In “The Fiction Writer”, Jillian Cantor has written a psychological thriller — very different from the historical novels I know her for. I found it both suspenseful and clever.
Olivia Fitzgerald feels that nothing is going right for her. After dismal sales of her second novel, no one will publish her third. She’s unable to get herself moving on a new book and her boyfriend has moved out. She feels estranged from her best friend. She’s broke, lonely, and feeling like a failure.
So, when her agent calls to offer her a mysterious – but lucrative –write-for-hire job, she jumps at it. A long-time fan of Daphne du Maurier, indeed, her first novel was a re-telling of “Rebecca”, Olivia is intrigued when she finds out what the job is. Reclusive billionaire Henry Asherwood wants her to write a book about his grandmother and du Maurier.
But when she arrives at his estate to begin the research, Henry is suddenly reluctant to answer Olivia’s questions. His behaviour is erratic, and Olivia finds herself off balance and confused. Before long she’s not sure of anything. She doesn’t trust her own judgement anymore.
You’ll enjoy this novel most if you’re familiar with “Rebecca”, as Cantor consciously echoes some elements of that novel. However, Cantor provides enough information that it’s not a big problem if you don’t know it.
Cantor blends a traditional psychological thriller plot with the atmosphere of a gothic and carries it off well. The reader may be a little more certain than Olivia, but there’s still plenty to keep you off balance and doubting what you think you know.
One or two elements of the plot are a little obvious, but even so, I think the final twists will surprise most readers.
Olivia is a vividly drawn character, and although she’s not perfect, most readers will like her and empathise with her. We’re drawn into her head, and before long we share her confusion and doubts. And still, we understand why she doesn’t just walk away.
I really enjoyed this. It was compelling reading, with a plot that kept me absorbed and a writing style that made the pages fly past. It’s very different from Cantor’s historical fiction, but like those novels, it’s a little surprising and memorable. Some of Cantor’s readers may be a little thrown by the change in style, but I highly recommend this.
A selection of our Beauty and Lace Club Members are reading The Fiction Writer by Jillian Cantor. You can read their comments below, or add your own review.
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I’ve loved books for as long as I can remember, and I love sharing that joy.
I’ve been an avid reader for as long as I can remember, across all genres. There’s not much I won’t at least try. I’ve been an enthusiastic book reviewer for years. I particularly enjoy discovering writers new to me, and sharing good writing with others.
My career has included time spent writing and editing technical documents, but it’s fiction that really moves me. I’ve reviewed for a number of different outlets over the years, and have been a judge in literary competitions.
I’m now raising little bookworms of my own, which brings a whole new kind of joy to sharing books.
More of my reviews can be found on my review blog www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog .
The Fiction Writer by Jillian Cantor is a fantastic read. Plenty of suspense and mystery keeping you engrossed , with a twist at the end!
Olivia Fitzgerald is a Fiction Writer. First book a success , 2nd book not really and the 3rd book no one wants to publish.
Dumped by her boyfriend and with dwindling finances, Olivia jumps at the chance to be a ghost writer for Henry “Ash” Asherwood a recently widowed billionaire.
He claims to have a family secret that involves his grandmother and Daphne du Maurier. Olivia is a great fan of Daphne du Maurier and has based her 2nd book on the retelling of Rebecca.
Once in Malibu Olivia senses things are not quite right. But $50,000 is a lot of money and rightly or wrongly Olivia decides to stay!
Well worth the read!
The Fiction Writer, by Jillian Cantor is a great read with a hypnotising plot. I must admit, that the inserts from ‘the wife’ I found a trifle distracting so I decided to actually read those at the conclusion of the novel.
I’m so glad I did! Rereading those sections made the whole thing come to life with a great conclusion.
Do yourself a favour and get a copy of this one!
If I was given a copy of this one as a gift I would be most appreciative!
Well done, Jillian Cantor!
Thank you, Beauty & Lace, for allowing me to read and review ‘The Fiction Writer by Jillian Cantor’.
After publishing her first novel to high acclaim, Olivia feels more than the usual writer’s slump. Her finances are dwindling, her boyfriend has walked out, and there are no valid ideas for her new novel. An opportunity arises to become the ghostwriter for a very influential man with a massive salary as a bonus. Olivia packed her bags and headed out to LA.
However, the man she goes to meet is reluctant to talk, and the housekeeper seems to have ulterior motives. It is a read full of twists and turns where you are unsure which characters are the most trustworthy. Are they all telling the truth, at least their version of reality?
I enjoyed reading this book; the characters kept me thinking, and the twist at the end was a bonus. Thank you ‘Beauty & Lace Bookclub’ for the opportunity to read ‘The Fiction Writer by Jillian Cantor’.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Simon & Schuster for this wonderfully suspenseful novel.
Olivia Fitzgerald has reached a lull in her writing career with her latest novel being a flop so when her agent rings with an offer to write for the sexiest man alive she assumes she is on to a good thing.
What happens when she gets to Malibu is not what she expected. Nothing is as it seems and absolutely nothing makes sense.
Ash isn’t answering her questions about the book he wants her to write and is so intoxicating it is hard for Olivia to stay focused on the task at hand.
Nobody seems to want to share the truth and it is so hard to trust anyone so this job feels like it is impossible.
I really enjoyed the style of writing within this book and the characters kept it very interesting.
I would recommend this book and love to read more from Jillian Cantor.
Thank you Beauty and Lace for the opportunity to read The Fiction Writer by Jillian Cantor.
This was my first Jillian Cantor book and I absolutely loved it!!
I loved the way this was written. It was a great mystery, making you want to turn the pages faster!!!
It made you want to be part of the story!
Great characters that made it an excellent read!!
Highly recommended ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Fiction Writer is an incredibly clever story about a story while writing a story about a story about a story. Whilst that statement might seem a little confusing, what’s important is that it’s a great read that is hard to put down.
I loved the layers within the story and am so tempted to start the whole book again just to try and pick up more clues.
The characters were fantastically written and I loved how new players were brought in to add more elements.
The story flowed really well and the ending did not seem rushed or tacked on which I really appreciated.
This is a page turner I’ll definitely be recommending.