Crime Writer by Dime Sheppard is a witty, high-energy contemporary suspense-with-a-twist that hooked me from the first page and kept surprising me all the way through. Told entirely from a sharp, engaging first-person POV, it blends humor, mystery, and meta-fiction in a way that feels fresh and irresistibly fun.
About the Book: Crime Writer
Evie Howland should be planning her wedding to billionaire Daniel Bradley. Instead, she’s stuck, creatively and emotionally, while trying to wrangle Book Sixteen of her bestselling crime series. Her fictional NYPD detectives, Carolyn Harding and Jay Ryan, are pushing back harder than ever. They’re volatile, opinionated, and very much done with being written.
But when a real murder appears in the news, eerily similar to one of her fictional cases, Evie fears her characters aren’t the only ones crossing the boundary between her imagination and the real world. Darker forces seem to be seeping through, and if Evie can’t unravel what’s happening, she may lose far more than her deadline.
To survive, Evie must confront her fears, question the people she trusts, and decide whether she’s brave enough to rewrite her own ending.
Full of dry humor, action, and romantic tension, Crime Writer is perfect for fans of Janet Evanovich's and Mary Stewart's Moon Spinners.
BookHookup Review: Crime Writer
Crime Writer is a breath of fresh air, quick, clever, and genuinely unpredictable. I loved everything about this book: the voice, the vibrant characters, the meta-mystery twist, and the satisfying ending that feels both earned and emotionally grounded.
Evie’s first-person narration is the novel’s beating heart. Her voice is warm, snarky, vulnerable, and relatable in all the best ways. Because we’re inside her head, the blurring line between fiction and reality feels thrillingly immediate. The tension ramps up organically as she tries to control characters who no longer want to behave and might even be walking around in her real life.
The dynamic between Detectives Carolyn Harding and Jay Ryan is pure gold. Sheppard gives them distinct personalities and simmering chemistry, and their interactions with Evie are laugh-out-loud funny while still carrying emotional weight. Watching Evie navigate their chaos, alongside the mystery surrounding her maybe-unfaithful fiancé, keeps the story fast-paced and layered.
What impressed me most was the balance: high-stakes action, romance, humor, and psychological tension all wrapped into a clean, accessible package. Nothing feels gratuitous or overdone. Instead, Sheppard relies on clever writing, crisp dialogue, and character depth to keep readers turning pages.
If you enjoy imaginative, voice-driven mysteries with a touch of romantic suspense, and a twist of the unexpected, Crime Writer belongs at the top of your list. It’s one of the most refreshing crime novels I’ve read this year, and I’ll definitely be continuing the series.
BookHookup Note
I focus on YA and clean fiction, including fantasy, suspense, crime, mystery, and romantic adventure. Crime Writer is written for 12 to year olds, but I recommend it for adult and mature teen readers who enjoy clever mysteries with heart and originality. It keeps the tension high without relying on excessive profanity or explicit content. Instead, it shines through humor, atmosphere, and inventive storytelling.
As BookHookup, I received no compensation for this review. All thoughts are my own. Some links in this post may be affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to affiliate sites.
Enjoyed this review? Let’s connect!
I focus on clean fiction across genres—historical romance, fantasy, suspense, crime, children’s, and more. When books include content that may not be suitable for all readers, I provide clear disclaimers so you can choose wisely.
- 📖 Read more book reviews on BookHookup
- ⭐ Follow me on Goodreads for updates and reviews across all genres - Goodreads Books I've read
- 📸 Join me on Instagram for quotes, bookish highlights, and behind-the-scenes posts My Instagram
- 🐦 Follow me on X (Twitter) for quick book insights and discussion as well as news about my own books. On X I'm known as Birdiesquill
- 👍 Share this review with readers who enjoy thoughtful, clean, and engaging fiction!
Let’s explore great books together—one page at a time!
Comments