Shannon made one little mistake, but it could be deadly…
With a baby finally on the way, Shannon and Jared are in heaven. To celebrate they splurge on a luxury break where they meet Tasha and Harry.
Tasha and Harry are rich and successful and seem to have everything they want. The four quickly become friends. But Shannon doesn’t realise she has been chosen carefully.
When an event at the hotel takes a dark turn, Shannon is caught in a web of lies and deceit. Who can she trust? Who will stand by her and who will betray her? And how far must she go when there’s no way out...
THE WOMAN IN ROOM 19 is a gripping psychological thriller by British, crime thriller author, Ann Girdharry. She is the author of the Tales of the Unexpected series and Good Girl Bad Girl, her debut mystery, suspense. Having enjoyed reading her novels, I was very fortunate to have been chosen as an early reader for her first stand-alone novel, “The Couple Upstairs.” Having enjoyed reading this novel, I couldn’t wait to read her most recent standalone novel, “The Woman in Room 19.”
Her Standalone novels include: The Couple Upstairs (2021) The Woman in Room 19 (2022)
This is my review of The Woman in Room 19.
Shannon and Jared were expecting a child, and very thankful. Shannon had worked as a receptionist at a Design Agency, but had given up work, with a baby on the way. The desire to become pregnant had dominated her life for at least five years, but now she was pregnant at last.
Jared worked as a ghostwriter, refusing to work in the family business like his big brother, Raj, but Jared still had financial ties to his father’s prosperous business.
Jared surprises Shannon with a luxury hotel break to celebrate their good news. He requested Room 19, as this was Shannon’s lucky number.
This is where they meet another couple Natasha and Harry. But this couple is there to observe the rich upper-class…with not good intentions.
Now the drama begins… everyone is hiding something… so many lies and secrets.
Everyone has something to hide and information is revealed on a need-to-know basis.
This is an amazing read with a fast-paced plot with lots of twists and turns that had you guessing until the end. The characters are relatable and believable, and totally engaging with the characters coming alive on the page.
The story was really enjoyable and well written. Highly recommended!
I was contacted by this author to be an early reader for this book and I jumped at the chance. A young couple turn up for a luxurious weekend in a mansion. Another young couple are also staying and the last thing on their mind is rest and relaxation. How far would you go to protect what you have. This is a wild ride of a thriller and I literally have no nails left. I devoured this book in one sitting. This author has done it again. Another fantastic five star read from one of my favourite and very talented authors. Many thanks to Ann Girdharry for the ARC.
What a whirl wind of a book. A true nail bitter, page turner, couldn't put it down, thriller! I loved every twist and turn. This book is told from 4 points of view. Shannon, the soon to be mom, with a secret. Jared, he husband, who seems to be in the dark. Harry, the swindler, who finds out Shannon secret and uses it to blackmail her. And Natasha, Harry's wife and partner in crime. This is not a spoiler. You find this much info out in the first few chapters. Hang on though because it gets wild and takes you into in psychological downfall of all the players.
Wow what an excellent book, this had me gripped from the beginning to the very end. There was so many twisted minds and thoughts going through each character in the story, it was amazing how intricate it was but so believable. I seriously can't wait to read another one of her books.
I was sent an ARC by the author as I have enjoyed her previous novels. This is a rollercoaster of a tale as we follow the lives of Shannon and Jared, a happily married couple whose idyllic life is about to come crashing down after staying in Room 19 of a luxurious hotel. A wonderfully constructed story full of secrets and lies, blackmail and manipulation as the twists and turns keep on coming until the very end.
Expectant mother Shannon and her husband, Jared, manage to book a weekend at an exclusive hotel. While there, they meet another couple - Harry and Natasha - forming a friendship with them quickly. But Harry and Natasha have ulterior motives, and Shannon herself hides a secret.
I thought the premise was interesting and the pacing was generally good and the writing was solid.
Some of the twists were pretty obvious (and therefore, not especially twisty), others came completely out of the blue, although not necessarily successfully. The twists that really get under a reader's skin are the ones where the reader misses clues and recognises that they should/could have seen it coming.
The character development in this novel didn't work for me. I found only one character to be remotely likeable, and I found none of them relatable. (This is not inherently a problem, but it did keep me at arm's length from the story). I think the novel might have worked better if the perspective had been much more limited: say, a deeper focus on two characters.
I also found the resolution of the events in the novel to be unsatisfying, although this may be more due to my aforementioned distance from the characters.
