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Sulari Gentill
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The Woman in the Library: A Novel Paperback – June 7, 2022

by Sulari Gentill (Author)
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 5,881 ratings
Editors' pick Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
See all formats and editions
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USA TODAY BESTSELLER * MARY HIGGINS CLARK AWARD NOMINEE * 2022 BOOKPAGE BEST MYSTERIES AND SUSPENSE * LIBRARY READS TOP 10 BOOKS OF 2022 * CRIME READS BEST NEW CRIME FICTION

"Investigations are launched, fingers are pointed, potentially dangerous liaisons unfold and I was turning those pages like there was cake at the finish line." ―Moira Macdonald, Seattle Times must-read books for summer 2022

Ned Kelly award winning author Sulari Gentill sets this mystery-within-a-mystery in motion with a deceptively simple, Dear Hannah, What are you writing? pulling us into theornate reading room at the Boston Public Library.

In every person's story, there is something to hide...

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.

Sulari Gentill delivers a sharply thrilling read with The Woman in the Library, an unexpectedly twisty literary adventure that examines the complicated nature of friendship and shows us that words can be the most treacherous weapons of all.

What readers are saying about The Woman in the Library:

"I loved this intelligent, high tension, addictive, unputdownable book so much!"

"I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!"

"This is a smart, well-written whodunit with an interesting cast of characters and a well-developed plot."

"A murder mystery that starts off in a crowded library full of book lovers? SIGN ME UP!"

"What an outstanding job and literary work in the crime-fiction genre!"

Previous page
  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Poisoned Pen Press
  4. Publication date
    June 7, 2022
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.72 x 8.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1464215871
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1464215872
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

In every person's story, there is something to hide... (image of book)
Praise from Publishers Weekly, starred review; Praise from Daniel O'Malley, author of The Rook

Praise from Hank Phillippi Ryan

Praise from New York Journal of Books

Praise from Eva Jurczyk

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A nail-biter of a novel." ― Today.com

"This thrilling excursion into metafiction from Australian author Gentill (Crossing the Lines) wittily examines the writing process itself…This elegantly constructed novel is intelligent, funny, and profound. Who could ask for more?" ― Publishers Weekly, STARRED Review

"Ned Kelly Award winner Gentill (Crossing the Lines) presents a complex, riveting story within a story. The fictional story of an author writing about another writer with messy, complicated friendships and suspicion is an innovative literary mystery." ― Library Journal, Starred Review

"It’s an inventive and unique approach, elevated by Gentill’s masterful plotting, that will delight suspense fans looking for something bold and new." ― BookPage, Starred Review

"The pleasure of The Woman in the Library is that clever structure; a layered, literary hall of mirrors that’s great fun to get lost in." ― Seattle Times

"[The Woman in the Library] is a mystery-within-a-mystery, with the clues in Freddie's story becoming more intriguing as Leo's advice becomes more sinister. The two story lines work together beautifully, amping up the suspense before reaching a surprising conclusion." ― Booklist

"The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill is a captivating literary thriller about the friendship forged by four strangers. " ― PopSugar

The ever-brilliant Sulari Gentill dazzles in her new The Woman in the Library.

"With each new chapter, Gentill opens the door to new histories. More murders…more clues…The Woman in the Library is a page-turner from beginning to end. As Gentill’s characters grow, the desire to know more about each ensnares us, and the only way out is to read to the end." ― New York Journal of Books

"Readers who enjoy a playfulness in their fiction will be delighted by this book-within-a-book. For fans of Anthony Horowitz." ― First Clue

"Sulari Gentill's The Woman in the Library is a thrill. The library setting, the conceit of four strangers at a table, and the twisty story-within-a-story make Gentill's novel unputdownable. The book is a treat for readers who love books about books and who like their mysteries to keep them guessing until the very last page." ― Eva Jurczyk, author of The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections

"The Woman in the Library is a sophisticated mystery with more layers than an onion, created by a master hand. Clever plot twists in Gentill’s signature refined style will make you feel smarter just by reading. Sulari Gentill has done it again." ― Ellie Marney, New York Times bestselling author

The Woman in the Library is a delicious read―it’s a book that makes you feel. Cunningly crafted, with layers that fold back and feed upon each other, charming characters, and revelations that will make you cringe and gasp. You will feel a rising sense of dread as you read it, but you won’t want to stop.

