Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Ballantine Books (2018), Edition: Reprint, 368 pages
Description
Fiction. Literature. Suspense. Thriller. HTML:THE GLOBAL BESTSELLER � Soon to be a BBC One and HBO Max limited four-part series, starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw (The Morning Show; Misbehaviour) and multiple Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Emmy-nominated actor David Oyelowo (Selma; Les Mis�rables) �A pitch-perfect novel of psychological suspense� (Lee Child) that spins one woman�s seemingly good fortune, and another woman�s mysterious fate, through a kaleidoscope of duplicity, death, and deception 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. Praise for The Girl Before �Dazzling, startling, and above all cunning�a pitch-perfect novel of psychological suspense.��Lee Child �The Girl Before generates a fast pace. . . . [J. P.] Delaney intersperses ethics questions on stand-alone pages throughout the book. . . . The single most ingenious touch is that we�re not provided either woman�s answers.��The New York Times �J. P. Delaney builds the suspense.��Vanity Fair �Immediate guarantee: You will not be able to put this book down. . . . Fans of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train will realize that there�s not only more where that came from, but it�s also more thrilling.��American Booksellers Association.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member jmchshannon
The Girl Before is really a tale of two women. On the surface, both are very similar. They have to be given the fact that they both pass the extreme vetting required for any tenant of the house. It is once they are in the house where their differences shine and where the drama takes on its
The premise of living in an architectural masterpiece has its appeal. The technology of the house alone sounds drool-worthy, and the minimalist design certainly coincides with the current trend. I have heard a lot of complaints about the rule about no books, but Jane finds a way to live with the rule that makes sense and still allows her to read. We try so hard to improve ourselves – to eat healthier, to live healthier, to appear more polished, to improve our posture, our sleep habits, etc. – that a house that can help you do all that is definitely attractive, and one can see how easy it is for Emma and Jane to desire to live there.
I have also heard complaints that the novel has a 50 Shades vibe to it. Now, I have not bothered to read that series, but I know enough about the premise to catch the meaning behind the complaints and question their validity. Yes, The Girl Before is very much about control, and, yes, there are some sex scenes that might make people uncomfortable. However, the scenes are not explicit. There are allusions to some BDSM-type behavior, but the author leaves the details to your imagination. Moreover, the point is not the sex itself but how each woman reacts in those situations. To focus on the BDSM or to view it as abusive is to miss the point of the entire story.
The story is about control. Emma and Jane both want to take back control of their lives after certain devastating tragedies. The architect wants to control his art and the inhabitants of his art. The question becomes how much each of them are willing to relinquish some of that control in order to find happiness. What follows is a twisted psychological thriller in which appearances are deceiving, impressions are misleading, and the truth is not what you expect it to be. One could even argue that there are no victims here but rather choices made that have unintended, but sometimes tragic, consequences.
Psychological dramas, and those stories that allow us to get glimpses into the mind of the mentally ill/unstable are always fascinating to me, making The Girl Before a great book in my mind. What makes it even better is how Delaney plays with certain archetypes to cause confusion and to play upon readers’ expectations. He presents to us what we expect to see, just like Emma and Jane only see what they expect to see. The reality, when it finally comes to light, will send shivers down your spine at just how wrong you were even as it exposes the danger of only looking to confirm your expectations. The Girl Before may be a cautionary tale but it is also one that keeps you guessing until the very end and leaves you stunned with its conclusion. In other words, it is the best type of thriller.
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psychological messiness.The premise of living in an architectural masterpiece has its appeal. The technology of the house alone sounds drool-worthy, and the minimalist design certainly coincides with the current trend. I have heard a lot of complaints about the rule about no books, but Jane finds a way to live with the rule that makes sense and still allows her to read. We try so hard to improve ourselves – to eat healthier, to live healthier, to appear more polished, to improve our posture, our sleep habits, etc. – that a house that can help you do all that is definitely attractive, and one can see how easy it is for Emma and Jane to desire to live there.
I have also heard complaints that the novel has a 50 Shades vibe to it. Now, I have not bothered to read that series, but I know enough about the premise to catch the meaning behind the complaints and question their validity. Yes, The Girl Before is very much about control, and, yes, there are some sex scenes that might make people uncomfortable. However, the scenes are not explicit. There are allusions to some BDSM-type behavior, but the author leaves the details to your imagination. Moreover, the point is not the sex itself but how each woman reacts in those situations. To focus on the BDSM or to view it as abusive is to miss the point of the entire story.
The story is about control. Emma and Jane both want to take back control of their lives after certain devastating tragedies. The architect wants to control his art and the inhabitants of his art. The question becomes how much each of them are willing to relinquish some of that control in order to find happiness. What follows is a twisted psychological thriller in which appearances are deceiving, impressions are misleading, and the truth is not what you expect it to be. One could even argue that there are no victims here but rather choices made that have unintended, but sometimes tragic, consequences.
Psychological dramas, and those stories that allow us to get glimpses into the mind of the mentally ill/unstable are always fascinating to me, making The Girl Before a great book in my mind. What makes it even better is how Delaney plays with certain archetypes to cause confusion and to play upon readers’ expectations. He presents to us what we expect to see, just like Emma and Jane only see what they expect to see. The reality, when it finally comes to light, will send shivers down your spine at just how wrong you were even as it exposes the danger of only looking to confirm your expectations. The Girl Before may be a cautionary tale but it is also one that keeps you guessing until the very end and leaves you stunned with its conclusion. In other words, it is the best type of thriller.
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LibraryThing member Bonnie.Franks
There will be no spoilers in my review. I just read the introduction to the book and it is accurate and should be enough to entice you to read it. Just read it. This book had me interested in things I am not normally interested in even though I was reading it for the psychological thriller aspect.
