Killer Twist

Ghostwriter Mystery #1

by C.A. Larmer

With slick black hair, tortoise-shell glasses and a penchant for cheap Merlot, Roxy Parker is a sassy new female detective … except she’s not strictly a detective. Rather, she’s a writer with a taste for the morbid and mysterious—and this time her little sideline may get her in way over her head …

In the first book of the Ghostwriter Mystery series, Roxy is hired to ghostwrite the life story of department store heiress Beatrice Musgrave. Beatrice has promised Roxy a secret worth writing about, but before she gets the chance to tell all, the socialite is found ripped to shreds at the bottom of a cliff. The police say it's suicide but Roxy knows better—there are too many people looking way too relieved.

And so she embarks on an investigation of her own. From the posh suburbs of inner-city Sydney to remote outback Australia, Roxy finds herself lured into a web of deceit where time has healed no wounds and no one is who they appear to be. One thing, however, is crystal clear: chasing headlines can be a deadly occupation. Roxy must also act fast—there's a menacing stranger threatening her life, a handsome best friend growing increasingly impatient, and her mother is really starting to get on her nerves.

Killer Twist is a fun, fast-paced adventure for anyone who loves a good cozy mystery with a little wine swilling and fashionable accessories on the side.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Australia, Ebooks, Thriller, Cozy

Paperback

First published August 8, 2011

About the author

Author Christina (C.A.) Larmer was born in remote Papua New Guinea where close encounters with witchdoctors and cannibal progeny (no, really), gave her a morbid taste for mystery that has culminated in more than a dozen crime novels, including four in the Amazon-bestselling Agatha Christie Book Club series, two Posthumous Mysteries, seven Ghostwriter Mysteries, a thriller/suspense, and a stand-alone novel called An Island Lost, which is set in deepest Papua—where else?

When she's not politely bumping people off (they are mostly 'cozies', folks), Christina can be found in the hinterland behind Byron Bay (Aus) where she runs an indie publishing biz, teaches, freelances, and hangs out with her muso hubby, two sons and one very cheeky Blue heeler. For news, views, calarmer.com // https://calarmer.com/blog/

Reviews

[Phrynne]

I read Book 2 before I read Book 1 in this series but it did not really make any difference, although the MC was lucky to survive this book at all judging by the foolish move she makes in the last chapters. Of course this was necessary in order to create an exciting finale.

It is a good story about a journalist who picks up clues the police do not have about a succession of murders. She justifies to herself why she does not share her information with the police and consequently solves the case but not without putting herself in extreme danger. An easy and entertaining read.

So now on to Book 3. I do need to find out what happens to Max.

[Brenda]

4.5 stars

Ghostwriter, journalist and part time sleuth – that was Roxy Parker’s claim to fame. Her writing assignments were generally mild; but occasionally she could use her investigative instincts and find juicer stories. Her current assignment was writing the memoirs of wealthy heiress Beatrice Musgrave; she was still in the interviewing stage and though Beatrice was a lovely old lady, the story of her life was quite mundane. Until Beatrice told Roxy she had a secret to divulge at their next meeting…

When Roxy learned of Beatrice’s death and that the verdict was suicide, Roxy was stumped. That didn’t gel with the Beatrice she had come to love. Her suspicions were further raised when family members didn’t seem too concerned. So Roxy decided to investigate the family on her own – and the secrets she gradually found continued to confirm in her mind that dear old Beatrice was indeed murdered. But it also put Roxy’s life in danger…

Killer Twist by Aussie author C.A. Larmer is the first in the Ghostwriter Mystery series and it was fabulous. Quick and easy to read, it had all the twists and turns in the plot to keep this reader entertained, and the unexpected twist at the end was excellent. I have no hesitation in highly recommending this delightful cosy mystery.

[Rhonda]

I won't break down the actual story, as that has been done in the product description and in other reviews, but I'm happy to share my opinions:

Roxy Parker is a compelling character and I couldn't help but adore her. She's 30, hip, very inquisitive, and fiercely independent. She has a head-butting relationship with her somewhat overbearing buttinksy mother but dutifully tries to pacify her while maintaining her independence. Her dear friend, Max, is a great character too. While Roxy would like to keep their "safe" friendship, Max is in love with Roxy and wants something more. The dynamics of their relationship were fun to read and easy to identify with.

