The Ghostwriter: A Novel

Olivia Dumont, the estranged daughter of famed novelist Vincent Taylor, is hired to ghostwrite what she thinks is a novel, only to discover it's a memoir about the long‑ago murders of his siblings, which he’s never publicly admitted to. Decades after the tragedy, Vincent’s memory is unreliable due to being diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, forcing Olivia to piece together truth from his fragmented recollections. As Olivia digs deeper, she confronts disturbing secrets, twisted loyalties, and the legacy of silence that has haunted her family, and herself since childhood. Ultimately, her writing becomes a reckoning: with the question of whether the real story can ever truly be told. I binged The Ghostwriter after letting it sit on my shelf since it was published in June, and honestly, I don’t know why I waited so long?! I’m glad it became my book club’s August pick because The Ghostwriter pulled me in fast. It starts as a slow burn, which I will say you need to be patient about- but once Olivia begins putting the pieces together, the truth comes spilling out. I was so eager to find out what happened to Vincent's siblings! I first discovered Julie Clark through The Last Flight, and I’m happy to say The Ghostwriter delivered exactly what I was hoping for. It had all the tension, mystery, and that satisfying payoff. I am so happy this book is so amazing bc I purchased the special edition with the sprayed edges 😊🔥 Trigger warnings: child abuse, domestic violence, alcoholism, neglect, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, murder, violence

I wasn’t sure about this book at first but it really grew on me. I don’t think there is a character in this book that is not dysfunctional. One of the most frustrating things about this book is that a hell of a lot could be cleared up if they’d just talk to each other. So many secrets. So many lies. So much darkness. Solving (sort of) a 50 year old crime with little to go on. A very satisfying ending.

I loved this book. The writing was amazing. I loved the storyline and the characters. I could have used another 100 pages. I need a sequel.

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.