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It is so well written and so well paced that it just takes over when you begin a sentence. At only one or two points did I realize that something other than what I already knew might be amiss, and then I wasn't at all sure. It grabbed me and held on and I felt so sure of the things I was sure of. Wow. Just wow. I always try to tell people how a book made me feel and this one was awesome. Awesome. Such interesting characters! Such an interesting premise. Read it, read it, read it! Show Less
LibraryThing member gpangel
The Girl Before by J.P. Delaney is a 2017 Ballantine publication.
I’m just loving these imaginative psychological thrillers coming out recently!!
While this appears to be a debut novel, this author apparently has some experience with crime writing, having written this book under a pseudonym. I
In the meantime, I hear this book might be the basis for a movie, and Ron Howard would be the director! So, if that isn’t enough to peak your interest, I don’t know what will.
While this is yet ANOTHER book for ‘fans of ‘Gone Girl’ and ‘The Girl on the Train’, and yes, it does have the requisite ‘Girl’ in the title, this book stands on its own merits and needs no other comparison.
Two very different women, both having suffered emotional traumas, move in, at different times, into a very affordable, unique, technologically advanced apartment that stresses a minimalist lifestyle. The apartment’s owner screens his tenants by having them fill out a lengthy questionaire, and insists they sign a contract promising to adhere to a strict set of rules… around two hundred of them,(!!!) and if they are not obeyed there will be conseqences.
The story alternates between the first person perspectives of Emma and Jane as they describe their time living in Edward Monkford’s apartment building. As the story progresses, we learn the two women bear a striking resemblance to one another, are both attracted to Edward, despite his OCD tendencies, but, Jane discovers that the previous tenant… Emma, died in the apartment, an apparent victim of suicide.
Jane becomes somewhat obsessed with Emma and her backstory, while her own personal relationship with Edward begins to deepen. But, her investigation into Emma’s death could come back to haunt her….
While it may seem obvious who ‘the girl before’ is, and some may guess correctly, I admit I didn’t see the twist coming and was completely surprised by the way the story developed.
The suspense is low key initially, with just a mild creepy feeling permeating the sterile environment the two women live in. But, as the story develops, a feeling of dread begins to grow, and before too long, I found myself immersed in these women’s lives, wanting to send out a warning signal, to advise caution, but didn't know who or what the main threat was.
The writing is superb, as the author drew me in, held my attention, managing to evoke feelings of concern for the tenants, on top of creating the feeling of foreboding and dread, that kept me turning those pages.
Of the two women, one is more controversial and the other is mildly bland, and were not necessarily people I related to or felt a kinship with, but I did feel sympathy for them and worried on their behalf, despite feeling frustrated with them at times.
I was slightly conflicted by the ending, which was somewhat anticlimactic, in my opinion. Other than that, I thought this was a pretty solid thriller, with a unique set up, and kept me interested from beginning to end.
4 stars
I’m just loving these imaginative psychological thrillers coming out recently!!
While this appears to be a debut novel, this author apparently has some experience with crime writing, having written this book under a pseudonym. I
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wish I knew who the ‘crime writer’ is- but I suppose that’s a mystery for another day. In the meantime, I hear this book might be the basis for a movie, and Ron Howard would be the director! So, if that isn’t enough to peak your interest, I don’t know what will.
While this is yet ANOTHER book for ‘fans of ‘Gone Girl’ and ‘The Girl on the Train’, and yes, it does have the requisite ‘Girl’ in the title, this book stands on its own merits and needs no other comparison.
Two very different women, both having suffered emotional traumas, move in, at different times, into a very affordable, unique, technologically advanced apartment that stresses a minimalist lifestyle. The apartment’s owner screens his tenants by having them fill out a lengthy questionaire, and insists they sign a contract promising to adhere to a strict set of rules… around two hundred of them,(!!!) and if they are not obeyed there will be conseqences.
The story alternates between the first person perspectives of Emma and Jane as they describe their time living in Edward Monkford’s apartment building. As the story progresses, we learn the two women bear a striking resemblance to one another, are both attracted to Edward, despite his OCD tendencies, but, Jane discovers that the previous tenant… Emma, died in the apartment, an apparent victim of suicide.
Jane becomes somewhat obsessed with Emma and her backstory, while her own personal relationship with Edward begins to deepen. But, her investigation into Emma’s death could come back to haunt her….
While it may seem obvious who ‘the girl before’ is, and some may guess correctly, I admit I didn’t see the twist coming and was completely surprised by the way the story developed.
The suspense is low key initially, with just a mild creepy feeling permeating the sterile environment the two women live in. But, as the story develops, a feeling of dread begins to grow, and before too long, I found myself immersed in these women’s lives, wanting to send out a warning signal, to advise caution, but didn't know who or what the main threat was.
The writing is superb, as the author drew me in, held my attention, managing to evoke feelings of concern for the tenants, on top of creating the feeling of foreboding and dread, that kept me turning those pages.
Of the two women, one is more controversial and the other is mildly bland, and were not necessarily people I related to or felt a kinship with, but I did feel sympathy for them and worried on their behalf, despite feeling frustrated with them at times.
I was slightly conflicted by the ending, which was somewhat anticlimactic, in my opinion. Other than that, I thought this was a pretty solid thriller, with a unique set up, and kept me interested from beginning to end.
4 stars
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LibraryThing member Toast.x2
The Girl Before is one of those CostCo impulse purchases that you are excited about and then are let down by. I could have absolutely skipped it, but enjoyed overall. Turned out to be a 'good-not-great' read. I don't regret reading it but I regret buying it and could have borrowed it from a library
If you already know the plot, skip to 'The Gimmick' below for additional thoughts.
JP Delaney's story revolves around a couple of women (not girls) who both lived in the same apartment. Their worlds are intertwined not just because of the rooms they ate and slept in, they also loved the same man.
Jane moves in after a horrible miscarriage rips her world apart. Emma, the prior renter, arrived after a burglary makes puts her on edge and forces her to evaluate her living arrangements.
