Right from the start you know this is going to be a great mystery! A story about an author writing a book about an author writing a book about a murder, who thinks of something like that! The main story is the mystery that the first author is writing, at least that’s the one that is the focus. The use of this layering adds so much to the book. All the action in “fictional” mystery is interspersed with letters between the “ real” Australian author and her research assistant/fan who is back in the US. The way Gentill so subtly raises the issues of the pandemic and race in America in these letters is genius. What a fun ride! Highly recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

This was another one of my most anticipated books of 2022! I love a New England set thriller and this book seemed like a fun take on one of my favorite tropes: locked-room mysteries.

Four strangers form a friendship in the Boston Public Library after they hear a loud scream, followed by reports of a murder in the library. Together they go down the rabbit hole to solve the murder.

Mind you, this isn’t your typical mystery tale. This is essentially a book within a book. Hannah is an Australian crime writer drafting this tale of four strangers meeting in the library. The book bounces between drafts of her book chapters (each struggling to nail down American slang) and correspondence with Leo, an aspiring writer living in Boston who offers her notes on her depiction of Boston. Is Leo simply a helpful fan, or are his intentions more sinister?

I loved this book! It was giving a bit of Hitchcock meets Misery. The book within a book and subplot did feel a little confusing at first, but I promise it’s worth the read. If you’re into a good ‘ol fashioned who-done-it this is definitely worth adding to your list!

Absolutely fantastic! I could not put down this book once the mystery hooked me. I was fully invested in the four main characters of the story. I could not figure out who was who, and the mystery kept me guessing until the end.

However, I really did not love the random emails between the author and her pen pal. I couldn’t understand the reasoning to include this story within the main story, except to cause confusion or even perhaps the fear? I personally didn’t care for it.

The fast pace made that for a quick read, and for that I would read this authors work again.

The book-within-a-book convention is an either/or convention - either it works or it doesn’t. Fortunately, Sulari Gentill makes it work in this intriguing if occasionally frustrating mystery novel.

The stories for both “books” are good, but not equally so. I developed a more solid connection with the characters in the book inside the book written by Hannah. They seemed real to me, although quite transparent. I pretty much pegged the killer by the second meeting of the four characters.

This book takes some concentration to read because there are a lot of plot strings to keep sorted. I think the book-inside-a-book thing will frustrate some readers. Those who stick with it, though, will come out on the other side knowing they’ve read a clever, well-planned story.

Thank you to Netgalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review of the book.

This book ticked all the boxes for me. The intriguing start with a murder in the Boston Public Library that launches the friendships of 4 characters, the character building that then takes place, the larger Boston setting--and of course, the innovative set up of a book within a story within a book. I loved the main characters and couldn't wait to get back to their stories. I found myself constantly shifting my predictions of who the bad guy would be. Overall, a fun, addicting read.

The only reason I didn't go to 5 stars on this is that there were a few jagged corners that I would have loved to see smoothed out. I really liked the interludes between chapters where we watched uber-fan Leo slowly reveal himself. However, I felt like that relationship was never fleshed out enough--I wanted to know from the first chapter what his and Freddie's relationship was and how their correspondence began. I felt like there was more to be learned about Freddie's little sister. And while I liked the meta-nature of this whole thing, including the very end, I found that I still had some niggling questions for which I was hoping for more resolution. But . . . these are minor quirks, probably all mine. I highly recommend this one to mystery lovers and book lovers.

A totally unique approach to a mystery novel, The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill is really a book within a book. At the outset, the reader is introduced to Freddie, an author who has won the opportunity to live in Boston and write a new novel. As the book opens, Freddie goes to the Boston Public Library where she meets Marigold, Whit, and Cain and begins writing her book using these four people as inspiration for her novel’s characters.

At the end of the chapter, there is an email from Leo which reveals that Freddie is actually a character who is part of a mystery novel being written by Hannah, an Australian writing the book from abroad since the pandemic prevents her from traveling to the United States to perform any research. Leo’s emails are made up of bits and pieces of information regarding specifics about Boston or about American colloquialisms which are designed to help Hannah write in a more accurate way regarding location and conversation. These emails also help remind the reader that the primary mystery has a fictional character named Freddie who is identified as the story’s author, while in reality the entire story is being written by Hannah, an author who is living in Australia.

Moving forward, the mystery being penned by Freddie becomes more involved and the four people who met in the library become involved in trying to solve the murder. As their investigation continues, questions regarding each one’s innocence become more apparent as Freddie tries to decide if one of them is the actual murderer. There are attacks on first one then another of the characters, and Freddie’s attention is drawn from one to another of these characters as she tries to determine the murderer’s identity.