Book Riot's 15 Best New Mystery Books of 2022

BookBub Most Anticipated Books of 2022

PopSugar's Must Read Thrillers and Mysteries in 2022

We Are Bookish 24 Highly Anticipated Books Hitting Shelves in 2022

GoodReads Most Anticipated New Mysteries

SheReads Book Club Picks for Summer 2022



"Sulari Gentill, the author of the delightful Rowland Sinclair books, has penned a fascinating, very meta new mystery that walks the line between impressive literary experiment and gripping murder story." ― CrimeReads Best Traditional Mysteries of 2022

About the Author

After setting out to study astrophysics, graduating in law and then abandoning her legal career to write books, SULARI GENTILL now grows French black truffles on her farm in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains of Australia.

Gentill’s Rowland Sinclair mysteries have won and/or been shortlisted for the Davitt Award and the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, and her stand-alone metafiction thriller, After She Wrote Him won the Ned Kelly Award for Best Crime Novel in 2018. Her tenth Sinclair novel, A Testament of Character, was shortlisted for the Ned Kelly Best Crime Novel in 2021.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Poisoned Pen Press (June 7, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1464215871
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1464215872
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.72 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 5,881 ratings

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Sulari Gentill

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Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5
5,881 global ratings
A very meta mystery !
4 Stars
A very meta mystery !
This book was very clever - I loved how it was constructed!!While one author – Hannah – writes a mystery novel set in Boston (though from Australia), another author – Leo – is her local guide and helper to get all the details about the city right.We get to read Hannah's manuscript chapter after chapter and for each one Leo's commentary (as an email) with feedback and further suggestions... and some conversational details about himself, which seem to escalate to something shady/sinister over time.In the manuscript Freddie – also a writer – goes to the Boston Public Library to get inspiration for her book. The inspiration then comes from three people she's sitting next to. After hearing a horrific scream from somewhere inside the library, they trike up a conversation and eventually form an unlikely friendship. But then one of them gets suspected of murder...We get a crime story in a crime story!The story itself actually progresses quite skilfully and the plotting was well done - I enjoyed alternating adding to the story with edits or alternate visions for the story and when the “pretend” reality started to turn a little sinister as well - it was excellent.All in all, I had a great time reading this and would definitely recommend!!
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Top reviews from the United States

babs
4.0 out of 5 stars Good characters, a couple of holes
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2024
Verified Purchase
After reading two taxing books, I needed something a little lighter and fun. This fit the bill. I really enjoyed the story within a story concept and the main character,Freddie, was quite likable as were most of the other major players. My main problem was that I found it unrealistic that the key characters lives intersected in the same two geographical areas (North Carolina and Boston) at such a dramatic time in Cain’s life. A little too coincidental and far fetched for me. The ending also was a tiny bit dissatisfying with the reason for the murders sounding frivolous. I also would have liked to know more about Hannah, the actual author of the story. Would she really have had this strange relationship with Leo? That seemed so weird although not a deal breaker to enjoying the book. Despite these criticisms, this was a fun read.
2 people found this helpful
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Liz
5.0 out of 5 stars Twists and turns until the very end!
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2024
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This book requires patience (and notes) to keep track of the characters, but it was worth it! This about an US writer writing in Australia about a book about four Australian characters who hear a woman's scream in a library. As the four characters become friends, it is unclear which character is the one who killed the woman and why. The writer sends her writing to a man in the United States, Leo, who helps her with suggestions at first, but then his suggestions become disturbing and she contacts the FBI. HE is not the killer of the woman in the library woman, though. It is woman of the fictional character the writer is writing about.

