The Girls in the Hall

A group of women in their 30s live in a cosy apartment building long enough to become good friends. In comes a young, live-in landlord who proves to be a perfect fit for their happy 'community'. He cooks and bakes for them - even gets a cat he calls Oprah. Much of the book is taken up with their sunny escapades. However, under the surface of this carefree life lurks another reality, hiding in plain sight, in the person of a fifth woman who has taken the last, vacant apartment. She seems able to smooth her way into the mix and be accepted. But, as different as they all are, the group sense something is not quite right about this newcomer. In fact, something is very wrong. One of the women is a psychologist by training and builds case evidence against her that culminates in a dramatic arrest on the roof garden and a trial. Shaken, the women manage to go back to living normal lives - most marry and all move out. With this exodus, the landlord sells the apartment block that would seem to bring this troubled idyll to an end but with a riveting twist.