REVIEW: The Girl Before by JP Delaney

In The Girl Before by JP Delaney, after suffering a personal tragedy, Jane didn’t know what else to do besides make certain changes in her life, including changes to do with her job and where she lived. When a real estate agent shows her the house at One Folgate Street, Jane takes it, even though the questions asked in the agreement are a little odd. However, the longer she stays at the place, the more she begins to suspect that things aren’t as perfect as they seem. Can she discover what happened to the previous owner before it’s too late, or will she suffer the same fate?

“Incidentally, Jane. Housekeeper is showing that you’ve been looking for information about Emma Matthews.”
“Oh. Perhaps, once or twice, yes.” In fact, most of my nosying has been done at work, or using the neighbors’ Wi-fi, but sometimes, late at night, I’ve been careless and One Folgate Street’s own internet. “Is that a problem?”
“It’s just that I don’t think any good can come of it. The past is over; that’s why it’s the past. Let it go, will you?”

I have a real fascination for psychological thrillers such as Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train and The Widow, so reading this story was an absolute pleasure. From start to finish, this story was engaging, fast-paced and a story that had me absolutely hooked because it journeys backwards and forwards between the past and present from the points of view of Emma: a woman that died in the house Jane is now living in; and Jane: a woman determined to make certain she doesn’t suffer the same fate as Emma, so she needs to know what happened. Especially since she’s falling for the man Emma was dating, she looks exactly like Emma and her new man has a history of losing people he loves.

The dialogue was intense due to the main characters back stories and Jane’s investigation into Emma’s death. Emma was a very troubled woman with self-esteem issues; desperate enough to lie to save her skin in situations she felt it was necessary. In some ways I felt sorry for her, and then at other times, I could understand why those she asked for help weren’t willing to aid her. As for Jane, she’s the total opposite to Emma. She’s strong, brave and I liked how determined she was to uncover what happened to Emma. Not only was she protecting herself from future hurt, but she believed that Emma deserved justice and she needed to know whether the new man in her life posed a danger to her, which was understandable since he was such a mystery.

I really liked Jane and the secondary characters certainly made this story interesting. The cop that tried to help Emma did his best under the circumstances he had to work with but didn’t have it easy after her death. Edward Monkford has already suffered enough personal tragedy in his life, but for some reason, seems to have a type when it comes to women and will do anything to be with Jane, even if it means using the same words he used on Emma to entice her into entering a relationship with him.

However, the secondary character I enjoyed most though was Emma’s therapist. She fascinated me with her tales of Emma and her warnings to Jane. Would Jane take her seriously, or was she already in too deep with Edward? Would Jane come to the right conclusion about who hurt Emma before it was too late to save herself? Then there were the characters I couldn’t handle such as the people that caused Emma to be afraid of her own shadow; the man that blackmailed Emma; and Emma’s ex. Even though Emma caused many problems for herself, it was hard not to feel sorry for her.

”I think I’d have found Edward interesting even if I didn’t live in one of his buildings.”
“And you? What does he see in you, my love? Other than the unencumbered f*** or whatever he called it?”
“I don’t know.” I sigh. “In any case, I don’t suppose there’s much chance of finding out now.”
I tell her how Edward left my bed so abruptly, and she frowns. “It sounds like he’s got serious issues, J. Maybe avoid this one?”
“Everyone has issues,” I say lightly. “Even me.”

Overall, this was a really good book that had me reading rapidly to get to the end to see how things would turn out for Jane. Would she win Edward’s love? Would she survive the fight for her life that me as a reader realized was inevitable after what happened to Emma in the same house Jane now lives in? The ending was nerve-wracking due to what Jane goes through and the decision she has to make to save her life. Yet, I liked the decision she made about Edward. If he couldn’t accept her decision when it came to someone important, then she was better off without him. I would recommend The Girl Before by JP Delaney, if you enjoy psychological thrillers such as Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train that have an epilogue, which leaves a reader wondering whether history will repeat itself.

Book Info:

 January 24th, 2017 | Ballantine Books |

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.