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The Woman in Room 13
An isolated motel.
A body in the snow.
A killer lying in wait...
*PRE-ORDER NOW! THE NEW EDGE-OF-YOUR-SEAT THRILLER FROM LEAH KONEN, FOR FANS OF THE SHINING AND ANDREA MARA'S NO ONE SAW A THING*
When Kerry arrives to start a new job as the caretaker of a remote motel in the Catskills, she’s excited for a fresh start.
But she quickly realises that something is very wrong.
Her room is full of the previous caretaker’s belongings – and it looks like she was trying to leave in a hurry.
And then, Kerry sees it – the trails of blood. The hand reaching out from the snow…
Confused and scared, in the midst of a snowstorm, Kerry goes out to seek help. When the police arrive, though, things go from bad to worse.
Because the body has disappeared. But the killer is still out there…
Why readers LOVE Leah Konen's twisty
'Full of twists and revelations right to the end!' 5***** reader review
'An excellent thriller which had you compulsively reading to find out what happens next' 5***** reader reviews
'This fast-paced thriller delivers a relentless rush of adrenaline and unexpected revelations - a must read!' 5***** reader review
'This book was intense and gripping from the beginning...put me on a rollercoaster of emotions' 5***** reader review
A body in the snow.
A killer lying in wait...
*PRE-ORDER NOW! THE NEW EDGE-OF-YOUR-SEAT THRILLER FROM LEAH KONEN, FOR FANS OF THE SHINING AND ANDREA MARA'S NO ONE SAW A THING*
When Kerry arrives to start a new job as the caretaker of a remote motel in the Catskills, she’s excited for a fresh start.
But she quickly realises that something is very wrong.
Her room is full of the previous caretaker’s belongings – and it looks like she was trying to leave in a hurry.
And then, Kerry sees it – the trails of blood. The hand reaching out from the snow…
Confused and scared, in the midst of a snowstorm, Kerry goes out to seek help. When the police arrive, though, things go from bad to worse.
Because the body has disappeared. But the killer is still out there…
Why readers LOVE Leah Konen's twisty
'Full of twists and revelations right to the end!' 5***** reader review
'An excellent thriller which had you compulsively reading to find out what happens next' 5***** reader reviews
'This fast-paced thriller delivers a relentless rush of adrenaline and unexpected revelations - a must read!' 5***** reader review
'This book was intense and gripping from the beginning...put me on a rollercoaster of emotions' 5***** reader review
- GenresFiction
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 30, 2025
19 people are currently reading
252 people want to read
About the author
Leah Konen
14 books872 followersLeah Konen is the author of The Last Room on the Left, Keep Your Friends Close, You Should Have Told Me, The Perfect Escape, All the Broken People, and several young adult novels, including Love and Other Train Wrecks and The Romantics. Her books have been featured in Vogue, Rolling Stone, Marie Claire, Reader’s Digest and The NY Post, among others. She lives in Brooklyn and the Catskills with her husband and two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
January 10, 2025
The Woman In Room 13 was a decent locked room thriller that was just a little slow going.
Kerry accepts a position as caretaker at the Twilite Motel which is in the middle of nowhere whilst it is closed for winter. When she arrives she sees one of the rooms is in disarray with possessions from the previous occupier still there. When she has a look round outside there is a dead body in the snow but when she manages to get the police to the Motel the body has disappeared. Where is the body? There definitely was one and who owns the possessions left in the room? Is it the dead persons or is someone else here besides them?
This had great promise to be an amazing read, which in parts it did just that I just found it a bit on the slow side and a little repetitive in parts. But having said that it had a good storyline, I liked the dual POV as this gave a good insight to events that were happening and that had happened in the past. I didn’t particularly like the main characters, I thought they were quite self centred so I didn’t get behind either character to survive. This is my first book by this author and would read the next one they write.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.
Kerry accepts a position as caretaker at the Twilite Motel which is in the middle of nowhere whilst it is closed for winter. When she arrives she sees one of the rooms is in disarray with possessions from the previous occupier still there. When she has a look round outside there is a dead body in the snow but when she manages to get the police to the Motel the body has disappeared. Where is the body? There definitely was one and who owns the possessions left in the room? Is it the dead persons or is someone else here besides them?
This had great promise to be an amazing read, which in parts it did just that I just found it a bit on the slow side and a little repetitive in parts. But having said that it had a good storyline, I liked the dual POV as this gave a good insight to events that were happening and that had happened in the past. I didn’t particularly like the main characters, I thought they were quite self centred so I didn’t get behind either character to survive. This is my first book by this author and would read the next one they write.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.
June 26, 2025
3.75 stars rounded up. Kerry’s after a new start, caretaking a remote hotel in the Catskills. Time for her to confront her demons in the peace and solitude, with just the snow and ice around her for companionship. But she quickly realises that something’s not quite right up here. The room she’s been told to move into, Room 13, is still full of the previous caretaker’s belongings. But where are they?
And then she spots something out in the snow. Five painted red nails… Kerry manages to report this to the police -but when they eventually arrive at the hotel, the body is gone and the police sceptical that she even saw such a thing.
Unsure of what to believe and who to trust out here in this remote freezing land, Kerry has no idea which way to turn. And if the body has been moved, that means the killer is still out there…
This is an incredibly atmospheric destination thriller. The icy setting is perfect in enhancing the tension and really evokes a chilling feel. Something is certainly not right in this motel, but what? I was second guessing everything and everyone, uncertain of who to trust and who to believe.
It’s a slow burn, but stick with it as it all comes together nicely. And the short snappy chapters make it an easy and enjoyable read.
And then she spots something out in the snow. Five painted red nails… Kerry manages to report this to the police -but when they eventually arrive at the hotel, the body is gone and the police sceptical that she even saw such a thing.
Unsure of what to believe and who to trust out here in this remote freezing land, Kerry has no idea which way to turn. And if the body has been moved, that means the killer is still out there…
This is an incredibly atmospheric destination thriller. The icy setting is perfect in enhancing the tension and really evokes a chilling feel. Something is certainly not right in this motel, but what? I was second guessing everything and everyone, uncertain of who to trust and who to believe.
