Four years ago, I lied. I stood in front of the police, my friends and family, and made up a story, my best one yet. And all of them believed me. I wasn’t surprised. Telling stories is what made me famous. Fifteen bestsellers. Millions of fans. Fame and fortune.Now, I have one last story to write. It’ll be my best one yet, with a jaw-dropping twist that will leave them stunned and gasping for … twist that will leave them stunned and gasping for breath.
They say that sticks and stones will break your bones, but this story? It will be the one that kills me.
This book is not a romance. It is contemporary fiction, but very suspenseful in nature. It is about a famous romance author and a dark secret she keeps.
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This is the first book I’ve read by Alessandra Torres, but it won’t be the last! I picked it up on a whim, and it was one of those books that I just could *not* put down. The engaging, if not entirely likeable, characters and their decisions resonated with me. The books alternates between the story unfolding and chapters from a book the main character is writing, which makes for an interesting dual-story line. The tension built throughout the novel, and by the end, I was crying. I don’t want to spoil this one–just trust me, it’s worth a read!
MY TOP READ OF 2017!
I’m flying. Soaring. And no, it’s not because I’m currently somewhere around 30,000 feet above the plains of Oklahoma, on my way back to Tampa from a wedding in Denver.
No, it’s because I just read the last gripping words of The Ghost Writer, and I am completely floored.
Flying. Soaring. So much so, that I had to whip out my laptop and write this review in the air before I lost what little words I was able to hang onto.
I’ll start this review by saying I’ve read only one other Alessandra Torre book — Moonshot. That one earned a 5 star review from me EASILY. As far as romances go, it was exactly what I craved. Angsty, emotional, sexy. I loved every single page.
But… this book? The Ghost Writer? There simply aren’t enough stars. There aren’t enough words — well, I should say, there are plenty of words, but none of them feel right. None of them do justice to how I feel after finishing this novel, and how I felt every single second I spend living within its pages.
The Ghost Writer is simply brilliant. The writing is phenomenal, clean and crisp, its edge leaving me flipping the pages like an addict. Torre doesn’t shine in this suspenseful rollercoaster ride — she completely eclipses. Not only her other work, but all other books I’ve read thus far in 2017. I am in complete awe, still spinning from the rush, and I have officially become a fan for life.
Is this a romance? That’s the question I kept getting from readers as I posted photos of my reading journey. I don’t have the right answer for that. Yes? No? Definitely not. But also, absolutely. I guess in the traditional sense, the smutty sense, no. But in the true sense, in the deep, soul-piercing way that love hits you, yes.
My best advice is this: Go into The Ghost Writer with an open mind and a stiff shot of whiskey, and prepare your heart for one hell of a ride.
I am still wiping away the tears produced by the final few chapters of this book, when all the pieces were finally put into place, the full picture clear, my heart heavy with the sadness and the beauty of it all. The Ghost Writer was a riveting story of life and death, confession and secrets, innocence and guilt. It was one of love, of friendship, of truth. And it was one I will never forget.
My chihuahua randomly picked this book while I was browsing the Kindle store (as in came up from behind me and booped it with her nose)! Because I am crazy and love my dog a whole heck of a lot, I decided to buy the book and give it a go.
And can I just say that my little Sky Princess has better taste in books than most humans I know? This was absolutely fantastic. Unique, engaging, addictive, and everything I want a book to be. Great characters, interesting plot, consistent pacing, lots of important things to think about…
I will have to let my chihuahua pick out more books for me in the future, and I’ll have to read more Alessandra Torre, too!
One of those reads that will stay with you forever. Expect tears. Lots and lots of tears, but so worth it. Alessandra Torre will break your heart with this story, and you’ll be glad you allowed it to experience this story.
Some of my favorite novels are told from the point of view of the unreliable narrator: Catcher in the Rye, by J. D. Salinger, The Girl on the Train, by Paula Hawkins, Lolita, by Vladimir Nabokov, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon, Atonement, by Ian McEwan, Alias Grace, by Margaret Atwood, and Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte, to name a few. An extensive list of novels with unreliable narrators can be found on GoodReads. Check it out. You might find many of your favorites there also. My character, Josephine, in Josephine’s Journals is as unreliable as they come. She appears again as DeCe in Tangled a Southern Gothic Yarn.