It is easy to become wrapped up in her story where you actually think you are reading about real people rather than character. Sulari Gentill is deft at switching narratives and burying a story within a story without the story becoming too confusing. It is definitely worth the read. In fact, our local library chose this book as it monthly selection for its Book Club Read. Excellent choice!
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#EmptyNestReader
3.0 out of 5 stars A murder mysteries with 3 stories mixed into one.
Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2022
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The Woman in the Library is really 3 stories mixed together to make one book. It is a mystery within a mystery with another bit of mystery on the side. Initially it was a bit difficult to follow. If the reader sticks with it long enough it will make sense.

The premise of the book involves four strangers who are sitting at the same table in the Boston Public Library when suddenly a woman's scream is heard. The scream is coming from a different room. BPL patrons are directed to stay where they are at while security investigates. The 4 strangers begin introducing themselves and chatting. Soon the 4 have become friends. There's just one problem with their new group, one of them is a murderer.

There is a lot of angst and hysteria going on as the stories unfold. Everyone is fretting about who done it and who knew what and whom and when. All that worrying feels a little overdone. The author could have cut out several scenarios of the shared angst and finger pointing, shortened the book and made the whole thing feel a bit more palatable. Not that it isn’t a good story, but the 'he said, she said, I can’t believe you said that, He did it, no he didn’t. Oh no! What will the police/mother/friend do" got to me about mid-way through. Ultimately the angst was so annoying that it took the thrill out of the thriller. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
9 people found this helpful
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Darla
4.0 out of 5 stars Murder mystery
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2024
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Loving libraries, I had to read this murder mystery. The story within a story was insightful and interesting. But the ending….. ahhh
One person found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A mystifying mystery
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2024
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This story within a story kept me absolutely on the edge of my seat. Well written, full of twists and turns. The report between the characters builds and then it all starts unraveling. I knew it was coming but I couldn't keep from following the twists. I highly recommend this book
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Thicc & Ired
4.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 / 5.0
Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2023
Verified Purchase
So, this is not a genre I read much of. When a mystery is woven into another plot, like a romance or fantasy, I really enjoy the way it entices and furthers the plot. Plus the opportunity for a startling reveal at the end heightens my anticipation. This one is not that avenue of plot presentation.

The narrator (Hannah) is a character in the story she is writing. She is also in a pen-pal relationship with another writer (Leo) who ends up being a strange catalyst to the murder in her story. It is as though Hannah is mining her story from this other individual (Leo in the letters, not Leo in the “story”) which prompts him to obsess over her, then he takes it too far, and those stakes are played over the dynamics of the murder that is the focus of Gentill’s book.

Hannah is being stalked by Leo while writing about Freddie, who is engaging with friends she met at a murder scene, and is also writing about the people she met the day a woman was murder in the Boston Public Library. It takes less mental gymnastics to understand than you might imagine, but it is mildly confusing, because the stakes of the “actual” stalking of the narrator are as high as and yet completely different than the stakes of the murder in the story the narrator is writing.

It is crafted very well. I do not have anything to say about the writing or the structure of the book. Gentill is very proficient at telling this story, it is just not for me. It also ends rather abruptly, and with there being two characters named ‘Leo’ but who each work in different ways towards the two plots, the ending really left me adrift.

Until Next Time,
MC
8 people found this helpful
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Victoria Zlotkowski
5.0 out of 5 stars Murder they wrote
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2024
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There were enough red herrings to make a salad and a Russian doll like plot, it was most enjoyable to try to figure it out, but reader, she almost fooled me. Anyway, I always try to figure out how to write such layered mystery confection, but how sad would it be if it was easy….Go and read it! Delicious to say the least.
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Mary
3.0 out of 5 stars Not my cup of tea
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2024
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I’m a fan of murder mysteries, but not like this one. The book within a book is not what I was expecting. Although that story was okay, for me it was just too annoying following this process. And why did she ever utilize Leo in the first place?
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Top reviews from other countries

C Knight
4.0 out of 5 stars Cracking murder mystery
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 17, 2022
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A chance scream in a library, the place you’re meant to be at your quietest, throws four total strangers together who quickly form a close bond of friendship. This quartet have very little in common other than they were in the same place at the same time but without the scream of a connection, they would have remained strangers me thinks.

