I can safely say that I did not guess how this story would pan out. There are multiple twists and turns through out the novel. And a heady mix of conspiracy theories, doomsday preparers, secrets, ensures that the reader's attention does not drop for a moment.
The course of the novel also takes place over a number of years, which did become a little frustrating as it felt that so much time was spent on minor aspects of the story such as how Theo dressed, the gardening etc, but major actions and the passing of time, was mentioned in a sentence and then we moved on.

There were times when I felt that too much was packed into this book in one go. More innocent scenes were lengthened and then unexpected action would be delivered within a couple of lines. While I appreciate stories that do not draw out their ‘action’ scenes, this felt like an imbalance.

Ultimately, the story is easy to follow and has enough of an impact to keep you reading. Mac (and his family) were magnificently created characters but the main protagonist, Theo, felt a little too needy to be likeable. The ending was a hurried mess but the main plot point of the literary agency was enjoyable and original.

I wasn’t overwhelmed one way or another with this book. I didn’t love it or hate it.. It was just ok. That’s all I can really describe it as.
I’d give a 2 and a half star rating if I could but in this instance I’ll be rounding down.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I was thrilled to be sent an arc of this book! The premise sounded fantastic, and it didn't disappoint!

This was great fun. Readers who enjoyed The Woman in the Library won't be disappointed. It's smart, sassy, tongue-in-cheek, and a really wild ride in the last third of the book.

The Mystery Writer - Sulari Gentill

I had not read any previous novels by this author and nearly gave up on this one as I found it difficult to get into. But I persevered and I am glad I did as once it really got going I very much wanted to see how it all worked out.

Theo Benton comes to stay with her brother Gus in Lawrence, Kansas after giving up her law degree studies in Australia. She wants to pursue a writing career. Gus is himself a very successful lawyer. Theo settles into her daily writing at a nearby coffee shop making friends with other authors especially 0ne Dan Murdoch a successful writer who helps her with her writing and becomes her lover. When he is brutally murdered his body found by Theo, the police suspect Theo of his murder.

Gus and his friend and work colleague Mac are drawn into this in an attempt to deal with the police and media before Theo is convicted of something she didn't do. Unfortunately further murders occur and Gus and Mac are now in the frame for these as well as Theo.

The story contains conspiracy theories, doomsday preparers and basically a whole array of convoluted scenarios which at times felt too much and certainly became somewhat confusing especially when Theo goes missing for some years. I did work out who or what was behind it all but not how or why.

Overall it was worth reading although at times a struggle but I would definitely try some of her other works.

Thank you to Net galley for an advanced copy.

Another great read from a great author and a brilliant publisher. So happy to be auto-approved by them.

A fantastic mystery thriller which will keep you hooked until the end

The Mystery Writer by is a thrilling mystery novel that follows Theodosia Benton as she changes careers and is now focusing on becoming a writer . When her writing mentor, Dan Murdoch, is murdered, she becomes the prime suspect.
Overall, I found this to be an engaging and entertaining read, with plenty of suspense and intrigue to keep me hooked.

Such a great thriller mystery book. I freely admit it was amazing. Such great read and I would recommend this.

This was a very unusual mystery! Overall I enjoyed trying to figure out what was happening, even though the pacing was a little uneven and it took me a while to get into the flow of the story. It required quite a lot of suspension of disbelief on my part - I just can't see how an intelligent young lady could fail to question some of the stiplulations insisted upon by her propective book agent - but once I accepted the story on its own terms I found it very enjoyable indeed.

This was definitely a page turner and an absolutely wild ride near the end. If you want to be transported to a world filled with conspiracy theories, murder and mayhem, this is the book for you!

This was not what I thought it was going to be. I wrongly assumed it would be witty and sharp but it isn't. If you like doom and gloom this is the book for you

I really enjoyed the first 75% of this book, and it was easily a 4 or 4.5 star. The murder mystery mixed with the conspiracy plot was so interesting and I really most of the characters, including the members of Mac’s family.

Then the book does a couple of time jumps, which gave it a completely different feel, and the ending was just too unbelievable for me.

A mystery wrapped in another mystery wrapped in an eccentric retro package - this was a strange little novel full of charm and bloody murder.

We meet Theo after a bad time that was certainly not a breakdown and watch as she slowly builds up a new life with her brother and some new friends before it all tumbles down - little moments of bliss and watching relationships grow that really set the scene before the intensity kicks in and our quiet writer becomes an amateur homicide detective in all sorts of absurd situations. At times Theo’s naivety and unawareness of the dangers around her made me endlessly frustrated - I almost gave up on him; but then she kind of grew on me in a way in a femme fatale, film noir way but also in the way that people sometimes just don’t see what’s glaring obvious in front of them.

The narration was an eclectic mix of long trains of thoughts or conversations with running sentences and intense dramatic scenes with snippets of articles and social media sprinkled in - at times it felt a little jarring but it definitely gave a real sense of getting into Theo’s mind and going through it with her.

