I had a very difficult time getting into this book. Something about it just didn't feel true. I could not get into these four adult strangers becoming fast friends and hanging out because they were together when a murder took place in a library. The story moved very slowly and I lost interest.

This is one of the best mystery/thrillers I've ever read. I was hooked really quickly, and I kept guessing right up till the end. The double narrative was really unique and I loved it. The characters were well written and nuanced, and you can't help rooting for them.
My only tiny critique is that I felt like the "Hannah Narrative " could've been wrapped up better or in more detail? I'm not sure what, I just felt like something was missing. In any case it's brilliant

3.5 rounded up

I really enjoyed the book within a book plot and how you got the whole story instead of just certain details/chapters. I liked how each chapter ended and I looked forward to Leo's correspondence. It was really interesting seeing the writing process and discussion that he gave Hannah as a beta reader. The story being written about Freddie kept my attention up until the romance happened. I don't think it added much to the story and I would have liked it a little more without what felt to me like insta love. What I did like about it was the mystery around the murder and how the the characters bonded over being writers and became quick friends. I liked the ending of Freddie's (the story within the story), but Hannah's ending was a bit of a let down. It wrapped up way to easy without explaining what happened to the characters in detail. It was well written and I liked it but didn't love it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher as well as the author. This book was so different then any other thriller I have read. It was so good. It was a strong read and it was good. right from. the beginning.

This is difficult to rate because of the content but I will do my best. The Woman in the Library is about a woman who is in the library when a blood curdling scream rings through. She is sharing a table with 3 other people, one of whom is a killer. Which one? The author with a troubled past? The would-be psychologist who is more than a little obsessive? The joke-making law student? But more than that, TWITL is about an Australian woman writing a book about an Australian woman writing a book in America. We get the author's chapters from her new book between correspondence from her American beta reader with commentary on the book. I enjoyed all of this but about halfway through, the beta reader's comments and advice very abruptly turn into COVID-19 rants and argumentative stances on why the author HAS to tell the race of her characters. Neither of these are problematic in themselves, in fact great points are made. My issue with it is that I don't know why? It's like the beta reader has a white savior complex in addition to an obsession with masks? Maybe that was the point? But there was no resolution so I am still confused by it. HOWEVER, aside from that I thought this was a great read - especially the audio. The narration is excellent and the characters are well done. And while I did guess the killer, I did not correctly guess the motive which was actually super satisfying because it's so different. I think if you just take the beta reader's rants as just that: rants, and look at them as the reader quickly spiraling then this is a really fun read. If you get hung up on those details then you might not enjoy it as much.

Definitely one of the best books of this year. Seriously, you need to read this. No matter if you are a hardcore fan of mystery books or just a reader who enjoys any kind of fiction, this book will catch your interest right away.
Let me introduce you the story of Hannah Tigone, an australian mystery writer who is currently working on her new book, about a writer... who is writing a mystery novel. So right away at the first chapter we have this challenging structure that I personally love so much.

These diferent levels, also known as the chinese boxes structure is composed by different stories. A story within the story. Some examples of books with this artifice are: Frankenstein, and Wuthering Heights. So stakes are high when you have these framed stories, in this case even more so since we get to know that both writers (Hannah and her fictional writer Winifred) are writing a mystery novel. Winifred arrives to the Boston Library to do some research for her book. She sits in the same table as Marigold, Cain and Whit. These three strangers will soon become close to Winifred. In the "real life", we have Hannah Tigone writing this story about Winifred, she delivers every chapter to a penpal sort of friend, called Leo. We learn that Leo is trying to get published but with no success so far.

I will refrain myself from telling to much but the way Sulari Gentill gave a refreshing twist to the crime genre is great. I liked the wink at the stereotypical characters in a group of friends but these characters have more developing beyond the tag that winifred assigns them at first (Freud Girl, Handsome Chin, etc). I also enjoyed all the commentary about the writing process, the diferent profiles of writers, the use of tropes and formulas, all well written critique of the mystery genre. My only issue is the pacing at the end. During the whole book we have this set up for a almost slow-burn reveal, but at the end the action arise and it becomes kinda overwhelming. Other than that, an enjoyable reading. I will be following Gentill's work from now on.

This book was unfortunately disappointing and not really what I expected it to be based on my taste. It has elements of a locked room mystery, it's a book about books, and it's a story within a story. All of that sounds great as a concept, but there were too many different layers and perspectives to really connect with the characters or get absorbed into the story. I felt like each time I would settle into what was happening, the perspective would change and it felt like an interruption. Instead of creating more suspense, it caused frustration. Because of this, I was not able to make it all the way through the book (so I can't speak for the ending). I read just under half of it, so I was able to get a solid sense of the writing style and the structure.
Those who enjoy plot-driven mysteries without a lot of deep focus on characters may enjoy this more than I did, as well as people who like books about authors where you get to read the characters' actual manuscripts.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I found the premise of this book to be interesting, but unfortunately felt it was a bit confusing to follow and therefore not enjoyable.

This was ok - struggled to get through the first half. I found the characters were not that interesting and the plot to be choppy and lack the flow of a well-paced thriller. The Leo letter parts were a little confusing and seemed to be unnecessary until they were actually going to have an impact on the other characters. Not my favorite but the concept was interesting and I enjoyed the Boston setting. 2.5 stars

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

This was really unusual book. It took me a little while to get into it and the blurb is a bit misleading- I thought it was going to be a cosy murder rnystery rather than thriller.

It took me a while to get into the flipping back and forth - its takes about 45% of the way before something major happens and I felt this could be sped up a little bit. However once we were in I did enjoy it and will recommend.

Thank you for the arc.

I wanted to love this book, but it just wasn’t there for me. I found Leo’s letters to be confusing and I had great difficulty rooting for any of the characters; they were all unlivable to me. Some readers love that, but it missed the mark for me. The ending was also glaringly obvious and a let-down from otherwise well-built suspense.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ -- Love the cover of this one!

This was a thoroughly entertaining read. A mystery within a mystery that was amazingly well written and paced. A plot that is clever and keeps you guessing until the end. Wonderful characters and a great setting. What more can you ask for? I knocked this one out in two days. 👍🏻👍🏻

**ARC Via NetGalley**

Fun, fun, fun book! The story starts with four people sharing a table at the Boston Public Library. One is a writer, so we get to see her writer’s impressions of everyone as she builds a story around them. Then there’s a scream, which leads to the four getting to know each other and planning to meet outside the library.

And within the story, there’s a second story told by letters from a penpal of sorts. Its difficult to explain clearly, but it added to the enjoyment.

There were several twists and turns that stretched belief, that the whole plot would revolve around something rather random as people getting to know each other, but it was still highly entertaining. I’m looking for more from this author.

Highly recommended.I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley.com and voluntarily chose to review.

This book within a book grips you from the beginning. Australian author Hannah Tigone is corresponding with an American author wannabe Leo Johnson. As the two correspond Hannah is sending him chapters of her book that is set where Leo lives. As the book progresses, Leo’s book is being rejected by publishers. Hannah realized the Leo may be doing more than just sending her pictures.
Hannah’s book chapters follow a group that becomes friends after hearing a scream in the Boston Public Library. They find out that the woman that screamed is actually dead. The problem is that one of them is a killer. Will the actual killer be found?
I really enjoyed this book. While there were a few slow moments, it really picks up quickly. I would think I had it all figured out but I definitely did not.

There was a lot going on in this book, made it a little confusing. Also I found it hard to stay interested in it long enough to read more than one chapter art as time. It took me so long to read it because I just want interested in it. The story line was interesting enough but would have been better if it was faster paced. I did enjoy that there was a couple of different stories going on and I became quite concerned for the author. Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for the free advanced copy. I'm voluntarily leaving my honest thoughts and review.

The Woman in the Library is a play within a play novel. Hannah Tigone is an Australian writer writing during the pandemic a thriller set in Boston. A fellow writer she has never met named Leo Johnson has offered to help with feedback and scouting information. Hannah's novel is about four strangers (Freddie, an Australian writer, Marigold, a psychology student, Whit, a law student, and Cain, a writer with secrets) all in the Library when a scream is heard. Hours later a female body is found and the four strangers are now wondering what happened.

Throughout the course of the book the stakes for both Hannah and Freddie get higher and higher. The concept was very interesting and while it took a minute to get used to it was very interesting and kept me reading. For readers who need a break from the formula type mystery/thriller novels pick this one up.

The unique premise of a story within a story drew me in, however it was a little slow paced and confusing at first. We have an aussie author with an American pan pal, writing a mystrey set in a libarary in Boston, and her fictional counterpart writes a similar novel with corresponding characters. It took me awhile to understand the relations and it only became clearer as the book progressed.

There is a lot of susspension of disbeleif necessary at the outset of the story. Freddie, our main character seemed a little too naive and trusting plunging fast into a relationship with the strangers she met at the library.
I cam very close to DNFing when a major twist that came more than halfway through got me hooked, and helped me finish the novel in one go.

In the background is the author Hannah Tigone. We know very little about her, except that she is asuccessful Australian author and that she is black. Most of what we know of her is revealed by Leo her American friend and correspondent, an aspiring writer who urges her to disclose the race of the characters, and to incorporate Covid into the story. He seems very helpful in explaining American idioms and phrasing, as well as researching locations. But his readings of the text seem a little ascewed in a disturbing way. As the story progresses we realize that he is not exactly as he presents himself.

I feel like the thing that eventually went a little missing is the connection to the characters. The clever construction takes away from the emotional impact, so it worked as a clever tale but left me a little cold.

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a chance to read the Arc in advance.

i really liked the concept - a writer caught at the library at the same time as a murder takes place. she starts writing a book based on the people at her table in the library all while they try and find out more about the murder. it's a fun concept! the execution was just a bit weak and the writing style was strange. definitely original though!

Good read. Loved the concept but it ended rather hastily. I’ll definitely be looking for more from this author.

I just did not like this book. The characters were truly all annoying and insufferable. I'm not even someone who needs to have likeable characters in order to enjoy a book, but at least have them full fleshed out and realized. There was no depth to any part of the story, in my opinion.