2019, early December, and Leona Walsh, wife of ex policeman and crime writer Matt, goes off on her daily run with family dog Sydney. Nothing at all unusual about this, but when Leona doesn’t return and Sydney comes home by himself, Matt is a little concerned. Not overly perturbed as the couple had a row just before Leona left and Matt is convinced she is just cooling off. When there is still no sign of his wife the next day, Matt does the call round of family and friends, before notifying the police. When the police do arrive, the usual questions are asked and, as Leona is judged to be vulnerable due to her mental health, it becomes a major search. After initially supporting Matt and his story, the police become more interested in the background of the couple and the family, particularly Matt, are soon ostracised by the locals. After all, isn’t it always the husband?

2024 and a rare gold coin is discovered in a young couples garden. The archeologists descend in the hope of revealing more treasures. Sadly, no further Roman artefacts are found, just something far more recent.

An interesting and twisty tale, not dissimilar to a recent true life misper case. Well paced with well written characters. I liked the podcast chapters and the involvement of journalist Gabriela

I enjoyed this book, though thought it obvious what had happened on the night in question from very early on. It didn’t spoil the story as I was hoping I was wrong and continued to be invested in the plot.

A good read, but a rushed ending.

3.5*

Thank you NetGalley and HQ.

I absolutely loved this book . So many twists and turns, it grabbed my attention from the first chapter!
I devoured the book in one sitting.

This is a great novel that kept me guessing until the bitter end! It's 2024 when Gabi airs her True Crime podcast and Leona Walsh is missing--prime fodder for her! Obviously husband Matt is a suspect although he has two young daughters at home so detectives must proceed carefully. Lots of clues, many red herrings, and twists and turns in each chapter! Never would have guessed the ending!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

When a woman goes missing whilst out running around a remote reservoir, the police initially think either she has probably gone into the water either voluntarily or at someone else’s hand but when they start looking more closely at the husband then certain things don’t quite ring true.

This book will keep you guessing all the way through to the (in my opinion) slightly unsatisfying ending. It’s very fast paced but you have to keep your wits about you as it’s told in both the past and present tense but also through the form of a podcast transcript..

A great premise and a very enjoyable 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 sags though! But a good sideline with enough 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.

It took me a while to get into this book but once I did I couldn't put it down. The plot does start off slow but definitely increases in pacing as the plot tension picks up. It kept me guessing too

An interesting take for a thriller, slow starting but does pick up. Intriguing enough. Worth a read, especially on a cosy day due to the atmospheric setting of the book

2019. Leona Walsh, a 34-year-old wife and mother vanishes on a bitterly cold afternoon while out jogging on the edge of 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?! Wow! Great book! I usually don’t like books that end with the reader kind of guessing what truly happened! But this book it was very fitting! I loved it! This book had fantastic mystery, suspense, murder, very intriguing, a truly shocking who done it and some wild twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting!! I highly recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me! Can’t wait for more!

Leona Walsh, a public figure, as well as a wife and mother, disappears one night while out running. The story is quickly picked up by the news with her husband Matthew, a crime writer, the number one suspect. However the case then goes cold. Journalist Gabriela has been investigating the story for years and starts a podcast about it. Will she finally unearth the truth?

Having read this author’s previous book last year and really enjoying it, I knew I had to read this one as soon as possible. I was also drawn to the bold cover. This was certainly another top, twisted crime drama. Straight away I found myself invested in the storyline and trying to decipher the red herrings and clues to solve the mystery. The story was slightly repetitive at times, however the author did a great job in slowly upping the tension and suspense until the final scenes.

The characters were vivid, I especially like Gabriela and would be happy to read about her in further novels. The author successfully manages to create unreliable narratives, while pulling the rug from underneath you. I was convinced I knew what the outcome was and thought I was proved correct, until the clever ending was revealed. This has definitely put this author in one of my must read categories and I will be recommending. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

A very different read from this author compared to her previous books. It was well written with a good storyline that kept me interested

The characters were mainly good and well developed and I have no hesitation in recommending this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for this ARC.

a gripping tale told from dual perspectives and multiple timelines, centered around the mysterious disappearance of Leona, a wife and mother. The story unfolds through the eyes of her husband, Matthew, a crime writer, and Gabi, a local journalist and podcaster.

At first, I struggled with the constant shifts in time and point of view, along with the introduction of numerous characters. However, once I found my rhythm and the plot began to focus on the main characters, the narrative picked up pace and became much more engaging.

While I was able to predict some of the twists, the story still kept me guessing in other parts, which I appreciated. That said, I was slightly let down by the ending. As someone who enjoys a neatly wrapped-up conclusion, this one left me wanting more closure, as it didn’t tie everything up in a way I’d hoped.

The book introduces a diverse cast of characters, which adds richness to the story, though I felt there were unnecessary sections focusing on police and legal procedures that didn’t add much value to the overall plot. These could have been streamlined.

I did enjoy the informal style of the podcast segments, but in truth, they didn’t fully land for me. They seemed to revisit details already explored in the narrative, rather than adding fresh insight or furthering the plot.

Overall, The Crime Writer was an enjoyable read, with strong character development and an intriguing plot, though the pacing and certain elements could have been tightened up. If you enjoy mystery novels with twists and turns, this one is worth picking up, even if you’re not a fan of open-ended conclusions.

‘The Crime Writer’ is a pretty dark and twisty work I’d class in the psychological fiction genre.

It is a book that is very cleverly written with ‘reveals’ being timed superbly well, such that what you think you know gets turned on its head!

The context for this story is around a podcaster, Gabi, chasing her big break, and believing she has found it in the story of a former schoolmate, Leona, who disappeared without trace 5 years ago. Suspicion was cast in the direction of her husband, Matt (the crime writer) but her body was never found. Certain events cause Gabi to return to this story with a renewed vigour, and the story that plays out is fascinating!

