Famous crime novelist Kennedy Clark is drawn into a police investigation when someone begins copying the murders in her books. Horrified, she is determined to do whatever she can to help catch the killer.
Detective Levi Varrone doesn’t like anything about these cases, including having a civilian involved. There is something different about them compared to the “average” murder. His instincts have never failed him before but going up against someone like this will take everything in both him and his partner Chelsea Strong, who has her own motivations.
Will they be able to catch the killer before it’s too late? Especially once they seem to be targeting Kennedy specifically...
Excerpt:
“What are we looking at here?” Levi asked the first officers to the scene after showing his badge.
“A woman hung upside down by electrical cords with the letter C carved into her forehead,” an officer said a bit queasily. “We don’t know cause of death yet.”
“I think I know,” Strong said grimly.
Levi raised an eyebrow. “You do? We just got here.”
“I recognize this setup too. The electrical cords…the letter C…it’s from Kennedy Clark’s book Three to Make Ready. In that book, the victim was electrocuted.”
Kennedy Clark again! Was this the same killer? Were they just choosing random victims to reenact Clark’s books with?
Levi didn’t want to believe they were dealing with a serial killer who was able to change their MO so easily. That would make them much harder to catch.
“We need to ID her first and foremost. See if this was someone close to her who just copied Clark’s book to throw us off,” Levi said grimly.
“And if it wasn’t? What if this is the same nutjob who killed Skidmore?” Strong demanded.
“Then we have a serial killer on our hands. One who is a major fan of Kennedy Clark.”
Review:
Molly Day’s “The Writing on the Wall” is a taut, emotionally charged mystery-drama that blurs the line between fiction and reality in chilling fashion. With a premise that hooks from the start—a crime novelist whose fictional murders begin manifesting in real life—Day crafts a slowburn thriller that’s as psychologically compelling as it is suspenseful.
At the heart of the novel is Kennedy Clark, a bestselling author whose vivid imagination becomes a liability when a killer begins reenacting scenes from her books. Day deftly explores Kennedy’s inner turmoil, guilt, and fear, especially as suspicion turns toward her.
From the start, there is undeniable tension between Kennedy and Detective Levi Varrone, whose skepticism and grit make him a formidable foil. Their dynamic, along with Levi’s partner Chelsea Strong—who harbors her own motivations—adds layers of complexity to the investigation.
Day’s writing is cinematic, with visceral imagery and sharp dialogue. The descriptions of crime scenes are haunting and evocative, successfully setting the tone for a story that doesn’t flinch from the macabre. Yet beneath the horror lies a poignant exploration of obsession, family loyalty, and the burden of creativity.
Kennedy’s relationship with her sister Reagan, a lawyer fiercely protective of her, injects warmth and humanity into the narrative, grounding the protagonist in a world that feels lived-in and emotionally resonant.
The novel’s structure, beginning with a present-day interrogation and flashing back to Kennedy’s writing struggles and personal triumphs, creates a compelling dual timeline that mirrors the unraveling mystery.
“The Writing on the Wall” is more than a whodunit; it’s a meditation on the power of storytelling and the dangerous allure of fame. As Kennedy grapples with the consequences of her own imagination, readers are invited to question the boundaries between the author and the audience, between fiction and reality. Molly Day delivers a gripping, layered narrative that lingers long after the final page.
Our verdict: This book is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers, crime fiction, and character-driven drama.
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