BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Death Of A Ghostwriter' by Gaynor Torrance

HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY GAYNOR!!

This may be the first book I have read by this incredible author but it most certainly will not be my last!! It is also the first book in Gaynor's brand new 'Wye Valley Widows' series and what an absolutely fantastic start to a new series it is!!!

Wow!!!! Just flipping wow!!!! What an absolutely epic page turner!!! Well done Gaynor!!! How on Earth have I never read any of your books before? I mean especially considering we are both Welsh ladies I am ashamed of myself that it had taken me this long to discover your books but I am just so glad that I have rectified that mistake now with this absolute cracker of a book! Absolutely smashed it!!!!!!!

This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions creating the perfect atmosphere for the storyline. The book cover and synopsis works perfectly with the book plot and I am most definitely looking forward to reading the next book, and the previous one in this series.

Well I have got to admit that one of the best things about this brilliant page turner for myself is the fact that it is set in Wales and what an absolutely stunning part of Wales to set a book in!! I genuinely could not think of a more beautiful and picturesque location that the Wye Valley!!! If you have never visited the Wye Valleys then after reading this book, yes even though it is a cosy crime, you are going to want to pack your bags and go. It is such a beautiful place and anytime myself and my partner get a date night away from the children we love to book into a hotel nearby as I just love the area! I also realised after I had finished reading this book and went on and looked up the author that Gaynor herself lives in Wales!! Well, being a Welshie myself I love discovering Welsh authors and Welsh authors that have written an amazing and addictive book such as this just goes to show that Wales definitely has some talent!!! I have absolutely no idea how this is the first time I have read one of this incredible author's books but I am so glad I have rectified that problem and I cannot wait to get hooked into more books by Gaynor, especially the next book in this series which I am seriously hoping that she is writing as I type this as I needed it yesterday!! With an absolutely brilliant storyline ram packed with humour, stunning settings, clues, twists, turns, humour, mystery, friendship and everything and much more that you could ever ask for in a cosy crime what are you waiting for??? This book is an absolutely addictive, humorous, cosy, page turning and compelling storyline in what promises to be an absolutely amazing series!! It has so many layers of mysteries and crimes for the reader to be kept guessing throughout. MJ has also included A Glossary of English Usage for US Readers which I thought was a fantastic idea. Although I am Welsh and did not need it I should imagine it would definitely come in handy for those not from the UK so well done Gaynor for considering this!! As I may have mentioned, love the fact that this is set in the Wye Valleys which is definitely a first for me so well done to Gaynor on a brilliant unique read in a unique location!! This fantastic murder mystery is absolutely packed with twists, turns and red herrings throughout I had no idea who the killer was and I was gob smacked when their identity is finally revealed!! I would never have seen that one coming!! This is an achievement in itself as it is definitely getting harder to surprise me with the amount of crime novels I've read so a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Gaynor!!! The plot was unique and realistic and Gaynor's brilliant descriptions brings absolutely everything to life in front of your eyes from the characters to the mystery to the surroundings. It started straight in the action and kept you going on a roller-coaster ride of humour and mystery throughout. I won't mention those as not to spoil it for future readers. It is so hard to not say too much without giving anything away to future readers . Well done Gaynor you did absolutely amazing and everything was tied up perfectly. The twists and turns in this book left me going from one chapter to another!!! I completely devoured it in one sitting as I just could not put it down. I just could not put this book down and I cannot wait to read more books in this series!!!

Before you start this make sure you clear your schedule because once you pick it up you are not going to want to put it down!!!!

The characters were very realistic, multi layered and well rounded and again their personalities reflected the storyline and how they would act, etc perfectly. The descriptions gave a really good in depth view of how the characters were feeling and what they were thinking. They were complex and each seemed to be hiding their own secrets which leaves you questioning who is telling the truth and who can be trusted. They all also had their own unique personalities with individual flaws, quirks, secrets, strengths and weaknesses!! I loved meeting Sylvie, Harriet and Liz and cannot wait to meet them again in the next book in this series as they very quickly came to feel like friends!! I don't want to say too much about the characters though and I will leave you to read this amazing book and work it out yourself. I will say that it was not just Sylvie, Harriet and Liz that I enjoyed meeting and became completely invested in but also the rest of the characters that we meet too. I could literally go on and on but I am going to wrap it up here so I do not bore you too much! Each of the characters were well developed, unique and thanks to Gaynor's fantastic evocative writing skills they all came to life before my eyes. However, whether you love or hate these characters, they all have their own strong unique personalities and they all bring the story to life playing their roles perfectly.

Congratulations Gaynor Torrance on a fantastic success and here's to the next addictive and unique book in this absolutely epic series!!! This is exactly why I would like to welcome you to my favourite authors club!!!

Overall an absolute must read, hilarious, compelling, addictive page turning book that will keep you addicted.

#DeathOfAGhostwriter #WyeValleyWidows #GaynorTorrance #JoffeBooks #BooksOnTour #ZooLoosBookTours

@GaynorTorrance @JoffeBooks @ZooLoosBT


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What a messy situation - and it makes for an entertaining read. Following an unexpected death, even more unexpected events lead to an unlikely teaming up of women seeking to solve a murder. I enjoyed the more ridiculous aspects of the story and the author leaned into those really well with the dialogue and relationships between the women.

A super-silly but very entertaining crime/mystery story. The whole book is a hoot from beginning to end, the perfect read for a bit of escapism on a summers day. Great fun!

Highly entertaining, cute, well plotted and original: I thoroughly enjoyed the story of this man, his multiple wives, and the surprising secrets and multiple wives.
Some characters are more interesting, some a bit flat.
4.5 upped to 5
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is a fun cozy mystery with a premise that immediately caught my eye. The idea of a man living a triple life and the three unsuspecting wives coming together to solve his murder? Intriguing! I really wanted to love it.

Unfortunately, it didn’t quite work for me the way I’d hoped. While the setup was strong and had a lot of potential, the dynamic between the wives didn’t feel as cohesive or believable as I wanted. Their teamwork lacked the charm and chemistry that would’ve really pulled the story together for me. Still, the mystery itself had its moments, and if you enjoy lighthearted murder investigations, it’s worth checking out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The fact that a man married 3 women and the women banded together to solve his murder and determining one of them was the black widow was the most fictitious part of the book for me. The amount of effort these women put it to get to the truth after learning that their lives were lies, is insane. I was just shocked throughout the book.
The mystery was pretty obvious with them zeroing in on the suspect pretty early on with their unsual interest in the other wife.

A fun and cozy crime read. Not one of my favourites unfortunately, I read a lot of this sort of genre in between slightly more intense reads, but this one didn’t grip me as much as usual.
Still a fun palette cleanser which is quick and easy to read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc

Death of a Ghostwriter is a cozy mystery that delivers an entertaining, if slightly uneven, story of deception, unexpected friendships, and amateur sleuthing. The novel kicks off with the shocking death of Albert Franklynn in a suspicious car accident. But the real twist comes when his wife, Sylvie, arrives at the morgue—only to find two other women also claiming to be Albert’s spouse. As the dust settles, it becomes clear that Albert wasn’t just a loving husband—he was a serial liar leading multiple lives. And someone wanted him dead.

Despite their initial shock and heartbreak, Sylvie and one of Albert’s other widows, Liz, form an unlikely alliance to uncover the truth. With the police dragging their feet, the women take matters into their own hands, determined to find out who killed Albert—and why. Along the way, they navigate a tangled web of secrets, hidden identities, and a social circle full of potential suspects.

The premise of the novel is undeniably intriguing, and the dynamic between the three women is one of its biggest strengths. Their reluctant camaraderie evolves into genuine friendship, adding warmth and humor to the story. The small village setting of Monksworthy, with its charming tea shops and nosy neighbors, creates the perfect backdrop for a cozy mystery.

However, the pacing is uneven. The book starts off strong with its jaw-dropping revelation, but the momentum slows as the focus shifts to the women’s frequent meetings, where they discuss pastries almost as much as they do the case. While their friendship is enjoyable to watch unfold, it sometimes overshadows the mystery itself. The police presence in the investigation also feels oddly absent, making the amateur sleuthing seem a little too easy at times.

Additionally, given the title, I expected the "ghostwriter" aspect to play a more significant role in the plot. Instead, it remains more of a background detail, which felt like a missed opportunity. The final resolution, while satisfying, comes together a bit too quickly, leaving some loose ends that could have been explored further.

Overall, Death of a Ghostwriter is an enjoyable, lighthearted read perfect for fans of cozy mysteries, especially those who love character-driven plots and an element of humor. While the execution has its flaws, the central mystery and the dynamic between the widows make it an entertaining ride. If the series continues, I’d be curious to see how these women tackle another case—perhaps with a bit more balance between the mystery and the tea shop chatter.

Albert is dead, killed in a car accident.

Sylvie can't believe her beloved husband on nearly 40 years, Bertie, is gone, but that's not the only surprise. Albert was murdered, and he had a double, no, make that a triple, life. Sylvie, along with her best friend Liz and one of Albert's other wives join together to uncover the mysteries of Albert's life and death.

This was not my normal go to book, but was a cute and fun quick read. I started it on a Tuesday evening and finished it on Wednesday evening.

