This hardly ever happens to me, but…I have no idea what to write as a book review for Lock Every Door.
As I read a book, I’m usually furiously scribbling notes in my little journal; I know I won’t remember bookish thoughts later on that come to me in the moment, so I make sure to jot them down as reference points for when I write my reviews.
But, I didn’t make any notes for Lock Every Door. Not a single one. I was too busy reading.
I was thoroughly engrossed in this story from the get-go. First, by the opulent, majestic surroundings of the Bartholomew, the apartment building into which down-on-her-luck Jules moves at the beginning of the novel, and then by the eerie and unsettling way of life that seems to exist at her swanky and secretive Manhattan residence.
I soon found myself racing through Lock Every Door at a breakneck pace. The tension and suspense mounts with every page as Jules delves further into her investigation of missing apartment sitters, all of whom are, disturbingly, just like her — almost broke and without any clear ties to family or friends.
In other words, people who won’t be missed if they suddenly disappear. *gulp*
The mystery builds slowly and steadily, taking its sweetly disturbing time before delivering its gut-wrenching denouement.
Lock Every Door is a fresh, clever, and heart-pounding thriller, with twists and turns that I absolutely did not see coming. The story is riddled with tell-tale clues that life at the Bartholomew isn’t exactly what it seems — I think Jules actually catches on a little late to certain things — but nothing prepared me for what’s ultimately revealed about Jules’ new living arrangement.
Holy freakin’ hell. I’m going to have nightmares for weeks now.
Be sure to pick up Lock Every Door if you’re looking for an original story that will scare the pants off of you. While you’re at it, you may want to check out author Riley Sager’s other novels, since this guy can write. (His newest, Home Before Dark, published last month, and I’m impatiently waiting for my turn to receive it from my local library!) If you’ve read any of them, I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments below!
And, stay tuned for my book-inspired recipe: NYC Street Cart Chicken and Rice!
HA! I totally relate to this. I look back over my notebooks occasionally, and I’ve definitely noticed a pattern of taking far fewer notes about books I’ve loved, the ones that have REALLY drawn me in, and I can only attribute that to being too engrossed in reading to stop and pick up a pen.
Hi, Sheree!! Yup, it’s happening more and more lately, especially this summer as I tear through books with all this extra time on my hands! It’s nice to read without pausing to make notes, but it makes my reviews a lot harder to piece together once I’m done! Lol.