Uncovering Blackmail, Secrets, and Murder in The Paris Apartment, A Novel Review
Book cover image from ThriftBooks
I stumbled upon The Paris Apartment as I do many books I read: the “available now” tab on Libby. I hadn’t read too many thriller/mystery stories and the synopsis drew me in. I sampled the audiobook and the narrator captured the vibe instantly, setting the stage for an eerie, unsettling adventure.
What’s The Paris Apartment About?
Lucy Foley builds a world deep with suspense and doubt in The Paris Apartment. The novel follows down-on-her-luck Jess who’s visiting her brother Ben in Paris. After arriving and finding an eerily empty apartment and equally eerie neighbors, Jess must uncover the building — and its residents’ — dark history to find out where her brother vanished.
She shares a haunted past with her half brother Ben, both of whom were orphaned at a young age. After a few rough years, Jess decides to escape and visit her brother Ben, who is living in Paris.
She finds an interesting group of characters who reside in the apartment building: Nick, Ben’s best friend, penthouse resident Sophie, young student Mimi, and the mysterious concierge. The novel shifts between their perspectives, creating an intricate web of knowledge and lies.
My Thoughts on The Paris Apartment
I loved the intense darkness and secrecy in The Paris Apartment. I enjoyed this novel as an audiobook, which is an experience I highly recommend. The tense atmosphere of the dark Paris streets translates fantastically to an auditory setting, genuinely creeping me out at times. I sometimes caught myself peering over my shoulder while listening.
The relationships in this story make a tangled web of old money, blackmail, and survival. Every character, from Ben’s sketchy friends to the hostile neighbors, leaves you second guessing their intentions. Each seemingly polite conversation has a deeper meaning that you don’t see until chapters later.
But nothing prepares you for how the story ends. Jess’s investigation takes her much farther than expected, uncovering corruption she didn’t even know existed.
I also really loved the main character Jess. She was an unapologetic but kind, rough around the edges, but caring and passionate kinda gal. She didn’t let anyone step on her or put her down. Despite being in an unfamiliar country where she didn’t speak the language, she stood up for herself and worked to the end to find answers.
Who Should Read The Paris Apartment?
The Paris Apartment would be a perfect introduction to the mystery/thriller genre. Despite not reading much mystery before, I was captivated by every word. The story moves fairly slowly in the beginning, giving you a chance to understand each character and plot line as the story develops.
This fantastic book is the perfect choice for anyone looking to get into the suspense genre. Lucy Foley builds a creepy, slow-burn tension by contrasting the opulent Paris apartment with the dark, hidden secrets of its residents.
Taking time to introduce the suspicious neighbors and how their lives interconnect makes the final twists hit much harder. Jess is a refreshing character, refusing to back down or take the easy way out in search of the truth. It’s highly satisfying, unsettling, and absolutely worth a read.
Craving more twisty, unsettling reads? Discover more book reviews from MockingOwl Roost:
- The Bellefontaine Haunting – A Supernatural Thriller Review
- We Are All the Same in the Dark – Fiction Review
- Death of a Billionaire – A Satirical Sci-Fi Murder Mystery Review
- The Night Library at Sternendach — A Vampire Opera Novel Review
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Megan Sawka
Megan Sawka (she/her) is a lifetime reader, cat lover, and fan of the arts. A recent college graduate, Megan has written reviews about books, television, film and live performances. Born in small-town western Pennsylvania, Megan is still figuring out who she is, one story at a time.
Visit her website to learn more!