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The Woman in Room 9
She thought the nightmare was over. Then she woke up.
Susan Gummer wakes from a coma to find herself in a remote hospital with no memory of who she is or how she came to be there.
The first thing she’s told is she’s an infamous murder suspect.
Ten years ago, Jamie Mawdsley, heir to a vast healthcare empire, was killed. Susan was seen fleeing the scene, covered in blood, only to be struck by a car and trapped in unconsciousness.
There are no other suspects.
Beyond the hospital walls, the world has already decided she's guilty. True crime podcasts, TV documentaries and social media are all demanding she is charged with murder.
Now, under the care of psychiatrist Dr. Max Quane, the race is on to recover Susan’s memories before police arrest her for a crime she can't remember committing.
Can Susan save herself by piecing together what really happened that night? And if she does, will the memories open a door to a horror beyond her wildest imaginings?
The Woman in Room 9 – the chilling psychological thriller, perfect for fans of Ruth Ware, SJ Watson, and Paula Hawkins.
Susan Gummer wakes from a coma to find herself in a remote hospital with no memory of who she is or how she came to be there.
The first thing she’s told is she’s an infamous murder suspect.
Ten years ago, Jamie Mawdsley, heir to a vast healthcare empire, was killed. Susan was seen fleeing the scene, covered in blood, only to be struck by a car and trapped in unconsciousness.
There are no other suspects.
Beyond the hospital walls, the world has already decided she's guilty. True crime podcasts, TV documentaries and social media are all demanding she is charged with murder.
Now, under the care of psychiatrist Dr. Max Quane, the race is on to recover Susan’s memories before police arrest her for a crime she can't remember committing.
Can Susan save herself by piecing together what really happened that night? And if she does, will the memories open a door to a horror beyond her wildest imaginings?
The Woman in Room 9 – the chilling psychological thriller, perfect for fans of Ruth Ware, SJ Watson, and Paula Hawkins.
301 pages, ebook
Published August 31, 2025
72 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Tim Adler
12 books51 followersTim Adler is an author and journalist who has written three nonfiction books for publishers including Bloomsbury.
The Week said that Tim writes “with brio” while the Daily Mail has described his work as “dazzling” while The Sunday Times called it “compulsively readable”.
He is a former commissioning editor on The Daily Telegraph, who has also written for the Financial Times and The Times.
Tim has written four thrillers, including his debut SLOW BLEED, which ranked #1 on the Kindle medical thriller chart, and HOLD STILL, which bestselling crime author Peter James said, “hooked me from the beginning”.
He is former London editor of Hollywood entertainment news website Deadline and, more recently, the website he now edits was named as a top blog covering the coronavirus pandemic by journalist trade magazine Press Gazette alongside the BBC, Guardian and the Telegraph.
In his spare time, Tim enjoys playing bridge, jogging, yoga and trying to gain the upper hand in his running battle with his pet chihuahua.
The Week said that Tim writes “with brio” while the Daily Mail has described his work as “dazzling” while The Sunday Times called it “compulsively readable”.
He is a former commissioning editor on The Daily Telegraph, who has also written for the Financial Times and The Times.
Tim has written four thrillers, including his debut SLOW BLEED, which ranked #1 on the Kindle medical thriller chart, and HOLD STILL, which bestselling crime author Peter James said, “hooked me from the beginning”.
He is former London editor of Hollywood entertainment news website Deadline and, more recently, the website he now edits was named as a top blog covering the coronavirus pandemic by journalist trade magazine Press Gazette alongside the BBC, Guardian and the Telegraph.
In his spare time, Tim enjoys playing bridge, jogging, yoga and trying to gain the upper hand in his running battle with his pet chihuahua.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
August 12, 2025
Amnesia, secrets, and murder—what’s not to love? The premise piqued my interest. Susan has been in a coma for ten years. Once she wakes up, she immediately realizes she has no memory of where she is or how she got there. I enjoyed how the story jumped from past to present as secrets from the past were cleverly revealed. Part of the conclusion was slightly predictable, but the final twist was witty and surprising. Thank you, Booksprout and Inkubator Books for my ARC.
November 2, 2025
Waking up from a 10-year coma to find the world thinks you're a murderer? That alone was enough to make me want to read this. Susan has no memory of the wealthy heir she’s accused of killing, just a blank space where the most important night of her life should be. As she works with a psychiatrist to piece together what happened, the story flips between her past and present, and every answer only brings more questions.
I was totally wrapped up in the mystery and every chapter made me rethink what I thought I knew. Susan isn’t the only unreliable voice here, and that made the whole thing feel like a puzzle with missing pieces. The tension built perfectly, and even though I tried to guess the ending, the final twist still got me. Some parts felt a little slow, especially in the middle, but the payoff was worth it.
Thank you NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I was totally wrapped up in the mystery and every chapter made me rethink what I thought I knew. Susan isn’t the only unreliable voice here, and that made the whole thing feel like a puzzle with missing pieces. The tension built perfectly, and even though I tried to guess the ending, the final twist still got me. Some parts felt a little slow, especially in the middle, but the payoff was worth it.
Thank you NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 4, 2025
What did I actually just read here? What a tremendous book. It was a brilliant idea and it worked so well!
The cover design is excellent. It is a job well done!
The writing is excellent and the book flows nicely. The book kept me on the edge of my seat. The twists were shocking.
The book is mostly set on a Suffolk islet within a psychiatric hospital. For the most part it made the book a little claustrophobic.
The characters were excellent and they fit in beautifully. I loved Susan. I felt sorry for her and I loved how her recovering memories helped the story unfold.
I definitely recommend this. It was such a good and gritty read!
The cover design is excellent. It is a job well done!
The writing is excellent and the book flows nicely. The book kept me on the edge of my seat. The twists were shocking.
