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The Woman at Number 19
Esther lost her husband, Julian, and her children, Harriet and Dexter, in a car accident and is struggling with her grief.
Spurred on by her own loneliness and a need to make amends for not being able to save her own children, Esther takes it upon herself to watch the woman who lives at number 19..
But when unexplainable incidents begin to happen in Esther’s house, she begins to fear for her own safety.
Meanwhile, over at number
19, the woman’s behaviour is becoming more explosive and unpredictable.
As Esther starts to lose her grip on reality, her world begins to unravel.
Just who is this strange woman at number 19?
And why is Esther so obsessed with her?
Please note this is a re-issue of The Woman at Number 19.,
Spurred on by her own loneliness and a need to make amends for not being able to save her own children, Esther takes it upon herself to watch the woman who lives at number 19..
But when unexplainable incidents begin to happen in Esther’s house, she begins to fear for her own safety.
Meanwhile, over at number
19, the woman’s behaviour is becoming more explosive and unpredictable.
As Esther starts to lose her grip on reality, her world begins to unravel.
Just who is this strange woman at number 19?
And why is Esther so obsessed with her?
Please note this is a re-issue of The Woman at Number 19.,
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 11, 2019
1341 people are currently reading
1467 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Baker
24 books341 followersJ. A. Baker was born and brought up in the North East of England.
When she's not writing and thinking up new and inventive ways of killing off her fictional characters, or looking after her young grandchildren, she can be found pottering around her garden with her madcap dog, Theo or in a coffee shop eating cake with her long suffering husband.
When she's not writing and thinking up new and inventive ways of killing off her fictional characters, or looking after her young grandchildren, she can be found pottering around her garden with her madcap dog, Theo or in a coffee shop eating cake with her long suffering husband.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 228 reviews
July 18, 2019
Esther is a sad, grief-stricken middle-aged woman who is grieving the loss of her husband and her two young children during a traffic accident. She also harbors a deep-seated hatred of her own sister who was also in the car. Sister survived, although she suffered significant injuries.
She has closed herself off from most everyone ...although there is a young woman who visits with her on a daily basis. Esther doesn't quite remember how they became friends, but she does appreciate the contact.
Burdened with guilt over her lack to save her children, she begins to covertly watch a woman who lives at #19. The woman she's watching seems to be extremely unhappy, yelling and screaming at both her husband and daughter and son. Esther begins to keep a journal, detailing what she sees and witnesses.
Strange things begin happening to Esther. She finds pictures of her children ripped to shreds. A carryall of her clothes is found somewhere it shouldn't have been. Still watching the woman in #19 seemingly get crazier by the day, Esther begins to feel that her life is in danger.
Who is this woman in #19? Why is Esther so obsessed with her life? Why are these strange things happening to her?
This is a magnificent psychological thriller, full of twists and turns, with no hints of where the story was going. The character of Esther is finely drawn; her grief and sadness and guilt are blatantly felt. This is one you will not want to put down ....
Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this psychological fiction given to me at no charge. My review is unsolicited. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
July 20, 2020
2.5 Stars as far too predictable.
Unfortunately, I figured out the 'twist' at the very beginning and I think this made the plot rather drawn out and repetitive. I found Esther to be so frustrating and her relationships sapping. I may have felt differently had I not guessed the outcome.
Just too tedious and monotonous for me but I can definitely see why so many other GR readers found it gripping.
Unfortunately, I figured out the 'twist' at the very beginning and I think this made the plot rather drawn out and repetitive. I found Esther to be so frustrating and her relationships sapping. I may have felt differently had I not guessed the outcome.
Just too tedious and monotonous for me but I can definitely see why so many other GR readers found it gripping.
July 15, 2019
Exceptional psychological thriller.
Full review to follow as part of the Bloodhound Books official blog tour on Thursday, July 18, 2019.
Full review to follow as part of the Bloodhound Books official blog tour on Thursday, July 18, 2019.
April 30, 2023
Esther has had a rough time of things lately. She recently lost her husband and children in a car accident, and she is trying to navigate life as a single, childless woman. Going back to her teaching job is out of the question; seeing the kids every day would be too painful. So she sits in her home, depressed and unable to have much of a life.
One day, she realizes a new family has moved into a house across the street, and she finds herself compelled to watch them. Soon, she realizes this isn’t a typical family. The mother is violent and evil, constantly screaming at her kids, throwing things at her husband, even slapping her daughter in the face. Esther starts keeping a journal of everything that she sees, so when she goes to child protection and the police, she’ll have specifics for them.
