The Girl in the Window

I like mysteries, and this book was an easy, fast read; the kind one uses to wind down at the end of the work day. The problem with this story appears to be character development. I found the protagonist, Amber, to be annoying and extremely shallow, right up to the end when she decides she doesn't want to develop a relationship with Caleb, the widower. Is it because Amber wants to become a productive member of society again, or is it because she discovers Caleb is broke. I strongly suspect the latter. Even her name implies "not too swift". In fact, none of the characters were likable. The one who came closest, Amber's female attorney friend, buzzed in and out of the story like a whirling dervish. I didn't get why she was so anxious to help a self-pitying, wanna be sleuth like Amber. Still, I wanted to finish the book and did so quickly.

Story was predictable and disappointing. I could not understand why the protagonist felt the need to involve herself in the solving of the crime in the first place. Main character was weak and not likeable. Writing was repetitive.

I chose 4 stars because it was a bit of a thriller and kept me guessing for quite a while. Amber did get on my nerves more than a few times and I just wanted to shake her. The only real downfall was in the last chapter. It was a mess, especially toward the last 20? pages or so. I had a hard time trying to figure out what was going on. Words missing, paragraphs gone somewhere else. You get the stories ending but it is a proof-writer nightmare. I do recommend this book and this author but hopefully a new proof writer is in the future.

Girl in the Window echoes psychological thrillers like Girl on the Train, which I am a true fan of. I loved the suspense Ms. Pawlish creates from a slow build to a fast paced shocking ending I didn't see coming. As a fan of her detective novels I was surprised and pleased with her successful foray into the suspenseful novel genre. The more this novel unwinds the harder it was to put down all the way to shocking climax.

I look forward to future novels in this vein from this tremendously talented author.

First of all, the main character is a twit. All of the others are one dimensional. The story is thin, with no surprises. When you want to not be challenged and just have something to skim over while you're stuck in the house during a snow storm, this is fine.

Good story. Started a tad bit slow but was worth the read. I like this new direction that Ms. Pawlish has started in. Still a bit of detecting in this one but so much more to the story. Totally worth your time and momey!

This novel? Is not anywhere as good as the authors other books.The plot is stupid.I think the idea was to show women are gullible,strong,sex starved and ridiculous.I read the entire book while watching three straight baseball games.Did not miss a thing in the book or games

Being too nosy can be a definite drawback. Good book. I enjoyed reading how the main character was going to get out of trouble. And if you are going o cheat on your husband/wife, don't do it with the next door neighbor.

First, this is such a painfully obvious rip-off of "The Girl On The Train", I find it very hard to believe than anyone can take it seriously, much less PUBLISH it. Also, since the success of "Gone Girl" and "Girl On The Train, everyone lead woman in a thriller or a murder mystery is suddenly a "Girl"! The lead character here is, what, THIRTY? That's hardly a "Girl". Come to think of it, NONE of the women in these endless "Girl" books are actually girls. I mean, how idiotic would a the title of a book about a thirty year old MALE witness to a murder BE if it was called, "The Boy On The Bus"? Further, this book reads, not like it was written for teenagers, by BY a teenager. The lead "character", after (ridiculously easily) discovering the identity of the murderer (by simply ASKING "Did you kill her?"), goes HOME at NIGHT (where the killer lives ACROSS THE STREET), in order to get a particular police officer's BUSINESS CARD so she can call specifically HIM! Why not just call THE police? Or, better, DRIVE TO THE POLICE STATION? And, why, in god's name, did this immature, lazy, bored and boring, has-a-crush-on-a-neighbor, "Girl" even start INVESTIGATING this crime in the first place? She can't even get up the energy to RAKE THE YARD? And, why does EVERY SINGLE PERSON she talks to, tell her, IMMEDIATELY, the TRUTH? Including her affair-obsessed, hateful EX-husband, all the neighbors who (rightly) hate her, and every single complete stranger she bumps into. This book also takes place in a world that is populated by eight people. The residents of the FOUR CLOSEST HOUSES in HER OWN. Thus, either one of THESE EIGHT PEOPLE committed the murder, or the murdered person would have to have murdered HERSELF. With prose punctuated with words like "gosh", "golly" and, describing the person aiming a gun at her face, "it seemed almost as if she intended to shoot me", this book is, frankly, a silly, dull, obvious, totally unbelievable, amateurish half-effort at exploiting, not only a sub-segment within a genre, but ONE of the TWO successful BOOKS that CREATED the sub-genre in the first place. A TOTAL waste of everyone's time, INCLUDING the author's. A better, more accurate title? "Girl Writer Wants Money".

