• Blog
    • Introduction
    • Background
    • Book Recommendations
    • By Country
    • Interviews
    • Reviews
    • Features
  • Author Features
  • Monthly Releases
  • Events
  • Quick Reviews
  • Go-to Book Recs
  • As Seen In
  • About
  • Contact & Connect
Menu

Crime by the Book

A girl investigates crime fiction from around the world, by the book.
  • Blog
  • Nordic Noir
    • Introduction
    • Background
    • Book Recommendations
    • By Country
    • Interviews
    • Reviews
    • Features
  • Author Features
  • Monthly Releases
  • Events
  • Quick Reviews
  • Go-to Book Recs
  • As Seen In
  • About
  • Contact & Connect

Author Features

Conversations with and features on CBTB's favorite crime fiction authors.

The Woman in the Window book.jpg

Author Interview: A.J. Finn, THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW

March 11, 2018

A.J. Finn’s Hitchcockian thriller THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW has taken the book world by storm, debuting at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and earning rave reviews from critics and readers across the country - and this week, I had the chance to sit down with A.J. himself and talk crime writing, psychological thrillers, Hitchcock films, and a whole lot more! This was an incredible opportunity to learn about one of the hottest crime books in the world right now directly from its author, and I’m thrilled to share our conversation with you today. Many thanks to A.J. for answering my questions so thoughtfully, and to his publisher for facilitating this interview! 

In this blog post, you’ll find: 

  • More details on THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW
  • A link to my “Buzzworthy 2018 Books” post on this title
  • A video of my interview with A.J. Finn
  • And a few quick thoughts on my favorite things I learned during our conversation! 

Plot Details: THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW

It isn’t paranoia if it’s really happening . . .

Anna Fox lives alone—a recluse in her New York City home, unable to venture outside. She spends her day drinking wine (maybe too much), watching old movies, recalling happier times . . . and spying on her neighbors.

Then the Russells move into the house across the way: a father, a mother, their teenage son. The perfect family. But when Anna, gazing out her window one night, sees something she shouldn’t, her world begins to crumble—and its shocking secrets are laid bare.

What is real? What is imagined? Who is in danger? Who is in control? In this diabolically gripping thriller, no one—and nothing—is what it seems.


The Woman in the Window AJ Finn.jpg
woman in the window finn.jpg
A.J. Finn Interview.jpg

CBTB’s “Buzzworthy 2018 Books” Post - Excerpt: 

THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW by A.J. Finn is a masterful, immersive psychological suspense novel that will recall Hitchcock and Rear Window for its readers. At first glance, the plot of THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW feels quite familiar: a reclusive woman spends her days observing her neighbors from the windows of her home - a hobby that seems harmless, until she sees something she shouldn’t. 
Does this sound a bit too much like THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN at first glance? It did to me, too. But just trust me - what begins with a familiar premise quickly diverges. THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW in many ways marks a very welcome return to the basics of crime fiction storytelling - and I mean this in the best possible sense. Rather than a shock-value, twisty-turny psychological thriller, THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW proves that plotting and character development will always be the ultimate mark of a strong crime novel. Masterfully plotted and vividly told, THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW draws readers into the maze-like mind of a very solitary woman, and unravels the external circumstances that have made her who she is. Entrancing, immersive, and unsettling.

READ THE FULL POST


WATCH THE INTERVIEW

I had such a fantastic time chatting with A.J. about his outstanding debut - and wanted to highlight for you a few of my personal favorite things learned during this conversation! 

