The Apartment by K.L. Slater

​⭐Publisher featured review

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: Adder House in London. 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.

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

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