It’s a slow burn, but stick with it as it all comes together nicely. And the short snappy chapters make it an easy and enjoyable read.
July 22, 2024
Thank you, Penguin UK, for a gifted copy of this new release that is coming soon!
Have you ever picked up a book and wanted to enjoy it thanks to the superb synopsis? This was my experience with Konen’s latest release. I was sold by the plot description and wanted this to be a five-star read.
Regrettably, the book's pace was not my liking, with its dual timeline and character viewpoints feeling less fluid than I had hoped. It was too much of a slow burn, and I struggled to absorb it fully. Despite this, I could appreciate the author's intentions, and the plot twists kept me engaged, even when I considered abandoning the book. I'm glad I persevered.
While there were a few predictable twists, most of the storyline was engaging. I look forward to reading this author's future releases, hoping for even more captivating narratives.
This is not the worst psychological thriller I have read; it was mediocre yet still readable according to my preferences.
‘The Woman in Room 13’ is due for release in January 2025.
Have you ever picked up a book and wanted to enjoy it thanks to the superb synopsis? This was my experience with Konen’s latest release. I was sold by the plot description and wanted this to be a five-star read.
Regrettably, the book's pace was not my liking, with its dual timeline and character viewpoints feeling less fluid than I had hoped. It was too much of a slow burn, and I struggled to absorb it fully. Despite this, I could appreciate the author's intentions, and the plot twists kept me engaged, even when I considered abandoning the book. I'm glad I persevered.
While there were a few predictable twists, most of the storyline was engaging. I look forward to reading this author's future releases, hoping for even more captivating narratives.
This is not the worst psychological thriller I have read; it was mediocre yet still readable according to my preferences.
‘The Woman in Room 13’ is due for release in January 2025.
November 7, 2024
This was a sort of modern-day take on Stephen King's The Shining, which was referenced a few times throughout.
Kerry has been hired to stay at a roadside motel to take care of the place while it was closed during winter. It's also supposed to give her time away to write her novel. She's supposed to be the only person there. However, she quickly finds a room filled with someone else's belongings and what looks like the aftermath of a booze and drug fuelled party. Soon after, she finds the body of a woman in the snow. Now she's stuck in the middle of nowhere, snowed in, with a dead body that keeps disappearing.
The synopsis sounded great, and I had high hopes for this one, but I struggled. It took me the better part of two days to get through it, with me continuously finding myself becoming distracted with other things just so I was doing something other than reading. Usually, if I'm super into a book, nothing distracts me. I just kept finding every reason not to pick it back up again.
The story itself was great, with plenty of twists that keep the reader guessing throughout. However, it was the pace of the story that I struggled with. It was incredibly slow, and I just kept waiting for something, anything to happen.
I am glad I stuck with it, as the twists kept me from giving up, but I found myself skimming some of the more dull parts.
Kerry has been hired to stay at a roadside motel to take care of the place while it was closed during winter. It's also supposed to give her time away to write her novel. She's supposed to be the only person there. However, she quickly finds a room filled with someone else's belongings and what looks like the aftermath of a booze and drug fuelled party. Soon after, she finds the body of a woman in the snow. Now she's stuck in the middle of nowhere, snowed in, with a dead body that keeps disappearing.
The synopsis sounded great, and I had high hopes for this one, but I struggled. It took me the better part of two days to get through it, with me continuously finding myself becoming distracted with other things just so I was doing something other than reading. Usually, if I'm super into a book, nothing distracts me. I just kept finding every reason not to pick it back up again.
The story itself was great, with plenty of twists that keep the reader guessing throughout. However, it was the pace of the story that I struggled with. It was incredibly slow, and I just kept waiting for something, anything to happen.
I am glad I stuck with it, as the twists kept me from giving up, but I found myself skimming some of the more dull parts.
December 17, 2024
I was really excited to read The Woman in Room 13 – from the blurb it sounded like an atmospheric locked room thriller, perfect for dark, cold nights curled up with a book.
Kerry has been employed as a caretaker for a remote and closed motel over winter. However, when a dead body appears (and subsequently disappears!) from the snow outside her room, she starts to suspect she may not be as alone as first suspected.
The narrative of The Woman in Room 13 skips between perspective and timelines –Kerry in the present and another caretaker in the past. This worked nicely to keep the tension fresh and to drip-feed information to the reader about what has been happening at the motel. However, both of the character’s personalities and narrative voices are very, very similar, which led to some initial confusion as I was reading. I also found that I didn’t really empathise with either of them, which is a shame. Kerry has some substance issues and some mental health problems, which lead her to become an unreliable narrator as we get further into understanding her past. It also leads to her making some very questionable decisions which causes frustration for the reader.
Sadly, this book didn’t grip me as much as I expected it would, and I kept looking for excuses to put it down. The story felt slow and dragged out in the middle and other than the nice twist at the very last chapter, the plot was actually quite simplistic looking back at it in hindsight. I certainly predicted quite a few of the twists far before they arrived.
Overall, The Woman in Room 13 is a slow-burn thriller - but with two main characters who sounded the same and I didn’t care for, it didn’t leave me as gripped as I would have liked. Thank you to NetGalley & Penguin Random House – Michael Joseph for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
For more of my reviews check out Kindig Blog
Kerry has been employed as a caretaker for a remote and closed motel over winter. However, when a dead body appears (and subsequently disappears!) from the snow outside her room, she starts to suspect she may not be as alone as first suspected.
The narrative of The Woman in Room 13 skips between perspective and timelines –Kerry in the present and another caretaker in the past. This worked nicely to keep the tension fresh and to drip-feed information to the reader about what has been happening at the motel. However, both of the character’s personalities and narrative voices are very, very similar, which led to some initial confusion as I was reading. I also found that I didn’t really empathise with either of them, which is a shame. Kerry has some substance issues and some mental health problems, which lead her to become an unreliable narrator as we get further into understanding her past. It also leads to her making some very questionable decisions which causes frustration for the reader.
Sadly, this book didn’t grip me as much as I expected it would, and I kept looking for excuses to put it down. The story felt slow and dragged out in the middle and other than the nice twist at the very last chapter, the plot was actually quite simplistic looking back at it in hindsight. I certainly predicted quite a few of the twists far before they arrived.
Overall, The Woman in Room 13 is a slow-burn thriller - but with two main characters who sounded the same and I didn’t care for, it didn’t leave me as gripped as I would have liked. Thank you to NetGalley & Penguin Random House – Michael Joseph for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
For more of my reviews check out Kindig Blog
May 27, 2025
I found out at the end that this was meant to be feminist take on the Shining. Whilst perhaps a little way similar I personally wouldn’t have made the comparison without knowing this.
It’s a slow page turner where Konen gradually peels back more about the main characters and their backstory, none of which are particularly likeable. But I guess you need this to figure out who could ultimately be a murderer or perhaps deserve to meet their comeuppance.
I liked that it was set in an isolated hotel, in the snow, at times without heat, electricity or phone signal that left the characters exposed, vulnerable and unsure of the scant odd neighbours - could anyone be possibly trusted?
When Kerry arrives as an interim caretaker, trying to write her book and stay sober, somethings are distinctly odd and out of place. She thinks she has seen her ex best friend’s dead body, but by the time the police arrive, the body has disappeared, and the police make it known she is wasting their time. So, there is a psychological torment for Kerry with her alcohol dependency, lack of sobriety and inconsistent thoughts and experiences.
The locals are odd and intolerant but did not get under my skin. Even as the more tense scenes got underway, I did not feel any true fear or legitimate tension from the situation or characters. I was keen to find out what was happening next, who’s account of events would be true or otherwise. The backstory of the characters is revealed almost in parallel to the story, so it does unfold in an easy-to-follow manner.
I did enjoy the book. It was an easy read; it held my curiosity. The reveal of the characters was comfortably punctuated around a fairly slow tale. But it didn’t hold me. There were a few twists, but nothing outstanding and it lacked the tension I think it was aspiring to achieve. Having said that it did entertain and there was a worthy backstory to the whodunnit – it just couldn’t quite emotionally resonate.
It’s a slow page turner where Konen gradually peels back more about the main characters and their backstory, none of which are particularly likeable. But I guess you need this to figure out who could ultimately be a murderer or perhaps deserve to meet their comeuppance.
I liked that it was set in an isolated hotel, in the snow, at times without heat, electricity or phone signal that left the characters exposed, vulnerable and unsure of the scant odd neighbours - could anyone be possibly trusted?
When Kerry arrives as an interim caretaker, trying to write her book and stay sober, somethings are distinctly odd and out of place. She thinks she has seen her ex best friend’s dead body, but by the time the police arrive, the body has disappeared, and the police make it known she is wasting their time. So, there is a psychological torment for Kerry with her alcohol dependency, lack of sobriety and inconsistent thoughts and experiences.
The locals are odd and intolerant but did not get under my skin. Even as the more tense scenes got underway, I did not feel any true fear or legitimate tension from the situation or characters. I was keen to find out what was happening next, who’s account of events would be true or otherwise. The backstory of the characters is revealed almost in parallel to the story, so it does unfold in an easy-to-follow manner.
I did enjoy the book. It was an easy read; it held my curiosity. The reveal of the characters was comfortably punctuated around a fairly slow tale. But it didn’t hold me. There were a few twists, but nothing outstanding and it lacked the tension I think it was aspiring to achieve. Having said that it did entertain and there was a worthy backstory to the whodunnit – it just couldn’t quite emotionally resonate.
January 27, 2025
The Woman in Room 13 is supposed to be a modern-day take on The Shining. Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite live up to this sort of billing.
Kerry is our main character. She appears to have some mental health issues and has fallen out with everyone in her circle. Subsequently, she applied for and was accepted for the caretaker position at the Twillite Hotel in the Catskills area in middle of nowhere. Kerry has never met her employer, all the arrangements are being taken care of digitally.
On arrival, she finds one of the rooms in complete chaos, with possessions from the previous occupier in situ, and what looks to be the aftermath of a party. Then looking outside, she sees what appears to be a hand sticking out of the snow. Further investigation reveals this to be a body. Because of the motel’s remote location, she has difficulty contacting anyone, but eventually, she manages to contact the police. When the police finally arrive though, the body is nowhere to be found.
At this point, the story looked promising, but it deteriorated to such a slow pace, that it became not very interesting at all. The story is told from a dual point of view between Kerry and another person, but there is not enough differential between them, so you get confused about who is who.
None of the characters feel very well fleshed out and the book has a Lifetime daytime movie feel to it. There was potential for this to be a great story, but it just misses the mark.
Sincere thanks to NetGalley, Leah Konen and especially Michael Joseph Penguin Random House for the much-appreciated ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.
Kerry is our main character. She appears to have some mental health issues and has fallen out with everyone in her circle. Subsequently, she applied for and was accepted for the caretaker position at the Twillite Hotel in the Catskills area in middle of nowhere. Kerry has never met her employer, all the arrangements are being taken care of digitally.
On arrival, she finds one of the rooms in complete chaos, with possessions from the previous occupier in situ, and what looks to be the aftermath of a party. Then looking outside, she sees what appears to be a hand sticking out of the snow. Further investigation reveals this to be a body. Because of the motel’s remote location, she has difficulty contacting anyone, but eventually, she manages to contact the police. When the police finally arrive though, the body is nowhere to be found.
At this point, the story looked promising, but it deteriorated to such a slow pace, that it became not very interesting at all. The story is told from a dual point of view between Kerry and another person, but there is not enough differential between them, so you get confused about who is who.
None of the characters feel very well fleshed out and the book has a Lifetime daytime movie feel to it. There was potential for this to be a great story, but it just misses the mark.