  • Not only was THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW Finn’s debut novel, but it was the first idea for a book he ever had. There’s not even much more I can say about this aside from… wow. That’s pretty darn incredible! 
  • Yes, he absolutely intended for this story to feel "Hitchcockian" - if this book reminded you of Rear Window, you're spot on. I’ve heard from many of you who were so curious to find out if this similarity was purposeful on his part, and he gave this question a resounding yes. He’s a huge fan of Hitchcock’s work, and this inspiration was totally intentional! In our interview, he also shares his favorite Hitchcock film - and it’s safe to say I’ve added it to my personal to-watch list! 
  • He was very intentional about creating a female protagonist who is not preoccupied with a love interest or relationship. Anna Fox must be one of the most fleshed-out, well-developed, complex characters I’ve read in ages, and it’s absolutely true: all her complexity and intensity has nothing to do with an unfaithful spouse or a romantic rejection. Her challenges and obstacles are entirely her own; she's an independent (if troubled) woman, and I loved hearing Finn discuss just why developing this character was important to him as a writer.
  • And last but certainly not least - in our discussion, Finn touched on something that is one of my personal favorite qualities of crime fiction: the genre's ability to explore challenging topics in an accessible - and often quite entertaining - way. My favorite crime reads are most often those that explore something bigger through their work, whether that's an exploration of mental health, personal traumas, or larger social issues—and Finn expresses so eloquently in our conversation just how this quality of crime fiction makes the genre even more great. 

Many thanks to each and every one of you who tuned in to this interview when it aired live on my Instagram - I have absolutely loved receiving your enthusiastic messages about this conversation. And, of course, many thanks to A.J. Finn for answering my questions so thoughtfully! THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW is on sale now from William Morrow - book details below! 


Book details:

Hardcover: 448 pages
Publisher: William Morrow (January 2, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062678418
ISBN-13: 978-0062678416

Crime by the Book is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This in no way affects my opinion of the above book.

Featured
Apr 22, 2018
Author Q&A: Robert Bryndza, The Girl in the Ice
Apr 22, 2018

I’m delighted to welcome internationally-bestselling author Robert Bryndza to Crime by the Book today to discuss THE GIRL IN THE ICE, the first book in his Erika Foster series - which releases in the US tomorrow, April 24th! Fans of serial killer thrillers and police procedurals will find much to love in Bryndza’s page-turning series launch—this is one of those crime novels that feels like perfect comfort reading. From its compelling female lead to its breezy pacing and addictive tension, Bryndza’s police procedural struck exactly the right chord for me. Pick this one up for a weekend binge-read - you'll find Bryndza's world instantly-accessible, his characters compelling and endearing, and his story's central mystery wholly engrossing.

Apr 22, 2018
Apr 20, 2018
Book Review: YOU WERE MADE FOR THIS by Michelle Sacks
Apr 20, 2018

Why do we love to observe catastrophe? It happens every day, in big ways and in small. We slow down to observe an accident on the side of the road; we seek out with fascination news stories involving all manner of unthinkable events; we pick up crime books like Michelle Sacks’ sharp-edged YOU WERE MADE FOR THIS. Sometimes I’m sure we do these things to better understand our world and all its dark corners—sometimes I’m sure we do it for no reason other than morbid curiosity. In Sacks’ caustic novel of secrets and lies, readers explore the everyday catastrophes of interpersonal relationships. There’s jealousy, revenge, insecurity, betrayals, and a whole lot more to be found within these pages, and it’s this potent blend of all too human experiences that give YOU WERE MADE FOR THIS its bite.

Apr 20, 2018
Apr 15, 2018
Book Preview: THE BOY AT THE DOOR by Alex Dahl
Apr 15, 2018

I’m always on the lookout for the next Nordic crime novel to devour, and today I’m thrilled to share with CBTB readers a preview of a Scandinavian crime novel that is very much on my radar for summer reading! THE BOY AT THE DOOR by Alex Dahl releases in July, and promises to deliver the moody atmosphere and grim plotting that I love about Scandinavian crime fiction with a psychological suspense twist all its own. In today’s post, CBTB readers will have the chance to learn a bit more about this forthcoming summer suspense novel, plus read the book’s first chapter to see if it’s up your alley!

Apr 15, 2018
Apr 12, 2018
If You Like That, Read This: Friday the 13th Edition
Apr 12, 2018

Happy Friday the 13th, CBTB readers!! Whenever a Friday the 13th rolls around, I always find myself in the mood to revisit some of my favorite horror movies—and in today’s blog post, I’m doing exactly that! I’m pairing a few of my personal favorite horror movies with crime novels that involve some of the same themes, topics, or tropes. Since CBTB is a crime fiction-focused blog, the books recommended here will primarily be crime fiction, rather than straight horror - though they’ll each have a certain element of something particularly chilling or even horror-inspired to them.

