You know that feeling when you meet a new neighbor and wonder if they’re secretly plotting something? That’s exactly the vibe of The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley.
If you’re searching for a thrilling read, this is the one. This book hooked me so hard that I ignored my laundry for three days. Let me tell you why it’s worth the read.
If you haven’t heard of Lucy Foley yet, she’s a New York Times bestselling author, famous for her thrilling novels like The Guest List and The Hunting Party.
Ok then without wasting any time, let’s dive into The Paris Apartment Summary and review to understand why this book is so good.
The Paris Apartment Plot Summary
Jess, our scrappy heroine, arrives in Paris hoping to crash at her brother Ben’s fancy apartment. She’s broke, tired, and just had one of those “I need to start over” moments. But Ben? He’s gone. No texts, no notes, just…poof! Vanished like my willpower around the chocolate cake.
Jess starts poking around the apartment and meets the neighbors. They’re not exactly Friends material. Sophie is polished but cold. Antoine is angry enough to punch a wall (and does). Mimi seems sweet but nervous like she’s hiding something. And Nick, an old friend of Ben’s, is nice—maybe too nice.
The deeper Jess digs, the more she realizes the building has secrets. Big ones. Think Rear Window meets Clue. This story revolves around a missing brother and dangerous secrets.
This book was shortlisted for the Goodreads Choice Awards in 2022 for Best Mystery & Thriller. Kirkus Reviews praises the novel for its “mesmerizing atmosphere” and “shocking twists that kept me on edge”.
The Paris Apartment Character Overview
Jess is the kind of person you root for—messy, stubborn, and smart enough to solve puzzles but still very human. She reminded me of myself that time I tried to put together IKEA furniture without instructions. Persistent but occasionally baffled.
Readers have compared Jess to other strong female leads, like Rachel from The Girl on the Train.
Ben, even though he’s missing, feels like a real character through other people’s memories. He’s charming but complicated—like that friend you love but know you shouldn’t fully trust.
The neighbors? Oh, they’re deliciously shady. Sophie has rich-lady-with-a-secret energy, Antoine is a walking temper tantrum, and Mimi…well, let’s just say I wouldn’t want her babysitting. Nick is the guy you want to trust but can’t shake the feeling he’s hiding something.
Foley’s ability to craft morally gray characters is similar to Ruth Ware’s style in The Woman in Cabin 10.
Kirkus Reviews notes that Foley’s “multi-layered characters” drive the suspense and make it difficult to predict who’s trustworthy.
The Paris Apartment Themes
This book got me thinking about how well we really know the people closest to us. Jess loves Ben, but as she digs into his life, she realizes she barely knows him. It reminded me of The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell, where family ties are just as tangled and messy.
Trust is another big theme. Jess has to decide who to believe in a building full of liars. It’s like playing emotional dodgeball—you never know where the next hit is coming from.
And secrets? Oh, this book has layers of them, like an onion that makes you cry with every peel. Lucy Foley also gives some very smart twists in the story, which add believability to the motives and the unfolding crime.
In an interview, Foley shared that Hitchcock’s suspenseful storytelling inspired the book’s tension-filled scenes. Kirkus Reviews mentions how “the book’s careful pacing and suspenseful build” will leave you guessing until the very end.
The Paris Apartment Writing Style
Lucy Foley’s writing is like a well-made suspense movie. She keeps the chapters short and snappy, each ending with a mini cliffhanger. You’ll tell yourself, “Just one more chapter,” and suddenly it’s 2 AM, and you’re eyeing your coffee machine for survival.
Her use of alternating points of view reminds me of Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies.
She also writes from multiple perspectives, which I love. It’s like hearing gossip from different angles at a party, but way more thrilling. The building itself feels alive—dark, silent, and full of secrets.
The Paris Apartment Ending
Let me just say, the ending had me gasping. I won’t spoil it, but it’s one of those “Wait, WHAT?!” moments. Everything comes together, and the final twist makes you rethink everything you’ve read.
Reviewers often compare Foley’s endings to the shocking twists of Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl.
It reminded me of the ending of Gone Girl, where the twists hit you like a freight train. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, Foley throws another curveball. It’s satisfying but leaves you wondering if you missed clues along the way.
Kirkus Reviews stated that the ending of The Paris Apartment is “heart-stopping” and will leave readers with their jaws on the floor.
Comparison to Similar Thrillers
If you liked The Guest List or The Hunting Party, you’ll feel right at home. All three books have isolated settings, complex characters, and secrets galore. It also has vibes similar to Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris, where appearances can be dangerously deceiving.
Many readers say this book outshines Foley’s earlier works, solidifying her place in the thriller genre.
Final Thoughts
The Paris Apartment is one of those books you can’t put down. It’s suspenseful, full of twists, and packed with shady characters you’ll love to hate.
This book offers the perfect mix of mystery and drama. If you’re a fan of Paris, it adds a unique charm.
Whether you’re a Lucy Foley fan or new to her work, you’ll love the tension, the secrets, and the big reveals.
Kirkus Reviews describes it as a “masterclass in suspense,” a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers.
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