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Episode 40: Misdirection, Motives, and Murder Craft in The Woman in the Library
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!
In this episode, Dana & Rachel kick off October with an overview of The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill.
Whether you’re a writer, reader, or storyteller, you’ll gain practical insights on
(1) positioning your story on the crime–cozy continuum,
(2) using framing devices to add tension, and
(3) pacing and fair-play misdirection through secrets and withheld information.
You can also watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube!
Estimate Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome & What This Show Delivers
Dana reintroduces the podcast’s mission: analyzing books as writers to extract craft takeaways. They set the tone for October’s pick—a murder mystery that balances puzzle and character—aimed at helping listeners write stories readers can’t put down.
02:15 – Rachel’s October Vibes & Preptober Talk
Rachel brings the spooky-season energy (Undead Readers Club shirt + pumpkin mug) and previews her ProWritingAid Preptober session on first drafts: set realistic expectations, plan lightly, and avoid perfectionist outlining. “Your first draft lays groundwork—don’t let it derail you.” Pairs neatly with Dana’s Plot Accordion approach.
07:45 – Dana’s Creative Reset: International Quilt Festival
Dana shares how quilting serves as a tactile creative reset that unlocks clarity away from the desk. She’s taking hand-sewing classes this year. Key reminder: writers need movement and play to stay fresh. “There’s never a perfect time—choose joy anyway.”
17:20 – Letting Go & Protecting Your Capacity
On deadlines and permission to pause: they reflect on depressurizing to return stronger. Lighthearted banter (and a teasing salute) underscores their best-friend dynamic and the reality of creative life.
21:30 – Book On-Ramp: What’s This Story?
Quick premise from Rachel: four strangers meet in the Boston Public Library after a scream; a friendship forms as secrets surface—and one of them may be a killer. Tight cast, writerly lens, and a propulsive but breathable read.
23:00 – The Crime Continuum (Where This Book Lives)
Rachel maps crime fiction on a spectrum: gritty crime (procedural/legal, heavier fallout) ←→ cozy mystery (light, puzzle-forward). Classic murder mystery sits in the middle—where this book lives—balancing stakes with accessibility. Know your lane to meet reader expectations.
30:15 – Dana’s Reader Experience (Between Cozy & Crime)
As a newcomer to this exact blend, Dana highlights the found-family feel, clean prose, steady pacing, and a “book-about-a-book” vibe that keeps pages turning without overwhelm. It’s easy to read in short bursts yet distinctive enough to stand out.
37:30 – Framing Device Masterclass (Emails as Engine)
They unpack the novel’s one-sided author-email frame: each chapter’s email reacts to the story, then shapes the next beat—building dual suspense. Gentill’s restraint and precision give the frame and main plot mutual drive.
44:00 – Secrets, Withholding & Fair-Play Clues
How to hide clues in plain sight: slide information into natural conversation so readers don’t realize they’ve been armed—until a later reveal reframes everything. Think shell game, not cheat; it’s misdirection that stays fair.
52:00 – Ensemble Design: Distinct Lenses, Real Chemistry
Cast spread matters: age, class, discipline, and social status (Whit the law student, Marigold the psych student, Kane the established author, Freddie the funded debut). Differences create distinct voices and authentic friendship, enriching theme and suspicion.
58:00 – Read-Along Invite & Logistics
Best experience: read first, then listen. Still, the episode is spoiler-light and craft-heavy. It’s a short, accessible book (~250 pages / ~10 hours audio) and ideal for studying pacing, framing, and misdirection.
About The Woman in the Library
Ned Kelly award winning author Sulari Gentill sets this mystery-within-a-mystery in motion with a deceptively simple, Dear Hannah, What are you writing? pulling us into theornate reading room at the Boston Public Library.
In every person’s story, there is something to hide...
The tranquility is shattered by a woman’s terrified scream. Security guards take charge immediately, instructing everyone inside to stay put until the threat is identified and contained. While they wait for the all-clear, four strangers, who’d happened to sit at the same table, pass the time in conversation and friendships are struck. Each has his or her own reasons for being in the reading room that morning―it just happens that one is a murderer.
Sulari Gentill delivers a sharply thrilling read with The Woman in the Library, an unexpectedly twisty literary adventure that examines the complicated nature of friendship and shows us that words can be the most treacherous weapons of all.
Where to Find the Book
The Woman at the Library by Sulari Gentill is available in several formats. It’s also widely available in libraries and online retailers. Details on Amazon.
Next Episode:
Next up, Dana & Rachel dig into the Plot Deep Dive—act structure, information layering by act, and how the investigation escalates without breaking fair play. Tune in!
Join the Conversation:
Like what you heard? Subscribe, leave a review, and share your thoughts. Follow Story Deep Dive on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform. Connect with Dana and Rachel on Instagram or visit storydeepdive.com to keep the conversation going!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit storydeepdive.substack.com
View all episodes
By Story Deep DiveWelcome to Story Deep Dive!