As the book goes along, Esther starts to unravel. Who is this woman across the street? Why is she blessed with children who are alive, and Esther isn’t? What is wrong with this family and how can she make sure the children are safe?
I don’t know why I feel like I’ve read this before, because it was published in 2019, and I know that I haven’t read it. Even though I guessed what was going on, it was still quite enjoyable to read. The ending had a few extra surprises, and the whole story was a stark look at mental illness. Four stars for a solid psychological thriller.
(Thank you to Boldwood Books, J.A. Baker, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be re-released on May 28, 2023.)
One day, she realizes a new family has moved into a house across the street, and she finds herself compelled to watch them. Soon, she realizes this isn’t a typical family. The mother is violent and evil, constantly screaming at her kids, throwing things at her husband, even slapping her daughter in the face. Esther starts keeping a journal of everything that she sees, so when she goes to child protection and the police, she’ll have specifics for them.
As the book goes along, Esther starts to unravel. Who is this woman across the street? Why is she blessed with children who are alive, and Esther isn’t? What is wrong with this family and how can she make sure the children are safe?
I don’t know why I feel like I’ve read this before, because it was published in 2019, and I know that I haven’t read it. Even though I guessed what was going on, it was still quite enjoyable to read. The ending had a few extra surprises, and the whole story was a stark look at mental illness. Four stars for a solid psychological thriller.
(Thank you to Boldwood Books, J.A. Baker, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be re-released on May 28, 2023.)
May 6, 2023
What a surprise this book was !
It seems that Esther lost her whole family in a car accident - except for her sister, which she loved -until the day of the accident.
Since then, she hates her sister and holds her responsible for killing Esther's Family.
Since the accident, Esther is kind of a recluse in her own home.
Across the street, a new family moves in.
And the new neighbor lady seems to abuse her two children.
But more weird things happen in Esther's recluse life:
It seems like people are sneaking into her home to do strange things, without her knowledge such as packing her suitcase, making her bed, leaving ripped up pictures of her dead children...
Meanwhile, Esther is watching the family next door...
This is a deeply psychological thriller, that will leave you clueless through the half of the book...and when you finally grip the facts and the truth of it all...you know at the very end, that the plot you guessed, was completely wrong - and you are left with your mouth open in awe.
Yes - this is a story, you will not forget for a while...
Would highly recommend to read - because nothing is ever as it seems and it keeps you on your toes !
It seems that Esther lost her whole family in a car accident - except for her sister, which she loved -until the day of the accident.
Since then, she hates her sister and holds her responsible for killing Esther's Family.
Since the accident, Esther is kind of a recluse in her own home.
Across the street, a new family moves in.
And the new neighbor lady seems to abuse her two children.
But more weird things happen in Esther's recluse life:
It seems like people are sneaking into her home to do strange things, without her knowledge such as packing her suitcase, making her bed, leaving ripped up pictures of her dead children...
Meanwhile, Esther is watching the family next door...
This is a deeply psychological thriller, that will leave you clueless through the half of the book...and when you finally grip the facts and the truth of it all...you know at the very end, that the plot you guessed, was completely wrong - and you are left with your mouth open in awe.
Yes - this is a story, you will not forget for a while...
Would highly recommend to read - because nothing is ever as it seems and it keeps you on your toes !
August 1, 2019
Boring,boring, yawn!! I read the prologue that comes first. I started reading the story which seemed good at first, for those of us readers who are prolific psychological thrillers we can pick up on the story pretty quickly. I read it all, i kept nodding off with boredom. I knew the ending from the first paragraph. I bought this due to the good ratings. It was dreadful for me, a total waste of my time/money. I could not recommend this book.
January 11, 2020
За съжаление, още от първата една трета от книгата разбрах каква е мистерията, но въпреки това беше приятна за четене, защото имаше детайли, на които не бях обърнала чак такова внимание и ме изненадаха.
July 19, 2019
What a cracker of a book that was!
From the beginning, right the way through to the last sentence it has you wanting more.
From the beginning, right the way through to the last sentence it has you wanting more.
January 3, 2020
I’ve just finished my 1st thriller of 2020 and what an absolute cracking way to start 2020.
