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Xavier Bradshaw Ghostwriter: some stories don't let you walk away...
Not yet published
Expected 15 Sep 26Twenty years ago, a series of unsolved, unconnected brutal murders rocked the town of Livingston, Alberta.
Now, a city councilor is found crucified in a local church. A young woman is found dumped at the river’s edge.
Investigative reporter Xavier Bradshaw and his new partner, Jessi, need to find out who is behind these echoes of the past. Evidence points to Xavier as the prime suspect, and Livingston PD is intent on wrapping up the case. Xavier fears his mentor, a famed horror author, has too much interest in the deaths and could be the serial killer.
Bradshaw must find the truth before the killer strikes again and police seal his fate, making him the next headline.
"A slow-burn investigative thriller whose dark secrets and chilling revelations deliver a powerful final act."
—CHARLY COX, bestselling author of the Detective Alyssa Wyatt series
Now, a city councilor is found crucified in a local church. A young woman is found dumped at the river’s edge.
Investigative reporter Xavier Bradshaw and his new partner, Jessi, need to find out who is behind these echoes of the past. Evidence points to Xavier as the prime suspect, and Livingston PD is intent on wrapping up the case. Xavier fears his mentor, a famed horror author, has too much interest in the deaths and could be the serial killer.
Bradshaw must find the truth before the killer strikes again and police seal his fate, making him the next headline.
"A slow-burn investigative thriller whose dark secrets and chilling revelations deliver a powerful final act."
—CHARLY COX, bestselling author of the Detective Alyssa Wyatt series
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 15, 2026
About the author
W.M. Leesman
4 books27 followersBill spent time in both Alberta and Oregon while growing up. The two divergent cultures led to a well-rounded view of the world.
Baseball was a passion with opportunity. Bill played in several national championships at different levels and at 18, pitched for a team representing Canada in a World Championship. A serious injury prevented him from continuing at the same level.
An independent, entrepreneurial spirit contributed to opening a bookstore in his early 20s. Later he was drawn into the numismatics world by a friend and baseball colleague, where he worked successfully for 10 years. During that time, he started writing a book and met the love of his life.
You can find Bill volunteering as a Special Olympics coach at many of the kids’ sports games.
He has also spent time studying the DISC personality protocol and has spoken to small boards and businesses about the importance of understanding and implementing it, to further benefit their business interactions.
Bill currently lives in Calgary, AB with his family, where they enjoy events centred around movies and sports.
Baseball was a passion with opportunity. Bill played in several national championships at different levels and at 18, pitched for a team representing Canada in a World Championship. A serious injury prevented him from continuing at the same level.
An independent, entrepreneurial spirit contributed to opening a bookstore in his early 20s. Later he was drawn into the numismatics world by a friend and baseball colleague, where he worked successfully for 10 years. During that time, he started writing a book and met the love of his life.
You can find Bill volunteering as a Special Olympics coach at many of the kids’ sports games.
He has also spent time studying the DISC personality protocol and has spoken to small boards and businesses about the importance of understanding and implementing it, to further benefit their business interactions.
Bill currently lives in Calgary, AB with his family, where they enjoy events centred around movies and sports.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First and foremost, I have to give a massive shoutout to the author’s dedication to his wife. They say behind every great man stands a woman, and I’m so glad he listened to her advice to write this thriller! If he hadn’t, this incredible story might have never seen the light of day.
Right from the very first chapter, the book dives straight into the action without wasting any time. It grips you instantly, delivering raw, intense thrills that actually made me wince and feel like I was standing right there in the room. The pacing is excellent, especially with the short chapters, which kept me telling myself, "Just one more chapter," late into the night.
What I Loved
-One of my favorite aspects of the book is how the author handles the little details. The descriptions of the surroundings are never overemphasized; they are just right. For instance, watching Xavier write his reports, grab a burger, and switch up fonts for his editor brought a wonderful, grounded balance to the story. Also, the food descriptions are incredibly vivid,fair warning, if you are fasting or reading on an empty stomach, this book will make you hungry😄! On the flip side, the gruesome details of the crimes are delivered perfectly. They aren’t overly exaggerated, but they are realistic enough to make you grimace.
-The character work is fantastic and deeply immersive. The workplace banter and the way best friends talk to each other felt incredibly relatable. I also loved how realistic the side characters felt. Joe’s complex psychological portrayal, alternating between a paranoid persona and an articulate voice of reason, was brilliant. Similarly, the character of Scott was deeply moving and handled with a touch of sensitivity that reminded me of classic, emotional cinematic performances. The dialogue is snappy, making you laugh one minute and go "aww" the next.