Sincere thanks to NetGalley, Leah Konen and especially Michael Joseph Penguin Random House for the much-appreciated ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.
September 27, 2025
It is such a shame as I was looking forward to this book from its description. Please bare in mind this is entirely my opinion based on what I've read , this review in no way should be taken as "don't read this book". Everyone has their own tastes,
This book intricately weaves together the stories of two characters as it delves into the enigmatic motel. One timeline captures Kerry's unsettling journey upon her arrival, revealing her discoveries and the eerie atmosphere surrounding her. The other timeline immerses readers in the experiences of the previous caretaker, chronicling the haunting events that unfolded in the month leading up to Kerry's visit. Together, these narratives unveil the motel's secrets and the connections between its past and present.
There were a lot of different thriller tropes, and it did start becoming a little predictable. However, some of my guesses became red herrings, which was nice considering how predictable it was becoming. It took me about 40% of the book to get in, but once I got up in the morning, I ended up finishing the last 60% in just about one sitting.
My challenge with the story was that its pacing felt like a slow burn, making it hard for me to stay invested. I found myself longing for a pivotal moment to occur earlier, something to capture my attention and ignite my interest, drawing me deeper into the narrative.
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced copy of this.in exchange for my honest feedback
This book intricately weaves together the stories of two characters as it delves into the enigmatic motel. One timeline captures Kerry's unsettling journey upon her arrival, revealing her discoveries and the eerie atmosphere surrounding her. The other timeline immerses readers in the experiences of the previous caretaker, chronicling the haunting events that unfolded in the month leading up to Kerry's visit. Together, these narratives unveil the motel's secrets and the connections between its past and present.
There were a lot of different thriller tropes, and it did start becoming a little predictable. However, some of my guesses became red herrings, which was nice considering how predictable it was becoming. It took me about 40% of the book to get in, but once I got up in the morning, I ended up finishing the last 60% in just about one sitting.
My challenge with the story was that its pacing felt like a slow burn, making it hard for me to stay invested. I found myself longing for a pivotal moment to occur earlier, something to capture my attention and ignite my interest, drawing me deeper into the narrative.
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced copy of this.in exchange for my honest feedback
January 26, 2025
3.75★
Estranged from both her husband and best friend, Kerry is eager for a fresh start. She accepts a temporary caretaker position at a remote Catskills motel while working on a book that could change her life. But when she arrives, she’s stunned to find the room left with the previous caretaker’s belongings. While she tries to overlook this oddity, things take a darker turn when Kerry discovers blood trails and a pale hand reaching from the snow. Terrified, she ventures out into a snowstorm to seek help, only for the police to arrive and find that the body has vanished.
While the story started slow, with a confused protagonist and a somewhat perplexing narrative, it became far more engaging in the second half. The characters were decent, though I wished for more distinction between them. They all shared similar flaws and seemed lacking in kindness. The plot twist was a great one, but it didn’t fully satisfy when it came to tying the story’s ending together. The conclusion lacked a sense of closure. The secondary characters were more intriguing, though they didn’t get enough time to shine. Despite these flaws, I stayed hooked by the suspense and curiosity, and I’m definitely interested in reading more from the author. A big thank you to Penguin UK for sending me an early copy!
Estranged from both her husband and best friend, Kerry is eager for a fresh start. She accepts a temporary caretaker position at a remote Catskills motel while working on a book that could change her life. But when she arrives, she’s stunned to find the room left with the previous caretaker’s belongings. While she tries to overlook this oddity, things take a darker turn when Kerry discovers blood trails and a pale hand reaching from the snow. Terrified, she ventures out into a snowstorm to seek help, only for the police to arrive and find that the body has vanished.
While the story started slow, with a confused protagonist and a somewhat perplexing narrative, it became far more engaging in the second half. The characters were decent, though I wished for more distinction between them. They all shared similar flaws and seemed lacking in kindness. The plot twist was a great one, but it didn’t fully satisfy when it came to tying the story’s ending together. The conclusion lacked a sense of closure. The secondary characters were more intriguing, though they didn’t get enough time to shine. Despite these flaws, I stayed hooked by the suspense and curiosity, and I’m definitely interested in reading more from the author. A big thank you to Penguin UK for sending me an early copy!
February 7, 2025
This sounded very much like "The Shining" - desolate motel, caretaker looking after it on their own, strange things going on - and definitely sounded like my kind of read. We meet Kerry who takes on the job of being the caretaker over the winter. She is a recovering alcoholic and hopes that the time here on her own will keep her off the drink. The motel is very isolated in the Catskills and time of year brings heavy snow. That all sounds creepy enough on its own, but when Kerry gets there it looks like there is someone else living at the motel as well.
I really liked the idea of this book, and the beginning really had me hooked. However, as the storyline moves on, it's becomes clear that not everything is as it seems and the story begins to twist and turn. Other characters are added and the chapters switch between their perspectives. I have to admit I did get a little confused with the switching of the timelines and characters and I found myself having to go back to the beginning of the chapter to find out which character I was on.
There was lots of tension and suspense and it did leave me feeling a little unsettled. But I did find the storyline quite slow in parts and found myself having to concentrate too much for my liking. The beginning and the end of the book was definitely the better parts!
I really liked the idea of this book, and the beginning really had me hooked. However, as the storyline moves on, it's becomes clear that not everything is as it seems and the story begins to twist and turn. Other characters are added and the chapters switch between their perspectives. I have to admit I did get a little confused with the switching of the timelines and characters and I found myself having to go back to the beginning of the chapter to find out which character I was on.
There was lots of tension and suspense and it did leave me feeling a little unsettled. But I did find the storyline quite slow in parts and found myself having to concentrate too much for my liking. The beginning and the end of the book was definitely the better parts!
April 25, 2025
I thought this was an ok read. The pace was decent, and so was the story.
Kerry is the caretaker of a motel for a month, but on arrival, there's evidence of foul play. She is in the middle of nowhere, snow is falling, and there's no cell reception.
She meets the neighbours on each side of the motel and finds out there's some angst between them and the owner.
