This debut novel has a fun structure - a shared setting bringing two separate timelines together. The mutual setting is an unusual apartment - one that is a living model of high architecture - designed by an enigmatic architect. Emma and Jane narrate two different narratives that bring them to live at this unusual residence at separate times. While different circumstances brought them to their new home, their lives share similarities - particularly as they abide by the stringent rules set by the architect - and later by their relationship with the architect himself. Both women, too, are haunted by the titular girl before - in Emma's case, she becomes obsessed with the first wife of the architect, while Jane becomes obsessed with Emma.

The chapters alternate between the two women and the similarities (and later, the differences) really amplifies the tension. As echoes of the two women's lives ring out across the whole, it really makes this an absorbing read. The plot moves along at a fast pace and does involve more surprises to the plot than I expected. At first, the book really feels like a straightforward read and each woman's actions and investigations adds complexity to the plot and their characters. Jane's section in particular has a tragic backstory, that may be a bit too sad for some readers. But, overall, it is an exciting and engaging read. The conclusion fits nicely, too. And the whole pattern of the place works well, too - and after learning that this is a pseudonym, I am anxious to find out who really wrote this, so that I can check out more books without waiting!

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

I was hoping to mix it up a little by reading some suspense -- a genre I don't generally read much of. Just the inclusion of "The Girl..." in the title should have clued me in that maybe this wasn't going to be quite as suspenseful or original as I might have hoped....

The novel is primarily set in a high tech house in London and focuses on the string of women who live there -- all bearing a striking similarity to the architect's dead wife. The plot was a little too obvious and there was too much gratuituous "Fifty Shades" type content for my personal taste. I think this is a pass for most of my GR peeps.

Told in alternating voices, the story is a compelling thriller. Not quite The Girl On The Train or Behind Closed Doors, however, the suspense and surprise is there. Somewhat predictable in some places and not as intense as the other two, there are enough twists and turns to keep me interested. The description and the concept of the house adds a new element to the story as well as the fact that the restrictions necessary to live there does not deter the two women. It is well written and has a cliff hanging element to it, so I recommend it for mystery lovers.

No idea what or how to rate/review this book. I loved some parts and hated others. The story was suspenseful and quite unpredictable. But the female characters are just plain odd and unbelievable. Yes the book was entertaining. Yes it's a worthwhile read. But that said, I hated all of the characters and really wound up not caring about any of them. Thumb sideways for you movie buffs out there.

This one definitely had me turning the pages. There were some unlikable characters, but that was on purpose. I got confused sometimes, because the two girls really were so similar. I was surprised at the ending! A solid psychological thriller that I will easily recommend to people who enjoy that type of read.

This book is a great psychological suspense novel and a very quick read. J.P. Delaney pulls off quite the mind game on both characters and readers alike!! It's difficult to review the book without spoiling some of the many twists and turns that await the reader. Yes, you must suspend belief that someone would actually agree to abide by 200+ rules to live in a "spectacular" house (and be watchfully monitored on said abidance by the smart-house), but we are talking some damaged, vulnerable, edgy characters who, at the time, have few other options. Suspension of belief on that point is well worth the adventurous ride which follows!

Told primarily from two alternating points of view, Emma (Before) and Jane (Now), the story quickly advances. Reader and characters together learn bit by bit, more of the story of the house and the architect that built it, and controls its residency. Creepiness grows and grows, and (ok a small spoiler) the creeps aren't always who you think they are.

Quite a suspenseful and fun read! I highly recommend it. Enjoy!!

Many thanks to Netgalley, author J.P. Delaney, and Ballantine Books for allowing me to read an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Creepy in the best way. This book kept me hooked and I'm still thinking about it days later. What would you decide??

This mystery combines two women in the midst of major life change, jumps in time and narration, a creep narcissist (or two!) and a gorgeous minimalist home in a haunting and twisted tale.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. *The Girl Before* is another novel along the lines of *Gone Girl* or *The Girl on the Train*, however, I found this story to be quite a bit more entertaining and a ton more suspenseful. There are multiple heroines to cheer for and multiple heroes to either fall in love with or suspect is the killer. I think Ron Howard will turn this into an excellent movie.

ARC for review - EPD: January 24, 2017.

