The Woman in the Window: She's Always Watching

When I was a kid my mom told me that I should read classic literature because one day I would be asked about my favorite book in a college interview. She was right, and I got to answer Anna Karenina because of the love of reading my mom instilled in me. It wasn't until the two years ago that I started reading new releases and other genres, and I have fallen in love with thrillers. The Woman in the Window is my latest favorite, and A.J. Finn kept me on my toes to the very last page.

Anna Fox is a child psychologist that finds herself in her own psychological nightmare. She experiences a terribly traumatic event that drives her to retreat into her home permanently, suffering from a severe case of agoraphobia. She lives alone in New York City, surviving on heavy medications and multiple bottles of wine a day. To pass the time she plays online chess, watches suspenseful black-and-white films, and participates in Agora, an online community for people suffering from agoraphobia. She also watches her neighbors from her window, memorizing their schedules and studying their activity.

The Russells are her newest neighbors, and their house sits perfectly across the street. Dr. Fox is able to see everything that goes on when they leave the curtains and blinds open. She's fascinated with the family from the day they move in. One day Mrs. Russell catches Dr. Fox watching her from across the street, but rather than call the authorities, she befriends Anna and they spend an evening drinking and chatting. A couple days later, Anna watches through her camera lens as her new and only friend is stabbed in the parlor of the Russell home.

Finn starts the book a little slow, fully explaining the extent of Dr. Fox's agoraphobia, but the story is worth the wait. The book is a quick read even through the 427 pages. I loved that I wasn't able to guess the next step before I read it, and that I never saw the ending coming. If you enjoyed Emma in the Night, Since We Fell, or The Final Girls, this could be your next great read.