Kerry is an alcoholic trying to finish writing a book. She recently broke up with her husband and blocked her best friend due to her drinking problem. She thought getting away from the world and being the caretaker for a month would give her the space she needed to finish her book and recover.
Things didn't quite go to plan. Recovery doesn't last long as she has her first drink, leading to people being unbelieving of her story.
The author says that she was trying to make her own spin on The Shining by Stephen King, which is a book I love. This wasn't as tense or sinister for me. The Shining gave me Goosebumps, and more happens.
It was written from a few different points of view that kept it interesting.
I'm not sure I particularly liked the characters, and the ending was a little underwhelming, but this was still an alright mystery, locked in thriller that did have you guessing about who the killer was.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy to read and review.
Kerry is the caretaker of a motel for a month, but on arrival, there's evidence of foul play. She is in the middle of nowhere, snow is falling, and there's no cell reception.
She meets the neighbours on each side of the motel and finds out there's some angst between them and the owner.
Kerry is an alcoholic trying to finish writing a book. She recently broke up with her husband and blocked her best friend due to her drinking problem. She thought getting away from the world and being the caretaker for a month would give her the space she needed to finish her book and recover.
Things didn't quite go to plan. Recovery doesn't last long as she has her first drink, leading to people being unbelieving of her story.
The author says that she was trying to make her own spin on The Shining by Stephen King, which is a book I love. This wasn't as tense or sinister for me. The Shining gave me Goosebumps, and more happens.
It was written from a few different points of view that kept it interesting.
I'm not sure I particularly liked the characters, and the ending was a little underwhelming, but this was still an alright mystery, locked in thriller that did have you guessing about who the killer was.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy to read and review.
January 28, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin for this eCopy to review
I recently finished reading "The Woman in Room 13" by Leah Konen, and it was a thrilling experience. The novel is set in a remote motel in the Catskills, where Kerry arrives to start a new job as the caretaker.
From the moment Kerry steps into the motel, she senses something is off. Her room is filled with the belongings of the previous caretaker, who seemed to have left in a hurry. The discovery of blood trails and a hand reaching out from the snow sets the stage for a chilling mystery.
What I found most captivating about this book was the atmosphere. Konen masterfully creates a sense of isolation and suspense that kept me on edge throughout. The snowstorm and the eerie, deserted motel add to the tension, making it a perfect setting for a psychological thriller.
Kerry is a well-developed character whose fear and determination drive the narrative. Her interactions with the local police and her quest to uncover the truth about the previous caretaker's disappearance are gripping. The twists and turns in the plot kept me guessing until the very end.
A great combination of mystery, tension, and a touch of horror really gave me the chills whilst reading
I recently finished reading "The Woman in Room 13" by Leah Konen, and it was a thrilling experience. The novel is set in a remote motel in the Catskills, where Kerry arrives to start a new job as the caretaker.
From the moment Kerry steps into the motel, she senses something is off. Her room is filled with the belongings of the previous caretaker, who seemed to have left in a hurry. The discovery of blood trails and a hand reaching out from the snow sets the stage for a chilling mystery.
What I found most captivating about this book was the atmosphere. Konen masterfully creates a sense of isolation and suspense that kept me on edge throughout. The snowstorm and the eerie, deserted motel add to the tension, making it a perfect setting for a psychological thriller.
Kerry is a well-developed character whose fear and determination drive the narrative. Her interactions with the local police and her quest to uncover the truth about the previous caretaker's disappearance are gripping. The twists and turns in the plot kept me guessing until the very end.
A great combination of mystery, tension, and a touch of horror really gave me the chills whilst reading
January 25, 2025
Kerry in a desperate attempt to get the creative juices flowing decides to be a caretaker at an isolated motel. She hopes that the environment and The Shining-like vibes of the motel will provide inspiration for her book but inspiration quickly turns into reality when she discovers a dead body.
The author does a good job of setting the scene and building tension with descriptions of the dark and secluded environment. Even in the circumstances I didn’t feel any sympathy for the main character and found her to be generally unlikable. Also, for someone who has knowledge of the horror-world, she makes a lot of questionable decisions.
There were a couple of twists which I was surprised at but the ending really let the book down. The story is built up to be scary and tense so I was expecting the reveal to follow suit - maybe a chase scene or something. Instead it was pretty anti-climatic and rushed, which ruined the story for me.
I’ve never read anything from this author before and I won’t let this book put me off reading any others in the future.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The author does a good job of setting the scene and building tension with descriptions of the dark and secluded environment. Even in the circumstances I didn’t feel any sympathy for the main character and found her to be generally unlikable. Also, for someone who has knowledge of the horror-world, she makes a lot of questionable decisions.
There were a couple of twists which I was surprised at but the ending really let the book down. The story is built up to be scary and tense so I was expecting the reveal to follow suit - maybe a chase scene or something. Instead it was pretty anti-climatic and rushed, which ruined the story for me.
I’ve never read anything from this author before and I won’t let this book put me off reading any others in the future.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 23, 2025
Sadly, my GR account randomly disappeared, so I'm trying my best to recapture my 2025 read list and reviews.
I didn't know what to expect from this book, but it definitely hooked me in and kept me hooked with the mystery.
Kerry took on the role to be a caretaker at a recently revamped old motel which is closed off during the winter. She was hoping that the time alone would give her ample of opportunities to complete the novel that she needs to write.
Upon arriving, she found the room which she was assigned to, room 13, to a mess with the previous caretaker's things scattered all over. It is at this moment that she sees a hand in the midst of thick layer of snow.
The whole story jumps between two povs; Kerry's and the previous caretaker. The beginning was a little slow to me, then it starts building up and it is a little all over the place but yet still keeping me engaged. When the ending came, I felt that I had questions that were left unanswered. A few things were not addressed so that left me hanging and wondering.
This is my first Leah Konen book, it wasn't that bad but I'm hesitant about picking another one up.
I didn't know what to expect from this book, but it definitely hooked me in and kept me hooked with the mystery.
