The Ghostwriter by Alessandra Torre

 

I don't remember where or when I first learned about The Ghostwriter by Alessandra Torre, but this contemporary fiction novel has been on my reading wishlist for a while. I listened to the unabridged audio version of The Ghostwriter by Alessandra Torre and narrated by Andrea Izzy Anthony.

First off, I am glad I finally listened to The Ghostwriter. However, it wasn't entirely what I expected it be based on the plot summary. I was expecting it to be more of a thriller. It does have a bit of a mystery to it, but The Ghostwriter falls more into the psychological fiction genre rather than the thriller genre.

I must say that the main character of Helena Ross is one of the most memorable main characters I've read in a long time. She's also one of my least favorite main characters too. Helena Ross is a complete pain in the butt towards everyone. Helena's a control freak. She is obsessed with making rules that MUST be followed without question and a stickler for following the rules of others. She seems to suffer from ocd. She's a germaphobe. She's also become somewhat of a recluse. Helena's also not very friendly, to the point of being rude.

Helena Ross is a very successful, bestselling author. She also has terminal cancer and is given three months left to live. She's also lost both her husband and her daughter. (And it should be noted here that Helena's personality mentioned above, is what it is prior to her cancer diagnosis and loss of her husband and daughter.) Helena wants to write one last book that proves to be one kicker of a book... But she can't write it alone due to her cancer diagnosis and treatment. This is where the ghostwriter comes in to help Helena write her finally, most urgent book.

I thought the characters were well developed for The Ghostwriter. I loved the start of the novel and the ending as well. The middle section stretched out a bit too long. Or maybe the middle section seemed a bit slower than the start and ending of the novel? By the end of the novel, we as readers do find some sympathy for Helena as her life hasn't been an easy one.

Overall, I enjoyed The Ghostwriter and I would recommend it to other readers.

Listening time for The Ghostwriter by Alessandra Torre is 9 hours, 26 minutes.

Below is the plot summary for The Ghostwriter by Alessandra Torre from Chirp:

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. Everyone 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 breath.

They say that sticks and stones will break your bones, but this story? It will be the one that kills me.

I am giving The Ghostwriter by Alessandra Torre a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!