The apartment at One Folgate St is not a normal apartment. Owned and designed by handsome eccentric Edward Monkford, Folgate is a minimalist smart home. It has 200 rules in the lease contract that deny you the right to have clutter or leave dirty dishes on the sink among other rules. It asks you questions to validate your synchronicity with the mindset the property requires.
Jane finds that the owner is not much different. He is exacting, precise, formal, expensive, and exactly what she needs to move forward with life post personal tragedy. He is an uncomplicated distraction. Edward had also dated Emma, and they broke up just before Emma died inside his minimalist apartment.
THE GIMMICK...
At first, this was fun conceptually but became a nusiance within the first 10 chapters. The chapters alternate between Emma in the past and Jane in the present. Readers are provided snippets of information which intertwine the characters pretty well, but after the first half of the book it becomes tedious.
Right at the halfway point, I set this book down for a week or so, read a different book and made a new bookmark to distract myself a little. I was questioning if I should bother finishing the book at all. I did, and only a chapter or two later It picked up a little and I was reinvested.
However, the zipper tooth chapter gimmick makes both sets of characters diluted and really does take away from the story. I would actually suggest new readers bypass this and read every Emma chapter first, then every Jane chapter. I feel like this would remove some of the suspense but would speed up the story and give it a bit more emotional punch.
I wish I had done this.
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if at all.If you already know the plot, skip to 'The Gimmick' below for additional thoughts.
JP Delaney's story revolves around a couple of women (not girls) who both lived in the same apartment. Their worlds are intertwined not just because of the rooms they ate and slept in, they also loved the same man.
Jane moves in after a horrible miscarriage rips her world apart. Emma, the prior renter, arrived after a burglary makes puts her on edge and forces her to evaluate her living arrangements.
The apartment at One Folgate St is not a normal apartment. Owned and designed by handsome eccentric Edward Monkford, Folgate is a minimalist smart home. It has 200 rules in the lease contract that deny you the right to have clutter or leave dirty dishes on the sink among other rules. It asks you questions to validate your synchronicity with the mindset the property requires.
Jane finds that the owner is not much different. He is exacting, precise, formal, expensive, and exactly what she needs to move forward with life post personal tragedy. He is an uncomplicated distraction. Edward had also dated Emma, and they broke up just before Emma died inside his minimalist apartment.
THE GIMMICK...
At first, this was fun conceptually but became a nusiance within the first 10 chapters. The chapters alternate between Emma in the past and Jane in the present. Readers are provided snippets of information which intertwine the characters pretty well, but after the first half of the book it becomes tedious.
Right at the halfway point, I set this book down for a week or so, read a different book and made a new bookmark to distract myself a little. I was questioning if I should bother finishing the book at all. I did, and only a chapter or two later It picked up a little and I was reinvested.
However, the zipper tooth chapter gimmick makes both sets of characters diluted and really does take away from the story. I would actually suggest new readers bypass this and read every Emma chapter first, then every Jane chapter. I feel like this would remove some of the suspense but would speed up the story and give it a bit more emotional punch.
I wish I had done this.
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LibraryThing member kbranfield
4.5 stars.
With an unusual but clever storyline, The Girl Before by JP Delaney is a suspense-laden psychological mystery.
Renowned architect Edward Monkford is very picky about whom he allows to rent his house and none of his property managers have been able to figure out why some make the cut while
Emma moves into the property with her boyfriend Simon after a terrifying incident in their former residence.Emma is a little flighty yet men are drawn to the outgoing, sparkling young woman. After moving into the new rental property, Emma is somewhat transformed by the minimalist space and she begins to understand herself better. Ending her relationship with Simon is the first step in changing the direction of her life and she quickly becomes involved with Edward. But as she is discovering new and unexpected about herself, Emma's past is about to collide with her present and she is soon on a collision course with disaster.
Jane is much more organized and focused than the much younger Emma. However, after a heartbreaking loss, she unexpectedly finds herself starting over in a new career while trying to recover from the tragedy. Jane has no problem complying with the various restrictions that Edward demands of his tenants and she thrives in her new environment. She is quite intrigued by her landlord and she is surprisingly open to exploring their unexpected attraction.
The Girl Before is written in an unusual format with both women narrating their time living in Edward's house. Jane's part of the storyline is in the present while Emma's is dubbed "before". Their experiences as Edward's lover are eerily similar but while Emma embraces all aspects of their relationship, Jane has no trouble telling him what she likes and does not like.
Since Jane is trying to get to the bottom of what happened to Emma, she reaches out to some of the people from Emma's life, including her ex-boyfriend, Simon. Can Jane trust Simon's version of events? How will Edward react to her efforts to uncover the truth? Will Jane emerge unscathed as she continues to try to understand what happened to Emma?
The Girl Before is a riveting mystery with a shocking array of unexpected twists and turns. The tension builds to a fever pitch as both Emma and Jane become more deeply involved with their über controlling landlord. JP Delaney brings the novel to an absolutely stunning conclusion as Jane discovers the truth about what happened Emma. All in all, a very imaginative novel that will completely capture readers' attention from beginning t
With an unusual but clever storyline, The Girl Before by JP Delaney is a suspense-laden psychological mystery.
Renowned architect Edward Monkford is very picky about whom he allows to rent his house and none of his property managers have been able to figure out why some make the cut while
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others don't. Two of his renters, Emma Matthews and Jane Cavendish, could not be more different but they share one thing in common: both are willing to put up with an extensive list of rules to live in his ultramodern "smart" house. Both experienced rather traumatic events before moving into the property and while Jane has no problem with the strict rules, Emma struggles to adhere to even the simplest directive. Yet both women catch Edward's eye and as Jane soon discovers, there is quite a bit of mystery surrounding Emma's unfortunate death whilst living in the home.Emma moves into the property with her boyfriend Simon after a terrifying incident in their former residence.Emma is a little flighty yet men are drawn to the outgoing, sparkling young woman. After moving into the new rental property, Emma is somewhat transformed by the minimalist space and she begins to understand herself better. Ending her relationship with Simon is the first step in changing the direction of her life and she quickly becomes involved with Edward. But as she is discovering new and unexpected about herself, Emma's past is about to collide with her present and she is soon on a collision course with disaster.
Jane is much more organized and focused than the much younger Emma. However, after a heartbreaking loss, she unexpectedly finds herself starting over in a new career while trying to recover from the tragedy. Jane has no problem complying with the various restrictions that Edward demands of his tenants and she thrives in her new environment. She is quite intrigued by her landlord and she is surprisingly open to exploring their unexpected attraction.
The Girl Before is written in an unusual format with both women narrating their time living in Edward's house. Jane's part of the storyline is in the present while Emma's is dubbed "before". Their experiences as Edward's lover are eerily similar but while Emma embraces all aspects of their relationship, Jane has no trouble telling him what she likes and does not like.
Since Jane is trying to get to the bottom of what happened to Emma, she reaches out to some of the people from Emma's life, including her ex-boyfriend, Simon. Can Jane trust Simon's version of events? How will Edward react to her efforts to uncover the truth? Will Jane emerge unscathed as she continues to try to understand what happened to Emma?
The Girl Before is a riveting mystery with a shocking array of unexpected twists and turns. The tension builds to a fever pitch as both Emma and Jane become more deeply involved with their über controlling landlord. JP Delaney brings the novel to an absolutely stunning conclusion as Jane discovers the truth about what happened Emma. All in all, a very imaginative novel that will completely capture readers' attention from beginning t
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LibraryThing member Darcia
I typically avoid books with a lot of comparative pre-release hype, because I am inevitably disappointed by them. But this one intrigued me, and I'm glad I took the chance. This is a unique, beautifully told story.
The book is written in alternating timelines, both in first person. Each character
As I write this, the pre-publication promotion touts this book as a psychological thriller. 'Thriller' doesn't fit. It's far more of a slow-burning suspense. This is the type of book that gets under your skin with foreboding darkness, the hint of things to come, and the way the characters, and we as readers, remain slightly off balance throughout.
Much of the story takes place within the house at One Folgate Street, with its minimalist design and enforced lifestyle. I was fascinated by the author's approach to this unique concept as a foundation for the story.
My only grumbling point is a stylistic choice made by the author. Delaney does not use quotation marks for dialogue throughout Emma's POV sections. I came across this method once before in experimental literary fiction. I didn't like it then, and I didn't like it this time either. Quotation marks are subtle reading cues we don't even notice until they're missing. Their absence forced me to think more in order to figure out if sentences were being spoken aloud, thought, or were part of the narration. For me, this hurt the story's flow, as I was constantly questioning the way I interpreted things. Jane's POV sections do have quotation marks for the dialogue, so I'm not sure what the point was in choosing not to use them for Emma's parts.
*I was provided with an advance ebook copy by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.*
The book is written in alternating timelines, both in first person. Each character
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has a distinct voice and a strong personality. I didn't particularly like either woman, in that I wouldn't choose to hang out with them in my real life, so the fact that I enjoyed spending time with them fictionally speaks volumes about the author's storytelling talent. I found Jane to be a much more sympathetic character, and some of her scenes in particular were incredibly powerful. Both characters are complex and well developed.As I write this, the pre-publication promotion touts this book as a psychological thriller. 'Thriller' doesn't fit. It's far more of a slow-burning suspense. This is the type of book that gets under your skin with foreboding darkness, the hint of things to come, and the way the characters, and we as readers, remain slightly off balance throughout.
Much of the story takes place within the house at One Folgate Street, with its minimalist design and enforced lifestyle. I was fascinated by the author's approach to this unique concept as a foundation for the story.
My only grumbling point is a stylistic choice made by the author. Delaney does not use quotation marks for dialogue throughout Emma's POV sections. I came across this method once before in experimental literary fiction. I didn't like it then, and I didn't like it this time either. Quotation marks are subtle reading cues we don't even notice until they're missing. Their absence forced me to think more in order to figure out if sentences were being spoken aloud, thought, or were part of the narration. For me, this hurt the story's flow, as I was constantly questioning the way I interpreted things. Jane's POV sections do have quotation marks for the dialogue, so I'm not sure what the point was in choosing not to use them for Emma's parts.
*I was provided with an advance ebook copy by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.*
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LibraryThing member susan0316
The Girl Before is an exciting, psychological thriller that keeps you turning pages until the end. Two women, at different times, are looking for an apartment and One Folgate Street looks like a dream come true..except for the pages and pages of requirements that they have to agree to. They both
What I Liked about this book:
-The plot was full of twists and turns and kept you eagerly reading to see what was going to happen next.
-The story is told in alternating chapters by the two women. Emma is the past resident of the house and Jane is the current resident. It was a great way to present the story.
-The ending was a real surprise but it was plausible - I realized that I had missed some clues along the way.
What I didn't Like
- There was too much unneeded sex.
-I am so tired of book titles with the word GIRLS in them when the characters are actually WOMEN.
Overall, I thought it was a great read and I definitely enjoyed it.
Thanks to BookBrowse for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own
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decide that they MUST live there and this is the story of what went on in the house.What I Liked about this book:
-The plot was full of twists and turns and kept you eagerly reading to see what was going to happen next.
-The story is told in alternating chapters by the two women. Emma is the past resident of the house and Jane is the current resident. It was a great way to present the story.
-The ending was a real surprise but it was plausible - I realized that I had missed some clues along the way.
What I didn't Like
- There was too much unneeded sex.
-I am so tired of book titles with the word GIRLS in them when the characters are actually WOMEN.
Overall, I thought it was a great read and I definitely enjoyed it.
Thanks to BookBrowse for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own
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LibraryThing member nubian_princesa
A slightly different take on the suspense/thriller genre. I liked it. Not too complicated not too bland. Just right.
