder of his two siblings and he also happens to be Olivia's father. After fifty years since the murders, Vincent wants to open up and write a memoir of the events that happened that night. Olivia is hesitant but due to her financial circumstances she takes the job and does some research of her own to discover the truth. This was good and twisty! I thought it was going one way and nope totally surprise.

Olivia Dumont built a new life for herself after college; living abroad, getting married, never disclosing she is the daugther of famous writer, Vincent Taylor. Vincent Taylor was rumored to have killed his brother and sister, but was cleared. He’s requested Olivia to write his book. Olivia accepts and learns the truth. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a a copy.

Great read! Move this title to the top of your TBR pile. Author Julie Clark delivers another fast paced read with this thriller of family secrets, murder and final confessions long hidden truth.

*I received an arc of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Many thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is another fantastic read from Julie Clark!

Olivia Dumont is a ghostwriter that has spent her entire professional life hiding the fact that her father is the legendary horror author Vincent Taylor, famous not only for his novels, but for being the prime suspect in the brutal slaying of his siblings. When Victor was a teenager, both his brother and sister were brutally murdered in their home on the night of the annual summer carnival in the small California town where they lived. Legend has it that Victor was the murderer but no one was ever convicted of the crimes. After Olivia's mother left her and her father, never to return again, Victor sent Olivia off to boarding school to keep her far away from him as well. Abandoned by both her parents, Olivia knew how to build walls preventing relationships from being too close.

Olivia is in dire financial straights so when her father requests that she ghostwrite his final novel, Oliva has no choice but to acquiesce. As Olivia begins her investigation, a lot of old demons and secrets from both her father's past finally see the light of day.

This is another very well written, character driven mystery by Julie Clark! There are a lot of threads that are layered throughout the plot and a couple of twists that are incorporated in the story. I really liked the characters and had great empathy for Olivia and Vincent. One of my most favorite parts were the treasure hunts between daughter and father and how that thread was woven throughout the story. Another fantastic read!!!

This one comes out in June and I HIGHLY recommend it!!!