The Woman At Number 19 is an awesome page turner, so well written and will keep you guessing until the final breathtaking twist.
I loved J A Baker’s style of writing, the build up and the gripping climax.
A huge 5 stars.
Judith Baker
Esther lost her husband, Julian, and her children, Harriet and Dexter, in a car accident and is struggling with her grief.
Spurred on by her own loneliness and a need to make amends for not being able to save her own children, Esther takes it upon herself to watch the woman who lives at number 19.
But when unexplainable incidents begin to happen in Esther’s house, she begins to fear for her safety.
Meanwhile, over at number 19, the woman’s behaviour is becoming more explosive and unpredictable.
As Esther starts to lose her grip on reality, her world begins to unravel.
Just who is this strange woman at number 19?
And why is Esther so obsessed with her?
The Woman At Number 19 is an awesome page turner, so well written and will keep you guessing until the final breathtaking twist.
I loved J A Baker’s style of writing, the build up and the gripping climax.
A huge 5 stars.
Judith Baker
Esther lost her husband, Julian, and her children, Harriet and Dexter, in a car accident and is struggling with her grief.
Spurred on by her own loneliness and a need to make amends for not being able to save her own children, Esther takes it upon herself to watch the woman who lives at number 19.
But when unexplainable incidents begin to happen in Esther’s house, she begins to fear for her safety.
Meanwhile, over at number 19, the woman’s behaviour is becoming more explosive and unpredictable.
As Esther starts to lose her grip on reality, her world begins to unravel.
Just who is this strange woman at number 19?
And why is Esther so obsessed with her?
July 31, 2019
Zero nail-biting suspense. Pages of dreary internal monologue from an unreliable narrator
This is just another iteration of a storyline that has been written before. By the end of the prologue, the protagonist’s personality and psyche are clear, as is her life situation. Esther Nesbitt seems to be a whingy, pitiable, physically weaker older woman—I guessed over 65—but she’s middle-aged. At 20% Kindle mark, I came up with three possible storylines with several subplots.
I didn’t want to plough through walls of interior monologue, so I skimmed through to follow the storyline, which was straightforward. Unfortunately, the promised twists were predictable, so no nail-biting required, and it wasn’t a compelling read.
2 stars because I made it to the end.
PS to editor:
Blood is not oleaginous.
This is just another iteration of a storyline that has been written before. By the end of the prologue, the protagonist’s personality and psyche are clear, as is her life situation. Esther Nesbitt seems to be a whingy, pitiable, physically weaker older woman—I guessed over 65—but she’s middle-aged. At 20% Kindle mark, I came up with three possible storylines with several subplots.
I didn’t want to plough through walls of interior monologue, so I skimmed through to follow the storyline, which was straightforward. Unfortunately, the promised twists were predictable, so no nail-biting required, and it wasn’t a compelling read.
2 stars because I made it to the end.
PS to editor:
Blood is not oleaginous.
August 8, 2019
If you ever wanted to get into the mind of a mentally ill person, this book will do it for you. Esther lost her husband and children in a car accident. She is then left to deal with this grief. The story centers around how she copes with this tragedy.
But the more you get into Esther's mind the more you see that things are not what they seem. As Esther loses her grip with reality we find her obsessed with the woman at number 19....and this obsession has control over her. The more I read the book the more I even became obsessed with both woman.
To say more is to give away the story which you will find mind boggling. It is a kindle unlimited book, so put this one on your list as a must read.
But the more you get into Esther's mind the more you see that things are not what they seem. As Esther loses her grip with reality we find her obsessed with the woman at number 19....and this obsession has control over her. The more I read the book the more I even became obsessed with both woman.
To say more is to give away the story which you will find mind boggling. It is a kindle unlimited book, so put this one on your list as a must read.
August 11, 2019
This book was truly NOT a psychological mystery at all but a study in mental illness. You can detect from the first two chapters where this book is headed. It was not original. It was not very well written. Completely predictable. There was so much inner monologue it made for an extremely drawn out and boring read. I was hoping it was get better as it went on but no such luck. Ending was completely predictable. So disappointing!
July 26, 2019
Predictable . At least it was a quick read.
September 8, 2023
I was intrigued and invested from page one. By Chapter Two I was completely engrossed.
This is a must read. A story of who is who on a street in the suburbs. Esther is watching Vanessa abuse her kids across the street. She is visited by a nurse down the street. And someone has gone mad and resides in a mental institution--but who? Esther also has a dramatic past.