-There are tiny, realistic gestures, like a character taking off his shoes before going into someone's house that felt incredibly respectful and relatable (where are my Asian readers at)☺️. It’s a small detail, but one that many readers will deeply appreciate and smile at
To keep this review fair, there were a couple of minor things that didn't totally resonate with me:
-The Nickname: I love the name Xavier, but whenever characters called him "X," it felt a little jarring for a gritty thriller and gave off more of a rom-com vibe.
-The Sports Scene: There is a baseball sequence that dragged a bit for me. If you aren't a sports fan, you might find your attention wandering during this part.
-The Name "Rosario": Coming from my cultural background where Rosario is typically a female name, it took me a brief second to adjust to it being used for a male character, though it’s just a minor personal observation!
-The Police Interrogation: When the police first turned their suspicions toward Xavier, the evidence initially felt a little forced to me. However, by the time I reached the very end of the book, the author's narrative choices completely clicked. As a big thriller reader, I ended up really appreciating how the author structured everything it makes perfect sense for the story he is trying to tell!
Mind-Blowing Twists!
This book is a wonderfully crafted slow-burn, but what makes it unique is that it steers away from the typical police procedurals we see all the time. Instead, it leans heavily into Xavier’s perspective as a journalist. (Also, can we appreciate a thriller protagonist who isn't a heavy drinker for once?😆 He's just a guy who loves good food!)
Now, let's talk about the ending. Wow. The author is an absolute master of mind games. Just when you think you have predicted the mystery and figured out the connections from the past, the author pulls the rug out from under you. The ultimate revelation is incredibly wild, intense, and absolutely mind-boggling. I was reading late into the night, promising myself I’d sleep at chapter 47, but a massive bombshell dropped and my eyes went wide. I ended up staying up until nearly 4:00 AM just to finish it!
If I could rate this higher than 5 stars, I would. The twists are absolute fire. If this turns into a long-running thriller series, I will definitely be first in line to read the next book. Hands down, the author completely got me!
Thank you to Netgalley for providing an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All opinions are entirely my own.
Right from the very first chapter, the book dives straight into the action without wasting any time. It grips you instantly, delivering raw, intense thrills that actually made me wince and feel like I was standing right there in the room. The pacing is excellent, especially with the short chapters, which kept me telling myself, "Just one more chapter," late into the night.
What I Loved
-One of my favorite aspects of the book is how the author handles the little details. The descriptions of the surroundings are never overemphasized; they are just right. For instance, watching Xavier write his reports, grab a burger, and switch up fonts for his editor brought a wonderful, grounded balance to the story. Also, the food descriptions are incredibly vivid,fair warning, if you are fasting or reading on an empty stomach, this book will make you hungry😄! On the flip side, the gruesome details of the crimes are delivered perfectly. They aren’t overly exaggerated, but they are realistic enough to make you grimace.
-The character work is fantastic and deeply immersive. The workplace banter and the way best friends talk to each other felt incredibly relatable. I also loved how realistic the side characters felt. Joe’s complex psychological portrayal, alternating between a paranoid persona and an articulate voice of reason, was brilliant. Similarly, the character of Scott was deeply moving and handled with a touch of sensitivity that reminded me of classic, emotional cinematic performances. The dialogue is snappy, making you laugh one minute and go "aww" the next.
-There are tiny, realistic gestures, like a character taking off his shoes before going into someone's house that felt incredibly respectful and relatable (where are my Asian readers at)☺️. It’s a small detail, but one that many readers will deeply appreciate and smile at
To keep this review fair, there were a couple of minor things that didn't totally resonate with me:
-The Nickname: I love the name Xavier, but whenever characters called him "X," it felt a little jarring for a gritty thriller and gave off more of a rom-com vibe.
-The Sports Scene: There is a baseball sequence that dragged a bit for me. If you aren't a sports fan, you might find your attention wandering during this part.
-The Name "Rosario": Coming from my cultural background where Rosario is typically a female name, it took me a brief second to adjust to it being used for a male character, though it’s just a minor personal observation!
