DigeeBooks

"I think Jean Hanff Korelitz’s The Plot is one of the best novels I’ve ever read about writers and writing. It’s also insanely readable and terrifying. The suspense quotient is through the roof...It’s remarkable." (Stephen King)

Hailed as "breathtakingly suspenseful," Jean Hanff Korelitz’s The Plot is a propulsive audiobook about a story too good not to steal, and the writer who steals it.

Jacob Finch Bonner was once a promising young novelist with a respectably published first book. Today, he’s teaching in a third-rate MFA program and struggling to maintain what’s left of his self-respect; he hasn’t written - let alone published - anything decent in years. When Evan Parker, his most arrogant student, announces he doesn’t need Jake’s help because the plot of his book in progress is a sure thing, Jake is prepared to dismiss the boast as typical amateur narcissism. But then...he hears the plot.

Jake returns to the downward trajectory of his own career and braces himself for the supernova publication of Evan Parker’s first novel: but it never comes. When he discovers that his former student has died, presumably without ever completing his book, Jake does what any self-respecting writer would do with a story like that - a story that absolutely needs to be told.

In a few short years, all of Evan Parker’s predictions have come true, but Jake is the author enjoying the wave. He is wealthy, famous, praised and read all over the world. But at the height of his glorious new life, an e-mail arrives, the first salvo in a terrifying, anonymous campaign: You are a thief, it says.

As Jake struggles to understand his antagonist and hide the truth from his readers and his publishers, he begins to learn more about his late student, and what he discovers both amazes and terrifies him. Who was Evan Parker, and how did he get the idea for his “sure thing” of a novel? What is the real story behind the plot, and who stole it from whom?

A Macmillan Audio production from Celadon Books

"Narrator Kirby Heyborne maintains the brisk pace and firm tension of what promises to be one of the summer's most talked about suspense novels." (AudioFile Magazine)

The Plot: A Novel of Suspense by Jean Hanff Korelitz

Synopsis:

In a quaint New England college town, Jake Finch, a once-promising novelist, teaches an undergraduate fiction writing seminar. One day, Eva Thorvald, a brilliant student, shares her story idea with Jake: a murder mystery set in the woods behind their campus. Jake is immediately captivated by Eva's story and sees it as his chance to finally write the novel that will revive his career.

But as Jake delves deeper into Eva's story, he begins to realize that it is eerily similar to an unsolved murder that took place decades ago in the same woods. Jake becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind the old murder, believing that it holds the key to Eva's story and his own salvation as a writer. However, as he gets closer to the truth, he becomes entangled in a dangerous web of lies, secrets, and betrayals.

Themes:

• Literary Ambition and Success: Jake's desperation to write a successful novel mirrors the struggles and aspirations of many writers. His obsession with Eva's story reflects his willingness to go to great lengths to achieve his literary goals.
• The Blurred Line between Fiction and Reality: As Jake delves into Eva's story, the boundaries between fiction and reality begin to blur. He becomes uncertain what is real and what is imagined, questioning his own sanity and perceptions.
• Moral Dilemmas and Consequences: Jake's actions throughout the novel raise questions about morality and ethics. His decision to use Eva's story for his own personal gain forces him to confront the consequences of his choices.

Critical Reception:

The Plot received widespread critical acclaim upon its release. Critics praised Korelitz's clever and suspenseful storytelling, her exploration of complex moral dilemmas, and her sharp insights into the world of academia and literary ambition. The novel was named one of the best books of the year by numerous publications, including The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, and Time magazine.

Readership:

The Plot is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that appeals to a wide range of readers. Fans of literary fiction, mysteries, and thrillers will find much to enjoy in Korelitz's intricate and suspenseful narrative. The novel's exploration of moral dilemmas and the nature of truth adds depth to the story, making it a rewarding read for those who enjoy thought-provoking fiction.