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jule_is_reading's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
agiali's review against another edition
4.0
Here is my issue, this book had me conflicted from start to finish; thus my review is going to be incoherent.
I am in my Riley Sager era after reading an ARC of his new June release, Middle of the Night, I want to read the rest of his books ASAP. I've already read and written reviews for Survive the Night, The House Across the Lake, and obviously Middle of the Night. Lock Every Door, though, is the first book of his that I keep teetering between ratings.
Jules is at a complete loss in the world. Her boyfriend (who is also her roommate) cheated on her and she got laid off of her job. Homeless and without much savings Jules has been crashing on her best friend, Chloe's couch, but knowing Chloe's boyfriend isn't very jazzed about it, Jules finds an advertisement that fulfills her dreams. The Bartholomew is an apartment complex built in 1919 for the rich and the elite. It was Jules' sister's dream to visit there one day and when the Bartholomew offers $12,000 for apartment sitters to stay there for three months, Jules leaps at the opportunity. However, the Bartholomew has certain rules: You can't spend a night away from the room, no visitors, and no fraternizing with the tenants.
Jules comes across a fellow apartment sitter, Ingrid and they spark up a friendship. Ingrid and Chloe tell Jules of the sketchy things that the Bartholomew has been involved in and when Ingrid doesn't show up to their next park date, Jules goes on a mission to find out where Ingrid went.
As the reader, you have no idea where this book is heading until the 75% mark. Which, I'd say means Sager did a good job. When the reveal did happen, I did expect something very similar to that as it gets alluded to throughout the book, but I didn't expect that to be what was going on.
The reason I'm torn is because you spend the first 75% unsure as to where the story is heading. I had no thoughts until the last 25% and I still don't have anything to comment on from the first 75%.
No thoughts, head empty, fr.
Anyways, I'd recommend this. It is probably my second favorite Sager I've read so far, but I don't think this is for everyone. The twist and the overall suspense that is built up can be seen as silly or a cop-out to some.
I am in my Riley Sager era after reading an ARC of his new June release, Middle of the Night, I want to read the rest of his books ASAP. I've already read and written reviews for Survive the Night, The House Across the Lake, and obviously Middle of the Night. Lock Every Door, though, is the first book of his that I keep teetering between ratings.
Jules is at a complete loss in the world. Her boyfriend (who is also her roommate) cheated on her and she got laid off of her job. Homeless and without much savings Jules has been crashing on her best friend, Chloe's couch, but knowing Chloe's boyfriend isn't very jazzed about it, Jules finds an advertisement that fulfills her dreams. The Bartholomew is an apartment complex built in 1919 for the rich and the elite. It was Jules' sister's dream to visit there one day and when the Bartholomew offers $12,000 for apartment sitters to stay there for three months, Jules leaps at the opportunity. However, the Bartholomew has certain rules: You can't spend a night away from the room, no visitors, and no fraternizing with the tenants.
Jules comes across a fellow apartment sitter, Ingrid and they spark up a friendship. Ingrid and Chloe tell Jules of the sketchy things that the Bartholomew has been involved in and when Ingrid doesn't show up to their next park date, Jules goes on a mission to find out where Ingrid went.
As the reader, you have no idea where this book is heading until the 75% mark. Which, I'd say means Sager did a good job. When the reveal did happen, I did expect something very similar to that as it gets alluded to throughout the book, but I didn't expect that to be what was going on.
The reason I'm torn is because you spend the first 75% unsure as to where the story is heading. I had no thoughts until the last 25% and I still don't have anything to comment on from the first 75%.
No thoughts, head empty, fr.
Anyways, I'd recommend this. It is probably my second favorite Sager I've read so far, but I don't think this is for everyone. The twist and the overall suspense that is built up can be seen as silly or a cop-out to some.
reverieain's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
Great book, just underwhelming. I was expecting some mindblown plot twist but this one is just not it. Maybe I was expecting too much.
Great book, just underwhelming. I was expecting some mindblown plot twist but this one is just not it. Maybe I was expecting too much.
emilymxri's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
nessiejames's review against another edition
5.0
I did not see that coming!!! I loved! Couldn’t put it down. Finished in a day!
maximummaei's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
heidikundin's review against another edition
3.0
I've read every Riley Sager novel within the first couple of weeks of their release. Each one offered the promise of something that I love, love, LOVE in my books - "Final girls," the survivors of horror movie-esque murders, rundown old summer camps, and mysterious and creepy old buildings? Sign me up! When I read the synopsis for Final Girls, I thought, "YESSSS! This has the potential to become my new favorite book!" and then, I was disappointed and let down. And again with The Last Time I Lied. And now, yet again with Lock Every Door. I've said it before, and maybe I've just read too much of this genre and become jaded, but, apparently, it takes a lot to impress me these days.
As far as Lock Every Door goes, I have to say that I wasn't a fan of the twist at the end. Just because a reader doesn't see a twist coming doesn't make it a GOOD twist. There is too much suspension of disbelief required for Lock Every Door, so many missed opportunities, and SO many times that I thought, "WHY in the world are you making phone calls/texts to people and saying the things you're saying if you know the things you know?" It was all just too much. I also felt like there was a ton of foreshadowing of potentially creepy things that never came to fruition I was just waiting for something to happen there!), and like other reviewers have mentioned, I was a little let down that there was no resolution either.
It's becoming apparent that Sager is likely just going to be a 3-star middle-of-the-road guy for me, and yet I am still rooting for him because I can see the potential buried in these tales. He does an excellent job of setting the scene in such a way that the location actually becomes a character in and of itself, and though his books tend to be a slow burn, I do always find myself wanting to know what happens next. I'm just crossing my fingers that his next book will be even better.
As far as Lock Every Door goes, I have to say that I wasn't a fan of the twist at the end. Just because a reader doesn't see a twist coming doesn't make it a GOOD twist. There is too much suspension of disbelief required for Lock Every Door, so many missed opportunities, and SO many times that I thought, "WHY in the world are you making phone calls/texts to people and saying the things you're saying if you know the things you know?" It was all just too much. I also felt like there was a ton of foreshadowing of potentially creepy things that never came to fruition
Spoiler
(900 mentions of the gargoyles, anyone? All those eyes in the wallpaper?Spoiler
about JaneIt's becoming apparent that Sager is likely just going to be a 3-star middle-of-the-road guy for me, and yet I am still rooting for him because I can see the potential buried in these tales. He does an excellent job of setting the scene in such a way that the location actually becomes a character in and of itself, and though his books tend to be a slow burn, I do always find myself wanting to know what happens next. I'm just crossing my fingers that his next book will be even better.
tabby09's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
This was a great book. I was engaged the entire time and sped through it.
The main character made some stupid choices to keep the story going, but it didn't bother me much because I expect that in thrillers or horror. Some of the other characters lacked depth, but it was great for a thriller. I did not expect most of the twists, except one.
There were parts at the end that were difficult for me to get through. I got very queasy and had to take a break, I'm very squeamish though. It's possible to push through it and is only a factor at the end.
I read this as a physical book, supported by the audiobook. Single narration was good, she did the different voices well and even slurred well during the hospital scenes.
This was the second Riley Sager book I've read, the other being Survive the Night. I noticed a similarity in the villains-The god-complex, or being more "special" than others, justifying the murders
A little thing that bothered me:
I was a little confused at the allusion to it being supernatural in some way. I guess it was done just to confuse us, but I don't understand why the wallpaper had the optical illusion or why the snake's fire looked like it was burning, etc. . Some things could have used a little more explaining. I was also hoping her sister would tie in somehow.
Loved the ending.BURN IT ALL DOWN! Lol
The main character made some stupid choices to keep the story going, but it didn't bother me much because I expect that in thrillers or horror. Some of the other characters lacked depth, but it was great for a thriller. I did not expect most of the twists, except one.
There were parts at the end that were difficult for me to get through. I got very queasy and had to take a break, I'm very squeamish though. It's possible to push through it and is only a factor at the end.
I read this as a physical book, supported by the audiobook. Single narration was good, she did the different voices well and even slurred well during the hospital scenes.
This was the second Riley Sager book I've read, the other being Survive the Night. I noticed a similarity in the villains-
A little thing that bothered me:
Loved the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Death of parent, Torture, and Murder
Minor: Sexual content
Missing/dead sister as well. Mentioned often. The gore isn't that intense, but beware if you're squeamish!moraofthestory's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
2.0
Pretty predictable.
rfm25's review against another edition
3.0
CREEPY AF
This defo wasn't the turn that I thought it was gonna take but i guessed one of the twists !!!
Otherwise, there were a few bits which didn't have an answer , and whilst reading you would have thought that we would know the answers to them ....
Really good though if you want some really creepy stuff
This defo wasn't the turn that I thought it was gonna take but i guessed one of the twists !!!
Otherwise, there were a few bits which didn't have an answer , and whilst reading you would have thought that we would know the answers to them ....
Really good though if you want some really creepy stuff