The Sequel, by author Jean Hanff-Korelitz, should never be read just before bedtime. It’s just too darn scary! But of course if you love acerbic satire, a smart-alecky, anti-heroine a biting side commentary about fiction writers and political wrangling in publishing companies, or relish an uncanny plot peppered with wry humor enveloped in pithy prose, The Sequel is a must read at any time even--- if you dare--- before going to sleep.
At the epicenter of The Sequel is Anna Williams, a character from Korelitz’s earlier ( very scary) book The Plot. Born in Vermont, Anna transformed herself from her humble beginnings to become a superstar radio-station personality. She fell in love (well, not really) and married Jake Bonner a phenomenally successful author after the publication of his one and only book titled “Crib”. Shortly after husband Jake’s tragic suicide Anna becomes a rich widow. She diligently promotes her husband’s book. And royalties keep rolling in. An entrepreneurial woman, having read dozens of other novels, Anna decides, “it’s not so hard, to write a novel” herself. She proves it becoming successful in her own right. Of course her husband’s agent and publishing company are delighted to market the “talented” Anna.
Everything is tickety-boo. And then one day,at a book-signing event Anna receives a strange note implying her husband’s book “Crib” was plagiarized and “published as his own.” As additional proof, her in-laws as well as her publisher receive part of the manuscript from which Anna’s husband “cribbed” his book. Of course everyone dismisses these malevolent mean –spirited accusations. These nasty people may well have been the same ones who taunted her husband and perhaps drove him to suicide. Everyone moves on… except Anna. Anna quickly determines she must investigate who could possibly have a manuscript identical to the one her husband wrote. Then the story gets scary.
Anna returns to Ripley College where her husband taught a class in writing fiction. Somewhat successful in her discovery she is driven to continue her private investigation. It leads to Georgia, her former alma mater where she pays a visit to a lawyer, co-incidentally her daughter’s attorney. What does he know about the outrageous accusations against Anna’s deceased husband? As Anna gets closer to the truth she has one more address to complete her meticulous sleuthing... Anna arrives at her former home now occupied by two old ladies who remember Anna when she was Diana Parker, her daughter named Rose and brother Evan. They even knew Anna’s late husband, Jake who promised them two copies of his blockbuster novel but never delivered on his promise. One of these sweet ladies is pointing a gun ---directly at Anna.
Wickedly clever, The Sequel, is one of a series of thrillers that keeps the reader shivering… even under the covers.