The book is mostly set on a Suffolk islet within a psychiatric hospital. For the most part it made the book a little claustrophobic.
The characters were excellent and they fit in beautifully. I loved Susan. I felt sorry for her and I loved how her recovering memories helped the story unfold.
I definitely recommend this. It was such a good and gritty read!
August 30, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ARC Review – The Woman in Room 9 by Tim Adler
The Woman in Room 9 follows Susan Gummer, dubbed the “Sleeping Beauty Killer,” who wakes from a decade-long coma and must piece together the fragments of her past to uncover what really happened. The narrative alternates between past and present, slowly peeling back layers of mystery as Susan struggles to reconcile her memories with reality.
I found the premise fascinating and the idea of exploring memory, trauma, and unreliable perception had huge potential. The alternating timelines kept the story moving, though at times it felt a little disjointed, and I was left wanting more depth in the character development.
The biggest sticking point for me was the ending—it wrapped up on a very confusing note that left me more puzzled than satisfied. While the buildup held my attention, I wanted a stronger payoff to match the intriguing setup.
Overall, a twisty and unusual thriller with an original concept, but one that didn’t quite land for me in the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the pre release read.
The Woman in Room 9 follows Susan Gummer, dubbed the “Sleeping Beauty Killer,” who wakes from a decade-long coma and must piece together the fragments of her past to uncover what really happened. The narrative alternates between past and present, slowly peeling back layers of mystery as Susan struggles to reconcile her memories with reality.
I found the premise fascinating and the idea of exploring memory, trauma, and unreliable perception had huge potential. The alternating timelines kept the story moving, though at times it felt a little disjointed, and I was left wanting more depth in the character development.
The biggest sticking point for me was the ending—it wrapped up on a very confusing note that left me more puzzled than satisfied. While the buildup held my attention, I wanted a stronger payoff to match the intriguing setup.
Overall, a twisty and unusual thriller with an original concept, but one that didn’t quite land for me in the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the pre release read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2025
The pacing of this book was perfect and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I loved getting to know our FMC as got to know herself again. I found the story so compelling and exciting, I loved learning little bit more each time we had a new memory or flashback. My only complaint would be wanting more after the epilogue, however it was still a well thought out ending which I truly appreciated. I couldn’t stop thinking of this book the week I was reading, I was HOOKED.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC
September 2, 2025
A Mind put through tests
How would a person feel when waking up from a coma after 10 years? Then add not remembering anything that put her in that position. Susan Gummer then gets to figure out why she is the only patient in a hospital, with staff only being there for her.
To say that the story goes way awry after that, is a small statement to what truly happens. She is trying to remember, and sometimes, things should be forgotten, or should they...?
Thank you, Time Adler, for a good story!
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest review.
How would a person feel when waking up from a coma after 10 years? Then add not remembering anything that put her in that position. Susan Gummer then gets to figure out why she is the only patient in a hospital, with staff only being there for her.
To say that the story goes way awry after that, is a small statement to what truly happens. She is trying to remember, and sometimes, things should be forgotten, or should they...?
Thank you, Time Adler, for a good story!
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest review.
September 4, 2025
Woman in Room 9 was diabolical and so twisty! I thought it was going in one direction and then BAM! The wool was pulled over my eyes and the direction of the story went completely off the rails. My first book by Tim Adler and I cannot wait to read more of him!
August 13, 2025
I ended up reading this in one sitting, once I started I found i couldn't put it down and needed to know what happens next. I love the author using both past and present media references within the story however some felt out of place and bothered me. The same thing with the mention of a nokia being used in 2015 and the fmc not knowing what smart phone is, when in 2015 smart phones were massive and I dont remember a person who didn't have one.
I loved the past and present timelines, I personally love a book that includes this, especially a thriller, however they could have been chartered off with dates to title which past we were in, at some point of the book there were 3 timelines, 2 past and the present which made for a bit of a confusing moment in the book.
Apart from the author briefly mentioning the fmc was a bigger girl when she was younger, and in tje present in the mirror she describes her face as shrunken, I dont have any idea what the fmc actually looked like, a full description would of been nice.
This story could of gone from I enjoyed it and it was a great story to this story was amazing, if it wasn't for so many little issues I kept picking up throughout the book, the ones I reviewed were just the main ones I found, however it is definitely a story worth reading
I loved the past and present timelines, I personally love a book that includes this, especially a thriller, however they could have been chartered off with dates to title which past we were in, at some point of the book there were 3 timelines, 2 past and the present which made for a bit of a confusing moment in the book.
Apart from the author briefly mentioning the fmc was a bigger girl when she was younger, and in tje present in the mirror she describes her face as shrunken, I dont have any idea what the fmc actually looked like, a full description would of been nice.
This story could of gone from I enjoyed it and it was a great story to this story was amazing, if it wasn't for so many little issues I kept picking up throughout the book, the ones I reviewed were just the main ones I found, however it is definitely a story worth reading
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2025
I'm absolutely loving my journey with Zooloos Book Tours - psychological thrillers are completely in my wheelhouse, and The Woman in Room 9 delivered exactly the kind of twisty, mind-bending narrative I crave. Tim Adler has crafted a story that immediately reminded me of Matthew Blake's Anna O, sharing that compelling blend of medical mystery and psychological suspense that keeps you questioning everything.
The premise hooks you from page one: Susan Gummer awakens from a decade-long coma, only to discover she's the prime suspect in her former fiancé Jamie Mawdsley's murder. Her memories are fragments - finding Jamie's blood-soaked body, fleeing in terror, then darkness after being struck by a taxi. It's a setup that perfectly exploits our fascination with unreliable narrators and buried truths.
