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Book club questions for The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark takes an in-depth look at this compelling murder mystery with lots of twists and turns. There will be spoilers so for more context about the book, check out my spoiler-free review first.
The Ghostwriter was quite interesting—I was so curious how the story would wrap up. And actually, I still have questions!
So if you’ve read the book, let me know, so we can discuss.
But overall, I found it to be an atmospheric and vivid read. I was so engaged with the 1975 storyline with Poppy.
The Synopsis
June, 1975.
The Taylor family shatters in a single night when two teenage siblings are found dead in their own home. The only surviving sibling, Vincent, never shakes the whispers and accusations that he was the one who killed them. Decades later, the legend only grows as his career as a horror writer skyrockets.
Ghostwriter Olivia Dumont has spent her entire professional life hiding the fact that she is the only child of Vincent Taylor. Now on the brink of financial ruin, she’s offered a job to ghostwrite her father’s last book. What she doesn’t know, though, is that this project is another one of his lies. Because it’s not another horror novel he wants her to write.
After fifty years of silence, Vincent Taylor is finally ready to talk about what really happened that night in 1975.
Book Club Questions for The Ghostwriter
- The story features two timelines: one following Olivia in the present day, and the other focused on Poppy in 1975. Why was it important for us to read both perspectives?
- What was your opinion overall on Olivia as a protagonist? Why did she hide her past from her boyfriend, Tom?
- Let’s talk about Olivia’s decision to ghostwrite her estranged father’s book. What would you have done if you were in her situation?
- She feels her father abandoned her, and has never forgiven him. Even when she learns he is suffering from dementia, Olivia doesn’t have much sympathy for him. What are your thoughts about her scenes with her dad as they talk about his past?
- Up until this point, Olivia never considered that her father could have been the one to murder his siblings. When did she start to suspect that he might have been involved? Did you think Vincent was the murderer at any time during the story?
- Let’s now talk more about Poppy. What was your impression of her sections? What stuck out to you the most about her?
- Through Poppy’s diary, videotapes, and Olivia’s research, more is revealed. Danny, the other sibling, was not as innocent as he seemed, and Vincent certainly also had an angry side as well. What was your overall thoughts on the dysfunctional sibling dynamics?
- We also learn more about Vincent and Lydia’s (Olivia’s mother) relationship. Why did Lydia leave behind Olivia and Vincent?
- Eventually, the truth comes out, or at least most of it. OK, let’s first review all the reveals: The teacher Mr. Stewart, who was also their next door neighbor, was abusing students, including Danny. Then it was revealed that Danny sexually assaulted Lydia. Poppy found out the truth about both. Mr. Stewart killed Poppy, and Danny found her as she’s dying. But then Vincent comes in, and believes that Danny killed Poppy, and the two fight, which eventually knocks out Vincent. But when Vincent wakes up, Danny is dead. Lydia had come to the room, and saw Poppy was dead, and also thought Vincent was gone too. And she killed Danny. Vincent eventually wakes up, and realizes what happened (Lydia killed Danny) and vows to protect her. Whew. What were your overall thoughts as you read all these reveals?
- First, Vincent had some doubts, he still thought Danny had killed Poppy. And it is a bit open-ended if the above is what really happened. Do you believe this is what happened? Or do you think there is more to the story?
- Vincent eventually says that he sent Olivia away because she reminded him too much of Poppy, and it was painful. Do you feel this was a valid reasoning or do you believe it was just an excuse? What was your impression of Vincent when it’s all said and done?
- Were you satisfied by the ending?
- What happens next for Olivia?
Additional Recommendations
Hope you enjoyed book club questions for The Ghostwriter! Here are some more recommendations along with links to book club questions.
The Last Flight by Julie Clark
If you haven’t read The Last Flight also by Julie Clark, I highly recommend it! Check out my book club questions here.
Claire Cook has a perfect life. Married to the scion of a political dynasty, with a Manhattan townhouse and a staff of ten, her surroundings are elegant, her days flawlessly choreographed, and her future auspicious. But behind closed doors, nothing is quite as it seems. That perfect husband has a temper that burns bright and he’s not above using his staff to track Claire’s every move.
What he doesn’t know is that Claire has worked for months on a plan to vanish. A plan that takes her to the airport, poised to run from it all. But a chance meeting in the airport bar brings her together with a woman whose circumstances seem equally dire. Together they make a last-minute decision.
The two women switch tickets, with Claire taking Eva’s flight to Oakland, and Eva traveling to Puerto Rico as Claire. They believe the swap will give each of them the head start they need to begin again somewhere far away. But when the flight to Puerto Rico crashes, Claire realizes it’s no longer a head start but a new life. Cut off, out of options, with the news of her death about to explode in the media, Claire will assume Eva’s identity, and along with it, the secrets Eva fought so hard to keep hidden.
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
Another entertaining mystery is Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera. Check out my book club questions here.
After Lucy is found wandering the streets, covered in her best friend Savvy’s blood, everyone thinks she is a murderer. Lucy and Savvy were the golden girls of their small Texas town: pretty, smart, and enviable. Lucy married a dream guy with a big ring and an even bigger new home. Savvy was the social butterfly loved by all, and if you believe the rumors, especially popular with the men in town. It’s been years since that horrible night, a night Lucy can’t remember anything about, and she has since moved to LA and started a new life.
But now the phenomenally huge hit true crime podcast “Listen for the Lie,” and its too-good looking host Ben Owens, have decided to investigate Savvy’s murder for the show’s second season. Lucy is forced to return to the place she vowed never to set foot in again to solve her friend’s murder, even if she is the one that did it.
The truth is out there, if we just listen.
Happy reading!
