The Woman on the Ledge

Author: Ruth Mancini
Genre: Thriller, Psychological Thriller
318 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Synopsis
A woman falls to her death from a London bank’s twenty-fifth-floor roof terrace. You’re arrested for her murder.

You’ve got nothing to do with this tragedy.
You’re clearly being framed.
So why do the police keep picking holes in your story?
And why doesn’t your lawyer seem to believe you?
It soon becomes obvious that you’re keeping secrets.
But who are you trying to protect? And why?

My review
The Woman on the Ledge by Ruth Mancini was a quick and enjoyable read! The novel presents a creative and captivating plot propelled by suspense and a quest for answers, intertwining themes of obsession and revenge. I thoroughly enjoy thrillers when I’m challenged to solve the mystery, and The Woman on the Ledge delivered with several unexpected twists and turns that kept me invested and guessing. However, while the ending was satisfying, it did feel oversimplified and improbable.

The characters were engaging, offering a dynamic that I found relatable and enlightening. The story delves into the long-term consequences of our decisions, emphasizing the importance of taking action without fear. Additionally, it sheds light on pressing societal concerns, skillfully tackled by the author, albeit subtly. While not a conventional thriller, the narrative’s element of surprise is commendable. To avoid spoilers, I’ll refrain from divulging too much of the plot and compromising its impact.

What didn’t quite work for me was the pacing and the overly simplified conclusion. The initial sections of the novel were promising, and drew me into the story with the compelling narrative and intriguing characters. However, as I progressed about a third of the way into the book, I noticed a gradual decline in the pace and excitement. The plot seemed to stagnate, and the repetitive descriptions and events began to weigh down the narrative, detracting from the initial momentum and making it challenging for me to stay interested. The pace did pick back up towards the end and it was interesting to see the convergence of the different elements of the story.

Overall, The Woman on the Ledge proved to be a mostly solid narrative, suitable for a night of entertainment. However, I’m uncertain whether it will leave a lasting impression or earn a place on my list of favorite reads for 2024.

My recommendation: read it but keep your expectations realistic. For me, it didn’t quite live up to the hype.