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Murder by the Book
Not yet published
Expected 26 May 26A riveting, dark, and layered thriller that cuts through the glamorous façade of the publishing world to expose the true cost of ambition.
Some stories are too dangerous to tell—especially when they’re your own.
Addison Comstock is a literary icon, known for her bestselling crime novels, razor-sharp tongue, and relentless rise to the top. But behind her polished brand lies a ruthless past filled with secrets, betrayals, and broken lives—including those of the writers she’s employed to ghostwrite her success.
When her longtime editor collapses and dies during a team retreat in Jamaica, what appears to be a medical emergency soon begins to feel like something far more sinister. Tensions rise, loyalties fray, and whispers of sabotage grow louder. Someone in Addison’s inner circle has decided enough is enough—and they’re using the plot of her next book as the blueprint for revenge.
As the body count climbs and buried truths resurface, Addison hires a private investigator to infiltrate her own team, desperate to maintain control of her crumbling empire. But with accusations flying and her dirty past threatening to go public, even Addison begins to question who she can trust—and how far she’s willing to go to protect her legacy.
Some stories are too dangerous to tell—especially when they’re your own.
Addison Comstock is a literary icon, known for her bestselling crime novels, razor-sharp tongue, and relentless rise to the top. But behind her polished brand lies a ruthless past filled with secrets, betrayals, and broken lives—including those of the writers she’s employed to ghostwrite her success.
When her longtime editor collapses and dies during a team retreat in Jamaica, what appears to be a medical emergency soon begins to feel like something far more sinister. Tensions rise, loyalties fray, and whispers of sabotage grow louder. Someone in Addison’s inner circle has decided enough is enough—and they’re using the plot of her next book as the blueprint for revenge.
As the body count climbs and buried truths resurface, Addison hires a private investigator to infiltrate her own team, desperate to maintain control of her crumbling empire. But with accusations flying and her dirty past threatening to go public, even Addison begins to question who she can trust—and how far she’s willing to go to protect her legacy.
304 pages, Paperback
Expected publication May 26, 2026
11 people want to read
About the author
J.L. Campbell
109 books309 followersJ.L. Campbell is fascinated with Jamaican flora and has hundreds of photos in her collection. She writes contemporary and sweet romance, romantic suspense, women's fiction, as well as new and young adult novels.
Campbell, who features Jamaican culture in her stories, has written over forty books. She is also a certified editor.
Feel free to join her mailing list for news and updates https://sendfox.com/lp/1rk5gx or connect with her on social media.
Campbell, who features Jamaican culture in her stories, has written over forty books. She is also a certified editor.
Feel free to join her mailing list for news and updates https://sendfox.com/lp/1rk5gx or connect with her on social media.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is my second time reading a J.L. Campbell book, and this one blew me away! Blending suspense and drama, MURDER BY THE BOOK is a gripping mystery novel filled with secrets and revenge. I loved it!
The book didn’t hook me immediately upon reading. There were some pacing issues, but around the 40% mark, things started to fall into place. What impressed me the most was how Ms. Campbell was able to craft her storyline, hinting at clues to unlock the main mystery. I was all for it!
When I read the climax and major reveal of the story, I was shocked by how everything escalated. I could feel my heart pounding as the twists came one after another, leaving me completely tense and glued to the page. The surprises kept me guessing until the very last moment, and when all was finally revealed, I felt an immense sense of satisfaction. Ms. Campbell executed it perfectly! This alone made me smile from ear to ear.
MURDER BY THE BOOK is an excellent, vibrant read! I highly recommend it for mystery readers like us.
Thank you, Netgalley and Black Odyssey Publishing, for the advance readers' copy to read and review.
The book didn’t hook me immediately upon reading. There were some pacing issues, but around the 40% mark, things started to fall into place. What impressed me the most was how Ms. Campbell was able to craft her storyline, hinting at clues to unlock the main mystery. I was all for it!
When I read the climax and major reveal of the story, I was shocked by how everything escalated. I could feel my heart pounding as the twists came one after another, leaving me completely tense and glued to the page. The surprises kept me guessing until the very last moment, and when all was finally revealed, I felt an immense sense of satisfaction. Ms. Campbell executed it perfectly! This alone made me smile from ear to ear.
MURDER BY THE BOOK is an excellent, vibrant read! I highly recommend it for mystery readers like us.
Thank you, Netgalley and Black Odyssey Publishing, for the advance readers' copy to read and review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The premise of this story was genuinely interesting, and the reveals at the end were well-executed and kept me engaged through the final pages. It’s clear there was a solid vision for how the mystery should unfold.
However, the journey getting there was a struggle. The narrative felt confusing rather than mysterious; there was a lot of hinting at secrets that never quite landed as foreshadowing and there wasn’t enough character development for me to feel really invested in any of them. Combined with a massive cast of characters to keep track of, the plot felt cluttered. Ultimately, I think the writing style of this author just isn't a great fit for me. #MurderbytheBook #NetGalley
However, the journey getting there was a struggle. The narrative felt confusing rather than mysterious; there was a lot of hinting at secrets that never quite landed as foreshadowing and there wasn’t enough character development for me to feel really invested in any of them. Combined with a massive cast of characters to keep track of, the plot felt cluttered. Ultimately, I think the writing style of this author just isn't a great fit for me. #MurderbytheBook #NetGalley
Want to read
February 11, 2026𓂃˖˳·˖ ִֶָ ⋆📖⋆ ִֶָ˖·˳˖𓂃 ִֶָ Kindly provided by NetGalley 𓂃˖˳·˖ ִֶָ ⋆📖⋆ ִֶָ˖·˳˖𓂃 ִֶָ
Just started the book and so far it's really engaging!! Will come back with a thorough review <3
Just started the book and so far it's really engaging!! Will come back with a thorough review <3
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thrilling and tense thriller with some superb plotting throughout. What is up with the main character? We'll see! 4 stars. tysm for the arc.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews