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The Ghost Writers Club: A Novel
Logan begins his first year at Westview Writing Academy, determined to escape his mother's control and finish his late father's book series, Chronicles of a Killer. To complete the story, he needs real inspiration and hopes to find it within the mysterious Ghost Writers Club. This rogue writing group was disbanded on campus following the mysterious death of member, Lexi Pruitt, who was found dead in her car the previous summer. When Logan hears that the Ghost Writers may be returning after their year-long hiatus, he decides to join their ranks with the mission of uncovering what really happened the night Lexi died. Only, when messages from an unknown user threaten Logan and his new "friends", Logan will need to unravel Lexi's secrets to not only finish his story, but to survive.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cody Wayne Morris is and administrator in medical education by day, but by night, he's on stage performing in local theaters, writing chilling tales, or enjoying TV marathons with his husband, their cat, and their corgi. Online, he shares his creative journey on YouTube as CodyTheWriter, where he posts writing vlogs, advice, and hosts live writing sprints. The Ghost Writers Club is his mystery thriller debut.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 29, 2025
9 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 9, 2025
I was so lucky to read GWC as an ARC! 💗
This story had me captivated from the start. From the incredible fall tones in the setting to the secrecy between the Ghost Writers. I loved how Cody weaved together the lives of every member, and revealed the dark sides to them all. Including how our MC is connected without him even knowing it!
The ending of this story had me jumping in my seat (there’s proof from a livestream 🤣) If you want a fast paced thriller to keep you on your toes, GWC is the one for you 👏🏼✨
This story had me captivated from the start. From the incredible fall tones in the setting to the secrecy between the Ghost Writers. I loved how Cody weaved together the lives of every member, and revealed the dark sides to them all. Including how our MC is connected without him even knowing it!
The ending of this story had me jumping in my seat (there’s proof from a livestream 🤣) If you want a fast paced thriller to keep you on your toes, GWC is the one for you 👏🏼✨
March 21, 2025
I was blessed with an ARC of this book (my very first one). I started this very excitedly and oh my god, Cody. Watching your updates on YouTube about the writing process, to actually being able to sit and read your work is incredible.
I could not put this book down! I read the entire book in one sitting! Cody, I will read anything you write! Oh my god. I hope you feel genuinely so proud of this book you’ve written. It was quite literally amazing. I’m so glad I was given the chance to arc read! Every character experienced something in their life that made them so lovable/relatable. I genuinely loved every single character. The writing was beautiful and smooth. It was so easy to read and the chapters transitioned nicely. I would never guess this was a debut.
Personally, I’m a quite emotional person and one scene definitely had me tearing up. Of course along with the acknowledgments:) congratulations Cody!
Several quotes I loved:
“But they say it’s the one who smile often who carry the most hurt”
“ the thing about the words “what if “is how deeply they can bore themselves into your soul. Something tragic happens, and you can’t help but wonder if it could’ve been prevented had you acted faster— or not at all.”
“ blank pages are always intimidating, but the boundless power and possibilities it holds make it worth trying anyway.”
I could not put this book down! I read the entire book in one sitting! Cody, I will read anything you write! Oh my god. I hope you feel genuinely so proud of this book you’ve written. It was quite literally amazing. I’m so glad I was given the chance to arc read! Every character experienced something in their life that made them so lovable/relatable. I genuinely loved every single character. The writing was beautiful and smooth. It was so easy to read and the chapters transitioned nicely. I would never guess this was a debut.
Personally, I’m a quite emotional person and one scene definitely had me tearing up. Of course along with the acknowledgments:) congratulations Cody!
Several quotes I loved:
“But they say it’s the one who smile often who carry the most hurt”
“ the thing about the words “what if “is how deeply they can bore themselves into your soul. Something tragic happens, and you can’t help but wonder if it could’ve been prevented had you acted faster— or not at all.”
“ blank pages are always intimidating, but the boundless power and possibilities it holds make it worth trying anyway.”
March 31, 2025
A fast-paced, twisty mystery thriller great for newbies as well as dedicated lovers of the genre! The author put some much work into these characters, and it shows in how you are able to love them and hate them all at once. This is an excellent debut and I can’t wait to read what else Morris writes!