I recently read a novel recommended to me by my friend, Ginger. She was captivated by the story and thought any writer might like it also. I took her advice. It was an engrossing story for many reasons. The setting was bleak and the characters were few, but there was something about hanging out with Helena Ross that drew me in. The novel is The Ghostwriter by Alessandra Torre. Torre is a New York Times best selling author. She writes in several genres and I will certainly try others, but she has a knack for suspense.
We learn immediately from Helena Ross, the protagonist, that she is a successful romance author, young, but recently diagnosed with cancer with only a few months to live. We also know she has been married and had a child. What we won’t know for a while, is where the other members of her family are. She lives a fairly miserable life in an expensive, yet empty house, snapping at anyone who rings her doorbell. However, there is something she wants to write for publication before her demise. In order to accomplish this, she decides she will need a ghostwriter. Her choice is unconventional and as it turns out, as shocking for her as it is for the reader. This will be the first of several twists.
So, the setting is bleak and the characters are few; the story is the climb. It’s unwrapped a piece at a time, handing the reader the bits of information about Helena they want to know, even when they don’t like her much. It’s a struggle to identify with her. She tells her bits in the first person, thus the unreliable narrator. The other characters are revealed in third person, drawing us even closer to Helena. She is both hero and culprit, and we really feel the duplicity when the ghostwriter arrives, a person immediately likable. But we soon learn all the characters are vulnerable, flawed, and real, even Helena’s mother, someone she has no affection for.
It’s a puzzle of a story and not easy to categorize into genre. It’s emotional and draws the reader in slowly until they are gut punched and falling right along with Helena. Her resolution is brilliant and ties the whole dilemma up beautifully. It’s a plan gone terribly wrong and then propped up again, not the same, but in a fashion we can live with. I highly recommend this novel for anyone who wants to be taken on a journey. Allesandra Torre will take you there.
I love books that buck the conventions and this one certainly did that. With humanly real characters and a resolution that both confirms and defies expectation, this is one book you won’t be able to put down.
A perrrfectly structured thriller. The author set the conflict quickly and efficiently and kept the dastardly secret (the heart of the story) dangling in front of my nose throughout the book making this a true page turner. The chapters are short as they should be in a thriller structure (verses a mystery construct). The story is kept to three (4) points of view which helps with the Fictive Dream. The story is about two bestselling authors who dislike one another but come together to write an important story, (This might be why I enjoyed it more than other readers). What I found missing was the romantic component which would have greatly enhanced the overall depth of the story. Romance was impossible with the author’s choice of motivation to establish a “ticking clock,” on the story. The protagonist is a well-drawn female character who is both vile and loved at the same time something very difficult to accomplish. Bravo. Since the dastardly deed is kept from us throughout the duration of the story it had to pay off in the end. And it did. I was very satisfied. (Although, the physical way it occurred I couldn’t rectify in my mind but that didn’t matter. Also, that the police would have had to figure it out—a tad bit of suspension of disbelief needed here)
I was also surprised this book was self-published, the quality of the writing should’ve easily propelled into one of the big five publishing houses. This book accomplished what all great books strife to do, take the readers emotions on a roller coaster. The letters at the end were particularly emotional and some of the most genuine writing in the book. The letters reminded me of The Lonely Silver Rain by John D. MacDonald.
Loved, loved this book and highly recommend it.
David Putnam the author of The Bruno Johnson Series.
I loved this book. The writing is sharp, entertaining, and fast-paced. I couldn’t stop reading, wanting desperately to uncover the truth of what had happened. When it was revealed, I was devastated and impressed all at once! What a unique storyline. Haunting, chilling, and claustrophobic. It will suck you in and insist that you stay put until the very last word.
The is the first book I’ve read by Alessandra Torre. I loved it from the first word. It’s an unusual story; I loved the dual storylines. The characters are so relatable; I enjoyed the give and take between them. The ending was haunting. I’m still thinking about it several days later.
Helena is a young writer of successful novels. She seemingly has a perfect life, with a beautiful family and nice home. However, we quickly find out that it is all a lie. Now, she has only a few months to tell her story, and she needs the help of a ghostwriter.
What happens next is an interesting tale told in short doses, as you learn more about Helena’s life and the choices she made. You also find out what is weighing so heavily on her heart. And, there is a twist at the end.
I enjoyed this book, the first I have read by Ms. Torre. It tugged at my heart and played with other emotions, as well.
#TheGhostwriter #AlessandraTorre
Superb is the one word I would use to describe this book. Alessandra Torre had me hooked within the first few pages. I have to admit, this book surprised me, with all the twist and turns and how the story progressed. I will be adding this one to my favorites and giving it five stars.
