by A.J. Finn
Release Date: January 2nd, 2018
Genre
Suspense
Appeals of the Book
• Fast-paced
• Dark tone
• Compelling writing style
Synopsis
Anna Fox, a child psychologist, is
suffering from agoraphobia. Hiding within the walls of her own home from the
outdoors, her only view of the outside world is from her own windows. She
spends her days drinking from the stress of being divorced, chatting with folks
online, and spying on her neighbors from her windows with a camera. She becomes
fixated on her new neighbors in particular. However, one day she sees something
she should not have seen, which begins a series of events that forces her to
question not just others but herself as well.
Characteristics That Fit Into Suspense
- Troubled characters. The main character’s marital status, drinking, and agoraphobia weigh hard on her.
- Main character’s past is suppressed but revealed as the novel progresses.
- Events take place within a short time period (Saricks 51). The book begins certain chapters with a time stamp.
- Fast-paced plot.
- Tension rises as the novel progresses.
- Unpredictability. Plot reveals twists that shake up the narrative. The novel introduces new elements that create confusion to both the main character and the reader.
- Has a “dark, menacing atmosphere…” (Saricks 52). The main character has a troubled life, and those around her have questionable pasts that lend to the dark atmosphere the novel creates. Also, most of the book takes place within her home with little time taking place outside.
- Features an "…unknown source intruding into the protagonist’s life” (Saricks 52).
- Showdown between good and evil.
- Contemporary setting (Saricks 58). Features heavy use of electronics that many in today's world can relate to, especially the dangers and risks of technology.
Read-A-Likes
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins*
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware*
Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson*
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn**
The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison**
* Suggested by NoveList
** Suggested by Kirkus Review
Works Cited
Saricks, Joyce G. The Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction. Chicago, IL: ALA, 2009.
Carter,
ReplyDeleteI keep seeing this book pop up every where. I glad you reviewed it. I just finished a book that had a character in that had agoraphobia and she had to look beyond it to help stop the killer. I think this is a book I would enjoy since I have read and liked 3 out of the 5 read-alike you gave. Good job putting this together.
Thanks! It's definitely worth picking up, especially since it is already going to be made into a movie!
DeleteCarter,
ReplyDeleteSounds like an intriguing book....I'm wondering, does the story start at a leisurely pace, describing the woman's life within her house and her avoidance of the outside world. It sounds like the action doesn't really start until she notices suspicious neighbor behavior. Your thoughts? Saricks says that in suspense, the action usually starts right away (55). I am wondering if this book holds true to the norm, or starts a little slower. Thank you.
The story builds as the book progresses. The action does not start right away. The story begins with building the setting and a little bit of her background, and it is perfect because you kind of get in her head and feel trapped inside her house as well. This element adds to the story because as the story really begins to unfold, you feel as scared and suspicious as she does. The descriptive writing keeps the pages turning, and when she notices the suspicious behavior, it kicks the page-turning into overdrive.
DeleteReviewing a brand-new book is a great way to keep the annotation fresh. This sounds like a great book and something I would really enjoy, despite having had bad experiences with a couple books on the read-alike list. It sounds like it pulls elements from the Rear Window tropes (still creepy movies).
ReplyDeleteNo prologue for this book. You don't know the threat until the protagonist finds out.
ReplyDeleteWe've been selling this book at work like crazy, so I'm glad to know a bit more about it now and have a few things up my sleeve to add on with it. The agoraphobia is a really interesting addition to the story, and though this isn't my genre, I'm definitely curious about what happens now!
ReplyDeleteI just keep thinking of Rear Window with Jimmy Stewart. I wonder if the upcoming film or this book will pay/pay any tribute to the classic Hitchcock take on this theme. It sounds like they are both kind of a slow burn. Now, though, that I reference a film from the 50's as the first analogue I think of, I wonder if there are other more recent takes on this theme. How common is this in suspense ...? I guess The Girl on the Train was a bit like this as you mention ...
ReplyDeleteHi Carter! Like Emily and Craig, I could not help but think of Rear Window reading your annotation, along with Girl on a Train and Copycat where Sigourney Weaver's character is agoraphobic. I would normally be interested in this type of story, but your description that "the novel introduces new elements that create confusion to both the main character and the reader" makes me think I would probably pass on reading this. Did you like that element of the story? I would think that would annoy me, but maybe that confusion makes readers more invested in finding out what is going on.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question if I like when new elements are added to create confusion, the short answer is "yes." I love when new suspects are added to prevent guessing the villain, and I love when new clues are added that make you second guess what is happening. However, I've read books where they add too much of both, and I am glad I do not remember the titles to those books because I would never recommend them to anyone. To me, this book adds just enough to keep everything moving and remain exciting.
DeleteFantastic annotation! I too loved this book! You did a great job with your summary, characteristics, and readalikes! Full points! You also generated some great conversation in the comments! Keep it up!
ReplyDelete