A riveting and remarkable debut psychological suspense thriller with a fascinating main character
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SUMMARY
Dr. Anna Fox, once a successful child psychologist, is now a recluse in her New York City home and unable to venture outside. She has agoraphobia and has been unable to step outside for ten months. She spends her day drinking Merlot, watching old Hitchcock movies, recalling happier times with her family, and spying on her neighbors. She noticed that a new family, the Russell’s just moved in across the park, a husband, a wife and their teenage son. One night Anna is checking out the neighbors through her window and she witnesses a act of violence at the Russell house. Was it real? Did she imagine it? Why doesn’t anyone believe her? As she pursues the truth, her world begins to crumble and her secrets are revealed.
“Watching is like nature photography: You don’t interfere with the wildlife.”
REVIEW
THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW is a heart-pounding psychological thriller that kept me awake late into the night. I was totally immersed in, and riveted by Dr. Anna Fox’s story. Her backstory, her struggle with agoraphobia, her drinking and her inability to discern the truth, all combined to make her a fascinating character that propels the suspense. The pacing of the plot and the short chapters made the book a quick and easy read.
A.J. FINN has created an engrossing and sophisticated debut novel that skillfully transports us to a four story house in Harlem. He creatively uses various old movies scenes and chess moves as metaphors, although at times to frequently. There were two small things about the book that gave me pause. The first was the police’s ability to obtain Dr. Fox’s private medical information from her doctor, regardless of patient confidentiality laws. The second was the police handling of the questioning and confrontations with Ana, which surprisingly took place in a large group setting, with all the Russell’s present. Although minor, neither of these situations square with what would happen in reality. (I hope!) Despite not being a huge fan of either Gone Girl or The Girl on the Train, I found this book compelling. Overall, this was a great blend of characters, setting and story.
A. J. FINN is a synonym for Daniel Mallory who was born in New York and is a Oxford graduate and former book critic. He has written for the Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post and he is an executive editor for William Morrow which purchased the rights for the book at auction. THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW debuted in January as a #1 New York Times bestseller, an unusual feat for a first time author. The movie rights were purchased and will star Oscar nominee Amy Adams as Dr. Anna Fox. It will be filmed in NYC beginning in August 2018, and is set for release October 2019. I listened to the Audible version of the book and liked the performance by Anne Marie Lee.
Publisher Harper Collins/William Morrow
Publication January 2, 2018
Narrated Ann Marie Lee
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
“And if I don’t want to die, I’ve got to start living.”