'The Woman in the Library' by Sulari Gentill is a complex murder mystery that revolves around a chance scream in a library, bringing together four strangers who form a close bond of friendship. The book intricately weaves multiple storylines together, involving a murder mystery in Boston and an author in Sydney writing a suspense novel. The novel's construction is riveting, with unexpected but plausible turns in the narrative and idiosyncrasies of American English adding a delightful touch to the story.

The story unfolds with layers of mystery and suspense, as readers are taken through a captivating journey of unraveling the truth behind the scream in the library, the ensuing events, and the hidden motives of the characters involved. The book cleverly incorporates post-chapter analysis, letters between characters, and multiple plot lines, keeping readers engaged and intrigued until the very end.

Characters:

The characters are intricately crafted, showcasing a range of personalities and relationships that evolve throughout the story.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is sophisticated and layered, featuring correspondence that enhances character development and the narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot weaves multiple mysteries together, including a murder investigation that connects four strangers and the writing process of an author, creating intrigue through complex narrative layers.

Setting:

The setting alternates between Boston and Australia, enriching the narrative with geographical and cultural details.

Pacing:

The pacing is predominantly swift and engaging, although some sections suffer from prolonged buildup, which can detract from the overall tension.

Writing in the Boston Public Library had been a mistake. It was too magnificent. One could spend hours just staring at the ceiling in the Reading Room. Very few books have been written with the writer...

Notes:

The story features four strangers united by a scream in the Boston Public Library.

One of the characters, Freddie, is an Australian author studying on a scholarship.

The book mixes a murder mystery with elements of a writing process; a story within a story.

Hannah, the main character, receives tips and edits from Leo, a reader in Boston, who has a mysterious and dark side.

The book presents a commentary on the desire for fame, highlighting potential negative consequences.

The narrative shifts and twists keep readers guessing until the end, emphasizing the clever mystery at play.

The author's Australian background brings an interesting perspective on American English and culture into the story.

The book's tension is heightened by the backdrop of COVID (and bushfires), making the setting contemporary and relatable.

There are notable typographical and grammatical errors noted by readers, especially in the latter sections of the book, which detracted from the reading experience for some.

The psychological aspect of Leo's declining mental health is sensitively portrayed, adding depth to the character dynamics.

The novel challenges reader expectations, as the title suggests a cozy mystery, but it is far more complex and layered.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers/content warnings include themes of violence, stalking, and some discussion of mental health issues.

Has Romance?

There are aspects of romance present, with characters forming close bonds and some romantic tension.

From The Publisher:

USA TODAY BESTSELLER * MARY HIGGINS CLARK AWARD NOMINEE * 2022 BOOKPAGE BEST MYSTERIES AND SUSPENSE * LIBRARY READS TOP 10 BOOKS OF 2022 * CRIME READS BEST NEW CRIME FICTION

"Investigations are launched, fingers are pointed, potentially dangerous liaisons unfold and I was turning those pages like there was cake at the finish line." -Moira Macdonald, Seattle Times must-read books for summer 2022

Ned Kelly award winning author Sulari Gentill sets this mystery-within-a-mystery in motion with a deceptively simple, Dear Hannah, What are you writing? pulling us into theornate reading room at the Boston Public Library.

In every person's story, there is something to hide...

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.

Sulari Gentill delivers a sharply thrilling read with The Woman in the Library, an unexpectedly twisty literary adventure that examines the complicated nature of friendship and shows us that words can be the most treacherous weapons of all.

What readers are saying about The Woman in the Library:

"I loved this intelligent, high tension, addictive, unputdownable book so much!"

"I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!"

"This is a smart, well-written whodunit with an interesting cast of characters and a well-developed plot."

"A murder mystery that starts off in a crowded library full of book lovers? SIGN ME UP!"

"What an outstanding job and literary work in the crime-fiction genre!"

Ratings (21)

Incredible (3)
Loved It (7)
Liked It (4)
It Was OK (5)
Did Not Like (1)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (43):

Read It (22)
Want To Read (19)
Not Interested (2)

2 comment(s)

Oddlydrawncristi

Loved It

2 months

A "story within a story" which I sort of enjoyed. I wanted more to come from the correspondence or...I'm not entirely sure. I just felt left wanting more. Other than that, I enjoyed the story overall. I liked the character development.

fimbud315

Loved It

9 months

I really enjoyed this book.

I liked the idea for this story from the very beginning. Usually I don't like when the main story is interrupted by, for example, flashbacks or, like in this case, by letters to the author for their fan. But since Leo's letters were very short, it didn't bother me at all. From the very beginning, I also suspected that there might be something behind it, so I was curious what the whole thing was about. I'm glad some of my suspicions turned out to be correct.

But I also liked the main story. There is something about it that reminds me of Agatha Christie's books, and at its best. A narrow group of suspects, strange relationships between them, one of them is definitely a murderer, and each hides a secret. The secrets and connections between the main characters gradually come to light, and we still don't know what really happened.

The author was really masterful at introducing new twists. And she was brilliant at casting suspicion on all four people, and even on some other others who appeared in the story from time to time. Until the end I wasn't sure what really happened. Everyone looked suspicious.

This is a really well-structured story. The author had an excellent idea and used it brilliantly. It is also a tribute to the classics of crime fiction in my opinion.

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The Woman in the Library

Sulari Gentill