Prologue: Shadows on the Deck

The novel opens in the tense darkness of a ship's deck, where Abby Chandlis is hunted by men with night-vision scopes. She's running for her life, trying to reach Morgan, her confidant, to warn him of imminent danger. The men are after documents that could change everything, and Abby's every move is a gamble between survival and exposure. The prologue sets the tone: danger, secrecy, and the high stakes of the publishing world, where a manuscript is worth killing for.

Abby's Double Life

Abby Chandlis is a Seattle lawyer approaching middle age, haunted by the fear of fading relevance in a youth-obsessed culture. Her true passion is writing, but after three underperforming novels, she's become "used merchandise" in the eyes of publishers. Facing rejection and ageism, Abby hatches a plan: she'll write a commercial thriller under a male pseudonym, Gable Cooper, and use a handsome man's photo to sell the book. Her double life is a balancing act between ambition, insecurity, and the desire for recognition.

The Manuscript's Seduction

Abby's new manuscript, written as Gable Cooper, is a page-turner that catches the attention of Carla Owens, a powerful New York literary agent. Carla is captivated by the "male" author's seductive voice and wants to sign him immediately. Abby, maintaining her ruse, claims Cooper is out of reach in Mexico. The manuscript becomes a hot commodity, drawing interest from publishers, agents, and Hollywood, all eager to cash in on the next big thing. The seduction is not just literary—it's commercial, and everyone wants a piece.

The Gable Cooper Gambit

To sell the illusion, Abby enlists the help of friends and scours talent agencies for a man to play Gable Cooper. She auditions actors, seeking someone who fits the image she's sold to Owens: dark, dangerous, and marketable. Jess Jermaine, a model and aspiring actor, is chosen to be the public face of Cooper. The plan is elaborate: fake photos, staged interviews, and a carefully crafted backstory. Abby's legal expertise helps her navigate the ethical and contractual minefields, but the deeper she goes, the more tangled the web becomes.

Publishing's Ruthless Machine

Behind the scenes, the publishing industry is depicted as a cutthroat world driven by image, marketing, and the relentless pursuit of "the list"—the bestseller list. Alex Bertoli, head of a major publishing house, is desperate to fill a gap left by a departing star author. He sees Gable Cooper as his ticket back to the top and is willing to pay millions for the rights. Hollywood circles, too, with film studios vying for adaptation rights, further inflating the stakes. The machinery of hype, money, and manipulation is in full swing.

The Face Behind the Name

As the book's buzz grows, Abby must finalize her choice for Cooper's public persona. Jess is prepped for interviews, photo shoots, and the scrutiny of the media. Abby's friend Theresa, herself escaping an abusive marriage, helps with the selection and logistics. The process is both comic and tense, as the women debate the merits of various candidates' looks and personalities. The chosen "Cooper" is more than a face—he's a symbol of everything Abby is denied as a woman writer.

Deceptions and Deadlines

With the book's publication imminent, Abby juggles mounting deceptions: keeping her identity secret from Owens, Bertoli, and the studios; managing Jess's nerves and demands; and fending off her ex-husband Charlie, who's sniffing around for money. The legal and financial stakes escalate, as contracts are signed, advances paid, and the media campaign ramps up. Abby's anxiety grows—one slip could unravel everything, and the sharks are circling.

Hollywood and High Stakes

The manuscript's value skyrockets as Hollywood enters a bidding war. Studio executives, agents, and producers maneuver for the film rights, each with their own agenda. The book is fast-tracked for adaptation, with a major star attached. The pressure on Abby and her team intensifies, as the illusion must be maintained not just for publishers, but for the entire entertainment industry. The stakes are now not just financial, but life-and-death, as criminal elements and old enemies surface.

The Price of Anonymity

Abby's scheme attracts dangerous attention. Her friend Theresa is murdered in what appears to be a staged accident, and suspicion falls on Abby. Her ex-husband Charlie is found dead, and Abby becomes a person of interest in a double homicide. The police, a tabloid reporter, and even her own allies begin to question her. The cost of anonymity is no longer just professional—it's existential, as Abby is forced to run for her life.