LibraryThing member teeth
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. The Girl Before is a good psychological thriller about two women who do not know one another but seem to be drawn to the same choices. The chapters alternate between their perspectives which follow
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two different timelines. This novel started out slow but it gained momentum in the last half and had me quickly turning the pages. This book was enjoyable and definitely worth the read. Show Less
LibraryThing member ewhatley
I was a little hesitant to read another "Girl" book. I really enjoyed Gone Girl and Girl on the Train and thought a third one would be a disappointment. The Girl Before turned out to be my favorite of the three. I read it obsessively, loved the story line, the writing style and every plot twist.
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The suspense builds to the very end. The characters were interesting, flawed and believable, even though they were caught up in extraordinary circumstances. I'm not a fan of chick lit or romantic suspense - this book is neither one. I give it a rare 5 stars. Show Less
LibraryThing member teachlz
I want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine for the ARC of "The Girl Before" by JP Delaney. I was intrigued by the plot and various twists of this terrifying psychological thriller. JP Delaney uses the concepts of perfection, flaws, instability,strengths and weaknesses
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as part of her characters descriptions.She compares them to computer ratings, ideals, architecture, and buildings. There are several murders that occur in the past and present in a specifically designed architects' apartment. How are the murders connected? Who are the suspects? This novel had me second guessing. I enjoyed and would recommend this book. (less) Show Less
LibraryThing member cln1812
Would you rent a house for a low sum if it came with hundreds of stipulations?
That is the question two women face in this psychological drama.
We are introduced to two women, Emma and Jane. Both women rent an extremely minimalist house from famed architect Edward Worthington in the wake of traumatic
The house is very minimal with an open floor plan, dangerous open stairs and lacks many basics such as doors. Where cabinets and cupboards are required, they are often hidden into the architecture. The house even lacks light switches and faucets; apps control features such as these. The rental agreement on the house comes with at least 200 rules, all designed to keep clutter at a minimum. Rules range from no children and pets to no bookshelves or dishes out in the open. The architect himself is clearly a perfectionist but charismatic.
Emma's story happens prior to Jane's, and we soon discover Emma has died in the house by falling down the stairs. The coroner rules the cause of death as open, but it is not clear whether Emma died by accident, by suicide, or by murder. Within a few weeks of living in the house, both Emma and Jane begin torrid affairs with the architect of the house, Edward Monkford. It is enough to cause Emma to break off her relationship with her current boyfriend, Simon and to be relieved of his departure. It is clear Monkford is perfectionistic and domineering, definitely an alpha male. Eerily, we see Emma's affair and Jane's affair with Monkford are strikingly similar. Jane learns she looks similar to Emma, and both women find they look similar to Monkford's deceased wife, Elizabeth. We also learn that Monkford buried his late wife and child under the house. Emma begins to question whether the wife and child died naturally. Meanwhile, Jane struggles to put together the pieces of Emma's life, slowly revealing that Emma's life was one long twisted lie.
In the end, the cause of Emma's death is revealed, and I was somewhat surprised by the conclusion though it was one scenario I had thought might be the case.
Overall, this was an engaging read with plenty of psychological drama. It is a well-written book and an enjoyable, suspenseful read.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
That is the question two women face in this psychological drama.
We are introduced to two women, Emma and Jane. Both women rent an extremely minimalist house from famed architect Edward Worthington in the wake of traumatic
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life events - a burgulary for Emma and a stillbirth for Jane. After answering a strangely long and baffling survey, the two women must first meet the architect in person before their rental applications are approved. Both women pass the approval process though it is clear many applicants do not. The house is very minimal with an open floor plan, dangerous open stairs and lacks many basics such as doors. Where cabinets and cupboards are required, they are often hidden into the architecture. The house even lacks light switches and faucets; apps control features such as these. The rental agreement on the house comes with at least 200 rules, all designed to keep clutter at a minimum. Rules range from no children and pets to no bookshelves or dishes out in the open. The architect himself is clearly a perfectionist but charismatic.
Emma's story happens prior to Jane's, and we soon discover Emma has died in the house by falling down the stairs. The coroner rules the cause of death as open, but it is not clear whether Emma died by accident, by suicide, or by murder. Within a few weeks of living in the house, both Emma and Jane begin torrid affairs with the architect of the house, Edward Monkford. It is enough to cause Emma to break off her relationship with her current boyfriend, Simon and to be relieved of his departure. It is clear Monkford is perfectionistic and domineering, definitely an alpha male. Eerily, we see Emma's affair and Jane's affair with Monkford are strikingly similar. Jane learns she looks similar to Emma, and both women find they look similar to Monkford's deceased wife, Elizabeth. We also learn that Monkford buried his late wife and child under the house. Emma begins to question whether the wife and child died naturally. Meanwhile, Jane struggles to put together the pieces of Emma's life, slowly revealing that Emma's life was one long twisted lie.
In the end, the cause of Emma's death is revealed, and I was somewhat surprised by the conclusion though it was one scenario I had thought might be the case.
Overall, this was an engaging read with plenty of psychological drama. It is a well-written book and an enjoyable, suspenseful read.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member JanJanFreeman
Emma Matthews has been through a traumatic experience. She has been burglarized and attacked in the safety of her own home. She doesn't feel safe there anymore so she and her boyfriend, Simon, are on a seemingly endless hunt for a new, safer, place. They come a cross One Folgate Street where the
Jane Cavendish has been through a traumatic experience. She has just lost her baby at birth and she is looking for a new start. She comes across a place called One Folgate Street and decides that it is the only place that she could consider home. The architect, Edward Monkford, has outlandish demands for the tenants of his home and his obsession with minimalism and perfection are difficult to accommodate. However, he thinks Jane is the perfect match for the home. After she is accepted, that is when things become very strange and she sets out to find the truth. Is the truth better off hidden?
