Very disappointing. The characters were badly drawn, and the plot was very obvious (who knew that corresponding with total stranger online could end with him turning out to be a psychopath?) Also, this trope of a book within a book came across as the author merely trying to spin out the already fairly flimsy plotline.
It might suit some people, but for me the only plus was that it was so badly written that it was a fast read.

I found this book incredibly refreshing. The plot starts out intriguing- who is the woman who screamed in the library?- and keeps the reader hooked with new developments, twists, and turns. I enjoyed the mystery within the mystery within the mystery. Not only is the main character writing her own mystery while being involved in one in real life, but the author of the book finds herself in a strange situation with a reader that she is corresponding with and to whom she is sending her story one chapter at a time. The character development is reasonable if a bit rushed. Some areas of the story are not as fleshed out as they could be, but they never are in mystery stories. I actually really enjoyed references to the current era (2020 specifically), but they are not necessary for the plot.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed The Woman in the Library. It is a fresh and invigorating addition to the genre.

Thanks to netgalley for the arc!
This was such a creative story as the "novel" being written intertwined with a second story. The four main characters were well drawn as were the secondary players. A definite read for those who like whodunits.

I can not recommend this book enough! Was absolutely one of the best books I’ve read this year. I plan to purchase this book for friends and family. Thank you to publisher and author for this wonderful read.

Hannah, a successful novelist, is writing a book about four strangers who bond and become friends over the shared experience of hearing a scream in the Boston Public Library and later decide to investigate when a girl is found dead in the same place. We read the book as she writes it and the chapters are interspersed with email feedback from Leo, a desperate not-yet-author.

(4.5 stars)

Essentially, there are two main plot lines -- the one wherein we follow Freddie and the one where we get glimpses of what is happening within Hannah's life through the emails that she receives. Although at first I felt as though the fact that Freddie's story is fiction-fiction detracted from my engagement, I quickly became invested in both plots. I quite enjoyed the fact this was, essentially, a writer writing about a writer writing about a writer writing a story based on her life (try to say that quickly five times), it was a level of inception I've never seen before.


The writing style was also quite novel to me -- less descriptions and a lot of dialogue and deliberation. However, Leo felt very distinct from the book itself. I was completely consumed by this book -- I stayed up late just to find out what was actually happening and whether my suspicions were correct, which was a really fun experience. My one qualm is that at times, the book feels like a vessel for commentary on the world of writing, as well as social commentary. It felt a little overwhelming at certain moments but it was also interesting.

The characters are usually the most important part of the book for me, what gets me invested. I cannot say I was really invested in any of the characters, however, because of the framing of the book and the plot, I was still deeply invested in the plot.

Overall, a deeply addictive story that I would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys mystery-thrillers.

Four strangers in a library become witness to a murder when they hear the victim's dying scream. They quickly become friends over this unusual experience, but as romantic tensions develop in the group, so does suspicion: is one of them a murderer? Who can they trust? When the police start zeroing in on them, our main character Freddie must race to find the real murderer before an innocent person is put behind bars forever.

I really enjoyed this fast-paced and entertaining thriller and read it in one sitting. Freddy's story is engaging and I flew along, wanting to know what happens next.

What did not work as well for me was the second layer: from the beginning it is clear that the story we're reading is a book being written by a famous author, who is in correspondence with a beta-reader, who in turn provides his thoughts on the manuscript through e-mail as it is written. Some reviewers have called this confusing, but I didn't find it confusing at all. I thought it was very clear and well-structured from the beginning.
However, I don't quite see what this part of the book was supposed to achieve. Freddy's story would have stood as a solid thriller without the meta-fiction of her story being written by another author, and Leo's part could have been removed entirely without damaging or even changing the story at all.
That said, I thought it was very well executed, with a logical follow-through (being vague here to avoid spoilers).

I did guess the main two twists of the book quite easily. One was perhaps a lucky freak-guess, but in the end, our circle of suspects is quite small and it wasn't too hard to figure it out by process of elimination.

If you're looking for a fun thriller with multiple layers of meta-fiction, I would very much recommend picking this one up, and I will certainly try some of Sulari Gentill's other works in the future.

I received a free copy of this book from Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here expressed are my own.

First and foremost, I would like to thank Sulari Gentill and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read this novel.

I literally could not put The Woman in the Library down. Its been a while since I've been so engrossed in a story.

Four people meet in the Reading Room of the Boston Public Library, no one knows that among them is a murderer. Each twist and turn of this story is phenomenal! I loved the emails at the end of each chapter.

Please do yourself a favor and read this book!!!