Dangerous Allies

As the net tightens, Abby's circle shrinks. Morgan Spencer, her trusted legal advisor, becomes both her protector and, ultimately, a suspect. Jack Jermaine, Jess's brother, steps in to play Cooper when Jess flakes out, but his motives are murky. Abby is caught between men who may be allies or predators, and the line between friend and foe blurs. The tension is heightened by betrayals, shifting loyalties, and the ever-present threat of exposure.

The Web Tightens

Abby flees to the Caribbean, pursued by both the police and her enemies. The island setting becomes a crucible, as secrets are revealed and alliances tested. Jack and Morgan each make their move, and Abby must decide whom to trust. The plot accelerates toward a violent climax, with Abby's life, freedom, and authorship hanging in the balance.

Betrayals and Bodies

The body count rises as the true villain is unmasked: Morgan, driven by greed and unrequited love, is revealed as the mastermind behind the murders and the attempt on Abby's life. In a fiery confrontation aboard a sinking ship, Abby and Jack face Morgan in a final showdown. The truth about the book, the murders, and the tangled web of deception comes to light in a blaze of violence and catharsis.

The Island Inferno

The climax unfolds in a literal and metaphorical inferno. Abby's beach house is destroyed in an explosion meant to kill her, but she escapes by a hair's breadth. The final confrontation with Morgan takes place aboard the Cuesta Verde, as the ship burns and sinks. Abby and Jack, battered and scarred, survive by wit and luck, while Morgan meets a fiery end.

Flight and Pursuit

With the truth out and the villains dead, Abby and Jack race to New York to reclaim her authorship and salvage the book's future. The publishing world, rocked by scandal, must decide whether to embrace the real author or bury the story. Abby, at last, steps into the light, ready to claim her place on "the list."

Truths in the Ashes

In the aftermath, the evidence of Morgan's crimes is uncovered: the missing typewriter, forged contracts, and the real copyright. Abby's innocence is established, and the publishing world is forced to confront its own complicity in the deception. The myth of Gable Cooper is both shattered and immortalized, as Abby's story becomes legend.

The Final Confrontation

Abby and Jack, now partners in truth as well as fiction, face the media, the publishers, and the world. The story of their deception—and survival—becomes a sensation, fueling even greater sales and interest in the book. Abby, once invisible, is now a star, but the cost has been high.

Aftermath and Authorship

With the dust settled, Abby is finally recognized as the true author. The publishing industry, chastened but unrepentant, capitalizes on the scandal. Abby and Jack, scarred but triumphant, look to the future—together, and as equals. The lessons of ambition, identity, and the price of success linger.

Epilogue: The List Revealed

In the epilogue, Abby and Jack attend a book signing, now celebrated as co-creators of a literary phenomenon. The story of their deception, survival, and ultimate vindication has become part of publishing lore. Abby reflects on the journey: the cost of ambition, the dangers of anonymity, and the bittersweet taste of success. The list—the bestseller list—has been conquered, but at a price that will never be forgotten.

Characters

Abby Chandlis

Abby is the heart of the novel: a talented but overlooked writer who reinvents herself as "Gable Cooper" to break through the glass ceiling of commercial publishing. Her journey is one of self-discovery, as she navigates the treacherous waters of ambition, deception, and survival. Abby's relationships—with friends, lovers, and enemies—are fraught with tension, as she struggles to maintain control of her creation and her identity. Her psychological complexity is rooted in both vulnerability and fierce determination, making her a compelling and relatable protagonist.

Jack Jermaine

Jack is the public face of Gable Cooper, stepping in when his brother Jess flakes out. A former military man with a shadowy past, Jack is both protector and potential threat. His relationship with Abby is charged with sexual tension, mutual respect, and underlying suspicion. Jack's own ambitions and secrets complicate the partnership, and his capacity for violence is both a tool and a danger. Over the course of the novel, Jack evolves from a hired face to a true partner, sharing in both the risks and rewards of Abby's scheme.

Morgan Spencer

Morgan is Abby's longtime friend, legal advisor, and unrequited suitor. Initially a source of support and wisdom, Morgan's jealousy and greed ultimately drive him to betrayal and murder. His psychological unraveling is a study in the corrosive effects of envy and the hunger for recognition. Morgan's transformation from ally to villain is both tragic and chilling, culminating in a violent confrontation that forces Abby to confront the darkest aspects of trust and ambition.

