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.

As she gets to know the residents and staff of the Bartholomew, Jules finds herself drawn to fellow apartment sitter Ingrid, who comfortingly, disturbingly reminds her of the sister she lost eight years ago. When Ingrid confides that the Bartholomew is not what it seems and the dark history hidden beneath its gleaming facade is starting to frighten her, Jules brushes it off as a harmless ghost story . . . until the next day, when Ingrid disappears.

Searching for the truth about Ingrid’s disappearance, Jules digs deeper into the Bartholomew’s dark past and into the secrets kept within its walls. Her discovery that Ingrid is not the first apartment sitter to go missing at the Bartholomew pits Jules against the clock as she races to unmask a killer, expose the building’s hidden past, and escape the Bartholomew before her temporary status becomes permanent.

My Review:

“One look at what Ingrid wrote sends me plummeting in a deep well of worry. I read it again, staring at the two words Ingrid had scrawled in a shaky hand….. Be careful.”

Riley Sager’s books are always mysterious and spooky. They leave you feeling uneasy and terrified to be alone. This one is definitely no different but you will have severe trust issues. Just keep telling yourself that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Jules’ life has been going through a rough patch. She recently lost her job, found out that her boyfriend has been cheating on her, and has been living on her best friends sofa. Until she sees the ad of a lifetime.

The Bartholomew is one of the most prestigious buildings in New York and has quite the reputation. Rumors swirl around that place. Some good but most of it is terrifying. They are searching for an apartment sitter for three months and at the end of each week, you’ll receive one thousand dollars. This would get her off of her friend’s sofa and give her the life of luxury for a few months. She jumps at the chance but her friend has concerns.

Looking past those concerns, she applies and automatically gets the job following the interrogation from Ms. Evelyn. While living at the Bartholomew, she has to abide by three major rules: No visitors, You can’t spend the night away from the apartment, and you’re not allowed to bother any of the residents. If any of these rules are broken, you’re out.

She accepts the terms and moves in. Everyone keeps to themselves except the other apartment sitters. She becomes close to Ingrid, who lives underneath her and then Ingrid suddenly vanishes. After expressing her unease about the apartment, she fades into the night and Jules feels suspicious about how Ingrid left. Now she’s on the hunt for clues of the disappearance of Ingrid. There is just something about Ingrid that makes her think of her missing sister.

As Jules digs deeper into the history of The Bartholomew and its residents, she uncovers something she never thought could be possible. Now it’s a race against the clock to find Ingrid and save herself at the same time.

Riley Sager has done it again, he has delivered another horrifying masterpiece. This reminded me of Rosemary’s Baby, and The Shining but all while putting his unique twist on everything. With the way his books are going, he is bound to be one of the biggest mystery/horror writers of our time.

Lock Every Door will scare you and make you think twice before you accept any offer. This book will make you look under the bed and inside the closet before you go to bed but it was an amazing read. Riley never disappoints and I suggest this to everyone who loves a great mystery and horror novel.

Word of advice: If you ever see a dumbwaiter just leave it alone. Nothing good ever comes from them. They are spooky and will haunt you. Just, no.