The Woman in the Window

Author: A.J. Finn Publisher: Harper ISBN: 9780008234164

INITIALLY I thought this was a re-telling of the plot of the film, Rear Window, in which an invalid witnesses a murder across from his home.

Though that aspect of the premise is similar, the plot of The Woman in the Window differs somewhat.

Dr Anna Fox is housebound because of her agoraphobia brought about by an accident.

Separated from her husband and child, Anna spends her time counselling patients with similar problems as hers online, watching old classic black-and-white films, and also observing the world through her window, which also looks right into her neighbour’s house.

The story moves slowly along until halfway through the book, when Anna, who is high on medication and wine, sees her neighbour Jane Russell, being stabbed by husband Alastair.

She calls the police, who think she is hallucinating, especially when Jane appears to be very much alive.

As Anna struggles with what she believes she saw, she starts digging into Alastair’s past and also reaches out to Ethan, the Russell’s sensitive teenage son, who has visited Anna on occasion.

The story is riveting, but author Finn takes his time with the build-up. If you have the patience, you will enjoy the book. – S. Indra Sathiabalan