These tales weave and twist to the shocking ending.
This is a must read. A story of who is who on a street in the suburbs. Esther is watching Vanessa abuse her kids across the street. She is visited by a nurse down the street. And someone has gone mad and resides in a mental institution--but who? Esther also has a dramatic past.
These tales weave and twist to the shocking ending.
July 18, 2019
I was intrigued by this book title as I was curious as to what was happening at this woman's home. Well, that intrigue became full blown obsession. I thought so far through the book I had an idea of what was actually happening , because of reading other books by this author, part right, part wrong but it in no way detracted from the unfurling of this cleverly written plot. The range of emotions I went through reading this book went from one extreme to another. I just can't stop thinking about this book as the plot and the revelations are brilliant. I haven't written anything about the plot or the characters for the simple fact I don't want to give spoilers. Definitely well worth reading.
July 22, 2019
Esther has lost her husband and both children in a road traffic accident and she blames her sister for the accident believing that Charlotte was having an affair with her husband. Then Esther begins watching the woman at number 19, who she thinks is abusing her children.
Told from Esthers point of view it lets you see more into her world and what is going on around her.
There had to be more going on and yes there really was.
Dark and a good thriller
Told from Esthers point of view it lets you see more into her world and what is going on around her.
There had to be more going on and yes there really was.
Dark and a good thriller
August 2, 2019
I have been a fan of J. A. Baker and her books for a while now. In fact ever since I was invited to take part in the blog tour for one of her previous books. I love the way she writes believable stories with a twist. Anyway, I read the synopsis for ‘The Woman At Number 19’ and it certainly sounded like just my kind of read. I couldn’t wait to start reading and having just finished the book, all I can think is ‘wow’. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Woman At Number 19’ but more about that in a bit.
I wasn’t too sure what to make of Esther and I can’t say that I ever warmed to her. She really did give me the heebee jeebies. She’s the sort of woman you wouldn’t want to turn your back on for fear of what she would do. I wasn’t quite sure how far to believe what she said and in the end, I didn’t believe a word she said. That could be in part due to the fact that I am a suspicious beggar. I believe nobody and suspect everybody. Anyway back to Esther. Esther gives the impression that she feels lonely but the way she behaves makes me think that she has either deliberately pushed people away or something has happened that has led to people cutting her off. In my opinion, Esther does not have one redeeming feature and I certainly didn’t warm to her at all. She’s one of those characters that you would keep at arm’s length.
Blooming heck, I was addicted to ‘The Woman At No 19’ from the moment I read the first sentence. From that moment on, I had to keep reading to find out what the truth about Esther and to see how the story panned out. I had my own suspicions as to what was what and who was doing what and I had to see if my suspicions were going to be proven or not proven. Some of my suspicions were not far from the truth but others were totally wrong. All too soon, I reached the end of the story which I was so disappointed about. I don’t mean that I was disappointed with how the story ended because that couldn’t be further from the truth, but I was enjoying the author’s writing style, the characters and the storylines so much that I just wanted the book to continue on and on.
‘The Woman At No 19’ is superbly written but then I wouldn’t expect anything else from the superbly talented J. A. Baker. She has a writing style that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. She entices you into this book from the start and once she has you and your attention, she won’t let you go. Not that I would want to be released because I love her books. She also has the knack of making you feel as though you are part of the story yourself. That’s how I felt at any rate. J. A. Baker has created such creepily believable characters that I felt a shiver go down my spine each time I came across the characters in question.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Woman At Number 19’. I was gripped by the story throughout and on the edge of my seat on several occasions. I would definitely recommend this author and her books to other readers. I can’t wait to read what she comes up with next. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
I wasn’t too sure what to make of Esther and I can’t say that I ever warmed to her. She really did give me the heebee jeebies. She’s the sort of woman you wouldn’t want to turn your back on for fear of what she would do. I wasn’t quite sure how far to believe what she said and in the end, I didn’t believe a word she said. That could be in part due to the fact that I am a suspicious beggar. I believe nobody and suspect everybody. Anyway back to Esther. Esther gives the impression that she feels lonely but the way she behaves makes me think that she has either deliberately pushed people away or something has happened that has led to people cutting her off. In my opinion, Esther does not have one redeeming feature and I certainly didn’t warm to her at all. She’s one of those characters that you would keep at arm’s length.
