When legendary writer Arthur Fletch invites six midlist authors to his private island, no one knows what awaits them. Upon arrival, his agent tells them the truth: Arthur Fletch is dead, and his final book is left unfinished. His agent tasks the authors with ghostwriting the ending, and only one author will be selected. For compensation, the winner will receive a million-dollar book deal; something each writer desperately needs to break out in the industry. The catch: The public can never know of their contribution. A weekend of competition and heightened tension follows, with the authors vying for a reward that any author would die for.
Told through the alternating perspectives of each character, V.E. Schwab (“The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue”) and screenwriter Cat Clarke teamed up as Evelyn Clarke to create this clever mystery novel. This genre, as well as the concept of co-authoring a novel, is a new adventure for both of them. However, they weave together their authorial experiences easily into this modern mystery.
The novel relies on multiple tropes. Invitations to a remote island by a legendary figure are similar to Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None,” or more recent films like “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” and “The Menu.” In some cases, the plot trajectory can follow that formula to a fault, as the second half of the novel becomes repetitive, and the ending partly does write itself.
Sometimes the book moves past its formulaic style, crafting an in-depth critique of the publishing industry. This is a business that both halves of Evelyn Clarke have certainly experienced firsthand. While the book is full of twists, it shines brightest during these critiques, making the most frightening element the devastating highs and lows of authorship in today’s fast-paced, low-attention-span world. First-time authors will relate to this book because the competitive nature of publishing can feel like a personal attack. The narrative also shows that success comes with costs, and it’s never a straightforward path.
Other times, the use of mystery clichés undermines the novel’s punchiness, and the tropes hold it back from reaching its full potential. If the book more confidently diverged from the overdone mystery elements, it would have felt more impactful. After all, Schwab is known for her creative ideas, and I’m curious what could have improved if they clung less heavily to the format.
The story works as a solid character study, showing the desperation each author has for widespread success. Each character portrait is crafted carefully, whether they were raised in unsupportive households, are sustaining unsuccessful marriages or are struggling to take the leap from the midlist to bestseller. Yet again, the book loses steam when it focuses more on unraveling the plot than on its characters’ motivations, leading readers in a direction they have been before.
In the novel, there’s a conversation present regarding artistic privilege and authenticity that is fascinating, as well as natural intersectional representation. While the publishing industry is constantly evolving, the necessity of knowing the right people to succeed unfortunately remains. The discussion of race and merit addresses this truth, and the expectations for up-and-coming authors vary widely along these lines. The concept of aging as detrimental to success is apt, as if being young and green is the only time someone is societally allowed to become an author.
Although I have mixed feelings overall, I know Vanderbilt students who are looking for a fun, mysterious, literary escape will enjoy it. Hopefully, it is not the last we will see from Evelyn Clarke. It is clear they have much more commentary to offer, and I hope they dive deeper into their joint authorial voice and take more risks.
The novel is set to be published on April 7, 2026. Thank you to LeoPr for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.
