THE PARIS APARTMENT
Author: Lucy Foley
Year: 2022
Edition: 2022 Paperback
Pages: 356
Genre: Thriller
Additional info: #1 New York Times Bestseller
New York Times Bestselling Author
Author of The Reese’s Book Club Pick The Guest List
Summary
From the New York Times Bestselling author of The Guest List comes a new locked-room mystery, set in a Paris apartment building in which every resident has something to hide…
Jess needs a fresh start. She’s broke and alone, and she’s just left her job under less-than-ideal circumstances. Her half brother, Ben, didn’t sound thrilled when she asked if she could crash with him for a bit, but he didn’t say no, and surely everything will look better from Paris. Only, when she shows up, to find a very nice apartment – could Ben really have afforded this? – he’s not there.
The longer Ben stays missing, the more Jess starts to dig into her brother’s situation, and the more questions she has. Ben’s neighbors are an eclectic bunch, and not particularly friendly. Jess may have come to Paris to escape her past, but it’s starting to look like it’s Ben’s future that’s in doubt.
Everyone’s a neighbor. Everyone’s a suspect. And everyone knows something they’re not telling.
Why I chose to read this book
Reading the summary gave me a rush. Ever wish you knew what your next-door neighbor was up to, and who are all those people coming over all the time? And what is that lady across the street hiding? Why is the upstairs neighbor always so loud at 1 am? I felt like I could get my snooping fix with this book!
Thoughts & Opinions
This was an exciting and addictive read! I was able to finish The Paris Apartment in only a few days because it’s a gripping page-turner and the chapters are conveniently short, so it makes it easy to read a lot of content in one sitting. The chapters bounce from one character to another but the characters differ enough that you don’t get confused and you can pick right up where you left off. The intrigue and suspense are present from the very beginning. The main character, Jess, who is a bit abrasive and rough around the edges, but still lovable, is searching for her half-brother Ben. The more she searches for clues, the more the residents of number 12, rue des Amants become secretive. But why are they so secretive? Why aren’t they helping? What are they hiding? These are all questions you’ll ask yourself while devouring this book.
“You know when you’re a kid and you can’t sleep because you’re afraid of monsters under the bed? What happens if you start to suspect that the monster might be you? Where do you hide?”- Lucy Foley, The Paris Apartment
The creepy, dark, and seedy atmosphere felt throughout the book is not a great advertisement for Paris, France. It makes it seem unsafe and unwelcoming, as opposed to the romanticized version we are usually presented with in movies and other media. And since the story transpires in Paris, there are many French words and expressions, which enhances the authenticity but don’t worry, the English translation always follows. Consequently, you sort of benefit from a little French course at the same time, however, you’ll mostly learn swear words.
If all of Foley’s books are this entertaining, with devious twists and shocking developments, I can’t wait to read more of her books.
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Discussion Points
- Have you read this book? If so, what did you think?
- Were you able to guess some of the twists in advance?
- What were some of your theories for this story that didn’t pan out?
- I’d love to discuss this book with you in the comments below, looking forward to reading you!
- Which book should I review next?