Kerry took on the role to be a caretaker at a recently revamped old motel which is closed off during the winter. She was hoping that the time alone would give her ample of opportunities to complete the novel that she needs to write.
Upon arriving, she found the room which she was assigned to, room 13, to a mess with the previous caretaker's things scattered all over. It is at this moment that she sees a hand in the midst of thick layer of snow.
The whole story jumps between two povs; Kerry's and the previous caretaker. The beginning was a little slow to me, then it starts building up and it is a little all over the place but yet still keeping me engaged. When the ending came, I felt that I had questions that were left unanswered. A few things were not addressed so that left me hanging and wondering.
This is my first Leah Konen book, it wasn't that bad but I'm hesitant about picking another one up.
July 27, 2024
The Woman in Room 13 takes place in a remote Motel over the winter season, when it closes for business and is offered as a monthly caretaking role for creatives looking for a quiet escape to complete their work.
The premise is very enjoyable and I enjoyed the first person perspective the book takes. I really enjoyed the twists and turns and elements that keep you guessing throughout. At several points I thought I could see where the story was going, only for it to veer elsewhere in a really enjoyable way!
The character progression for the protagonist throughout was well developed and thought through. This book delves into the depths of human emotion, exploring some hard hitting topics with a real brutal honesty. Think good people doing bad things when pushed to the brink.
The tension was kept throughout, with a real "just one more chapter" feeling. Thank you for allowing me to read in advance! I'll definitely be recommending this upon its release in January (the perfect time to read too along with the narrative and setting)
The premise is very enjoyable and I enjoyed the first person perspective the book takes. I really enjoyed the twists and turns and elements that keep you guessing throughout. At several points I thought I could see where the story was going, only for it to veer elsewhere in a really enjoyable way!
The character progression for the protagonist throughout was well developed and thought through. This book delves into the depths of human emotion, exploring some hard hitting topics with a real brutal honesty. Think good people doing bad things when pushed to the brink.
The tension was kept throughout, with a real "just one more chapter" feeling. Thank you for allowing me to read in advance! I'll definitely be recommending this upon its release in January (the perfect time to read too along with the narrative and setting)
August 5, 2024
3.75*
Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book.
This had a synopsis that gripped me - secluded motel in the middle of nowhere and there's a killer on the loose? Perfection. I enjoyed the "flashback" chapters, I love a dual POV and the fact we were learning along with Kerry was a fun way of doing it. I also enjoyed the way we as readers were confronted with choosing who to believe, and whether to believe anything at all.
Personally, I think at times it was a bit slow, almost like nothing of note would happen for a few chapters. And then when anything big did happen, it was rushed. I did really enjoy this book though, and the last chapter was something I didn't see coming at all and I LOVED it. Literally gasped on the last page. This was a great introduction to Leah Konen for me.
Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book.
This had a synopsis that gripped me - secluded motel in the middle of nowhere and there's a killer on the loose? Perfection. I enjoyed the "flashback" chapters, I love a dual POV and the fact we were learning along with Kerry was a fun way of doing it. I also enjoyed the way we as readers were confronted with choosing who to believe, and whether to believe anything at all.
Personally, I think at times it was a bit slow, almost like nothing of note would happen for a few chapters. And then when anything big did happen, it was rushed. I did really enjoy this book though, and the last chapter was something I didn't see coming at all and I LOVED it. Literally gasped on the last page. This was a great introduction to Leah Konen for me.
September 24, 2024
3.5 stars
Ok so I did enjoy this but it was a slow burn in some parts and some chapters were a bit boring and nothing happened but then you’d get a good chapter and well it wasn’t executed as well as it could of been and felt somewhat rushed but I loved the dual pov and it had some good twists and turns!
kerry struggles with her anxiety and alcoholism and the fact that there’s moments where we are questioning if this is in her head or is this real makes it more gripping.
Can I just say though who in their right mind goes to an empty motel out of season alone during winter? Yeah no thanks! Then you find a dead body in the snow!! There’s no way I’d be staying there!
Weird noises, footprints in the snow that ain’t yours, no electricity they are all things right there that make you think I need to leave!
The ending what a twist that I was not expecting so that in itself was a good surprise and I have to say I’d definitely read more by Leah konen
Thanks to netgalley for this advance copy.
Ok so I did enjoy this but it was a slow burn in some parts and some chapters were a bit boring and nothing happened but then you’d get a good chapter and well it wasn’t executed as well as it could of been and felt somewhat rushed but I loved the dual pov and it had some good twists and turns!
kerry struggles with her anxiety and alcoholism and the fact that there’s moments where we are questioning if this is in her head or is this real makes it more gripping.
Can I just say though who in their right mind goes to an empty motel out of season alone during winter? Yeah no thanks! Then you find a dead body in the snow!! There’s no way I’d be staying there!
Weird noises, footprints in the snow that ain’t yours, no electricity they are all things right there that make you think I need to leave!
The ending what a twist that I was not expecting so that in itself was a good surprise and I have to say I’d definitely read more by Leah konen
Thanks to netgalley for this advance copy.
October 10, 2025
I didn't know what to expect from this book, but it definitely hooked me in and kept me hooked with the mystery.
Kerry took on the role to be a caretaker at a recently revamped old motel which is closed off during the winter. She was hoping that the time alone would give her ample of opportunities to complete the novel that she needs to write. Upon arriving, she found the room which she was assigned to, room 13, to a mess with the previous caretaker's things scattered all over. It is at this moment that she sees a hand in the midst of thick layer of snow.
The whole story jumps between two povs; Kerry's and the previous caretaker. The beginning was a little slow to me, then it starts building up and it is a little all over the place but yet still keeping me engaged. When the ending came, I felt that I had questions that were left unanswered. A few things were not addressed so that left me hanging and wondering.
This is my first Leah Konen book, it wasn't that bad but I'm hesitant about picking another one up.
