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The Manuscript
Four old friends.
An unpublished manuscript.
A long-buried secret.
Jeremiah Trent works as a Seattle homicide detective. When he’s contacted by a friend from his childhood, he packs his bags and heads to a mansion in remote Colorado. As he arrives at the best-selling author’s home, Jerry can’t shake the feeling it was a mistake visiting the people from his past.
The mystery deepens when Jay offers them a chance to read his newest manuscript, one chapter at a time. When Jerry digs in, he finds the story is their own from twenty-five years ago, only with different character names and a changed setting.
Abby, Ken, Jay, and Jerry’s tale unravels, and when a body is discovered by the local Police Department, one that has been there for years, everything escalates into a shocking conclusion.
The Manuscript is a suspense thriller by Nathan Hystad, the author of The Event and Lights Over Cloud Lake.
An unpublished manuscript.
A long-buried secret.
Jeremiah Trent works as a Seattle homicide detective. When he’s contacted by a friend from his childhood, he packs his bags and heads to a mansion in remote Colorado. As he arrives at the best-selling author’s home, Jerry can’t shake the feeling it was a mistake visiting the people from his past.
The mystery deepens when Jay offers them a chance to read his newest manuscript, one chapter at a time. When Jerry digs in, he finds the story is their own from twenty-five years ago, only with different character names and a changed setting.
Abby, Ken, Jay, and Jerry’s tale unravels, and when a body is discovered by the local Police Department, one that has been there for years, everything escalates into a shocking conclusion.
The Manuscript is a suspense thriller by Nathan Hystad, the author of The Event and Lights Over Cloud Lake.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 18, 2020
531 people are currently reading
337 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
March 14, 2020
Good solid mystery! I enjoyed the way it was written and thought the plot was genius......a rich author inviting his former childhood friends to his mansion to read his next book. Little do they know that his next book is all about their childhood and a secret they've kept for decades. It was almost a mystery within a mystery. Loved the characters and pacing and it's made me eager to check out more from this author.
October 12, 2024
I have submitted this review after listening to the audiobook of this title within the series set box.
An unexpected invitation to join his childhood friends on a week's break has the detective humming and harahing as to go or not.
Eventually, he decided a road trip, rather than the pre booked flights, would allow him to take his dog with him.
Why they were invited is a mystery that his old childhood friend would not reveal until it suited him.
From that point forward, their destiny was forged.
An unexpected invitation to join his childhood friends on a week's break has the detective humming and harahing as to go or not.
Eventually, he decided a road trip, rather than the pre booked flights, would allow him to take his dog with him.
Why they were invited is a mystery that his old childhood friend would not reveal until it suited him.
From that point forward, their destiny was forged.
July 5, 2020
The Manuscript by Nathan Hystad is the story of four friends who experience a tragic event when they were teenagers. Years pass. One teenage became a famous writer. He calls the other three to come stay at his mansion in Aspen, Colorado, to read the manuscript based on the event. The author doles out the book chapter by chapter, building suspense for his audience, but aggravation for his friends. I have read other Nathan Hystad books and loved them. This one was well written, but slow moving.
March 5, 2020
This was my first book by the author, so I had no expectations.
Sally-the-collie dog was memorable. I did not figure out the who, as in whodunnit. The story was implausible, but I did get a feel for the characters.....almost. There were so many unexplained circumstances, and occasions that did not make sense. It was NOT gripping, by the way.
Sally-the-collie dog was memorable. I did not figure out the who, as in whodunnit. The story was implausible, but I did get a feel for the characters.....almost. There were so many unexplained circumstances, and occasions that did not make sense. It was NOT gripping, by the way.
May 4, 2020
Four childhood friends share a terrifying secret, vow to always be friends and keep in touch and then 30 years worth of life happens. Their friend is an author and invites them to his house!!
June 3, 2020
Twisting plot and a surprise ending.