Carla Owens

Carla is the literary agent who propels Gable Cooper to stardom. She is a master of the publishing game, driven by money, prestige, and the thrill of discovery. Carla's relationship with Abby/Cooper is transactional, and her loyalty is always to the deal. She embodies the ruthless pragmatism of the industry, willing to bend any rule for a shot at the next big thing.

Alex Bertoli

Bertoli is the head of a major publishing house, scrambling to fill a void left by a departing star author. He is both a victim and perpetrator of the industry's obsession with image and hype. Bertoli's willingness to pay millions for a myth reflects the high-stakes, high-risk nature of commercial publishing. His character is a blend of cynicism, ambition, and vulnerability.

Jess Jermaine

Jess is Jack's younger brother, initially chosen to play Gable Cooper. His good looks and charm are undermined by flakiness and self-interest. Jess's inability to handle the pressure forces Jack to step in, and his presence serves as a foil to both Jack and Abby, highlighting the dangers of relying on appearances.

Theresa Jenrico

Theresa is Abby's best friend and confidante, herself escaping an abusive marriage. Her support is crucial in the early stages of Abby's scheme, but her knowledge of the truth makes her a target. Theresa's murder is a turning point, raising the stakes and forcing Abby to confront the deadly consequences of her deception.

Charlie Chandlis

Charlie is Abby's ex, a lawyer with a penchant for debt and manipulation. His attempts to cash in on Abby's success make him both a nuisance and a threat. Charlie's death, staged as a suicide, is one of the novel's darkest moments, underscoring the lethal potential of secrets and greed.

Joey Jenrico

Joey is Theresa's violent ex-husband, initially suspected in her murder. His presence adds a layer of menace and misdirection, but he is ultimately another victim in the escalating cycle of violence.

Robert Thompson

Thompson is the tabloid journalist who pursues the story of Abby, the murders, and the publishing scam. His investigation adds an external pressure, threatening to expose the truth and force Abby's hand. Thompson represents the relentless curiosity of the media and the public's appetite for scandal.

Plot Devices

Pseudonym and Gender Disguise

The central device is Abby's use of a male pseudonym and a hired face to break into the male-dominated world of commercial thrillers. This not only drives the plot but serves as a commentary on gender bias in publishing. The elaborate ruse—complete with fake photos, staged interviews, and legal maneuvering—creates layers of tension and irony, as Abby's success depends on her own erasure.

Manuscript as MacGuffin

The manuscript is the object everyone wants: agents, publishers, studios, criminals, and the media. Its value is both literal (millions in advances and rights) and symbolic (the key to fame and validation). The pursuit of the manuscript drives the action, leading to betrayals, violence, and murder.

Unreliable Allies

The shifting alliances—between Abby, Jack, Morgan, and others—create a web of suspicion and danger. Characters' motives are often hidden or ambiguous, and the reader is kept guessing as to who can be trusted. This device heightens suspense and mirrors the duplicity of the publishing world.

Legal and Contractual Intrigue

The novel is rich in legal maneuvering, with Abby's expertise as a lawyer giving her an edge. The use of contracts, copyrights, and legal threats adds realism and complexity, as the battle for authorship and money is fought as much in the courts as in the streets.

Foreshadowing and Red Herrings

The narrative is laced with foreshadowing—ominous hints of violence, betrayal, and exposure. Red herrings abound, with multiple suspects for the murders and shifting suspicions about who is pulling the strings. This keeps the reader off-balance and propels the story toward its explosive climax.

Narrative Structure

The story unfolds through shifting points of view—Abby, Jack, Morgan, and others—allowing the reader to see the same events from different angles. Flashbacks and parallel storylines (in Seattle, New York, the Caribbean) create a sense of momentum and inevitability, as the threads converge in the final confrontation.

Analysis

The List is a razor-sharp thriller that skewers the publishing industry's obsession with image, hype, and the bottom line, while delivering a propulsive tale of ambition, deception, and survival. At its core, the novel is a meditation on identity—how it is constructed, commodified, and, ultimately, reclaimed. Abby's journey from invisible author to bestselling sensation is both a triumph and a cautionary tale, exposing the costs of erasure and the dangers of playing by rules rigged against you. The book's relentless pace, intricate plotting, and psychological depth make it a standout in the genre, while its commentary on gender, power, and the price of success resonates far beyond the world of publishing. The List is both a gripping page-turner and a sly, subversive critique of the very system it so expertly exploits.

Last updated: July 27, 2025