Review: The Girl Before by J. P. Delaney

5 stars for The Girl Before by J. P. Delaney.

The Girl Before is a tense thriller that is as intriguing as it is creepy about a house, its architect and its occupants.

The story alternates in first person narratives between two female protagonists, Emma (then) and Jane (now). I will say that the author does a terrific job to avoid reader's confusion by cleverly employing the tactic of indirect (for Emma) and direct (for Jane) first person narratives.

Well, the result is, without a doubt, a series of harrowing accounts narrated in dramatic and spellbinding details the lives of Emma and Jane, as well as a minimalist style starchitect whose work is as unshowy as it is profound and of course, the sleek and perfect house designed by aforementioned architect on One Folgate Street without which there is no story.

Just as the plot is lined with unexpected twists and turns, I am totally clueless that author Delaney is actually the British adman Tony Strong, that is, until I am writing this very review. The thing is, I simply am not able to tell from the initials that the author is a man! If I did, in all likelihood, I will not have chosen to read this psychological thriller in the first place.

Well, just so you know, do not judge a book by the gender of its author just as the saying goes: do not judge a book by its cover. So.. read this book!


Publisher: Ballantine Books; First Edition edition
Publication date: 24 Jan 2017

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Please make a list of every possession you consider essential to your life.

The request seems odd, even intrusive - and for the two women who answer, the consequences are devastating.

Emma

Reeling from a traumatic break-in, Emma wants a new place to live. But none of the apartments she sees are affordable or feel safe. Until One Folgate Street. The house is an architectural masterpiece: a minimalist design of pale stone, plate glass, and soaring ceilings. But there are rules. The enigmatic architect who designed the house retains full control: no books, no throw pillows, no photos or clutter or personal effects of any kind. The space is intended to transform its occupant - and it does.

Jane

After a personal tragedy, Jane needs a fresh start. When she finds One Folgate Street, she is instantly drawn to the space - and to its aloof but seductive creator. Moving in, Jane soon learns about the untimely death of the home's previous tenant, a woman similar to Jane in age and appearance. As Jane tries to untangle truth from lies, she unwittingly follows the same patterns, makes the same choices, crosses paths with the same people, and experiences the same terror as the girl before.

*Blurb from Goodreads*

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