The Stats

Title: The Paris Apartment

Author: Lucy Foley

Narrated By: Clare Corbett, Daphne Kouma, Julia Winwood, Sope Dirisu, Sofia Zervudachi, Charlie Anson

Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

Time: 12 hours 53 minute

Release Day: February 2022

Trigger Warnings: Sex Work, Self-Harm, Suicide, Domestic Violence, Descriptions of Violence/Blood

Feature Image taken from Amazon Reviews from Kera Gould

The Review

“The Paris Apartment” by Lucy Foley is a locked room mystery novel set in a Parisian apartment building where every resident has something to hide. The story follows Jess, who needs a fresh start after leaving her job under less than ideal circumstances. She decides to crash with her half-brother Ben, only to find him missing and a very nice apartment. As Jess digs deeper into her brother’s situation, she starts to realize that all is not as it seems at this apartment building. Everyone is a suspect, and everyone has something they are not telling. The novel rotates between different character points of view with chapters from Ben, Jess, Sophie, the concierge, Mimi, and Nick. Foley’s writing is fluid, descriptive, and immerses the reader in the heat of Paris in summer.

One of the aspects that make this book stand out is the atmosphere. The description of a creepy, old, and elegant apartment building in Paris is intriguing. Foley’s writing immerses the reader in the setting and creates a sense of discomfort and intrigue. The contrast between the beautiful city with its Eiffel Tower and The Louvre and the dirt and garbage behind the facade is thought-provoking.

The characters in this novel are another highlight. They are all unreliable and dysfunctional, with their unique traits that make them suspicious. Jess, the protagonist, is likable despite her flaws. She is an underdog, and readers will root for her throughout the novel. The supporting characters are well-developed, and their secrets add to the suspense. The rotating point of view allows readers to see the events from multiple angles and adds depth to the story.

Despite its strengths, I do need to touch on a negative aspect that has been brought up in previous reviews. Other reviews state that the frenzied tone becomes old quickly, and it doesn’t feel like Jess is making much progress in her search for answers. The tension never really builds throughout the book, and there’s no natural ebb and flow in the tone. Thankfully, with the audiobook, I never felt this way. The use of various voice actors really helped set the tone of the novel and allowed the story to take shape. I felt I was listening to an old-timey radio show and was highly invested, as it allowed me to remember whose perspective I was listening to, which allowed the story to flow more freely.

In conclusion, “The Paris Apartment” is an enjoyable read that mystery lovers will appreciate. The book’s atmosphere, characters, and writing style make it stand out among other locked room mysteries. Although some reviewers criticize the book’s frenzied tone, the tension and suspense make it an exciting read. I can say I was thoroughly shocked by the “big twist” at the end and audibly gasped (which possibly wasn’t ideal since I was actively listening to this novel during one of the Ice Shows on my cruise ship). Overall, “The Paris Apartment” is worth reading for anyone who loves a good mystery.

I give “The Paris Apartment” 3.5 out of 5 stars. Rounding up to 4 stars on Goodreads.