As Freddie becomes more involved with the other character’s lives, events become more serious with the addition of another murder and suspicion that seems to attach itself first to one, then another of the characters. Meanwhile, Leo’s emails are posted at the end of each chapter and, in addition to providing information to Freddie regarding American terms for locations, clothing, etc. become more demanding.

As Leo’s emails become more insistent and, in some cases, more sinister, the possibility of a second mystery begins to blossom in the reader’s mind. Is he genuine in his assistance or does he have a hidden agenda. Hannah receives a letter from the FBI warning her of a “Leo” who is sending her emails and may be stalking her. Are they referring to the same Leo who’s emails have been an integral part of the first book? Or is that Leo a fictional character like Freddie and the other murder suspects?

The pacing of the book is steady and at an excellent speed to keep the reader engaged in continuing through the book. Gentill has created characters with good depth who are distinctly drawn and easy for the reader to keep separate. The approach is so unique, and the story so engaging, the reader may easily find themselves reading “just one more chapter” long past when they have made a commitment to put the book down for the night. The end of the book, while satisfying, may leave the reader thinking about it even after they have put the book away, perhaps hoping there will be a sequel so questions regarding the future of some or all of the characters can be answered.

My thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy for review. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.

Had trouble getting into this one, though it could have been the mood I was in while reading it. I found it hard to care about the characters and the mystery surrounding them. I felt that I didn’t care where the story went.

Unfortunately, this book just didn't work for me. The plot revolves around Hannah, an author who is writing a novel about a scream overheard by a group of strangers at the Boston Public library. Each chapter in the book is a chapter of Hannah's manuscript that she sends to a devoted but strange fan named Leo. The end of each chapter includes a letter that Leo writes to Hannah with his feedback about the chapter and his general musings in life. This unique plot structure sets up dual mysteries - who murdered Caroline (the scream at the library) and what is the deal with Leo?

I had issues connecting to the characters from the very beginning. I didn't dislike any of them but I didn't really enjoy them either. I couldn't understand how quickly they became completely intertwined in each other's lives and why it wasn't strange? If Marigold starting popping by my apartment every day because I didn't text back. I would be concerned. The story also had some small romantic plotlines which I never care for, especially in thrillers.

I think my biggest issue was that the secondary plot - Leo's letters to Hannah - drops a MASSIVE bomb about halfway through the book which made the primary plot even less exciting. I only cared about Leo from that point on. I already felt the story with Freddie, Marigold, Whit and Cain was dragging along but this made it even worse.

I almost bumped my rating to 3 stars because I really enjoyed the unique, double plot structure. Unfortunately, it didn't go far enough for me. They two stories never overlapped or mirrored each other like I was expecting. The ending, at least for one of the plotlines, was very anti-climatic and settled within two pages.

Ultimately, I think there is a lot to like in this book but it wasn't for me! Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC.

I'm not sure what was fact or fiction in this book, what was plot and what was contrived. So unfortunately this was a dnf for me.
Thanks for the digital review copy.

The Woman in the Library is a mystery story within a crime story told in narrative and email correspondence, which is a fun format. The main mystery centres around an Australian author named Freddie and is all the work of fiction by an Australian author named Hannah, who is the absentee star of the crime story (bear with me as I try to explain). Freddie is on a fellowship in Boston, USA, and her story starts in the library as she observes three strangers who will star in her story – so, we actually have a story within a story within a story. But back to the library… a woman’s scream, heralding her murder, throws those four strangers together (Freddie, Cain, Whit and Marigold). Apparently coincidental, but you know what detectives and crime writers think about coincidences… While Freddie’s story is rolling out, a man named Leo Johnson, a fanatical fan of Hannah’s, is writing to her from America, offering feedback on her developing story. As we only have access to Leo’s emails, Hannah remains rather elusive. To confuse things a little, fictional Freddie has a neighbour of the same name (Leo Johnson) who has a minor role while the fictional characters of Freddie, Cain, Whit and Marigold all flesh out and their secrets come to light. Meanwhile, the other Leo is increasingly attempting to direct Hannah’s story. Wow, so there is a lot going on in The Woman in the Library! It is rather in the style of a cosy mystery, and yet not because of some dark themes. It is also reminiscent of an Agatha Christie novel. The thing I enjoyed most was the four main (fictional) characters, who I found quite endearing, but at the same time, the story within a story creates a distance between the characters and reader, reducing the tension and impact somewhat. I highly enjoyed The Woman in the Library though, hence my rating of 4–4.5 stars, and look forward to what twisty surprises Australian author Sulari Gentill delivers us next!
Advance review copy received with thanks from the publisher and NetGalley.