Blooming heck, I was addicted to ‘The Woman At No 19’ from the moment I read the first sentence. From that moment on, I had to keep reading to find out what the truth about Esther and to see how the story panned out. I had my own suspicions as to what was what and who was doing what and I had to see if my suspicions were going to be proven or not proven. Some of my suspicions were not far from the truth but others were totally wrong. All too soon, I reached the end of the story which I was so disappointed about. I don’t mean that I was disappointed with how the story ended because that couldn’t be further from the truth, but I was enjoying the author’s writing style, the characters and the storylines so much that I just wanted the book to continue on and on.
‘The Woman At No 19’ is superbly written but then I wouldn’t expect anything else from the superbly talented J. A. Baker. She has a writing style that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. She entices you into this book from the start and once she has you and your attention, she won’t let you go. Not that I would want to be released because I love her books. She also has the knack of making you feel as though you are part of the story yourself. That’s how I felt at any rate. J. A. Baker has created such creepily believable characters that I felt a shiver go down my spine each time I came across the characters in question.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Woman At Number 19’. I was gripped by the story throughout and on the edge of my seat on several occasions. I would definitely recommend this author and her books to other readers. I can’t wait to read what she comes up with next. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
January 2, 2024
It was an ok read!
June 30, 2019
Really good read. I read it all in one delicious sitting! I really needed to find out what was going on here! Sometimes in a book you coudn't really care about the characters but poor Esther is obviously a troubled soul, I need to find out she's going to be okay, right? Her husband and two children are dead as the result of a car crash. Esther's world has crashed too. She no longer cares about her appearance, has no friends apart from the lovely Amy and despises her sister Charlotte who she believes was having an affair with her husband. The only thing keeping Esther sane is the family across the road. Esther suspects the Woman at number 19 is abusing her children and she watches the family like a hawk. Then she suspects Amy is not quite the friend she thought she was either. Can she get anyone to listen to her concerns? Someone has been in her house and among other things,torn up her precious photographs of the children. Why is everyone avoiding her questions and suspicions?Eventually, she gets the answers, it's all going to be alright......isn't it?
July 3, 2019
Esther is a 45 year old woman who lost her husband and 2 children in a car crash. Struggling with her grief, she feels alienated and has one friend, Amy. Esther loathes her sister, Charlotte as she believes Charlotte was having an affair with her husband, Julian. Esther is intrigued by the family over the road at number 19, she takes to watching them a lot. What is going on at number 19 and who is coming into Esthers house Uninvited?
A well written, well researched and clever story. I was convinced I knew exactly what was going on, only to be completely wrong! I was glued to my seat from the start, there is so much going on. This is a stunning read and I highly recommend this book.
A well written, well researched and clever story. I was convinced I knew exactly what was going on, only to be completely wrong! I was glued to my seat from the start, there is so much going on. This is a stunning read and I highly recommend this book.
September 18, 2019
Phenomenal, I have no words apart from, you really need to read this. Do you know who you are and who you can trust? If you think you do, then think again.
Each time I thought I could see where the story was going, I was way off. I read this in two sittings, which is rare for me. Just shows how fantastic this book really is.
I have a book hangover, nothing I feel like reading after this.
Brilliant!!
Each time I thought I could see where the story was going, I was way off. I read this in two sittings, which is rare for me. Just shows how fantastic this book really is.
I have a book hangover, nothing I feel like reading after this.
Brilliant!!
August 5, 2019
So obvious. I’m not sure why I finished it; I knew what was going to happen 10% in. Great premise, but the execution was lacking.
May 1, 2023
A story of grief, The Woman At Number 19 tells the story of Esther, who lives in isolation following the death of her husband and children in a car crash. Her sister, Charlotte, was driving the car, surviving with long term injuries.
Living a lonely existence, Esther becomes intrigued with the family living across the road. From her seat at the window, she observes a woman who is abusive to both her children and her husband. Esther feels compelled to watch this abuse take place and journal her findings to report the abuse to the police/authorities.
Soon, Esther starts noticing things happening in her home that she can’t explain…a picture of her children ripped to shreds, a hold-all with her clothes inside that she can’t recall packing but can remember wearing. She has a regular visitor, Amy, who lives up the road, but Esther begins to doubt everything going on in her life and turns to her hobby of surveillance of the family at number 19 and becomes consumed with what she finds.