The following is a slightly paraphrased conversation over dinner last night:

Me: Hey, hon, I’m reading a book where it’s basically a book in a book.
Partner: Okay. How’s that going?
Me: It’s actually going really well.
Partner: It’s an effective tool when written well.
Me: It is written well. The reader gets the plot of the book but then, through letters, also sees how her correspondence friend is reacting to the book.
Partner: How’s the friend reacting?
Me: Well, making suggestions - editorial, natch, but also is doing some research in the area, since he lives there - so, names of restaurants, areas in which to live, and the like.
Partner: That probably makes it feel more real to those who live or know the area.
Me: Yes, exactly. But some of the suggestions start taking a really dark turn - such as why don’t you include this, you have to include that, and it just becomes, well, rather creepy. Not creepy, maybe disturbing. Yes, disturbing.
Partner: Are the suggestions helpful to the overall plot of the faux book or?
Me: Not really. I mean, okay, the friend’s suggestions start off as minor, but then he becomes really emphatic, such as “you must include this because it’s how people think about things here in the States, being Australian you wouldn’t understand.” But it’s odd stuff.
Partner: So, how’s the overall faux book?
Me: It’s a good mystery - it’s a who-done-it, but the letters from the friend really add to the enjoyment of the book - or that’s how I found it at least.
Partner: So, you have to rate this book, right? What are you going to rate it?
Me: I don’t know. I really reserve five stars - the highest - to books that I absolutely love and want to read again. I don’t know if I feel I need to read this book again, but I really did enjoy it. So, um, I don’t know …
Partner: Were there any flaws?
Me: Not really. There was one part I saw coming, but like the main character I kinda saw it but I didn’t quite understand how the pieces fit together, but then it was explained in a pretty logical manner.
Partner: Did you enjoy it?
Me: Yes.
Partner: Did you like the writing style?
Me: Yes, the inclusion of both the story, chapter by chapter, and the friend’s letter at the end of the chapter was a great idea and I liked the overall style.
Partner: So, what’s the problem?
Me: I don’t know. Maybe it is a five star book. Yeah, it’s five star book.

Thank you, Netgalley, for sending me an copy in exchange for an honest review. The cover of this book got my attention right away. I'm so sorry but this did not work for me! A story within a story and all the characters was just very overwhelming to me and I couldn't stick with it. DNF at 25%

Um. Wow. Ok. Where to start.
This book gripped me from the very beginning and once I started reading I could stop. I read it in just a few hours.
I really enjoyed the whodunit aspect and the way more information was revealed as the chapters continued.
I must admit that I do generally guess where mysteries are headed before they get there and while I had an inkling of where this one would end up there was just enough doubt in my mind that I continued to jump back and forth on whodunit until the end.
The addition of the emails back and forth ER between the author and Leo were an interesting concept and at first I was quite intrigued by that mystery as well. But somewhere towards the middle Leo (from the emails) came to annoy me and I felt that the ending of the emails wasn’t quite fully planned out or thought out. It felt really incomplete. However I did like that his ideas in the emails translated in some ways into aspects of the story.
It felt almost like two books in one.
Definitely recommend this book as a quick mystery read.

The most enjoyable aspect of "The Woman in the Library" to had to have been the inclusion of the subplot of emails that were being sent to the author in the story. While the story itself played out like a regular whodunnit, there was something inherently terrifying and creepy about the manner in which Leo Johnson was reacting to the author and her work. It managed to toe the line of horror and unease, without being overtly graphic, and without ever growing boring or mind-numbing. "The Woman in the Library" is a book that people will have trouble putting down, and will want to absolutely discuss with their friends.

The great strength of this book is the balance between stories. I was never once confused, nor did I believe that anything was unclear enough to distort the line between the created reality and the actual reality of the situation. Everything felt intentional, and for that I absolutely respect what Gentill was able to accomplish. For anyone who wants a mystery thriller, I will be suggesting this book!

WHODUNNIT?!!?

The ornate reading room at the Boston Public Library is quiet, until the tranquility is shattered by a woman's terrified scream. Security guards take charge immediately, instructing everyone inside to stay put until the threat is identified and contained. While they wait for the all-clear, four strangers, who'd happened to sit at the same table, pass the time in conversation and friendships are struck. Each has his or her own reasons for being in the reading room that morning—it just happens that one is a murderer.

A tad bit reminiscent of Agatha Christie but this story holds very well on it's own. Highly recommend. Not going to give away too much but you're in for a delightful tale that will keep you flipping the pages so put down that other book and grab this one! See if you can guess who did it before the book is over.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is a 'book within a book' story. The main character is writing a book about an author working on a book in the Boston Public Library. Her character ends up making friends with three people at her table when the four of them hear a woman scream. The main character is someone we get to know between the chapters of her book through an exchange of letters with a man who becomes her stalker. This book starts SO slow and unfortunately, does not get better. I found it boring and, quite frankly, a tedious chore to read. The premise is good, but the follow through just isn't there.

