Review: The Woman in the Window

Title: The Woman in the Window

Author: A.J. Finn

Publisher: 25 January 2018 by Harper Collins

Pages: 448 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: fiction, mystery, suspense

My Rating: 3.5 cups

Synopsis:

What did she see?

It’s been ten long months since Anna Fox last left her home. Ten months during which she has haunted the rooms of her old New York house like a ghost, lost in her memories, too terrified to step outside.

Anna’s lifeline to the real world is her window, where she sits day after day, watching her neighbours. When the Russells move in, Anna is instantly drawn to them. A picture-perfect family of three, they are an echo of the life that was once hers.

But one evening, a frenzied scream rips across the silence, and Anna witnesses something no one was supposed to see. Now she must do everything she can to uncover the truth about what really happened. But even if she does, will anyone believe her? And can she even trust herself?

My Thoughts

This book is presented as a psychological thriller which reads at a good pace, even if the plot appears somewhat familiar. I quite liked the book as it reminded me of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 mystery/thriller film with James Stewart, ‘Rear Window’. Here, instead of a broken leg, we have a lead who, not only suffers from agoraphobia, but also is presented as an unreliable narrator with the amount of alcohol and prescriptions drugs consumed. Anna Fox is suffering from a personal tragedy and her connection to the outside world is through the internet and the few visitors to her home. Basically she spies on her neighbours and witnesses a crime. Or did she?

I believe the author has done a solid job here in making you a part of Anna’s world through her thoughts and fears - even at times if it is somewhat repetitive. It can be difficult to sympathise with Anna with her counting of wine bottles and daily pill intake. Whilst trying to make you fully appreciate the depths of her despair, it just makes the story drag. The writing is short, sharp and engaging, but somewhat predictable in areas, with twists that may or may not surprise you.

I did enjoy the throw back to ‘Rear Window’, especially Anna’s  love for old movies that run in the background as I have always adored the old classic Hollywood movies. There were often interesting parallels and it made you question whether something really did happen, or if Anna just saw it in a movie. Ultimately, if you're looking for a readable mystery, this one definitely fits the bill. I don't think it's one where you'll find memorable characters but it certainly keeps you turning the pages.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release