This book was very well written. I did figure a few things out early on in the book, but it didn’t stop me from enjoying seeing it all play out.
That ending though…NOTHING prepared me for that!
This book is being republished in 2023 following its original release in 2019 and I am grateful to both NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.
Living a lonely existence, Esther becomes intrigued with the family living across the road. From her seat at the window, she observes a woman who is abusive to both her children and her husband. Esther feels compelled to watch this abuse take place and journal her findings to report the abuse to the police/authorities.
Soon, Esther starts noticing things happening in her home that she can’t explain…a picture of her children ripped to shreds, a hold-all with her clothes inside that she can’t recall packing but can remember wearing. She has a regular visitor, Amy, who lives up the road, but Esther begins to doubt everything going on in her life and turns to her hobby of surveillance of the family at number 19 and becomes consumed with what she finds.
This book was very well written. I did figure a few things out early on in the book, but it didn’t stop me from enjoying seeing it all play out.
That ending though…NOTHING prepared me for that!
This book is being republished in 2023 following its original release in 2019 and I am grateful to both NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.
November 19, 2022
Loved it !!!
May 10, 2023
*ARC REVIEW!* Did I find this book pretty predictable? yes. Did I still enjoy it despite that fact? also yes! This book was twisty and pretty dark, and overall a relatively good thriller- albeit it a little guessable.
‘The woman at number 19’ follows Esther, a lonely widow who lost both her husband and her children in a car accident. while she sits holed up inside her home, she becomes more and more confused, while experiencing strange and unexplainable events. she also becomes more concerned, as she falls into an obsession with watching the family across the street, leading her to witness horrible things.
As the story unravels, so does Esther’s sanity. she finds herself questioning her own mind at every corner, and starts to lose herself completely. Esther’s anxiety and unease had me on edge for the entire book! i found this plot to be pretty engaging, and i enjoyed the cliffhangers. if you enjoy a pretty basic thriller, i think you’ll like this one!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Boldwood books, and J.A. Baker for providing this ARC for me to read and review! All opinions and thoughts are my own.
‘The woman at number 19’ follows Esther, a lonely widow who lost both her husband and her children in a car accident. while she sits holed up inside her home, she becomes more and more confused, while experiencing strange and unexplainable events. she also becomes more concerned, as she falls into an obsession with watching the family across the street, leading her to witness horrible things.
As the story unravels, so does Esther’s sanity. she finds herself questioning her own mind at every corner, and starts to lose herself completely. Esther’s anxiety and unease had me on edge for the entire book! i found this plot to be pretty engaging, and i enjoyed the cliffhangers. if you enjoy a pretty basic thriller, i think you’ll like this one!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Boldwood books, and J.A. Baker for providing this ARC for me to read and review! All opinions and thoughts are my own.
January 18, 2024
Incredibly predictable and a bit unrealistic.
April 7, 2021
3 stars.
CW: grief, gore, car accident, child abuse,
I have mixed feelings about this mystery novel. The premise hooked me, the writing style is nice albeit a bit too detailed at times and the unreliable narrator is intriguing but it was very predictable nonetheless.
The story starts off with Esther who's struck by grief and a sense of hopelessness after losing her husband and kids in a car accident. We're also told that her sister Charlotte had an affair with her husband and threatened to take away her kids. She was in the car as well but survived the crash, which makes Esther resent her even more. While the book uses a dual pov style from Esther and the woman in cabin 19 views it becomes clear that Esther's obsession with that woman result in her grip on reality to dwindle. She witnesses how the woman abuses her kids in the form of hitting and manipulating them. Esther develops the urge to save these kids and sees it as her new purpose. She needs to get them out of that toxic situation as a way of rescuing some kids if not her own.
Spoilers:
As soon as Esther started to name the woman across the road and the fact that the woman's pov wasn't written in her pov and instead telling it as Esther viewed her it was clear to me that she's reliving memories she's blocked out from a traumatic experience. She is the woman in cabin 19. Also her sister's approach never seemed malicious, the letter she wrote to Esther was sincere but she managed to twist it in a way to make Charlotte appear like the villain, the sister who stole her husband and ruined her family. It all didn't make sense. Then she started to have these bouts of confusion and anger, not remembering how things moved in her house or how she got to certain places. At first I suspected early set Alzheimer, especially because Amy and co seemed like care givers rather than friends. The red herrings weren't as clever and subtle as planned in my eyes but it was fascinating to be in Esther's mind and see how someone can descend into madness.
