A review by liteartha
The Woman in the Library, by Sulari Gentill
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
a two-fold story: a novel following a murder in the boston public library and the increasingly suspect email feedback of the novel's beta reader.
unfortunately, the story within a story format was a complete miss for me. the stylistic choice of presenting an author's manuscript interspersed with notes from her beta reader at the end of each chapter completely disrupted the flow of what was already not a particularly compelling mystery novel. i was so distracted by the commentary that i find it hard even now to comment on the murder mystery part of it all because it felt so... fake? almost entirely without consequence as it was presented as though "written" by the fictional author hannah tigone and not sulari gentill.
thank you to netgalley and poisoned pen press for providing this digital review copy in exchange for an honest review
unfortunately, the story within a story format was a complete miss for me. the stylistic choice of presenting an author's manuscript interspersed with notes from her beta reader at the end of each chapter completely disrupted the flow of what was already not a particularly compelling mystery novel. i was so distracted by the commentary that i find it hard even now to comment on the murder mystery part of it all because it felt so... fake? almost entirely without consequence as it was presented as though "written" by the fictional author hannah tigone and not sulari gentill.
thank you to netgalley and poisoned pen press for providing this digital review copy in exchange for an honest review
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Violence
Moderate: Sexual violence