It’s an opportunity she can’t refuse. The woman before her tried… seeking a new tenant for a shockingly affordable flat in a fashionable area of London.
Adder House sounds too good to be true… But Freya really can’t afford to be cynical, and Dr Marsden is adamant she and Skye will be a perfect fit with the other residents.
But Adder House has secrets. Even behind a locked front door, Freya feels as if she’s being watched: objects moving, unfamiliar smells, the blinking light of a concealed camera… and it’s not long before she begins to suspect that her dream home is hiding a nightmarish reality. Was it really chance that led her here—or something unthinkably dark?
As the truth about Adder House starts to unravel, can Freya and Skye get out—or will they be locked in forever?
Revised edition: This edition of The Apartment includes editorial revisions.
more
This is the first book that I have read by KL Slater. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. After a tragic life changing event, Freya is looking for a new place to live. She is approached by Dr. Marsden who has the perfect place for her and her daughter to live. She moves in and finds that there was another little girl that lived in her apartment before, but when she asks, she is told she is the first resident. Strange things happen – voices, furniture being moved, items missing. Is The Apartment to good to be true? You decide! This book is written in the present tense, with inserts of a diary and medical notes from 1920. Thank you netgalley for providing me this ARC.
“If it looks too good to be true, it probably is,” or “Caveat Emptor” might be some appropriate ways to describe the main theme of The Apartment, a new suspense thriller by K.L. Slater. The author of nine previous stand-alone psychological crime novels, this latest work demonstrates how a susceptible a vulnerable person can be to predation by the unscrupulous. It explores the power of denial and how suspension of disbelief can cloud judgement during desperate times. Freya is introduced as a woman who is recovering from the recent death of her estranged husband—facing financial hardship while also attempting to maintain stability for her 5-year-old daughter, Skye. Freya is looking at ads for a new place to live when she is approached by a stranger who is seemingly extending extraordinary kindness with no discernible agenda. Freya jumps at what she thinks is a stroke of good luck and an incredible opportunity, despite her initial reservations. Dr. Marsden’s offer of an upscale apartment (at Adder House) at minimal cost and help with enrolling Skye into a prestigious school seems like a godsend at a most critical time. The fact that their “coincidental” meeting may have been orchestrated does not even occur to Freya, and the reader is left helplessly observing her ensnarement in an elaborate trap. After the move she manages to explain away increasing evidence that someone is trying to manipulate and terrorize her. When she does try to account for the strange noises, privacy intrusions and bizarre behavior of her fellow tenants, it is easily dismissed as being caused by her own reactions to stress. Most of the novel is told from Freya’s point-of-view, with other sections narrated by a stalker whose motivations and connection are initially unclear. The stalker describes historical events that appear to be tangential but are eventually revealed to be integral to the current situation at Adder House. The Apartment is a fast-paced and well-constructed thriller complete with plenty of red herrings and misdirection. The book’s subplot is an interesting addition, with a taste of moralistic speculation that adds rather than distracts from the main storyline. Slater’s existing fans will likely be pleased with this offering, and those new to her writing might be encouraged to seek out earlier works based on its merits.
Thanks to the author, Thomas & Mercer (Amazon Publishing) and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
K.L. Slater is a new to me author and this is the first book of her’s that I have read. I thought, overall, the story was good. The book was well written and the characters were immediately likable. Honestly, for me, it was the characters that kept me reading. While the story was interesting, I felt like the idea of taking an apartment with no questions asked and the idea that the apartment would only cost what you can afford seems too far fetched to me. Once I got past that part of the plot, the psychological part of this book was intriguing. Like Freya, I too could not figure out what was going on and who to trust and who not to trust. The biggest thing that I did not like about the psychological part of the book was that it was wrapped up way to fast for my liking. I did not feel like there was enough suspense, nor was there enough “start and restarts” of trying to figure out the “who done it.” Once things had started to unravel it was like that was the end of the story and it was finished up quickly. I wish it would have been a little more drawn out. Overall this book was good and I would choose to pick up another book of K.L. Slater‘s.
Received this ebook from NetGalley.
This book was very similar to Lock Every Door by Riley Sager. This book tells the story of Freya and her young daughter, Skye. Freya is a recent widow and is approached in a coffee shop by a man offering her a low-rent place to live in a prominent home in London. She feels that it’s too good to be true but accepts the offer anyway and she and Skye move in. After they move in, weird things start happening in her apartment and she hears things. She feels as though she is going crazy and is desperate to find out why these things are happening.
Meh… despite boasting an intriguing premise, “The Apartment” was just an okay read for me. As the story unfolded, I found the plot to be more “odd” than mysterious and more “annoying” than engaging. Still, this psychological thriller did have its creepy moments which is what ultimately ushered me forward towards a mediocre ending.
When a young mother finds her and her young daughter at the mercy at the hands of a psychologically depraved family they almost lose their lives. This is a twisted tale of people using others to run scientific experiments without their knowledge or consent. It endangers their lives and the lives of others around them. It also shows how far a mother will go to protect her child and what some families are willing to do for each other.
First time in reading this author with the tidbit that told a bit about story that grabbed my attention. This also fell into what alot of what I had been reading lately also. Freya and Skye take you into this one with that takes you to a flat in London. There is intrigue that catches her right away that the answers build a nightmare. What has happened and can they get away? This is one that pulls you to the edge in finding the answers you seek. Keeps you busy for a minute with a conclusion you finally get too.
So I am not in the majority, but I did not care for this book. So many plot holes. It drug on and on. I just didn’t care for it. I am disappointed bc I thought this was going to be good. Just my opinion, you may love it.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and K. L. Slater for the free Kindle version book.
Freya is still reeling from the death of her husband and trying to help her 5-year-old daughter, Skye, accept their loss. Freya can no long afford to stay in their house and needs to rent a place. When she is perusing ads at a Starbucks, a man who introduces himself as Dr. Michael Marsden shows her a flyer he is getting ready to post on the board. He is the landlord for a place called Adder House. He explains that prospective renters are interviewed and if approved, the rent they pay is based upon what they can afford. Thinking it almost too good to be true, she and her daughter tour the place. It is beautiful with a lovely garden.
Soon, Freya finds Marsden and other residents to be strange. In addition, things happen in the apartment that she cannot explain and make her feel unsafe. What is going on here and does she need to go somewhere else?
I had so many questions as I read this book and felt that it just didn’t grab me as a thriller should. It left me disappointed in some ways and found the plot to be weak and just not a book that I enjoyed. I had read and enjoyed another book by this author and hope her next books will be much better.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Freya Miller has had a horrible year. After losing her husband, Freya’s only remaining family is her five year old daughter, Skye – something which is caused by various factors and about which we learn more throughout the book. Now financial concerns have her desperately looking for an apartment they can afford, and they need to move in ASAP. Freya is unemployed so finding an apartment within her means is a challenge. But fate suddenly appears to smile on them when she meets Dr. Marsden who is looking for a new tenant for an apartment at one of London’s most exclusive addresses. When he offers to rent it to them for a fraction of the market rental value, Freya can’t refuse. Soon Freya and Skye have moved into Adder House, begun making friends and enjoying their new posh residence. It feels like life is taking a turn for the better, finally. But then a number of unsettling things begin happening, both in and out of Adder House, that leave Freya wondering if their “perfect” new home is perhaps far from safe.
The Apartment is a fast-paced psychological suspense novel that easily kept my attention. Despite a relatively small cast of characters there are still plenty of options for suspects.
The book aptly demonstrates that humans can be (and have been) victims of our own progress if we don’t place concern for fellow humans at the top of the list. 3.5 Stars
Content Warnings: SPOILER child abuse; psychological experimentation conducted by medical personnel and otherwise END SPOILER
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC. The opinions in this review are honest and my own.
I loved the premise of this book and thought that it started strong. I could tell from the beginning that the set up of Dr. Marsden meeting Freya was all wrong, and I enjoyed how she was drawn into what was an obviously very odd situation. I also thought that the little hints that were dropped were going to add up to big things. I was partly right. There were a few bits that kept me guessing up until the end (no spoiler or reveal), but once the set-up was complete, the rest of the book felt rushed. Details were hurried, motives were under-explained, and there were more than a few loose ends (why the set up with the husband with no explanation?). It felt like there was a lot more to the story that could have been told but wasn’t. That was disappointing. Thank you to NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book.