What I particularly appreciated was Tim Adler's handling of the amnesia trope. Rather than using memory loss as a cheap plot device, he weaves it into the very fabric of the thriller. Susan's fractured recollections become both her greatest vulnerability and her only weapon against a killer who's had ten years to perfect their frame job. The tension builds beautifully as we realize that Susan's awakening threatens to unravel a carefully constructed lie.
The pacing struck that sweet spot between slow-burn psychological development and pulse-pounding thriller beats. Tim Adler doesn't rush to reveal his hand, instead allowing the paranoia to seep in gradually. Someone desperately wants Susan silenced, and their desperation becomes increasingly palpable as the truth threatens to surface.
While the comparison to Anna O is inevitable, The Woman in Room 9 carves out its own identity through its focus on corporate corruption and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets. The medical setting provides an appropriately claustrophobic backdrop for Susan's fight for both truth and survival.
If you're drawn to amnesia mysteries, medical thrillers, or stories where the protagonist must literally fight for their right to remember, Tim Adler delivers on all fronts. It's a solid entry in the psychological thriller genre that will satisfy fans of complex, character-driven suspense.
Perfect for readers who enjoy: Medical mysteries, amnesia plotlines, corporate conspiracy thrillers, and protagonists who refuse to stay buried.
The premise hooks you from page one: Susan Gummer awakens from a decade-long coma, only to discover she's the prime suspect in her former fiancé Jamie Mawdsley's murder. Her memories are fragments - finding Jamie's blood-soaked body, fleeing in terror, then darkness after being struck by a taxi. It's a setup that perfectly exploits our fascination with unreliable narrators and buried truths.
What I particularly appreciated was Tim Adler's handling of the amnesia trope. Rather than using memory loss as a cheap plot device, he weaves it into the very fabric of the thriller. Susan's fractured recollections become both her greatest vulnerability and her only weapon against a killer who's had ten years to perfect their frame job. The tension builds beautifully as we realize that Susan's awakening threatens to unravel a carefully constructed lie.
The pacing struck that sweet spot between slow-burn psychological development and pulse-pounding thriller beats. Tim Adler doesn't rush to reveal his hand, instead allowing the paranoia to seep in gradually. Someone desperately wants Susan silenced, and their desperation becomes increasingly palpable as the truth threatens to surface.
While the comparison to Anna O is inevitable, The Woman in Room 9 carves out its own identity through its focus on corporate corruption and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets. The medical setting provides an appropriately claustrophobic backdrop for Susan's fight for both truth and survival.
If you're drawn to amnesia mysteries, medical thrillers, or stories where the protagonist must literally fight for their right to remember, Tim Adler delivers on all fronts. It's a solid entry in the psychological thriller genre that will satisfy fans of complex, character-driven suspense.
Perfect for readers who enjoy: Medical mysteries, amnesia plotlines, corporate conspiracy thrillers, and protagonists who refuse to stay buried.
August 16, 2025
A gripping psychological thriller wrapped in memory, suspense, and a fight to uncover the truth.
I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Susan Gummer awakens from a coma in a remote hospital with no memory of who she is - or how she got there. All she knows is that she’s now the prime suspect in the murder of Jamie Mawdsley, heir to a healthcare empire. Found covered in blood and fleeing the scene ten years ago, she’s been vulnerable and silent ever since. As true crime shows and social media cast her as guilty, Susan works with psychiatrist Dr. Max Quane to piece together her memories - racing against time before the police arrest her. But as she recovers fragments of that fateful night, she realizes that remembering the truth may lead her into something far darker than she ever expected.
What I enjoyed
- Addictive pacing and short chapters: It was impossible to put this down - I devoured it in a single day.
- Dual timelines and memory recovery: Experiencing Susan’s past and present in tandem kept me hooked. Each recovered memory carried new weight.
- Mystery slowly unfolding: The air of suspense and the question of what really happened, and who killed Jamie, was compelling and tense.
What didn’t work for me
- The final 25% of the book felt like a drag to read and didn’t seem to intrigue me like the first 75% of the book did
- The build-up didn’t deliver the “wow” moment I expected.
- The multiple escape sequences from the bad guy felt unnecessarily long and dragged the pace.
- The final twist felt forced and unneeded
Would I still recommend it?
Yes, definitely. The first 75% is strong, immersive storytelling. But if the ending matters to you as much as the journey, be aware that this one could leave you less satisfied than expected.
I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Susan Gummer awakens from a coma in a remote hospital with no memory of who she is - or how she got there. All she knows is that she’s now the prime suspect in the murder of Jamie Mawdsley, heir to a healthcare empire. Found covered in blood and fleeing the scene ten years ago, she’s been vulnerable and silent ever since. As true crime shows and social media cast her as guilty, Susan works with psychiatrist Dr. Max Quane to piece together her memories - racing against time before the police arrest her. But as she recovers fragments of that fateful night, she realizes that remembering the truth may lead her into something far darker than she ever expected.
What I enjoyed
- Addictive pacing and short chapters: It was impossible to put this down - I devoured it in a single day.
- Dual timelines and memory recovery: Experiencing Susan’s past and present in tandem kept me hooked. Each recovered memory carried new weight.
- Mystery slowly unfolding: The air of suspense and the question of what really happened, and who killed Jamie, was compelling and tense.
What didn’t work for me
- The final 25% of the book felt like a drag to read and didn’t seem to intrigue me like the first 75% of the book did
- The build-up didn’t deliver the “wow” moment I expected.
- The multiple escape sequences from the bad guy felt unnecessarily long and dragged the pace.
- The final twist felt forced and unneeded
Would I still recommend it?
Yes, definitely. The first 75% is strong, immersive storytelling. But if the ending matters to you as much as the journey, be aware that this one could leave you less satisfied than expected.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2025
The Woman in Room 9 by Tim Adler was a book that grabbed me from the very beginning till the very end. I thought I had worked it all out! then all change 🤔 I got it wrong. The twists and turns were excellent and they will keep you on your toes and keep you rethinking and guessing more to what happens next to the main character Susan Gummer.
