As I stepped off the bustling streets of New York City and into the quiet sanctuary of my favorite bookstore, I had no idea that my life was about to take a thrilling turn. There, nestled on a shelf between countless other spines, was Riley Sager’s “Lock Every Door.” The ominous title and the haunting cover image of a grand old building immediately caught my eye. Little did I know that this book would keep me up for nights, both reading and pondering its chilling implications.
I’ve always been a sucker for a good psychological thriller, but lately, I’d been feeling a bit jaded. It seemed like every book in the genre was following the same predictable formula. However, something about “Lock Every Door” whispered promises of a fresh take on the genre. Perhaps it was the intriguing premise of an apartment sitter in a prestigious New York building, or maybe it was the air of mystery surrounding the author Riley Sager (a pen name, I later discovered). Whatever it was, I found myself at the checkout counter, eager to dive into this new world.
From the very first page, I was hooked. Sager’s writing style is immersive and atmospheric, pulling you into the world of the Bartholomew building with its gothic architecture and air of faded grandeur. The protagonist, Jules Larsen, is instantly relatable. As a young woman struggling to make ends meet in the big city, I found myself nodding along to her internal monologue, understanding all too well the allure of a seemingly too-good-to-be-true job offer.
The slow-burn suspense of the novel is masterfully crafted. Sager doesn’t rely on cheap jump scares or gratuitous violence to create tension. Instead, he builds an ever-increasing sense of unease, like a shadow slowly creeping across a room. The strict rules of Jules’ new job – no visitors, no nights away from the apartment, no disturbing the other residents – initially seem quirky but harmless. However, as the story progresses, these rules take on a more sinister tone, leaving both Jules and the reader questioning everything and everyone.
One of the strongest aspects of the book is its exploration of wealth inequality and the dark underbelly of luxury. As Jules navigates the opulent world of the Bartholomew and its wealthy residents, Sager deftly weaves in commentary on the often-unseen costs of maintaining such lifestyles. There’s a particular scene where Jules attends a party in one of the building’s penthouses that stuck with me long after I finished the book. The juxtaposition of the lavish surroundings with Jules’ own precarious financial situation was both poignant and unsettling.
However, no book is without its flaws, and “Lock Every Door” does have a few weak points. Some of the plot twists, while shocking, do stretch the bounds of believability. There were moments when I found myself thinking, “Would someone really do that?” or “Is that even possible?” That being said, Sager’s skillful writing and clever misdirections were usually enough to keep me engaged and willing to suspend my disbelief.
Another minor criticism I have is that some of the secondary characters felt a bit underdeveloped. While Jules is a fully realized and complex character, a few of the other residents of the Bartholomew came across as more caricature than character. However, this could be seen as a deliberate choice on Sager’s part, adding to the overall sense of unreality and unease that permeates the novel.
One of the most memorable aspects of “Lock Every Door” for me was its use of an unreliable narrator. As Jules delves deeper into the mysteries of the Bartholomew, her perception of reality becomes increasingly skewed. This narrative technique kept me on my toes throughout the book, constantly questioning what was real and what was merely a product of Jules’ increasingly paranoid imagination. There’s a particular passage that perfectly encapsulates this:
“I’m starting to wonder if I’m going crazy. If the Bartholomew is somehow getting to me, seeping into my brain and warping my thoughts. Because the alternative – that everything I’ve seen and heard is real – is too terrifying to contemplate.”
This line sent shivers down my spine and made me question everything I thought I knew about the story up to that point.
Sager’s writing style is crisp and engaging, with a good balance of description and dialogue. He has a knack for creating vivid imagery without bogging down the narrative with excessive detail. The pacing is excellent, with each chapter ending on a mini-cliffhanger that made it nearly impossible for me to put the book down. I found myself staying up way past my bedtime, telling myself “just one more chapter” over and over again.
After finishing “Lock Every Door,” I found myself looking at the world a little differently. The book made me think about the hidden stories behind the facades of grand old buildings and the secrets that wealth can hide. It also made me reflect on the lengths people might go to when they’re desperate, and how easy it can be to ignore red flags when an opportunity seems too good to pass up.
Would I recommend “Lock Every Door” to others? Absolutely, but with a caveat. This is not a book for the faint of heart or those looking for a light, easy read. It’s a book that will keep you up at night, both reading and thinking about its implications long after you’ve turned the last page. It’s perfect for fans of psychological thrillers who are looking for something a little different, something that will challenge their perceptions and leave them guessing until the very end.
In conclusion, “Lock Every Door” was a thrilling ride that reminded me why I fell in love with the psychological thriller genre in the first place. It’s a book that stays with you, haunting your thoughts like the ghostly presence of the Bartholomew itself. As I closed the book and looked out my window at the twinkling lights of the city, I couldn’t help but wonder about the secrets hidden behind those countless windows. And I made sure to double-check that my own door was securely locked before going to bed that night.