Book review: "The Girl Before" by J.P. DELANEY - This Chick Reads
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Book review: “The Girl Before” by J.P. DELANEY

So, I picked up “The Girl Before” on a whim, craving something twisty and psychological. The premise of a creepy, high-tech house was just too good to pass up. Plus, thrillers are my jam when I want a page-turner that keeps me up way past bedtime.

What’s it about?

“The Girl Before” centers on two women, Emma and Jane, who, at different times, move into a minimalist, high-tech house designed by a mysterious architect named Edward Monkford. The house, One Folgate Street, is almost a character itself with its sleek design and smart technology that monitors the occupants, coming with a long list of strict rules the tenants must follow.

Emma, reeling from a traumatic break-in, is the first to live there. Fast forward a few years, and Jane, recovering from a personal tragedy, moves in. Both women find themselves drawn to the enigmatic Edward, and as they uncover more about the house’s history and each other, the eerie parallels between their lives become impossible to ignore. The narrative switches back and forth between Emma and Jane, revealing secrets and setting the stage for a tense psychological showdown.

What This Chick Thinks

I’ve got to say, I was hooked right from the start. The alternating chapters between Emma and Jane kept me on my toes, and I loved how the house itself felt like it was almost alive, watching and controlling its inhabitants. Delaney does a great job building suspense, and the pacing is just right for a thriller—you get enough details to keep you guessing but not so many that you feel overwhelmed.

One thing that really stood out to me was how Delaney explores the themes of control and freedom. The house’s rules are both a sanctuary and a prison for Emma and Jane, reflecting their internal struggles. I also appreciated the psychological depth of the characters. Emma’s backstory with the break-in and Jane’s grief felt real and gave their motivations weight.

However, there were a few things that didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The romantic subplot with Edward felt a bit forced and predictable. It’s like every thriller needs a brooding, mysterious man, and Edward fits that bill a little too neatly. Also, some of the plot twists, while thrilling, stretched believability. But hey, it’s a thriller, and sometimes you just have to roll with the punches.

On the whole, I’d give it a solid 7.5 out of 10. It’s a gripping read with a unique premise, but a few clichés and predictabilities keep it from being a knockout.

Final thoughts

“The Girl Before” is definitely worth picking up if you’re into psychological thrillers with a bit of a tech twist. The house at One Folgate Street is a fascinating setting, and the dual narratives of Emma and Jane add a layer of depth that keeps you engaged until the very end.

Try it if you like:

  1. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins – If you enjoy psychological thrillers with unreliable narrators and multiple perspectives, this is right up your alley.
  2. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn – For those who love dark, twisty plots and complex characters, “The Girl Before” will give you a similar thrill.
  3. Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris – Another gripping thriller that explores themes of control and domestic life with a chilling twist.
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