This book was hard to put down! The chapters were short with the narration switching from Emma to Jane and from the past to present, respectively. This book kept me guessing throughout the book and until the last few chapters, it is very hard to figure out the actual identity of the villain. It is not a flat plotline, rather, there are so many twists and turns that it is almost dizzying. Lastly, this book covers many topics but they blend together so well that it did not seem overwhelming to read.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys plot twists. I also recommend this book for any reader who enjoys sifting through red herrings.
However, I do not think this book would be for any reader that is offended by violence, foul language, sexually suggestive scenarios, stillbirth, mild drug use, stalking, rape, burglary, infidelity, murder, and conversations about abortion.
Please note: an electronic copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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application process is grueling but the home is an architectural and technological masterpiece. Rarely does anyone get accepted and even more rarely do those accepted actually stay. Jane Cavendish has been through a traumatic experience. She has just lost her baby at birth and she is looking for a new start. She comes across a place called One Folgate Street and decides that it is the only place that she could consider home. The architect, Edward Monkford, has outlandish demands for the tenants of his home and his obsession with minimalism and perfection are difficult to accommodate. However, he thinks Jane is the perfect match for the home. After she is accepted, that is when things become very strange and she sets out to find the truth. Is the truth better off hidden?
This book was hard to put down! The chapters were short with the narration switching from Emma to Jane and from the past to present, respectively. This book kept me guessing throughout the book and until the last few chapters, it is very hard to figure out the actual identity of the villain. It is not a flat plotline, rather, there are so many twists and turns that it is almost dizzying. Lastly, this book covers many topics but they blend together so well that it did not seem overwhelming to read.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys plot twists. I also recommend this book for any reader who enjoys sifting through red herrings.
However, I do not think this book would be for any reader that is offended by violence, foul language, sexually suggestive scenarios, stillbirth, mild drug use, stalking, rape, burglary, infidelity, murder, and conversations about abortion.
Please note: an electronic copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member Carolesrandomlife
I really enjoyed this page turner of a novel. I went into the book without a lot of expectations. I decided to read this book based on the summary which sounded like it had the making of a good thriller. It turns out that I was hooked by the story almost immediately and found myself doing that
This books tells two stories from two different timelines. Emma and Jane have both lived at the house at One Folgate Street. One Folgate Street is not your average house. It is a house with rules. Lots of rules. Rules that most people wouldn't even want to try to follow. If a potential tenant decides that they want to live in the house, the approval process is quite difficult and most are turned away. Emma and Jane were both approved. Emma moved in the house first with her boyfriend, Simon. Later, Jane moves in and learns that Emma died in the house.
Both Emma and Jane were going through some very troubling issues when they moved into the house and hoped the move would give them the fresh start they want. Emma and Jane were both very interesting characters. I wouldn't say that I ever really liked them but I really became invested in learning what happened to Emma and wondered what would happen to Jane. The other key character in this book, Edward, was similar in that I didn't really like his characters but I couldn't help myself from wondering what he would do next.
The way this book was laid out really worked well. The chapters alternated from Emma and Jane's point of view with Jane spending a lot of energy trying to learn what had happened to Emma. Sometimes the reader would see something happen to Emma just to have it happen to Jane in the next chapter. Instead of feeling redundant, it just added an extra layer to the story. The more that Jane became obsessed with finding out about Emma the more hooked I became. This was a book that was incredibly hard to set aside.
My only complaint about the book is that I am not completely sold on the ending. I do like that the book took a lot of twists and turns that I didn't expect. For some reason the ending felt like a bit of a let down for me. I think that I had expected a bigger scene to help wrap everything up.
I would highly recommend this book to fans of mystery thrillers. This book grabbed my interest from the first page and never let go. I look forward to reading more from J.P. Delaney in the future.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine via NetGalley.
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thing where I promise that I will read just one more chapter and before I knew it, I had read half the book. This books tells two stories from two different timelines. Emma and Jane have both lived at the house at One Folgate Street. One Folgate Street is not your average house. It is a house with rules. Lots of rules. Rules that most people wouldn't even want to try to follow. If a potential tenant decides that they want to live in the house, the approval process is quite difficult and most are turned away. Emma and Jane were both approved. Emma moved in the house first with her boyfriend, Simon. Later, Jane moves in and learns that Emma died in the house.
Both Emma and Jane were going through some very troubling issues when they moved into the house and hoped the move would give them the fresh start they want. Emma and Jane were both very interesting characters. I wouldn't say that I ever really liked them but I really became invested in learning what happened to Emma and wondered what would happen to Jane. The other key character in this book, Edward, was similar in that I didn't really like his characters but I couldn't help myself from wondering what he would do next.
The way this book was laid out really worked well. The chapters alternated from Emma and Jane's point of view with Jane spending a lot of energy trying to learn what had happened to Emma. Sometimes the reader would see something happen to Emma just to have it happen to Jane in the next chapter. Instead of feeling redundant, it just added an extra layer to the story. The more that Jane became obsessed with finding out about Emma the more hooked I became. This was a book that was incredibly hard to set aside.
My only complaint about the book is that I am not completely sold on the ending. I do like that the book took a lot of twists and turns that I didn't expect. For some reason the ending felt like a bit of a let down for me. I think that I had expected a bigger scene to help wrap everything up.
I would highly recommend this book to fans of mystery thrillers. This book grabbed my interest from the first page and never let go. I look forward to reading more from J.P. Delaney in the future.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine via NetGalley.
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LibraryThing member Dokfintong
This is a tightly plotted mystery about three women who have lived in the same house, a house designed by an egotistical and single-minded architect and controlled by a domineering computer. Two of the women are dead.
The writing is very good, the plot and characters excellent.
I received a review
The writing is very good, the plot and characters excellent.
