A twisting, tense thriller, this is a great read with a nod to Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin. I hadn’t read any Riley Sager before, but after enjoying this book I’m certain to investigate his others.
The story is focused on a very exclusive apartment block, the Bartholomew, in Manhattan. Jules, a girl who has no family, no job and no home, is thrilled to be given a temporary job there. All she has to do is occupy one of the apartments for three months and she’ll get twelve thousand dollars. Surely there must be a catch? Of course there is.
Narrated from Jules’ perspective, the story switches between her admission to hospital after apparently being hit by a car, and the events of days earlier when she moved into the Bartholomew. Jules is a credible character and essentially a decent one. You really root for her and hope that her life turns out OK. I liked the scene setting a lot, especially the creepy atmosphere of the building – the gargoyles, the old-fashioned elevator, the unexplained noises. Some very good twists too, particularly near the end. I thought one of the details was too convenient – how likely is it that someone has their own face as wallpaper on their phone, thus allowing the phone to be identified as theirs? Maybe I’m wrong, maybe it’s common enough.
If you’re looking for a dark, unsettling thriller, I recommend Lock Every Door. First published in 2019.
Great review – I like the sound of the dual timelines!
Thanks – I think you might like this one π
This book has been on my list and now I am off to buy it! π Great review!
Thanks! It’s a must-read π
Got to admit that having your face as your wallpaper is super odd and maybe narcissist… Great review though. It sounds like a fun thriller! π
I know… maybe it was too convenient. Thanks π I’m really glad I tried this author.
Ok. Having one own’s face in the phone π€ don’t think anyone does that. I agree with your review about convenience. But aren’t they any other ways of doing it? Glad you enjoyed this, NS! And i love your review! β€οΈ
Maybe a small detail but it stood out as too convenient! Anyway it was a thriller worth reading. Thanks Jee π β₯
I really enjoy Sager books and definitely agree this was a great thriller! Although I do agree about the plot conveniences (I don’t know anyone who has their face as a background on their phone either). Great review!
Thanks! This is the first Sager I have read so I’m sure to read more, if the library gets them in π
Awesome review! I hope i get to read this one soon-ish too! I really like the author’s writing style.
Thanks! π
I hope you enjoy the book when you get round to it.