Full Book Review of The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley

Check out my full book review of The Paris Apartment. Lucy Foley has become one of my go-to authors for modern thrillers, and after loving The Guest List and The Hunting Party, I was excited to dive into her latest novel, The Paris Apartment.

​Here’s a short synopsis of the book: 

“Jess needs a fresh start. She’s broke and alone, and she’s just left her job under less than ideal circumstances. Her half-brother Ben didn’t sound thrilled when she asked if she could crash with him for a bit, but he didn’t say no, and surely everything will look better from Paris. Only when she shows up – to find a very nice apartment, could Ben really have afforded this? – he’s not there.

The longer Ben stays missing, the more Jess starts to dig into her brother’s situation, and the more questions she has. Ben’s neighbors are an eclectic bunch, and not particularly friendly. Jess may have come to Paris to escape her past, but it’s starting to look like it’s Ben’s future that’s in question.

The socialite – The nice guy – The alcoholic – The girl on the verge – The concierge

Everyone’s a neighbor. Everyone’s a suspect. And everyone knows something they’re not telling.”

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy. 

Full Book Review Without Spoilers

Having just read The Guest List and really enjoying the thrill of that one, I came into The Paris Apartment with high expectations, but overall, it felt like a letdown. From the very start, it was hard to get into, and the setting of a Paris apartment building just didn’t feel as gripping or atmospheric for a thriller compared to a remote island or the chilling vibes of The Hunting Party. I really did want to like it as much, but it just fell flat. 

Even though the setting didn’t land for me, some of the characters were good, and I still wanted to find out what happened in the end. Foley’s writing style kept me going, and I appreciated the short chapters and multiple points of view, which always make her novels quick reads. I was intrigued by Ben’s neighbors, the watchful concierge, and the eclectic bunch of residents living in Ben’s apartment building.

The ending, though, just didn’t deliver the impact I wanted. I saw it coming, and while there were some interesting turns, the final reveal felt flat compared to the shocking twists of Foley’s previous novels. The Paris apartment setting didn’t quite create the ideal circumstances for a locked room mystery in the way her other locations have. Still, despite my disappointment, I recognize that Foley’s writing has a way of pulling you along, and that alone made me want to finish.

Characters

The main character, Jess, along with Sophie Meunier, Nick Miller, and the journalist brother Ben, brought some life into the story. Each resident of the building felt distinct, from the old university friend to the seemingly nice guy who wasn’t what he seemed. The character development gave the story more depth, and even though I didn’t love the plot, I was still curious about the residents of the building and how their lives connected.

Plot

The plot itself wasn’t bad—it was a good idea for a new locked room mystery, but the execution just wasn’t as sharp. The pacing was decent but not great, with moments that dragged and others that rushed through interesting details.

Writing

Despite all of that, I still enjoy Foley’s writing style. She has a way of weaving different perspectives and using short chapters to keep readers hooked. Even though this wasn’t my favorite of her novels, I’ll still be picking up her latest novel when it comes out, because I love the types of books she writes.

Full Book Review With Spoilers

You’ve been warned that from here on out there will be spoilers. 

While the rue des Amants and the beautiful old apartment block had potential, it lacked the suspense I wanted, and I found myself predicting the main twist long before it was revealed. The whole thing just had less thrill in it, and as a huge fan of Lucy Foley’s previous books, that was disappointing.

The Paris Apartment setting didn’t quite create the ideal circumstances for a locked room mystery in the way her other locations have. Still, despite my disappointment, I recognize that Foley’s writing has a way of pulling you along, and that alone made me want to finish.

Still, the hidden staircase, the fancy penthouse apartment, and the wealthy family connections gave the story that Agatha Christie vibe that Foley is often praised for. It had the makings of a good mystery, even if it didn’t fully come together for me. The brother’s situation and the hints about Ben’s future were enough to keep me turning the pages, even if the suspense was weaker than in her earlier novels.

Foley is strong at creating complex characters, even in books where the thrill isn’t as strong. Foley has proven time and again—from The Guest List to The Hunting Party—that she can create tension, complex characters, and classic whodunnit vibes. While The Paris Apartment wasn’t her strongest, it still had good things going for it, and I’ll remain a fan of her previous books and future ones.

Pros of the Book

The biggest pro of the book was Foley’s writing. Even though I wasn’t as invested and was frustrated at parts, the way Foley writes made me finish the book. I still had to be sure of what happened, and the short chapters along with the multiple POVs do make it more intense. 

Cons of the Book

The biggest con of the book was that the big twist at the end-a hallmark of Foley’s writing-was too predictable. The fact that we never saw or heard from Jacques in the book made you suspicious the whole time. And that was added on to the fact that mentioning the dead body so early made it seem too obvious to be Ben. 

Conclusion

With its promise of a classic whodunnit vibe, a beautiful old apartment block on the rue des Amants, and a young woman searching for her half-brother Ben, this book had all the ingredients for a gripping mystery. Unfortunately, while there were some good things—like complex characters and Foley’s engaging writing style—this one just didn’t deliver the same level of suspense or shock as her previous books.

You can find the book here. 

I have a full summary of the book here if you need a refresher on any of the main points. 

Rating-3 stars out of 5

In the end, The Paris Apartment was a decent but not outstanding read. The plot had a solid idea, and the eclectic bunch of residents in Ben’s apartment building kept me intrigued enough to finish. Still, the main twist felt predictable, and the setting lacked the chilling atmosphere that made Foley’s previous novels so strong.

Here’s how I rate all my books: My Rating System

Who Would Enjoy Reading?

While it wasn’t my favorite, if you’re a huge fan of Lucy Foley and her writing style, this may be a better read for you. For readers who enjoy quick reads, multiple points of view, and character-driven mysteries, this one may still be worth picking up—even if it’s not her best.

What to Read After The Paris Apartment

While it was a little bit of a let down, I’m still a fan of Lucy Foley, and I’ll still be looking forward to her next book. Here’s some books that have the same feel as her thrillers. 

The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley

If you liked any of her other books, try The Hunting Party. You can find the book here.

Rock, Paper, Scissors by Alice Feeney

If you want another good thriller writer, try this one out! Just as twisty as Foley’s writing, Feeney’s books have great plots as well. You can find the book here.

None of This is True by Lisa Jewell

This one receives a lot of hype on social media, but it’s worth it! You can get the book here.