The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark
on June 3, 2025
Genres: Fiction / Thrillers / Psychological, Fiction / Thrillers / Suspense, Fiction / Women
Pages: 368
Format: ARC
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Julie Clark’s The Ghostwriter is a haunting, slow-burn mystery that sinks its hooks in gradually—and then refuses to let go. Told through dual POVs and timelines, the novel weaves together the present-day perspective of Olivia Dumont, a ghostwriter hiding from a notorious past, and the harrowing summer of 1975, when her family was shattered by a double homicide that still casts a long, dark shadow.
Olivia, the daughter of infamous thriller author Vincent Taylor, has spent her career avoiding the spotlight her father’s legacy brought her. But on the brink of financial collapse, she agrees—reluctantly—to ghostwrite his final book. What begins as a professional obligation quickly turns personal, forcing Olivia to confront not only her father’s demons but her own fractured memories of a family ripped apart by violence.
The strength of The Ghostwriter lies in its layered storytelling. The 1975 timeline immerses readers in the lead-up to the brutal murders of Olivia’s uncle Danny and aunt Poppy. Poppy’s voice, especially, shines—bold, intelligent, and emotionally resonant. Her chapters were the standout for me, filled with heart and an urgency that deepens the tragedy we know is coming.
Vincent, as both a character and narrator, is a fascinating study in unreliability. His chapters drip with tension, and you can never quite tell what’s truth, what’s self-justification, and what’s omission. That murkiness keeps the suspense high, and I found myself constantly questioning everyone’s motives and memories.
The pacing starts slow, but once the characters are established, the narrative momentum kicks in—and doesn’t stop. Clark masterfully builds tension, offering just enough clues to make you feel like you’re on the brink of understanding—only to drop a twist that reshapes everything. At one point, I was so wrapped up in the drama and mystery that I was literally talking (okay, yelling) at the characters. The emotional stakes are high, and the family drama unfolds with a cinematic quality that makes this read feel like it belongs on screen.
Though I thought I had some of the plot figured out, the final reveals had me second-guessing everything. The ending was gripping, and I flew through the last third of the book, desperate to uncover the truth behind Danny and Poppy’s deaths.
If you’re in the mood for a character-driven mystery filled with emotional complexity, long-buried secrets, and a satisfyingly twisty payoff, The Ghostwriter delivers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me an eARC of this wonderfully satisfying mystery/thriller.
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