THE SHADOW WRITER
ELIZA MAXWELL
Genre: Psychological Suspense / Domestic Thriller
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.
The Shadow Writer by Eliza MaxwellMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Shadow Writer by Eliza Maxwell is a 2019 Lake Union publication.
Graye Templeton wants to be a writer, but she also needs to live under the radar, while she distances herself from an unbelievably shocking childhood. However, it seems that luck is finally shining on Graye when she backs into a dream job working for Laura West, a star blogger who has catapulted authors from obscurity to bestsellers. Now, if Graye can only get Laura to realize she is not only a great assistant, but a promising author, as well.
Laura takes an instantaneous liking to the vulnerable and worshipful Graye Templeton. She is just the bright light she needs in her life after her insecure husband, David, a famous ‘one-hit wonder’ she single -handedly made famous, becomes embittered, drinking to excess, nearly teetering on the edge of a full -blown breakdown.
The two women forge a strong bond, while David does everything in his power to undermine the friendship. But, Graye desperately needs Laura’s reputation and expertise to realize all her hopes and dreams before her past comes home to roost.
This is a solid thriller centered around fixation and obsession. These themes are often overused staples in psychological thrillers and are hardly original. In fact, I was concerned, this book was about to take an all too familiar path, as well, one I’ve traveled down many times before. However, the story proved to be atmospheric, with a few interesting and surprising plot twists, which kept me interested and maybe a bit on edge.
I will warn readers, however, that the characters are not easy to like, but to me that is part of what made the novel so effective and why the conclusion worked so well. The plot is not always completely plausible, and that’s okay, but the depiction of human nature and the character’s self- absorption and manipulations were quite realistic, which is why this story is so disturbing.
Overall, this was a nice introduction to Eliza Maxwell for me. I have been curious about her books, so now I will have to check out more of her work in the future.
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ONE WINNER: Signed Copy
APRIL 30-MAY 10, 2019
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Agreed! It's the realism that makes the book disturbing. And I am okay with not liking characters. (Though I like Laura's job!)
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