Apr 12, 2018
Apr 11, 2018
Book Review: LYING IN WAIT by Liz Nugent
Apr 11, 2018

What an absolute talent Liz Nugent is. The Irish crime writer made a splash with her debut UNRAVELING OLIVER, and this June, her sophomore effort releases in the US. LYING IN WAIT is every bit a propulsive, compulsively-readable psychological suspense novel. You would be hard pressed to find another psychological suspense author who writes with the same unfussy dexterity as Nugent—her clean, to-the-point prose and candid observations of human nature come together here to deliver a truly outstanding summer read. 

Apr 11, 2018
Apr 8, 2018
Book Review: MACBETH by Jo Nesbø
Apr 8, 2018

Raw, gritty, and rough around the edges, Jo Nesbø’s MACBETH captures the ageless dark heart of Shakespeare’s original work, and packages it in the razor-sharp crime writing only Nesbø can deliver. Revenge, love, guilt—themes that permeate Nesbø’s own works are perfectly reflected in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and come together in Nesbø’s remake to pitch-perfect effect. It takes a masterful writer to deliver what Nesbø does here: a remake as fiercely original and as it is faithful to its inspiration. MACBETH is a must-read for readers of Shakespeare and fans of Nordic Noir alike.

Apr 8, 2018
Apr 5, 2018
March 2018 Wrap-Up
Apr 5, 2018

At the end of every month, I absolutely love looking back on my reading list and reliving what I loved about the books I devoured in the preceding month. I’ve been on a really good reading streak recently, and March was no exception! My month was dominated by psychological thrillers in March, even more so than usual—though I did have one totally engrossing police procedural in the mix, too. There’s nothing like the feeling when you’re in a great groove with the books you’re reading - and I’m excited to keep that going into the new month! 

Apr 5, 2018
Apr 4, 2018
Book Excerpt: HELL'S PRINCESS by Harold Schechter
Apr 4, 2018

Any fans of true crime here? Crime by the Book is first and foremost a place to explore crime fiction, but every now and then, a little glimpse into the world of true crime is called for. When I’m not reading crime fiction, I actually spend a lot of time absorbing all things true crime. My personal favorite true crime story? Belle Gunness. Today I’m so excited to share an excerpt from HELL’S PRINCESS: The Mystery of Belle Gunness, Butcher of Men by Harold Schechter, on sale April 1st!

Apr 4, 2018
Apr 2, 2018
Book Review: PAPER GHOSTS by Julia Heaberlin
Apr 2, 2018

What do you get when you cross the sweeping terrain of Texas with a road trip to recover a serial killer’s lost memories? Julia Heaberlin’s PAPER GHOSTS. In an inventive and immersive story of suspense, Heaberlin takes readers along for the ride as a young woman seeks answers to her sister’s disappearance... and does so in the form of a cross-state adventure with the man she suspects of killing her. A strong addition to the spring reading list of those looking for an atypical take on the serial killer novel.

Apr 2, 2018
Mar 28, 2018
CBTB's Recommended March 2018 Releases
Mar 28, 2018

This March is absolutely brimming with fantastic new crime fiction! From dark and gripping Nordic Noir to twisty and unputdownable psychological thrillers to a story exploring female friendship set in Morocco, there’s truly a little something for everyone releasing this month. It’s going to be hard to top this month’s stellar lineup - so grab a cup of coffee and settle in for a rundown of the best crime fiction releasing in March 2018!

Mar 28, 2018
In Interview Tags The Woman in the Window, AJ Finn, William Morrow, Hitchcock, Rear Window, Woman in the Window
← Author Q&A: Yrsa Sigurdardottir, THE LEGACY (Children’s House Series)Author Interview: C.J. Tudor, THE CHALK MAN →

Subscribe

Thank you for subscribing to CBTB Reviews. Happy reading!

