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.

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

Aug 23, 2019

3 Late-Summer Must-Read Thrillers

Aug 23, 2019

Summer might be winding down, but this season’s fantastic lineup of new crime fiction releases shows no sign of letting up. Whether you’re in the mood for a new psychological thriller, a serial killer novel set in Denmark, or a spine-tingling suspense novel with horror undertones, the end of summer 2019 has the book for you - and I’m rounding them up for you in this post! Here you’ll find three must-read late-summer thrillers from established masters of the genre and newcomers alike. Read on for book recommendations for your end-of-summer TBR!

Aug 23, 2019

Aug 13, 2019

Book Review: THE TURN OF THE KEY by Ruth Ware

Aug 13, 2019

Every summer, there’s one thing I look forward to arguably more than anything else: the newest novel by Ruth Ware. And every summer, without fail, Ruth Ware outdoes whatever brilliant novel she delivered the year prior. Ware’s 2019 release is no exception - THE TURN OF THE KEY is Ware’s best novel yet. Equal parts old-school gothic suspense and modern psychological thriller, THE TURN OF THE KEY seamlessly blends an homage to Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw with a page-turning story of surveillance, paranoia, and domestic drama. Following a young woman who accepts a nannying position at a state-of-the-art smart house in the Scottish Highlands, only to wind up imprisoned for the death of one of the children in her care, THE TURN OF THE KEY is one of the most binge-worthy, genuinely addictive suspense novels you will read this summer. It’s a truth universally acknowledged that if Ruth Ware writes a suspense novel, yours truly will read it and love it, but THE TURN OF THE KEY blew even this die-hard Ruth Ware fan away. If you haven’t already picked up Ruth Ware’s newest, add it to your TBR immediately. I’m calling it right now: this is one of my favorite books of 2019.

Aug 13, 2019

Aug 4, 2019

Book Preview: THE STRANGER INSIDE by Lisa Unger

Aug 4, 2019

If you’ve been a crime fiction fan for even a short while, there’s a very good chance you’ve heard of Lisa Unger—and if you haven’t heard of her yet, not to worry, today’s post will serve as the perfect introduction to this prolific author’s work. Lisa Unger is the New York Times bestselling author of seventeen novels, including her forthcoming release THE STRANGER INSIDE. Lisa Unger’s novels have been published in twenty-six languages, and Lisa has received multiple Edgar Award nominations, among numerous other accolades. Her books have been selected as “Best of the Year” picks by the Today Show, Good Morning America, Entertainment Weekly, Amazon, IndieBound, and many, many more. I could go on, but you get the picture: Lisa Unger is a master of the suspense genre with a huge readership around the world. And today on CBTB, I’m so thrilled to spotlight Lisa’s forthcoming release THE STRANGER INSIDE, available September 17th from Park Row.

Aug 4, 2019

Book Review: THE HEART KEEPER by Alex Dahl

Aug 4, 2019

What do you get when you cross Scandinavian sensibility with psychological suspense? Enter Alex Dahl’s unputdownable, wholly original brand of Nordic psychological thriller. On the heels of 2018’s excellent The Boy at the Door, Dahl’s 2019 release THE HEART KEEPER delivers a story of motherhood and grief even more emotionally impactful and addictive than Dahl’s first US outing. In THE HEART KEEPER, tragedy strikes a Norwegian family, and their young daughter passes away. But somewhere else in Norway, another family’s life is changed for the better when their young girl receives the call that she’s been waiting for her whole life: a donor heart has been found for her, at long last. As the paths between the two families slowly but surely converge, a mother’s grief turns to dark obsession. THE HEART KEEPER is a slow-burn story, but don’t let its pacing fool you: this book is utterly riveting with just the right amount of juicy drama—the kind of novel you’ll find yourself turning off the TV just to keep reading. The visceral emotion on display in this story, and Dahl’s uncanny ability to write characters whose twisted actions do nothing to diminish our sympathy for them, make THE HEART KEEPER a Summer 2019 standout. Alex Dahl continues to distinguish herself for her compelling blend of Nordic and domestic noir, and THE HEART KEEPER is another feather in the cap of this up-and-coming crime fiction star.