This was an incredibly....is "fun" the right word? Well, I thought it was a fun mystery. It swings back and forth in time between "Then" starring Emma and "Now" featuring Jane. Emma is in a relatively unsatisfying relationship, has undergone a horrible experience and is struggling. She and her partner are looking for a place to live and they learn about the mysterious, stunning home at One Folgate Street. It's beyond perfection, but there's a catch, in fact, a number of them. There's a huge questionnaire that potential renters must complete and then a personal interview with the architect who created it. Very few people make it in and of those who do, many don't stay, because even after one moves in there are many restrictions. However, Emma feels this total change may help her and, to her surprise, she and Simon are accepted. They move in and immediately her life changes dramatically.

Cut to Jane. Jane is the next renter after Emma and Simon. She has also just suffered a horrible loss. When Simon suddenly appears at her house she become intrigued with what happened to Emma and about the history of the house and its mysterious architect. Where will this investigation take Jane? What happened to Emma?

Despite a rather <spoiler>disappointing villain</spoiler>the book was a page-turner and I quite enjoyed everything about it - the premise, the characters, the history. Great fun, and highly recommended.

First things first, thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

So about that honest review....... I requested this book because it was in the most requested section and in reading the previous reviews, learned that Ron Howard was going to be making a movie from this book and that clinched it for me. Books are almost always better than the movie and so I wanted to read this one. But like Gone Girl and like Girl On a Train (both books which have been compared to this one in how similar the twists and turns go) I feel like the movie will be so much better. Having read those other two books AND seeing the movies, I'm confident this will make me feel the same. And that makes me feel screwed.

What it boils down to is that this is an AMAZING story. The story amazing movies are made from. But the writing style of this was just so atrocious. It's told as a then and now story between two characters and this was hard to wrap my brain around until about 40% through, when I adjusted. Then there was the psychological quiz questions at the end of each chapter - WHICH REALLY HAVE NO RELEVANCE to the actual plot and story line. While obviously the back and forth between the two characters comes to a head, I feel like somehow the author got away with literally writing half a book. The author wrote one story, sprinkled some other stuff, and then repeated it for the other character.

If you loved how Gone Girl and Girl on the Train were actually written, then you will love this book. If you enjoyed the story line for those books, but didn't like how they were written, wait for the movie.

The Girl Before features two women who move into the same house, years apart form one another. Emma, who lives there first, ends up dying under mysterious circumstances. The case can't conclusively decide whether her death was an accident, a suicide, or murder. Jane moves in a little more than a year later, after the apartment had been vacant for a year. As she gets settled in, she learns about Emma, and starts doing a little digging into her death. She quickly comes to find that Emma looks a lot like her, and that they both had relationships with the same man - the architect of the house.

One Folgate Street is an architectural masterpiece. It's entirely integrated with technology, and is a beautiful home. That said, in order to live there, there are 200 rules that the tenant has to abide by. Yes, you read that right. 200! Including no books, pictures, or personal items. In addition to agreeing to the rules, in order to live in the apartment, tenants have to fill out a long survey, send in pictures, and complete an in person interview before getting approved. Why anyone would agree to all of that is beyond me. Give up my books?! No, thank you.

The Girl Before is positioned as a thriller, though personally, I found it really slow moving. I didn't dislike the build up, but the story didn't feel like a thriller at all (and barely even felt like a mystery) until more than 70% into the book. Details and revelations come very very slowly, and leave the reader little room to guess what happened and what the end of the book would entail.

What I did enjoy reading about were the details of the house. While I could never in a million years live in a house with that many rules, the technology the house employed was amazing. Windows that automatically darkened depending on the time of day? Shower heads that were responsive by person and knew the exact water temperature you liked? Yes, please!

I also enjoyed that the story alternated between Emma and Jane, so we were able to understand both women and what happened to them as it was happening. That said, their voices sounded identical. It was really difficult to tell them apart, and I found myself flipping back and forth to chapter titles so I could remember whose part I was reading a few times.

All in all, I did like the book. I loved the twists and turns that happened in the last 30% of the book. I felt like that's when it really turned into a thriller! The resolution was great, and I really loved the ending and final revelations! If you're looking for a book that's instant action from page one, this isn't the book for you. If you're comfortable with something slow building but interesting and willing to wait a while for the action, definitely pick this one up!