CBTb's Current Read:

The Good Son: A Novel
By You-Jeong Jeong

Latest & Greatest

Featured
Apr 22, 2018
Author Q&A: Robert Bryndza, The Girl in the Ice
Apr 22, 2018
Apr 22, 2018
Apr 20, 2018
Book Review: YOU WERE MADE FOR THIS by Michelle Sacks
Apr 20, 2018
Apr 20, 2018
Apr 15, 2018
Book Preview: THE BOY AT THE DOOR by Alex Dahl
Apr 15, 2018
Apr 15, 2018
Follow

instagram

Happy #WorldBookDay, friends!!! 🤓📖 if you could transport yourself to *any* reading spot today, where would you go?! 🕵🏻‍♀️
•
Today on the blog I’m so excited to share a Q&A with Robert Bryndza, internationally-bestselling author of THE GIRL IN THE ICE - on sale in paperback tomorrow from Grand Central!! 🔎 in our Q&A, Robert and I discuss the explosive success of his Erika Foster series (this is book 1 - but the series has many installments out overseas!), his writing process, and a whole lot more 🤓 direct link in my profile!! •
In reading news: I’m absolutely loving THE GOOD SON by You-jeong Jeong so far 🙌🏻 guys, if you love psychological thrillers with visceral descriptions & in-your-face openers, this book will absolutely work for you 👌🏻 so far, it’s reminding me a bit of BLOOD WEDDING by Pierre Lemaitre - which is a huge compliment, bc that’s one of my all-time favorite psychological thrillers!! It’s raw, unsettling, and totally addictive. I’m still early on in the book, but I’m so excited to see where it goes 😍
•
Hope everyone has had a great Monday — and I’m excited to hear about YOUR fave/dream reading spots!! 📖
Few things make me happier than a giant latte ☕️ + translated crime fiction 🕵🏻‍♀️🖤
•
Thank you so much to everyone who voted on which book I should read next!!! 🤓 it was an extremely close call, and in the end I went with my gut — and picked up this highly-anticipated read!! 🔎 THE GOOD SON by You-jeong Jeong releases June 5th, and marks the first time this celebrated South Korean author’s work will appear in English!! I’ve been dying to dig into this book for a while, and I’m so excited to start reading it today 😍
•
You guys already know how much I love international crime fiction — Scandinavian being my fave! This year, one of my goals is to continue expanding my reading horizons. 🌏 Reading is such an incredible way to travel to new places and appreciate perspectives other than our own, and I absolutely love adding new international crime novels to my collection 🙌🏻 THE GOOD SON is a psychological thriller that sounds *right* up my alley, and it’s also the first South Korean crime novel I’ve read — so cheers to expanding horizons through great reads!! 🤓📖
•
THE GOOD SON begins with the discovery of a body. 26 year old Yu-jin was a up to a strange metallic smell... and discovers his mother’s murdered body lying in a pool of blood at the bottom of the stairs in their stylish Seoul home. Yu-jin often has trouble with his memory, and all he can recall if that night is a faint memory of his mother calling his name. But was she calling for help? Or begging for her life? 😱
•
Okay, how GOOD does this book sound?!? I’m so excited about this read, and can’t wait to hear if it sounds up your alley too!!🖤
Sock... Saturday? 😂 spending my day with my head buried in blog things 🤓📚
•
Have you ever had one of those days where you’re just like... nope. 😂 I was planning to run a bunch of errands today, but am honestly just plain exhausted and decided to stay home instead. So I’m putting my quiet day to good use - currently doing some bookcase organizing, and getting blog posts prepped for the week ahead!!🕵🏻‍♀️❤️
•
I’m ALSO choosing what to read next, and could use your help!! 🔎 I have two options that are both really catching my eye. Option 1: a psychological thriller from a country that I’ve been wanting to incorporate into CBTB’s books coverage more 🤓 and Option 2: a just-plain-addictive looking serial killer thriller that begins with the body of a girl found in a cage, and follows the FBI as they try to hunt the killer down 😱
•
I’d love your votes: which book sounds more appealing to you?! I’ll post about & start reading whichever one you guys choose tomorrow! 😍
Weekend plans: bookstore trips. 📚🔎 This photo was snapped the day I discovered I was quoted in the paperback edition of a book by one of my fave authors - any guesses which book that might be?! 🤓
•
