BOOK REVIEW: The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley

Rating

Title: The Paris Apartment
Author: Lucy Foley
Publication: February 22, 2022
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
Pages: 384

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SYNOPSIS: (From Goodreads)

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.

REVIEW:

When picking out the books for my book club for the year (Yes, I plan the books out a year in advance, I like knowing and we tweak them as we go), I knew that I wanted to read another book by Lucy Foley.  We had read one of hers a year or two ago and she had a new one coming out that I conveniently had already purchased.  I was hoping that this new one would be as good as the other one I read about because I had heard some mixed reviews about this one.  

Jess is leaving Britian.  She is done with it all, that and she is in slight trouble with her boss back home.  Her destination?  Paris, France to bunk up with her brother, Ben.  She hasn’t seen him in a while, but true to pestering sister form she doesn’t let that stop her.   Only problem is, he isn’t in his very expensive and large looking apartment when she arrives, despite her having received an voicemail from him recently.  Jess starts digging into it and starts to uncover things that she wishes she hasn’t uncovered. For starters, some of the reviews I have seen on this book say that it is a slow burn.  I would totally agree with that.  If you are looking for something that is fast paced and wham bam thank you ma’am then this isn’t for you.  This book totally reminded of Only Murders in the Building but without the humor that the show had, since its a locked door mystery.  

Honestly, as much as hate to admit it, the main character Jess, drove me crazy.  She was whiney, helpless but not at the same time, naieve, and didn’t know when to stop.  Yes, it was her brother but at a certain point you have to realize the person “helping” you, who was also your brothers friend is not actually a good person.  There was just something about her.  That is the main reason it got 4 stars.  All in all the mystery was really good  I didn’t start putting pieces together and kind of guess most of the issue till I was like 3/4 of the way through the book so the mystery factor with twists was spot on and certainly will keep you guessing until the very end at least.  I loved the flow of the book but the bounce between character did get confusing at times and I found myself switching back to see whose chapter I was reading.  All in all the author, I think, has hit another one out of the park with it.  I have one more of the authors book I have to read, maybe I will bump it closer to the top of my list, although admittedly I do not really have anything I follow to pick my next book, its mainly based on my reading mood. 

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