The u-shaped structure of the building lends itself perfectly to a residence shrouded in secrecy and brimming with voyeurism cradling its secrets within, and allowing residents to peer across the inner courtyard into the apartments of others.įoley has assembled and fleshed out a diverse cast of characters in Jess and the residents of No.12 Rue des Amants, to the point that they become very distinct and clear cut ‘types’. Once we get inside, the antique lift, twisting shadowy staircases, creaking floors, locked rooms and evidence of disrepair beginning to show create an unsettling and stifling atmosphere. As the primary location in which most of the story unfolds, Foley swiftly and skilfully builds a real sense of this apartment block beautiful but immediately imbued with a threatening presence, from the large and hostile structural details down to decorative details like the ‘creeping dark stain’ of ivy sprawling across the facade and the threatening door knocker with ‘snarling teeth’. Vividly conjured settings are a key element of both of these, and the same can be said for her latest novel. The Paris Apartment is the latest offering from Lucy Foley, author of best-selling murder mystery thrillers The Hunting Party and The Guest List. Determined to get to the bottom of things, Jess begins to investigate, and that’s when it becomes clear that this is an apartment of many secrets: held by its residents, both present and absent, and by its unwelcome visitor. As she begins to cross paths with the other residents of the apartment, who are far from welcoming, she senses that they know more about Ben’s disappearance than they are letting on.
In fact, once she finally manages to sneak her way into the building, Ben is nowhere to be found. When she rings the doorbell, things get stranger because, although he is expecting her, Ben doesn’t answer. Tall and imposing, the beautiful old building stands back from the road, lurking in the shadows behind a big metal gate, and flanked by two high walls. Far from the glitz and glamour, Ben’s apartment block is down a quiet cul-de-sac. Jess arrives in Paris, in need of a fresh start, to stay with her half-brother Ben but, pretty soon, it seems this may not be the visit she was hoping for.
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