As the primary location in which most of the story unfolds, Foley swiftly and skilfully builds a real sense of this apartment block beautiful but immediately imbued with a threatening presence, from the large and hostile structural details down to decorative details like the ‘creeping dark stain’ of ivy sprawling across the facade and the threatening door knocker with ‘snarling teeth’. Vividly conjured settings are a key element of both of these, and the same can be said for her latest novel. The Paris Apartment is the latest offering from Lucy Foley, author of best-selling murder mystery thrillers The Hunting Party and The Guest List. Determined to get to the bottom of things, Jess begins to investigate, and that’s when it becomes clear that this is an apartment of many secrets: held by its residents, both present and absent, and by its unwelcome visitor. As she begins to cross paths with the other residents of the apartment, who are far from welcoming, she senses that they know more about Ben’s disappearance than they are letting on. In fact, once she finally manages to sneak her way into the building, Ben is nowhere to be found. When she rings the doorbell, things get stranger because, although he is expecting her, Ben doesn’t answer. Tall and imposing, the beautiful old building stands back from the road, lurking in the shadows behind a big metal gate, and flanked by two high walls. Far from the glitz and glamour, Ben’s apartment block is down a quiet cul-de-sac. And everyone knows something they’re not telling.Jess arrives in Paris, in need of a fresh start, to stay with her half-brother Ben but, pretty soon, it seems this may not be the visit she was hoping for.

The socialite – The nice guy – The alcoholic – The girl on the verge – The conciergeĮveryone’s a neighbor. 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. Ben’s neighbors are an eclectic bunch, and not particularly friendly. The longer Ben stays missing, the more Jess starts to dig into her brother’s situation, and the more questions she has. Only when she shows up-to find a very nice apartment, could Ben really have afforded this?-he’s not there. 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.

She’s broke and alone, and she’s just left her job under less than ideal circumstances. “ clever, cliff-hanger-filled thriller.” - Peopleįrom the New York Times bestselling author of The Guest List comes a locked room mystery, set in a Paris apartment building in which every resident has something to hide… “Told in rotating points of view, this Tilt-A-Whirl of a novel brims with jangly tension-an undeniably engrossing guessing game.” - Vogue

The paris apartment a novel book review