Kerry took on the role to be a caretaker at a recently revamped old motel which is closed off during the winter. She was hoping that the time alone would give her ample of opportunities to complete the novel that she needs to write. Upon arriving, she found the room which she was assigned to, room 13, to a mess with the previous caretaker's things scattered all over. It is at this moment that she sees a hand in the midst of thick layer of snow.
The whole story jumps between two povs; Kerry's and the previous caretaker. The beginning was a little slow to me, then it starts building up and it is a little all over the place but yet still keeping me engaged. When the ending came, I felt that I had questions that were left unanswered. A few things were not addressed so that left me hanging and wondering.
This is my first Leah Konen book, it wasn't that bad but I'm hesitant about picking another one up.
July 23, 2025
The Woman in Room 13 by Leah Konen
My Rating: 5/5
Wow. Just wow.
The Woman in Room 13 is a masterclass in atmospheric psychological suspense. If you love snowy settings, unreliable narrators, and slow-burn thrillers that grip you tighter with every chapter — this book is absolutely for you.
The story follows Kerry, a recovering alcoholic and struggling writer who takes a job as a winter caretaker at a remote motel in the Catskills. She’s there for peace, healing, and maybe a chance to write again. But instead of calm, she finds someone else’s belongings in her room, bloody footprints, and a body in the snow. When she calls the police — the body vanishes. Is she losing her grip on reality, or is someone gaslighting her?
Konen masterfully switches between two perspectives: Kerry in the present, and a mysterious former caretaker from the past. The dual timeline adds a chilling depth to the story, slowly revealing secrets that you think you understand… until everything shifts.
My Rating: 5/5
Wow. Just wow.
The Woman in Room 13 is a masterclass in atmospheric psychological suspense. If you love snowy settings, unreliable narrators, and slow-burn thrillers that grip you tighter with every chapter — this book is absolutely for you.
The story follows Kerry, a recovering alcoholic and struggling writer who takes a job as a winter caretaker at a remote motel in the Catskills. She’s there for peace, healing, and maybe a chance to write again. But instead of calm, she finds someone else’s belongings in her room, bloody footprints, and a body in the snow. When she calls the police — the body vanishes. Is she losing her grip on reality, or is someone gaslighting her?
Konen masterfully switches between two perspectives: Kerry in the present, and a mysterious former caretaker from the past. The dual timeline adds a chilling depth to the story, slowly revealing secrets that you think you understand… until everything shifts.
August 1, 2024
Imagine a Motel, shut up for the season, with temporary caretakers to look after it. This is the Motel that Kerry comes to look after, surrounded by a snowy landscape, no guests and the perfect location for her to finish her writing. When she arrives she discovers something is wrong. There is traces of others and something in the snow.
This is a slight horror story, think of it like a Bates Motel cross Shining style story, but with less fear. Konen has written to wonderfully strong female characters who cleverly compliment each other to tell two parts of the story. What really is going on in the motel and is there someone else there?
Not quite nail biting, but enticing and it does have you wondering who else is there and if it is all in her head.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
This is a slight horror story, think of it like a Bates Motel cross Shining style story, but with less fear. Konen has written to wonderfully strong female characters who cleverly compliment each other to tell two parts of the story. What really is going on in the motel and is there someone else there?
Not quite nail biting, but enticing and it does have you wondering who else is there and if it is all in her head.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
December 29, 2024
A really exciting story following Kerry as she starts her job as caretaker at a motel in the woods of Catskill only the room which she was supposed to be staying in is full of clothes and toiletries belonging to someone else so she goes into the room next door wondering who was in room 13. When she looks outside she sees a hand sticking out of the snow so phones the police but when they turn up there is no body but later when she checks the boiler room she opens the freezer and finds the body but no one believes her.
Loved the character Kerry who struggles with alcohol and wonders if she dreamt the body but when other events happen she knows there is a killer around.
This keeps you wanting to read more and find out the truth it is like a Stephen King story.
Would highly recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Loved the character Kerry who struggles with alcohol and wonders if she dreamt the body but when other events happen she knows there is a killer around.
This keeps you wanting to read more and find out the truth it is like a Stephen King story.
Would highly recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Read
January 18, 2025Recovering alcoholic Kerry takes a job as a caretaker at a remote motel that is closed for the winter. She hopes the isolated location, away from distractions, will keep her off the booze and focused on completing the manuscript of her novel. However, things go wrong immediately. When she arrives and follows the written welcome instructions, she discovers her allocated room littered with a woman’s belongings and the debris from a seemingly wild party. And then, outside, she spots a hand with painted fingernails poking out of the snow. Let’s just say her writing takes a backseat to the small matter of getting out alive. And as for remaining sober, well… can you blame her?
Ideal for fans of slow-burn, straightforward storytelling with plenty of twists.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.
Ideal for fans of slow-burn, straightforward storytelling with plenty of twists.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.
January 18, 2025
From the premise I was keen to read this book. An isolated motel. A body in the snow. A killer lying in wait. Kerry arrives to start a new job as caretaker at a remote hotel. She’s looking for a fresh start but soon realises something is very wrong. Her room is full of the previous occupants belongings and then Kerry sees trails of blood, leading to a hand poking out of the snow. All the trappings of a fantastic psychological thriller. The plot is great with plenty of twists but for me it was just too slow paced. I was hoping for short, punchy chapters to draw me in but in reality it was all just a bit laboured. Thank you to NetGalley, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and the author for the chance to review.
January 29, 2025
4.25
Firstly, thank-you to @netgalley for this ARC! Unfortunately it was very difficult to read on my kindle due to formatting (AGAIN!). It did affect my experience as a reader, having to read it on my iPad!
Onto the review, and this was an absolutely enjoyable book! Something was happening from the beginning and each of the chapters ended with you wanting to read more! 😳 it follows Kerry in the present day as she arrives at a remote hotel to a room that has left in a state and a dead body outside! We then change to a POV 2 days earlier as we try to find out what is going on! This was quick paced and I did enjoy it! Slight drop in rating is due to a slight drop in pace around 3/4 into the book but this is a MUST read! 🥰 I mean, the epilogue still kept you guessing and I loved it!! ❤️
Firstly, thank-you to @netgalley for this ARC! Unfortunately it was very difficult to read on my kindle due to formatting (AGAIN!). It did affect my experience as a reader, having to read it on my iPad!
