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melissa_b_67 's review for:
The Ghostwriter
by Julie Clark
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an ARC of The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark in exchange for my honest review.
I love a twisty mystery when I need something propulsive and my brain wants to work through a puzzle. I am a fan of Julie Clark’s previous books. So, I was very excited to get my eyes on The Ghostwriter.
Olivia Dumont, a well-regarded ghostwriter, who unfortunately has gotten herself into some financial hot water, has no other choice, but to ghostwrite her estranged father’s memoir. However, if that wasn’t complicated enough, Olivia’s dad, Vincent, has been the long-time suspected killer of his two siblings Danny and Poppy, who were murdered in their teens, back in 1975. Cue the eerie music!
Told in alternating timelines and POVs, with present day in the voice of Olivia, and past timeline narrators moving between Vincent and Poppy, the mystery that has haunted Olivia and the small town where the murders occurred for decades, slowly unravels.
This story was both a slow-burn and a page turner. It was one of those books where most of the chapters were the perfect length, and I could tell myself, just one more chapter, before setting it down again. Additionally, the alternating POVs and timelines kept me engaged, even when the chapters didn’t necessarily propel the plot forward.
I was fully invested in what led to the deaths of Danny and Poppy. I found Poppy’s voice and POV to be quite compelling. In my opinion, her character was the most fleshed out and had the most authentic voice. More character and plot development of Olivia, Vincent and Danny would have enriched my reading. Within Poppy’s chapters there was always something new to learn, whereas with the other POVs I felt there was some repetition in the narrative storytelling.
Suspenseful reveals, twists and red herrings kept me interested throughout. Although, I made some pretty good guesses, nevertheless, I found myself trying to wrap my head around the ending.
If you enjoy the nostalgia embedded in a 1975 summer setting, and go into this dark and haunting family mystery knowing it’s a bit of a slow burn, you will want to add this to beach bag.
I love a twisty mystery when I need something propulsive and my brain wants to work through a puzzle. I am a fan of Julie Clark’s previous books. So, I was very excited to get my eyes on The Ghostwriter.
Olivia Dumont, a well-regarded ghostwriter, who unfortunately has gotten herself into some financial hot water, has no other choice, but to ghostwrite her estranged father’s memoir. However, if that wasn’t complicated enough, Olivia’s dad, Vincent, has been the long-time suspected killer of his two siblings Danny and Poppy, who were murdered in their teens, back in 1975. Cue the eerie music!
Told in alternating timelines and POVs, with present day in the voice of Olivia, and past timeline narrators moving between Vincent and Poppy, the mystery that has haunted Olivia and the small town where the murders occurred for decades, slowly unravels.
This story was both a slow-burn and a page turner. It was one of those books where most of the chapters were the perfect length, and I could tell myself, just one more chapter, before setting it down again. Additionally, the alternating POVs and timelines kept me engaged, even when the chapters didn’t necessarily propel the plot forward.
I was fully invested in what led to the deaths of Danny and Poppy. I found Poppy’s voice and POV to be quite compelling. In my opinion, her character was the most fleshed out and had the most authentic voice. More character and plot development of Olivia, Vincent and Danny would have enriched my reading. Within Poppy’s chapters there was always something new to learn, whereas with the other POVs I felt there was some repetition in the narrative storytelling.
Suspenseful reveals, twists and red herrings kept me interested throughout. Although, I made some pretty good guesses, nevertheless, I found myself trying to wrap my head around the ending.
If you enjoy the nostalgia embedded in a 1975 summer setting, and go into this dark and haunting family mystery knowing it’s a bit of a slow burn, you will want to add this to beach bag.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Dementia, Grief, Gaslighting
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Pedophilia, Rape, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Abortion, Pregnancy