The Stranger in Room Six

The Stranger in Room Six by Jane Corry
10/7/25; 448 pages
Doubleday 

The Stranger in Room Six by Jane Corry is a recommended historical fiction mixed with a suspense novel.

Belinda has been convicted of her husband's murder and sentenced to fifteen years. When she is released she has a contact forge paperwork so she can work as a carer at Sunnyside Home for the Young at Heart. At Sunnyside she meets  ninety-nine-year-old, Mabel Marchmont, resident and owner of the home. Mabel came to the home to live with her aunt after her mother and sister were killed by the bombing in London during WWII and has been there ever since. While caring for Mabel, Belinda and Mabel become friends and share their life stories with each other. Both women have secrets they are reluctant to share, but the resident in room six is determined to learn Mabel's secrets from her past.

This is an even, sometimes slow, paced and basically well-written novel. The narrative covers Belinda's past and struggles while in prison which alternates with the story of Mabel's past after she was evacuated and arrived at the big house on the coast. Belinda's husband Gerald was having an affair and when she confronted him she pushed him, casing him to fall, hit his head, and subsequently die. She is convicted for this and then must find a way to get by in prison before she is released and meets Mabel. 

Of the two, Mabel's story is much more interesting and a whole novel devoted to it would have perhaps worked better than this mash-up of two different novels. Or perhaps stick with the two sharing their stories with each other and come to some place of closure for both of them. As the two were sharing their stories adding the whole stranger in room six addition was annoying and became tiresome. 

The Stranger in Room Six would likely be enjoyed by fans of Corry's writing and those who enjoy historical fiction. Thanks to Penguin Random House/Doubleday for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.