The Woman in the Library

By: Sulari Gentill

Narrated by: Katherine Littrell

Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

The ornate reading room at the Boston Public Library is quiet—until the tranquility is shattered by a woman's terrified scream. Security guards take charge immediately, instructing everyone inside to stay put until the threat is identified and contained. While they wait for the all-clear, four strangers, who'd happened to sit at the same table, pass the time in conversation, and friendships are struck. Each has his or her own reasons for being in the reading room that morning—it just happens that one is a murderer.

Award-winning author Sulari Gentill delivers a sharply thrilling listen with this unexpectedly twisty literary adventure that examines the complicated nature of friendship and reveals that words can be the most treacherous weapons of all.

©2022 Sulari Gentill (P)2022 Dreamscape Media, LLC

creativity abounds

it's been a while since a book in the mystery genre has surprised me. This one was incredibly delightful.

It’s okay.

This book starts out much better than it ends. It gets rather unbelievable, and the book within the book conceit doesn’t really work.

I’m disappointed as I expected it to be better.
It’s more of a meh. Entertaining enough, but you don’t need to read it.

Kept you guessing.

Kept me guessing to the end. If you don’t pay attention to the plots created you will get lost. But once you get it it’s a fun ride.

Keeps you guessing

I found that for the majority of the book I could not figure out where the story was headed. There were lots of layers that built on one another until the very end. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend. The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars was because it ended and I still had unanswered questions. That could’ve been intentional but I wanted all the loose ends tied up.

Very Clever Read

Enjoyable mystery, good reading, needs more distinct voices from the narrator though. The meta narrative and actual story all work well together, especially as ways of throwing off the reader, while addressing- and even critiquing- the thoughts of the audience at the same time.
I do think it wrapped up rather quickly at the end, as the climax and resolution all take place within 30 minutes of an 8 hour book. Still, fun mystery.

Skip this one.

Very hard to follow and a very unbelievable story line with a ridiculous twist at the end.

Love Books Within Books

A twisty mystery that starts in a library and features writers working on books. What could be more fun for those who love to read and write.

wow...this book was unexpected

Great characters and a more sophisticated plot than the description leads you to believe. This is my first Sulari Gentill book, and it won't be my last!

But why did it end in two seconds? Also potential spoilers!

I enjoyed the idea of a book within a book within a book. I’ve read another similar book and enjoyed it. It ended abruptly and with not resolution for any of the remaining characters. Marigold is a terrible name and her language was so off putting gag! But I still loved her innocent heart.
I liked the relevance of the pandemic and the issues taking place for Leo in his real world.
I do not understand the fictitious Leo’s character. Like at all. The end was troubling for me, but I applaud the author for such a complex and truly unique plot. I also appreciated even the idea of the characters races not being addressed. I’ve actually wanted to write a book myself without a mention. I think all expressions should have a voice. I could go on but it really only becomes a conversation when you have a back and forth.
Anyway this was well written and unique and kept me wondering the whole time. But the end was cut short. Almost like someone just quit!

Wait for it…

I’ll be honest; the first chapter in, I didn’t think I was going to make it through. There was nothing specifically “wrong” with it, but it just didn’t draw my attention as I had hoped. But as the title of my review says…just wait for it. I can’t pinpoint when, but I found myself incredibly invested in each character all the way through to the end. I’m glad I stuck around! Well worth it!