The Ghostwriter: A Novel

OMG so good!

Everyone has family secrets they want to hide out of embarrassment, shame, or fear. For ghostwriter Olivia Dumont, her father, Vincent Taylor, is not just a horror writer but also a man suspected of killing his siblings, Poppy and Danny. Separated from him by choice, Olivia reluctantly agrees to ghostwrite his final book due to financial need. The book, a semi-autobiographical account, delves into Vincent's past through his memories, Poppy's diary, and her films. As Olivia pieces together their family's dark history, she uncovers secrets that led to tragedy and turmoil. This gripping story is so well-crafted it was hard to put down, and I highly recommend it. The narrative flow was seamless, highlighting how secrets can destroy our lives.

I would like to extend my gratitude to Netgalley and Sourcebooks/ Landmark for providing me with an advanced copy of this book for an honest review. Additionally, thank you Julie Clark for crafting such an excellent story.

Mystery / Thriller The author’s writing style, characterization, multiple POVs & timelines kept the story going at a nice pace. I was pretty sure I knew who did it, but alas I was wrong. If you like books with dysfunctional families, tragic events, heartbreak & long buried secrets, then this book is for you! I’d love to see this as a mini-series on Netflix or Prime & am very excited to read more by this author. Favorite Lines: “Life is easier if you don’t ask questions.” “It’s not a matter of what needs to be said, but how the story should be told.” “You can’t erase the past by not thinking about it.” “She was sunshine personified, and when you were around her, you felt like anything was possible.” Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark & the author for an advanced reader copy in return for an honest review.

This one grabbed me from the first chapter and didn’t let go. The writing is sharp, the pacing is strong, and the twist at the end? So good—totally caught me off guard in the best way. I loved how the layers unraveled slowly, keeping the tension high without feeling overdone. A smart, suspenseful read with depth. Highly recommend if you’re into thrillers with a strong emotional core.

📚 ARC REVIEW 🤯 GHOSTWRITER by Julie Clark 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Every family has secrets, but when your estranged, scandal-shadowed father asks you to ghostwrite his memoir and possibly his confession, you know you're about to dig up more than just skeletons in the closet. Julie Clark, who won me over instantly with "The Last Flight," returns with a slow-burning, elegantly twisted story of fractured bloodlines and buried truths just waiting to resurface. "The Ghostwriter" opens with a double murder in 1975 in Ojai, CA—Danny and Poppy Taylor are brutally killed, and their brother Vincent is left behind, both as the sole survivor and the prime suspect. Now a successful horror author battling Lewy Body Dementia, Vincent hires his estranged daughter to pen his story. She's not thrilled about it, but her bills are piling up. What unfolds is a dance between past and present that’s as gripping as a horror story. The dual timeline is flawless. Clark nails the vibe of estrangement and all the complicated emotions tied up in family baggage. The father-daughter relationship is raw and layered with betrayals and silence. Some plot twists might have you raising an eyebrow—it's not all loud and clear, but the emotion is there. The atmosphere is chilling, and the cover art is absolute perfection! If you're into dark family dramas, unreliable memories, and stories that don’t hand you all the answers, "The Ghostwriter" is calling your name. And trust me, you’ll want to listen. Thanks to the author and Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC provided via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.