The Plot follows struggling writer Jacob Finch Bonner, who steals the plot of a dead student's manuscript and builds his career on the resulting novel—until someone discovers his secret. Jean Hanff Korelitz constructs a literary thriller about artistic ethics, authorship, and the stories we tell ourselves about our own actions. Jake teaches in a low-residency MFA program where he encounters Evan Parker, an arrogant student with an idea for what Jake recognizes as a sure-thing bestseller. When Evan dies before publishing, Jake convinces himself that using the orphaned plot is a victimless act. The novel that results makes Jake famous and wealthy, until an anonymous email arrives: 'You are a thief.' Korelitz layers mystery upon mystery as Jake investigates the origins of the plot he stole, discovering that the story has darker roots than he imagined. The book raises questions about what writers owe to reality, to other writers, and to the truth. At the same time, it works as a propulsive thriller, each revelation deepening the trouble Jake finds himself in. For readers who enjoy books about books and writers, The Plot offers both entertainment and provocation.