July 30, 2022
Seattle detective, Jeremiah Trent, lives a solitary life until it's interrupted by an invitation from someone out of his past. Jay, now an incredibly successful author, asks Jeremiah and two other old friends to join him for a week at his mansion in Aspen, flights already booked and paid for. Jeremiah hesitates to reply because these four people have a long-held secret and getting together after all these years could bring a story best kept hidden to light again.
They all decide to go, if only to see what it's all about, finding upon arrival that Jay has written a new novel he wants them to read and give feedback on. He allows them only one chapter at a time and while they read he sits in his locked office writing their reactions as things unfold. They soon realize that what they are reading is their own chilling story, just set in a different location and with the names changed. Each chapter makes them more uneasy and as the tension grows, questions and accusations arise. Then a buried body is discovered by local police and questions and accusations turn to fear.
The first couple of pages reminded me of 1960's television detective-speak. Matter-of-fact, just-the-facts-Ma'am stuff. I could almost hear Jack Webb's expressionless voice reading the first line: "The dead eyes stared at me from across the room." I hoped the whole book wouldn't read like that, and thankfully it didn't; another few pages in and I was hooked. The tension builds as one surprising truth after another comes out, then suddenly it all hits the fan and you can't turn the pages fast enough. I had it figured out before the end but still there were surprises. The writing is average and the plot has a hole or two, but the suspense is definitely there and that makes it a pretty good read.
They all decide to go, if only to see what it's all about, finding upon arrival that Jay has written a new novel he wants them to read and give feedback on. He allows them only one chapter at a time and while they read he sits in his locked office writing their reactions as things unfold. They soon realize that what they are reading is their own chilling story, just set in a different location and with the names changed. Each chapter makes them more uneasy and as the tension grows, questions and accusations arise. Then a buried body is discovered by local police and questions and accusations turn to fear.
The first couple of pages reminded me of 1960's television detective-speak. Matter-of-fact, just-the-facts-Ma'am stuff. I could almost hear Jack Webb's expressionless voice reading the first line: "The dead eyes stared at me from across the room." I hoped the whole book wouldn't read like that, and thankfully it didn't; another few pages in and I was hooked. The tension builds as one surprising truth after another comes out, then suddenly it all hits the fan and you can't turn the pages fast enough. I had it figured out before the end but still there were surprises. The writing is average and the plot has a hole or two, but the suspense is definitely there and that makes it a pretty good read.
July 14, 2021
THE MANUSCRIPT is much better than I originally thought it would be! I was certainly intrigued by the premise when I first ordered and downloaded the book to my Kindle, but I did not anticipate that I would enjoy the reading as much as I did! I purchased the Audio version of THE MANUSCRIPT and I LOVE the gentleman who did the reading! I have no idea who read the book, but he did an amazing job! His voice was just the right tone to be soothing and to help me stay focused. I admit that while listening, I fell asleep once or twice while listening, but maybe that's a good thing....? LOL.
It took me about halfway through the book to come to a clear conclusion as to my idea of 'whodunit.' I had it narrowed down to one of two people or that those two had worked together. It was pretty awesome to find out how close I was, but not close enough to have guessed prior to the big reveal. I like that. When I can guess the ending and I am right, I am often disappointed because it was too easy.
I love the whole story-within-a-story that is used quite flawlessly in THE MANUSCRIPT. Nathan Hystad worked hard, clearly, to bring both stories to light. It's true that much of the action is incredibly cliche, but the characters in the present acknowledge the cliches, making them workable rather than over-done.
I look forward to reading more by Nathan. :)
It took me about halfway through the book to come to a clear conclusion as to my idea of 'whodunit.' I had it narrowed down to one of two people or that those two had worked together. It was pretty awesome to find out how close I was, but not close enough to have guessed prior to the big reveal. I like that. When I can guess the ending and I am right, I am often disappointed because it was too easy.
I love the whole story-within-a-story that is used quite flawlessly in THE MANUSCRIPT. Nathan Hystad worked hard, clearly, to bring both stories to light. It's true that much of the action is incredibly cliche, but the characters in the present acknowledge the cliches, making them workable rather than over-done.