Today on the blog I have a review up for YOU WERE MADE FOR THIS by Michelle Sacks — a June release about a New York couple who leaves the big city for rural Sweden (my dream) and then finds their lives falling apart in their new picture-perfect home (not so much my dream😂). I spent a LONG time working through this review - and I have to say, the process of writing it made me appreciate the read even more. This is a book that’s sure to spark some seriously divided opinions - make sure to check out my review to see how it will work for you!! 🕵🏻‍♀️ Link in my bio!
•
I wrapped up THE BOY NEXT DOOR last night, and *may* have cried a bit on the train while doing so. 😂 More to come on this book... but for now, I’m on the hunt for my next read!! 🔎🖤 what are you reading this Friday?! 🤓
Early morning coffees ☕️ aka a great way to start the day 📖🖤
•
I’m a bit sad this afternoon, guys - I was supposed to be headed to Florida this evening to spend a long weekend with my Grammy, but unfortunately she’s come down with a bad germ so we had to reschedule. 😩 First priority is for her to get better - if you could send some good vibes her way, that would be great ❤️ I’ll make the most of my time here by catching up on blog stuff, but I’m still bummed out to be missing out  on this trip. 😢
•
In better news, I’m continuing to breeze through THE BOY AT THE DOOR - I’ll most likely be finishing it tonight! This has been one heck of a fun read, and I’m excited to see how it comes together. I will say; even though this is a “fun” book, it definitely tackles some dark topics as well. Drug addiction, abusive relationships, and mental illness are all topics delve into here - but the author does this in a way that isn’t *too* brutal or heavy, if that makes sense. I also have lots of thoughts on the trend we seem to be seeing of unlikeable protagonists in summer thrillers... but more on this to come in my full review! 😉
•
As soon as I’m home from work, I’m going to see what I can do to turn my day around - including finishing up my current read. 📖 Hope you guys have a great evening!!❤️
Never too many photos of my happy place 🙌🏻🖤☕️
•
I’ve had such a fun day today, guys. I got to meet up with some crime fiction-loving friends for work, which was such a highlight!! I’m so fortunate to get to work with books I’m so passionate about - I really just can’t get over it. 😍 I had a great afternoon of fangirling over some fave crime writers & plotting exciting things for my work books this summer!! 🕵🏻‍♀️
•
In reading news, I’m continuing to devour THE BOY AT THE DOOR by Alex Dahl🔎 it’s really just a fun read - I’m cruising through it, and enjoying every page!! I will say that the book just had a twist that I totally saw coming — but that really tends not to bother me as a reader, as long as there’s enough other good stuff surrounding it to prop up the story, and there definitely is here 👍🏻 it’s NOT a super dark or serious read, but it’s fast-paced and fun with a great (and gloomy) atmosphere. Really a fun one!! 🤓
•
How do you feel about plot twists? My general feeling: a great twist is awesome, but it’s NOT essential. I care much more about rich character development and strong plotting - a twist is just an added bonus!
Busy days call for extra coffee ☕️ & a good book to help you unwind afterwards 🤓
•
After being stuck in a reading slump for quite a while, I’m finally back on track - which is the BEST feeling!! 📖 I’m cruising through THE BOY AT THE DOOR by Alex Dahl - a Scandinavian suspense novel that releases this July. 🔎 If you caught my insta stories last night, I shared a few of my early thoughts - but I’ll share them below, too!!🖤
•
What’s particularly fascinating to me is to see how the author blends a Scandinavian crime novel with a really current, trendy suspense plot line. In many ways, this book will be best suited for readers of modern psychological suspense novels, no matter where they take place. Fans of Clare Mackintosh, Fiona Barton, and more will love the pacing of Dahl’s suspense story - so far it’s not super twisty, but it has lots of tension and underlying menace to it. 👌🏻 it’s definitely a much lighter story than your standard Nordic Noir (I wouldn’t call it Nordic Noir at all - rather, I’d call it Scandinavian suspense!), but its backdrop has the gloomy atmosphere of Scandinavian crime fiction that I love. ❤️
•
Make sure to sample the book’s first chapter on my blog, if you haven’t already!! 🤓