I enjoyed Sylvie and her interactions with the other characters. If was fun to see the ladies jump head first into solving Albert's mysteries and get into shenanigans along the way. I didn't really feel like there were that many surprises or big reveals that I didn't see coming before they happened.

I definitely wouldn't put this book to the top of your TBR if you've got other books calling your name, but if you are between books, this is a quick light-hearted read that I found enjoyable.

If you like books that take totally unexpected turns, as I do, you are going to enjoy this read. Albert dies in a car crash. His widow is brought to the morgue to identify him. And his other widow. And his other widow. Yes, Bertie has been a busy boy but it all catches up to him when he meets his match in a Black Widow. Wife #1 Sylv and wife #2 Hannah should hate each other but after the initial shock wears off, they discover they have more in common than a polygamous husband.

The two women bond and not only support each other through the chaos Albert has left them but also realize that they need to find his killer because the police do not seem to be getting anywhere. Complicating things a bit is Simon, twin of Liz who becomes the third musketeer. He is a police officer but not on the case. But these are incredibly resourceful women who can call upon friends to help weed through the lies and deceits to stop a serial murderer.

The book held me from beginning to end and I loved the relationships of the three women and those lucky enough to call them friends. Five purrs and two paws up.

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the ARC

An unlikely trio of sleuthes teams up to solve a murder. When their husband dies two widows shows up to identify his body and simultaneously finds out about each other. Then they team up to see who actually killed their husband and why. A cozy mystery for sure. It was a bit far fetch but it was funny and entertaining.

After her husband dies in a car crash Sylvie discovers that he had two other wives. Along with one of the wives, and her best friend she sets out to try and find out all about his secret life. While this is not bad as far as cozy mysteries go, and you definitely shouldn't expect them to be realistic, certain things just seem to be far fetched, even more than usual. If you found out that your spouse had another wife/husband would you instantly become best friends with this person and invite them to stay in your house?

4.5 stars~
Imagine waiting on your husband to come home, only to have the police arrive to tell you that they were at the scene of his car accident and he is deceased, then you show up to the morgue and find out that not only is there another wife, younger than you, but also another much younger wife who seems to have disappeared, and who may be the suspect in your husband's death. Would you be able to put aside the hurt and pain and work with the second 'wife', to find out what happened to your errant husband? Sylvie does just that, and as the two actually become friends, they find out that their husband lied to all of them about a great many things and they need to find his new wife asap. A fun cozy, I can see this turning into a fun TV series!

Sleuthing Trio..
The death of Albert Franklynn comes as a shock to his wife, and now widow, Sylvie - but when three grieving widows turn up to identify his body, the shock trebles. As clear as it that Franklynn has been less than a devoted husband, the three women turn their attention to his more than mysterious death. So begins an unexpected and unlikely sleuthing trio. An enjoyable mystery with a frothy plot populated with a well crafted cast of characters in a well imagined village setting. A promising start to a new series.

This didn't really fell like a mystery, but it was certainly a very cozy read for the winter months. All the twists felt a little forced, and that took away from the general appeal of the book. I would have liked one more specific and intense twist rather that the multiple ones this read provided. Overall I would recommend this more as an easy book to read cuddled in a blanked rather than the listed mystery/thriller categorization.

This was a good start to a new series. The characters are engaging and likeable and make a good start to an interesting partnership.. The story has several twists and an interesting plot however it did feel like there were too many unbelievable surprises and the end felt a little rushed but a good start. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

"Death of a Ghostwriter" is a delightful, cozy mystery, perfect for fans of "The Thursday Murder Club." The story follows the investigation of a murder and a mystery surrounding Albert, a man who wasn't who he claimed to be. Three women take on the case, and in classic Miss Marple style, they set out to solve it. This book is well-written, with a charming plot, making it ideal for those who enjoy mysteries without blood and gore. Set against a classic British backdrop, the story unfolds smoothly, with the author providing a thorough and clear narrative from start to finish. There are no plot holes, and everything is precise and concise. While some might find this straightforward approach a bit dull, if you appreciate good writing and clear storylines, this book is perfect for you.

Thanks to Joffe Books and Net Galley for this ARC. After about 4 chapters i thought about giving up and i'm so glad i didn't. This ended up being a really funny novel. The characters are great, the plot was ok, not much of a mystery but a very good cozy light read. I do hope this isn't just a one off

This was my first Cozy mystery. It kept me entertained and couldn’t wait to turn the page. Just when i think i had it figured out BAM! PLOT TWIST! Very well written!

I enjoyed this cozy mystery featuring three women in a small English town. Sylvie and Liz are long time friends and business partners. When Sylvie’s husband dies in an accident, she finds out he had two other wives. One of them, Harriet, becomes friends with Sylvie and Liz as they try to work out what happened. I liked the characters, and thought the story was fun to read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.