I received a review
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copy of "The Girl Before: A Novel" by JP Delaney (Ballantine) through NetGalley.com. Show Less
LibraryThing member Pet12
One Folgate Street, a property in London, was designed by award-winning architect Edward Monkton who is very peculiar about choosing the tenants he allows to rent his minimalistic but high-tech, smart home. Over 200 rules and regulations, questionnaires with intrusive questions etc.
Who would want
I've been avoiding writing this review for weeks now because I feel conflicted about this book. It's already being adapted into a movie, there is a lot of hype, and most people seemed to love it. I wasn't a fan of the frequently changing perspective. The premise of the book - although seriously far-fetched - was unique and the plot really was intriguing. My main issue, I couldn't get excited about any of the characters. They all just left me feeling....pretty much nothing. The one scene that triggered some emotion was the one involving food (if you've read this, you'll probably know what I mean). Apart from that, I was quite impartial towards the whole thing. There are obviously several twists and turns, and I enjoyed the latter half of the book more while other reviewers actually seemed to prefer the first half. It's a worthwhile read because of its unique premise, but I wasn't blown away by any of it. Therefore, I've decided on 3 stars.
I received an ARC via NetGalley.
Who would want
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to live in a place where you are constantly under the control of a third party? Emma, the previous tenant, and Jane, the current tenant, were both successful at completing the strange application process. The plot unfolds by swapping backwards and forwards between 'Now' and 'Then'. Both women had their own reasons for wanting to rent the place. There were eerie similarities between the two women, and when Jane starts investigating what happened to Emma, the tension builds up and the house seems to take on a life of its own.I've been avoiding writing this review for weeks now because I feel conflicted about this book. It's already being adapted into a movie, there is a lot of hype, and most people seemed to love it. I wasn't a fan of the frequently changing perspective. The premise of the book - although seriously far-fetched - was unique and the plot really was intriguing. My main issue, I couldn't get excited about any of the characters. They all just left me feeling....pretty much nothing. The one scene that triggered some emotion was the one involving food (if you've read this, you'll probably know what I mean). Apart from that, I was quite impartial towards the whole thing. There are obviously several twists and turns, and I enjoyed the latter half of the book more while other reviewers actually seemed to prefer the first half. It's a worthwhile read because of its unique premise, but I wasn't blown away by any of it. Therefore, I've decided on 3 stars.
I received an ARC via NetGalley.
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LibraryThing member atticusfinch1048
The Girl Before – A Stunning Psychological Thriller
This is one of the hardest books to put down, a cliché I know, but it really does grab the reader and takes your mind all over the place. The Girl Before, really is a book that grips you, it is compelling, breath-taking and has more twists than
This is thriller is two stories that become one around One Folgate Street, a perfect house for some, with a set of rules for all tenants that are constantly assessed by the technology around the house. The house is designed to be perfect, to some austere to others an architectural dream and to all residents an experiment in a new way of life, for the better.
Edward Monkford designed One Folgate Street after the death of his wife and child and it is in a way a monument to them as well as pushing the boundaries of design. The house is not for everyone is it is very minimalistic mixed with cutting edge technology, its own housekeeping system that manages everything within the house, including the tenant. Before a tenant can move in they have to sign a legal document to show that they will not break any of the 200 rules that are in place to manage the house.
The story is split in two, between Emma (Then), and Jane (Now) and how they both lived within One Folgate Street and its rules. We also discover the tragic reasons that both are happy to do away with many of their personal possessions to live a new austere life, which Edward Monkford observes and manages for them.
Emma and Jane are two totally different people and we see their stories unfold separately but at the same time see how Monkford influences both their lives. Both have been through traumatic events in the life and are looking for change, the stories are told in both the past and present tense which helps to draw you in. At the same time, all the chapters are separated by various psychoanalytic questions the sort that are taken during a psychometric test so there is no right or wrong answer.
Throughout the book, we see that both Emma and Jane have obsessions that seem to take over everything that they are doing. Jane’s obsession is Emma and how she lived and died within the house and whether there was any foul play in her death. Jane’s obsession of Emma is destructive in part especially when she feels like the house is spying on her.
This book is punchy and will easily become a bestseller and it is understandable why this has already been optioned for film production. This is a book the reader will be casting the parts as they turn the pages.
This is one of the hardest books to put down, a cliché I know, but it really does grab the reader and takes your mind all over the place. The Girl Before, really is a book that grips you, it is compelling, breath-taking and has more twists than
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twister. This is a book that really will tick all the boxes for fans of the psychological thriller, there is the mystery, the intrigue, the changes of pace and twists that you cannot predict to where and when, and like a magician JP Delaney is not afraid to use the sleight of hand.This is thriller is two stories that become one around One Folgate Street, a perfect house for some, with a set of rules for all tenants that are constantly assessed by the technology around the house. The house is designed to be perfect, to some austere to others an architectural dream and to all residents an experiment in a new way of life, for the better.
Edward Monkford designed One Folgate Street after the death of his wife and child and it is in a way a monument to them as well as pushing the boundaries of design. The house is not for everyone is it is very minimalistic mixed with cutting edge technology, its own housekeeping system that manages everything within the house, including the tenant. Before a tenant can move in they have to sign a legal document to show that they will not break any of the 200 rules that are in place to manage the house.
The story is split in two, between Emma (Then), and Jane (Now) and how they both lived within One Folgate Street and its rules. We also discover the tragic reasons that both are happy to do away with many of their personal possessions to live a new austere life, which Edward Monkford observes and manages for them.
Emma and Jane are two totally different people and we see their stories unfold separately but at the same time see how Monkford influences both their lives. Both have been through traumatic events in the life and are looking for change, the stories are told in both the past and present tense which helps to draw you in. At the same time, all the chapters are separated by various psychoanalytic questions the sort that are taken during a psychometric test so there is no right or wrong answer.
Throughout the book, we see that both Emma and Jane have obsessions that seem to take over everything that they are doing. Jane’s obsession is Emma and how she lived and died within the house and whether there was any foul play in her death. Jane’s obsession of Emma is destructive in part especially when she feels like the house is spying on her.