Now who is Susan Gummer?
Jamie Mawdsley, is the heir to a large healthcare empire, and was murdered. . . . This was ten Years ago.
No one has been charged for his murder. But there is one suspect . . . . .Susan Gummer, was seen fleeing the scene, and she was covered in blood, as she was fleeing she was struck by a car and trapped in unconsciousness ever since that day.
Now, Susan Gummer has been in a coma for ten years, only to find herself in a remote hospital with no memory of who she is or how she came to be there. WoW!!!!
The first thing she is told that she is a murder suspect for the murder of Jamie Mawdsley. all those years ago and there has been No other suspects!
Everyone around her and outside world have already decided she is "Guilty!" with True Podcasts, TV documentaries and social media are all demanding she is charged with murder.
Now, she is under the care of psychiatrist Dr. Max Quane, the race is on to recover Susan’s memories before police arrest her for a crime she can't remember committing.
Can Susan save herself by piecing together what really happened that night?
If she does, will the memories open a door to a horror beyond her wildest imaginings?
I highly recommend this book. Excellent read and will have you guessing till the very end!!!! 5 star read.
Now who is Susan Gummer?
Jamie Mawdsley, is the heir to a large healthcare empire, and was murdered. . . . This was ten Years ago.
No one has been charged for his murder. But there is one suspect . . . . .Susan Gummer, was seen fleeing the scene, and she was covered in blood, as she was fleeing she was struck by a car and trapped in unconsciousness ever since that day.
Now, Susan Gummer has been in a coma for ten years, only to find herself in a remote hospital with no memory of who she is or how she came to be there. WoW!!!!
The first thing she is told that she is a murder suspect for the murder of Jamie Mawdsley. all those years ago and there has been No other suspects!
Everyone around her and outside world have already decided she is "Guilty!" with True Podcasts, TV documentaries and social media are all demanding she is charged with murder.
Now, she is under the care of psychiatrist Dr. Max Quane, the race is on to recover Susan’s memories before police arrest her for a crime she can't remember committing.
Can Susan save herself by piecing together what really happened that night?
If she does, will the memories open a door to a horror beyond her wildest imaginings?
I highly recommend this book. Excellent read and will have you guessing till the very end!!!! 5 star read.
August 28, 2025
The Woman in Room 9 was a fast paced thriller. I got sucked in immediately! This story for me is like... worst case scenario. Waking up one day and finding out that you were in a coma for the last 10 years and you have amnesia coming up to the incident that lead you to the coma is a horrifying thought to me. We don't really realize how much of the mundane, every day things we really rely on our brains for. The thought of not having that one day just chills me to the core.
Well. that's the case for Susan. She wakes up after being in a coma for 10 years and can't remember anything leading up to it and why she's there. She finds it strange that she's in a psychiatric hospital where she is literally the only patient along with 2 nurses and a doctor. She's confused as to why a whole hospital would be in operation just to take care of her. As she begins to dig around for answers, she finds out that she's being held there because she's suspected of murdering a very wealthy man, whom was also her fiancé. She was a caretaker for his paralyzed sister, and the sister, Amy, is the one saying that Susan committed the crime. But as Susan begins to work with Dr Max to uncover the memories locked in her brain, she finds that nothing is as it seems and she can't trust anyone with the truth!
The story itself was interesting, the pacing was even and keeps you intrigued. If you're in the mood for a quick little thriller, check this one out!
Well. that's the case for Susan. She wakes up after being in a coma for 10 years and can't remember anything leading up to it and why she's there. She finds it strange that she's in a psychiatric hospital where she is literally the only patient along with 2 nurses and a doctor. She's confused as to why a whole hospital would be in operation just to take care of her. As she begins to dig around for answers, she finds out that she's being held there because she's suspected of murdering a very wealthy man, whom was also her fiancé. She was a caretaker for his paralyzed sister, and the sister, Amy, is the one saying that Susan committed the crime. But as Susan begins to work with Dr Max to uncover the memories locked in her brain, she finds that nothing is as it seems and she can't trust anyone with the truth!
The story itself was interesting, the pacing was even and keeps you intrigued. If you're in the mood for a quick little thriller, check this one out!
August 24, 2025
Susan Gummer woke from a coma to find herself in a remote hospital with no memory of who she is or how she came to be there. The first thing she is told is she's an infamous murder suspect. Ten years ago, Jamie Mawdsley, heir to a vast healthcare empire, was killed. Susan was seen fleeing the scene, covered in blood, only to be struck by a car and trapped in unconsciousness. There are no other suspects. Beyond the hospital walls, the world has already decided she's guilty. True crime podcasts, TV documentaries and social media are all demanding she is charged with murder. Now, under the care of psychiatrist Dr Max Quane, the race is on to recover Susan's memories before the police arrest her.
I loved reading Susan's story, the recovery of her memory, and to find out if she was guilty of murder. I was quickly pulled into this story. Susan has been in a coma for ten years. The story has been cleverly crafted, the characters are well-developed, the pace is perfect in this twisted read. The narrators are unreliable. There were so many surprises along the way. I loved how this story ended.
Published 31st August 2025
I would like to thank #NetGalley #InkubatorBooks and the author #TimAdler for my ARC of #TheWomanInRoom9 in exchange for an honest review.
I loved reading Susan's story, the recovery of her memory, and to find out if she was guilty of murder. I was quickly pulled into this story. Susan has been in a coma for ten years. The story has been cleverly crafted, the characters are well-developed, the pace is perfect in this twisted read. The narrators are unreliable. There were so many surprises along the way. I loved how this story ended.