*3 1/2 Stars*
“The new person has to be just right. Has to fit in perfectly with the other five residents already living at Adder House.”
Too good to be true? Definitely. But Freya feels out of options. After the death of her estranged husband, she has to find somewhere to live with her 5 year old daughter, Skye. This is an opportunity she just can’t turn away.
As time goes on, Freya begins to realize just how much things are off at her new apartment. Deceptions, half truths and so much not making sense.
I truly enjoyed the story. I would read more from this author.
Thank you to Netgalley, Amazon Publishing UK and the Author, K.L. Slater for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What a thrilling and chilling read.
A definite page turner that almost reminded me of a version of Rosemary’s baby in a way.
Once i started it I couldn’t put it down.
Oh and a bonus that the main protagonist wore my favorite perfume, Angel by Thierry Mugler!
3.5 Stars Rounded to 4
The Apartment by K.L. Slater is a quick, attention getting thriller. Some things are truly too good to be true as Frieda and her 5 year old daughter Skye find out. While I enjoyed this book, I was a little disappointed in the ending. There are a couple of holes I felt were not filled in. Overall a good book with characters you’ll love to either love or hate.
Thank you to Netgallery and Amazon Publishing UK for the free digital copy in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. All opinions are my own.
I felt myself being sucked in, unable to put the book down as I watched the hot mess that is Freya, repeatedly and naively ignore blatant red flags. Her desire for something affordable and stable wins out despite the warning signs. The premise of a desperate mother who just wants a place to live, a home for her daughter which turns out too good to be true, was fun.
There were a few minor inconsistencies that stood out to me. The ending felt too neatly wrapped up without explaining certain things. But despite that, this was an enjoyable read. I requested this from Amazon Publishing UK because the premise sounded fun and it was an author I hadn’t read before. But then I undertook the task of scanning all my books into a tracking app, and it turns out I have a book by Slater. I don’t know if this was the best book to introduce me to her writing. This was a good premise, with a few hiccups, but a fun, 3.5-star read.
THE APARTMENT by K. L. Slater is the first book that I have read by this author. While various reviews are mixed, this psychological thriller worked for me. Freya Miller’s husband left her for another woman and then died before they divorced. With a five-year-old daughter, Skye, to take care of and no job, she has to sell their small house and find a place to rent. When she runs into an older gentleman at a coffee shop with flyers for an apartment to rent, it seems too good to be true. Adder House has six apartments and the small one on the third floor becomes Freya and Skye’s new home. But is it too good to be true? When little things start happening, is Freya imagining it, or is there more going on in the house?
The prose is nicely descriptive and flows well. I was drawn into Freya’s plight immediately. This is not a hard-core psychological thriller, but it captured my interest and kept it throughout the book. I rooted for Freya and Skye to survive and find happiness. While some of the plot twists were expected, there were others that caught me by surprise.
Overall, this was a suspenseful, well-paced, tense and compulsively readable novel. I look forward to reading more books by this author. I recommend this to those that like psychological thrillers that aren’t on the extreme end of the genre.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and K. L. Slater for a complimentary ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
You know the old saying that if something seems too good to be true it probably is? Well that saying completely applies to The Apartment by K.L. Slater. I spent most of the book yelling at Freya in my head and telling her to get out, but no one ever listens.
The Apartment was a slow burn but also fast-paced if that makes sense, and I loved the writing. This was my first K.L. Slater book even though I’ve been meaning to read her books forever and I’m glad I finally did. I can already tell that I’m bound to love the rest of her novels.
I’m keeping this short because I don’t want to give anything away, but if you’re looking for a quick, twisty, and suspenseful read I would recommend The Apartment. I was surprised by the ending and overall really enjoyed it all. I will definitely be moving this author’s other books up on my TBR now too!
Thank you to the publisher for my advance review copy via NetGalley. All opinions and thoughts are my own.