A Book A Week

There aren't many buildings as illustrious and glamorous as The Bartholomew. With breathtaking views of Central Park, an esteemed list of wealthy residents, and a history that is intertwined with the city of New York, it is one of the most sought after places to live in the city. Like any old building, The Bartholomew comes with its own set of rumors and mysteries. Beneath the pristine surface of the place lies whispers of darker secrets. Don't let that deter you. Go ahead and enter...if you dare!

For young Jules, a stay in The Bartholomew has been a lifelong dream. She used to read about the building in her favorite novel Heart of a Dreamer. Jules and her sister clung to their tattered paperback copy of the novel, imagining a life behind the walls of the Bartholomew, a life of wealth and glamor. But those were just silly childhood fantasies. The real world doesn't work that way. Instead, Jules's sister tragically disappeared and her grief-stricken parents died shortly after. Her boyfriend cheated on her, she lost her job, and life just couldn't get much worse. Jules is all alone in the big city. She has no money, no family, and no hope.

When Jules sees an ad for an apartment sitter, she eagerly responds. She desperately needs the money and wouldn't mind vacating her friend's couch for someplace else to live. When she arrives at the address listed in the ad, Jules is shocked to be standing in front of The Bartholomew. As she tours the property with the landlady, she soaks in all the details of the place that, until now, only existed in her imagination. She is so enamored with the building that she easily dismisses the peculiar rules that accompany her stay. There are to be no visitors, no staying away from the building, and no speaking to the other residents. These are easy enough to follow, especially when she is getting paid in cash at the end of each week. A few days into her stay, the luster of The Bartholomew begins to give way to more nefarious events. The rumors that have always lingered about the building just might be true. For Jules, escaping this torrid history might already be too late.

In Lock Every Door, Riley Sager once again writes a highly original thriller that hits all the right beats. This third novel by the author continues his penchant for strong female protagonists, twisted plots, and a pace that will have you reading into all hours of the night. This is the second book I've read by Sager, and I really appreciate the way lends his signature style to stories that are vastly different from each other. He brings a freshness to popular fiction that is simply unmatched. This novel plays into the horror genre but isn't overtly graphic at any point. I was hooked from the beginning and was completely blindsided by the twisty end. With Lock Every Door, Riley Sager has become a "must-read" author for me. I can't wait to see what he conjures up next!

For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2019, 26)