The Girl Before will be released on January 24, 2017. Thank you to NetGalley, J.P. Delaney, and Random House Bellantine for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I read this book in one afternoon. It was one of those books where you want to keep reading because you have to know what is happening. The book tells the story of Emma and Jane, both tenants at One Folgate Street, a house that is a minimalist's and architect's dream. The house was designed by famed architect Edward Monkton. He still owns the house but rents it out to people he deems worthy. Prospective tenants have to complete a questionnaire, a personal interview, and agree to the 200 rules he imposes. Despite all the restrictions, he manages to find people who want to live there.

The book alternates points of view, and chapters, between Emma and Jane. Emma is the past tenant, Jane is the current one. There are similarities between the two women. Both are victims of recent tragedies. Emma is traumatized by a recent break-in at her home that occurred while she was there. Jane by the still birth of her first child. Both women are looking for a fresh start and feel that One Folgate Street can provide that.

We learn early on that Emma died in the house. It is unsure if the death was an accident, a suicide or murder. When Jane learns of Emma's death, she begins to investigate it. The alternating chapters really hi-light the similarities between Emma and Jane's experiences in the house. Seeing them making some of the same choices, really increases the tension.

This book is a psychological thriller. Between Edward's increasingly controlling behavior, and what we learn about Emma and Jane's lives, the reader just doesn't know what to think. Did Edward kill Emma? Is Jane now in danger from him? Or was someone else to blame? We don't find out what actually happens until the very end.

I thought this was an enjoyable book. It was fun and easy to read. The chapters were all short and fast paced. I would recommend this book to my friends who are looking for a nice escapist read.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Random House-Ballantine/NetGalley for the chance to give my honest review, it was my pleasure!

This book is due to be released Jan 24, 2017 and I recommend snatching it up quickly and here is why:

Either my self-proclaimed detective skills are waning or I just got lucky with two thrillers in a row that totally shattered my expectations!

Emma was the girl before, Jane is the new girl/tenant. Jane moves into a pristine apartment with many interesting rules. This isn't any ordinary place, it's smart. It learns your habits and it tries to keep you on track with your goals(or "Big Brother's" goals?). But, sometimes it seems to be a little intrusive. And the architect seems a little interesting too, but my is he good-looking.

Jane is looking for a fresh start, and so it seemed the previous tenant was too. Both women were interested in One Folgate Street because of the privacy, security and literally fresh start (you can't bring anything much with you). The house comes furnished and the rules state you must put everything away, nothing is to be left out. I certainly know I couldn't live there! No books, no thank you! Jane starts to learn of the mysterious death of the woman before, Emma. Things aren't lining up and she starts her own investigation.

Emma is looking for a fresh start for her and her boyfriend, Simon. There was a break-in that left her shell-shocked and feeling unsafe. It seems this may be a new beginning for her, but it becomes the end of her as well.

Jane starts to uncover some details that seem fishy. She also finds herself in a sort of relationship with Edward, the architect. Things get even stranger when she finds out about the disturbing death of Edward's wife and child. Is this house killing people or just coincidence? Is Jane next?

The story unfolds going between Emma and Jane's alternating POV. You learn that Emma and Jane are alike on the outside. Is Emma's fate to become Jane's as well?

This book had a deeper seeded plot than I originally had thought. I was genuinely surprised as the secrets kept pouring out. I probably could have read this one in a day, I had to know what was happening!

This was a different type of story. While the book follows two women, they way it's written is intriguing. The chapters alternate between both women.

From the then to the now we are afforded a look into both women's lives and what has brought them to One Folgate Street. While each could not be more different than the other, there are traits and similarities that they both share. Similarities that are enough to be a danger to themselves and the men that they fall in with.

One Folgate Street itself is like a dream come true. While there are a lot of stipulations to living there, you are in a smart house. A house that assesses you and helps you to become a better person. From lighting that helps with depressions to reading hormone levels, the house is scarily in sync with the user. An updated and modern version of Diney's Smarthouse movie.

While I did enjoy the overall story line and how the characters were/interacted, I found the story to be a little slow. For me the progression seemed to drag, going over the same type of details repeatedly. It was almost as if the person needed multiple goes before being able to come to the conclusion that they had been seeing all along.

Overall a story that will keep your interest and leave you reeling towards the end.