Aug 4, 2019

Jul 18, 2019

Q&A: Alex Dahl, Author of THE HEART KEEPER

Jul 18, 2019

Some books stick with you long after you’ve turned their final page. For me, Alex Dahl’s newest suspense novel THE HEART KEEPER was such a book—and I’m absolutely thrilled to welcome Alex to CBTB today to discuss her intense, emotionally-resonant new release with us! If you’re not yet familiar with Alex Dahl’s work, consider this the perfect opportunity to dip into her world. Dahl is a Norwegian author whose books bridge the gap between Scandinavian sensibility and modern, razor-sharp psychological suspense. Dahl’s writing is easy to devour, but it’s got very sharp teeth; her books put womanhood under the microscope, wrapping resonant social commentary up in binge-worthy suspense plots. Dahl’s debut novel THE BOY AT THE DOOR released in the U.S. last year, and this week, she’s back. In THE HEART KEEPER, Dahl explores the powerful force of a mother’s love in the face of tragedy—and considers what happens when that tragedy drives an ordinary person to do unthinkable things. THE HEART KEEPER is in many ways a quiet novel - it’s not a story of rip-roaring action or shocking violence - but its underlying intensity and emotional charge make it utterly unputdownable. I loved Dahl’s newest novel, and was thrilled to have the opportunity to ask her a few of my most pressing questions about it!

Jul 18, 2019

Jul 11, 2019

Q&A: Sandie Jones, Author of THE FIRST MISTAKE

Jul 11, 2019

Still on the hunt for the perfect domestic thriller to bring on your next vacation? Look no further: Sandie Jones’ THE FIRST MISTAKE is the book for you. Twisty and shocking, THE FIRST MISTAKE takes a relatively familiar suspense setup - a wife who fears her spouse is being unfaithful - and pushes it in addictive, jaw-dropping new directions. Sandie Jones made a splash with her debut novel The Other Woman, which was a selection for Reese Witherspoon’s book club and a New York Times bestseller… but I actually loved THE FIRST MISTAKE even more. This book is a perfect example of what I like to call “popcorn reading”: an utterly entertaining story that you’ll want to binge-read in one or two sittings. Fans of B.A. Paris, J.P. Delaney, and Shari Lapena will absolutely love the domestic drama, plot twists, and chilling suspense Sandie Jones serves up in THE FIRST MISTAKE. I’m thrilled to welcome Sandie Jones to CBTB today to talk all things THE FIRST MISTAKE! In this blog post, you’ll find all the details on Sandie’s newest release, an excerpt from my review of this deliciously addictive suspense read, and, of course, my conversation with Sandie.

Jul 11, 2019

Jul 9, 2019

Book Review: KNIFE by Jo Nesbø

Jul 9, 2019

I never re-read crime books… unless it’s a novel by Jo Nesbø, and then all bets are off. As I write this review, I’ve already read Nesbø’s newest - and arguably best - crime novel KNIFE twice, and between me and you, I’ll probably read it again before the year is out. A new Nesbø novel is always a cause for celebration (bonus when it’s released right after my birthday, as KNIFE was this year!), but KNIFE is something really special. It’s got everything Nesbø readers have come to expect from Scandinavia’s reigning crime fiction king: a layered plot, a gritty atmosphere, immersive pacing, plenty of very convincing red herrings, and, of course, our beloved troubled detective Harry Hole. But KNIFE is a departure from its immediate series predecessors, too, and it’s here that KNIFE really shines. By dialing back on the overt gore that defined 2017’s The Thirst, Nesbø gives his razor-sharp prose and superb character development room to shine in KNIFE. This is undoubtedly Nesbø’s darkest story yet, and it’s also his most emotionally affecting - a potent combination that will get under your skin as much as it will keep you turning pages. Nesbø is at his best when putting Norwegian detective Harry Hole through his worst, and KNIFE might just be the best installment yet in this exceptional crime series. Nothing will be the same for Harry - or Harry’s loyal readers - after KNIFE.

