The Paris Apartment

By Lucy Foley – March 2022 – Moderated by Marielle Suárez

Very excited to introduce our book pick for March.

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.

About the author

Lucy Foley studied English Literature at Durham and UCL universities. She then worked for several years as a fiction editor in the publishing industry – during which time she also wrote The Book of Lost and Found, which was a bestselling debut of 2015.

Lucy now writes full-time, she have written:

• The Book of Lost and Found(2015)
• The Invitation(2016)
• Last Letter From Istanbul(2018)
• The Hunting Party(2018)
• The Guest List(2020)
• The Paris Apartment(2022)

Guide to read this month

The Paris Apartment Reading guide

Book Club discussion questions: (SPOILER ALERT)

1. What do you think of narrating the book from all points of view? 2. Do you think the welcoming Jess received, so rude, has something to due with the culture or they were looking up for themselves? 3. Why do you think The concierge ignored her? 4. Do you consider Jess’s actions normal or too nosy? 5. Do you think Ben’s body is hidden somewhere in the building? 6. Do you think that the topic of the RIOTS has something to do with what is happening or is it a filler? 7. Was anyone expected that the tenants were family? What was your reaction? 8. What do you think the family hides?

9. Which plot twist surprised you the most? 2. Did anyone guess the ending? At what time? 3. What was left unexplained? 4. The book scared you at some point? Was it a book that had you hooked to the end? 5. What do you think of Jess’s proposal to Sophie to free them, would you have let them go? 6. What scene marked you that you are still thinking about it?

You can buy this book here: The Paris Apartment

TRIVIA QUESTIONS:

• What’s the name of Sophie’s dog?
• What’s the code number to enter the building?
• The medal in Ben’s neck, which Saint is it?
• What is the name of the officer the go talk to about Ben’s disappearance?
• What is the nickname Ben’s mother had for him?
• Name the dorm where Ben was found
• With what Jacques attacked Ben?
• What does “La petite morte” means?