If you like your fiction dark and twisty this is well worth a read!

My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.

🕵🏼‍♂️ 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐉𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐲 ~ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫

Publication Date: 13th March 2025

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

I first read Diane Jeffrey during lockdown and have since read The Silent Friend, The Couple at Causeway Cottage, The Guilty Mother, He Will Find You and The Other Couple. I have LOVED them all. I was therefore overjoyed when @netgalley @hqstories sent me an Advanced Readers Copy of The Crime Writer. @dianefjeffrey

Diane has a way of instantly drawing you into the plot, retains your attention throughout and builds tension effortlessly.

Matt Walsh, crime writer and wife Leona Walsh have two daughters. In 2019 Leona goes for a run with their family dog one cold afternoon and never returns. Matt becomes the number one suspect with the police and their community condemn him despite there being no body or evidence to arrest him. Until in 2024 human remains are found, could this solve the mystery of what really happened to Leona?!?

Gabi Conti is a journalist who becomes emotionally attached and invested in the case of discovering the disappearance of Leona.

Dual timeline and dual point of view. I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of Gabi’s podcast and audio transcript. The interviews provided a different writing style and made those extracts fast paced.

I was convinced I had figured out the plot twist within the first quarter of the book but I was WRONG!

Thoroughly enjoyed and cannot recommend highly enough 🫶🏽

#bookstagram #booknerd #booklover #bookaddict #thrillerreads #thrillerreadsrecommnedation #thrillerbooks #bookreview #booklove #bookcommunity #crimefiction #crimebookjunkie #thrillerbookvibes #thrillerbookreccomendations #thrillerbookaddict #thrillerbooksaddict #dianejeffrey #thecrimewriter

Thanks to net galley and the publishers for this arc.

I didn’t quite know what to make of this book, was a good start but the ending was a bit disappointing and didn’t really tie up loose ends.

3 stars

A wife goes missing and is not found for some time. A complicated murder mystery with some interesting characters.

The Crime Writer by Diane Jeffrey is a totally gripping contemporary psychological crime suspense that gripped me from the start.
The action is set in 2019 and present day. It alternates between the two time periods as the reader, and the community, try to piece together just exactly what happened to missing mum of two on that snowy night in 2019.
As we follow the events, clinging on for dear life, we wonder where the truth lies. Is a father protecting himself from the media? Or is there something else going on?
A grisly accidental discovery in present day, opens up a whole new can of worms. Once more, the case of the missing mum is at the forefront of everyone’s minds.
The novel touches on the topic of domestic abuse. Normally we have the female perspective – but not this time as we learn of a woman with a vicious streak.
How far would you go to protect your family? A father tries to shield his daughters from the publicity. He wants to give them stability which is especially important for his daughter with additional needs.
Diane Jeffrey has created an eclectic mix of characters. She has perfectly captured the daughter, Trixie, with additional needs who is easy to empathise with. Trixie brings out the motherly instincts in me. I, too, want to protect her from the world.
The plotline is extremely well thought out and executed. Diane Jeffrey ramps up the tension and I read with baited breath and rising pulse! She certainly keeps the reader on their toes.
The Crime Writer is a marvellous read that I read in just one sitting. Once you start it, it’s impossible to put down – cancel all your plans for the day!
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

5 Stars from me

Literally blitzed through this book, and had a million theories buzzing around my brain as I read.

Gabi was a wonderful character, I loved her determination, tenacity and humanity, it was nice to read about a journo in a book like this who isn't simply portrayed as a gore thirsty monster. Her interactions with the family, the children in particular, were startlingly compassionate and touching.

The story of Leona going missing had uncomfortable similarities with a recent headline news case (I won't spell that out any further, I'm sure readers will rapidly work it out) and that added a deeply unsettling layer to the story and the impact on the family and local community.

Focus soon turns to her husband, Matthew, as a crime writer he his search history makes for uncomfortable reading, and detectives soon find out that his wife's disappearance bears an uncanny resemblance to one of his 'best sellers'...

I found this book hard to put down and raced through it - this is definitely one I recommend to psychological thriller fans. My thanks to the author, NetGalley and HQ Digital for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I’ve read quite a few by this author and she never disappoints.

I often feel like her plots centre around things we can relate to that have been news worthy events. However as the plot unfolds she focuses on the impact of the events on those individuals involved and the consequences of what has happened and how we get there.

The crime writer kept me up late to finish the story, it’s fast paced and I just knew the ending would deliver an extra layer.

Hugely engaging and gripping book - i couldn't wait for my daily reading slot. The characters are skillfully drawn. Matt the crime writer, whose wife had gone missing in mysterious circumstances, was not a very trustworthy character. We knew he had secrets. Diane Jeffrey releases clues very gradually, leaving us desperate, rather than impatient, for more. The pace and tone changed towards the end and it was as if normality was gradually returning after a maelstrom of agony and deception. Fantastic but devastating twist. Loved it and will seek out more books from this author.

Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In 2019, Leona disappeared after going out for a run and several of her belongings were found by the river, but no body was found. Her husband Matt was of course a prime suspect. Gabi, a journalist who has never gotten her big break and who knew Leona in high school decides to try to tell Matt's side of the story, but she starts to wonder if she can trust his version of events. Then in post covid 2024 Gabi then starts a podcast to discuss the disappearance and then bones are found that could be Leona's and the story comes back into the forefront.

This book was pretty good overall. I was definitely guessing as to what really happened to Leona. I thought the end was a bit more ambiguous than I like. I prefer when the ending is completely spelled out for me. But still, it was a good read and I always enjoy Diane Jeffrey's novels. I look forward to her next one.