That said, their rapport is instant. It’s no long before they’re meeting for breakfast and buying doughnuts (oh the fillings 😲😲) and maybe a spark of something. This sort of instant intimate friendship is rare but then they are bound by the scream in the library and what appears to be a turn of events that solidifies but also threatens their friendship.

I loved the post chapter analysis from Leo. He’s a bit of a strange character, it’s not quite the way I would beta read a book but each to their own. There is however something in his emails that’s a little unnerving, and as the story moves on … *shudder*

The cover might make The Woman In The Library looks like a cosy crime type novel but appearances can be deceptive. This book is a complex murder mystery that’s tense throughout. I raced through this story like there was no tomorrow, devouring the words on my kindle, my imagination running riot in a city I’d never visited but felt so familiar with.

Gentill intricately led me through all parts of Brooklyn trying to solve the mystery of the scream and the ensuing events whilst lobbing me the correspondence to the “author” to unsettle my thought processes. I didn’t get what I thought would be a caper style murder (never judge a book by its cover) but what I did get, I thoroughly enjoyed and will be sampling more of Gentill’s writing as soon as #mountTBR allows!
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Snapdragon
4.0 out of 5 stars Clever story within a story
Reviewed in Australia on August 4, 2022
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Hannah is writing a novel in Sydney where there are COVID, bushfires and floods. It’s set in Boston, Massachusetts, where a would be author called Leo is a fan. He sends her tips on Boston and the words Americans use. Her story is a murder mystery that’s centred on Winifred (Freddie), an Australian author on a writing scholarship. One day in Boston Public Library, there’s a scream and later a woman is found dead. The scream unites Freddie with the woman and two men sitting near her: they form a friendship but Hannah tells us right at the start that one of them is a murderer. Leo is very approving of this scenario.

As Hannah keeps sending her chapters the mystery becomes more convoluted and Freddie falls for one of the men (who has a dark past). Leo becomes more and more bossy, wanting Hannah to write the book the way he wants it. We readers become grateful that he can’t travel to Sydney because of the pandemic. Moral: be careful about wanting fame. It can bring very unwanted attention. The mystery is clever enough to keep us guessing, though I did wonder how the person who stole a phone had a good enough photo of the owner to open and use it (facial recognition). All the characters are pretty well written too though perhaps the man with the dark past is a bit inconsistent. If a 27 yo person I knew entered such a relationship I’d be worried. The declining mental health of Leo is very well done and Gentill finds a good way to let us know more that aspect of the story. PS: I hate the cover. It’s too cartoony for a book like this.
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Ashley
5.0 out of 5 stars A fresh narrative of a tantalizing mystery
Reviewed in Canada on June 2, 2023
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As an editor, I was smitten with this book from the start. The different style of writing, the way the narratives bounced off each other, the red herrings, the progression of relationships, and the overall arc of the story held me captive within the pages. When the plot twist hit, I was left reeling and desperate for more. While the book isn't your typical read, it was a refreshing narrative that kept me guessing throughout the whole book. There was once near the middle where my attention flagged, but that was remedied all of two pages later. I definitely recommend reading The Woman in the Library.
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Justine
5.0 out of 5 stars Postmodern thriller with twist of humor
Reviewed in Spain on September 16, 2022
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The plot is intriguing, melding the characters in an unusual framing of the text. And the ending made me laugh!
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Mopsella
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
Reviewed in Australia on August 13, 2022
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I have enjoyed all of Gentill’s Rowland Sinclair mysteries but this one takes her writing to another level. All her books are written beautifully, however this one stands apart because of the novel’s construction. There are several moments in the story which catch your breath at the unexpected, but plausible, turn that the narrative has taken. The novelist is Australian and her navigation of the idiosyncrasies of American English and expressions adds a delightful touch to the story. This is the most riveting and original crime novel I have read in a long time.
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