The Mystery Writer

Gentill (The Woman in the Library) nimbly balances the plausible with the outlandish in this sly thriller set in the publishing world. Theodosia “Theo” Benton has dropped out of law school in Australia to pursue her dream of becoming a novelist. Determined to leave her old life behind, she flees Australia and moves in with her brother in Lawrence, Kans., to hunker down and write a novel. In Kansas, she meets and befriends Dan Murdoch, a bestselling author who agrees to read her manuscript and offer notes. When Dan doesn’t show up for one of their meetings, Theo goes to his house, where she finds him stabbed to death and calls the police. A few days later, she agrees to meet with Dan’s agent, Veronica, who says her agency would like to take Theo on as a client. Her elation slowly gives way to terror when others in her circle, including a reporter she speaks to, are killed, and she becomes a suspect. With her life and career on the line, Theo does some digging and turns up startling details about the twisted operations of Veronica’s agency. Every time readers think they’ve got the plot pegged, Gentill swerves in a shocking new direction. Certain late-stage reveals, which might ruin the fun in less capable hands, only serve to enhance the novel’s biting wit. This is a winner. Agent: Jill Marr, Sandra Dijkstra Agency. (Mar.)