Review: French Windows by Antoine Laurain

Synopsis: Nathalia, a young photographer, has been seeing a therapist. Having accidentally photographed a murder, she finds that she can no longer do her job. Instead, Doctor Faber suggests that she write about the neighbours she idly observes in the building across the street. But as these written snapshots become increasingly detailed, he starts to wonder how she can possibly know so much about them.

With each session, Doctor Faber and his mysterious patient will get closer and closer to the truth. But are the stories Nathalia submits each week as she claims...

Bestselling author Antoine Laurain serves up a dose of suspense and intrigue in Rear Window with a Parisian heart.

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After having photographed a murder and unable to pursue her passion of photography, Nathalia seeks out a therapist. To reignite her passion, therapist (and our narrator) Faber suggests writing a little story on one of the occupants on each of the floors of the building she lives in. Nathalia herself admits that she "watches the people opposite" and "feels like an eye", and though detached from life, she is not so from the act of looking.

One by one, Nathalia brings/ delivers her stories to Faber, starting with Alice, the personal coach on the ground floor, to the hypnotist on the fifth floor. All the while, Faber wonders if the stories are complete fabrications or if there is an element of truth. Only as the reader progresses do they discover the truth behind the stories and a secret that Nathalia has been concealing.

The ending .... superb!  This has to be one of my favourites from this author.