A review by pamshenanigans
The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill

dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC! 
I absolutely loved Sulari Gentill’s When She Wrote Him (which I also recommend if you’re looking for a thriller/mystery that’s also so meta) so I had no doubt in mind to add this to my to-read list when I saw the announcement for The Woman in the Library and when the ARC was made available on Netgalley! 
I can confidently say that this mystery novel is also meta (books about books!) which I love about it. Despite having a similar vein of execution with When She Wrote Him, I’m glad that this didn’t completely disappoint me. The basic premise is: 
  1. An author, Hannah, is writing a mystery novel set in America while seemingly living in Australia
  2. Said author is in correspondence with an aspiring author and fan, Leo, who gives her tips upon reading the chapters of her manuscript
  3. The way the book pans out is we read the chapters of the mystery novel Hannah is writing then it ends with an email from Leo
  4. The mystery novel takes place around Boston and the murder happens in the Boston Public Library.
  5. One of the main characters of Hannah’s book is an aspiring writer and one of the characters is named Leo inspired by Hannah’s real-life encounter with her “pen pal”. This makes it so meta because it’s a book about a book about an aspiring writer. 🤯 Reading this alone may make it sound confusing, but upon reading it, it’s not.

The way the chapters of Hannah’s draft and the email exchange with Leo and how these two are still connected made for a very interesting read. It was messed up but not confusing. I can’t confirm the accuracy of the American details (Hannah is supposed to be Australian and Leo would correct her manuscript about details about America), but it’s okay FOR ME, since I didn’t those details didn’t affect the plot and writing anyway.
 
While I didn’t like what the twist was and how it ended, I still can’t wait for what Sulari Gentill will write next!
 
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