Review: The Girl Before by JP Delaney

Title: The Girl Before: A Novel
Author:   JP Delaney  
Genre:   Mystery, Thriller and Suspense
Publisher: Ballantine Books (January 24, 2017)
Length:  352 pages
Source: Netgalley.com

 

 

About Book: (From Good Reads) 

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.

My Review/Rating: One Folgate Street was designed by a architect with a strong focus on perfection and technology.  The architect, Edward, has a very long questionnaire to be answered before you can be considered as a tenant of One Folgate Street.  You will become a better person just by living at One Folgate Street.  The Girl Before by JP Delaney is told in alternating storylines of Then and Now.  Then – Emma lived at One Folgate Street and dies under suspicious circumstances.  Now – Jane is the current tenant of One Folgate Street and has questions about the strange circumstances surrounding her new home.

Are you ready to be swept away by a faced paced read that will keep you guessing?  Anytime someone asks for a book recommendation, The Girl Before pops into my mind first.  It is spring break and snowing here in Minnesota.  What better time to get swept away by the suspense of The Girl Before by JP Delaney.  Many have compared The Girl Before to The Girl on the Train.   Honestly, for me The Girl Before is on a totally different level for me.  The story unravels at the perfect pace, with twists and turns throughout the story, keeping you guessing until the very end!  Yes, this book kept me awake into the late hours of the night!

So find some time like I did to neglect your family, your chores and quickly read The Girl Before by JP Delaney.   The Girl Before is a story of secrets, lies and manipulation that occur around a house which comes alive through it’s technology and the owners expectation for perfection.  The Girl Before is a 4 star read for me!

The Girl Before by JP Delaney was also reviewed by The Keeper of Pages, Vilma’s Book Blog, and Girl with a Pretty Keyboard.

My Rating Scale: 1 – didn’t like it; 2 – it was ok; 3 – liked it; 4 – really liked it; 5 – it was amazing

Happy Reading!

**Disclosure – The Girl Before by JP Delaney was received from NetGalley.com reviewer program and Ballantine Books in exchange for a fair review. All opinions are my own.  This post contains affiliate links.