Onto the review, and this was an absolutely enjoyable book! Something was happening from the beginning and each of the chapters ended with you wanting to read more! 😳 it follows Kerry in the present day as she arrives at a remote hotel to a room that has left in a state and a dead body outside! We then change to a POV 2 days earlier as we try to find out what is going on! This was quick paced and I did enjoy it! Slight drop in rating is due to a slight drop in pace around 3/4 into the book but this is a MUST read! 🥰 I mean, the epilogue still kept you guessing and I loved it!! ❤️
September 1, 2024
Thank you Netgalley for my copy.
This was a bit slow. Most of the narrative is split between two characters who're written exactly the same, I had to keep reminding myself of who's chapter it was supposed to be. A third was thrown in at some point and again, she was indistinguishable from the others.
Kerry is disgusting. She is all woe is me even though she brings everything on herself and then tries to justify her terrible behaviour and even makes out it's in the interest of other people. Like wtf?
Anyway, this could have been much better as the abandoned hotel/ motel is a shoe in for a good thriller. Unfortunately Konen somehow did not manage to achieve this
This was a bit slow. Most of the narrative is split between two characters who're written exactly the same, I had to keep reminding myself of who's chapter it was supposed to be. A third was thrown in at some point and again, she was indistinguishable from the others.
Kerry is disgusting. She is all woe is me even though she brings everything on herself and then tries to justify her terrible behaviour and even makes out it's in the interest of other people. Like wtf?
Anyway, this could have been much better as the abandoned hotel/ motel is a shoe in for a good thriller. Unfortunately Konen somehow did not manage to achieve this
September 6, 2024
Thanks for NetGalley and Leah Konen for providing this ARC in exchange my review.
This book is filled with twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end. It keeps me on the edge of my seat. It is also a thrilling read that combines suspense, mystery, and psychological drama. Konen’s ability to create an eerie atmosphere and her skillful plot twists make this book a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. I found the pacing a bit slow at times, the overall story is engaging and keeps you guessing until the very end. Suggest you to read it if you are the fans of thriller reading.
This book is filled with twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end. It keeps me on the edge of my seat. It is also a thrilling read that combines suspense, mystery, and psychological drama. Konen’s ability to create an eerie atmosphere and her skillful plot twists make this book a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. I found the pacing a bit slow at times, the overall story is engaging and keeps you guessing until the very end. Suggest you to read it if you are the fans of thriller reading.
January 19, 2025
An isolated hotel, A body in the snow, A killer lying in wait.
Kerry finds the ideal chance to escape everything and finish writing her book. Looking after a remote hotel will offer her solitude and a distraction free zone, except it’s far from that. The mysterious disappearance the last caretaker, concerning neighbours and battling her own demons mean Kerry is facing far more than she anticipated.
I enjoyed this book, fab setting and it kept me wondering throughout. Thanks to @netgalley for the opportunity to read this book and good luck to the author on its release.
Publication Date - 30/01/2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#TheWomanInRoom13
#LeahKonen
Kerry finds the ideal chance to escape everything and finish writing her book. Looking after a remote hotel will offer her solitude and a distraction free zone, except it’s far from that. The mysterious disappearance the last caretaker, concerning neighbours and battling her own demons mean Kerry is facing far more than she anticipated.
I enjoyed this book, fab setting and it kept me wondering throughout. Thanks to @netgalley for the opportunity to read this book and good luck to the author on its release.
Publication Date - 30/01/2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#TheWomanInRoom13
#LeahKonen
February 6, 2025
2.5/5
I loved the suffocatingly thrilling premise of this novel and was eager to read it, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations.
It started off very well with our protagonist finding a body in an isolated motel but the story is too slow and with characters that aren't likable. I appreciated the twists in the story but there just wasn't enough happening overall and the ending felt like it was too little too late for me to enjoy it.
I will say though that I was interested enough to want to know what would happen and how it'd end.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the e-copy!
I loved the suffocatingly thrilling premise of this novel and was eager to read it, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations.
It started off very well with our protagonist finding a body in an isolated motel but the story is too slow and with characters that aren't likable. I appreciated the twists in the story but there just wasn't enough happening overall and the ending felt like it was too little too late for me to enjoy it.
I will say though that I was interested enough to want to know what would happen and how it'd end.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the e-copy!
January 29, 2025
3.5 stars
This is a good mystery thriller but is a bit slow in some parts of the story.
It starts off well with Kerry arriving for her new job as a caretaker at a remote motel, and she soon discovers a dead body.
When the Police eventually arrive, the body is gone so Kerry starts questioning herself.
Things are clearly not what they seem and we also get an insight from the previous caretaker as part of the story.
Overall this is a good read if you stick with it.
Thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph for the opportunity to read this book.
This is a good mystery thriller but is a bit slow in some parts of the story.
It starts off well with Kerry arriving for her new job as a caretaker at a remote motel, and she soon discovers a dead body.
When the Police eventually arrive, the body is gone so Kerry starts questioning herself.
Things are clearly not what they seem and we also get an insight from the previous caretaker as part of the story.
Overall this is a good read if you stick with it.
Thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph for the opportunity to read this book.
February 14, 2025
This was really disappointing. I found it slow and the story a bit bland. It was lacking any twists or turns and even when you find out who the killer is, they just admit it and there’s no drama at all.
The setting seemed really promising, but there was no expansion from the original arrival. None of the characters were particularly likeable and I didn’t feel like they developed throughout the story either.
Just meh. Fine. Forgettable.
A generous 3 stars. Sorry.
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced copy.
The setting seemed really promising, but there was no expansion from the original arrival. None of the characters were particularly likeable and I didn’t feel like they developed throughout the story either.
Just meh. Fine. Forgettable.
A generous 3 stars. Sorry.
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced copy.
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