Published 31st August 2025
I would like to thank #NetGalley #InkubatorBooks and the author #TimAdler for my ARC of #TheWomanInRoom9 in exchange for an honest review.
August 29, 2025
I knew nothing about this book or had read anything else by this author when I requested to read this book - I was just so intrigued by the title and synopsis that I just had to read it. A woman in a coma for 10 years that has been the subject of every crime documentary, podcast, and Netflix-type series during that time - wakes up out of the blue. Locked away as the only patient in a small private hospital, Susan wakes up but can't remember anything from before. Her amnesia has blocked out the past, but it slowly starts to fade and her long-term childhood memories start to come back. With the help of her doctor, Max, she goes through many different therapies to try to remember what happened the night she was hit by a car, after running out of a house covered in blood. Her fiancé has been murdered but no one could question her about that night while she was in a coma. Now - everyone is eager to talk to her and discover what really happened that night.
I liked the twists and turns throughout this book. I believe I was able to figure out part of the ending but then was very surprised about other parts. Definitely worth a read - especially during the fall time when, I think, psychological thrillers are the best with other spooky things!
I liked the twists and turns throughout this book. I believe I was able to figure out part of the ending but then was very surprised about other parts. Definitely worth a read - especially during the fall time when, I think, psychological thrillers are the best with other spooky things!
August 26, 2025
The Woman in Room 9 by Tim Adler is a claustrophobic psychological thriller that left me constantly second-guessing myself.
From the start, the atmosphere was eerie, and I could feel that something bigger was lurking beneath the surface. I repeatedly thought I had the twists solved, only to be proven wrong again and again. By the end, I found myself sympathizing with the main character in ways I didn’t expect — her situation was haunting and heartbreaking.
The pacing was excellent, pulling me straight through chapters without slowing down. The cast of characters was handled like pieces of a puzzle, each essential to the bigger picture. Every twist was earned, often forcing me to flip back pages to see what I might have missed.
This isn’t a story of love or redemption — it’s about jealousy, revenge, and the weight of past traumas. It left me feeling anxious, angry, and strangely compassionate for characters who weren’t necessarily “good.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — 4 stars. Creepy, emotional, and packed with twists. A must-read for fans of Freida McFadden and psychological thrillers that toy with your mind.
From the start, the atmosphere was eerie, and I could feel that something bigger was lurking beneath the surface. I repeatedly thought I had the twists solved, only to be proven wrong again and again. By the end, I found myself sympathizing with the main character in ways I didn’t expect — her situation was haunting and heartbreaking.
The pacing was excellent, pulling me straight through chapters without slowing down. The cast of characters was handled like pieces of a puzzle, each essential to the bigger picture. Every twist was earned, often forcing me to flip back pages to see what I might have missed.
This isn’t a story of love or redemption — it’s about jealousy, revenge, and the weight of past traumas. It left me feeling anxious, angry, and strangely compassionate for characters who weren’t necessarily “good.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — 4 stars. Creepy, emotional, and packed with twists. A must-read for fans of Freida McFadden and psychological thrillers that toy with your mind.
August 22, 2025
💙😱Breathtaking!
Her hands are covered in blood.
She doesn't know where it's coming from.
She's standing in an unfamiliar hallway. She tries to open the front door, but the handle slips...
-----
An excellent thriller brimming with action and surprises, which takes the reader on a dangerous and spectacular adventure in which nothing is what it seems.
The plot is impressive and the characters are very well-crafted.
I was breathless until the end!
Bravo! I highly recommend it.
##########################
💙😱A couper le souffle !
Ses mains sont couvertes de sang.
Elle ne sait pas d’où ça vient.
Elle se tient dans un hall inconnu. Elle essaie d’ouvrir la porte d’entrée mais la poignée glisse...
-----
Un excellent thriller débordant d’action et d’imprévus, et qui emporte le lecteur dans une dangereuse et spectaculaire aventure dans laquelle rien n’est ce qu’il paraît être.
L’intrigue est bluffante et les personnages sont très réussis.
J’ai eu le souffle coupé jusqu'à la fin !
Bravo ! je recommande vivement.
Her hands are covered in blood.
She doesn't know where it's coming from.
She's standing in an unfamiliar hallway. She tries to open the front door, but the handle slips...
-----
An excellent thriller brimming with action and surprises, which takes the reader on a dangerous and spectacular adventure in which nothing is what it seems.
The plot is impressive and the characters are very well-crafted.
I was breathless until the end!
Bravo! I highly recommend it.
##########################
💙😱A couper le souffle !
Ses mains sont couvertes de sang.
Elle ne sait pas d’où ça vient.
Elle se tient dans un hall inconnu. Elle essaie d’ouvrir la porte d’entrée mais la poignée glisse...
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Un excellent thriller débordant d’action et d’imprévus, et qui emporte le lecteur dans une dangereuse et spectaculaire aventure dans laquelle rien n’est ce qu’il paraît être.
L’intrigue est bluffante et les personnages sont très réussis.
J’ai eu le souffle coupé jusqu'à la fin !
Bravo ! je recommande vivement.
August 25, 2025
3.5 stars for me. My first and not last book from this author.
Susan Gummer wakes from a coma after ten years. She can't remember what happen to land her here,but she soon find out that she's a murder suspect. Jamie Mawdsley Susan fiance was killed ten years ago,and the witness his sister Amanda Mawdsley point finger at Susan.
In care of psychiatrist Dr. Max Quane, she's trying to resolve mystery, and remember if she's the reason Jamie is dead.
Amnesia, conflicted feelings, and going trough time she meet Mawdsley family ,will be her only help to find out what happened.
Who was really her friend?
Was she only a bet for Jamie,or did he really loved her?
Was Amanda truthful, or was she playing a game?