-The Police Interrogation: When the police first turned their suspicions toward Xavier, the evidence initially felt a little forced to me. However, by the time I reached the very end of the book, the author's narrative choices completely clicked. As a big thriller reader, I ended up really appreciating how the author structured everything it makes perfect sense for the story he is trying to tell!
Mind-Blowing Twists!
This book is a wonderfully crafted slow-burn, but what makes it unique is that it steers away from the typical police procedurals we see all the time. Instead, it leans heavily into Xavier’s perspective as a journalist. (Also, can we appreciate a thriller protagonist who isn't a heavy drinker for once?😆 He's just a guy who loves good food!)
Now, let's talk about the ending. Wow. The author is an absolute master of mind games. Just when you think you have predicted the mystery and figured out the connections from the past, the author pulls the rug out from under you. The ultimate revelation is incredibly wild, intense, and absolutely mind-boggling. I was reading late into the night, promising myself I’d sleep at chapter 47, but a massive bombshell dropped and my eyes went wide. I ended up staying up until nearly 4:00 AM just to finish it!
If I could rate this higher than 5 stars, I would. The twists are absolute fire. If this turns into a long-running thriller series, I will definitely be first in line to read the next book. Hands down, the author completely got me!
Thank you to Netgalley for providing an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All opinions are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Hmmmm… I am not really sure where to start with this one. I was hoping for more of an intense thriller going by the blurb but it left me feeling a bit flat.
This is the first book in the series featuring Xavier Bradshaw (or X as his friends and family call him), set in the Canadian town of Livingston. X is an ex-police officer turned investigative journalist. He is the archetypal “bad ass” who likes to work alone. I didn’t really warm to him for a while as he came across as a sulking child who didn’t want to share his toys but, as the novel progresses, he does redeem himself and becomes quite likable once his new partner, Jessi, comes into the picture. The sparring between the two of them brings in some much-needed energy.
The premise of the novel makes it sound like X is in the frame for a series of murders; however, this only takes up a small section of the book. The rest plods on making it an okay, middle of the road thriller.
Leesman does a fantastic job building a dark, eerie atmosphere but the pacing was far too slow for my liking meaning it didn’t grip me as much as I wanted it to. The tension is also halted with too many repetitive internal monologues. It is also not clear why X is investigating a string of murders rather than the police – maybe I would have enjoyed this a bit more if X had stayed police officer as the book would have made more sense.
Overall, this has all the ingredients of a top-tier thriller but it doesn’t quite live up to its potential. While some of the plotting is sluggish and predictable, Leesman has given us a decent introductory novel in the Xavier Bradshaw series, and I would be willing to pick up book two to see if the series finds a sharper stride.
Hmmmm… I am not really sure where to start with this one. I was hoping for more of an intense thriller going by the blurb but it left me feeling a bit flat.
This is the first book in the series featuring Xavier Bradshaw (or X as his friends and family call him), set in the Canadian town of Livingston. X is an ex-police officer turned investigative journalist. He is the archetypal “bad ass” who likes to work alone. I didn’t really warm to him for a while as he came across as a sulking child who didn’t want to share his toys but, as the novel progresses, he does redeem himself and becomes quite likable once his new partner, Jessi, comes into the picture. The sparring between the two of them brings in some much-needed energy.
The premise of the novel makes it sound like X is in the frame for a series of murders; however, this only takes up a small section of the book. The rest plods on making it an okay, middle of the road thriller.
Leesman does a fantastic job building a dark, eerie atmosphere but the pacing was far too slow for my liking meaning it didn’t grip me as much as I wanted it to. The tension is also halted with too many repetitive internal monologues. It is also not clear why X is investigating a string of murders rather than the police – maybe I would have enjoyed this a bit more if X had stayed police officer as the book would have made more sense.
Overall, this has all the ingredients of a top-tier thriller but it doesn’t quite live up to its potential. While some of the plotting is sluggish and predictable, Leesman has given us a decent introductory novel in the Xavier Bradshaw series, and I would be willing to pick up book two to see if the series finds a sharper stride.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5⭐️
ARC review
This new slow-burn investigative thriller by W.M. Leesman was an absolute breeze to read through.
The story revolves around Xavier (X) and Jessi, an investigative reporter duo from Alberta, who are currently wrapped up in the brutal murders of a councilman and a young woman, which may or may not have a connection to a series of murders from the past.
The short chapters and easy English made it super easy to read. As this is a slow burn, we get to learn a lot about the characters and understand why they are the way they are-especially X. I loved his character development throughout the story and seeing him finally warm up to others. This is very important as it sets up the foundation for the next books in the series, and the author has done a fantastic job creating a strong introductory book.