Thank you to the author for an ARC of this book!
Thank you to the author for an ARC of this book!
May 8, 2025
What’s a book release without your first poor rating, right?
It was simultaneously predictable and full of plot holes. Ideas were poorly developed and rushed. The “two-part reveal” was frustrating and lacked any semblance of luster and was easily guessed within the first third of the book. Memory formatting was dodgy, but it eventually found its way into the book 50% of the way in. It was such a short read, and yet half of it still screamed “just gotta reach my daily word count.”
It was simultaneously predictable and full of plot holes. Ideas were poorly developed and rushed. The “two-part reveal” was frustrating and lacked any semblance of luster and was easily guessed within the first third of the book. Memory formatting was dodgy, but it eventually found its way into the book 50% of the way in. It was such a short read, and yet half of it still screamed “just gotta reach my daily word count.”
May 9, 2025
So I actually really tried to like this? Honestly. Maybe it’s because this isn’t my favorite genre to read. But it felt like a very rushed plot with a subpar ending that was 100% foreseeable in early chapters/parts of the book. Just felt like a short story I was being forced to read for a college English class. Hopefully there will be better developed books in the future. 🙂
May 28, 2025
I absolutely loved this story! Such a unique idea and it was fleshed out really well. I really enjoyed the way the other characters POV chapters were placed strategically to peel back a bit of the veil into their lives at just the right times. Sometimes other POV’s can feel distracting from the main voice of a novel, but that was not the case in this story. I did not see the reveal coming, so that was a fun moment to read! All in all, such a great story with unique characters and concepts. Well done, Cody!!
July 21, 2025
I loved this book so much, it was SO good. It surprised me at every turn and the ending was so enjoyable. I loved how it turned out and seriously at one point I cried feeling like I was there with the characters. Truly a five star read for me and not even the genre I prefer to pick up. Cody you did an amazing job!
May 17, 2025
A definite “keep them guessing” it got more and more addicting as a thriller should go!
April 20, 2025
Thank you to the author for an ARC copy!
A sharp, witty and fast-paced read, this debut thriller mystery balances clever humor with razor-sharp plotting. Equal parts charm and intrigue, Morris keeps you guessing and grinning with each turn of the page. I don’t usually read first person books, but Logan’s voice and character kept me thoroughly entertained. Perfect for readers who like their thrills served with a skip in its step and a bite in its twist!
Cody, you are off to a good start and I can’t wait to read what you write next!
I was given an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review, which I look forward to diving deeper into once the book is published (to avoid spoiling too much detail).
A sharp, witty and fast-paced read, this debut thriller mystery balances clever humor with razor-sharp plotting. Equal parts charm and intrigue, Morris keeps you guessing and grinning with each turn of the page. I don’t usually read first person books, but Logan’s voice and character kept me thoroughly entertained. Perfect for readers who like their thrills served with a skip in its step and a bite in its twist!
Cody, you are off to a good start and I can’t wait to read what you write next!
I was given an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review, which I look forward to diving deeper into once the book is published (to avoid spoiling too much detail).
May 15, 2025
I think this book would be good for middle schoolers. Predictable and unrealistic storyline.
July 30, 2025
Morris has crafted a story with tons of potential. The concept is strong and engaging with tons of moments that shine. I could not put it down and found myself reaching for it in every free moment.
March 23, 2025
“I Hunt Killers” meets “One of Us is Lying” in this YA mystery novel. Fitting for a detective-esque story, GWC starts at the end. What makes this detective unique is that he’s not a cop, he’s a writer. Whether or not our “detective” Logan survives is not the question in this whodunit, rather we’re on a journey of character to find what they lose and gain along the way as each of their secrets are exposed.
Enter the prestigious Westview Writing Academy where the elusive Ghost Writer’s Club has a habit of Scooby-Doo-ing their way around campus, meddling in others’ affairs and bringing truth to light. They say the pen is mightier than the sword and like a dark knight rising from the shadows a challenger comes to dual these authors in a battle of cunning and wit. And it appears the club has some skeletons of their own in the closet.
As the mystery writer exposes the secrets of each of his club-mates one-by-one, Logan scrambles to complete his deceased father’s legacy before his time runs out. What he doesn’t know is each of his new club-mates has a reason to hide clues that would solve who killed our story’s victim.
