The Woman in the Library

Reviews

J. v. Kirchbach

We get to read Hannah's manuscript chapter after chapter and for each one Leo's commentary (as an email) with feedback and further suggestions. This book was very clever - I loved how it was constructed! While one author – Hannah – writes a mystery novel set in Boston (though from Australia), another author – Leo – is her local guide and helper to get all the details about the city right.

The story itself actually progresses quite skilfully and the plotting was well done - I enjoyed alternating adding to the story with edits or alternate visions for the story and when the “pretend” reality started to turn a little sinister as well - it was excellent. All in all, I had a great time reading this and would definitely recommend! The inspiration then comes from three people she's sitting next to.

We get a crime story in a crime story! But then one of them gets suspected of murder. In the manuscript Freddie – also a writer – goes to the Boston Public Library to get inspiration for her book. After hearing a horrific scream from somewhere inside the library, they trike up a conversation and eventually form an unlikely friendship.

. and some conversational details about himself, which seem to escalate to something shady/sinister over time. !