The Woman in the Library is a fun read--the format of a book within a book, the characters, and the mystery all give an enjoyable story to immerse yourself in.
#Sulari Gentill is a writer I will be keeping my eye on.
Thank you to #netgalley #poisonedpen for intruducing me to such a fun author.

"It was a normal weekday morning, nothing out of the ordinary, until a woman’s scream echoed throughout the Boston Public Library. During the subsequent lockdown, strangers Cain, Marigold, Whit, & Winifred connect while sitting at the same table. They form a fast friendship & start spending more time together than apart. The library incident is initially ruled a false alarm, but soon after a body is discovered. Now the newly-formed group of friends is caught up in a police investigation, & it seems like not all of them are innocent witnesses. One of them might be guilty of murder."

If you’re currently in search of a mystery that’s a thrill ride from the very first chapter, look no further than “The Woman in the Library.” I hadn’t done much research before reading so the first nine pages were enough to hook me. The story lagged a bit in the middle but didn’t take long to pick back up. I finished this book in less than three days because I had to know what happens; it was all I could think about!

The first twist is common knowledge so I’m going to discuss it. The prologue is a letter from American writer Leo Johnson to Australian author Hannah Tigone; they’ve been pen pals for quite awhile but haven’t yet met in person. As a fan of her work, Leo politely but insistently asks for a new book, offering to be her beta reader. We now move into chapter one, setting up a story about four strangers connecting in the Boston Public Library during a police lockdown. After the final sentence, which is quite the enticing cliffhanger, we see another note from Leo to Hannah revealing that he’s test reading her new book. The main plot is her manuscript, & the side plot is her correspondence with Leo, though we only ever see his notes to her. I’d never read anything like that before & thought it was such a brilliant idea. I’ve seen a few reviews saying the line between fiction & reality is confusing at times, but I strongly disagree. It’s always very clear when you’re reading Hannah’s book & when you’re reading Leo’s letters. There is a clear question of how much inspiration she takes from reality, but I would call that intrigue rather than a source of confusion.

I want to give this book all the stars for it’s unique format, but the story did not completely deliver. The whodunnit reveal made sense but disappointed me; I thought there would be more to it, more connection to real life. Speaking of the side plot, there was less development as it went on, & the abrupt resolution was not satisfying. I do feel let down overall, but I must admit the final chapter left me with intriguing questions & theories floating around in my head. My biggest question is why Hannah ended her book the way she did; at the risk of sounding dramatic, that creative choice blew my mind. My final rating is three stars, & I still recommend this thrilling mystery despite an ending that fizzles. The format is a bibliophile version of Inception & fascinating to experience; you won’t be able to put this book down until it ends!

•

Content Breakdown:

Abuse: An abusive stepfather is mentioned throughtout the book; Chapter nineteen depicts verbal & physical abuse as well as attempted sexual abuse.

Alcohol, Cigarettes, & Drugs: Mentions of alcohol, alcoholics, bars, intoxication, cigarettes, & junkies; morphine & painkillers are also mentioned in relation to a hospital patient.

Blood & Violence: Multiple mentions of blood & blood splatter | A hypothetical murderer is discussed, the killer pounding his or her victim’s head into a hard surface. | Dead bodies described with bloody hair, cut throats, and/or injuries to the breast & pubic areas | Description of a young girl leaning over a lookout to take a picture & falling to her death because of a loose guardrail | One mention & two depictions of attacks that lead to head trauma | Two mentions & one depiction of a stabbing

Insensitive Language:

A character makes racially insensitive comments about black people, such as being identifiable by living in a certain neighborhood or wearing hoodies.

A character from “It” by Stephen King is referred to as the “fat kid” who might get the “pretty girl.”

In reference to hospital janitors, a character says “Immigrants, they get the job done.” He’s referencing the musical Hamilton but is met with the response “That’s not less offensive because it’s Hamilton.”

Two men involved in a bar fight are described as “thugs”; their physical appearances are not described, but that particular word could be perceived as racially-motivated & offensive.

Language:

*$$hole
Chr*st / Chr*ss*kes
D*mn
F*ck / F*cking
Good L*rd
H*ll / H*lluva
J*sus
My G*d / Oh My G*d
Sh*t
Son of a b*tch

A bakery’s products are described as something that would “make you believe in G*d & willing to forsake Him at the same time.”

Sensual/Sexual:

A character removes her shirt to show off her tattoos; her nakedness is mentioned as well as the sight of her “small breasts.”

