THE SHADOW WRITER
by
ELIZA MAXWELL
Genre: Psychological Suspense / Domestic Thriller
Publisher: Lake Union Press
Publisher: Lake Union Press
Date of Publication: May 1, 2019
Number of Pages: 348
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Every writer has a story. Some are deadlier than others.
Aspiring author Graye Templeton will do anything to escape the horrific childhood crime that haunts her. After a life lived in shadows, she’s accepted a new job as protégé to Laura West, influential book blogger and wife of an acclaimed novelist. Laura’s connections could make Graye’s publishing dreams a reality. But there’s more to Laura than meets the eye.
Behind the veneer of a charmed life, Laura’s marriage is collapsing. Her once-lauded husband is descending into alcoholism and ruin and bringing Laura nearer to the edge.
As the two women form a bond that seems meant to be, long-buried secrets claw their way into the present, and the line between friendship and obsession begins to blur, forcing each to decide where her loyalties lie. Running from the past is a dangerous game, and the loser could end up dead.
“Not all storms come from the sky. Even at the edge of the world, the heart has an infinite capacity for darkness.”
Most books typically end with everything neatly wrapped up, all questions answered. However, sometimes the mystery tapers off, with the sad reality that lives are ruined or lost, memories are dealt with through storytelling, and some answers open up doors that are better left closed.
The Shadow Writer is a complex labyrinth of lies, manipulation, and characters that may or may not be guilty of heinous crimes or be victims of horrific family dynamics. Who’s really to blame once the dust settles and the blood stops flowing?
The murder mystery party at one point in The Shadow Writer reinforces the notion that no one is to be trusted when the crime game is afoot.
Everyone has an agenda, a motive, an alibi. Pinpointing the protagonist in this story is not easy, probably by design. Actually, each person’s role shifts around a bit, depending on the point of view, making it difficult to determine who to trust, who to believe, who to like, and who to despise. The protagonist in any story is meant to be flawed, but can those flaws balloon out of control and cross over into the unforgivable? Does that mean that person has really been the antagonist all along? The Shadow Writer overflows with questions and clues, yet watching the mystery unfold is exhilarating, with the suspense swirling around you and buffeting you toward that next chapter.
It takes immense talent to weave such a complex tale that won’t completely befuddle the reader because of the mosaic of characters interconnected by chance or by force and the plot filled with twists and turns and surprises around every corner. Eliza Maxwell definitely has that talent because The Shadow Writer mystifies, intrigues, tantalizes, and entertains, expertly providing the reader with plenty of reasons to keep turning those pages. Who is Graye Templeton? Does she even know? Is her identity blurred beyond redemption, or is it crystal clear and neatly compartmentalized? Who is actually authorized to tell, and even finish, her story? Graye is a puzzle for the reader but even more so for herself.
Whether you figure things out early or you constantly wonder what’s coming next, The Shadow Writer is more than riveting because the narration shifts around; the snippets of the fairy tale drop clues like breadcrumbs; and the main characters are often baffled, angry, and determined to trick the reader at every turn with their constantly changing temperaments. Who’s the bad one here, and who’s the victim? Sometimes they are everyone.
If you like a good mystery that doesn’t reveal its hand too soon, The Shadow Writer is for you. Prepare to read it quickly, but try to savor it. Allow yourself the pleasure of appreciating unique characterization, a well-crafted plot, and obscure circles of mystery that do eventually open up and reveal their justification, all in good time.
Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a signed copy of The Shadow Writer and an Amazon gift card.
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GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
TWO WINNERS: Signed Copy + $25 Amazon Gift Card
ONE WINNER: Signed Copy
ONE WINNER: Signed Copy
APRIL 30-MAY 10, 2019
(U.S. Only)
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All the LIES, the wonderfully wicked lies! Great review and great book!
Thanks! Yes, it’s a great book. Love that so many characters have something to hide!
Thank you so much for posting! Wonderful review, and much appreciated. 🙂
My Pleasure! This one kept me on my toes, that’s for sure!
I loved the murder mystery party as well!
I want to attend one but without the real murder. 😬