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 question.
The
socialite – The nice guy – The alcoholic – The girl on the
verge – The concierge
Everyone’s
a neighbor. Everyone’s a suspect. And everyone knows something
they’re not telling.
12, Rue des Amants, Paris is the focal point for Lucy Foley’s new psychological thriller; The Paris Apartment. For me, it’s an opportunity to read the latest novel by a new to me author.
Needing temporary refuge until she’s back on her feet, Jess contacts her half-brother, Ben who agrees she can stay with him in Paris. Only, when she arrives at the apartment, he isn’t there. Lonely and broke, she introduces herself to the other residents but instead of feeling confident Ben will turn up, she’s sure his neighbours know more about his disappearance than they admit to.
Told from six different points of view; Jess, Sophie, Concierge, Mimi, Nick, and Ben, the narrative offers clues and red herrings as evidence for Ben’s disappearance build. Everyone has an opinion, but equally, no one wants to say anything as Jess struggles to find the answers to her ever-growing list of questions. The neighbours are an eclectic bunch of personalities with their own collection of issues.
I found the narrative peaks and troughs throughout. There are equally significant clues as well as events that are no more than everyday life. The highs will keep you reading sufficiently long enough to carry through the lows, but there are times when it's a struggle.
This is the first novel I’ve read by Lucy Foley and I liked the concept of the narrative. I enjoyed the guessing game and was surprised when the villain is revealed however, there were times when I just couldn't keep focus.
Overall, I’d definitely read another book by this author even though this one didn’t keep my attention all the time.
***arc generously received courtesy of William Morrow via Edelweiss+
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