By Sulari Gentill
Publisher: Ultimo Press, 2024
Publisher’s blurb
She needs to write the ending … before she meets hers.
Theo has one dream—to become a bestselling author. Determined to make her mark in the literary world, she heads to the US on a whim to stay with her brother Gus and focus on her writing. But her plans take an unexpected turn when she befriends a famous author, Dan Murdoch, at a local bar—and then he turns up dead. Suddenly, Theo finds herself as the prime suspect.
As Theo grapples with the shocking turn of events, she realizes that Dan may not have been the person he seemed to be, and there is something sinister going on in the world of publishing. Desperate to clear her name and uncover the truth, Theo sets out on a quest to find out who killed Dan and why.
As she digs deeper, Theo uncovers a web of deceit, conspiracy, and hidden motives, with clues leading her to a shadowy organization with far-reaching power. With her own life in danger, Theo must unravel the mystery before she becomes the next victim.
Review
by Nette Hilton
This is a sophisticated crime fiction story in the hands of a very sophisticated writer.
The characters are a lot of fun ranging from likeable to eccentric and slightly crazed. The plotline likewise – and totally engaging. A great book to take on a journey even if you’re staying in the armchair. It is hard to put down with many twists to keep the reader enthralled.
Theo, the protagonist, chases her dream of becoming a famous author and heads to America, burning all her bridges in the process. She is determined to write the bestselling novel. Her brother, Gus, a truly likeable character, is the best brother anyone could have. He’s already living in the US and he helps her to chase her dream. Soon, however, she finds herself amid a murder in which she is the main suspect. The murder victim, a man she thought she could easily love, is seemingly killed without reason. Gus involves Mac, his friend and private detective, to try and help her clear her name.
There are conspiracy theories and strange characters in this cosy but beautifully paced mystery. As if being suspected of murder isn’t enough, Theo vanishes. She’s a little naïve and impulsive, and some of her decisions make you want to reach through the pages and shake her. As the story unfolds, Sulari Gentill reminds us that she is amazing with character development, and that we should trust her.
This is a standalone book, and fans of the author will enjoy this change of pace and the new characters we get to meet throughout the story. It’s well paced, beautifully plotted and I felt like I knew some of the characters by the end, especially Gus (I think he was my favourite). Recommended reading for a lazy Sunday afternoon.