I look forward to reading more by Nathan. :)
February 19, 2020
I received a free copy of this book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
Four old friends are gathered together to read a book written at one of the friend’s home. Initially they are not sure why they are there, but their host, a successful novelist, tells them he needs their advice on a book he is writing. He offers each of them $50,000.00 to read the book, chapter by chapter, and let him know what they think. Sounds like a great idea until the friends realize he has written about a traumatizing event of their young teen years. An event they all had agreed to never speak of again.
But the author needs to save himself and he believes their youthful pledge needs to be revealed. In this tense, devastating novel the friends find themselves in situations they cannot control. Most of them do not want to continue reading and make dangerous decisions. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and connected with the characters. They were well-developed and believable. The scenery was well described. The atmosphere of the people and their feelings as well as the weather descriptions blended adding to the mood of the piece. If you enjoy mysteries, you will enjoy this one.
Four old friends are gathered together to read a book written at one of the friend’s home. Initially they are not sure why they are there, but their host, a successful novelist, tells them he needs their advice on a book he is writing. He offers each of them $50,000.00 to read the book, chapter by chapter, and let him know what they think. Sounds like a great idea until the friends realize he has written about a traumatizing event of their young teen years. An event they all had agreed to never speak of again.
But the author needs to save himself and he believes their youthful pledge needs to be revealed. In this tense, devastating novel the friends find themselves in situations they cannot control. Most of them do not want to continue reading and make dangerous decisions. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and connected with the characters. They were well-developed and believable. The scenery was well described. The atmosphere of the people and their feelings as well as the weather descriptions blended adding to the mood of the piece. If you enjoy mysteries, you will enjoy this one.
March 18, 2020
The Manuscript:A Gripping Suspense Novel by Nathan Hystad is a mysterious and suspenseful story. Jeremiah Trent is a homicide detective working in Seattle. An old childhood friend reaches out and asks him to return to Colorado for a visit. The email invitation is not only addressed to him but also to the other 2 members of their group. The other two members; Abby and Ken respond in the affirmative to Jay's invite and Jerry feels like he should go as well. Jerry feels uneasy as soon as he arrives at Jay's mansion and when Jay asks them to read his latest novel chapter by chapter and critique it Jerry feels even more apprehensive. Even though Jay has changed the names, the location and even the persons a wee bit it is the story of a long held secret the four of them share from years ago, prior to them moving on into their adult lives. As the chapters continue old feeling and new suspicions arise. Then when the police discover and old burial site of an unidentified person, they are freaked out. This is an interesting story and it made me wonder sho was playing who? (Or is it whom?) I would recommend this to readers who enjoy suspenseful mysteries.
March 26, 2020
Four childhood friends share a terrifying secret, vow to always be friends and keep in touch and then 30 years worth of life happens. They grow up, live different lives, and then one of the group, Jay who is now a very successful mystery writer living in a small town in Colorado, brings them all back together again with the promise of a lot of money and an adventure.
Of course as mysteries usually go, events unfold, friendships rekindle and then explode and the original mystery turns into madness and murder. A good story although the characters are weakly developed and predictable. I saw the likely course of the story about two-thirds of the way into the book. I might add that I usually make an effort not to try to solve the mystery as some readers do by making every mystery I read a competition between the author and myself. But this one was so obvious that I kept thinking it must be a deliberate miss-direction by the author.
A average mystery by my standards.
Of course as mysteries usually go, events unfold, friendships rekindle and then explode and the original mystery turns into madness and murder. A good story although the characters are weakly developed and predictable. I saw the likely course of the story about two-thirds of the way into the book. I might add that I usually make an effort not to try to solve the mystery as some readers do by making every mystery I read a competition between the author and myself. But this one was so obvious that I kept thinking it must be a deliberate miss-direction by the author.
A average mystery by my standards.
April 15, 2020
A worn-out detective visits an old friend, who’s now a rich and famous author. What could this visit be about?
“There was no way for the four of us to be in the same room without the memory of that hot summer day being all that was on our minds.” (LOC 318)
Old friends reuniting and a promise to never bring up what happened. Well, what did happen? Whatever it was, good ole’ Jay decided to write about it in his latest manuscript, one they must all read.