•
Have you ever read a crime novel (or a novel in general!) that seemed to blur lines between genres? When it’s done well, I always love the change of pace this can provide!!
Sunday’s with Scandinavian crime novels 🕵🏻‍♀️🖤 and Starbucks, obviously 😉
•
Today on the blog I’m SO excited to share a preview of a summer read that’s very much on my radar 🔎 THE BOY AT THE DOOR by Alex Dahl releases July 24th from Berkley, and CBTB readers can sample the first chapter of the book on crimebythebook.com today!! 🤓 Direct link in my bio! 🖤
•
THE BOY AT THE DOOR is particularly intriguing to me because a) it’s a Scandinavian crime novel and b) it’s ALSO psychological suspense - a combo of my two favorite kinds of crime novels 🤓 Nordic Noir always has a strong psychological component, but it’s also much more oriented towards police investigations — where this book, instead, sets a very current psychological suspense plot against a Norwegian backdrop 👌🏻 it sounds like a really compelling blend, one that I’m so excited to dive into!! 🤓 •
In THE BOY AT THE DOOR, an affluent Norwegian woman’s life is turned upside down by a mysterious young boy. Our main character, Cecilia, has worked incredibly hard to keep her life as picture-perfect as it is. If she doesn’t, one secret from her past could send it all crashing down. But one day at a local pool, she finds a young boy whose parents seem to have forgotten to bring him home. Cecilia agrees to help out... only to discover that the home that’s supposed to be his is actually abandoned, and totally empty. This quickly becomes the first step in unraveling her meticulously crafted life... 😱
•
What do you guys think?! Does this one sound like fun summer reading to you? 🤓🖤
Part 1 of what’s promising to be a lovely Saturday ☕️📖🙌🏻
•
I’m back in Connecticut this weekend to celebrate my dad’s birthday 🎉 and I started off my day with this A+ latte & a little reading time 🤓 and now I’m off to enjoy the gorgeous weather with my family!! (See my stories!)🙌🏻
•
I feel like I’ve been talking about my current read for absolutely ages now 🙈 I’m planning to wrap it up this evening, and I’m super excited to see how it ends!! I’m loving the book, I think my week was just crazy enough that it majorly cut into my attention span for it. BUT I’m sharing a super exciting summer read on the blog tomorrow, and have yet another highly-anticipated psychological thriller on my TBR after that 😍🎉
•
Since I continue to be stuck on this book, I’d love to hear from you guys: have you ever gotten stuck on a read? Even one you were enjoying? How did you end up getting out of that stuck zone? 🙈
A little flashback Friday 🖤 bc today it’s 70ish degrees in NYC and I’m officially retiring my cozy sweaters for the season 😢 the countdown is on to fall 😉
•
Today on the blog I’m sharing the horror-inspired post I hinted at a few days ago!! 🕵🏻‍♀️ it’s Friday the 13th today, and that can only mean one thing: I’m in the mood for some scary movies 👻 SO on the blog today, I’m pairing a few of my fave horror movies with crime books!!🤓 All the books I’ve selected for this list are crime fiction, though some have more horror leanings than others — what they all have in common is that they’re connected, thematically, plot-wise, you name it, with the movies I’ve paired them with. 🎥 You can find this blog post linked in my profile - I would LOVE to hear what you think of it!! 🖤
•
In the spirit of Friday the 13th: tell me YOUR fave scary movie or book!! 😱

Twitter

  • Crime by the Book
    RT @TheRealBookSpy: World Book Day: 20 Great Thrillers To Read If You Haven’t Already https://t.co/6sdJK7chdX
    about 21 hours ago
  • Crime by the Book
    RT @ReviewCafe: https://t.co/fvf0AYbKXC @crimebythebook @RobertBryndza
    about 21 hours ago
  • Crime by the Book
    Happy #WorldBookDay, friends!!! 🤓📖 if you could transport yourself to *any* reading spot today,… https://t.co/uSSter1Sw9
    about 23 hours ago
  • Crime by the Book
    Great to see @sarablaedel #TheMidnightWitness in @LibraryJournal October mysteries preview!! @GrandCentralPub https://t.co/ysh5JEGHCX
    about a day ago
  • Crime by the Book
    Thrilled to welcome @RobertBryndza to CBTB today for a Q&A on The Girl in the Ice - on sale tomorrow from… https://t.co/grcNvppris
    about a day ago

Powered by Squarespace