A certain trope played heavily into the state of mind of one of the characters. Without going into spoiler territory, this was something that did not work for me in this story. I found the character's trauma response to be unrealistic, and the way this matter was "resolved" didn't feel authentic. I think eliminating this element would have made for a better novel overall.
This was a good read. I enjoyed how the author switched who narrated each chapter. I liked seeing the situation from the different points of view. It also had some moments that kept me guessing what would happen.
Side note: o received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review
A gripping psychological thriller that had me on the edge of my seat. Four main characters, all with an agenda, all willing to do anything for what they want. I really enjoyed this book and actually gasped out loud on occasion, an indication of being totally enthralled, on the hook, and being reeled in expertly. Recommended! I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers.
This was a gripping read. Shannon and Jared are celebrating getting pregnant by going away to a fancy hotel for a week. There they meet Tash and Harry who are not all they seem.
Harry was awful, I wanted to slap his face so much. And I did feel for Tash although by the end I figure she’s just as bad as Harry. I was happy with how it ended though, very satisfying!
Four characters all with their own agenda. Two couples meet at a hotel and form a fast friendship. The one couple (Natasha and Harry) is a pair of con artists looking to score off the fortune of Jared's family. As the vacation goes on, developments begin to sink Shannon (Jared's wife) into Harry's debt. This includes knowledge of a secret that Shannon is desperate to keep from Jared.
I didn't really care for the characters presented in this book. They each had secrets, lies, and motives against each other. Also, why Jared and Shannon chose to trust Harry and Natasha could have used a little more explanation and discussion (heavy discussion was used in forming the plan to con and I would have liked to have seen a little more provided here). It was simply: they are in a situation we've experienced so we immediately trust them and want to support and help them.
It also took me about 50% of the book to be at all invested.
The second half read quickly and piqued my interest however. There always seemed to be an intriguing question that pulled me through: what was the secret? When the hell is Shannon going to tell Jared? Are Natasha and Harry really going to get away with this?
Overall, not a bad read, just not for me.
I would like to thank the author, publisher and Voracious Readers for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is the story of two couples: Shannon and Jared, the mark couple; and Natasha and Harry, the con couple. They meet at a luxury hotel and quickly develop a relationship. Shannon and Jared are expecting their first child, and Harry and Natasha begin the process of investigating, separating and intimidating them in the hopes of extracting a sizable amount of money from Jared's wealthy parents. The story weaves through all four perspectives and leaves the reader constantly wondering things like, "Who are these people?" "How exactly did Shannon come to be pregnant?" "What kind of person is Jared?" and "What's really going on with Natasha?" It's a page turner, and I loved all the surprises. The one place it kind of didn't click for me was just how the con couple were able to make that initial connection with the mark couple. I don't necessarily think it's a flaw in the book. It may just be that I'm enough of an introvert that I can't imagine meeting a pair of strangers and then wanting to spend time with them. Although, I suppose if that is their profession, it makes sense that they would be skilled at doing just that. All told, it's a really well put together thriller, and I enjoyed it a lot. I received a copy of this through Voracious Readers in exchange for an honest review.
So many secrets and so many lies: this made for a fast-paced and interesting story. Each chapter was narrated by one of the 4 main characters (I thoroughly enjoyed Natasha’s narrations), allowing for new perspectives and secrets to be revealed. I especially appreciated the accurate and vivid way Harry and Natasha thought about each other during their own narrations, given the specifics of their relationship: I found this quite valuable. While the dynamic between Harry and Natasha was well described, I didn’t easily get the same sense of depth from Jared and Shannon. I would have to say Harry and Natasha really stole the show. The basis for the friendship between the two couples in the book is based off of commonality of experience, which I feel the author portrayed it quite well, and leads the reader to consider how well we really know anyone we meet by chance. Overall, a fast and enjoyable read! I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only to provide an honest review.
Shannon and Jared are a young couple anxious to start their family. Natasha and Harry are con artists that prey off of vulnerable rich people. When both couples arrive at the exclusive resort, Sussex Abbey, Shannon and Jared are immediately targeted because Jared is a member of the Kavani family, who have made their fortune with fitness clubs. Harry and Natasha begin to plot to get their hands on as much of the Kavani fortune as they possibly can. Their job is made easier by a guilty secret that Shannon harbors. I found this book to be so interesting, as the chapters focused on each of these people in their turn. I really was interested to see if Shannon could get out of Harry and Natasha's clutches. I definitely recommend this book to fans of psychological suspense. I got his book as an advance copy from Voracious Readers Only.
