Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Ratings: 3/5 Majestic Stars
Synopsis
Anna Fox is a psychiatrist diagnosed with a severe state of agoraphobia and that’s why she stays away from the world. The only thing that keeps her sane and going is wine (she’s an alcoholic), her internet friends (whom she helped by giving advise) , old movies (some black and white) and watching her neighbors through the window.
A new family, the Russels, move into Anna’s neighborhood. She searches about them on Google and finds out that their full names are Alistair and Jane Russell. They also have a son named Ethan. From afar it seems to be a perfect family. Anna always watches her neighborhood with a Nikon camera she owns and occasionally captures photos of it. However when the Russels arrive, she gets really curious to know more about them.
One day Anna sees something she should have never seen, Jane Russell being stabbed to death and the whole story starts from there on. Anna is confident of what she sees but no one actually believes her. Everyone thinks she is insane and delusional.
Is what Anna saw real? Is she really insane and delusional? Who kills Jane Russell?
Review
I had a lot of expectations from this book. The beginning of the book is dull and I was so disappointed that I decided not to finish it (but I still did for the review). The book was really confusing not because of the story-line (like who killed who), but because its not clear who the author is referring to and what is happening with the characters. Also there are a lot of things happening at the same time that adds more to the confusion.
In one instance, the author provides a long explanation about a subject, which is kind of uninteresting and boring.
The plot of the book compensated for the shortcomings at the beginning of the book. Although the story does have exciting and thrilling moments, but it did not really arouse my spirits a lot. When it comes to mystery/thriller I usually get an adrenaline rush but it did not happen while reading this book. The story is unique, the twist in the story is interesting but it did not hold on to my attention a lot. Overall the book is an average read according to me.
What I like about the book
- The twist of events are good. I came to know that other people loved it.
- The characters are really interesting.
- The setting is small but it explains why it’s hard to solve the case, which is good.
What I disliked about the book
- How the writer explains the situations especially in the chapters at the beginning.
- The first part of the book is very confusing (at-least for me). I actually did feel like finishing it since it didn’t manage to keep my interest alive.
- The setting could have been a little wider.
We all have different ideas and taste when it comes to reading. I may not have absolutely loved this book but it doesn’t mean you will not too! I believe it’s worth giving it a try.
