Thanks Helena, for recommending this. I absolutely loved, loved, loved it! The Woman in the Window is a dark, scary and uneasy. Hard to believe this is a debut novel. A.J Finn is a fantastic author and writes a story that keeps you hooked – genuinely unputdownable. (I spent a whole day on the sofa, only occasionally getting up to top up my tea.)
The Woman in the Window – A.J. Finn
5 out of 5
Published 2018 by Harper Collins
Blurb: What did she see?
It’s been ten months since Anna Fox last left her home. Ten months during which she has haunted the rooms of her old New York house, lost in her memories, too terrified to step outside.
Anna’s lifeline to the real world is her window, where she sits, watching her neighbours. When the Russells move in, Anna is instantly drawn to them. A picture-perfect family, they are an echo of the life that was once hers.
But one evening, a scream rips across the silence, and Anna witnesses something horrifying. Now she must uncover the truth about what really happened. But if she does, will anyone believe her? And can she even trust herself?
My thoughts: It is written a bit like diary entries over the three week period and narrated by the main character, Anna. The 38-year-old child psychologist suffering from agoraphobia following a horrific event 10 months prior, was lovable from the start. Her side commentary was absolutely hilarious and I could totally relate to her love for alcohol (to an extent, of course! Not promoting it 🤦).
It was absolutely heartbreaking to see her deterioration from bad to worse over the course of the few weeks.
For me the pacing was just right- enough to keep me engrossed and interested the whole time. Unfortunately towards the end I figured out one of the major twists, which was then less shocking, but it did not ruin the wow factor! The narrative didn’t feel dragged out and was a perfect build up to the grand finale. And what a finale that was! I can hardly wait for the film to come out in October.
Kat x
Side note: I am left to wonder why her bathroom was called the “Red Room”, it was near impossible not to think of Fifty Shades of Grey 🤦 lol