Wow. I've read other books by this author but this one is nothing like the others (which were good) An unusual format--a fan's letter interspersed with the chapters of an author's new book. We learn more about the fan as the book progresses. It starts out sounding normal but becomes more like stalking as the book goes on. The story the author is writing is also good--kept me guessing. I highly recommend.

Such a cool premise but reads differently than I assumed it would based off the synopsis. I thought it was gonna be a locked room mystery set in the library but it wasn't.
It follows a group of people who overhear a scream in the library one night as they try to figure out who screamed and what happened. There is a story being written by an author who inserts this story and it gets a bit confusing at times.
Also, it was very dry in many parts. I kept putting it down for other things and didn't give it my full attention but it ended okay.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks, Inc (Poisoned Pen Press) for sending 'The Woman in the Library'!

As the daughter of a Librarian and Mystery enthusiast, what initially drew me to this book was the fact the setting of a crime is a Library. The first page was beautiful, and really grabbed my attention.

But, once I got towards the end of the first chapter and a few places in earlier chapters of the book the structure of the dialogue felt a little weird: --- For example the "How was he killed? Whit speaks reflexively as if he's asking about where Cain bought his shoes." -- maybe it's just me, but things like this flow of the text.

Also, The Hannah/Leo letters between chapters initially threw me off a little. Normally I appreciate having stories within a story... but it took me way longer than I would have liked to appreciate it within a novel this time. I did end up enjoying how it helped build up the 'story' later on, create a secondary story, and even some misdirection!

Was the Mystery itself compelling? Yes, it was. Which is what probably redeemed the book in my eyes. The author did a fantastic job with building up the story with a twist at the end.

Is this a book I will recommend to my students: Definitely.
Will I be buying it when it come out in June, and reading it again in the future? Yes, yes I will!

Solid 3/5.

Gentill's new book, Woman In The Library is set in the Boston Public Library.

The library is full and at a table sit four folks who don't know each other. A scream fills the air and security rushes to find the source.

While the library is being searched, the four people at the table begin to talk and strike up a friendship. Problem is - one of them is not who they appear to me. One of them is a murderer.

I was surprised at the ending. The descriptions of the library make the atmosphere part of the story. The books discussed have the feel of a "salon."

This is a satisfying read.

first of all, can we talk about that stunning cover?! it’s so good! and i’m glad to report that this book was just as perfect inside as it is outside.

the woman in the library had the perfect pacing. i haven’t read many books with pacing this tight. it really lent itself well for the tone and atmosphere of the book, making the whole reading experience so addictive. the mystery was pieced together so well, and i had reason to be suspicious of all the characters, without it feeling like red herrings were introduced left and right just for the sake of throwing off the reader. and despite having reasons to think all these characters could be cold-blooded murderers, they were still written to be such likable characters. i got really invested in where the mystery will go, if only to find out which of them would make it through alive. my favorite character was marigold, and i loved every time she was on-page.

overall, this was an amazing ride from start to finish. highly recommend.

This book is twisty and inventive. I enjoyed the central mystery and also the letters between the "author" and another author adds an extra layer to the story.

This book was a unique, engaging, and thrilling read! It feels a little tricky to describe as the majority of the content is a manuscript of a new mystery novel written by an author named Hannah. Hannah, located in Australia, is sending chapters of her book to a beta reader in Boston named Leo. Each chapter is a chapter in Hannah's new book and ends with Leo's emailed response to that chapter.
So essentially the mystery that we are reading is the mystery that fictional Hannah is writing and I kept having to remind myself of that because I really did become fully immersed in that story (which revolves around a writer named Freddie who makes some mysterious new friends and gets involved in multiple murder investigations). But then we get an added thrill watching the relationship between Hannah and Leo change.
All in all this was a very captivating book that I really enjoyed.

i found the premise of the book very intriguing, like a locked room mystery, but in reverse, and i was not disappointed! i always like the idea of a story within a story and this is another good one. very unique and intelligent with a few good thriller twists. i would recommend this to any thriller lovers, those who like books about books, and fans of lucy foley

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

I was captivated by the book from the beginning and couldn’t put it down!! I had to know what happened next, and then after that, and then again!

The “book within a book” approach that Gentill weaved into the story added greater depth. As a reader, I got to see a mystery unfold before me, and simultaneously witness the creative process of writing a book unfold as well. Fantastic book that will keep you guessing!

I wanted to love this book SO much more with the beautiful setting in the Boston Public Library. I was hooked right away and couldn't put it down. It was cleverly written as a novel within a novel and we saw the author's email correspondences with "Leo" in America. Many fun twists but too many coincidences and unbelievable in the end. Thanks NG for advance copy!