*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher/author for providing me with an E-Arc of this book. The following is my honest opinion *

3.3 ⭐ out 5

This is the second book I've read by Diane Jeffrey. She really has a formula for how she writes her books. I really enjoyed the podcast format to give the reader some exposition. I enjoyed this read. The premise really gripes you: Leona Walsh goes missing and the primary suspect is her husband, Matt, who happens to be a famous crime writer. Evidently the case goes cold because they don't have enough and fast forward some time, this case is subject to crime podcast detectives.

I enjoyed the sections where the format was the transcript of the podcast episode. I was a neat way to do exposition. It was very on trend and as a lover of true crime podcast it, it made me feel seen. Compared to the only other book I have read from her this, wasn't an absolute favorite but I did enjoy it.

Would recommend!

Unfortunately, this book just never really grabbed me. It was too slow and predictable for my interest, but it wasn't a bad book, just not something that held my attention.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review

I’ve read a few of this authors books and enjoyed them however I struggled with this one. I felt it lacked the usual standard of her book and it was very slow. There didn’t seem to be an awful lot happening and the ending certainly didn’t surprise me

This is a great book. When a crime writers wife goes missing he's the obvious suspect especially as his last book had a similar plot! Thoroughly enjoyed it.

I enjoyed this book, and the story is a clever one, but it all seemed a bit contrived. I never felt that I was engrossed in the book, and the characters seemed slightly unrealistic.

The Crime Writer has an intriguing premise — a crime that mirrors the plot of a novelist’s own book — but unfortunately, the execution left me underwhelmed. While the book is well-written and has an interesting structure, with two time lines and excerpts from a podcast, it never quite delivers on its potential, the plot seems contrived and some red herrings are too obvious.
The pace felt slow, and the central twist was both predictable and familiar — something that’s been done before, and done better. The concept had promise, but the parallel between the fictional crime and the real one wasn’t really explored.
That said, I did enjoy the courtroom scenes, which added some needed momentum and tension. They were the highlight of an otherwise unremarkable story.
Overall, The Crime Writer is readable and competent, but it doesn’t stand out in a crowded genre. It’s not a bad book, just not a particularly memorable one.

Great read! Not read this author before but will certainly be looking out for her in the future.

Intriguing storyline, you think you've worked it out but in reality, it's not until near the end that you get what maybe the answer....or is it?

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy in return for an honest review.

I love Diane jeffires and I loved her new book. Stories told in a podcast style are gaining popularity in this genre and I am here for it. Another great book to add to this ever growing collection xx

I devoured this book in less than 24 hours and it is definitely a page turner.

I did guess who the guilty party was (no spoilers!) but this didn't spoil the story.

This was a well written story, very interesting and I would like to read more by this author.

Three stars from me means I believe the author achieved their aims and it’s a well-written book, but that I personally didn’t fall in love with it.

In this case, the pool of suspects for the murder is tiny, and if you follow the logic of “who would be the worst person to discover is the killer” it leads you straight to them. I’d have appreciated some red herrings.

That said, I do enjoy the podcast format and how the author has used it to keep the action moving over the long time period of this investigation. It’s a clever, well-structured story and I can really see it doing well if made into a TV series.

Quite an intricate plot where a mother and wife disappears on a winter evening during a run. Her husband is an ex-policeman and a crime writer and although he is suspected, there is little evidence to implicate him at first. The plot is told at different times, around the disappearance and in more recent times after developments in the case. A reporter, Gabi, was at school with Leona who and is interested in the case, establishing a friendship with Leona's husband and starting a podcast about it.
A slow burn, but the book did not really drag and I enjoyed the puzzle aspect of understanding what happened on the winter night as well as Gabi's growing friendship with the family and a fellow reporter. A couple of twists added to the interest and without giving away too much I`m not sure about the ending, not the plausibility, but the possibilities !
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

#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.*