The woman in library by Sulari Gentill

Description

‘And then there is a scream. Ragged and terrified. A beat of silence even after it stops, until we all seem to realise that the Reading Room Rules no longer apply.’

Hannah Tigone, bestselling Australian crime author, is crafting a new novel that begins in the Boston Public Library: four strangers; Winifred, Cain, Marigold and Whit are sitting at the same table when a bloodcurdling scream breaks the silence. A woman has been murdered. They are all suspects, and, as it turns out, each character has their own secrets and motivations – and one of them is a murderer.

While crafting this new thriller, Hannah shares each chapter with her biggest fan and aspirational novelist, Leo. But Leo seems to know a lot about violence, motive, and how exactly to kill someone. Perhaps he is not all that he seems…

The Woman in the Library is an unexpectedly twisty literary adventure that examines the complicated nature of friendship – and shows that words can be the most treacherous weapons of all.

Comments

Our readers found this book to be an entertaining mystery.

Set in Boston with many landmarks noted, this novel was very enjoyable to “google view.” The Boston Library and venues mentioned were well described. The author had researched her setting well.

The writing structure of “a book within a book” was enjoyed by many but a little confusing for a few.

The author writing a murder mystery as a fiction novel while her own potential murder is creeping up on her simultaneously with the story development.

The character of Leo, seemingly an aspired fan, ends each chapter by remotely giving advice and feedback to her character development, story line and proposing  Americanisms that would be helpful in her narration. Leo, however, quickly develops into someone much more sinister adding to many twists and turns to the story.  Some readers found some of the support characters were underdeveloped and the incidents of police nonchalance unbelievable. Many were disappointed with the ending but overall our group enjoyed this book, particularly for it’s uniqueness.

Read by MJ Readers