Murder Your Darlings: A Novel

by Jenna Blum

“Authors and book tours, stalkers and deadlines, horrid men and ice cold revenge . . . Murder Your Darlings will have you cracking up while you’re checking under your bed.”—Karin Slaughter, New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author

For every woman who’s ever fallen for a bad man comes a hilarious and eviscerating tale of love, loss, and deadlines from New York Times bestselling author Jenna Blum.

Known for such brilliant historical novels as Those Who Save Us and The Lost Family, A Mighty Blaze co-founder and New York Times bestselling author Jenna Blum now offers a contemporary, suspenseful novel about love, loss, and revenge in the world of books.

Simone “Sam” Vetiver is a mid-career novelist finishing a lukewarm publicity tour while facing a deadline for a new book on which she’s totally blocked. Recently divorced, Sam is worrying where her life is going when she receives glowing fan mail from stratospherically successful author William Corwyn, renowned for his female-centric novels. When William and Sam meet and his literary sympathy is as intense as their chemistry, both writers think they’ve found The One.

But as in their own novels, things between Sam and William are not what they seem. William has multiple stalkers, including a scarily persistent one named The Rabbit. He lives on a remote Maine island, where his writer life resembles The Shining. And when writers turn up dead, including from The Darlings support group William runs, Sam has to Is it The Rabbit—William’s #1 Stalker? Another woman scorned? Can William be everything he seems?

Narrated by Sam, William, and The Rabbit, Murder Your Darlings is a wickedly witty look at today’s literary landscape and down-the-rabbit-hole tale of how far people will go for love.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Romance, Fiction

Audible Audio

Expected publication January 13, 2026

About the author

JENNA BLUM is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of novels THOSE WHO SAVE US (Harcourt, 2004), THE STORMCHASERS (Dutton, 2010), and THE LOST FAMILY (Harper Collins, 2018); the novella "The Lucky One" in GRAND CENTRAL (Berkeley/Penguin, July 2014); the audio course “The Author At Work: The Art of Writing Fiction” (Recorded Books, 2015); memoir WOODROW ON THE BENCH, about her last seven months with her beloved 15-year-old black Lab and what they taught her (Harper Collins, 2021); and WWII audiodrama THE KEY OF LOVE (Emerald Audio Network, 2023), available on any major podcast streaming platform.

Jenna's latest novel and first psychological thriller, MURDER YOUR DARLINGS, will be published by Harper Collins 01/13/26.

Jenna is the CoFounder/ CEO of online author platform A Mighty Blaze, and she's one of Oprah's Top 30 Women Writers. Jenna’s first novel, Those Who Save Us, was awarded the Ribalow Prize by Hadassah Magazine, adjudged by Elie Wiesel; it was a Borders pick and the #1 bestselling book in Holland. The Stormchasers, Jenna’s bestselling second novel, was a Target Emerging Authors pick, a Borders pick, and featured in French Elle. Her third bestseller, The Lost Family, was an Indiebound pick and garnered starred reviews from all four trades: Publishers’ Weekly, Kirkus, Booklist, LIbrary Journal. The bestselling memoir Woodrow on the Bench was a Midwestern Booksellers’ pick and is now available in paperback.

Jenna is based in Boston, where she taught at Boston University and at Grub Street Writers for over 20 years. Jenna currently teaches fiction, novel, and social media marketing for writers via Blaze Writers Project, based in Boston and online. She speaks nationally, internationally, and online about her work and writing life. Please visit Jenna on her website, www.jennablum.com, and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Substack, BookBub, and TikTok.

Reviews

[Edwin Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenna Blum took a huge swing with this meta delight about a well-known historical novelist who finds love and decides to switch genres, all while being stalked by a jealous bookseller. I dare not say much more for fear of spoilers, but fans of Jean Hanff Korelitz’s THE PLOT will not be disappointed!

[Karen Casale · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a clever novel. I love an unreliable narrator and this multi-POV novel had a few. I'm also into books that peek inside the mind of authors and those who work in publishing and this did just that.
I thought the main character William was a conceited ass and I'm not sure if there are men out there like him, but I sure hope not. An entertaining read with a surprise ending that was satisfying. This murder-mystery focuses on obsession and sex in a creepy way, meaning there is a huge creep who uses sex with vulnerable to women to get what he wants: their undying love and loyalty. His fortune and fame help to reel in his innocent victims. He's a PIG! I felt sorry for the women who fell for his trickery.
Thank you Edelweiss for the review copy.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the MOST fun twisty mystery set among the world of books and writing. If you liked The Plot, you’ll probably like this as well.