Jul 9, 2019

Jul 1, 2019

Book Review: LOCK EVERY DOOR by Riley Sager

Jul 1, 2019

If you pack one book in your beach bag this summer, make it Riley Sager’s razor-sharp take on gothic suspense: LOCK EVERY DOOR, available July 2nd. You know those authors who just seem to get better and better with each new book? Sager is one of them, and LOCK EVERY DOOR cements him as a staple of any psychological thriller reader’s library. Blending horror tropes with spine-tingling suspense and juicy, just-one-more-page intrigue, LOCK EVERY DOOR invites readers inside one of New York’s most exclusive addresses—a place that might never let its readers - or its residents - go. Enter the Bartholomew: a (fictional) high-end apartment building overlooking Central Park. When down-on-her-luck protagonist Jules secures a position as an apartment-sitter in the Bartholomew, she can hardly believe her luck. But as Jules settles in and befriends a fellow apartment-sitter, she begins to worry that this beautiful building hides within its walls secrets darker than she could have ever imagined. In LOCK EVERY DOOR, Sager crafts a page-turning story of gothic suspense worthy of a place alongside the horror classics that inspired it. Protagonist Jules is a relatable and compelling millennial: a young woman struggling against the odds to make a life for herself, who just so happens to accept a job that might be her last. In the Bartholomew, nothing is as it seems. Enter at your own risk.

Jul 1, 2019

Jun 25, 2019

Q&A: M.T. Edvardsson, Author of A NEARLY NORMAL FAMILY

Jun 25, 2019

It’s an absolute pleasure to welcome M.T. Edvardsson to Crime by the Book today to give us the inside scoop on his first crime novel to come to the United States. A NEARLY NORMAL FAMILY hits American bookstores today, June 25th, and what an absolute gem of a crime novel it is. Told in three distinct “parts,” A NEARLY NORMAL FAMILY probes the limits of how far an ordinary family would go to protect one of their own. It might be set in Sweden, but what makes this story so impactful is its universality; the themes Edvardsson explores here will feel relevant whether you’re in Scandinavia like the story’s central family, in New York like I am as I write this, or anywhere in between. Edvardsson’s assured and thought-provoking crime novel is a little bit Nordic Noir, a little bit legal thriller, a little bit family drama—and when taken as a whole, it’s one of this summer’s most compelling suspense stories. I’m thrilled to welcome M.T. Edvardsson to CBTB today to give us an inside scoop on this outstanding new release! In today’s blog post, you will find plot details for a NEARLY NORMAL FAMILY, a selection of early praise the book has already received, a snippet from my review, and, of course, my conversation with the author. Huge thanks to the team at Celadon Books for facilitating this Q&A, and to M.T. Edvardsson for taking the time to answer my questions! A NEARLY NORMAL FAMILY is available now at your favorite bookseller.

Jun 25, 2019

Jun 10, 2019

Book Review: THE FIRST MISTAKE by Sandie Jones

Jun 10, 2019

Sandie Jones made a splash last summer with her debut suspense novel THE OTHER WOMAN, a New York Times bestseller and a pick for Reese Witherspoon’s book club—and she’s back this summer, and better than ever, with THE FIRST MISTAKE. A juicy, page-turning story of marital secrets, THE FIRST MISTAKE takes a familiar plot - a wife who suspects her husband might be hiding something from her - and turns it on its head. Following Alice, her husband Nathan, and her best friend Beth, THE FIRST MISTAKE unravels a layered story of deceit and betrayal… and I’m betting even the most seasoned suspense reader will be genuinely shocked by the twists author Sandie Jones has in store. Sophomore novels have a reputation for being particularly tricky to get right, but Sandie Jones has executed hers effortlessly; I thoroughly enjoyed last year’s THE OTHER WOMAN, but I liked THE FIRST MISTAKE even more. This book is pure pleasure reading. For readers of fan-favorite domestic thrillers Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris and Lie To Me by J.T. Ellison, THE FIRST MISTAKE is the perfect beach read: a story of what happens when happily ever after goes wrong.

Jun 10, 2019

Author Features

Plot Details: THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW

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

WATCH THE INTERVIEW

Book details: