#TheCrimeWriter #NetGalley
2019. 34 year-old Leona Walsh vanishes on a bitter afternoon while jogging on Exmoor. It’s a mystery which captures public interest and ignites wild speculation. The police have a prime suspect: Leona’s husband, Matthew, a renowned crime writer. He can plot the perfect crime. But is he capable of committing the perfect murder?
Despite extensive searches, the police find no trace of Leona. As public interest dwindles, Matthew returns to raising their daughters, aware the cloud of suspicion is never far away.
2024. Some human bones are discovered in a garden. Could they be Leona’s remains? And if so, is there enough evidence to find out what really happened five years ago? Journalist Gabriela Conti covered the news story back in 2019. The police may have stopped watching Matthew, but Gabriela hasn’t forgotten him. And she is determined this case will define her career… even if that means getting close to a murderer.
I loved it so much.
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ Digital for giving me an advance copy.

Matthew Walsh is THE CRIME WRITER in Diane Jeffrey’s latest domestic thriller and he has some stories to tell!

Thirty four year old Leona Walsh disappears in 2019 while out on a run leaving behind seven year old Beatrix and 14 year old Scarlett to be raised by their father, Matthew, with help from Leona‘s sister, Roxanne and best friend, Scarlett. When remains are found five years later in a garden, Matthew is again placed under a long-standing suspicion that he had something to do with Leona‘s disappearance.

Journalist turned podcaster, Gabriella Conti has covered this story from the beginning. She never forgot the story or Matthew’s ability to craft the perfect murder. She has been watching him for years. As suspicions continue to mount against Matthew, Gabriella decides that the best way to get inside info is to get closer to Matthew.

Things just don’t add up regarding Matthew’s story and why did Toby Wigmore put up $30,000 towards a reward for information in the case? Was Leona having an affair with Wigmore? And what about Matthew’s alibi around the time that Leona went missing?

I really enjoyed the characters in this one. And the end was a total shock! But also left lingering questions and doubts which had me thinking about the book long after I finished it. That’s the kind of novel I can really appreciate. The writing was clear and concise and led to an enjoyable read that I could not seem to put down. Take this one to the beach buy don’t forget your sunblock.

Thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.

After reading The Other Couple, I was excited to have the opportunity to read The Crime Writer, and I wasn’t disappointed. The Crime Writer follows the story of the disappearance of Leona Walsh, a wife and mother of two. The story weaves together two timelines: 2019 when Leona went missing, and 2024 when her body was found. In between the two timelines, there is a transcript from the podcast investigating this case. The story is told from two perspectives; Matthew the husband, who is a crime writer and the polices main suspect and Gabriela Conti, a reporter and true crime podcaster who has been on this case since the beginning and wants to find the truth. Once I started to read this book, I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. The twists and turns had me guessing until the end. Thanks NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Gabi Conti is a investigative journalist and she has started a podcast about the mysterious disappearance of Leona who went out for a run five years ago and never came back. Her husband Matt and their two daughters are still grief stricken and praying for answers. The finger soon points to crime writer, former policeman Matt and Gabi is determined to get to the truth.

There seems to be a craze for thrillers including podcasts the last couple of years and if done correctly I really like the style. This one was middle of the road for me, there wasn’t a “can’t put down” moment or any exclamations of “omg no way.” I think I would have enjoyed this more if it was shorter.

Many thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for my gifted eARC

A well written psychological thriller set in two timelines, 2019 and 2024. When Matthew’s wife goes missing, he knows he’s the most logical suspect and fears that the police won’t look for anyone else. We see how this all impacts the family, especially the children Trixie and Scarlet. Ambitious reporter Gaby is aiming to make a name for herself and sees this as the story to do it, especially as she was at school with Leona, even if they didn’t actually get on.

Although the killer was fairly easy to work out, the author still managed to get an unexpected twist in. I didn’t particularly enjoy the dual timeline in this instance, as at times it became confusing. However, it’s still an enjoyable read. 3 1/2⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Leona Walsh has disappeared and her husband Matt has reported he missing. Her daughters miss her terribly and the search is widespread but unsuccessful. So far, so predictable, but not all is as it seems in this gripping novel. Mat is a crime writer who has boasted in the past that he could commit the perfect murder. Leona was under investigation for fraud as a local councillor. As the suspects and scenarios mount up the story gathers pace and becomes darker and more complex. This is a well written, exceptionally well characterised story with what seems to be very satisfying closure at the end, but is it really? It’s just this slightly open ending that failed to totally convince this reviewer - otherwise, a cracking good read!

Matthew Walsh is a crime writer, his wife Leona goes missing. Did Matthew plan the perfect m*rder or is he completely innocent?

2019 - Gabi is a local news reporter and gets closest to Matthew and the investigation.
2024 - Gabi hosts an investigative podcasts which revisits the case of missing Leona.

