Book Review | After She Wrote Him by Sulari Gentill

Book Description

If you get lost in a book, be sure you can find your way back . . .

Madeleine d’Leon doesn’t know where Edward came from. He is simply a character in her next book. But as she writes, he becomes all she can think about. His charm, his dark hair, his pen scratching out his latest literary novel . . .

Edward McGinnity can’t get Madeleine out of his mind–softly smiling, infectiously enthusiastic, and perfectly damaged. She will be the ideal heroine for his next book.

But who is the author and who is the creation? And as the lines start to blur, who is affected when a killer finally takes flesh?

After She Wrote Him is a wildly inventive twist on the murder mystery that takes readers on a journey filled with passion, obsession, and the emptiness left behind when the real world starts to fall away.

My Review

Tessa Talks Books rating: Rave

After She Wrote Him is a depiction of a mystery plot that is mind-blowing. It is like looking in a funhouse mirror and seeing endless reflections of the same thing. My challenge and yours, if you choose to read it, is to determine which of those reflections is the actual one – or which is the main character and which is the creation. That is the underlying mystery throughout the entire story, though – mystery lovers – never fear, there is a murder to be solved.

What I Loved

This story sounds like it could be too confusing to even bother with, but I found it to be easy to follow. There are not that many characters, and a few even cross over, so that keeps the stories contained and manageable to my challenged brain. I didn’t even try to think about my interpretation too much until I finished the story, and then allowed the wheels to turn and my analysis to form. There may have been smoke coming out of my ears, but that’s okay. I enjoyed coming up with ideas, processing them, and rejecting the ones I decided are just not possible.

The characters are brilliantly developed. Madeline and Ned are deeply flawed, face many challenges but are ultimately sympathetic and even likable. I didn’t list a favorite character this time because I could never choose between the writer and the creation since one is an extension of the other.

The symbolism at the end of a laptop breaking rocked my world. Such a simple thing, but it said so much and had such far-reaching implications. This symbolism caused one of many times my brain gave in and exploded. Also, I highlighted so many quotable moments. I can’t share any gems with you because I read the advanced copy, but know – there are quotes from this book that you will want to copy down and discuss.

To Read or Not to Read

Why would you want to let this book pass you by? It is compelling, challenging, and all that is good in the mystery/psychological thriller genre. It is excellent for book clubs, partner readings, or just solo endeavors. Just know, you will want to talk about it however you choose to read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poison Pen Press for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.