The Girl Before by JP Delaney
This is the story of Emma and Jane, two women who, a year apart in time, need a change and a new place to live. Emma is recovering emotionally from a rape and Jane from a stillbirth. There appears to be one place on the rental market in their price range. One Folgate Street is an architectural wonder, concrete, glass, wired to trace a person’s every nuanced move, it seems too good to be true. But there are issues and not just anyone is allowed to rent this house. The owner wants photographs, letters and if approved for an interview, there is a long and personally intense questionnaire.
In their own time, both women are approved to live there. The house can be very unsettling or very comforting, depending on your state of mind, and in the case of both women, that state of mind is very sensitive. The owner maintains complete control of the house and the house responds electronically to any indiscretion. There are rules: no pets, children, throw pillows, rugs, dishes out of place, flowers, nothing intrudes on the starkness of the house. One can either feel very spooked here or very safe.
Emma meets an untimely death and her death is something Jane wants and needs to learn more about. Her inquiry and snooping around in the owner’s life makes for a strained relationship that puts Jane in her own danger zone.
As with the other books this is compared to, Gone Girl, Girl on a Train, the ‘girl’ books have almost become their own genre. Psycho-mystery? As with the other ‘girl’ books this one has twists and turns. While you are on one path and it makes sense, you also know in the back of your mind that if you are trying to figure out the twist you should have taken the other fork in the road. It has a twist, as they all do.

This book was going along just fine until the end. Unfortunately, the end tainted feelings towards the rest of the book and makes this read a 3-star verses a 4-star.

The Girl Before is told in alternating chapters - Then: Emma and Now: Jane. Emma, who is reeling from a traumatic break-in wants a new place to live. Jane, after the loss of a child needs a fresh start. Both are drawn to One Folgate Street. The house is an architectural masterpiece. But there are LOTS of rules: no books, no throw pillows, no photos or clutter or personal effects of any kind.

I couldn’t believe that Emma and Jane were able to live like the occupants of One Folgate Street were required to. However, I was able to suspend belief and keep reading because I felt a great sense of intrigue and suspense. What was going to happen? I had to keep reading to find out. The who done it genuinely surprised me but was quickly passed over for something else. I felt I was rushed too quickly into the next surprise. This next surprise disgusted me. I’m not going to tell you what the next surprise is because I don’t want to spoil the story for you. I’ll only say that it really disgusted me and ruined the nice feelings I had for Jane.

Overall, I encourage you to read this book. As I mentioned, it kept me reading because I sensed a good mystery coming my way. I was only disappointed in the ending. But maybe it will be just the ending you’re looking for?

n interesting premise. A minimalist flat is available to rent but with hundreds of conditions and covenants. Not something I could ever do, by the way. I love my possessions, especially my books. And no pets? Never. But anyway….

The story is told in alternating chapters between past and present. Both women who chose the house have suffered loss or harm - a break-in while she was home by one and the loss of an unborn child by the other. So, they have their reasons for choosing something so different. In between the chapters, there are questions from the questionnaire the landlord gives prospective tenants, just so you can see how strange it all really is.

This book was a mixed message for me. Some ideas were interesting, like the Japanese cultural ideas that Edward espouses. Or Jane’s comparing of her relationship with Edward to palimpsest or pentimento. But other things just really freaked me out. Like ikizukuri, which is just barbaric. I know, I'm freaked out at the idea of eating live seafood when this is a book about murder. But that sort of thing really sets the tone. There's also a dominance and sex theme. Not talking 50 Shades here, but the man having all the control and calling all the shots. Just not my cup of tea. I had no fondness for any of the main characters either.

There's a decent twist towards the end of the book that keeps it interesting and then the ending is positively wild and engrossing. I'm really torn how to rate this. The first ¾ of the book was two stars, but the last ¼ was close to a four for excitement. Guess I'm going with a three.

And what is it with the use of “girl” in titles, for pete’s sake? Emma is a woman.

My thanks to netgalley and Ballantine Books for an advance copy of this book.

I wasn't surprised to read that this book has been optioned for a movie- it reads cinematically, and the tension and possibility for a good film is there. The alternating perspectives of Emma (then) and Jane (now) were interesting as you learned more about them and their similarities (and the symmetry of their experiences living in the house and interacting with the enigmatic architect). The pacing was fairly good, and overall it was a solid if not groundbreaking psychological thriller.