The Apartment by K.L. Slater

A psychological thriller in the truest sense. As the timeline moves from modern day to the 1920s, I recognised one of the most famous psychological experiments concerning a baby known as Little Albert.

The story is about a newly-single mother and her five-year-old daughter. As the financial realities hit, it appears as a miracle when a doctor offers them an apartment in his luxury building. Quiet, beautiful and ornate, this new home seems too good to be true. After a while this proves to be the case when little things happen - noises, moved objects and so on -  all of which set an uneasy mood for the protagonist.

The story underlines many common fears when we are faced with loss and change. Aspects about meeting new people and fitting in, and worries concerning our children starting new schools and being happy. Loneliness, fear, paranoia and general anxiety are other features plus rebuilding trust when it has recently been broken by someone dear.

Written informally in the first person from the mother's perspective, this book builds up to an exciting ending. Despite the 'confessional' explanation for the events, which is a little unrealistic, the climax ties in with the unethical experiment of the early twentieth century. Suitable for anyone interested in human psychology in its most basic form and anyone who likes a good read, particularly fans of C.L. Taylor. Recommended.

Published by Thomas & Mercer on 28 April 2020.
Advanced review copy supplied by the publisher.

K. L. Slater - Kim - is the million-copy bestselling author of twelve standalone psychological crime thrillers.

Her titles are published in eBook by Bookouture and in paperback by Sphere (UK) and Grand Central (USA). She also writes Audible Originals which are subsequently published in ebook and paperback formats by Amazon Publishing.

For many years, Kim sent her work out to literary agents and collected an impressive stack of rejection slips. At the age of 40 she went back to Nottingham Trent University and now has an MA in Creative Writing.

Before graduating in 2012, she gained literary agent representation and a book deal. As Kim says, ‘it was a fairytale … at the end of a very long road!’

Kim is a full-time writer. She has one daughter, two stepsons and lives with her husband in Nottingham.

Publishers: Bookouture, Sphere, Grand Central, Audible
Agent: Camilla Bolton at Darley Anderson

Author website KLSlaterAuthor.com

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Also by K.L. Slater

See my review of this book