Of course, having to read the entire manuscript was kind of daunting. It was nothing but a bunch of 15-year olds reliving high school. You can’t even remember who’s who because all the names were changed.
Although the story certainly sounded scintillating, it was too slow to get into the nitty-gritty. It wasn’t what I was expecting, but it had good writing though.
“There was no way for the four of us to be in the same room without the memory of that hot summer day being all that was on our minds.” (LOC 318)
Old friends reuniting and a promise to never bring up what happened. Well, what did happen? Whatever it was, good ole’ Jay decided to write about it in his latest manuscript, one they must all read.
Of course, having to read the entire manuscript was kind of daunting. It was nothing but a bunch of 15-year olds reliving high school. You can’t even remember who’s who because all the names were changed.
Although the story certainly sounded scintillating, it was too slow to get into the nitty-gritty. It wasn’t what I was expecting, but it had good writing though.
June 18, 2021
A group of old high school friends get together again decades later. One of the friends has become an author and would like them to read his new manuscript about a retelling of a terrible moment that occurred when they were teens.
I loved the format of the story as it really drew out the suspense. Each chapter of the manuscript is given out over the course of a few days so the reader doesn’t know what happened decades ago.
The final conclusion regarding the murderer and their motive was a little lackluster. Although Hystad did try to throw the reader off the trail of who the murderer actually was I l could guess pretty early on.
The characters were great, except for Abby. I didn’t quite find her believable.
Overall a good murder mystery novel that I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend to fans.
I loved the format of the story as it really drew out the suspense. Each chapter of the manuscript is given out over the course of a few days so the reader doesn’t know what happened decades ago.
The final conclusion regarding the murderer and their motive was a little lackluster. Although Hystad did try to throw the reader off the trail of who the murderer actually was I l could guess pretty early on.
The characters were great, except for Abby. I didn’t quite find her believable.
Overall a good murder mystery novel that I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend to fans.
February 19, 2020
A Mystery Within a Mystery
This is without a doubt the best book that author Nathan Hystad has written. This is his first mystery adventure as he normally writes science fiction. Nathan grabs your attention from page one until the last page. I found it hard to put down and had to force myself to take breaks. It is a mystery within in a mystery. The potential heroes and potential villain or villains are put into harms way as they read about events from a manuscript that one of their own has written based on true events that happened to them as teenagers. These events haunt and shape their lives even after the resolution of the murders. Highly recommend and excitingly waiting for his next mystery manuscript.
This is without a doubt the best book that author Nathan Hystad has written. This is his first mystery adventure as he normally writes science fiction. Nathan grabs your attention from page one until the last page. I found it hard to put down and had to force myself to take breaks. It is a mystery within in a mystery. The potential heroes and potential villain or villains are put into harms way as they read about events from a manuscript that one of their own has written based on true events that happened to them as teenagers. These events haunt and shape their lives even after the resolution of the murders. Highly recommend and excitingly waiting for his next mystery manuscript.
February 18, 2020
I really liked this story. At heart it is a mystery suspense tale that bounces from past to present as 4 childhood friends meet up again after years of not seeing each other. The story was engaging and had a hook that just drew me in and kept me reading to see what happened all those years ago and what would happen now at their reunion. I loved the premise and had to read it in one sitting. The characters would well written and so believable. The ending was great and fun and a good twist. Just a great story from a gifted writer.
January 17, 2021
Having read and enjoyed two other books by Mr. Hystad, I happily accepted an advance copy of this book. This is a new genre for him, but, as usual, the story is an easy read. The characters are deeply developed and the vivid descriptions make the reader feel present in the activities. As the suspense builds with each revelation, it is hard to know who/what to trust, and even harder to put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it. Even though I got an ARC, I bought a copy to support this worthy author.
February 26, 2020
Awesome suspense!