This gives me almost classic slasher film vibes, think Misery meets NCIS. A standard whodunnit but with an intriguing sepia-toned lens to make something very entertaining.

Theo Benton gives up law school in Australia and goes to stay with her brother, Gus, in Kansas. She wants to be a writer and goes every day to a coffee shop to work on her manuscript where she meets acclaimed writer, Dan Murdoch. Before long, Murdoch is murdered and Theo is the main suspect.

What I liked about this book: I love books which are about writers, the process of writing and publishing, so for me the first part of the book, which focuses on these things, is very entertaining.

What I didn't like: I hate conspiracy theories and find them dangerous and divisive so the parts of the book dealing with these were not so good. I also have no time for preppers, those people who arm themselves to the teeth and prepare for a doomsday scenario. I appreciate that the author was satirising them and there were parts that were a bit amusing but for the most part this was a real turn off.

Overall, this was a mixed bag for me. Some parts I loved, others I hated. I think this really wasn't my type of book but I''m sure there are people out there who will love it. Thanks to NetGalley and the published for the ARC.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Ultimo Press for an advance copy of The Mystery Writer, a stand-alone set in Lawrence, Kansas.

Theo(dosia) Benton runs away from her law studies in Canberra to stay with her brother, Gus, in Lawrence and try to realise her dream of becoming a writer. She befriends Dan Murdoch, a famous author, in a local cafe bar and he helps her on her way until he is murdered and she becomes the prime suspect. Clearing her name uncovers some shadowy figures, motives and organisations, not to mention danger.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Mystery Writer, which is a fun read with some dark undertones that will not be unfamiliar to present day readers. The novel is told from three main points of view, Theo, Gus and their friend Mac Etheridge and, to add to the fun, many of the chapters are prefaced by excerpts from conspiracy theory forums.

The plot is fairly silly with murders, conspiracies and fit ups involved, so it’s not to be taken seriously. Despite this I found it highly entertaining, couldn’t put it down and read it in one sitting. The author has a keen eye in her portrayal of the conspiracy theorists and preppers and while I know that there are plenty of believers the preposterousness of it all made me laugh. I’m not ready for a world without mod cons - it seems like too much effort. Still, having said that, the conspiracy theorists are not as wide of the mark in general terms as they first seem and that is the lovely irony of the novel. The plot is clever and has enough to say, which, coupled with an engaging writing style, keeps the reader turning the pages.

For someone who has lived the life experiences Theo Benton has and has half a law degree she is remarkably naive. I understand that the plot hinges on this but it didn’t stop me wanting to give her a good shake when she unquestioningly takes everyone at their word.

The Mystery Writer is a fun read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

There was a lot going on in this novel and I did feel lost at points. I did enjoy the mystery for the most part,

DNF - I love the cover art but that is about it. The writing is undercooked & shallow; the plot itself is entirely revealed in the synopsis so there is very little to discover in the story. The book will be appreciated by a similar audience as those who enjoyed the authors other books.

The latest in Sulari Gentill's meta-mysteries, The Mystery Writer is a thrilling tale of an aspiring writer who finds herself the centre of intense online speculation following the death of her writing mentor.

While the third-act twists threaten to derail things, Gentill more than sticks the landing, combining a classic whodunnit with a darker conspiracy thriller, and infusing the players with warmth and snark. Smart and enjoyable, The Mystery Writer is a fun standalone read well worth pursuing.

After "The Woman in the library" I didn't have high expectations, but I was hoping for some fun. Unfortunately "The Mystery Writer" didn't deliver even in that department, as the fun was lost somewhere between main character naivete, some weird misconceptions about the publishing world and ridiculous time jumps that completely ruined the 3rd act for me.
I couldn't get over the scene where the main character is offered a representation by a literary agency that is so blatantly evil, my teeth hurt that the protagonist couldn't see it. The agent told her that she had to give up all of her social media and contacts and basically hand her personal live over to the agency. That should ring a flashing alarm in her head, but she just assumed that's normal? I couldn't like Theo, as she was soooo oblivious to how publishing work - nowadays it's expected from writers to run their own promotional campaigns using their private social media channels, so an agency trying to cut you off from all social contacts and the internet should give you a major red flag.
The pace of the whole thing was off, especially when the main character suddenly disappears for two years in the middle of the 3rd act.
And the final reveal explaining what was the villain's plan was simply ridiculous. I actually laughed out loud when I read it.

Supremely Satisfying..
Another cleverly woven and wonderfully constructed mystery of many threads from this very talented author who never, ever fails to please. A mystery within a mystery within a mystery as our protagonist Theo determines to solve a murder, but does not fully appreciate the complications that lie way too close to home, in the bookish world of writing and novelists. Masterfully done, perfectly presented and supremely satisfying.