The ending came as a surprise because she does seem to have recovered her memory but her obsession with getting out of the ward and harming her care givers was sign enough that she isn't fit to be released or see her kids that survived the car crash but weren't allowed to see their deranged mother and instead were taken care of by Charlotte.
All in all I think this would've been much better as a short story, it would've been more of a mystery with less obvious red herrings and the inner monologue wouldn't have felt that repetitive. That being said, it is a twister and dark story that is entertaining and I see why so many readers loved it.
CW: grief, gore, car accident, child abuse,
I have mixed feelings about this mystery novel. The premise hooked me, the writing style is nice albeit a bit too detailed at times and the unreliable narrator is intriguing but it was very predictable nonetheless.
The story starts off with Esther who's struck by grief and a sense of hopelessness after losing her husband and kids in a car accident. We're also told that her sister Charlotte had an affair with her husband and threatened to take away her kids. She was in the car as well but survived the crash, which makes Esther resent her even more. While the book uses a dual pov style from Esther and the woman in cabin 19 views it becomes clear that Esther's obsession with that woman result in her grip on reality to dwindle. She witnesses how the woman abuses her kids in the form of hitting and manipulating them. Esther develops the urge to save these kids and sees it as her new purpose. She needs to get them out of that toxic situation as a way of rescuing some kids if not her own.
Spoilers:
As soon as Esther started to name the woman across the road and the fact that the woman's pov wasn't written in her pov and instead telling it as Esther viewed her it was clear to me that she's reliving memories she's blocked out from a traumatic experience. She is the woman in cabin 19. Also her sister's approach never seemed malicious, the letter she wrote to Esther was sincere but she managed to twist it in a way to make Charlotte appear like the villain, the sister who stole her husband and ruined her family. It all didn't make sense. Then she started to have these bouts of confusion and anger, not remembering how things moved in her house or how she got to certain places. At first I suspected early set Alzheimer, especially because Amy and co seemed like care givers rather than friends. The red herrings weren't as clever and subtle as planned in my eyes but it was fascinating to be in Esther's mind and see how someone can descend into madness.
The ending came as a surprise because she does seem to have recovered her memory but her obsession with getting out of the ward and harming her care givers was sign enough that she isn't fit to be released or see her kids that survived the car crash but weren't allowed to see their deranged mother and instead were taken care of by Charlotte.
All in all I think this would've been much better as a short story, it would've been more of a mystery with less obvious red herrings and the inner monologue wouldn't have felt that repetitive. That being said, it is a twister and dark story that is entertaining and I see why so many readers loved it.
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July 30, 2019It took so little time - just one line - very early on and I knew. I don't even want to say more than that because I would hate to spoil it for anyone. But a description of what she could see made no sense at all and I have to think that the author either meant to give that clue, or didn't notice it was impossible - though she did explain later -unsatisfactorily.
Anyway - it was a quick read and I did like it but I just wish I'd been able to stay unaware for longer.
Oh darn it - I'm going to put it in a spoiler.
Anyway - it was a quick read and I did like it but I just wish I'd been able to stay unaware for longer.
Oh darn it - I'm going to put it in a spoiler.
May 7, 2023
Make no mistake about it, This is truly a horrible book - nothing more than an extended miseryfest negatively stereotyping older women and mental illness to the point of offensiveness,
Older women are batty, mentally ill people are angry and violent and bad, seriously ? The story itself is repetitive and basically an endlessly miserable monologue of an unwell woman - No twist, no psychological interest, and also written in the deeply irritating present tense. ‘I sit, I look round, I feel confused. My feet feel cold on the floor. I stand. I fight back tears. My face feels hot. I remember Dexters poor broken body. I cry. I howl. ‘ and so on, and on and on
Was truly dreadful.
Do not recommend and will avoid this nasty minded author like the plague.
Older women are batty, mentally ill people are angry and violent and bad, seriously ? The story itself is repetitive and basically an endlessly miserable monologue of an unwell woman - No twist, no psychological interest, and also written in the deeply irritating present tense. ‘I sit, I look round, I feel confused. My feet feel cold on the floor. I stand. I fight back tears. My face feels hot. I remember Dexters poor broken body. I cry. I howl. ‘ and so on, and on and on
Was truly dreadful.
Do not recommend and will avoid this nasty minded author like the plague.
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