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A review by shelbyanoel
The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Mystery Writer drew me in quickly. Theo's character challenged the possibility and the idea of abandoning the expectations imposed on society to pursue a bigger dream of being a published author. The potential of partnering with a well-known and very powerful publishing company to be published with her transcript, while also questioning if it was the "right" thing to do as suspicious as it sounded.
Very quick into the story Theo gets involved in a writing group and jumps in heart first with a writer who is older than her. Dan Murdoch a best selling author, who has taken an interest in Theo and her writing. Shortly after their infatuation and exchange with each other Dan is murdered. Forced to mourn and put the pieces together of his death, Theo, Mac, and Gus are in it trying to unravel the pieces. Throw in more and more conspiracy theorists, a large online social-media presence that have a force and add a chaotic reality of how vulnerable we can be. Theo continues to stumble upon body and murder after murder, fearing that she is next. Forced to think about her actions of what her "publishing dream" was she commits herself to find the source and still stay safe.
The timeline and plot unfolding made me guess who was the person/people behind the murders, what their reasoning was, and what thread was woven throughout as a bigger message. All in all, the influence of fictional narratives over people can cause serious control. Selling people with ideas of distrust of the education system, media, food, or people has an influence and actually relevant in our day to day lives.
The Mystery Writer causes us to question what to believe and who to believe in society as a whole. Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, Sulari Gentill, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this thrilling and quick paced ARC.
Very quick into the story Theo gets involved in a writing group and jumps in heart first with a writer who is older than her. Dan Murdoch a best selling author, who has taken an interest in Theo and her writing. Shortly after their infatuation and exchange with each other Dan is murdered. Forced to mourn and put the pieces together of his death, Theo, Mac, and Gus are in it trying to unravel the pieces. Throw in more and more conspiracy theorists, a large online social-media presence that have a force and add a chaotic reality of how vulnerable we can be. Theo continues to stumble upon body and murder after murder, fearing that she is next. Forced to think about her actions of what her "publishing dream" was she commits herself to find the source and still stay safe.
The timeline and plot unfolding made me guess who was the person/people behind the murders, what their reasoning was, and what thread was woven throughout as a bigger message. All in all, the influence of fictional narratives over people can cause serious control. Selling people with ideas of distrust of the education system, media, food, or people has an influence and actually relevant in our day to day lives.
The Mystery Writer causes us to question what to believe and who to believe in society as a whole. Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, Sulari Gentill, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this thrilling and quick paced ARC.