Reviews

Η γυναίκα στη βιβλιοθήκη by Sulari Gentill

vlreid's review against another edition

4.0

A fast-paced suspense novel set in and around the Boston Public Library. Four strangers are in the library researching and writing when a scream is heard. The usually silent reading room buzzes with conversation about the scream, and these four quickly form a friendship. The story-within-a-story in epistolary format gives an additional, unique perspective. This is quite a page-turner and I finished the book in about 36-hours, anxious to find out who-dunit! It had everything I look for in a book - mystery, books, libraries, writers, readers, red herrings. Many thanks for NetGalley for the ARC! Highly recommended!

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

ktlvaughan's review against another edition

Too many incorrect/implausible errors in the world-builidng. This probably wouldn't be a problem for a reader who doesn't have deep knowledge of Boston, Harvard, and libraries. Also, the conceit of the book (local wannabe author giving feedback on a mystery novel for an overseas author) was a surprise, and not a welcome one. 

fredandjunesbooks's review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

veraann's review against another edition

4.0

A book within a book. A murder mystery. Interesting layers in this book.

reeducating_the_phoenix's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.75

A fresh take on murder and mystery. You will probably figure out whodunit but its enjoyable along the way! 

shoshin's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I'm not usually a big fan of mystery novels, but I loved this one start to finish. The story-within-a-story premise worked beautifully, though in the wrong hands, it could easily become a silly gimmick. I did figure out who the murderer was in the story-within-a-story as soon as the characters were initially introduced, but that didn't bother me, and neither did most of the problems with the story-within-a-story since the premise was that these were first drafts being sent to a beta reader. I was interested in all levels of the plot throughout. And the ending gave me chills!

frosty_the_snowman's review against another edition

emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

dornzz's review against another edition

2.0

This book was a little slow for me. I was expecting a page turner but I found that I had to force myself thru the book. The first bit of the book was interesting as we’re getting to know the characters and back story and then boom, the middle of the book was entirely too slow. Marigold was childish for a “genius”. The added subplot with the emails felt unnecessary and added confusion to the Leo the neighbor’s character all together. The romantic chemistry with the main character and the other character (don’t wanna name and spoil) felt forced. All of sudden it’s poppin off like the last 10 pages of the book. Would have put in my DNF but I wanted to give it a shot.

bookwyrm76's review against another edition

So I THOUGHT I knew what meta fiction was....

Seriously this book was awesome and managed to tell two stories at once which were both engaging and had a good deal of tension. The book begins with the main character sitting in the Boston Public Library with writers block. She's sharing the table with three other people and begins to womder who they are and what thier story is. Then they hear a scream! They start talking and go to have coffee.

The chapter ends, and you find out that it's a book in a book as you read a letter from Leo giving feedback to the author and chatting.

Each chapter you learn a bit more of the story and you see/hear a bit more of Leo. Who screamed? Is Leo who/what he seems? those questions will keep you reading this awesome work of meta fiction that totally changed my view of something I thought of a gimmicky and saw mostly in picture books or comics.

monicaja229's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0