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Apartment 303
Rory observes the world from the safety of her third-floor apartment. But she's being watched too and will soon learn that no lock will protect her. The compelling, unsettling new psychological suspense novel from the bestselling author of Other People's Houses.
Even a locked door can't keep you safe
Twenty-six-year-old Rory rarely leaves her apartment, though her little dog Buster keeps her company. Days are spent working for her aunt's PI business, and watching and imagining histories for the homeless men, the Dossers, across the road. At night she walks Buster on the roof, gazes at the stars and wonders.
The night before New Year's Eve, one of the Dossers is murdered, an incident which brings the world - police, new neighbours, her dark past and new possibilities - crashing through Rory's front door.
She thought she was keeping her fears at bay. But has her sanctuary turned into her prison? Or is it safer for everyone if Rory stays locked away?
'Hawkins continues to show her expertise in the psychological thriller genre through her fantastic and layered exploration of a troubled narrator in a sinister plot. Rory is an utterly intriguing protagonist ... Each line resonates with a building sense of danger that will keep readers guessing ... [and] on the edge of their seats with every chapter. It's a perfect, simmering slow burn that gets your heart pounding ... I couldn't put it down!' Better Reading
Praise for All She Wants:
'A twisting, simmering mystery.' Readings
'A searing domestic thriller that will have you hooked from start to end ... Atmospheric and loaded with suspense; Hawkins delivers plenty of satisfying surprises.' Better Reading
Praise for Other People's Houses:
'A clever premise and a troubled narrator set this page-turner up beautifully. I really enjoyed the ride.' Sara Foster, author of The Hush
'Taut, smart and immensely satisfying. I was addicted from the first page to the last.' Nicola Moriarty, author of You Need to Know
'Heartbreaking and gripping ... a terrific read.' Sisters in Crime
Even a locked door can't keep you safe
Twenty-six-year-old Rory rarely leaves her apartment, though her little dog Buster keeps her company. Days are spent working for her aunt's PI business, and watching and imagining histories for the homeless men, the Dossers, across the road. At night she walks Buster on the roof, gazes at the stars and wonders.
The night before New Year's Eve, one of the Dossers is murdered, an incident which brings the world - police, new neighbours, her dark past and new possibilities - crashing through Rory's front door.
She thought she was keeping her fears at bay. But has her sanctuary turned into her prison? Or is it safer for everyone if Rory stays locked away?
'Hawkins continues to show her expertise in the psychological thriller genre through her fantastic and layered exploration of a troubled narrator in a sinister plot. Rory is an utterly intriguing protagonist ... Each line resonates with a building sense of danger that will keep readers guessing ... [and] on the edge of their seats with every chapter. It's a perfect, simmering slow burn that gets your heart pounding ... I couldn't put it down!' Better Reading
Praise for All She Wants:
'A twisting, simmering mystery.' Readings
'A searing domestic thriller that will have you hooked from start to end ... Atmospheric and loaded with suspense; Hawkins delivers plenty of satisfying surprises.' Better Reading
Praise for Other People's Houses:
'A clever premise and a troubled narrator set this page-turner up beautifully. I really enjoyed the ride.' Sara Foster, author of The Hush
'Taut, smart and immensely satisfying. I was addicted from the first page to the last.' Nicola Moriarty, author of You Need to Know
'Heartbreaking and gripping ... a terrific read.' Sisters in Crime
320 pages, Paperback
First published March 8, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
April 8, 2024
How Many times has this trope been done ✅ Rory spends her days inside as she suffers from PTSD she sees something in apartment 303 she should not have seen, this is another locked room trope that has been done to death really I am bored with these types of books.
December 1, 2023
Apartment 303
Thriller/Mystery | Quirky MC | Audiobook
• Twenty-six years old Rory walks her dog Buster on the roof of her apartment. A homeless man is murdered and everyone comes knocking on Rory’s door.
•This was so interesting reading as a Sydney sider, as I could relate to many of the suburbs mentioned in the story. Rory was endearing and charming. I predicted the ending of this book earlier on into the book and I’m usually hopeless with guessing what will happen. This was still interesting to read but was more like 3.5 stars so I rounded up.
Feels: like a soft thriller/mystery
★★★★ 4/5
Thriller/Mystery | Quirky MC | Audiobook
• Twenty-six years old Rory walks her dog Buster on the roof of her apartment. A homeless man is murdered and everyone comes knocking on Rory’s door.
•This was so interesting reading as a Sydney sider, as I could relate to many of the suburbs mentioned in the story. Rory was endearing and charming. I predicted the ending of this book earlier on into the book and I’m usually hopeless with guessing what will happen. This was still interesting to read but was more like 3.5 stars so I rounded up.
Feels: like a soft thriller/mystery
★★★★ 4/5
March 10, 2023
I have enjoyed both of Kelli Hawkins previous books so I was excited to read her new book, Apartment 303. It was a slower burn thriller, but one that kept me needing more and I flew through it. I loved Rory and her story, such a likeable and strong character in her own way.
Rory is 26 and lives in an apartme Building in Sydney. She doesn’t leave the safety of the building much, trauma in her past has her scared of the outside world. She has her exercise routines, her job that she can do from home and her dog, Buster. What more could she want? She likes to spend her time watching people from her balcony, particularly the homeless across the road. But when one of them is murdered, she realises that perhaps she isn’t as safe as she thought she was. Slowly she starts to try to conquer her fears, and in doing so, starts to make some friends.
You will really feel for Rory and her struggles as this book goes on. It was a great read and really had me hoping things would work out for her.
Thanks to Harper Collins Australia for the advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes on March 8th.
Rory is 26 and lives in an apartme Building in Sydney. She doesn’t leave the safety of the building much, trauma in her past has her scared of the outside world. She has her exercise routines, her job that she can do from home and her dog, Buster. What more could she want? She likes to spend her time watching people from her balcony, particularly the homeless across the road. But when one of them is murdered, she realises that perhaps she isn’t as safe as she thought she was. Slowly she starts to try to conquer her fears, and in doing so, starts to make some friends.
You will really feel for Rory and her struggles as this book goes on. It was a great read and really had me hoping things would work out for her.
Thanks to Harper Collins Australia for the advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes on March 8th.
April 2, 2023
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
Apartment 303 is a page turner, exciting and tense! I have read both of Aussie author Kelli Hawkins previous books and was excited for a third!
Rory, twenty six lives in safety in her sanctuary in a third floor apartment with her small dog Buster. She’s a recluse and works from home for her Aunt Lucinda who owns a PI business.
She likes to watch from her apartment especially the dossers (homeless) across the street. When one of the dossers are murdered she realises someone is watching her!!!
Rory exercises Buster on the building rooftop where they walk most days and she seldom leaves the apartment block.
I loved the suspense and my mind couldn’t determine who Rory should trust. I really felt for Rory and the demons she fought to control, I really enjoyed her intense character, it was well developed.
Publication Date 08 March 2023
Publisher Harper Collins Australia
Thank you so much to Harper Collins Australia for a copy of the book.
Apartment 303 is a page turner, exciting and tense! I have read both of Aussie author Kelli Hawkins previous books and was excited for a third!
Rory, twenty six lives in safety in her sanctuary in a third floor apartment with her small dog Buster. She’s a recluse and works from home for her Aunt Lucinda who owns a PI business.
She likes to watch from her apartment especially the dossers (homeless) across the street. When one of the dossers are murdered she realises someone is watching her!!!
Rory exercises Buster on the building rooftop where they walk most days and she seldom leaves the apartment block.
I loved the suspense and my mind couldn’t determine who Rory should trust. I really felt for Rory and the demons she fought to control, I really enjoyed her intense character, it was well developed.
Publication Date 08 March 2023
Publisher Harper Collins Australia
Thank you so much to Harper Collins Australia for a copy of the book.
March 4, 2023
“Left, right, left. Breathe.”
What a fascinating book Apartment 303 has turned out to be. This is a powerful story of strength over adversity, courage and determination plus a willingness to accept ones faults, face them down and fight on regardless. Heroes come in many guises and Rory Campbell displays true fighting spirit all the while struggling to leave the sanctuary of apartment 303 in the Panorama building.
But remember, this is a crime novel, so while you’re enjoying the way in which Rory copes through her fears there is, somewhere along the way, a crime being committed and it will have serious consequences.
Rory is a recluse. She’s 26 years old and suffers from a form of OCD triggered by a traumatic event that is also a type of PTSD. She lives almost exclusively within her apartment in inner-city Sydney with her companion dog Buster. Counting, finger tapping, constantly checking the oven hasn’t been left on and that the doors have been locked are the norm as she gets on with her days.
She works for her private investigator aunt, Lucinda, compiling agents' notes into more readable formats and likes to keep an eye on the homeless who bed down across the road from her apartment. Although she has developed for herself a relatively comfortable, predictable lifestyle safely hidden away in her apartment, she is troubled by nightmares from her past. When she hears that one of the homeless men from across the road has been murdered, all of the triggers to her fears are fired. She could be at risk of unraveling all of the progress she’s made with the past traumas perhaps coming back to plague her.
This is a moving story of a woman simply trying to overcome the demons in her mind, determined to live as normal a life as possible. The fact that this is a first person narrative and we get a real sense that she is constantly being deceived by the sneering voice inside her head means we kind of have to take what we’re being told with a grain of salt.
Apartment 303 is a finely crafted suspense story that, first, provides just enough background to become invested in the main characters. These characters include 14 year old Farrah, who lives directly above Rory, and Simon, who has just moved into the apartment next door. They appear to be valuable allies, providing great support for the fragile Rory.
For the majority of the story, we get a building sense of danger that emanates from Rory’s first person narrative. The fear that her father, an abusive man, may have found her, the unease caused by the new doorman who just “seems a bit off”, Lucinda’s new boyfriend, Alex, who stands too close when he talks to her. All of these things may be nothing, but then again, they could be something terribly sinister.
In slow building novels of suspense, solid character development is important and that’s where Kelli Hawkins succeeds. From Harold, the homeless man living across the road to the wonderfully caring Ron, the downstairs security guard, they are each well described and given an authentic voice. It would do well to understand that there are no unimportant characters in this story.
The twists, when they came, were sprung with commendable deftness, bringing together quite an array of seemingly unrelated threads to create a tightly woven, and somewhat sordid, plot of betrayal.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy to read and review.
What a fascinating book Apartment 303 has turned out to be. This is a powerful story of strength over adversity, courage and determination plus a willingness to accept ones faults, face them down and fight on regardless. Heroes come in many guises and Rory Campbell displays true fighting spirit all the while struggling to leave the sanctuary of apartment 303 in the Panorama building.
But remember, this is a crime novel, so while you’re enjoying the way in which Rory copes through her fears there is, somewhere along the way, a crime being committed and it will have serious consequences.
Rory is a recluse. She’s 26 years old and suffers from a form of OCD triggered by a traumatic event that is also a type of PTSD. She lives almost exclusively within her apartment in inner-city Sydney with her companion dog Buster. Counting, finger tapping, constantly checking the oven hasn’t been left on and that the doors have been locked are the norm as she gets on with her days.
She works for her private investigator aunt, Lucinda, compiling agents' notes into more readable formats and likes to keep an eye on the homeless who bed down across the road from her apartment. Although she has developed for herself a relatively comfortable, predictable lifestyle safely hidden away in her apartment, she is troubled by nightmares from her past. When she hears that one of the homeless men from across the road has been murdered, all of the triggers to her fears are fired. She could be at risk of unraveling all of the progress she’s made with the past traumas perhaps coming back to plague her.
This is a moving story of a woman simply trying to overcome the demons in her mind, determined to live as normal a life as possible. The fact that this is a first person narrative and we get a real sense that she is constantly being deceived by the sneering voice inside her head means we kind of have to take what we’re being told with a grain of salt.
Apartment 303 is a finely crafted suspense story that, first, provides just enough background to become invested in the main characters. These characters include 14 year old Farrah, who lives directly above Rory, and Simon, who has just moved into the apartment next door. They appear to be valuable allies, providing great support for the fragile Rory.
For the majority of the story, we get a building sense of danger that emanates from Rory’s first person narrative. The fear that her father, an abusive man, may have found her, the unease caused by the new doorman who just “seems a bit off”, Lucinda’s new boyfriend, Alex, who stands too close when he talks to her. All of these things may be nothing, but then again, they could be something terribly sinister.
In slow building novels of suspense, solid character development is important and that’s where Kelli Hawkins succeeds. From Harold, the homeless man living across the road to the wonderfully caring Ron, the downstairs security guard, they are each well described and given an authentic voice. It would do well to understand that there are no unimportant characters in this story.
The twists, when they came, were sprung with commendable deftness, bringing together quite an array of seemingly unrelated threads to create a tightly woven, and somewhat sordid, plot of betrayal.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy to read and review.
March 9, 2023
Thank you Harper Collins for sending me an ARC of this book to review. This is a character driven book that concentrates on Rory and her neighbours. It is told by Rory's POV. It moved at a slow pace which it needed to , to build the suspense. It has a timeline of now and then as we go back to Rory's childhood and the present day. Her background shows why Rory is like she is.
The things I liked about this book :
* Likeable characters
*It discusses and highlights mental illness and anxiety issues.
* Rory and Farah's friendship.
* The fact the dog has a major role in the story.
* Unpredictable ending.
The things I liked about this book :
* Likeable characters
*It discusses and highlights mental illness and anxiety issues.
* Rory and Farah's friendship.
* The fact the dog has a major role in the story.
* Unpredictable ending.
April 7, 2024
**3.5 stars**
This was better than I expected but by the end I was a bit over it. The lead character, Rory, barely leaves her apartment and clearly has some issues. Her past trauma is hinted at and only fully revealed later in the book. A chain of events is set off when a homeless man across the road is murdered resulting in Rory questioning her lifestyle, attempting to battle her mental demons, letting new people into her life in the form of a teenage girl and then a new male adult neighbour, all while becoming more and more concerned that she isn't as safe as she thought she was. The storyline moves along at a fairly slow pace and I felt some of it was a bit predictable, while other parts were slightly unrealistic. Overall it was an enjoyable enough average read for me.
This was better than I expected but by the end I was a bit over it. The lead character, Rory, barely leaves her apartment and clearly has some issues. Her past trauma is hinted at and only fully revealed later in the book. A chain of events is set off when a homeless man across the road is murdered resulting in Rory questioning her lifestyle, attempting to battle her mental demons, letting new people into her life in the form of a teenage girl and then a new male adult neighbour, all while becoming more and more concerned that she isn't as safe as she thought she was. The storyline moves along at a fairly slow pace and I felt some of it was a bit predictable, while other parts were slightly unrealistic. Overall it was an enjoyable enough average read for me.
August 31, 2023
Apartment 303 by Aussie author Kelli Hawkins is the first book I’ve read by this author and I must say this book was very cleverly written. For me this this was a slow-burn story, but as I kept turning the pages I was wondering how this would end. And no it didn’t end the way I thought it would.
I enjoyed this book and I will be reading her backlist of books. Recommended.
I enjoyed this book and I will be reading her backlist of books. Recommended.
February 22, 2023
Thank you Harper Collins for sending us a copy to read and review.
With two addictive, highly entertaining psychological thrillers under her belt, Kelli’s latest to be unleashed out into the world will be hot property…..quickly!
Apartment 303 will be your latest obsession.
Twenty six year old Rory watches life from her apartment.
She doesn’t leave much, works from home and walks her dog on top of the building.
Sometimes she sees the homeless men across the road and wonders what they talk about.
Then just before New Years Eve, one of them is murdered.
Police, new friends and family members arrive at her door.
Her past is about to be uncovered and little does she know……. the tables have turned because someone is watching her.
Kelli has penned another tense, excitable, bold and stylish domestic drama.
One that’s structured smart, clever and pleasing to the readers reading mind.
Characters that are interesting, a backdrop that’s moody and a plot that’s sharp with an ending that’ll delight you.
A stirring, suburban tale of mystery, suspense and daring.
An inescapable read that will have you flipping the pages wanting to know how it all ends up.
Keep your eyes open because someone is always watching!
With two addictive, highly entertaining psychological thrillers under her belt, Kelli’s latest to be unleashed out into the world will be hot property…..quickly!
Apartment 303 will be your latest obsession.
Twenty six year old Rory watches life from her apartment.
She doesn’t leave much, works from home and walks her dog on top of the building.
Sometimes she sees the homeless men across the road and wonders what they talk about.
Then just before New Years Eve, one of them is murdered.
Police, new friends and family members arrive at her door.
Her past is about to be uncovered and little does she know……. the tables have turned because someone is watching her.
Kelli has penned another tense, excitable, bold and stylish domestic drama.
One that’s structured smart, clever and pleasing to the readers reading mind.
Characters that are interesting, a backdrop that’s moody and a plot that’s sharp with an ending that’ll delight you.
A stirring, suburban tale of mystery, suspense and daring.
An inescapable read that will have you flipping the pages wanting to know how it all ends up.
Keep your eyes open because someone is always watching!
May 15, 2023
Twenty-six year old Rory hardly ever leaves her apartment, having her dog Buster as her only companion. She works for her aunt's PI business and watches people from her third-floor apartment. But she is being watched too and will soon learn that her apartment building won't protect her.
The night before New Years, one of the homeless men across the road from her apartment that she watches is murdered, bringing a bunch of new characters in her world, including the police.
This one was a slow burn but so intriguing, as the author unveils a bunch of suspicious characters and a dark backstory that draws you in. I certainly could not have predicted the way the story unfolded and enjoyed the twists that led to a smashing ending.
Thank you so much to the team at HarperCollins Australia for this gifted copy. As always, opinions are my own.
The night before New Years, one of the homeless men across the road from her apartment that she watches is murdered, bringing a bunch of new characters in her world, including the police.
This one was a slow burn but so intriguing, as the author unveils a bunch of suspicious characters and a dark backstory that draws you in. I certainly could not have predicted the way the story unfolded and enjoyed the twists that led to a smashing ending.
Thank you so much to the team at HarperCollins Australia for this gifted copy. As always, opinions are my own.
March 21, 2023
Rory observes the world from the safety of her third-floor apartment. But she's being watched too and will soon learn that no lock will protect her. The compelling, unsettling new psychological suspense novel from the bestselling author of Other People's Houses.
Another brilliant thriller by a talented Australian author! A twisty, powerful story with a protagonist dealing with her own demons and complex mental health issues.
“Left, right, left. Breathe.”
⭐️ Rory, 26, lives almost exclusively in her Sydney apartment with her companion dog Buster. Suffering from OCD, we gain a glimpse into her tormented mind and how debilitating her illness is. Her exercise is walking laps on the rooftop balcony of the apartment block, in the middle of the night so as not to bump into anyone. Also suffering from a past trauma, she has PTSD, and only a small handful of people she trusts within her inner sanctum.
Her quirky mannerisms see her name the homeless people that reside at the end of the street and who she can see from her balcony. When a murder is committed down in the homeless embankment, Rory’s mind is set into overdrive.
Without giving too much away, I will say this is a wonderful foray into a complex and unreliable mind, past ghosts, and a determination to succeed beyond adversity. I’m a sucker for animals that play a big part in a story line and Buster was such a brilliant little character unto his own. There was also a kitten named Jinx - which I giggled at, as we had just adopted our own kitten called Jinx.
A highly entertaining read and solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Many thanks to the wonderful team @harpercollins for a #gifted advanced reading copy 💃
Another brilliant thriller by a talented Australian author! A twisty, powerful story with a protagonist dealing with her own demons and complex mental health issues.
“Left, right, left. Breathe.”
⭐️ Rory, 26, lives almost exclusively in her Sydney apartment with her companion dog Buster. Suffering from OCD, we gain a glimpse into her tormented mind and how debilitating her illness is. Her exercise is walking laps on the rooftop balcony of the apartment block, in the middle of the night so as not to bump into anyone. Also suffering from a past trauma, she has PTSD, and only a small handful of people she trusts within her inner sanctum.
Her quirky mannerisms see her name the homeless people that reside at the end of the street and who she can see from her balcony. When a murder is committed down in the homeless embankment, Rory’s mind is set into overdrive.
Without giving too much away, I will say this is a wonderful foray into a complex and unreliable mind, past ghosts, and a determination to succeed beyond adversity. I’m a sucker for animals that play a big part in a story line and Buster was such a brilliant little character unto his own. There was also a kitten named Jinx - which I giggled at, as we had just adopted our own kitten called Jinx.
A highly entertaining read and solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Many thanks to the wonderful team @harpercollins for a #gifted advanced reading copy 💃
April 24, 2023
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
Better Reading knows exactly how Kelli Hawkins works, her books are atmospheric and loaded with suspense, they are also guaranteed to hook you from the start. This completely encapsulates my experience of reading Apartment 303, the third novel from Kelli Hawkins. Wound up, taut and filled with irresolution, I loved this new Kelli Hawkins thrill ride.
Apartment 303 introduces a young woman named Rory. We learn that this twenty-something chooses to remain in the safe walls of her apartment, rather than venture out into the world. Rory is content with her little dog Buster for company and she keeps herself busy working for her Aunt, who is a private investigator. Another pastime that Rory enjoys is looking through her binoculars and conjuring up all sorts of stories about the group of homeless men that congregate across the road from her luxury apartment block. But after one of the homeless men Rory spies on is murdered, it brings a whole host of commotion to Rory’s safe zone. The police descend Rory’s apartment block and the immediate area hoping to find some answers as to this murder. For Rory this triggers some very unpleasant memories of her dark past. As Rory tries to push these difficult feelings aside, she must weigh up if her apartment is still her safe haven, or will this troubled young woman need to find a new place to hide?
Kelli Hawkins is an author who has dazzled me twice thanks to her previous novels, Other People’s Houses and All She Wants. This Newcastle based writer brings us her latest and dare I say greatest novel to date. Apartment 303 was an electrifying and hair-raising mystery that I devoured in just half a day!
It is no secret that I love the domestic thriller genre with a passion and a locked room claustrophobic mystery is currently my favourite brand of fiction. Apartment 303 fell very easily into these categories so it was almost a no brainer that I was going to enjoy this one. I think enjoy is an understatement. I adored this book and would easily give it a five-star rating. Apartment 303 had me from the opening line, right through until the final word. It was unpredictable, intriguing, suspenseful and clever. Set to a rip-roaring pace, whereby the pages take on a life of their own, I couldn’t ignore this one! The best part of Apartment 303 was the high level of suspicion, Hawkins ensures that everyone and everything was cast in a thick shroud of doubt, ensuring this thriller really keeps you on your toes.
Character wise, I have to say I loved Rory, despite her problems, anxieties and misgivings. I think Hawkins did a great job of shining a light on someone who offers from PTSD and family trauma. Likewise, Hawkins treats the abuse and agoraphobia aspect of her novel well. Trust, friendship and human connection are core themes in Apartment 303. The placement of side characters such as Aunt Lucinda, Rory’s young friend Farrah, new neighbour Simon, Ron the security guard, Amal the delivery guy, Buster the dog and the homeless Dossers, all help to illustrates the power of social contact in a situation like Rory’s. This was a high point of Apartment 303 and really solidified my strong response to this story.
The other peak feature of Apartment 303 is the setting. I was able to vividly picture the luxury apartment block that Rory resides, which is down to the immersive descriptions offered by Kelli Hawkins. The setting had a great raw, moody, airless and confined feel that is difficult to get across accurately on the page without experiencing this situation firsthand, but Hawkins nails it. This suburban noir forges forward to a crashing conclusion, with a shocking end twist that I didn’t see coming. Very satisfying indeed.
I’m exultant about Apartment 303, it is one of my favourite domestic thriller novels of the year and I do read a lot from this genre. Take note and make sure you add this one to your book shopping list if you are a fan of psychological thrillers, locked room mysteries and domestic fiction titles.
*Thanks extended to HarperCollins Books Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Better Reading knows exactly how Kelli Hawkins works, her books are atmospheric and loaded with suspense, they are also guaranteed to hook you from the start. This completely encapsulates my experience of reading Apartment 303, the third novel from Kelli Hawkins. Wound up, taut and filled with irresolution, I loved this new Kelli Hawkins thrill ride.
Apartment 303 introduces a young woman named Rory. We learn that this twenty-something chooses to remain in the safe walls of her apartment, rather than venture out into the world. Rory is content with her little dog Buster for company and she keeps herself busy working for her Aunt, who is a private investigator. Another pastime that Rory enjoys is looking through her binoculars and conjuring up all sorts of stories about the group of homeless men that congregate across the road from her luxury apartment block. But after one of the homeless men Rory spies on is murdered, it brings a whole host of commotion to Rory’s safe zone. The police descend Rory’s apartment block and the immediate area hoping to find some answers as to this murder. For Rory this triggers some very unpleasant memories of her dark past. As Rory tries to push these difficult feelings aside, she must weigh up if her apartment is still her safe haven, or will this troubled young woman need to find a new place to hide?
Kelli Hawkins is an author who has dazzled me twice thanks to her previous novels, Other People’s Houses and All She Wants. This Newcastle based writer brings us her latest and dare I say greatest novel to date. Apartment 303 was an electrifying and hair-raising mystery that I devoured in just half a day!
It is no secret that I love the domestic thriller genre with a passion and a locked room claustrophobic mystery is currently my favourite brand of fiction. Apartment 303 fell very easily into these categories so it was almost a no brainer that I was going to enjoy this one. I think enjoy is an understatement. I adored this book and would easily give it a five-star rating. Apartment 303 had me from the opening line, right through until the final word. It was unpredictable, intriguing, suspenseful and clever. Set to a rip-roaring pace, whereby the pages take on a life of their own, I couldn’t ignore this one! The best part of Apartment 303 was the high level of suspicion, Hawkins ensures that everyone and everything was cast in a thick shroud of doubt, ensuring this thriller really keeps you on your toes.
Character wise, I have to say I loved Rory, despite her problems, anxieties and misgivings. I think Hawkins did a great job of shining a light on someone who offers from PTSD and family trauma. Likewise, Hawkins treats the abuse and agoraphobia aspect of her novel well. Trust, friendship and human connection are core themes in Apartment 303. The placement of side characters such as Aunt Lucinda, Rory’s young friend Farrah, new neighbour Simon, Ron the security guard, Amal the delivery guy, Buster the dog and the homeless Dossers, all help to illustrates the power of social contact in a situation like Rory’s. This was a high point of Apartment 303 and really solidified my strong response to this story.
The other peak feature of Apartment 303 is the setting. I was able to vividly picture the luxury apartment block that Rory resides, which is down to the immersive descriptions offered by Kelli Hawkins. The setting had a great raw, moody, airless and confined feel that is difficult to get across accurately on the page without experiencing this situation firsthand, but Hawkins nails it. This suburban noir forges forward to a crashing conclusion, with a shocking end twist that I didn’t see coming. Very satisfying indeed.
I’m exultant about Apartment 303, it is one of my favourite domestic thriller novels of the year and I do read a lot from this genre. Take note and make sure you add this one to your book shopping list if you are a fan of psychological thrillers, locked room mysteries and domestic fiction titles.
*Thanks extended to HarperCollins Books Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
April 2, 2023
Enjoyable read, I listened to this one on audio. 3.5 rounded up
December 27, 2022
I really don't know what to say about this book as I tried so hard to read it but I found it boring and it really went nowhere for me. I skipped through and still tried to read but it just annoyed me.
I am sorry to say this one is not a book I enjoyed and is not a style I like to read.
Apartment 303
Kelli Hawkins
HarperCollins Publishers
I am sorry to say this one is not a book I enjoyed and is not a style I like to read.
Apartment 303
Kelli Hawkins
HarperCollins Publishers
June 22, 2023
Despite the perfunctory narration by Izabella Yena, this was shaping up to be a solid 4-star read until the rather overblown denouement. Still a worthwhile read.
April 15, 2023
This one had me enthralled from the moment I started reading! Rory is 26 and is basically a prisoner in her small Sydney apartment thanks to her OCD and PTSD. With only a small group of people she trusts, Rory's manages her disorders by walking her dog Buster on the roof of the apartment block, making paper cranes and watching the homeless people in the building next door. Rory's safe existence is threatened when she suspects someone from her past is watching her. Then Buster disappears and one of her friends is attacked. This one kept me guessing as to who the culprit was. A very enjoyable read.
March 1, 2023
Rory suffers from OCD, anxiety and PTSD and does not leave her apartment block at all. When a homeless man is murdered across the street, Rory is convinced someone from her past is to blame.
Kelli Hawkins has written another entertaining thriller that had me turning the pages at rapid speed because I was so keen to find out what was going to happen next in this one. Highly recommend!
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins Australia for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Kelli Hawkins has written another entertaining thriller that had me turning the pages at rapid speed because I was so keen to find out what was going to happen next in this one. Highly recommend!
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins Australia for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 28, 2023
So glad I picked this up at the bookstore! Was a great quick thriller read! I thought I knew where the story would go but …. Did not see that ending coming!
June 8, 2023
Damn I love an unreliable narrator.
Family trauma, mental health, an apartment, and a dog.
Family trauma, mental health, an apartment, and a dog.
February 9, 2023
‘The apartment building is much fancier than I expected.’
Twenty-six-year-old Rory rarely leaves the safety of her third-floor apartment. She is hypervigilant and relies on her routines and rituals to keep her safe. During the day, Rory works for her aunt’s private investigation business. Rory is a wizard with technology. At night, she walks on the roof of her apartment block with her little dog, Buster. She feels safe, mostly, but wonders about the world she is missing. Across the road, Rory can see the homeless men who doss down there. She imagines histories for them.
Then one night, Rory’s carefully curated world crashes around her. One of the homeless men is murdered. Because of the murder, Rory comes to know first one and then two of her neighbours. But there are dangers as well: some from completely unexpected sources.
Once I picked this novel up, I found it difficult to put down. While I could empathise with Rory’s fears, twists in the story kept altering my thoughts about who Rory could trust. Some dangers (and people) were more obvious than others.
I enjoyed the suspense (mostly) and kept cheering for Rory. And yes, I did see the final twist before it hit me.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Twenty-six-year-old Rory rarely leaves the safety of her third-floor apartment. She is hypervigilant and relies on her routines and rituals to keep her safe. During the day, Rory works for her aunt’s private investigation business. Rory is a wizard with technology. At night, she walks on the roof of her apartment block with her little dog, Buster. She feels safe, mostly, but wonders about the world she is missing. Across the road, Rory can see the homeless men who doss down there. She imagines histories for them.
Then one night, Rory’s carefully curated world crashes around her. One of the homeless men is murdered. Because of the murder, Rory comes to know first one and then two of her neighbours. But there are dangers as well: some from completely unexpected sources.
Once I picked this novel up, I found it difficult to put down. While I could empathise with Rory’s fears, twists in the story kept altering my thoughts about who Rory could trust. Some dangers (and people) were more obvious than others.
I enjoyed the suspense (mostly) and kept cheering for Rory. And yes, I did see the final twist before it hit me.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
April 16, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.
Great book. Kept me guessing and managed to surprise me in the end. Highly recommend.
Great book. Kept me guessing and managed to surprise me in the end. Highly recommend.
March 7, 2023
I very much enjoyed this novel and Hawkins does a great job at muddying the already-murky waters of Rory's life with a misdirection or three. On one hand I kinda guessed who was up to some of the nefarious exploits (given they seemed to have an agenda of sorts), but I certainly didn't guess why, or how they played out against other elements of the plot. Hawkins is able to keep threads completely hidden, revealing them just when we think we've got it worked out.
But what I really loved about this book by Hawkins is how sympathetically she presents Rory's character and her mental illness. There are some labels thrown about but we learn she doesn't leave her apartment and takes her beloved dog to the rooftop of her apartment building to walk laps. How many laps depends on a range of factors... but always configured with some meaning, to Rory.
She thinks her compulsive behaviour is getting better until the murder of a homeless man across the street. And it's then she believes she sees her father who disappeared over a decade before. As is often the case - it's the bad (the murder and memories of her father and family) combined with the good (a friendly 14 year old teenager who develops a delightful and supportive friendship with Rory as well as a new neighbour Simon) that push her out of her comfort zone and to the precipice of change: for better or worse.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
But what I really loved about this book by Hawkins is how sympathetically she presents Rory's character and her mental illness. There are some labels thrown about but we learn she doesn't leave her apartment and takes her beloved dog to the rooftop of her apartment building to walk laps. How many laps depends on a range of factors... but always configured with some meaning, to Rory.
She thinks her compulsive behaviour is getting better until the murder of a homeless man across the street. And it's then she believes she sees her father who disappeared over a decade before. As is often the case - it's the bad (the murder and memories of her father and family) combined with the good (a friendly 14 year old teenager who develops a delightful and supportive friendship with Rory as well as a new neighbour Simon) that push her out of her comfort zone and to the precipice of change: for better or worse.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
April 3, 2023
26 year old Rory doesn’t go out much. She observes the world from the window of her Sydney apartment. Living with her Bichon Frise, Buster, Rory lives a very structured, ordered and isolated life. Working from home, walking Buster in the dead of night on the rooftop terrace of her apartment building and observing the other residents in her apartment building.
One night, while walking Buster, Rory’s life is turned upside down with the police discovering the body of a homeless man who has been beaten to death across the road from her apartment. Rory is shaken by the news, the man is someone she has regularly observed. Rory begins to spiral, her already fragile mental state deteriorating and the trauma from her past resurfaces. Is Rory being watched? If she in danger? Or is it just paranoia that is convincing her of this? Who can she trust, when she can’t even trust herself?
This was a great suspense thriller. From the beginning it gave me Rear Window vibes, which I enjoyed. I also enjoyed the flawed main character and the ticks that she lived with as part of her OCD. It started off a bit slow for my liking, but before long it picked up its pace and kept me engaged.
It was claustrophobic at times, and kept me guessing as to what certain characters motives were. I enjoyed the twists when they came, as I didn’t see them coming or if I did it was right before they were revealed.
One night, while walking Buster, Rory’s life is turned upside down with the police discovering the body of a homeless man who has been beaten to death across the road from her apartment. Rory is shaken by the news, the man is someone she has regularly observed. Rory begins to spiral, her already fragile mental state deteriorating and the trauma from her past resurfaces. Is Rory being watched? If she in danger? Or is it just paranoia that is convincing her of this? Who can she trust, when she can’t even trust herself?
This was a great suspense thriller. From the beginning it gave me Rear Window vibes, which I enjoyed. I also enjoyed the flawed main character and the ticks that she lived with as part of her OCD. It started off a bit slow for my liking, but before long it picked up its pace and kept me engaged.
It was claustrophobic at times, and kept me guessing as to what certain characters motives were. I enjoyed the twists when they came, as I didn’t see them coming or if I did it was right before they were revealed.
February 22, 2023
*5 Stars*
ARC kindly received from Harper Collins Australia for an honest review.
Kelli Hawkins is a new to me author, and I thought this book sounded intriguing when I was offered the chance to read, plus the cover is eye catching as well. Whilst it's kind of a slow burn, I was hooked fairly quickly, and wondering what was going on in Rory's life. Suddenly I was suspicious of everything and everyone, and wondering what turns the story would take.
I liked Farrah and Simon, they were great secondary characters, and Rory herself was quite interesting because of everything she has been through and her own personal difficulties. The twist was not what was I was expecting at all. I was completely thrown. What an ending!
Gripping, thrilling, would recommend.
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ARC kindly received from Harper Collins Australia for an honest review.
Kelli Hawkins is a new to me author, and I thought this book sounded intriguing when I was offered the chance to read, plus the cover is eye catching as well. Whilst it's kind of a slow burn, I was hooked fairly quickly, and wondering what was going on in Rory's life. Suddenly I was suspicious of everything and everyone, and wondering what turns the story would take.
I liked Farrah and Simon, they were great secondary characters, and Rory herself was quite interesting because of everything she has been through and her own personal difficulties. The twist was not what was I was expecting at all. I was completely thrown. What an ending!
Gripping, thrilling, would recommend.
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March 14, 2023
I knew I had to read Kelli’s new book as soon I heard she wrote another one and I wasn't disappointed.
Rory lives in a high security apartment building in Sydney with her companion dog Buster. For her safety and also because she has OCD, PTSD, and anxiety she doesn’t leave the apartment very often or at all. Rory is a watcher and always enjoys looking in at the homeless people across the road and has some amazing nicknames for them all (some I had a few giggles about). A murder of one of the homeless men makes Rory on edge, especially when other things start happening and don't add up.
What I enjoyed:
* Slow burn thriller with a curve ball at the end.
* The apartment setting was written perfectly and it painted a picture for the story.
* I found the chapters nice and quick to read.
* I absolutely adored the friendship Rory has with Farrah.
Thank you Harper Collins Australia for a gifted copy of this book for my honest book review.
Rory lives in a high security apartment building in Sydney with her companion dog Buster. For her safety and also because she has OCD, PTSD, and anxiety she doesn’t leave the apartment very often or at all. Rory is a watcher and always enjoys looking in at the homeless people across the road and has some amazing nicknames for them all (some I had a few giggles about). A murder of one of the homeless men makes Rory on edge, especially when other things start happening and don't add up.
What I enjoyed:
* Slow burn thriller with a curve ball at the end.
* The apartment setting was written perfectly and it painted a picture for the story.
* I found the chapters nice and quick to read.
* I absolutely adored the friendship Rory has with Farrah.
Thank you Harper Collins Australia for a gifted copy of this book for my honest book review.
September 11, 2023
So not sure where to start or how to articulate how I felt about this book, but I will do my best!
I finished this in almost 2 days. It did have me hooked. Right up until the last 4 chapters. I am totally undecided on how I feel about the ending and twists. However, the build up to that point is actually FANTASTIC.
I love the female main character and the depiction of mental health. More so, I loved reading about the struggles of her mental health. It was very raw and real and even triggered me.
I don't know how I feel about the ending. But overall, this is definitely worth the read!!
Would recommend!
I finished this in almost 2 days. It did have me hooked. Right up until the last 4 chapters. I am totally undecided on how I feel about the ending and twists. However, the build up to that point is actually FANTASTIC.
I love the female main character and the depiction of mental health. More so, I loved reading about the struggles of her mental health. It was very raw and real and even triggered me.
I don't know how I feel about the ending. But overall, this is definitely worth the read!!
Would recommend!
August 3, 2023
I had fun reading this for the most part, but didn't like the direction it went with in the end *cue unnecessary love*. I loved the first half, however, after that it kind of fizzed out and in the end was just fine. I'm starting to think Hawkins is a one hit wonder, as her subsequent books have been no where as good as her debut. Nonetheless, I always continue to pick up as they are easy reads.
June 15, 2023
I think I enjoyed the ending the most, finding out all the details from Lucinda’s letter to Rory. I did struggle to enjoy some parts of the book and found it to be slow for a thriller. I couldn’t get a connection with it. Buster was definitely my favourite character
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2023
Amazing representation of OCD, absolute page turner. However sadly I feel like the ending was rushed.
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