This book drew me in from the very beginning! It was such a fast paced thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat and reading until I could find out everything! I could not put it down and I did not want to. Diane Jeffrey knocked it out of the park with this one.

First off, always fun to read about mystery writers stuck in their own mystery, and I loved the idea that the main character was stuck in a crime that mimicked one of his own novels. It certainly raises the question of just how likely is it that a crime writer (who in this case had also been a police officer) could plan and get away with the “perfect” murder?

I just found that I kept waiting for this book to really pick up the pace and grab my attention, and that never really happened. I was also hoping at least one of the characters would really surprise me, but they were all pretty tame and a bit dull. There were a few really great chapters, but then the book would just slow down again. I guessed the twist early on, mostly because I’ve seen similar characters / twists in a number of recent books. The book is fine, just felt a little underwhelming to me.

A crime writer who is economical with the truth, his missing wife, their traumatised children, a couple of journalists who won't let the story go, a broken family, and missing pieces to the puzzle...Read it!

A crime mystery about a writer whose wife goes missing. Set between two timelines, I found the narrative pace slow and the main character Matt unbelievable in some of his behaviour.

lots of people hold secrets in the book. including the victim. and we are torn and taken back and forth between what to feel of each character and certainly what we think of the guilt and or innocence.
it was a gripping read. it did well because there is ALOT of true crime and podcaster esque thriller coming out at the moment. and just like in real life they are a struggle for me. perhaps because they do indeed hit too close to home with people being too involved and often now hinder investigations with their own need to be investigators and judge jury's.

here we have a missing woman and her husband who because of his writing crime fiction is a common suspect. in the future his wife still not find hes still obviously troubled but events and clearly focused on how to keep his children safe and content.
then we have the podcaster. who was a journo at the time and lost her way at the time. she now thinks due to remains being found that this might be her way back. enter her podcast. and enter her becoming a little too involved. when more secrets come about will she be putting herself in danger?

I enjoyed the style of writing and plot. An easy read but not that gripping. A great read for a lazy day.

I enjoyed this book but it wasn’t the gripping thriller that I’d hoped for. The ending was disappointing, and I felt the plot was rather weak with quite a few plot holes. Definitely worth a read, but nothing to get excited about. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the early copy.

The Crime Writer by Diane Jeffrey is an engrossing psychological thriller that keeps readers guessing until the very end.

In 2019, Leona Walsh, a wife and mother, disappears while jogging on Exmoor, leaving behind a mystery that captures public fascination. Suspicion immediately falls on her husband, Matthew, a celebrated crime writer. He knows how to craft the perfect crime, but did he commit one? Despite intense investigations, no trace of Leona is found, and the case eventually goes cold. Matthew, left to raise their two daughters alone, cannot escape the shadow of doubt that lingers over him.

Fast forward to 2024, when human bones are discovered in a garden. Could they be Leona’s remains? Journalist Gabriela Conti, who reported on the case five years earlier, sees an opportunity to revive the story—and her career. She is determined to uncover the truth, even if it means getting close to a man who may have gotten away with murder.

Diane Jeffrey masterfully weaves together past and present, leading the reader through a cleverly structured, multi-layered narrative. Just when you think you have figured it out, the story shifts, forcing you to reconsider everything. The pacing is gripping, and the twists are expertly placed, making it impossible to put down. The Crime Writer is an exceptionally well-written thriller that keeps you engaged, making you question every character’s motives and drawing you into the mystery until the very last page.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

When a woman goes missing when out jogging he husband falls under suspicion as he has a previous published novel with the same scenario. 5 years later the case is still unsolved when a body is found buried in the grounds of the house previously owned by the crime writer's mother. Coincidence or are we now going to learn the truth? Lots of twists in the plot including at the end. A good time thriller, readable but not for me the best

A very clever book- of course a crime writer will have "how to dispose of bodies" search on his computer and of course he could theoretically commit the perfect murder and get away with it but the police had no solid evidence when his wife disappeared 5 years ago whilst out on a run, no motive and no body.
5 years down the line a podcaster trying to make her name digs around the cold case and a series of coincidences leads Matt into trouble once more.
A great read, lots of did he? moments and a thoroughly satisfying ending!

