The Café Apartment

Ty Hutchinson's Psychological Thrillers

by Ty Hutchinson

You have your palm read for fun, but the only person smiling is the teller. In the heart of bustling Saigon, a mysterious fortune teller takes up residence in an old apartment building. With a smile that hints at secrets untold, she offers glimpses of bright futures to eager residents—everyone except Ivy Little. Despite dismissing the fortune teller's words of impending danger as superstition, Ivy can't shake the feeling of unease as strange events unfold, and she learns that the building has a chilling history. Diving into its dark past, she unearths disturbing secrets that force her to reconsider the teller's warning. Will she become the next victim of the building's sinister legacy?

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2024

About the author

Ty Hutchinson is a USA Today bestselling author who writes dark, high-concept thrillers that punch hard and don't let up.

A full-time nomad since 2013, he blends real-world detail with twisted imagination to deliver binge-worthy stories—where the rules are bent, the stakes are high, and the exits are never marked.

Living everywhere and nowhere, he's drawn to strange things and peculiar people—almost always leading to one question: what if?

Reviews

[Sofia Singeis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the setting of this book. I had no idea what a cafe apartments was or that it even existed, and I loved how the author used that concept to create this story.

Ivy Little decides to prove herself to her family by leaving to US to teach english in Vietnam, all by herself. When she arrives in her new country, on her way to her new apartment, she notices a body on the street and soon discovers there has been several suicides at that apartments.

The plot is well built and very interesting, and so are most of the characters. Except many twists in this story! Even though it's not the best thriller I've read, it was pretty enjoyable and it really kept me hooked and entertained, and wanting to visit Vietnam to experience the cafe apartments in real life. There are some bits that don't make as much sense as I'd like, but I'd definitely recommend giving this book a read!

I also really enjoyed the side plot about the Coronel. It's heavy and not at all what I excepted, but it was interesting.

[Manie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Café Apartment is easily the best mystery book I have read in past number of years.
Consisting of an excellent main plot that gradually unfolds as Ivy Little learns of four recent suicides in a nine level residential cum business building in Saigon, her sense of something wrong is seriously tickled. Even more so when she suspects a man previously suspected of being a serial killer, might be active here.
But it is the subplot that adds some peculiar and spicy titbits to the main plot that eventually adds to the absolutely brilliant devolvement that explains the gradual estrangement that Ivy experienced during her stay in Vietnam. More so when warned by a fortune teller that her life might be in danger.
The milieu is exotic in so many ways, the life in Vietnam being a far cry from that in the Western world, that one almost feels like an alien on some far away planet.
But it is alluring and adds to the general feeling of excitement if not a feeling of a rising danger.
Brilliant.
Enjoy

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story struck me as something written by a "new" author (of which I know Ty Hutchinson is not). I just was not compelled to really get into it. It certainly was not gripping as promised so by the book blurb (it did have the potential to be). The character development felt shallow. The main character had little going for her (I could barely tolerate her musings). The only thing I appreciated in this novel was that is was a short one and simple to read and follow. But, not satisfying. I am surprised most of the ratings are 4s and 5s. For me, it was OK but not really enjoyable. I find this strange because I am of an age that lost many young men to the war of the day and currently have ex pat relatives in SE Asia.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterful, immersive psychological suspense novel. The author delivers another stellar thriller. An entrancing, immersive, unsettling, chilling, and superb writing. I love his writing because you are swept into the story, character driven, and layered tantalizing plot. I enjoyed every moment unraveling the pieces to the unputdownable finale.

[T. Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW Ivy has made a giant leap. She decided to make some changes in her life. She wants an adventure. Her grandfather the colonel is her hero.
She decided that teaching English in Vietnam would be a great adventure. So off she goes.
I really enjoyed this book. Has a few twist and turns. Great read.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeps You Guessing

There is so much going on in this story. Ivy moves into a building that is both apartments and shops. She’s trying to find her way as a foreigner that was scammed into moving to Vietnam. Nothing is what it seems, and she sits in the middle of all of it, but doesn’t know it. Quite interesting! I love me some TH!

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Hutchinson Read

Another fun read by Ty Hutchinson. Good character development...I think it is the italicized "internal thoughts" that help with that.

I enjoy the twists and fast paced action that makes these books readable in just a couple sittings.

[Shae Howard · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m still confused lol. I loved the other books in Ty Hutchinson Psychological Thriller collection, but this one was not it. This story was all over the place. So much happened that doesn’t add up, doesn’t make sense and was just unnecessary details. I would pass on this one.

[Farhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5.. an easy, fun read. Enjoyed this thriller based in Vietnam.

[David A. Rosow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strange thriller

A different Ty Hutchinson novel, but Ivy Little seems a bit strange herself. A quick read and you probably will enjoy it.