Diane Jeffrey does a very good job of maintaining suspense and keeping the possibilities open. The premise isn’t new but the handling of it with the dual timeline and Gabi’s involvement in both keeps it fresh and interesting.

The Crime Writer is a refreshing and original take on a classic plot line.

Recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley and HQ

Good pace, interesting storyline and characters and a good build up to an acceptable conclusion.
I enjoyed reading this book and it kept me interested.
3.5 stars

My second novel from Diane Jeffrey, 'The Crime Writer' chronicles the tale of the disappearance of Leona Walsh, and how it affects her family. Husband Matthew is an author, who ironically enough writes murder mysteries; so of course, when his wife is eventually found murdered, suspicions immediately fall on him. We see him navigate these troubles in a first-person narration, as he worries foremost about his children. Our other view of the story comes from journalist Gabi, who is looking at this as an opportunity to get her big break. However, she soon finds herself more immersed than she should be, skewering her sense of objectivity.

This is not the typical 'whodunit mystery - from the onset of the book we know all the major players and know the killer will be found in that immediate circle. However, I actually found this to be refreshing, as there was no "anonymous" bad guy point of view.

Something I didn't particularly enjoy was the back and forth between the past and present. This got me confused a few times and I had to find myself going back to see which timeline the characters were in. This is more of a personal preference though, so if you're fine with this technique, this won't bother you much.

All in all, I give 'The Crime Writer' a rating of 3.5 stars. The plot was definitely unique in the way it was written and I liked that.

*A great many thanks to HQ, Diane Jeffrey, and NetGalley for this ARC. It is important to note that I was not committed to providing a positive review; all opinions are undoubtedly my own.*

What a cracker! I've read many of Jeffrey's books before now, but The Crime Writer is my favourite to date.

It's a well paced thriller with chapters switching back and forth from 2019 to present day, interspersed with 'audio' excerpts from the Missing, Presumed Murdered podcast.

Unreliable narrators and several well placed red herrings had me second guessing throughout.

Great characters and an immersive plot made The Crime Writer an enjoyable and engaging read.

The Crime Writer is a gripping psychological thriller told across two timelines—2019, when Leona Walsh disappears, and 2024, when human remains are discovered, reigniting speculation around her husband, Matthew, a bestselling crime novelist. The dual perspective keeps the tension high, gradually revealing unsettling truths. Jeffrey expertly crafts an eerie, atmospheric mystery, making readers question everything they think they know. The ending let it down for me as there is closure, everything is left very open ended, hence my 3 star rating. Saying that it is perfect for fans of slow-burning, character-driven suspense.

He plots the perfect murder...but did he commit one...?

I do enjoy a good Diane Jeffrey thriller, absolutely loving he last one "The Other Couple" (though that was a tough one to top). This one had great potential and it built gradually to the inevitable conclusion though I felt it fell a little flat. That said, it was a good read but I didn't like the ending. It was too open ended and I like them clear cut not ambiguous.

The story surrounds the disappearance of Leona Walsh, 34 year old wife and mother of two. Events begin in the immediate aftermath the following morning when she didn't arrive home after her evening run, as the police try to unravel the mystery of her disappearance and honing in on their prime suspect: husband, Matt, a renowned crime fiction writer and former police officer. He can plot the perfect murder but is he capable of committing one?

Five years later, no trace of Leona has ever been found and Matt's life has been turned upside down and those of his two daughters Scarlett, now 19 and, Trixie, now 12. And the case has gone cold.

Until bones are discovered in the garden of Rose Cottage, the home in which Matt grew up and where his mother continued to live until moving to a care home due to her advancing Parkinsons.

Journalist Gabi Conti had a tenuous link with Leona in that she went to school with her but the two moved in vastly different circles. She knew Leona could be a bully but did that extend into adulthood? Having interviewed Matt at the time, Gabi now continues to investigate the case with her own podcast on the disappearance. But are the bones that of Leona? And did he do it?

I did feel the story dip in parts as it moved through both past and present timelines before settling in the present. But like I said, the ending was rather ambiguous, leaving the reader to draw their own conclusions and I would like to think the first outcome is the one that really happened and not the twist in the end that left the reader second guessing everything that went before. There were also some aspects I feel weren't explained properly (though I can't say what here as they are spoilers), however, when the remains were actually buried there are not explained properly. You'll see what I mean when you read it.

Overall, it was a good thriller. Well thought out and plotted, even if a little underwhelming for me. But I will still not pass up another by the author and look forward to what she delivers next.