And you get two books for the price of one...an impressive tour de force for any writer, requiring the author to keep track of simultaneous stories with attention to related action. Nathan has done this before in the two Cloud Lake books, but has brought his skill now to an even higher level. I read the second half in one sitting without pause. Am looking forward to the latest installments of Baldwin’s Legacy and the Survivors series.
And you get two books for the price of one...an impressive tour de force for any writer, requiring the author to keep track of simultaneous stories with attention to related action. Nathan has done this before in the two Cloud Lake books, but has brought his skill now to an even higher level. I read the second half in one sitting without pause. Am looking forward to the latest installments of Baldwin’s Legacy and the Survivors series.
March 3, 2020
Good read
Even though i figured out "whodunit" about halfway through the story, Nathan Hystad tells a pretty good story. It's pretty evident that Karen Pullman is smitten with Jeremiah Trent (might become important if there's a sequel).I
Surprisingly, Jay Bostich is the weakest character in the story. He's too two dimensional and a stereotypical author
That said, there are worse ways to Spend an afternoon
Even though i figured out "whodunit" about halfway through the story, Nathan Hystad tells a pretty good story. It's pretty evident that Karen Pullman is smitten with Jeremiah Trent (might become important if there's a sequel).I
Surprisingly, Jay Bostich is the weakest character in the story. He's too two dimensional and a stereotypical author
That said, there are worse ways to Spend an afternoon
May 2, 2020
Pretty Good Thriller
This is a.book within a book, the stories running parallel as a.famous author writes about mysterious murders involving a tight group of mid- teen friends who get dragged into a series of life changing events, only to revisit the tumult twenty-five years later. For the most I enjoyed. It and the writing is quite good throughout. But the big switcharoo ending left me cold.
This is a.book within a book, the stories running parallel as a.famous author writes about mysterious murders involving a tight group of mid- teen friends who get dragged into a series of life changing events, only to revisit the tumult twenty-five years later. For the most I enjoyed. It and the writing is quite good throughout. But the big switcharoo ending left me cold.
May 9, 2020
Characters irl were interesting, descriptions of scenery, actions and the typical way of life in their youth were well fleshed out.
Storyline got me a tad confused in the 'story's' characters. Kind of detracted slightly from my mental image of it all. Great twist, although I got the connection before the blood and rock scene.
At the house, later, I almost believed the counter plot...
You really must try it.
Storyline got me a tad confused in the 'story's' characters. Kind of detracted slightly from my mental image of it all. Great twist, although I got the connection before the blood and rock scene.
At the house, later, I almost believed the counter plot...
You really must try it.
May 12, 2020
First time I read Nathan Hystad, LOVED THIS BOOK! Very intriguing, great twist and characters were believable. Don't know if his others are like this, they seem to be Sci-Fi, which I don't care for. If Mr. Hystad has others like this, I would love to know, for I would certainly read them. Kept my full attention and was a very quick read. Kudos to Nathan Hystad and my thanks for great entertainment!
June 16, 2020
Amazing in Plot twists
Very good book, in the beginning I wasn’t very sure I’d like it, since is an odd way of beginning a book, but it got better at every turn of the page... Mid book I was already suspecting of the end and I was completely surprised I was right and wrong at the same time... plot wise, is an amazing story that has you asking, wondering and doubting every thought you have. Totally recommend
Very good book, in the beginning I wasn’t very sure I’d like it, since is an odd way of beginning a book, but it got better at every turn of the page... Mid book I was already suspecting of the end and I was completely surprised I was right and wrong at the same time... plot wise, is an amazing story that has you asking, wondering and doubting every thought you have. Totally recommend
June 23, 2020
This is a mystery in a mystery. An author invites 3 childhood friends to his palatial home in Aspen, Colorado(their hometown) to preview an unpublished manuscript. They read it one chapter at a time and find out it is the story of their teenage years, with different names and setting, and the terrible secret they’ve kept for 25 years. I never guessed the “whodunnit” and an extra in the book was darling Sally, the collie.
