Lock Every Door

Jules Larsen, down on her luck and desperate for income, accepts a position as an apartment sitter at The Bartholomew - a prestigious Manhattan building with strict rules and a generous payment of $12,000 for three months of occupancy. The job seems perfect despite its unusual requirements: no visitors, no leaving the apartment for extended periods, and no disturbing the wealthy residents. As Jules settles into the gothic apartment building, she connects with fellow apartment sitters and begins noticing unsettling patterns. When other sitters start to disappear and Jules uncovers disturbing historical events tied to The Bartholomew, she launches her own investigation into the building's secrets. The novel combines elements of psychological suspense, architectural mystery, and urban legend as Jules navigates the complex social dynamics of Manhattan's elite while trying to unravel the truth about The Bartholomew. Lock Every Door examines themes of wealth inequality, desperation, and the hidden costs of apparent good fortune in modern society.

Readers found this thriller to be fast-paced with atmospheric tension building throughout. Many noted the Gothic elements and haunting details of the Bartholomew building added to their enjoyment. Positive reviews focused on: - Unpredictable plot twists - Vivid descriptions of the building and setting - Strong parallels to Rosemary's Baby - Quick chapters that maintain momentum Common criticisms included: - Protagonist making unrealistic decisions - Middle section drags - Some plot points require suspension of disbelief - Ending felt rushed to some readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (200,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (9,000+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (1,200+ ratings) "The atmosphere and creeping dread kept me reading late into the night" - Goodreads reviewer "Jules's choices became frustrating and unbelievable" - Amazon reviewer "The final act makes up for the slower middle chapters" - LibraryThing reviewer

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🏛️ The Bartholomew's design was inspired by the famous Dakota building in New York City, which was home to numerous celebrities including John Lennon and is known for its gothic architecture and haunting history. 🖋️ Riley Sager is actually a pseudonym for Todd Ritter, who chose a gender-neutral pen name to appeal to the predominantly female thriller readership. 📚 The novel pays homage to classic horror stories like "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Gothic" through its themes of isolated young women in threatening urban spaces. 💰 The plot was partially inspired by real-life apartment sitting services in New York City, where people are paid to occupy luxury apartments to maintain their "lived-in" appearance. 🎬 The book's film rights were acquired by Paramount Pictures in 2019, with plans to adapt it for the big screen.