[Randi Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder Your Darlings was such a fun and addicting read! Sam, an author best known for her historical fiction, finds herself completely entranced by William, an effortlessly talented, dreamy writer who hops between genres and nails a female POV a little too well. As their relationship heats up, Sam starts receiving unsettling messages from a stalker determined to drive a wedge between them… but the real question is: why?

When Sam excitedly shares her plan to write a thriller, William’s reaction is explosive, he’s furious, then disappears. His character is very clearly crafted to be a narcissistic a$$hole, and honestly, it made the story even more entertaining. Sam misses every red flag waving in her face, but that only deepens the tension and keeps you glued to the pages.

One of my favorite parts was the “book within a book” structure and the intimate peek inside a writer’s creative process. From inspiration to deadlines to publishing pressures, this novel offers a surprisingly immersive look at the behind-the-scenes world of authorship.

Smart, meta, twisty, and totally absorbing, this was a fantastic read from start to finish.

[Shazzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy to lose interest in the second quarter. Pacing is wild.

I received a review copy from the publisher.

[readwithmichele · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING: 4.25 ⭐️

Formal review forthcoming.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satire of the publishing industry and MFA programs, masquerading as a thriller. Sam Vetiver is a novelist struggling with her next book when best-selling legend William Corwyn reaches out with a fan email. As Sam and William become involved in a relationship, Sam is threatened by his stalker, known as The Rabbit. As their relationship progresses and the tension heightens, it becomes clear that William is not what he seems. Fun, funny, and a page-turner.

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder Your Darlings by Jenna Blum is a recommended romantic suspense drama, perhaps highly recommended for the right reader.

Simone “Sam” Vetiver is a writer who just finished a publicity tour for her latest novel and now faces both writer's block and a deadline for her next book. She receives an fan email from successful author William Corwyn and attends one of his publicity events where the two the two meet and go out for dinner. This is the start of a steamy affair. During this time William is being stalked by a woman he calls The Rabbit, who also begins to follow Sam. However, everything isn't as it seems to be.

The plot unfolds through the point-of-view of Sam, William, and the Rabbit. The glimpse into the publishing world was interesting and when the plot finally becomes interesting toward the end of the novel it did make up somewhat for the bulk of it. Sam is a well developed character, which is part of what made it hard to believe she'd fall for William who is more of a caricature of a type of man. Rabbit is an interesting character who is introduced into the narrative as an antagonist.

For me, the majority of the novel was glacially slow paced. Honestly, I almost gave up on this novel early on and struggled to keep an interest in it until the last quarter, when it does become much, much better. I'm not a fan of romance novels, so all the steamy encounters were just time wasters, especially when it was made clear from the start that William is an arrogant narcissistic player. It was impossible to believe Sam was foolish enough to fall for his drivel.

Murder Your Darlings would best be appreciated by those who enjoy romance novels. Thanks to HarperCollins for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2025/1...

[Marina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hotshot author William Corwyn is being stalked by someone only known as The Rabbit, but who is clearly female. Sam/Simone Vetiver is also a successful author but she’s suffering from a serious case of writer’s block. As she comes into William’s orbit, he offers to help her out and they begin a sizzling affair which Sam hopes will turn out to be something more serious.

From the outset, it is clear that William is arrogant and unpleasant, even a touch creepy. He’s sexist, manipulative and exploitative, so it’s puzzling why so many smart, educated women seem to fall under his spell. But those who do all have a common weakness – they are desperately lonely, often lacking in self-esteem but have dreams of being recognised as published authors, so when William takes an unexpected intense interest in them, they are flattered and fail to realise he has ulterior motives that sets them on a fatal path.

The three points of view are all well-written, the pace never falters and the conclusion is satisfying, if not unexpected. But, for any reader who has now read far too many novels in which gullible young women are the victims of older, unscrupulous men, this tends towards cliché, and the salacious descriptions of incessant bedroom acrobatics are just yawn-inducing rather than titillating.

Many thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC.

[MicheleReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simone “Sam” Vetiver is an author who has achieved some success writing historical fiction. As the deadline for her fifth book approaches, she is having a tough time writing it. After her book tour, Sam is surprised to receive a letter from the very popular bestselling author William Corwyn, who praises her work and invites her to his bookstore appearance in Boston. Although he is very popular with women readers, he has also attracted stalkers. One of them is a woman William has dubbed The Rabbit. She spends all her free time following William, who also leads an all-female writers' group called the Darlings. As the relationship between the two writers intensifies, Sam soon realizes that her biggest problem is not writer's block. 

Murder Your Darlings is such a clever and suspenseful book. Jenna Blum, best known for her historical fiction, has written her first psychological thriller, bringing us into the world of writers and their constant need to come up with exciting new ideas. It is also about 50-something Sam's quest to find love after her divorce. Could William be "the one"? The setting is perfect. William takes Sam to his home on an island in Maine. Though isolated, it has one other person on it: The Rabbit. Get ready for a twisty ride.

Many thanks to Harper for the advance.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blum’s tongue in cheek look at authors,book publishing, and MFA programs is a master class in satire and a departure from her historical novels. Successful author Sam, finishes her latest book tour when she receives a fan letter from the best selling author William. William has a stalker, Rabbit, and the novel is told from these 3 main character’s POV. Sam is a well developed character, and her attraction for William takes off quickly. However when William narrates the next section the reader quickly realizes that Sam has no idea who she is falling in love with. A common flaw that will endear Sam to many female readers who only visualize the man they “wish”to see.This is a twisty, cleverly plotted mystery told with humor and suspense. Warning: the sex is fairly graphic and may be off- putting for some readers.

The audio edition is read by Ann Marie Gideon; Stacy Gonzalez; Braden Wright; Megan Tusing and opens with a fairly frantic tone and some sexual content that is not appropriate for any children in earshot.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Ilyssa Wesche · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anytime a book is set in the publishing world, I'm in. This reminded me a lot of The Plot (which someone else pointed out.) I liked it so much that I was willing to accept the far-fetched ending. I loved the three POVs, they kept me involved and mostly believing in how events unfolded. William was despicable in the best most entertaining ways.

Two problems for me were: 1) could Sam really have gotten the Salem author (forgot her name) to trust her so quickly? And 2) I refuse to believe that the Rabbit couldn't have found another way to warn . Or that the cops wouldn't have put together the fact that was somehow related to all these authors. Something other than living in the house with them undetected. Which again, I went with it because I was so invested at that point that I wanted to know how it ended.

I did expect more from Sam but kept reminding myself of her co-dependency proclivities - such a smart piece of backstory to include because it made me believe that she might keep turning a blind eye to all of William's nonsense.

[Harvee Lau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam Vetiver, a fairly new author, with a writing block meets successful writer, William Corwyn, who promises to help and mentor her while she finishes her book. They become close and romantic, even when they become threatened by a stalker they call The Rabbit.

The suspense that builds up in the novel, with the stalking of the couple and the break ins, leads to an unexpected ending, which I loved. The surprise was really that, a genuine and genius surprise!

I loved the inside look at how authors work and write, and the publishing world of editors, book agents, publicists interacting with writers to produce a printed book.

[B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this one in a goodreads giveaway. Romantic suspense set in the publishing world? Yes please. Except...none of the characters were particularly likeable and I couldn't bring myself to care about what happened to any of them. I finished it, so there's that, but it's not my jam at all.

[Madison Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder Your Darlings is a clever, darkly funny, and suspenseful read. Jenna Blum captures the chaos of love, ambition, and obsession in the literary world with sharp wit and irresistible twists. A smart, fast-paced story that keeps you hooked to the end.

[Suzanne Leopold (Suzy Approved Book Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glued to the pages with this suspenseful book with three narrators. It has drama, twists, revenge, spice and a bonus: I also learned a new term “ho-away”! Great pacing and characters. Welcoming this author to the thriller genre with this hit!

[Brittany Criswell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my review!

Clever!Well written dark and suspenseful, I loved the 3 POVs in this book! I think it absolutely captured the depths that a writer would go to make it to the top! I honestly couldn't put it down and left me hungry for more!

[Serianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder Your Darlings was such a page-turner! I appreciated that the author had such distinct voices for the three narrators and this drew me into the book more. For those who enjoy thrillers, suspense, and eerie vibes, I highly recommend!

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was wild! Review coming soon.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5