Let’s face it: Neighbors can be a nuisance. Issues are exacerbated in the tight confines of New York City. We all wonder why the woman upstairs must Irish Step dance at 6am, and we dread small talk in the elevator. Well, be thankful you do not live near Anna as she is the nosiest of them all.
Dealing with a recent, but severe bout of agoraphobia, Anna Fox is confined to her townhouse and becomes The Woman in the Window. She appreciates the simple things in life – her family, old movies, and chess. She also enjoys using her high-end camera to snoop on her neighbors. Did I mention pills and wine? She loves those too, especially mixed together.
When the Russell family moves next door, Anna is intrigued by the fresh faces. Her obsession intensifies when she believes she witnesses a brutal murder. As events unfold, Finn does a great job of layering in the tragedies of Anna’s past along with an increasing deterioration of her present. This forces police, friends, family, Anna and, most importantly, the reader to question: What exactly did she see that day?
At first, I was worried about all of the hype surrounding this book. When I heard the premise, I was concerned the in-vogue “unreliable narrator” would feel stale or predictable. After all, for every Girl on a Train (Read it!), there is a Woman in Cabin 10 (Skip it!). However, Finn is able to plant doubt on every possible explanation and sprinkles in some very fun revelations.
The twists and turns make this a great beach read for those looking for a mystery. The movie rights sold instantly, so read it before the big screen debut (don’t worry you have plenty of time).
Verdict: Read it
Length: 448 pages
Quote: “This evening’s selection: The Man Who Knew Too Much, for the umpteenth time. I am woman who viewed too much.”
When: When you feel like a know-it-all
Also: Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson (or if live under a rock, Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins)
Buy The Woman in the Window HERE
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