In this episode, Dana & Rachel kick off October with an overview of The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill.
Whether you’re a writer, reader, or storyteller, you’ll gain practical insights on
(1) positioning your story on the crime–cozy continuum,
(2) using framing devices to add tension, and
(3) pacing and fair-play misdirection through secrets and withheld information.
You can also watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube!
Estimate Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome & What This Show Delivers
Dana reintroduces the podcast’s mission: analyzing books as writers to extract craft takeaways. They set the tone for October’s pick—a murder mystery that balances puzzle and character—aimed at helping listeners write stories readers can’t put down.
02:15 – Rachel’s October Vibes & Preptober Talk
Rachel brings the spooky-season energy (Undead Readers Club shirt + pumpkin mug) and previews her ProWritingAid Preptober session on first drafts: set realistic expectations, plan lightly, and avoid perfectionist outlining. “Your first draft lays groundwork—don’t let it derail you.” Pairs neatly with Dana’s Plot Accordion approach.
07:45 – Dana’s Creative Reset: International Quilt Festival
Dana shares how quilting serves as a tactile creative reset that unlocks clarity away from the desk. She’s taking hand-sewing classes this year. Key reminder: writers need movement and play to stay fresh. “There’s never a perfect time—choose joy anyway.”
17:20 – Letting Go & Protecting Your Capacity
On deadlines and permission to pause: they reflect on depressurizing to return stronger. Lighthearted banter (and a teasing salute) underscores their best-friend dynamic and the reality of creative life.
21:30 – Book On-Ramp: What’s This Story?
Quick premise from Rachel: four strangers meet in the Boston Public Library after a scream; a friendship forms as secrets surface—and one of them may be a killer. Tight cast, writerly lens, and a propulsive but breathable read.
23:00 – The Crime Continuum (Where This Book Lives)
Rachel maps crime fiction on a spectrum: gritty crime (procedural/legal, heavier fallout) ←→ cozy mystery (light, puzzle-forward). Classic murder mystery sits in the middle—where this book lives—balancing stakes with accessibility. Know your lane to meet reader expectations.
30:15 – Dana’s Reader Experience (Between Cozy & Crime)
As a newcomer to this exact blend, Dana highlights the found-family feel, clean prose, steady pacing, and a “book-about-a-book” vibe that keeps pages turning without overwhelm. It’s easy to read in short bursts yet distinctive enough to stand out.
37:30 – Framing Device Masterclass (Emails as Engine)
They unpack the novel’s one-sided author-email frame: each chapter’s email reacts to the story, then shapes the next beat—building dual suspense. Gentill’s restraint and precision give the frame and main plot mutual drive.
44:00 – Secrets, Withholding & Fair-Play Clues
How to hide clues in plain sight: slide information into natural conversation so readers don’t realize they’ve been armed—until a later reveal reframes everything. Think shell game, not cheat; it’s misdirection that stays fair.
52:00 – Ensemble Design: Distinct Lenses, Real Chemistry
Cast spread matters: age, class, discipline, and social status (Whit the law student, Marigold the psych student, Kane the established author, Freddie the funded debut). Differences create distinct voices and authentic friendship, enriching theme and suspicion.
58:00 – Read-Along Invite & Logistics
Best experience: read first, then listen. Still, the episode is spoiler-light and craft-heavy. It’s a short, accessible book (~250 pages / ~10 hours audio) and ideal for studying pacing, framing, and misdirection.
About The Woman in the Library
Ned Kelly award winning author Sulari Gentill sets this mystery-within-a-mystery in motion with a deceptively simple, Dear Hannah, What are you writing? pulling us into theornate reading room at the Boston Public Library.
In every person’s story, there is something to hide...
The tranquility is shattered by a woman’s terrified scream. Security guards take charge immediately, instructing everyone inside to stay put until the threat is identified and contained. While they wait for the all-clear, four strangers, who’d happened to sit at the same table, pass the time in conversation and friendships are struck. Each has his or her own reasons for being in the reading room that morning―it just happens that one is a murderer.
Sulari Gentill delivers a sharply thrilling read with The Woman in the Library, an unexpectedly twisty literary adventure that examines the complicated nature of friendship and shows us that words can be the most treacherous weapons of all.
Where to Find the Book
The Woman at the Library by Sulari Gentill is available in several formats. It’s also widely available in libraries and online retailers. Details on Amazon.
Next Episode:
Next up, Dana & Rachel dig into the Plot Deep Dive—act structure, information layering by act, and how the investigation escalates without breaking fair play. Tune in!
Join the Conversation:
Like what you heard? Subscribe, leave a review, and share your thoughts. Follow Story Deep Dive on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform. Connect with Dana and Rachel on Instagram or visit storydeepdive.com to keep the conversation going!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit storydeepdive.substack.com