I loved this book. The two main characters were so well developed I felt as though I knew them both.
Phenomenal! A truly thought provoking and emotional read. It’s a slow burn that stings but you just don’t want it to stop. This story just hurts so good.
Complex, thought provoking, and unexpected.
Few things make me happier than a book that takes me places I didn’t see coming and does it in an interesting and unique way. Like most readers, I read for many reasons, to think, to feel, to learn, to gain perspective, to expand my world but in the end I really just want to be thoroughly entertained. Ghostwriter succeeded on all counts.
Ghostwriter has a slow but steady pace that requires some patience as the story reveals itself. This character driven novel is one that can’t be rushed. It is meant to be savored, contemplated, and will likely leave the reader torn. Torn between understanding and condemnation, right and wrong, and good and bad. The thing is, no one really falls on one side or the other. We are all really just shades of gray, caught forever in the in-between, condemning ourselves for our flaws and mistakes, while desperately seeking absolution for our sins.
Helena’s character spoke to me very deeply. Her pain was obvious. The reasons were not, but I couldn’t help but be drawn to her and her prickly and demanding personality. Pieces of me were reflected back at me and an instant kinship was formed. Many readers will condemn her, others will pity her, but me, I applaud her! She is certainly flawed (aren’t we all) but in the face of everything, she showed strength and perseverance that I could only hope to possess.
I usually avoid books like this but I was in the mood for a well written book. Something unusual and personal to the protagonist. Many books don’t draw you in but this one does. Many books tell a story, this one told about someone’s life. I still think of her today. You should read it.
I’ve wanted to read something by Alessandra Torre for a long time because I’ve heard great things about her writing. When I saw The Ghostwriter on Goodreads, I decided to check if it was available on NetGalley and low and behold, it was. So, of course, I requested it, and I’m happy to say that I ended up really liking this story a lot.
The Ghostwriter is certainly a dark read. Even if the blurb kind of set you up for it, right off the bat you can tell something is up with the main character from the opening chapter. Her personality just isn’t likable or as sweet and fluffy as many female characters. She’s harsh and sugarcoats nothing, and didn’t even change after learning terrible news. And you know what? I liked her. There are things about Helena that I relate to, not the mean parts lol, but just the fact that she’s an author and often wants to just have some peace to write. I knew there was something in her past or the way she grew up that made her this way, and I feel like my questions were answered throughout the story and more so toward the end.
As for the premise and what Helena had lied about four years ago, I had kind of figured things out from early, but I never expected that part about her husband and wouldn’t have guessed her involvement where her daughter is concerned. When all was revealed by the end, I actually cried for Helena. In fact, I think that was the only time I felt sympathetic toward her character. For most of the story, I would cringe or chuckle at her attitude or the things she’d say to the two people who truly cared for her. But when she finished her book, the truth gripped me so much that I connected with her on an emotional level and could understand what she was going through.
It’s hard to get my thoughts together to write a better review. All I can is that The Ghostwriter really is suspenseful in nature because you know Helena did something and lied about it, but you also want to know about her life leading up to that. The overall atmosphere is just gloomy and troubled, like Helena’s character. And while I’m sad for her and with the way things ended, I found her to be quite strong to have swallowed her pride to an extent and ask a writer she doesn’t get along with to help her write a story of that magnitude. Not only that but what she did afterward for certain people affected was kind on her part. With the way she was you never would have expected her to do that but in my opinion, deep inside Helena is a good person, just troubled.
To conclude, wonderful writing and interesting plot. It made me put myself in the story and see things through Helena’s eyes. I’m happy that I’ve finally given Alessandra Torre a read and am looking forward to picking up her other books.
I loved the twists in this book – did not see the ending coming. Very entertaining read!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. Follow the link for my full review: https://bookishbynature.com/2018/07/25/the-ghost-writer/
I’m not certain how to review this book… I loved it. I felt it very intense, visceral, heart wrenching. As to the main character, Helena, I honestly didn’t know which way to feel about her as I proceeded through this story, was she good or was she bad? Given small glimpses throughout the book of how this story might end, I would have never guessed it and I had many, many guesses. The ghostwriter character was a joy to read and watching , yes it’s that vivid, them play off each other was incredibly written. I will read this one many times over.
Oh. My. Goodness.
What have you done to me, Alessandra?? This book…the unimaginable heartbreak, the suspense, the perfectly crafted and brilliantly executed story within a story…I’m at a loss for words—and I myself am a writer. Just…absolutely incredible.