Title: The Paris Apartment
Author: Lucy Foley
Release Date: February 22, 2022
Length: 360 pages
Genre: Mystery/ Thriller
***My Review***
Mystery lovers, get ready for a thrilling and riveting journey into the Bienvenue au 12 Paris apartments, where secrets and lies lurk in every corner. Lucy Foley’s The Paris Apartment is a must-read for anyone looking for a suspenseful and well-crafted storyline that keeps you guessing until the very end.
The story starts with the disappearance of Ben, the step-brother of the main character, Jess. Jess is a journalist who is struggling to make ends meet, and she is surprised when Ben, who she has not seen in years, invites her to come to Paris and live with him in a socialite building where everyone is linked to Pandora’s Box. But when she arrives, she finds that Ben is nowhere to be found, and the residents of the building are all cagey and secretive about what might have happened to him.
The locked room mystery at the center of the story is full of twists and turns, with unreliable narrators, a dysfunctional family, and a complex web of relationships that keep readers guessing until the very end. Foley’s writing style is concise and effective, with short and punchy chapters that keep the momentum going.
The multiple points of view give each character a unique voice, and the shifting perspectives add to the tension and intrigue of the story.
The characters in the novel are all fascinating and complex, with their own secrets and motivations that gradually come to light as the story unfolds. Ben is the main journalist character who is at the center of the mystery, but the story is told from the perspectives of several other characters, including Jess, Sophie, Mimi, Nick, and The Concierge.
Each character has their own connection to Ben and their own secrets to keep, which adds to the sense of danger and uncertainty that permeates the story.
Paris itself serves as one of the narrators of the story, with Foley vividly describing the city’s tumultuous political climate and its role in the mystery. The city is a character in its own right, with its winding streets and hidden corners providing the perfect backdrop for the novel’s twists and turns.
While the novel is not without its flaws, it is a compelling and entertaining read that will keep you guessing until the very end. The various timelines and shifting perspectives can be confusing at times, but the payoff is worth it. The final twist is a fitting conclusion that ties up all the loose ends and gives readers a satisfying ending.
One slight shortcoming of the novel is that there is no real sense of place other than the apartment building itself. While Foley’s descriptions of the building are vivid and atmospheric, Paris doesn’t really factor into the story beyond its role as a backdrop. Additionally, the timeline can be quite jumpy, and there were a few times where I found myself re-reading certain sections to try to figure out what was going on.
Overall, The Paris Apartment is a delicious whodunnit mystery that is perfect for anyone looking for a fast-paced and gripping read. It’s a great choice for beginner mystery readers who are just starting to explore the genre, as well as seasoned mystery fans who are looking for a well-crafted and suspenseful story. Don’t miss out on this brilliantly crafted murder mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.