In Morris’ debut novel, he delivers a quicksand style mystery. As the characters thrash harder to get out of their situation, they only sink further and suck you into the story with them. Each character is wonderfully crafted with morally gray conundrums and understandable motives- nothing is black and white.
The story stays focused mostly in Logan’s POV and in solving the whodunit rather than the realtionships within the book with each chapter slowly unveiling new information for the reader to play detective. You can solve this mystery before Logan does if you pay attention and practice good listening skills, making Morris’s novel a lesson in empathy that tests the reader’s ability to step out of their own worldviews and perceptions.
There are incredible details interwoven in the book. For instance, Claire uses an absurd amount of exclamation marks that might initially put a reader off as amateurish writing, but don’t be fooled. When her secret comes to light, this is revealed to be a strategic craft choice that has furthered Claire’s characterization and makes the reader go “yeah, I know someone like this but I never thought about it like that”.
For fans of camp fire stories, crime breakdown videos on YouTube, and writer retreat murder stories, you’ll love The Ghost Writer’s Club. Promises are met with payoffs, it's structure and style will meet your expectations for the genre but with the interwoven passion for inspiring empathy for others, and the ending makes the whole story come full circle in a satisfying yet sullen ending. While this book may not make you happy, it will make you feel full and perhaps even seen if you allow it to.
Enter the prestigious Westview Writing Academy where the elusive Ghost Writer’s Club has a habit of Scooby-Doo-ing their way around campus, meddling in others’ affairs and bringing truth to light. They say the pen is mightier than the sword and like a dark knight rising from the shadows a challenger comes to dual these authors in a battle of cunning and wit. And it appears the club has some skeletons of their own in the closet.
As the mystery writer exposes the secrets of each of his club-mates one-by-one, Logan scrambles to complete his deceased father’s legacy before his time runs out. What he doesn’t know is each of his new club-mates has a reason to hide clues that would solve who killed our story’s victim.
In Morris’ debut novel, he delivers a quicksand style mystery. As the characters thrash harder to get out of their situation, they only sink further and suck you into the story with them. Each character is wonderfully crafted with morally gray conundrums and understandable motives- nothing is black and white.
The story stays focused mostly in Logan’s POV and in solving the whodunit rather than the realtionships within the book with each chapter slowly unveiling new information for the reader to play detective. You can solve this mystery before Logan does if you pay attention and practice good listening skills, making Morris’s novel a lesson in empathy that tests the reader’s ability to step out of their own worldviews and perceptions.
There are incredible details interwoven in the book. For instance, Claire uses an absurd amount of exclamation marks that might initially put a reader off as amateurish writing, but don’t be fooled. When her secret comes to light, this is revealed to be a strategic craft choice that has furthered Claire’s characterization and makes the reader go “yeah, I know someone like this but I never thought about it like that”.
For fans of camp fire stories, crime breakdown videos on YouTube, and writer retreat murder stories, you’ll love The Ghost Writer’s Club. Promises are met with payoffs, it's structure and style will meet your expectations for the genre but with the interwoven passion for inspiring empathy for others, and the ending makes the whole story come full circle in a satisfying yet sullen ending. While this book may not make you happy, it will make you feel full and perhaps even seen if you allow it to.
April 8, 2025
There's much to admire in this debut thriller: an atmospheric campus setting, a clever mystery-within-a-mystery, and a twist that, even if you see it coming, still manages to surprise. The premise hooks you early, and Morris gets right to the point.
Logan, the protagonist, is a sympathetic and relatable lead, driven by a desire to escape his past and prove himself. The Ghost Writers Club--with its mix of ambition, secrets, and danger--provides fertile ground for tension, especially as Logan investigates the murky circumstances surrounding the death of fellow student Lexi Pruitt. Creeping paranoia, cryptic messages, and layers of deception steadily raise the stakes and give the story real momentum.
Stylistically, the novel makes some bold choices. I'm not usually a fan of present tense, but in this case, the narrative blends present perfect, past, and present tenses in a way that feels natural and intentional. This kind of mixed tense is common in personal storytelling and works well here, giving the writing a reflective tone and an epistolary feel. The shifts in POV can also be disorienting at first. While these flashbacks add necessary context, they occasionally disrupt the flow and briefly pull the reader out of the story. That said, the emotional arcs land well, and the final reveal is satisfying without feeling overly tidy.