The Crime Writer by Diane Jeffery is a story about just that a crime writer whose wife goes missing and he’s the prime suspect. His wife’s name was Leona and she was in politics and recently accused of embezzlement and Miss handling of funds. When she goes missing a fellow classmate of hers is the only one who be friends or even comes close to believing in the innocence of her husband Matt. Gaby, is the prior classmate and a journalist and she will use Leona‘s case to become a podcaster. She is there from the beginning and although her opinion of his innocence waffles, she will be surprised when more of Leona‘s secrets come out and it seems she had more to hide than her husband. I love Diana Jeffery’s crafty mysteries but I must admit this wasn’t one of them but I still found myself not wanting to put the book down. Even as the reader you will go back-and-forth as to whether he did it and there is a surprise at the end I don’t think it was big enough to carry the book but it’s still a very very enjoyable read.#NetGalley, #HGDigital, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #DianeJeffrey, #TheMysteryWriter,

Dual timelines and some of it appears as a podcast, this gripping book about Leonora’s disappearance will keep you captive until the end.

There are many twists in this book, and I would say the majority of them hit really well. I was desperate to find out the answers and felt the different types of writing intense.

You’ll need a whole weekend for this one so definitely book it off!

A griping suspenseful read. The disappearance of a crime writers wife is mysterious. Leona Walsh disappeared in 2019 . The story is told in timeliness between 2019 and five years later. . I was sure I knew who had done it until doubt crept in.. A clever suspenseful plot.

From what seems a straightforward plot at first, so many twists and turns then follow that by the end you still can’t be 100% sure what truly happened. A clever and fitting way to end the story.

This was ok as far as the story goes, it’s told partly in the present through a podcast but refers to events that happened five years previously. A woman is missing, the usual investigations are undertaken but the woman is never found. Five years later her body is dug up by people who are having a new kitchen extension. The husband- an ex policeman and crime novelist is arrested and charged. There is a twist in the tale, but his unreliability as a liar and narrator leaves you with doubt. I did at times find it heavy going and it never really gripped me that much I couldn’t put it down.

Firstly a big thank you for the early access in exchange for a review.
This was a fantastic gripping read which has you guessing what really happened .
Written in alternate timelines and narratives this enables the reader a in-depth look at the events and people involved .
Fast paced, riveting , unpredictable and a page turner .

4.5 stars rounded up to 5

This book kept me interested from start to finish. It messed with my head and I wasn't able to make my mind up about the characters and their innocence. I like an unreliable narrator, and this was done brilliantly. I just wish there was a bit more clarity at the end... I like open ended stoyris, but I was so invested I needed to know!
Overall, a grea thriller I will recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and HQ digital for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Leona Walsh goes out for her evening run but never returns. Her husband, Matthew, a crime writer of mediocre success, is frantic and distraught. The police start an investigation but after 5 years the case has gone cold.

Now bones have been exhumed from Rose Cottage. The home of Matthews mother and the house he grew up in.

After years of trying to find a link between Matthew and the *now* murder of his wife the police have again turned their gaze on him.

Journalist Gabi Conti had interviewed Matthew long ago hoping that covering the case would be her big break but after it went cold so did her career. Now with her podcast, Missing Presumed Murdered, she dives back into the investigation hoping to get answers once and for all.

Did he do it? You'll need to read this to find out.

A missing woman and a true crime podcast have become a common theme of psychological thrillers these days and, admittedly, I've grown a bit weary of the material. That said this was pretty darn good and I'm thrilled to tell you that Jeffrey's captured and kept my attention through out. Matthew was perfectly unreliable and Gabi proved to be both intelligent and relentless in her pursuit for answers. It took me until about 75% for me to start slotting the puzzle pieces together and I was correct in my conclusion. This is a thoughtful and well-crafted mystery that I think many mystery readers will enjoy. 4 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Digital for my complimentary copy.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

This was an ok read, but a bit of a disappointment for me. It did not maintain my interest throughout, it got bogged down about half way, when not much was happening and the story stuttered almost to a boring halt.
It did get going again with the help of Gabi’s podcast, and being mostly in the present day, after Leona’s disappearance. The storyline throughout was a bit weak, as was the characterisation. The only convincing characters were Lexie and Gabi, up to a point. Matt was not remotely convincing, unfortunately. There just was no depth to this story, and there were several gaping plot holes.
The ending was very disappointing, as if the author didn’t really know how best to finish her story. A huge let-down.
Unless of course she is planning a sequel?
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book.