I have to admit I received an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review and unfortunately, that is what Ms. Pawlish is going to get. All in all, I was very disappointed. The girl may have solved the mystery but accomplished it by doing dumb things, and as far as I am concerned, she had no personality, nor any redeeming features that I could find, except maybe persistence.
The Girl in the Window

A step away from Renee's successful Reed Ferguson and Dewey Webb series, this book deals with an ordinary women who has spent her time at home getting to know her neighbors by watching them out of her front window. Since moving into the community with her husband she has quit her job, not been able to make friends with the ladies of the neighborhood, appears to be interested on one of the gentlemen in the community and is now going through a divorce. Her knowledge of those around her comes only from her observations from her front window. She is at a lost as to what to do since her husband has moved out.

Then one of the neighbor ladies is found dead and some are pointing fingers at her as the cause. She decides to do her own investigation to clear herself and in doing so finds a new determination to get up and get out of the doldrums that she has been experiencing. An excellent read and it will be interesting to see if Ms. Pawlish will add her name next to Reed and Dewey.

Renee Pawlish launches into a new genre with this book. It is different than her usual mysteries, more of a suspense novel. A woman in the middle of a divorce spends much of her time watching life in her neighborhood, which she sees as perfect couples and families having everything she lacks. She fantasizes about one neighbor in particular, who she is sure is a perfect husband, one she is so envious of because her own psychologically abusive husband is one no one would want. She can't get the motivation to do anything except watch TV or stare out the window. When a murder rocks that perfect world she envisions, she is high on the police suspect list. She must make an effort to figure out what happened to keep from being cast as first choice as the killer.

I absolutely recommend her Dewey Webb novels which are a throwback to gritty noir,. More recently based reed ferguson novels are a good read as well. I was apprehensive about this departure from her genre, but she pulled of a well developed plot, complete with a well developed protagonist and nice twists. Kudos! How can I not give positive review to a book that kept me reading until 4 a.m.?

Amber, frozen in the middle of a pending divorce, seems to spend her days staring out her window at her upscale neighborhood, especially noting when Caleb, a neighbor’s husband, comes and goes.

He estranged husband is pressuring her to sign his lawyer’s divorce papers; her long time friend and divorce attorney, wants her to sign more favorable divorce papers, but Amber can do little aside from starring out her window at her neighbors and neighborhood.

But this changes when the wife of the man she has a crush on is found murdered by a sleazy, by the hour, motel, and while she is a police suspect, Amber begins to peel back the secrets of her neighborhood and discover the truths behind those she once envied.

Jump on this thriller that is more than just an emotional roller coast ride, but the tale of a woman who finally finds herself amidst an emotional struggle for the many truths that are hidden behind closed doors.

I have been reading Pawlish's books since the beginning, and loved them. This lady like a whole new beginning.

This is a fast paced, stand alone story, that put me in the. Ind of the newer Evanovich or the mother/daughter Clark series. Fast, taut writing.

The Reed and Dewey series are a slower-paced read. Still good, but slower.

This story was just what I was in the mood for. Fast, excellent character development.

Hope there are more like this on the horizon.

Thought I was just going to relax and read a chapter or two this afternoon...but that didn't happen. I could not stop reading and just now finished it. Great story right to the end! I sometimes get bored with mysteries because the plot is so predictable and I know who did it halfway through the book. Not this time. The main character Amber was at first passive and unwilling to stand up to her husband and catty neighbors, but she was also not dumb and followed through on her suspicions right to the end. Really great read!

30 stars!!!!!!!
I could not put this book down, I finished it in a day an a half. There was so much going on I couldn't sleep, I had to fall asleep and the kindle hit the floor. That's where I found it the next morning and picked it up and continue where I left off.
Renee I am in awe of this book, and there are places like this for real.
You have to read this book. YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!!!!!!! I promise you. WOW!!!!!!

Sometimes what you see isn’t everything it seems, especially when you have built it up in your mind to be the perfect life - for everyone on the street but you. Amber’s cheating husband has left and she lives vicariously through what she deems her neighbors’ lives to be by watching their comings and goings from her window. She has even been quoted as saying she would kill for that life. Would she? Would she want to unravel the truth that may destroy what she imagines as that perfect life or may destroy her precarious grip on her own life? So many questions and the answers come at a price.

I really like Renee Pawlish's Dewey Webb and Reed Ferguson series, however this is a very different type of story with much more internal dialog. It was much more of a romance mystery than a straight mystery which I prefer. Here writing is good and I could get into the scenes but overall it was not my cup of tea. I will certainly continue reading her other series.