In short, The Ghost Writers Club is a compelling first novel from a writer with raw talent, a distinct voice, and a wealth of ideas. Not every risk pays off--but the ones that do hint at a bright future. I'll definitely be watching to see what this author writes next.
**I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Logan, the protagonist, is a sympathetic and relatable lead, driven by a desire to escape his past and prove himself. The Ghost Writers Club--with its mix of ambition, secrets, and danger--provides fertile ground for tension, especially as Logan investigates the murky circumstances surrounding the death of fellow student Lexi Pruitt. Creeping paranoia, cryptic messages, and layers of deception steadily raise the stakes and give the story real momentum.
Stylistically, the novel makes some bold choices. I'm not usually a fan of present tense, but in this case, the narrative blends present perfect, past, and present tenses in a way that feels natural and intentional. This kind of mixed tense is common in personal storytelling and works well here, giving the writing a reflective tone and an epistolary feel. The shifts in POV can also be disorienting at first. While these flashbacks add necessary context, they occasionally disrupt the flow and briefly pull the reader out of the story. That said, the emotional arcs land well, and the final reveal is satisfying without feeling overly tidy.
In short, The Ghost Writers Club is a compelling first novel from a writer with raw talent, a distinct voice, and a wealth of ideas. Not every risk pays off--but the ones that do hint at a bright future. I'll definitely be watching to see what this author writes next.
**I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 17, 2025
I devoured The Ghost Writers Club in a single day—I seriously couldn’t put it down! I was literally peeling my eyes open just to finish the last chapter because I had to know what happened and who it was. Every character felt unique and real, and I loved how each POV added something different and fresh to the story. The narrator��s voice and style reminded me so much of R.L. Stine—it gave me major nostalgic vibes and took me right back to high school in the best way. The pacing was perfect, and I stayed hooked the whole time. If you're into mystery, suspense, and great characters, I’d 100% recommend this book. Can’t wait to read more from Cody Wayne Morris!
October 24, 2025
It's always difficult to rate or review a debut novel, but this was great. Mr. Morris has a firm grasp of place and feeling and knows how to slowly build tension. The one annoyance was that I guessed the murderer fairly early on, but by the end, they hadn't done it in the way I had envisioned. So, that irked me. haha. But surprises are great in thrillers.
Full disclosure, I purchased this novel myself, but was also gifted an ebook copy via a giveaway. That diminishes nothing. I'm an old man and say what I think at all times. I believe Mr. Morris has a strong career of storytelling ahead of him.
Full disclosure, I purchased this novel myself, but was also gifted an ebook copy via a giveaway. That diminishes nothing. I'm an old man and say what I think at all times. I believe Mr. Morris has a strong career of storytelling ahead of him.
September 15, 2025
Fast paced mystery thriller by a new author. It is well written and well formatted with good attention to detail that helps the reader immerse themselves into the life of our protagonist. I look forward to seeing what CW Morris has to offer next!
May 2, 2025
This book was so much fun. If you love that old-school Fear Street vibe but want something a little sharper and twistier, this totally hits the spot. It honestly felt like R.L. Stine meets Frieda McFadden — fast, dark, and a little unhinged (in the best way).
The alternating POVs kept it really interesting without feeling confusing, and the pacing was super quick — like, "just one more chapter" turning into finishing half the book at midnight kind of quick.
Also, the twist? Actually good. Not one of those "wait, what?" fake-outs — it made sense and made the whole story click together in a really satisfying way.
If you’re into fast reads with drama, secrets, and a little bit of chaos, The Ghost Writers Club is totally worth picking up.
The alternating POVs kept it really interesting without feeling confusing, and the pacing was super quick — like, "just one more chapter" turning into finishing half the book at midnight kind of quick.
Also, the twist? Actually good. Not one of those "wait, what?" fake-outs — it made sense and made the whole story click together in a really satisfying way.
If you’re into fast reads with drama, secrets, and a little bit of chaos, The Ghost Writers Club is totally worth picking up.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews