The Helper

by M. M. Dewil

Overview

From award-winning Hollywood writer and director M. M. Dewil, The Helper is a bare and addictive psychological thriller perfect for fans of Gone Girl and The Push.

Mary Williams—faced with unexpectedly losing her job and the possibility of losing custody of her daughter as well—answers an unusual help wanted ad. When an ailing man offers her an outrageous proposal that could solve all her problems, Mary takes fate into her own hands and accepts, agreeing to the extraordinary thing this man is asking.

It’s a decision that changes everything.

Because what Mary thought was true is in fact a lie, and now she faces a new reality that is far more disastrous than anything she could have imagined.

Relentless and propulsive, The Helper is a compulsive page-turner fueled by lies, deceit, and revenge. Punctuated by biting wit and satirical social commentary, Dewil’s debut gives us a peek behind the lie that was once the American dream and explores the story of one woman struggling for footing in the modern world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798212632751
Publisher:	Blackstone Publishing
Publication date:	06/18/2024
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Mukunda Michael Dewil lived as a monk in North India for several years before moving to Hollywood to write and direct feature films. He now lives in Alachua, Florida, with his wife and two boys. The Helper is his first novel.

Editorial Reviews

In this audiobook Mary Williams is on the brink of destitution. She's lost her job and custody of her child, and is facing losing her home, too. When she reads an unusual advert from Eric, it appears to be the solution to her troubles. But, actually, Mary's situation is going to get much worse. Julia Atwood narrates the story from Mary's point of view, skillfully creating a character who is downtrodden but still has inner strength and the will to survive. Evan Sibley narrates Eric's point of view, crafting a disturbing protagonist. The two narrators are well balanced; their voicings of their respective characters complement each other and help build the story's tension. K.J.P. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine

JULY 2024 - AudioFile

04/22/2024

Screenwriter Dewil’s plodding first novel charts a desperate mother’s descent into crime. Recently fired from her librarian job, Mary Williams struggles to make rent and retain custody of her daughter, Emma. When she responds to a Craigslist help wanted ad, a young man named Eric Smith asks to meet her. He offers Mary $100,000 to kill him, explaining that he’s terminally ill, and if his death is ruled a homicide instead of a suicide, the life insurance money will go to his mother. Mary’s horrified, but after much soul-searching, she agrees. When the job inevitably goes sideways, she attempts to stay one step ahead of the detective who eventually picks up her trail. Dewil’s often stylish prose goes down smooth, but the underdeveloped plot never gathers enough momentum to sustain much interest. There’s reason to hope Dewil’s sophomore effort will be an improvement, but this misses the mark. Agent: Daniel Milaschewski, UTA. (June)

Publishers Weekly

M. M. Dewil’s poetic, cagey prose seduces us into the feverish head of a nearly broken woman pushed over the edge by an offer too good to be true—an offer that promises desperate Mary Williams and her young daughter a shot at a better life. We suspect Mary should say no but understand completely when she says yes. Because we’d do the same thing.”

author of The Seminarian and The Driver Hart Hanson

The Helper is not a ghost story, but it will haunt you. M. M. Dewil has conjured a fever dream about the awful things that good people will do when life takes away all other options. Like a slow-motion car wreck, to borrow one of his metaphors, it’s difficult to look away, and even harder to forget.”

author of The Recruiter Gregg Podolski

Readers will be as shocked as Mary is by what unfolds after she agrees to help Eric in this compelling page-turner filled with deeply satisfying twists and surprising developments. Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden and Shari Lapena.”

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