The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn

Amy      

mystery, psychological thriller

The Woman in the Window tells the story of a woman who thinks she sees a murder take place through a neighbor's window.  

This novel has to have one of the most unreliable narrators in the history of literature. As Anna's story develops and the layers are removed, the reader begins to wonder if they're reading a total fantasy or not because Anna, obviously, cannot tell fact from fiction herself. At the same time, you know there must be some truth to it because of the facts and evidence she peppers throughout her story. It's not a surprise the way things turn out. In fact, I had figured it all out. But, the telling of the tale and the pacing was great. I liked the device of having Anna be a psychologist so that she could educate the reader about agoraphobia.  In that way, it reminded me of The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle where the protagonist was able to give insight to the reader about the mental anguish through which she was living. However, at the same time, while I assume it's possible, I wonder how realistic it is that someone so educated in psychological disorders would develop such a debilitating phobia.  Apparently, education is not prevention. And I do understand that phobias are not logical. I appreciated the way black and white films playing throughout the novel mirrored the situations in Anna's life.  Cleverly done by A.J. Finn, even though I'm not familiar with most of the old movies mentioned.

The audiobook narrator was Ann Marie Lee and she did a great job, especially with the voice acting. I wouldn't have minded if she read a little faster at times but she did present a repertoire of different voices for the characters. I'll give her an A.