Disclaimer: I received this a a pre-publication review copy

I truly enjoyed reading this and couldn't put it down. I even stayed up late to finish it, after an exhausting work week. I loved how the author ended the book, it was extremely satisfying. Too often, books have trite endings that the reader could have predicted from the first chapter. This author really delivers a fantastic book that keeps you guessing until the very end. Also I appreciated that the author managed to masterfully create a thriller without needing to include any unnecessary gore. I'll be recommending this book to the readers in my friend circle!

Amber often looked out her window, watching her neighbors and envying them their perfect lives. But things are not always as they appear. When a neighbor is found murdered in a bad part of town near a seedy motel, Amber becomes a suspect. Everyone knew she lusted after the dead woman's husband. But would she kill to make her daydreams a reality? Amber swears she's innocent and decides to do some sleuthing to find the real killer.
Well written mystery with fairly mild profanity and a minimum of sex. Five stars!

WOW! This is one to read from cover to cover till you finally know who murdered who. Just when you think you know, there is doubt in your thoughts as more facts are divulged that points the finger at another suspect. This is a definite read you will not want to miss. Suspense builds throughout so if you like those types of books, this is the one for you. Renee Pawlish gets better with every single book she writes. You don't have to worry about foul language or obscene descriptions. Developement of characters is very well done.

I love all Renee's books but for some reason this was my favorite. I got hooked right from the start and read it all the way through! I loved that the main character started out kind of messed up and fragile but ended up stronger and way more toghether! Awesome book!

She had a crush on the husband of the couple next door. He was madly in love with his wife. They were one of the power couples in this well heeled neighborhood. She watched the husband every morning as he left for work. In fact she wanted their life style, but then she and her husband had been going through a nasty divorce. She was devastated because she wanted the perfect life her neighbors all had. She watched life out her window. Thrilling, puzzling and I couldn't put it down.

First I would have given this book 5 stars for drawing me in right away. Even if I happened to be scrolling around looking at other books I kept going back to The Girl in the Window, still wondering who did what to and/or with who(m).

I just wish the protagonist had emerged a much stronger woman in the end.

Nevertheless the plot swirled in directions that kept me intrigued and moved at the perfect pace. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I read this book because I have read other novels and assorted short stories by Ms. Pawlish. This was not her best work, it was just "okay". I will read other books by the author, but I think I will stick to the Reed Ferguson mysteries...

Kindle Unlimited Member

After reading many of Renee's books (Dewey Webb and Reed Ferguson) I was not sure what to expect from a brand new unrelated book. I sat down to read it and was very impressed. Renee spends some time at the beginning setting up the story to really pull the reader in then she sets the hook giving just enough details and information to make the reader want more. I dont want to give anything away but I will say this is definitely a must read.

What a great book. A new style for Renee, but just as great as her other series. If you like suspense with twists and turns in the plot, you will love this book. Did not see the ultimate outcome if this story. You will not be disappointed by this book

This book was all dialogue, which would have been fine had it been done well, but it was not. Everyone spoke the same... and every single person called the gym the "health club", which yes I've definitely heard, but don't most folks call it the gym? Not one person did this book. I also found the characters flat and underdeveloped, and this book was incredibly predictable. There were also a few typos and mispellings, even on the back cover of the book. Don't waste your time.

I can imagine authors might get tired of writing a series, may want to stretch their wings, play in different neighborhoods, see the world through the eyes of different characters. I know Renée Pawlish has several different series's, though I'm mostly familiar with her Reed Ferguson detective series. It's fun, with likable characters, and situations that always get dangerous, but our heroes always come out okay in the end.

I decided to try The Girl in the Window because I'd enjoyed the Reed Ferguson series, and figured I would be in for something of the same quality.

I really hate writing negative reviews, but I didn't feel that this book lived up to my expectations. I found the protagonist annoying and unsympathetic (probably because I can't stand *myself* when I'm as unmotivated and passive as she is for the first half of the book!), the story felt boggy, and the characters felt a bit two-dimensional. Also, the protagonist was just plain stupid, putting herself in potentially life threatening situations without a thought. It's hard to identify with someone that idiotic.

It was fine for a quick read -- I didn't give up on the book and pick up something else -- but nothing to write home about.

I look forward to the next Reed Ferguson mystery, if there is another one!

Intriguing, thrilling and fast paced. I enjoyed reading this psychological thriller a lot. It's one of those books where you keep flipping pages until you find all the answers. Honestly , I wasn't expecting the ending this way but hey...that's what a good thriller is all about. You can never guess what's next!
***FIVE STARS***

The book kept you engaged. You kept thing you knew who the killer was but so many twists and turn. Like a treasure hunt just kept getting clues.

I didn't think her character Amber was realistic in doing things could have been so dangerous, especially when attorney told her not too.

Over all a good read.