It was a enjoyable read, going trough memory lane we see behavior of Mawdsley family,and the way they treat Susan. Full of tension I could not put it back, even trough I figure it out quite early.
Recommend this book for chilling psychological thriller fans.
Thank you for arc.
Susan Gummer wakes from a coma after ten years. She can't remember what happen to land her here,but she soon find out that she's a murder suspect. Jamie Mawdsley Susan fiance was killed ten years ago,and the witness his sister Amanda Mawdsley point finger at Susan.
In care of psychiatrist Dr. Max Quane, she's trying to resolve mystery, and remember if she's the reason Jamie is dead.
Amnesia, conflicted feelings, and going trough time she meet Mawdsley family ,will be her only help to find out what happened.
Who was really her friend?
Was she only a bet for Jamie,or did he really loved her?
Was Amanda truthful, or was she playing a game?
It was a enjoyable read, going trough memory lane we see behavior of Mawdsley family,and the way they treat Susan. Full of tension I could not put it back, even trough I figure it out quite early.
Recommend this book for chilling psychological thriller fans.
Thank you for arc.
September 1, 2025
Tim Adler's The Woman in Room 9 is a rare and captivating read that fully deserves its five-star rating. As a first-time reader of Adler's work, I was immediately drawn into a narrative that demonstrates a masterful command of storytelling.
What truly sets this book apart is its brilliant use of a dual timeline, seamlessly weaving a historical past with a compelling present. This style of writing is a major strength, allowing the story's tension to build in a unique and satisfying way.
Beyond the clever plot, the characters are incredibly likable and well-developed. Their struggles and triumphs feel genuine, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journey.
This is a book I would highly recommend to anyone who appreciates a story with a rich plot, engaging characters, and a distinctive narrative style. It's a powerful and memorable reading experience that will leave you eager to explore more from this talented author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What truly sets this book apart is its brilliant use of a dual timeline, seamlessly weaving a historical past with a compelling present. This style of writing is a major strength, allowing the story's tension to build in a unique and satisfying way.
Beyond the clever plot, the characters are incredibly likable and well-developed. Their struggles and triumphs feel genuine, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journey.
This is a book I would highly recommend to anyone who appreciates a story with a rich plot, engaging characters, and a distinctive narrative style. It's a powerful and memorable reading experience that will leave you eager to explore more from this talented author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 2, 2025
I liked this book but didn’t love it. It centers on Susan, who wakes up from a coma to learn she is a murder suspect. Susan has to regain her memory in order to clear her name (or realize she could be a murderer after all!). The book alternates between current and previous timelines so the reader gets the backstory that leads to the current situation.
This was an interesting concept, though not unique, but I had same trouble connecting with Susan’s character. She felt guilty about things that maybe she shouldn’t have but also didn’t feel guilty about things that maybe she should have. I wish the reader got more background into the social media regarding her case to ground us in the bigger picture. There were a couple surprises in the book and I did think the big twist was well done but there was something about Susan that just didn’t grip me. The ending was a bit rushed, but it worked for the story.
Overall, I enjoyed this one but just didn’t fully connect. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was an interesting concept, though not unique, but I had same trouble connecting with Susan’s character. She felt guilty about things that maybe she shouldn’t have but also didn’t feel guilty about things that maybe she should have. I wish the reader got more background into the social media regarding her case to ground us in the bigger picture. There were a couple surprises in the book and I did think the big twist was well done but there was something about Susan that just didn’t grip me. The ending was a bit rushed, but it worked for the story.
Overall, I enjoyed this one but just didn’t fully connect. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 9, 2025
Memorable quote: “That policeman, he wants to arrest me for murder. The irony is, I’m as innocent as a newborn. I don’t have any memories of who I was before this.” ~ Susan Gummer
The synopsis and beginning of The Woman in Room 9 really grabbed my attention. I’ve read a few books this year where the MC wakes up from being in a coma, and author Tim Alder’s spin on this trope (if it’s considered a trope) definitely piqued my interest! Everyone believed that Susan, the woman who woke up from a 10-year coma, was a murderer. She knows she’s guilty of something, but without her memories she doesn’t know if everyone is right.
The dual timeline plot is thick with mystery. In the present time, Susan’s therapist is rushing her to recover her memories. And as her past resurfaces, she recalls being envious of her classmate Amanda, aka Amy, and Amy’s posh family with whom she spent time with. So many questions and much to be revealed! Whether predictable or not, the twists and ending made this a page-turning thriller for me.
It could have earned 5 stars from me if some parts didn’t feel rushed.
***I received an advance copy from Inkubator Books via Booksprout, and these thoughts are my own opinion***
The synopsis and beginning of The Woman in Room 9 really grabbed my attention. I’ve read a few books this year where the MC wakes up from being in a coma, and author Tim Alder’s spin on this trope (if it’s considered a trope) definitely piqued my interest! Everyone believed that Susan, the woman who woke up from a 10-year coma, was a murderer. She knows she’s guilty of something, but without her memories she doesn’t know if everyone is right.
The dual timeline plot is thick with mystery. In the present time, Susan’s therapist is rushing her to recover her memories. And as her past resurfaces, she recalls being envious of her classmate Amanda, aka Amy, and Amy’s posh family with whom she spent time with. So many questions and much to be revealed! Whether predictable or not, the twists and ending made this a page-turning thriller for me.
It could have earned 5 stars from me if some parts didn’t feel rushed.
***I received an advance copy from Inkubator Books via Booksprout, and these thoughts are my own opinion***
August 23, 2025
This thriller, The Woman in Room 9, is quite intense. It begins with the FMC waking up from a decade-long coma to discover she's the prime suspect in the murder of her former fiancée. She has no memory of anything, so could she have murdered him?
The author takes the reader on a real ride by using alternating timelines. By using the duo timelines, the author created even more suspense. I could feel the tension with every chapter.
