This book was one of those special circumstances that aligned into the perfect reading experience. I first saw this as a banner ad on Goodreads and the cover caught my eye right away. Heading to the book page on Goodreads to check out the little blurb about this book, only further made me add this to my TBR list right way:
June, 1975.
The Taylor family shatters in a single night when two teenage siblings are found dead in their own home. The only surviving sibling, Vincent, never shakes the whispers and accusations that he was the one who killed them. Decades later, the legend only grows as his career as a horror writer skyrockets.
Ghostwriter Olivia Dumont has spent her entire professional life hiding the fact that she is the only child of Vincent Taylor. Now on the brink of financial ruin, she’s offered a job to ghostwrite her father’s last book. What she doesn’t know, though, is that this project is another one of his lies. Because it’s not another horror novel he wants her to write.
After fifty years of silence, Vincent Taylor is finally ready to talk about what really happened that night in 1975.
On y family’s annual trip to the bookstore to purchase new books for our traditional Icelandic Christmas in July, I saw this featured in the New & Noteworthy section. Of course I spent so much time looking at all my options but my mind kept coming back to this book. Finally I decided to take a chance. I had never heard of Julie Clark before and shockingly none of my #Booksky buddies had read this already so I was going in semi blind. I was pleasantly surprised when I got to the check out and noticed the amazing sprayed edges of this Hardcover Edition. Apparently I was clueless when I picked it up.
First time sitting down with this for our family event, I read 79 pages and completely lost myself in the story. After, I kept thinking about this book and what the real truth could be. There is little revealed throughout the book until the end which is frustrating in the best possible way. It’s kind of a slow burn if you will.
Sure, I love being the omnipotent reader who knows all and watches as the character figures it out, but in this case the reader is learning right along with Olivia. This caused all kinds of theories to pop in and out of my head. I was certain I had this book figured out 150 pages in and kept to my explanation until the very final reveal. All I will say is I was wrong and I should have known better.
The characters are very well written and I loved learning even more about their damaged pasts as well as how they interacted with each other. There are two worlds in this book. One in 1975 with its own cast of characters and one in present day where we see some of the 70s characters and just how that night changed them while being introduced to new characters. This book is littered with family trauma, dark secrets, and lies. The Ghostwriter was by far one of the most fun reads I have had this year.
It should be no surprise that I give it 🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃 . I have either been very fortunate and had some amazing luck with the books I have chosen this year, or I’m becoming softer. I have given out quite a few 5 shots ratings this year and I show no remorse. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for dark family secrets and a good mystery. I can’t wait to check out more from Julie Clark. Also, there is an interview with the author and a reading group guide in the back of the hardcover edition I purchased. So keep this in mind for your next book club pick. at the bar we have book club with wine and a good discussion.
Brunner's Bar 