Life hasn't gone the way Jacob Finch Bonner imagined. After his first published book receives some recognition, he expects more from his career. More words to flow, more attention, and more fame. What he gets is a subpar second novel, a dose of writer's block, and a job at a third-rate college teaching MFA students. Add to his anger and disappointment, a young student, Evan Parker who has come up with the perfect plot for his book. Jacob can barely contain his jealousy, certain that Evan's book will get all the accolades Jacob deserves.
Time passes and Jacob's life does not improve. Searching for what he is sure is a best seller by Evan, he is stunned to discover that Evan died shortly after taking his class. That plot, that unused and unwritten plot is still out there, seemingly just waiting for Jacob to write the story. Is it outright stealing, after all, if it is just an idea and one that will require him to do the hard work of writing and selling the book? Who actually owns an idea?
Thus far, Jacob is a far cry from a likable character, and I put my money on his taking the plot and writing the book. The next time we see Jacob, he has published Crib, and every one of his dreams has come true. Crib is a best seller, he is the envy of other writers, and the public can't get enough. But Jacob worries about how he got his idea and soon someone who knows the truth might ruin everything. His career, his reputation, and his relationship with Anna, the woman of his dreams.
Jacob goes on a journey to uncover Evan's past and discovers his killer plot might have been better left alone. As he searches for the truth and a way to save himself, someone has another plot in mind and another idea of how this story should end.
Well, that ending! I saw it coming and crossed my fingers that I was wrong. I guessed the identity of his stalker early on, and I honestly think the author meant for that to happen. We know who is pulling the strings, but can Jacob see the truth before it is too late?
A very good story about the ups and downs of a writer's life, and even though I never really felt sorry for Jacob( he is a loathsome man), I hoped for one more killer twist and maybe even a different ending. Alas, The Plot was already out there and written.
Time passes and Jacob's life does not improve. Searching for what he is sure is a best seller by Evan, he is stunned to discover that Evan died shortly after taking his class. That plot, that unused and unwritten plot is still out there, seemingly just waiting for Jacob to write the story. Is it outright stealing, after all, if it is just an idea and one that will require him to do the hard work of writing and selling the book? Who actually owns an idea?
Thus far, Jacob is a far cry from a likable character, and I put my money on his taking the plot and writing the book. The next time we see Jacob, he has published Crib, and every one of his dreams has come true. Crib is a best seller, he is the envy of other writers, and the public can't get enough. But Jacob worries about how he got his idea and soon someone who knows the truth might ruin everything. His career, his reputation, and his relationship with Anna, the woman of his dreams.
Jacob goes on a journey to uncover Evan's past and discovers his killer plot might have been better left alone. As he searches for the truth and a way to save himself, someone has another plot in mind and another idea of how this story should end.
Well, that ending! I saw it coming and crossed my fingers that I was wrong. I guessed the identity of his stalker early on, and I honestly think the author meant for that to happen. We know who is pulling the strings, but can Jacob see the truth before it is too late?
A very good story about the ups and downs of a writer's life, and even though I never really felt sorry for Jacob( he is a loathsome man), I hoped for one more killer twist and maybe even a different ending. Alas, The Plot was already out there and written.