August 11, 2020
Four school friends meet up after 25 years to talk about a manuscript that has been written about one eventful summer from their past. That one summer changed their lives, and little did they know their lives were about to change again. The manuscript sections of the story do slow the pacing a little, but are needed to build the back story from that eventful summer. A little after the half way point the story takes a twist and and then really takes off leaving you guessing until the very end
August 14, 2023
I enjoyed this book. It was easy to listen to. There are not a thousand characters. I could just relax and enjoy the mystery. Of course we aren’t sure that one of the four friends is a murderer or if it is the wild man in the woods or even someone else.
As much as I enjoyed the book I kept asking, even sometimes out loud, “Dude, you’re a police detective. Why are you not more suspicious about what’s going on?”
Also, I find it interesting that there would be close camaraderie from decades ago when they were children. That seems strange since the friends have had no contact for years. Perhaps it’s just me. People do renew old friendships at class reunions and vacations to hometowns. Not only do some people renew old friendships, they leave spouses, abandon their children, and marry old sweethearts.
Although there are only four main characters, there are corresponding characters in the manuscript. I like how the author pulls the story together using the new book and the old friends’ present interactions and memories. I like how we learn how and why our characters chose their careers and professions and about their personal love and family relationships.
I wasn’t exactly sure who the good guys are. That’s okay. We learn by the end.
As much as I enjoyed the book I kept asking, even sometimes out loud, “Dude, you’re a police detective. Why are you not more suspicious about what’s going on?”
Also, I find it interesting that there would be close camaraderie from decades ago when they were children. That seems strange since the friends have had no contact for years. Perhaps it’s just me. People do renew old friendships at class reunions and vacations to hometowns. Not only do some people renew old friendships, they leave spouses, abandon their children, and marry old sweethearts.
Although there are only four main characters, there are corresponding characters in the manuscript. I like how the author pulls the story together using the new book and the old friends’ present interactions and memories. I like how we learn how and why our characters chose their careers and professions and about their personal love and family relationships.
I wasn’t exactly sure who the good guys are. That’s okay. We learn by the end.
February 14, 2025
Wow! Really amazing!
The Manuscript is truly a gripping, pulsepounding mystery! Four old friends gather together again, to reconnect and relive their haunting past! The dueling timelines between their past and present are captivating! The novel flowed effortlessly between those two realities hauntingly!
The twists and turns are brilliantly interwoven, and the conclusion is magnificent!
Nathan Hystad has written a stunning storyline that will stay with me for a very long time!
The Manuscript is truly a gripping, pulsepounding mystery! Four old friends gather together again, to reconnect and relive their haunting past! The dueling timelines between their past and present are captivating! The novel flowed effortlessly between those two realities hauntingly!
The twists and turns are brilliantly interwoven, and the conclusion is magnificent!
Nathan Hystad has written a stunning storyline that will stay with me for a very long time!
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February 24, 2020A mystery book written about a mystery book author, Who invited his childhood friends to read his new book which was based on events in their Youth, that they swore never to speak of again. The Characters were well written, I was hooked on the story from the start. I will definitely buy The next book in this series, maybe the second manuscript.
March 7, 2020
4.5 An enjoyable, engaging, easy to read mystery. I was a little disappointed that I figured out who did it so early in the book but even with that, I didnt know exactly how the book would end. I found the format of telling the back
story through the manuscript very interesting. It is a fun read for mystery fans.
story through the manuscript very interesting. It is a fun read for mystery fans.
March 6, 2020
I can't believe I read this whole thing. Nothing really got interesting until 63% -64% of the book. I wanted to delete it several times but wanted to finish to give this short review. If I could divide my rating I would keep the original two for the 60s% and give the last percentage a 4 rating. Took too long to get to something exciting.
May 7, 2020
Fabulously entertaining
Haunting pasts, searching for the present and many twists make this very entertaining. I enjoyed the points of view used, the toughness of the characters and the premise of using teen years as a backdrop to the mystery.
I look forward to more if this author’s twisted tales.
Haunting pasts, searching for the present and many twists make this very entertaining. I enjoyed the points of view used, the toughness of the characters and the premise of using teen years as a backdrop to the mystery.
I look forward to more if this author’s twisted tales.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews