About Me

The story behind A Book A Week, and the reader behind the reviews.

It started with a New Year's resolution:
1 book a week, 52 books in a year.
I kept reading, and it grew into something much more.

Back in 2011, I was an avid reader who had somehow lost my way with reading. Between working and being a full-time student, reading for pleasure had slowly fallen by the wayside.

I wanted to change that. So I gave myself a New Year's resolution to read one book every week for a year. I started A Book A Week on January 1, 2012 as a way to hold myself accountable and share what I was reading along the way.

I didn't quite reach my goal that first year, but I kept reading. I kept reviewing. And all these years later, I'm still here, looking forward to whatever book comes next. Some years I crush my goals, some years I don't, but my love for a good book has never wavered.

Line drawing portrait of Ethan

Hi, I'm Ethan

Reader. Blogger.
Book lover.

I'm a lifelong reader with a particular soft spot for mysteries and thrillers. I've always loved the genre, and I credit those stories—the twists, suspense, and need to know what happens next—with keeping me a reader as an adult. My reading has taken me in all kinds of directions since then, but I'll always come back to a good mystery.

I love creepy horror novels. A fascinating work of nonfiction can completely pull me in, too. And I've found plenty of favorites in science fiction, literary fiction, romance, and other genres I might never have picked up when I first started the blog. That's part of the fun. I never quite know what kind of story is going to grab me next.

When I'm not reading or writing reviews, you'll usually find me at home with my husband and our pets. I'm a classically trained musician and composer, an enthusiastic home cook, and a backyard gardener. There's usually a trip to look forward to or some new project that has caught my interest, too.

At the end of the day, I just really love books. There's nothing quite like discovering a story I can't put down or finding an author I can't wait to read again. Even when a book doesn't quite work for me, I still enjoy thinking about why and putting those thoughts into words. That's what keeps me reading, reviewing, and sharing it all here on A Book A Week.

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Review Disclaimer

Honest reviews, always.

Some of the books I review are ones I've purchased myself. Others are provided by publishers or authors in exchange for an honest review. Either way, what I write here is always what I really think.

Not every book is going to work for every reader, and that's part of the fun of talking about books. I'll tell you what worked for me, what didn't, and hopefully give you enough to decide whether a book might be right for you.

Good, bad, or somewhere in between, you'll always get my honest take.

Contact

Have a question about the blog, a book you think I should read, or just want to say hello? I'd love to hear from you.

Drop me a note using the form below.

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I'm always happy to hear from readers, publishers, authors, and fellow book lovers.

Review Copies

I'm always open to considering books for review. I read across a pretty wide range of genres, though mysteries and thrillers tend to be particular favorites. If you'd like me to consider a book, send along a little information about it and why you think it might be a good fit for A Book A Week.

Publishers & Authors

Review requests, interviews, features, or something else you have in mind? Send me a note. I'm always happy to hear about new books and opportunities that might be a good fit for the blog.

General Inquiries

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Book Review

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager

Friday, July 26, 2019

A Book A Week
Review / archive
There aren't many buildings as illustrious and glamorous as The Bartholomew. With breathtaking views of Central Park, an esteemed list of wealthy residents, and a history that is intertwined with the city of New York, it is one of the most sought after places to live in the city. Like any old building, The Bartholomew comes with its own set of rumors and mysteries. Beneath the pristine surface of the place lies whispers of darker secrets. Don't let that deter you. Go ahead and enter...if you dare!

For young Jules, a stay in The Bartholomew has been a lifelong dream. She used to read about the building in her favorite novel Heart of a Dreamer. Jules and her sister clung to their tattered paperback copy of the novel, imagining a life behind the walls of the Bartholomew, a life of wealth and glamor. But those were just silly childhood fantasies. The real world doesn't work that way. Instead, Jules's sister tragically disappeared and her grief-stricken parents died shortly after. Her boyfriend cheated on her, she lost her job, and life just couldn't get much worse. Jules is all alone in the big city. She has no money, no family, and no hope.

When Jules sees an ad for an apartment sitter, she eagerly responds. She desperately needs the money and wouldn't mind vacating her friend's couch for someplace else to live. When she arrives at the address listed in the ad, Jules is shocked to be standing in front of The Bartholomew. As she tours the property with the landlady, she soaks in all the details of the place that, until now, only existed in her imagination. She is so enamored with the building that she easily dismisses the peculiar rules that accompany her stay. There are to be no visitors, no staying away from the building, and no speaking to the other residents. These are easy enough to follow, especially when she is getting paid in cash at the end of each week. A few days into her stay, the luster of The Bartholomew begins to give way to more nefarious events. The rumors that have always lingered about the building just might be true. For Jules, escaping this torrid history might already be too late.

In Lock Every Door, Riley Sager once again writes a highly original thriller that hits all the right beats. This third novel by the author continues his penchant for strong female protagonists, twisted plots, and a pace that will have you reading into all hours of the night. This is the second book I've read by Sager, and I really appreciate the way lends his signature style to stories that are vastly different from each other. He brings a freshness to popular fiction that is simply unmatched. This novel plays into the horror genre but isn't overtly graphic at any point. I was hooked from the beginning and was completely blindsided by the twisty end. With Lock Every Door, Riley Sager has become a "must-read" author for me. I can't wait to see what he conjures up next!

For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2019, 26)
Posted by Ethan EmailComments

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10 Comments

Comments

  1. I sitll haven't read this author, but i've heard good things about this one.

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    1. You can't go wrong with any of his books!

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  2. I've been hearing good things about this book. It's great to hear that the author is able to write stories that are different from each other while staying true to his signature style!

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    Replies
    1. Don't you just love when they are able to do that?!

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  3. Despite all the rave reviews, I have yet to read anything by Sager. I don’t often reach for thrillers but the next time I’m in the mood for one I am picking one up by Sage for sure! I love when a author can legitimately deliver plot twists that I never see coming.

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    Replies
    1. I think you would really enjoy his novel THE LAST TIME I LIED. It has more of a focus on the character and her past.

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  4. This one has been getting so much buzz lately! It sounds like a great read!!

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