I have to be up in a couple hours for work. But I don’t care. This book took a 180 turn and it was so unexpected and I loved it. Casey Fletcher is an actress fleeing bad press after the death of her beloved husband. She retreats to the family’s lake house, despite the fact that this is where he husband drowned.

They are also known as sliding bolts, as they feature a single bolt attached to the door, which slides across to fit snugly into a catch that is screwed onto the doorframe. You can buy these in various sizes; the small ones are common for internal doors, whereas larger, more robust barrel bolts are usually reserved for external doors or gates. The exploration of psychological manipulation delves into the dark aspects of human behavior and the tactics used to control and manipulate others. It prompts readers to question motives, trust, and the impact of psychological games on individuals’ well-being. If I could sum up why this is a 5-star book in 1 sentence: I could not stop for the last 1/5 of this book. No visitors. No nights spent away from the apartment. And no disturbing the other residents, all of whom are rich or famous or both. These are the only rules for Jules Larsen’s new job as an apartment sitter at the Bartholomew, one of Manhattan’s most high-profile and mysterious buildings. Recently heartbroken and just plain broke, Jules is taken in by the splendor of her surroundings and accepts the terms, ready to leave her past life behind.Riley Sager's newest release is an addictive thriller that is a little dark and even spooky at times. I was so caught up in the “one more chapter” mode that I kept reading beyond our buddy read goals. The book reaches its climax when Jules confronts the mastermind behind Bartholomew’s secrets and attempts to expose the truth.

It's always there. A loud hum buzzing through every waking thought. Things have gotten so bleak that I've recently started wondering how far I have left to fall before hitting bottom and what I'll do if I ever reach that point.” When somebody rings your doorbell, you will receive a notification on your smartphone. If you are not home, you could simply ignore it and watch the visitor, or if it’s a trusted mail delivery person, you might want to initiate an audio connection and instruct them of a safe place to leave your parcel. The introduction of Jules to the Bartholomew and the unveiling of its unsettling reputation serve as a turning point, piquing her curiosity and setting the stage for the suspenseful events to come. So beginning is great, middle of the still good but ending ERRRRRR: You gave the wrong answer and you disqualified!

This is a Riley Sager book, so It’s not a spoiler to say there are twists and turns in this creepy, gothic suspense tale where the Bartholomew becomes a character itself. The palpable sense of eeriness with Jules all alone in the world up against some creepy neighbors in a gothic apartment building gave me a Rosemary’s Baby vibe. Rules, Rules, Rules- YOU MUST OBEY THE RULES. They are simple rules really - do not disturb the other residents at the Bartholomew, no overnight visitors and you must spend every night in your apartment. With added questions thrown in about drinking, smoking, family, etc.

I take a deep breath, trying to collect my thoughts. But they’re an unruly, unreliable bunch. My skull feels like a snow globe recently shaken, swirling with important bits of information that have yet to land. And I can’t grasp” While some of the plot ended up being familiar from other stories I have seen/read, that is pretty normal for most books. Throughout novels these days, there are lot of retellings of similar plots lines, it just depends on how you tell it. In the case of this particular thrilling and creepy plot twist, I was quite impressed. Nolan, Tom (2019-06-28). "Mysteries: The Sudden Vacancies Down the Hall". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660 . Retrieved 2020-09-09.The theme of identity and self-discovery adds depth to the story, as Jules confronts her own past and struggles to uncover the truth about herself. It prompts readers to reflect on their own journeys of self-discovery and the complexities of uncovering hidden aspects of one’s identity. I’ve been a bit hit and miss with Riley Sager’s books. I absolutely loved Final Girls, but his next release The Last Time I Lied missed the mark for me. The writing style was captivating. Riley Sager is a brilliant thriller expert. He knows how to maintain stress. I don't connect to the main protagonist Jules. She was so dumb sometimes and I don't really understand what her motive was. Why does she do stupid things? Okay, she was broke. In my opinion, money is not as important as her life. I hate this cliché when the character sacrifices his/her life because they don't have enough cash. WTF? Why is it better? She will be dead, and that's all about her money. Soooo sooo feeble-minded. Riley Sager is the New York Times bestselling author of seven novels, most recently Survive the Night and The House Across the Lake. His first novel, Final Girls, has been published in 30 countries and won the ITW Thriller Award for Best Hardcover Novel. His latest book, The Only One Left,will be published in 2023 by Dutton Books.

Riley Sager is the New York Times bestselling author of seven novels, most recently THE HOUSE ACROSS THE LAKE and SURVIVE THE NIGHT. His first thriller, FINAL GIRLS, won the ITW Thriller Award for Best Hardcover Novel and has been published in more than thirty countries. His latest novel, THE ONLY ONE LEFT, will be published in June.

Content and Trigger Warnings: talk of being cheated on in the past, talk of loss of a loved one in the past, self-harm (fire + hand), talk of past suicide, talk of cancer, and murder. With wealth comes power. Power earns you importance. And the truly important people in the world deserve to live longer than those beneath them. That's especially true as we face another epidemic.” The setting of the Bartholomew was absolutely brilliant. A gothic nightmare set in the heart of a bustling city. The book presents numerous mysterious events and eerie occurrences within the Bartholomew building, such as disappearances, hidden rooms, and strange messages, creating an atmosphere of suspense and intrigue. No visitors. No nights spent away from the apartment. No disturbing the other residents, all of whom are rich or famous or both. These are the only rules for Jules Larsen’s new job as an apartment sitter at the Bartholomew, one of Manhattan's most high-profile and mysterious buildings. Recently heartbroken and just plain broke, Jules is taken in by the splendor of her surroundings and accepts the terms, ready to leave her past life behind.