The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill
A literary thriller about an aspiring writer who meets and falls in love with her literary idol—only to find him murdered the day after she gave him her manuscript to read.
There’s nothing easier to dismiss than a conspiracy theory—until it turns out to be true
When Theodosia Benton abandons her career path as an attorney and shows up on her brother’s doorstep with two suitcases and an unfinished novel, she expects to face a few challenges. Will her brother support her ambition or send her back to finish her degree? What will her parents say when they learn of her decision? Does she even have what it takes to be a successful writer?
What Theo never expects is to be drawn into a hidden literary world in which identity is something that can be lost and remade for the sake of an audience. When her mentor, a highly successful author, is brutally murdered, Theo wants the killer to be found and justice to be served. Then the police begin looking at her brother, Gus, as their prime suspect, and Theo does the unthinkable in order to protect him. But the writer has left a trail, a thread out of the labyrinth in the form of a story. Gus finds that thread and follows it, and in his attempt to save his sister he inadvertently threatens the foundations of the labyrinth itself. To protect the carefully constructed narrative, Theo Benton, and everyone looking for her, will have to die.
Review:
I received an advance galley of this book courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In Sulari Gentill’s novel “The Mystery Writer,” readers are taken on an exhilarating journey into a world where conspiracy theories become a chilling reality. Gentill took an interesting approach to the literary world and the power of words, crafting a narrative that kept me turning the pages.
The story follows protagonist Theodosia Benton, who makes the daring decision to abandon her university studies in Australia and move to the United States to live with her brother to pursue her passion for writing. Armed with only a few belongings and an unfinished novel, she arrives at her brother’s doorstep, uncertain of the challenges that await her. All she wants to do is try her hand at writing a book, but what unfolds is far more than she bargained for.
Theo soon finds herself entangled in a clandestine world of conspiracy theories where narratives and personas are carefully constructed and controlled until freedom is just as mysterious as those who control it. When her mentor, a highly successful author, is brutally murdered, Theo becomes determined to seek justice – however, her world crumbles when she and her brother become the prime suspects in the investigation. In a desperate bid to clear their names, Theo embarks on a treacherous path that threatens not only her own life but also the lives of anyone who knows her. Who knew her simple dream of becoming a published author would be so dangerous?
Gentill’s ability to seamlessly blend the worlds of literature and conspiracy theories is remarkable, resulting in a novel that defies genre boundaries. I’ve never read a book like this before, and I found myself completely captivated. Several times, I questioned what was happening and what the author was attempting to achieve, but in the end, it paid off.
The author’s exploration of themes of control is particularly captivating. The narrative delves deep into the idea that books can be weaponized, used to manipulate, and destroy lives – and to an extent – the safety of our country. This chilling concept raises thought-provoking questions about the responsibility of authors and publishers and the potential consequences of their creations.
One of the novel’s strengths lies in its well-developed and complex characters. Theo Benton is a multifaceted protagonist, full of determination and grit. Her dedication to justice and protecting her loved ones makes her a relatable and sympathetic character. Supporting characters, such as Theo’s brother Gus and his best friend and PI Mac, add depth and intrigue to the narrative, further immersing readers into the intricate web of lies and secrets.
Another thing that I liked about this book was it could have gone in so many directions, and it almost seemed as though the plot could crumble at any moment, but the author adeptly kept things on track and wrapped things up in a satisfying way. I had my suspicions of who/what was behind everything, and while some of them played out, there were a few surprises along the way.
My only gripe with this one was there were a few chapters about 2/3 of the way in that felt rushed and almost unnecessary to the overall plot. This is a small gripe, though, and it in no way ruined my enjoyment of the book.
With its gripping storyline, multifaceted characters, and thought-provoking themes, this is a must-read for fans of mysteries and literary fiction. This one had me on the edge of my seat until the very last page.
