Talk about twists and turns—The Writer is a wild ride from page one. It checked all my boxes: tense, gripping, fast-paced, and flat-out fun for anyone who loves thrillers. The plot is a maze. Just when you think you’ve cracked it—boom—another twist hits.
Patterson’s name is everywhere, and let’s be honest—some are hits, some are misses. But teaming up with J.D. Barker? Total win. The story opens with a bloody crime scene, a true-crime author covered in blood, and one big question: did she do it? NYPD Detective Declan Shaw thinks it’s an open-and-shut case. The deeper he digs, the murkier it gets.
The pacing is classic Patterson—short chapters, punchy scenes—but Barker brings the eerie vibes and layered plotting. Together, they’ve built a smart, sinister, and sneakily funny thriller. Now, add in excellent narration, and this book is a triumph whether you read with your eyes or ears.
Bottom line: The Writer lives up to the hype. Don’t start it unless you’re ready to finish. Patterson and Barker make a killer team—literally and literarily.
5 stars
** Thanks to Edelweiss+ and Little, Brown and Company for a complimentary review copy. The opinions are my own.