The Paris Apartment in On The Same Page

Feb 08, 2022 Carolyn rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2022, mystery, suspense, netgalley-2022, netgalley

The Paris Apartment is a character in its own right in this riveting, spooky suspense from Lucy Foley. An old house, split into five roomy apartments, one on each level, it's opulent and decadent but also decaying and is home to a strange collection of residents.

In the penthouse live the wealthy Meuniers; Jacques a wine merchant and Sophie, his snooty, sophisticated wife. Two young women live on the fourth floor, anxious, reserved Mimi supported by her parents and Camille, her unlikely friend an The Paris Apartment is a character in its own right in this riveting, spooky suspense from Lucy Foley. An old house, split into five roomy apartments, one on each level, it's opulent and decadent but also decaying and is home to a strange collection of residents.

In the penthouse live the wealthy Meuniers; Jacques a wine merchant and Sophie, his snooty, sophisticated wife. Two young women live on the fourth floor, anxious, reserved Mimi supported by her parents and Camille, her unlikely friend and a party girl. New arrival Ben from England lives on the third floor. A journalist writing restaurant reviews, he aims to be an investigative journalist and has told his editor that he is working on a good story. Ben's friend Nick who he met at Cambridge years ago, lives on the second floor. Nick was living in the US where he had a start-up tech company but fled back to Europe after it failed. He arranged for Ben to rent it the vacant apartment. Drunkard Antoine lives alone on the first floor after his wife Dominique left him. Then there is the Concierge who lives in a tiny run down Loge at the back of the building. She is mostly invisible but sees and hears everything. The only thing these people seem to have in common is the secrets they are all keeping.

Ben has a sister, Jess who has to leave her job suddenly in England and decides to run away to stay with Ben in Paris. They are not close, having both been left in care after their mother died, but have kept in touch. While Ben was lucky enough to be adopted by a wealthy couple and received a good education, Jess bounced around from one foster home to another. She might not be as well educated as Ben but she's smart and resourceful and doesn't take crap from anyone. When she turns up at Ben's address, he's not there even though he's expecting her. She manages to get into his apartment, but when he still hasn't turned up a few days later, she starts looking for him.

This is a riveting and hugely entertaining suspense. The air of mystery about Ben and the apartment is sinister and tinged with more than a hint of evil. The short snappy chapters and flowing prose make it easy to say 'just one more' and suddenly another hour has passed. Mostly narrated by Jess, all the residents get to have their say and gradually a picture builds of who Ben is and what he has done to lead to his disappearance. Even once some of the secrets of the apartment building have become apparent, the ending is still unexpected and full of jaw-dropping twists.

with thanks to Harper Collins Australia and Netgalley for a copy to read ...more

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Jan 21, 2023 Robbi Leah Freeman rated it really liked it · review of another edition

slow at first but gains speed.

I finally bought it for a high price on kindle. Books prices are getting crazy but I did enjoy it and am happy the proceeds go to this author who has wonderful talent.
Basically Jess ends up at her brother’s apartment but he is missing and no one is jumping in to help her. The story has so many twists and switches from different viewpoints. It keeps the mind guessing. A little short, great vacation read. Thank you for the entertainment!

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