This novel is the sequel to 'The Plot', a book about a struggling writing teacher/author named Jake Finch Bonner.
When Jake discovers one of his former writing students, Evan Parker, is deceased, Jake steals the plot of Evan's manuscript for his own book. Jake's plagiarized novel, called 'Crib' - about a dysfunctional family that harbors a murderer - is a smash hit. Unfortunately for Jake, someone knows he's a thief, and big trouble follows.
Warning: This review contains spoilers for 'The Plot'.
As 'The Sequel' opens, Jake's widow, Anna Williams-Bonner - a former producer for a radio talk show - is on a publicity tour for her husband's final novel, which was released after Jake's suicide.
Anna mentions to one of Jake's fans that she's thinking of writing a novel of her own, and the next thing Anna knows, Jake's agent and editor are pressing her for a book. Musing about published writers, Anna thinks "If these idiots can do it, how f***king hard can it be?" So Anna takes a few writing classes and pens a novel called 'Afterword', about a widow mourning her husband's suicide.
'Afterword' is very well-received, and the fact that Anna 'rode her husband's coattails' to become a best-selling author irritates 'real writers' who went to graduate school for MFA degrees.
In any case, Anna's publicity team sends her on an extended tour to promote 'Afterword' and people line up to get their books signed, and maybe have a word with the author.
There are also books with Post-It notes, to be signed and picked up later. One of these Post-It notes is ominous; it indicates someone knows about Anna's secret past.
The fact is, Evan Parker's novel (which was stolen by Jake) is based on the true story of Evan's family: mother, father, Evan, and his sister. Anna is actually Evan's sister (real name Dianna), and she murdered her parents and her out-of-wedlock daughter. Evan wrote all about this in his book, with the names changed.
When Anna gets wind of Evan 'usurping her life', she kills him, then assiduously destroys ALL evidence of his unpublished manuscript ...every single scrap. Except she doesn't.
When Anna gets back from her publicity tour, someone starts mailing her pages from Evan's original manuscript: a tale that lauds Evan and decries his sister's dastardly crimes.
Being an experienced murderer by now, Anna sets out to track down and eliminate the person(s) sending the manuscript pages.
The novel is structured as a book within a book, and while Anna is carrying out her 'cover your butt' scheme, we read bits of Evan's book. In Evan's eyes he was the golden boy of his family, a handsome high school sports star who was liked by everyone.
Anna remembers things differently. In her eyes Evan was an entitled creep who slept with every pretty girl in school, all the while being coddled by their parents. Conversely, Anna was a smart student who got no empathy from her mother and father when she got pregnant at fifteen.
Though Anna is an evil execrable murderer, one can't help but root for her.
This speaks to the talent of author Jean Hanff Korelitz, who makes Anna such a compelling protagonist. And Anna DOES find a good home for her cat Whidbey when she can't settle with him....so there's that.
There are suggestions we may see more of Anna, which I'd welcome. Sometimes you just want to see a woman getting her own back. 😊
This is an engaging thriller, highly recommended.
Rating: 4 stars
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