By Hope 103.2Friday 5 Apr 2024Hope Book ClubBooksReading Time: 3 minutes
“There’s nothing easier to dismiss than a conspiracy theory – until it turns out to be true.” – Sulari Gentill in The Mystery Writer
Key points
- Crime fiction The Mystery Writer incorporates intrigue, thrill and a healthy serving of conspiracy.
- Sulari’s personal interest in reading – particularly crime novels – further inspired her work.
- Don’t forget to join the Hope Book Club Facebook community.
Hope Book Club’s Georgia Free chatted with multi-award-winning crime fiction author Sulari Gentill about her latest book, The Mystery Writer.
As Sulari’s third stand-alone novel, the crime fiction incorporates intrigue, thrill and a healthy serving of conspiracy, The Mystery Writer won’t disappoint.
With the dream of becoming a bestselling author, Theo travels to the US to focus on her writing. Instead, she becomes embroiled in a murder mystery – and finds herself the prime suspect.
As Theo struggles through the terrifying events she has found herself in, she realises that Dan – the first victim in the murder mystery – is far from what he seemed to be.
Reaching deeper into the plot, she unseals secrets of conspiracy, hidden motives and deceit leading Theo to a mystery that could either create her next story – or end hers.
Inspiration for The Mystery Writer
During their conversation, Sulari revealed that The Mystery Writer was inspired by conspiracy theories.
Sulari’s personal interest in reading – particularly crime novels – further inspired her work.
“It occurred to me that conspiracy theories in themselves are kind of like the plot that you submit to a publisher that they send back to you and say, ‘don’t be ridiculous,'” she said.
“I started to wonder, were people who wrote conspiracy theories really just novelists without a publisher?”
Sulari’s personal interest in reading – particularly crime novels – further inspired her work.
During the podcast, Sulari makes mention of other notable works of inspiration including What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan and the Podcast series The Lady Vanishes.
A thousand words a day
Sulari follows a strict writing schedule, aiming to write a thousand words a day to have a novel finished in three months.
“I know what works for me.” Sulari said.
“I’m also kind of panicky in that I know that I have one lifetime and I have more ideas than I can write in a lifetime.
“So, I’m trying to go as fast as I can to get as many of those into book form before I expire.
“I’m also kind of panicky in that I know that I have one lifetime and I have more ideas than I can write in a lifetime,” Sulari said.
“So, there’s a little bit of that drive in there.”
Sulari’s personal connection to Theo
Readers may recognise themselves in other characters, perhaps you will find there is a little bit of Theo in you just like Sulari has found.
“She’s similar to the way I was when I was 20, in that she’s a little bit naive.
“I’ve had a few readers tell me that, you know, they’re reading the book, and they want to shout at Theo, because she does things that are so naive.”
You can listen to the full episode in the player above, on the Hope 103.2 app, or wherever you get your podcasts. And don’t forget to join the Hope Book Club Facebook community.
Feature image: Book Cover
Article written by Scarlett, a high-school student who did her work experience placement at Hope 103.2. She has a passion for reading and creative writing and hopes to one day publish her own novel.