The story is full of twists, leading the reader on a real rollercoaster ride. I loved the pace of the story and how gripping it was to the end.
I appreciated the short chapters. It makes for a more satisfying reading experience.
There was a minor issue that detracted from the book; I didn't feel as though the ending was as satisfying as I had hoped. I felt that the ending fell a little flat.
Overall, the book delivered on the thriller aspect. It was a well-thought-out storyline.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC
The author takes the reader on a real ride by using alternating timelines. By using the duo timelines, the author created even more suspense. I could feel the tension with every chapter.
The story is full of twists, leading the reader on a real rollercoaster ride. I loved the pace of the story and how gripping it was to the end.
I appreciated the short chapters. It makes for a more satisfying reading experience.
There was a minor issue that detracted from the book; I didn't feel as though the ending was as satisfying as I had hoped. I felt that the ending fell a little flat.
Overall, the book delivered on the thriller aspect. It was a well-thought-out storyline.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC
August 31, 2025
Y’all!! The Woman in Room 9 is waking up from a coma… and being told you’re a murderer. 😳 Susan has no memory, a creepy remote hospital, and the whole world convinced she killed Jamie Mawdsley ten years ago. True crime podcasts, social media, and TV specials are all screaming guilty while she tries to piece together the truth.
The tension is 🔥—claustrophobic halls, flickering lights, and shadows that feel alive. Susan is sharp yet vulnerable, Dr. Quane is equal parts help and menace, and every side character is dripping with suspicion. Adler’s writing hits your senses—you’ll feel the cold floors, hear the hum of lights, and race through twists like your life depends on it.
A few reveals felt rushed, but the ride is thrilling, tense, and addictive. Lock your doors, keep the lights on… Room 9 isn’t letting you leave unscathed. 👀
Thanks to #InkubatorBooks for providing this advance copy via #NetGalley for my honest, voluntary review.
The tension is 🔥—claustrophobic halls, flickering lights, and shadows that feel alive. Susan is sharp yet vulnerable, Dr. Quane is equal parts help and menace, and every side character is dripping with suspicion. Adler’s writing hits your senses—you’ll feel the cold floors, hear the hum of lights, and race through twists like your life depends on it.
A few reveals felt rushed, but the ride is thrilling, tense, and addictive. Lock your doors, keep the lights on… Room 9 isn’t letting you leave unscathed. 👀
Thanks to #InkubatorBooks for providing this advance copy via #NetGalley for my honest, voluntary review.
September 1, 2025
I have to say I have become a big psychological thriller fan over the past few years but I always get a bit skeptical when the amnesia trope is brought in. It can be really well done and create a brilliant read or it can be poorly handled. I have to say Adler is the former. They managed to make a story that has a perfect balance between pacy thriller and slower build psychological mystery.
I also appreciated that we don’t get to see a lot of clues as such, or see where Adler is going. We are kept guessing and in a way we begin to feel a sort of paranoia as we read about what will happen, what is going on and who can be trusted. In short I really enjoyed this one and would recommend it to any fan of psychological thrillers with a touch of medical mystery as well.
As always thank you to Zooloo’s Book Tours for the copy to review. My review is always honest, truthful and freely given.
I also appreciated that we don’t get to see a lot of clues as such, or see where Adler is going. We are kept guessing and in a way we begin to feel a sort of paranoia as we read about what will happen, what is going on and who can be trusted. In short I really enjoyed this one and would recommend it to any fan of psychological thrillers with a touch of medical mystery as well.
As always thank you to Zooloo’s Book Tours for the copy to review. My review is always honest, truthful and freely given.
August 18, 2025
This is a great read! Susan wakes up after 10 years in a coma to find that she is not only the only patient in the medical facility, but that she is the only suspect in a very high profile murder.
The story has told across two timelines, the present, as Susan works with Dr Max to try to recover her memories and clear her name, and in the past, from when Susan was a teenager at school and met Amanda and her family.
Full of twists and red herrings, I couldn’t stop reading and devoured this in one sitting. Even as it rushed to its gripping conclusion, there was still so many unanswered questions and I couldn’t see how everything could be resolved, but the ending, wow! More twists, more revelations and everything tied up brilliantly.
4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Tim Adler and Inkubator for an ARC of this book.
The story has told across two timelines, the present, as Susan works with Dr Max to try to recover her memories and clear her name, and in the past, from when Susan was a teenager at school and met Amanda and her family.
Full of twists and red herrings, I couldn’t stop reading and devoured this in one sitting. Even as it rushed to its gripping conclusion, there was still so many unanswered questions and I couldn’t see how everything could be resolved, but the ending, wow! More twists, more revelations and everything tied up brilliantly.
4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Tim Adler and Inkubator for an ARC of this book.
August 23, 2025
The Woman in Room 9 by Tim Adler opens with a gut-punch: Susan wakes from a coma after ten years… only to find the world already thinks she’s a murderer. From page one, I was hooked. The premise is unsettling in the best way—memory loss, suspicion, and a protagonist trapped in a nightmare where everyone else seems to know the story except her.
The first half is fast, sharp, and tense—I couldn’t stop flipping pages. The second half slows and leans more dramatic, and while that shift lost me a little at times, I was still too invested in Susan’s fate to put it down. Adler doles out just enough breadcrumbs of memory and truth to keep you guessing until the end.
If you love dark, twisty psychological thrillers full of suspicion and shifting truths, this one’s worth diving into.
3.5 stars from me – chilling, compulsive, and atmospheric, even if the pace isn’t perfect.
The first half is fast, sharp, and tense—I couldn’t stop flipping pages. The second half slows and leans more dramatic, and while that shift lost me a little at times, I was still too invested in Susan’s fate to put it down. Adler doles out just enough breadcrumbs of memory and truth to keep you guessing until the end.
