Title- The Paris Apartment
Author- Lucy Foley
Series- standalone
Rating– 4.9/5
Genre- contemporary mystery/ suspense
POV- six different POV
Trope- “who dunnit”
Cover– love it!
Comps– The Silent Patient
Plot/Blurb-
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.
First chapter-
Prologue has me hooked. What is the it rider holding? Does Ben know this person? Why are they there? How do they have a key? It’s Ben’s POV in third person present which is atypical.
Then chapter 1 begins with Jess (three hours earlier) which is first person, past tense.
Best part- when we find out the answer!
What I would change- the middle was a tiny bit slow, just for a few chapters
Setting- The apartment they live in is amazing and creepy and detailed. I love the hidden stairways.
Prose- love the fast paced
Character goals/motivations-
Theme- things aren’t always what they seem.
Dialogue- great. Each character seemed so defined
Inclusivity- There are MM experiences mentioned. The ethnicities include- French, British, and Albanian
Ethics/morals- I can’t spoil it
Conflict/tension/obstacles- so many, so full of mystery
Pacing- fast
Thoughts while reading-
Well chapter 2 is Sophie’s point of view from the penthouse. We’re jumping around a lot so I’m hoping there’s consistency soon.
Chapter 4- the concierge has a point of view too. Eeek. Well we know there is an armed intruder ready to do damage. But to who? And why?
Page 19- what the heck did Benjamin Daniels do to make everyone hate him?
Eeek we’re on a 5th POV in only 20 pages worth. I dont like that at all.
Page 40- 6th POV. Yikes.
Page 100- so I got in a groove a bit ago and it’s addicting. The writing flows so well and the author adds a little more suspense and tension and sprinkles tiny clues here and there to up the ante.
Page 162- game changer. But how…
Halfway- will the Halloween party be a turning point?
Page 186- it’s slowing down a bit and I need something new to happen
Page 210- I try to read unsettling books quickly so I don’t have too many nights of nightmares, lol. The artwork cut up into pieces and sent off to the professor? Going a little overboard ma’am.
Page 250- the frustration has set in that people could just say information but they’re withholding just to get the reader to turn pages which is annoying
Page 276- does Mimi know?
Page 301- what did they find out from Irina? Oh and I dislike they every time someone kisses they taste like cigarettes. Yuck.
Ending- Page 356- GREAT book! The author did an amazing job of keeping me on my toes. I always knew “something” was there that I couldn’t put my finger on but thankfully I didn’t guess correctly so I was pleasantly surprised.
Cassie Swindon 