Other People's Clothes

A Novel

By: Calla Henkel

Narrated by: Lauryn Allman

Two American ex-pats obsessed with the Amanda Knox trial find themselves at the nexus of murder and celebrity in glittering late-aughts Berlin in this “hugely entertaining” (The New York Times) debut with a wicked sense of humor.

“Darkly funny, psychologically rich and utterly addictive... [a] harrowing tale of twisty female friendships, slippery identity and furtive secrets.” —Megan Abbott, best-selling author of The Turnout

Hoping to escape the pain of the recent murder of her best friend, art student Zoe Beech finds herself studying abroad in the bohemian capital of Europe—Berlin. Rudderless, Zoe relies on the arrangements of fellow exchange student Hailey Mader, who idolizes Warhol and Britney Spears and wants nothing more than to be an art star.

When Hailey stumbles on a posting for a high-ceilinged, prewar sublet by well-known thriller writer Beatrice Becks, the girls snap it up. They soon spend their nights twisting through Berlin’s club scene and their days hungover. But are they being watched? Convinced that Beatrice intends to use their lives as inspiration for her next novel, Hailey vows to craft main-character-worthy personas. They begin hosting a decadent weekly nightclub in the apartment, finally gaining the notoriety they’ve been craving. Everyone wants an invitation to “Beatrice’s.” As the year unravels and events spiral out of control, they begin to wonder whose story they are living—and how it will end.

Other People’s Clothes brilliantly illuminates the sometimes dangerous intensity of female friendships, as well as offering an unforgettable window into millennial life and the lengths people will go to in order to eradicate emotional pain.

No, thanks.

It’s definitely different. That’s the only good thing I have to say. Story itself was written well and the narrator did a good job, but the story… blah.
Weird. Slow. Not for me.
Wish I hadn’t finished it. Or purchased it to begin with. I had hoped to be riveted.

Engrossing comedic mystery

I loved this novel. it was suspenseful in a 'Gone Girls' type mystery. The characters are well fleshed in. At the final climax, there is such urgency when I was rooting for the heroine.

Every night you miss in Berlin

Hard to put down, a lil psychological thriller, a lil murder mystery, a lot of drugs and parties, all mixed in with Berlin in 2008. It also deals with mental health and eating disorders.

None of the characters are very likable, lots of paranoia, toxic friendships, elitists art schools, and bright and centre, there is flashy bold Berlin. I also thought it has very long chapters.

A rec nonetheless

Deliciously fabulous, gritty, biting, thrilling, cosmopolitan and artsy

This was everything! Loved the characters, the Berlin backdrop, how the plot took us on a wild ride

the ending was jaw dropping

fast read with so many interesting plot points. i would recommend for anyone in a reading slump!