Roxy is easy to love and relate to. The other characters in the story are also very well developed, believable, and easy to follow.

The settings in Australia are described very well too, allowing you to picture scenes in your mind and feel familiar with the locations. None of the narrative descriptions are overbearing or too wordy, just enough to allow one to visualize.

The actual mystery is not too convoluted and not too simple, providing for an easy-to-read story that is believable, yet not boring at all. The writing is very well done and the story carries you along inspiring you to turn the next page, and the next, and the next.

All-in-all, Killer Twist is a great cozy. I enjoyed it immensely and will be ordering the second in the series.

Highly recommended - 5 stars!!!

[Kristi | Hidden Staircase |]

This was a fun read, the first in the Ghostwriter series. I took to Roxy Parker right away. She's a ghostwriter, and when one of her clients supposedly commits suicide, Roxy doesn't believe it and starts to look into her client's untold story. A great cozy mystery, looking forward to reading the next in the series.

[Bandmama (aka Lucy) - Claiming Mitch as mine]

This one's a keeper. I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end and was completely caught off guard when I found out who done it. Lot's of twists and turns, rich characters, and a budding love story. This is a fantastic first in a series.

[I'mogén]

So I enjoyed this more than I was expecting, which I'm happy about. I think I received this through a free instafreebie thing. Honestly, if I did have to pay I probably wouldn't have read this, as bad as it sounds, because it's not something I'd naturally gravitate too. However I'm glad I did read it because I did enjoy it, but in saying that the story didn't make my heart race or anything.
Roxy, our main character, was fun to read from but I feel like she did some seriously stupid things that kind of annoyed me.
I like that they included the prologue and first chapter of book two, but I probably won't read it because I'm not that interested and it sounds too similar to some of the events in the first book.

Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! ^^
Gén

[Lisa]

I have to admit better than I thought it would be. It kept me
guessing and what a surprise ending.

[Anastasia]

Killer Twist by C.A Larmer is book 1 in the Ghostwriter mystery series. Writer Roxy Parker is hired to ghostwrite the life story of department store heiress Beatrice Musgrove when she is killed prior to making a revelation.An enjoyable, interesting entry into the series with a smart, inquisitive main character. I liked that it is set in Sydney making it more familiar for me and am looking forward to reading more in the series.

[Grace J]

Thoroughly enjoyable read. Good mystery, good writing - and just enough of the main character's private life to leave you wanting more. Recommended to anyone who enjoys a mystery, especially with a female sleuth!!

[Donna]

Quick and entertaining. Sort of a cozy but with a little bit of an edge. I liked Roxy as a character and the plot had plenty of, mostly believable, twists and turns. Liked the Australian setting too. I'll look for more in this series.

[Debbie]

Brilliant story but I found the writing a bit frustrating. Keep reading and you will be rewarded with a delicious twist at the end!!

[Sara]

Did not see the twist at the end coming! Great read and look forward to reading the next in this series.

[Sheila]

Set in Australia, C.A. Larmer’s Killer Twist offers fascinatingly detailed locations, and an intriguing female protagonist with a solidly believable character. Protagonist Roxy is a ghostwriter, and I never knew ghostwriting could be so lucrative or so dangerous. Though, to be fair, the danger might come from the writing of magazine articles too, or anything else she’s recently tackled. (I want to learn her job.)

Roxy’s agent’s got her back. A stranger’s hand slaps her back, sending her flying into danger in the street. And to get her own life back, she just might have to emulate Hercule Poirot. Meanwhile mundane laundry and shopping intervene.

“Finding work was never a real problem for this talented writer,” so I suspect I’m not as talented as Roxy—I’m sure I'm not as talented at surviving death threats and danger. But I really enjoyed the read.

Disclosure: I won an ecopy and thoroughly enjoyed the read.