There were some amazing twists and turns, and at times I genuinely questioned whether X himself was the serial killer and whether I was being completely played by him. But then X suspects his mentor, and honestly, you just can’t trust anyone except the dead.
The chapters from the killer’s mind were amazing and added so much depth to the story. They gave a fascinating look into why he does what he does and made the whole investigation even more compelling.
Really loved this investigative crime thriller, and I am definitely picking up the next books in the series because I need more of X’s dark humor and sarcasm! X is such a great character to follow in a story.
Definitely liked it but maybe I was just craving a lot more thrill and tension. And it’s completely my personal preference.
ARC review
This new slow-burn investigative thriller by W.M. Leesman was an absolute breeze to read through.
The story revolves around Xavier (X) and Jessi, an investigative reporter duo from Alberta, who are currently wrapped up in the brutal murders of a councilman and a young woman, which may or may not have a connection to a series of murders from the past.
The short chapters and easy English made it super easy to read. As this is a slow burn, we get to learn a lot about the characters and understand why they are the way they are-especially X. I loved his character development throughout the story and seeing him finally warm up to others. This is very important as it sets up the foundation for the next books in the series, and the author has done a fantastic job creating a strong introductory book.
There were some amazing twists and turns, and at times I genuinely questioned whether X himself was the serial killer and whether I was being completely played by him. But then X suspects his mentor, and honestly, you just can’t trust anyone except the dead.
The chapters from the killer’s mind were amazing and added so much depth to the story. They gave a fascinating look into why he does what he does and made the whole investigation even more compelling.
Really loved this investigative crime thriller, and I am definitely picking up the next books in the series because I need more of X’s dark humor and sarcasm! X is such a great character to follow in a story.
Definitely liked it but maybe I was just craving a lot more thrill and tension. And it’s completely my personal preference.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Xavier Bradshaw: Ghostwriter was a fast-paced, engaging thriller that kept me hooked from the very first chapter. The story is easy to read and moves along quickly, making it hard to put down once I started.
I really liked Xavier Bradshaw as the main character. As an ex-cop turned reporter, he’s determined to uncover the truth behind two murders in his hometown, and I enjoyed following his investigation. The mystery unfolds at a steady pace, with plenty of twists and unexpected turns that kept me guessing throughout.
I haven’t read any of this authors books before and really enjoyed it. I look forward to reading more in the future and would recommend it to fans of fast-moving crime mysteries and thrillers.
I really liked Xavier Bradshaw as the main character. As an ex-cop turned reporter, he’s determined to uncover the truth behind two murders in his hometown, and I enjoyed following his investigation. The mystery unfolds at a steady pace, with plenty of twists and unexpected turns that kept me guessing throughout.
I haven’t read any of this authors books before and really enjoyed it. I look forward to reading more in the future and would recommend it to fans of fast-moving crime mysteries and thrillers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
W.M. Leesman crafted a suspenseful thriller that had me hooked from start to finish. The mystery unfolds at just the right pace, with plenty of surprises along the way. I loved that the story was set in Alberta—it’s always refreshing to see a familiar landscape take center stage in a gripping crime novel. An engaging and highly entertaining read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC of this book to read and review.
I’m so grateful to have been able to experience this story and I enjoyed every second of it. The first in the series and I can’t wait for the other books to come out! This was a fast paced mystery that didn’t take me long to get through at all. I highly recommend!
I’m so grateful to have been able to experience this story and I enjoyed every second of it. The first in the series and I can’t wait for the other books to come out! This was a fast paced mystery that didn’t take me long to get through at all. I highly recommend!
June 10, 2026
“Xavier Bradshaw: Ghostwriter” by W.M. Leesman is a fast-paced, intense read packed with secrets and suspense. The story pulled me in right away and kept me turning pages. With plenty of twists and hidden motives, this was an engaging thriller that never slowed down. It’s a quick, unputdownable read that kept me hooked from beginning to end.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you like a thriller where anyone and everyone can be a suspect, this one is for you!
W.M. Leesman does an excellent job crafting this story from the first chapter! Me had me wanting more. And, I am so excited book two and three are in the works!
W.M. Leesman does an excellent job crafting this story from the first chapter! Me had me wanting more. And, I am so excited book two and three are in the works!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews