THE PARIS APARTMENT

With its outstanding cast of narrators, this audiobook immediately draws listeners into the messy lives of the inhabitants of an elegant-looking Paris apartment building. Narrator Sofia Zervudachi masterfully portrays the edgy Jess, who is on a mission to uncover what has happened to her half brother, Ben, who has mysteriously disappeared. Residents of the apartment building alternate chapters, sharing aspects of their relationships with Ben and, ever so slowly, their own backstories. The narrators perfectly portray their characters—who range from the imperious Madame Sophie, portrayed by Clare Corbett, to the fragile Mimi, portrayed by Daphne Kouma. The well-pronounced French expressions throughout add to the atmosphere. While at times the details and descriptions get in the way of the action, the overall experience is captivating. E.Q. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2023 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2022]