Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Release Date: March 5th, 2024
Pages: 401
Publisher: Park Row
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Publisher’s Synopsis:
“A couple inherits an apartment with a spine-tingling past in this unputdownable thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six.
Rosie and Chad Lowan are barely making ends meet in New York City when they receive life-changing news: Chad’s late uncle has left them his luxury apartment at the historic Windermere in glamorous Murray Hill. With its prewar elegance and impeccably uniformed doorman, the building is the epitome of old New York charm. One would almost never suspect the dark history lurking behind its perfectly maintained facade.
At first, the building and its eclectic tenants couldn’t feel more welcoming. But as the Lowans settle into their new home, Rosie starts to suspect that there’s more to the Windermere than meets the eye. Why is the doorman ever-present? Why are there cameras everywhere? And why have so many gruesome crimes occurred there throughout the years? When one of the neighbors turns up dead, Rosie must get to the truth about the Windermere before she, too, falls under its dangerous spell.”
My Review:
Can I just tell you how freaking grateful I am to have an early copy of this!? Thank you so much to Park Row!
I was so hoping that this was going to be infinitely better than Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six, which for me was a major flop. (I actually wrote this in my notes before even starting to read it: “For the love of everything, please be better than SCSS!!!”)
And I’m so excited to tell you that it was! This was so captivating. I was completely absorbed into this story from start to finish.
I loved the focus on writers and publishing. I love when books give us a peak behind the curtain into what that life is like. And it’s such a fun point of connection with a character for us readers who also write.
Immediately the tone is dark and ominous and spooky.
This book is like a thriller trope soup. There’s an inheritance, a sketchy husband, supernatural elements, witchcraft and possible cult activity. I mean, you name it, it’s got it. Every facet of creepy is in this book. And you will never be able to pinpoint exactly what is happening.
There are two timelines, with excerpts from things that occurred in the past. The storyline about the character in the ‘60s was at times more interesting than the current day one. These two stories are loosely tied together and similar in nature. I can’t even really say that it was entirely necessary to have that other perspective in regards to the overall plot, but I did enjoy it.
The writing in this one really got me. I felt like I was actually there and experiencing the story for myself. It really does suck you in. (Don’t read this in the dark at night, you will scare yourself and not be able to sleep. I may or may not be speaking from personal experience.)
The ending…
Honestly y’all, it was super underwhelming. I was so disappointed in the way it ended.
It was like you spent all this time slowly chugging up a massive hill and once you finally reached the top, both dreading and anticipating a major drop, you just coast on straight ahead like it never happened.
There were so many aspects of the plot that were building the tension and ramping up the stakes and then when we finally got to the reveal, it was just some simple normal thing.
The ending is what kept this book from being a five star for me. I absolutely loved it still and highly recommend it. It was such an exciting and engaging read. I always look forward to this author’s books (even if I was also a little terrified because of my experience from this year’s release). This one was so fun to read and I devoured it. Even though it let me down and wasn’t quite the adrenaline rush conclusion I was wanting, I still can’t wait to hear everyone else’s thoughts on this one and I’m excited to be a part of the early hype!
Also, the cover has finally been revealed, and y’all OMG. I might have to get a physical copy because it’s stunning. I love the building (which is almost like a character in itself in the book), and the ominous looking background. I am also a sucker for the striking, bold font that looks like chalk or marker. And I love the color palette choices too.
Disclaimers:
Huge thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for gifting me an early copy of this amazing story! I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Have you read this book? Planning to add it to your TBR?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
I love a good book discussion. 🙂
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