The Woman in the Window / AJ Finn

The Woman in the Window

By A.J. Finn
Published: William Morrow, 2018
Pages: 455
Genre: Thriller
Amazon, Goodreads

I can feel the outside trying to get in - isn't that how Lizzie put it? It's swelling against the door, bulging its muscles, battering the wood; I hear its breath, its nostrils streaming, its teeth grinding. It will trample me; it will tear me; it will devour me.

About the book

Anna Fox lives alone - a recluse in her New York City home, unable to venture outside. She spends her days drinking wine (maybe too much), watching old movies, recalling happier times ... and spying on her neighbors.

Then the Russells move into the home across the way; a father, a mother, their teenage son. The perfect family. But when Anna, gazing out her window one night, sees something she shouldn't, her world begins to crumble - and it's shocking secrets are laid bare.

Review

The Woman in the Window is the psychological thriller I've been waiting for. After a series of just OK reads, this book kept me up last night with its intriguing storyline, gripping writing, fantastic characters.

Anna, the protagonist, is a psychologist suffering from agoraphobia following a yet-to-be-revealed traumatic experience. What's interesting about Anna is that proves to be an unreliable narrator throughout the story. Anna at first seems to live an experience one way, then the reader discovers that that's not really happened at all. I really enjoyed following Anna's perspective since she is a mental health professional; she understands the how and why of her condition but she still feels helpless.

The book is full of twists and turns that I didn't see coming. I felt drawn in to the story by Anna's (and everyone else's) uncertainty regarding her sanity. There are times, though not as extreme, that I've felt like Anna; I get super vivid dreams due to anti-depressants I take and at times I feel like the dreams actually happened and I get super anxious and wonder what's real and what's fantasy. Does anyone else get this way or is it just me?!

All the characters were great; the Russells, Anna's neighbors that she watches, were very mysterious and slightly creepy. Anna's obsession grows and grows until the climax at the end - which I won't spoil!

I loved the author's writing style. It reminded me of Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl, Sharp Objects). The author sets up an ominous atmosphere by using haunting similes throughout the novel (example: the quote up at top).

The Woman in the Window is one I recommend for those inching for a good psychological thriller.

RATING (out of five puppies)