Some of the characters go to a restaurant called Oh My Cod which is known for sexually suggestive decor & menu items, a few of which are described. Someone from the group refers to the restaurant as a “sex shop.”

Someone is called a “courteous porn star” in jest.

There’s a detailed discussion about methods of murder that give the killer sexual gratification (i.e. A certain movement while sitting atop a victim or the motion & penetration of a blade).

Two characters sleep together; the scene doesn’t fade to black, but their intimacy is described with minimal detail. In another chapter, they’re in bed together, but nothing happens beyond the two of them waking up side by side.

Two other characters sleep together off-page; it’s mentioned in a conversation with very little detail.

Stalking: There is evidence of one or more characters being stalked: robbery, phone calls, text messages with photos of front doors, & a physical attack.

This is my first read from Sulari Gentill and I found it absolutely thrilling!

This book is so hard to describe. I felt I was reading two thrillers at once and I couldn’t put this down! It opens with an email from Leo to Hannah, but between each email is a chapter of Hannah’s novel. Hannah’s protagonist, Winifred, is an Australian ex-pat living in America as a student and writer. One afternoon at the Boston Public Library, Winifred and the three people around her hear a scream. She soon befriends the group who was sitting at her table: Marigold, Whit, and Cain. They later find out that a woman died in the library that day and they are launched into a whodunnit.

Between Winifred’s investigation into a more and more frightening series of events, Leo continues giving feedback to Hannah on her writing.

The writing is just remarkable! I can’t do it justice. I loved every second of this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Poison Pen publishing for the opportunity to review this ARC.

I have had this book on my wishlist from the moment I heard about it. Patiently waiting to get my hands on a copy. There is nothing I love more than a murder mystery, add in a library or books and I'm sold.

Imagine my happiness when I got my hands on the arc. I downloaded it immediately and dug in. And I didn't put it down until I read the last sentence!

I started off a bit confused. I read the description of the book when I added it to my wishlist. The description did not do this book justice. This book is so much more than what I thought it would be.

You follow a female author who, along with 3 strangers get "involved" (is that the right word for what happens? I'm not sure but good enough!) In a murder that happens in .... Can you guess??.... Yep a library.

Woven in between their story is another story told in letters. Truly, while the 4 strangers story line is the main story of the book and is all absorbing, the letters.... omg the letters!

This book was well written, engrossing and I couldn't stop reading bc I had to know the ending!

This mystery will truly be catnip for lovers of mysteries and library fans alike. Kicking things off right away with a mysterious scream in said library, this story is filled with both classic mystery elements and novel twists. Increasing tension and a clever way of acknowledging the pandemic add a lot to the story. Hand this one to fans of Anthony Horowitz's Hawthorne and Horowitz series.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced digital copy of The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill in return for my honest review.

There is a great deal of buzz around The Woman in the Library, and I was excited when I received a copy in advance of its release. While it is an entertaining read with a unique storytelling style, a book within a book, it was not at all what I had expected and it fell somewhat flat for me. I absolutely loved that the story within a story took place in Boston and that the initial murder occurred in the Boston Public Library. It really was fun that there were many recognizable streets, restaurants and landmarks mentioned. The setting almost seemed like another character.

The book opens with a letter from an acquaintance, Leo, a Boston resident, who appeared to be helping Hannah, an author currently living in Australia due to the pandemic, fact check/edit chapters from her latest book. She has received some level of literary success, while Leo has not. Leo as a character becomes more and more ominous as the book progresses. I liked the idea of Leo, but to this reader, it was very confusing how Leo and Hannah were connected. Was he a jealous friend or a member of Hannah’s writing group? I have read that Leo was a deranged fan, but then how was he getting hold of the author’s manuscript? More clarification was needed as to their relationship.

As to Hannah’s current book, which is the bulk of the story, it seemed a little over the top for me. Characters who had just met in the library fall in love almost instantaneously, suspects are believed almost unconditionally, and the situations in which they find themselves were too unrealistic for me. That being said, it was a quick read and it held my interest. Go into this book without the hype and you may like it more than I did.

Two fascinating stories for the price of one!

The first story is set in the Boston Public library where 4 individuals working separately hear a scream. The resulting death bring the four together as they become determined to get to the bottom of the death.

At the same time, there is a slow burn of a story between the author, based in Australia and a colleague who is performing some of the ground work and fact checking on the story. The friend checks out the library site and provides pictures and logistical info about Boston. The connection between the two becomes less and less clear as the story unfolds.

If you like crime stories, meta fiction, unique plots or are just a Boston fan, this novel is for you! #PoisonedPen #NetGalley #TheWomanInTheLibrary