I would like to thank #DianeJeffrey, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheCrimeWriter in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

Matt Walsh is a former police officer who’s used his former career to make a new life for himself in crime writing. He’s married to Leonora, a political figure who is facing trouble due to some bad decisions. One night she goes out for a run with the family dog and the dog returns but she doesn’t. Of course, as the husband, suspicion immediately falls on him. Her former classmate, Gabi, is the only one who even remotely believes Matt’s story that he is innocent. Gabi is a journalist and is going to investigate Leonora’s case as a means to launch her podcast career and finally figure out what really happened even if the evidence shows that Matt is guilty. As she digs further into the case, secrets come to light and you find yourself going back and forth as to whether or not he really did it is he really as innocent as he claims or did he put his crime writers mind to good use?
This is not your typical who dun it as right from the start we know all the key players and therefore one of them will be found to be the killer and there’s no unreliable or anonymous narrator to throw you off the course and Matthew’s story keeps changing the more that’s he’s questioned.
I kept waiting for the story to jump up and grab me and me but that never really happened. There wasn’t really any major surprises but if you are looking for a quick read with a fairly unique story, this may be the book for you.
Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

An very enjoyable read which Matt a crime writer is under suspicion about his wife Leona has disappeared five years before. Told in two time lines it grips you from the start. Good characters especially Gabi the reporter who interviews people in a podcast. Thanks to HQ digital and Netgalley for this review ARC.

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

The narrative alternates between 2019 and 2024. Leona vanished in 2019, leaving behind her husband Matthew, and her two daughters. Matthew is a crime writer, and some people believe that he is responsible for her death. Journalist Gabi Conti wants to know the truth.

From the beginning, I took an interest in the characters, as they felt real and believable to me. Initially, while I felt some sorrow towards her family, I found that I was most interested in Leona herself. I wanted to know about her and the kind of person that she was. Gabi was an interesting character too.

I thought the inclusion of the podcast episodes, in which Gabi interviews some other characters, were an interesting idea, and that made the book feel very current. As the story unfolded, there were some twists that I didn't see coming, and when the truth was revealed, it came as a surprise.

This was a clever page turner, and I also liked the cover design; it was definitely something that I'd feel drawn to in a bookshop or library.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, and the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.

The story opens with the mysterious disappearance of thirty-four year old Leona Walsh and the start of an investigation which will see her family placed under intense scrutiny not just by the police but also by people on social media. The finger of blame points at Leona’s husband, Matthew, whose success as a writer of crime fiction places him in the spotlight, however, with time passing and no real evidence linking him with Leona’s disappearance the case pretty much comes to a dead end. Five years after Leona’s went missing, new evidence comes to light and once again Matthew Walsh finds that the past never really goes away.

I’ve really enjoyed this intricately plotted crime novel, especially the added inclusion of local journalist Gabriela Conti, who befriends Matthew, and whose True Crime podcast helps to put snippets of the plot together with some interesting character vignettes. There are lots of clues and hidden twists which I enjoyed working out, and the flip between time frames is done with precision and fine attention to detail. The conclusion to this complex story is done really well, with a twist I didn’t see coming, making The Crime Writer such an intriguing read that I’m still pondering about the ending.

A well written suspense filled with twists that kept me hooked from the very beginning.
A quick and fun read that I finished in a few hours.
The characterization was superb, the writing pacey and flowing, and the tension delivered in a series of shocks and twists along the way.
This is a tightly written story, with well developed characters and enough suspense to keep you reading.

I loved the intriguing premise of this book. Matthew Walsh is a crime writer and therefore adept at devising fictional ways to kill – but did he act out one of his plots in real life to kill his wife? Can journalist and podcaster Gabriela Conti get to the truth of what happened to Leona? Is Matthew innocent? Or guilty? Is he telling the truth, or plotting to mislead Gabriela and the police?

This book was brilliantly executed and it will keep you guessing until the final chapter. I especially enjoyed the two alternating timelines, which revealed what had happened to Leona Walsh alongside Gabriela’s journalistic investigation. The podcast interviews were a clever way to reveal information from key witnesses in the case.

A well-structured and cleverly plotted book with lots of twists. A very entertaining read.

Five years ago, Leona Walsh went missing, she was never found but suspicion fell on her husband Matthew, a renowned crime fiction writer. Now, bones are discovered in the garden of Matthew's late mother's house, so once again Matthew is in the spotlight. Could he have committed the perfect murder? A local journalist, who hoped to make her make on the initial disappearance story, is fascinated by the case and vows to get the truth. Lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing, and a hint that you will never know - a great read.

An easy read, this novel starts at a pace and keeps you reading, like all good whodunnits. I enjoyed the twists and turns, the characters were limited so you didn't lose track of who was who.

I didn't expect the journalist to be one of the more dependable people in this saga though! But a good sideline with enough going on to distract you from the main plot.

Did I see the end coming? Yes, I did, but it was still an enjoyable and śatisfying read.