The story follows an unnamed professional ghostwriter (Ewan McGregor), referred to only as "The Ghost," who is hired to complete the memoirs of Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan), a charismatic former British Prime Minister. The Ghost replaces a previous aide, Mike McAra, who died under mysterious circumstances—officially a suicide by drowning.
While working at Lang's isolated, high-security winter retreat on Martha’s Vineyard, The Ghost uncovers clues suggesting that McAra had discovered a dark secret linking Lang to the CIA. As Lang faces accusations of war crimes related to the illegal seizure and torture of terror suspects, The Ghost realizes that the truth is hidden within the manuscript itself and that his own life may be in danger. Key Characters subtitle The Ghost Writer