What a thriller! Unsuspecting Shannon and her husband Jared run into a couple of con artists at an exclusive resort. Shannon has wanted a child forever and is finally 11 weeks pregnant. But Shannon has secrets which she can never tell anyone. Jared knows something is greatly upsetting Shannon but she will not open up to him. Their new friends Natasha and Harry are a great couple and are helping to take off the burdens with their fun loving lifestyle. Jared and Shannon have no idea what their new friends have in store for them.
Fast paced and told in alternating POVs of the four main characters. I really felt for Shannon who is crumbling under immense pressure. I couldn’t stop reading. A great read!
When you meet people that seem too good to be try--BEWARE!!
Shannon and Jared are finally going to be parents after many years of trying. Jared decides to celebrate he will take them to an exclusive hotel. Jared is estranged from his father**Shannon has a deep dark secret which she is too afraid to tell Jared. They are very much in love.
They meet another couple who seems to have gone through everything they have and become quite close to them. Little do they know that this couple is out to get a lot of money from them!!
There are so many twists and turns in this psychological mind bender--but will all turn out okay in the end--read this novel to find out!!
This is a story about basically about two couples. Shannon and Jared are a working couple that after many medical treatments are pregnant. But each is hiding something from the other. Jared's family is very, very rich but he has chosen his own path. The other couple, Natasha and Harry are con artists that targets the rich. They too are hiding something from each other. Both couples are at the Sussex Abbey, a very refined place for the wealthy. There is where their paths cross and secrets start to unfold. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Harry has been conning wealthy people out of their money for so long, he doesn’t know when to stop. His wife Natasha wants out, but she’s afraid of what Harry will do. But when they meet Shannon and Jared who are staying at a luxury hotel on borrowed money, they think they are in for the heist of their life. Little do they know how tenacious Shannon is. Because she has a secret of her own.
This was a slow burn, but an interesting storyline.
I received a free ARC of this book for an honest review. Shannon and her husband Jared take a week away at a luxury resort to celebrate their pregnancy after a series of disappointments, but are their new friends who they seem? This was a gripping read, I read it in one session as I couldn't put it down! The pace was just right for me and there were twists and turns throughout the narrative. Highly recommended giving this a read!
Out of the four main characters Jared is the only likeable one. Harry and Natasha are meant to be cruel, although at times you could feel sorry for Natasha who is clearly victim of pretty extreme domestic abuse. I also found character of Shannon not particularly nice, despite what has happened to her, she is so vile to her husband it is hard to feel sorry for her.
A fabulous read. Poor Shannon.!! I lived her emotional rollercoaster with her throughout the unexpected twists and turns and suspense of this page turning thriller. Should she inform Jared of past events ? I was pleading for her to tell him about their so-called new friends . Ann Girdharry triumphs again with this exciting read.
Ann Girdharry knows how to write a good psychological thriller. The woman in Room 19 has a secret, and during her stay at a luxury hotel, her and her husband meet another couple who have ulterior motives. This book kept my interest, and I finished it rather quickly. The twist wasn't predictable and not at all disappointing.
I have to say that this has been one of my favorite books of the year. It had a nice level of suspense with some definite twists. I enjoyed how the character development was established - you really developed a love or hate relationship with them. The ending was very well written and I was really happy with it. I am glad that I took the time to dive in to this book!
I could not stop reading and it was very hard to put it down. The characters well rounded and very interesting. The plot keep you wondering what was gonna happen next and just when you thought you knew how it was going to end something else change that great book and worth reading.
A young couple goes on vacation to celebrate good news and while at this amazing resort they meet another couple that becomes their friends and confidants, or so they believe. A twisting story about what you’ll do to protect those you love and who you can really trust.
This was a neat little thriller. It was fast paced and easy to ready. Although plot seemed more filmy than realistic, but not bad and Ann shows that she fully embraces multi-culturalism which was a nice touch.
Two couples meet on a getaway at a luxury hotel and become fast friends, however, soon secrets to unravel due to some unexpected events and it’s hard to know who to trust. This was a slow burn psychological thriller that comes with some clever twists. It was a very enjoyable read which kept a steady pace of secrets and lies that keep you turning the page just willing them to unravel. Be careful who you meet and be careful who you trust! It was an exciting quick read.
A lovely stay in a stately home turns into a nightmare for one young couple. They are about to be conned in the most incredible way. This fast and furious book as a fantastic climax. Certainly not one to miss.
The pacing of the novel was good, giving you enough detail without bogging you down in the mundane. I read with anticipation as to what would come next and was satisfied with the ending. I received a copy of this novel through Voracious Readers in exchange for my honest review.