If you love dark, twisty psychological thrillers full of suspicion and shifting truths, this one’s worth diving into.
3.5 stars from me – chilling, compulsive, and atmospheric, even if the pace isn’t perfect.
August 24, 2025
Imagine waking up and having no idea who you are, only to be told that you have been in a coma as the only patient in a hospital on an uninhabited island for the last 10 years! This book had me hooked from the first page! Being a nurse practitioner, I really appreciated some of the medical themes in the book and appreciated that this book was the perfect balance of fast paced and entertaining. Every time I thought I figured it out, Tim Adler threw in another plot twist that continued to have me guessing and rethinking everything. The ending left me questioning everything and craving more.
This fast paced and entertaining thriller was one of the few five star reads I have read this year. I devoured this book in less than 48 hours and will definitely be looking forward to reading more books by Tim Adler.
This fast paced and entertaining thriller was one of the few five star reads I have read this year. I devoured this book in less than 48 hours and will definitely be looking forward to reading more books by Tim Adler.
August 25, 2025
The Woman in Room 9 was a fast-paced thriller that draws you right in. The story takes place mostly in the UK, so some of the wording and grammar are different from American English, but that didn’t bother me at all.
I could easily see this story being adapted into a limited series—it has the right pacing, atmosphere, and layered reveals. The twists weren’t over-the-top shocking, but they were clever and added depth, giving the plot several layers to peel back.
What I especially enjoyed was the amount of action. Many thrillers have a big reveal at the end and that’s it, but this one kept moving with strong momentum all the way through. It never felt like it hit a dead end after the climax, which made it all the more satisfying.
Overall, an engaging and entertaining thriller with great potential beyond the page.
I could easily see this story being adapted into a limited series—it has the right pacing, atmosphere, and layered reveals. The twists weren’t over-the-top shocking, but they were clever and added depth, giving the plot several layers to peel back.
What I especially enjoyed was the amount of action. Many thrillers have a big reveal at the end and that’s it, but this one kept moving with strong momentum all the way through. It never felt like it hit a dead end after the climax, which made it all the more satisfying.
Overall, an engaging and entertaining thriller with great potential beyond the page.
September 2, 2025
I remember how I was somehow undecided about this book when I saw the blurb. I kind of wanted to read it, but I was kind of sure it’s going to be yet another cookie-cutter amnesia trope book. But I’m glad I gave this book a chance, and the book proved me to be wrong. This book wasn’t following the standard pattern of amnesia thrillers.
While the “big twist” was fairly predictable, the book had several other side-twists, and those were surprisingly good!
I have always had a thing for psych thrillers involving psychiatric hospitals and hospitals in general, and this has it all – it also has a creepy and eerie vibe to it, as it’s set in an almost abandoned and remote place.
Another random thought about this book – if you enjoyed earlier books by Daniel Hurst (or, if you enjoy his books still), you will most likely find this one equally gripping!
While the “big twist” was fairly predictable, the book had several other side-twists, and those were surprisingly good!
I have always had a thing for psych thrillers involving psychiatric hospitals and hospitals in general, and this has it all – it also has a creepy and eerie vibe to it, as it’s set in an almost abandoned and remote place.
Another random thought about this book – if you enjoyed earlier books by Daniel Hurst (or, if you enjoy his books still), you will most likely find this one equally gripping!
September 10, 2025
I absolutely love a good pay hological thriller and this read really got me thinking and wondering what I would do in a similar situation.
When Susan wakes from a decade long coma, she is disoriented, in a strange place and unable to remember much of anything.
She soon discovers that she's the suspect of a brutal murder and with the help of psychiatrist Dr Max, she needs to rediscover the truth before the police take charge of the situation.
I loved the way we're following the clues as we read and it's quite hard to ascertain what happened and what's going on now - however, I really think that this is kept as vague as possible to bring us into the storyline and in a way, make us feel like Susan does.
This put me on edge, desperate to get through the pages to find out what happened - is she guilty or not? And if not - who is!?
The writing style gave us a slow build to begin with - setting out the situation and building the character base - but as the story progressed and more information is revealed, this pace picks up and had me racing through.
With short chapters and the mix of timeline, I had to keep sneaking in a few extra chapters each sitting.
A great read and an author to watch out for in the future.
When Susan wakes from a decade long coma, she is disoriented, in a strange place and unable to remember much of anything.
She soon discovers that she's the suspect of a brutal murder and with the help of psychiatrist Dr Max, she needs to rediscover the truth before the police take charge of the situation.
I loved the way we're following the clues as we read and it's quite hard to ascertain what happened and what's going on now - however, I really think that this is kept as vague as possible to bring us into the storyline and in a way, make us feel like Susan does.
This put me on edge, desperate to get through the pages to find out what happened - is she guilty or not? And if not - who is!?
The writing style gave us a slow build to begin with - setting out the situation and building the character base - but as the story progressed and more information is revealed, this pace picks up and had me racing through.
With short chapters and the mix of timeline, I had to keep sneaking in a few extra chapters each sitting.
A great read and an author to watch out for in the future.
September 9, 2025
Thank you, @zooloosBT, for letting me be on this tour and reviewing this book. The Women in Room 9 is a psychological genre, and the story is about Susan, who wakes up from her coma after 10 years with no memory of who she is, and she finds out she is a suspect in a murder inquiry. There is an enormous amount of suspense and tension running through the book that keeps you engrossed to the end. I read this book in two days. I did like the twists, and the book did keep me guessing all the way through. The pacing was at a perfect rate you could keep up with, and the story goes from past to present, which I liked, and it worked well, especially to see this in the therapy sessions, which I enjoyed reading about. The story is engaging from the start, and the characters Susan and her therapist I really liked and felt like I trusted their characters. A good read for the autumn months. 4 stars
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