#BookReview of #TheParisApartment by Lucy Foley | @lucyfoleytweets

‘A new locked room mystery, set in a Paris apartment building
in which every resident has something to hide… ‘
– The Paris Apartment

[ About the Book ]

Welcome to No.12 rue des Amants

A beautiful old apartment block, far from the glittering lights of the Eiffel Tower and the bustling banks of the Seine.

Where nothing goes unseen, and everyone has a story to unlock.

The watchful concierge
The scorned lover
The prying journalist
The naïve student
The unwanted guest

There was a murder here last night.
A mystery lies behind the door of apartment three.

Who holds the key?

[ My Review ]

The Paris Apartment (March 3rd, Harper Fiction) is the brand new murder mystery thriller from Lucy Foley ‘the author hailed as this generation’s Agatha Christie‘. There are plenty of accolades for Lucy Foley’s writing and The Paris Apartment has justifiably been praised by Chris Whitaker as ‘a sinister, seductive, twisting masterclass.’

Hidden among the backstreets of Montmartre, in the apartment block at No. 12 Rue des Amants, something is very much amiss. When Jess makes a very sudden and immediate decision to travel to Paris from the UK, she expects to be temporarily accommodated by her step-brother Ben. A last minute text confirming his address is the final communication that Jess has with Ben but, when she arrives at the agreed destination, No. 12 Rue des Amants, there is no sign of Ben.

With difficulty, Jess eventually gains access to Ben’s apartment. His wallet, his keys are all there but not a trace of him. Jess initially assumes that he had just messed up and somehow forgotten she was coming, being as it was so very last minute and their relationship has been haphazard over the years anyway. A tragedy in their early years resulted in Jess and Ben forging two very different paths but, underneath it all, they shared a history, a past and when necessary, usually had each other’s backs. Jess, now exhausted after her rushed departure from her own life, collapses into bed, convincing herself that Ben will saunter in the following morning with a story to tell – but he doesn’t.

Meanwhile, the other residents, and the concierge of the apartment block, are introduced in intermittent chapters and, may I say, what a bunch of strange and eccentric characters they are! With each appearance their behaviour becomes more disturbing and erratic and, as Jess becomes acquainted with them, she starts to get very concerned for Ben’s safety. Every time she attempts to get any answers she is stonewalled leaving her frustrated and in despair. Jess has very little money and is struggling to work out her next move when an unexpected piece of information takes her on a very perplexing and perilous journey.

It is very quickly made clear to Jess that her own personal safety is at risk but, never one to shy away from a challenge, she soon finds herself immersed in a very dark and seedy world, hidden away from the glitz and glamour of most tourists’ Parisian experience. As Jess digs deeper and deeper she makes some shocking discoveries and is very unsure who she can trust.

Lucy Foley takes the reader on a very twisty murder mystery tour with all the traits you would expect from a classic whodunnit. Behind every locked door there is a secret to be told. Behind every face there are hidden lies. As the reveals appear, the complex layers unravel, bringing the story to a very startling and, rather perfect, conclusion.

The Paris Apartment is very much a modern take on the quintessential mystery. The wonderful eccentricities of all the characters make for a fun read, with red herrings aplenty scattered throughout its short and snappy chapters. Atmospheric and suspenseful with a strong sense of claustrophobia , The Paris Apartment is a highly enjoyable and lively read.

[ Bio ]

Lucy Foley is a No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling author. Her contemporary murder mystery thrillers, The Hunting Party and The Guest List, have sold over a million copies worldwide and also hit the New York Times and Irish Times bestseller lists. The Guest List was Waterstones Thriller of the Month selection, a Reese ‘s Book Club pick, it was chosen as one of The Times and Sunday Times Crime Books of the Year, and it won the Goodreads Choice Award for best mystery/thriller.

Lucy’s novels have been translated into multiple languages and her journalism has appeared in publications such as Sunday Times Style, Grazia, ES Magazine, Vogue US, Elle, Tatler and Marie Claire.
Lucy lives in Brussels with her husband and their baby son.

Twitter ~ @lucyfoleytweets