A little slow starting but stick with it as it gets rolling toward a somewhat surprising ending. A story of a neighborhood gone over to the dark side. A murder with numerous suspects that gets untangled by a nosy neighbor who keeps track of everyone by looking out her window. A little like the classic Hitchcock "Rear Window".

I enjoyed reading this book immensely. The best thing is that the level of violence is very low. Hence, it makes a pleasant read. Especially for people like me....who read themselves to sleep. So thank you, I can do without graphic details of violence!

Looking forward to reading more books of the same genre.

Good book. Kept me very interested with all the twist and turns. I would recommend this book to family members and friends.New author for me but will read more of her in the future. Already found a book by her I want to read.

A pleasant read. Story has good plot at first, but quickly became complicated. Everybody in the neighborhood is cheating, fussing, and lying. Shows what can happen with out something constructive to do.

So far this is my favorite Renee Pawlish book. It was different and more than just "a who done it". It had some good twists & turns and it was refreshing to see the main character grow and change. It was fun to investigate along with the main character and try to solve the mystery.

I didn't think this was a very good book when I started it but I'm glad I kept reading.
It has lots of suspense, surprises and a surprising ending.
Give it a chance and I think you will enjoy reading it.
A good author.
I recommend it.

I really enjoyed this book. I had no idea who the killer was until almost the very end. I like books that keep you in suspense until the last page! Good job Renee Pawlish! I will definitely be adding her books to my reading list!

I like the way Rene Pawlish writes when she is telling a Dewey Webb story. All of them have been hard core and gritty. This story is far from being gritty and for the most part, I found sort of silly. In all honesty, I did not finish the book but if the story is not going to hook me in the first 10 per cent of the book, I'm not going to waste my time. I've been thru that too many times. So for me, I give this one a thumbs down. My message to Ms Pawlish is, "Stick to Dewey Webb style of writing. You're very good at that."

I have been a fan of this author for a long time. This story was a different direction than I was expecting, but it held my interest from start to finish. I would highly recommend it for your summer reading library!

Another great mystery, by Renee Pawlish. If you enjoy her Detective books you will like this one also. There were loads of twists and turns trying to figure out who was the murderer. The characters are very real and complicated. I especially liked how it ended. Great book.

The girl in the window is an excellent read. I was furnished this book free in return for an honest review. I really enjoyed reading this book. The book is well written and keeps you in suspense until the very end.

I read this novel before I realized that it was written by Renee. I could not put it down!., the characters were real, the ending is a true surprise and the story was just captivating!! I just let ved it!

I loved this book. The story is so good. I never ever thought it would end the way it did. I love a surprise ending and this was a real surprise. I will definitely read more of Renee Pawlish's books. She's a great story teller. Thank you Renee.

All dialogue with like grade 8 level prose, it's all about a lame murder mystery that was not even interesting beyond a tv soap opera standard ... How it got made into a movie is baffling and a testament to the low standards of Hollywood in general ???... Only cause it was free kindle unlimited did I speed read the book like i was the flash..

The book is an easy read, but the plot and characters seem like they are part of a low budget TV movie. The characters do not seem believable at all, and the plot is too contrived. It is an okay read for someone who doesn't want to have to put any thought into what is being read.

A great read! This is a new type of book for this author, but I really enjoyed it. She's very good at developing her characters, you come to care for them, and can't relate to them. I hope she writes more like this!

I really didn't enjoy this book. I found the main character a little too predictable as an amateur detective and really couldn't believe that the other neighborhood characters as well as the motel clerk would open up to someone already under suspection. It was all too convenient.

The book is an easy read, but the plot and characters seem like they are part of a low budget TV movie. The characters do not seem believable at all, and the plot is too contrived. It is an okay read for someone who doesn't want to have to put any thought into what is being read.

A great read! This is a new type of book for this author, but I really enjoyed it. She's very good at developing her characters, you come to care for them, and can't relate to them. I hope she writes more like this!

More plod than plot. I did not care about the characters. I did not care who done it.

Ms. Pawlish has written many books that are worth reading, I don’t know what happened here.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy for a review.

I admit I read the book and was fairly interested in finding out who the killer was but it was so cheesy. The main character was harassing people asking them questions over and over. It was annoying and she came across as very annoying. The book was somewhat predictable and the killer was just as cheesy. Not a bad read but not my tune of book.

Boring repetitive unrealistic and pedestrian. Free for a reason — needs a lot of rewriting and work . There’s a kernel of a good psychological thriller but the writer quit without making the characters believable.

No blood, no gore, no guts ... but enough suspense to keep you hanging. The title tells you right away that the main character is having emotional problems letting go of the husband she no longer loves. But, does she covet the guy next door enough to kill his snarky wife?

I received an ARC of this book and gave no promises of a review.