A review by jencunn2024
The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill

4.0

Such a fun read! This novel is a puzzling Matryoshka doll! It had a novel within a novel within a novel! I read a couple of other reviews where it was described as a hall of mirrors or seeing your reflection in multitudes when there are mirrors reflecting other mirrors. This style and format also made me think of script styles like Pulp Fiction and Black Swan.

It is about 4 strangers who meet in a library reading room and become instant friends when they share an odd experience. Three of the four are writers — a journalist, an aspiring novelist and a published novelist. But the foursome are the main characters in yet another novel being written by another novelist with chapter-by-chapter commentary by her American would-be agent or research assistant.

The interior story is a mystery to be solve. The outer story gets thrilling and enigmatic, and the inner story throws a wrench in the whole thing. It was fast paced and had somewhat of a true crime feel. The characters are both interesting and frustrating and make an eclectic mix. Enjoy this carnival ride! Not too dark and not too light…. It’s just right. 3.75 rounded up to 4 stars out of 5 for me. The audio version works well too.