The Girl Before by J.P. Delaney Summary

The Girl Before is a psychological thriller that follows two women, Emma and Jane, who live in the same minimalist house at One Folgate Street at different times. The story alternates between past and present as Jane investigates the mysterious death of Emma, the previous tenant, while both women become entangled with Edward Monkford, the enigmatic architect who designed the house. The novel explores themes of control, obsession, and the dangerous parallels between their lives.

The Girl Before is perfect for fans of psychological thrillers with unreliable narrators and dark, twisty plots. Readers who enjoyed Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins will find similar suspense and complex character dynamics. This book appeals to those who appreciate atmospheric settings, dual narratives, and mysteries that keep them guessing until the final reveal. Anyone seeking a fast-paced thriller with themes of control and domestic intrigue should pick this up.

The Girl Before is worth reading for its gripping premise and suspenseful pacing that keeps readers engaged throughout. The unique setting of a high-tech, minimalist house with strict rules creates an almost claustrophobic atmosphere that serves as both sanctuary and prison. While some reviewers found the romantic subplot predictable and certain plot twists stretched believability, the parallel narratives and mystery surrounding Emma's death make it an entertaining thriller. Most readers gave it solid ratings between 3.5 to 4 out of 5 stars.

J.P. Delaney is a pseudonym for a writer who has previously authored bestselling fiction under other names. The Girl Before, published in 2016, gained significant attention and was optioned for a film adaptation by Academy Award-winning director Ron Howard. Delaney's identity as an established author writing under a pen name adds intrigue to the novel's publication. The decision to use a pseudonym allowed the author to explore the psychological thriller genre with fresh positioning in the market.

One Folgate Street is the austere, minimalist house at the center of The Girl Before, designed by innovative architect Edward Monkford. The high-tech London flat is an architectural marvel offered at surprisingly affordable rent, but tenants must follow a long list of strict rules and answer intrusive questions during the application process. The house features hidden cameras in every room and advanced technology that can malfunction or be controlled remotely. Its stark, clean design reflects themes of control versus freedom, with the house itself feeling almost alive and watching its inhabitants.

The Girl Before features a lengthy application process and strict rules for living at One Folgate Street that control nearly every aspect of tenants' lives. Residents must embrace extreme minimalism, keeping only essential possessions and maintaining the house's austere aesthetic. Edward Monkford's rules extend beyond simple house maintenance, creating both a sanctuary and a prison for Emma and Jane. These restrictions reflect the novel's exploration of control, with tenants sacrificing personal freedom for the opportunity to live in this architectural masterpiece.

Emma died in a fall down the dangerous staircase at One Folgate Street, and the central mystery revolves around whether it was an accident, suicide, or murder. As Jane investigates, she discovers that Emma had lied about many events, including being raped during a home break-in—she was actually having an affair with a coworker named Saul. The climax reveals that Simon, Emma's ex-boyfriend, was the killer who caused her fall. He later attempts to murder Jane when she uncovers the truth, but she manages to defend herself, causing Simon to fall to his death down the same stairs.

The Girl Before explores themes of control versus freedom, with the minimalist house serving as both sanctuary and prison for its inhabitants. Psychological manipulation and obsession run throughout, particularly in Edward Monkford's relationships with both women and the house's surveillance capabilities. The novel examines grief and trauma, as both Emma and Jane seek rebirth after tragic events—Emma following a home invasion and Jane after delivering her stillborn daughter Isabel. Additional themes include truth versus deception, as Emma's lies unravel, and the dangerous patterns that repeat when we fail to learn from the past.

The Girl Before shares similarities with Gone Girl through dark, twisty plots and complex, unreliable characters who keep readers guessing. Both novels are psychological thrillers featuring dual perspectives that gradually reveal shocking truths about relationships and deception. However, The Girl Before focuses more on atmospheric tension created by the minimalist house setting and themes of control, while Gone Girl emphasizes marriage dynamics and media manipulation. The Girl Before also incorporates technology and architectural elements that aren't present in Gillian Flynn's novel, giving it a unique edge in the thriller genre.

The major twist reveals that Simon, Emma's ex-boyfriend, murdered Emma and has been manipulating events at One Folgate Street through the house's technology. Jane discovers Simon has been spying on her through hidden cameras, knew about her pregnancy without being told, and was jamming the house systems to terrorize her. When Jane realizes the truth, Simon traps her in the house with lighter fluid, forcing a confrontation at the top of the stairs. In a dramatic reversal, Jane tricks Simon by pretending to comply, then throws pearls at him, causing him to trip and fall down the same staircase where Emma died.

Critics noted that Emma and Jane lack distinct personalities, with only slight differences in language reminding readers which character they're following. Edward Monkford is frequently described as a dull character who mainly appears for explicit sexual encounters and cooking lavish meals, making it difficult to understand why both women become obsessed with him. The romantic subplot felt forced and predictable, following the familiar trope of the brooding, mysterious man. Some readers also found certain plot twists stretched believability and the book had a "Fifty Shades" quality that didn't appeal to all audiences. Additionally, the lack of quotation marks interfered with reading flow for some readers.

Readers who enjoyed The Girl Before should explore:

• The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, which features psychological suspense with unreliable narrators and multiple perspectives.
• Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn offers similarly dark, twisty plots with complex characters and shocking revelations.
• Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris explores themes of control and domestic life with chilling twists comparable to The Girl Before.

These thrillers all feature female protagonists investigating mysteries while dealing with their own psychological struggles and unreliable perceptions of reality.