The Plot

A Novel

By: Jean Hanff Korelitz

Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne

Length: 10 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

"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 email 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)

©2021 Jean Hanff Korelitz (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

Amazon.com Best Books of the Year, 2021

New York Times Book Review Notable Books of the Year, 2021

Washington Post Best Books of the Year, 2021

Fun read

I enjoyed this book even though I figured it out pretty early on. The plot development, dipping into THE PLOT and back kept me amazed and engaged.

really enjoyed

great plot....great title...something new, at last! Really enjoyed the inside workings of the writing community.

Compelling and addictive

I honestly couldn’t stop listening to this book! From the story to the narration to the twists—I loved it.

Robots Voice - Siri is that you??

the narrator sounds like a robot. otherwise a good story, would recommend the book.

I wanted to love it...

I really wanted to be wrong when I figured oit early on who the "bad guy" was but alas, I wasn't. This left me a little underwhelmed. It's a decent read but I'm Malad that I had an audible credit and didn't pay for it.

The whole is weaker than a few strong parts

This novel should have been great but fell flat. I was bored in part because the main character is such a boring, whiny wimp and in part because the reader is just awful. Flat dull voice...actually well suited for the character. Now that I am thinking of it...Maybe this reader was perfect for the story.

Stick with this book. I’m sure ironically it will be made into a movie

Perfect summer reading. It takes a little time to get into it but then you won’t want to stop reading. A thriller of sorts with Lots of plot twists. Will appeal to a wide audience.

Hate the ending

After investigating so much time, I expected another twist. I saw the “villain” coming with no suspense. Loved the concept & writing. Ending was flaccid

fantastic 👏

loved it! never saw it coming. was a roller coaster ride from the beginning love, love, love

Thoroughly enjoyable

I thought the first part of the story dragged a bit but once the main characters met the book took off. I can't wait to listen or read more of this authors work.