This is part of my Summer Reads series where I’ll be sharing book recommendations – a series of “not just cookbooks”.
Welcome to Summer Reads 2022! Typically the books I review on this site are cookbooks but in the summer I like to share some books that are perfect to read on the beach, the plane, your front porch, your couch or your bed. This first pick is a little older – was released in February – but I can’t think of a better book to fit that criteria!
From the publisher:
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Guest List comes a new locked room mystery, set in a Paris apartment building in which every resident has something to hide…
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.
This was the first Lucy Foley novel I’ve read and I was hooked. I read this in the space of about 48 hours when it came out in February. Is it a serious literary read? Nope. Is it a page turner? Yes. So, definitely a Summer Reads candidate. This one you’ll read in couple of days at the beach or on a long flight. The short chapters make it easy to pick it up and read “just a couple”. When I saw it described as a “locked room mystery” I didn’t even realise this was a separate mystery genre though it totally makes sense. Book Riot says books in this category are “also called “impossible mysteries,” is fairly simple on the surface: a crime is committed with no possible way for a murderer to get in or out of an area, or, a locked room.” So, books like Murder on the Orient Express. These are the types of books (and films) that I never figure out until the last minute so I find them compulsive reads (if written well and you like the author’s style).
Foley writes this genre well and I was completely guessing until nearly the last few pages. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea but I love me a good page-turning mystery. This one is written from several different characters’ perspectives (a few of these are pretty unlikable but not in a way that detracts from the story, rather, it adds to it) so if that is not your thing, this might not be for you. The storyline pops between present and past also but not in a confusing way. The setting, though! I always have time for books set in Paris! Though there is not much of Paris in the book per se, the city does pop in and out of the story providing a lively contrast to the gloomy and creepy apartment building where most of the action takes place.
Verdict: a perfect page turner for the summer – and if you like this one, pop The Guest List on your “to read later” list too!
Buy The Paris Apartment on Amazon (this affiliate link should bring you to the Amazon store in, or closest to, your country). Or, for free worldwide shipping, buy from The Book Depository.
Please note: This post contains affiliate links. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This post also contains affiliate links from The Book Depository. This means that if you click over and purchase something, I will receive a very small percentage of the purchase price (at no extra cost to you). Thank you in advance!
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