Riley Sager's Lock Every Door is praised for its gripping, fast-paced narrative and atmospheric setting. Readers enjoyed the suspense and twists, though some felt the plot relied too heavily on genre tropes and found character development lacking. Its blend of mystery and thriller elements successfully captivates, but may not surprise seasoned fans of the genre.

A reader who enjoys psychological thrillers with a gothic twist, akin to The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins or The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn, would be captivated by Lock Every Door by Riley Sager. Ideal for those who appreciate suspenseful, character-driven narratives set in eerie, atmospheric settings.

In Riley Sager's psychological thriller Lock Every Door, Jules Larsen takes a well-paying apartment-sitting job at the Bartholomew, a prestigious Manhattan building, and discovers the unsettling disappearances of past apartment sitters, leading her to uncover dark secrets about the building and its elite residents. The book addresses the psychological effects of trauma and loss.

Suspenseful / Mysterious / Dark / Unnerving / Gritty

- Lock Every Door by Riley Sager is heavily inspired by classic horror movies, with a particular nod to Roman Polanski's Rosemary's Baby, reflected in its eerie apartment building setting.
- Across the inscribed hardcover editions of Lock Every Door, there are four unique symbols adorning the endpapers, adding an enigmatic collectible aspect for fans of the book.
- Riley Sager has mentioned in interviews that as he developed Lock Every Door, the story took unexpected turns, surprising even him with its twists and ending.

**Jules Larsen**  
A 25-year-old dynamic protagonist and first-person narrator dealing with isolation and loneliness. Her journey is marked by resilience as she navigates challenges at the Bartholomew and forms meaningful connections.

**Ingrid Gallagher**  
A supporting character whose disappearance from the Bartholomew ignites Jules's quest for truth. She shares economic and social vulnerabilities with Jules, fostering their camaraderie.

**Nick Bartholomew**  
A seemingly kind and hospitable doctor living across from Jules, whose actions contribute to the novel's narrative tension. His presence and interactions with Jules explore themes of trust and deception.

**Greta Manville**  
An elite resident at the Bartholomew and a beloved author recognized by Jules. Her complex persona unfolds as Jules learns to reconcile her childhood admiration with Greta's true character.

Study Guide

Book Brief

Explore Lock Every Door reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Book Brief Lock Every Door

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Overview

Get ready to explore Lock Every Door and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Lock Every Door Summary and Study Guide

Background

Lock Every Door Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Six Days Earlier”-Part 2: “Five Days Earlier”

Prologue-Part 2

Lock Every Door Prologue-Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Four Days Earlier”

Part 3 Lock Every Door Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “Three Days Earlier”-Part 5: “Two Days Earlier”

Parts 4-5

Lock Every Door Parts 4-5 Summary & Analysis

Part 6: “One Day Earlier”-Part 11: “Six Months Later”

Parts 6-11

Lock Every Door Parts 6-11 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

Lock Every Door Character Analysis

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Themes

Lock Every Door Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Lock Every Door Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Lock Every Door Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Lock Every Door Essay Topics

Riley Sager

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

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Lock Every Door: A Novel

Book Brief

Lock Every Door

Super Short Summary

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Lock Every Door?

Jules Larsen

Ingrid Gallagher

Nick Bartholomew

Greta Manville