This book is punchy and will easily become a bestseller and it is understandable why this has already been optioned for film production. This is a book the reader will be casting the parts as they turn the pages.
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LibraryThing member boudicca123
Be very careful about what you sign up for, something Emma (then) and Jane (now) should have been when they agreed to rent a property owned by Edward, the architect who designed it. It's a very strange house, extremely minimalist and then there are the huge amount of rules and regulations which
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ought to have set the alarm bells ringing loud and clear! This was a very easy book to get into, a great yarn which kept my attention throughout. A few villains appeared here and there to spice things up and it was fast paced with plenty to get your teeth into which is all that is required from a good thriller and thrill it did! Show Less
LibraryThing member Susan.Macura
Emma moves into a rather unique rental with her boyfriend after having survived a horrible break-in. In this new place there are many rules to follow. Her story is told in alternating chapters with Jane, who suffered the loss of a baby, also moves into this rental years later. When Jane learns of
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the untimely death of Emma, she finds herself in similar circumstances involving the same people. This book is scheduled to be a film, so it will be interesting to see how this is handled. It was a very entertaining read! Show Less
LibraryThing member flourgirl49
The first two-thirds of this book were pretty good - creepy, and with a sense of foreboding that everything was going to explode at some point and nothing good was going to come out of it. Unfortunately, the last one-third didn't live up to expectations and was ultimately disappointing. Perhaps the
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movie will be better. Show Less
LibraryThing member Twink
Oh, there was lots of buzz around J.P. Delaney's new release The Girl Before. Did it live up to the hype? Yes it did - I raced through it in two days.
One Folgate Street in London, England, is a architectural wonder. It is minimalism to the extreme. Stone, glass, white on white, no doors. And much
And who lives there? Only those chosen by the architect - after undergoing a rigorous application. And acceptance of the many rules of the house - no mess everything must be out of sight, no photos, no colour and much more.
"Please make a list of every possession you consider essential to your life."
After a break-in, Emma see living in the house as safe, a sanctuary against danger. After her divorce, Jane sees the house as a clean slate, a new start. Emma lived at Folgate before Jane.
The Girl Before is told in alternating chapters from Jane and Emma - now and then. When Jane learns of the previous tenant's death, she becomes consumed with finding out more - even though she is discouraged by the enigmatic Edward, the architect/owner. The reader is privy to the events during Emma's time in the house. And knowing what we know, the tension ratchets up as Jane seems to be following in her footsteps - and into danger......
I felt like I should be on Emma and Jane's 'side', if you will. But as the book progressed and more of their personalities and their (questionable) choices are revealed, I found I didn't overly like either of them. But I still desperately wanted to know what next. Edward - well, he's in his own category. And I'm not too sure why either of them find him so appealing, but hey, this book wouldn't be the same without him being this way. Control, it's all about control with this guy. In his life and in his house. Super creepy.
Gentle readers be warned - there are a few somewhat graphic sex scenes.
Just get yourself past accepting that anyone would actually move into a house such as this with crazy rules and you are in for a deliriously addictive, psychologically twisty turny read with a nice little gotcha in the end.
One Folgate Street in London, England, is a architectural wonder. It is minimalism to the extreme. Stone, glass, white on white, no doors. And much
Show More
is controlled by the Housekeeper - a computer program that takes its cues from the bracelet that the inhabitants wear.And who lives there? Only those chosen by the architect - after undergoing a rigorous application. And acceptance of the many rules of the house - no mess everything must be out of sight, no photos, no colour and much more.
"Please make a list of every possession you consider essential to your life."
After a break-in, Emma see living in the house as safe, a sanctuary against danger. After her divorce, Jane sees the house as a clean slate, a new start. Emma lived at Folgate before Jane.
The Girl Before is told in alternating chapters from Jane and Emma - now and then. When Jane learns of the previous tenant's death, she becomes consumed with finding out more - even though she is discouraged by the enigmatic Edward, the architect/owner. The reader is privy to the events during Emma's time in the house. And knowing what we know, the tension ratchets up as Jane seems to be following in her footsteps - and into danger......
I felt like I should be on Emma and Jane's 'side', if you will. But as the book progressed and more of their personalities and their (questionable) choices are revealed, I found I didn't overly like either of them. But I still desperately wanted to know what next. Edward - well, he's in his own category. And I'm not too sure why either of them find him so appealing, but hey, this book wouldn't be the same without him being this way. Control, it's all about control with this guy. In his life and in his house. Super creepy.
Gentle readers be warned - there are a few somewhat graphic sex scenes.
Just get yourself past accepting that anyone would actually move into a house such as this with crazy rules and you are in for a deliriously addictive, psychologically twisty turny read with a nice little gotcha in the end.
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LibraryThing member jtsolakos
Interesting plot. Be prepared that the story line changes from past to present quite often. Maybe a little too much. I could not relate to any of the characters in the book, but maybe that is why I kept on reading. Thank you to Random House Books and Librarything.com for a copy of this book.
LibraryThing member bookczuk
One of the better "girl" books, decent suspense, and good use of alternating between POVs, though I'll admit, the revelation of who the girl before was caught me out.
LibraryThing member Bauernfeind
A weird book about two women, a strange house, and their weird relationship with the rich architect
LibraryThing member SharronA
The chapter titles listed in the table of contents gave away any suspense that might have been achieved. Characters were distinctive but boring, almost none were likable. Out of curiosity, I read this after learning it would be made into a movie by Ron Howard. I admire his work and hope he and
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scriptwriters can polish the story. Show Less
Awards
The British Book Industry Awards (Shortlist — 2018)
Crimefest Awards (Winner — 2018)
ThrillZone Award (2017)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2017-01-24
Physical description
368 p.; 8.22 inches
ISBN
0425285065 / 9780425285060