[Gloria]

What a great mystery book! One of the best I've ever read. The main character Roxy Parker is a former journalist and now a ghost writer. Her last client, Beatrice Musgrave told her that she was going to reveal a family secret in her next interview. Roxy received a couple of death threats since then and one day on her way to see her agent she was violently shoved toward an oncoming bus. She got a glimpse of the man that did it. Beatrice suddenly committed suicide. At least that's what the police said. Roxy did not believe it. The book continues with more murders. Roxie believed they were connected. She started asking people questions. The police told her to stop because it was a suicide and the case was closed. She did not stop. I kept reading the book to the end. A very unexpected confession from the killer while, pointing a gun at Roxy. Killer Twist, A perfect title for a perfect mystery.

[Thomas]

Roxy Parker is a ghost writer (a person who writes stories under another authors name), and also an investigative reporter. When the subject of a autobiography dies suddenly, Roxy doesn't believe the suicide ruling.
With having death threats given to her, Roxy investigates Beatties death. Learning several secrets that others don't want revealed, and are more than willing to kill to keep the past in the past.

This was a very enjoyable story with developed characters, several twist, and a lot of deviousness included.

This was my first story from C.A. Larmer, and will not be my last.

[Rebecca]

2.5 stars tops

I’m still considering moving it down to 2 stars but that seems too harsh. This book drove me nuts. The story is mainly told from Roxy’s point of view but randomly switches to other characters and then back again but there is nothing worthwhile added by that. The story meanders slowly, so much so that you forget who a character is and their relevance. Even the supposed twist at the end is lackluster. That being said, it was a complete story and there weren’t a lot of errors, so 2.5 stars

[V L]

An enjoyable read!

KILLER TWIST is well written and an intriguing read. Just when one has it “figured out”, a red herring or a plot twist would be thrown in to confuse, frustrate and encourage the reader to continue reading. A must read! Be sure to get the other five books in the series, then discover the other book in other genres she has written.

[Virginia Kessen]

As is often the case, I thought this book would be better with a little editing to tighten it up. Whodunit was obvious very early (though there was a satisfying twist that made the why more believable) and the section with the heroine on the wrong track went on a little too long but all-in-all a fun read.

[Mary Pummill]

Killer Twist (A Ghostwriter Mystery Book 1)

A book that had many twists. Hard to tell where it was going and who was involved. A surprising ending that did not disappoint you. You were definitely not ready to put the book down

[Jennifer]

Wasn't sure after chapter 1 that I'd like it and found, as I got more into the book, that it became more interesting.
What looks like several stories are intertwined. I did think that the perp was the perp but there was a very interesting wrinkle that made it a 'whoa' moment. Well done.

[Jacqueline]

So Many Suspects, So Many Crimes

Great mystery filled with interesting characters, plot twists and fun dialogue. You keep thinking, "Hmm maybe her. Maybe him. What about ..." but it's doubtful you can get all the who, what, where, when and why figured out before the buzzer dings.

[Anne]

This book was awesome. The whole book right to the end I knew who did it. Then the end came and I was wrong because C.A.Larmer threw in a twist. But boy what an ending. I loved it. I can't wait to read more from this author.

[Narelle Williams]

This was a very entertaining story. The plot was well thought out, with the story taking us from inner suburbs of Sydney to a small rural town. Some of the story was easy to guess the outcome, but the rest left you hanging on till the very end. I am enjoying reading CA Larmer's books.

[Sarah]

Finished reading it like it was my job. Fun and swift, I got a kick out of it. Want to read the rest.

[Valerie]

This is the first of the series and if the rest in the series are on the same par that will be great. The story had a few twists that I didn't see coming and that added to the enjoyment.

[SUE]

good story. The author gave us many clues through the book but never caught them. I kept pointing fingers at this character or that one, but never had it right.

[Angie]

The cutest main characters ever !

[Shirley]

Fun intro to a new series. Ghostwriter turns sleuth. Interesting plot with plenty of suspects.

[Deb]

I kept loosing my place in this book. Don’t know what the problem was just couldn’t get a grasp of the story.

[Rev. Raymond G. Feyes]

Great Read

As I read more began to like it. Appreciated Sydney as location. Learned new info as well as local language idiom