Book Review | Other People’s Clothes by Calla Henkel

Calla Henkel’s sharp, twisty debut Other People’s Clothes follows two twenty-something art students from New York City during their exchange in Berlin.

Set in the depths of a noir, brutal Berlin winter, Hailey and Zoe are glad to have each other during this adventure. After shacking up in a Hostel for too long, they finally manage to score an apartment in Berlin's pretty suburb, Schoeneberg. What's more? The beautiful apartment belongs to the famous crime novelist Beatrice Becks. 

After a few too many coincidences, the pair have reason to believe that Beatrice is spying on them, using their real-life activities as plot inspiration to cure her writer's block. They decide to control the narrative and host a weekly party every Friday at Beatrice's. You'd be lucky to get an invite!

But things quickly turn dark as Zoe and Hailey get in a bit too deep and memories of the past start resurfacing. Will they be able to control the story's end?

I really liked this book! Relating to the cold Berlin winter is one thing, but relating to the endless fight for an apartment is another. Not to mention the 'heute leider nicht' rejection from Berlin's notorious nightclub, Berghain, is the icing on the cake! Henkel captures the essence of Berlin through the eyes of an ex-pat. 

It's not your typical thriller, but I was digging the twists and turns. It's like The Great Gatsby meets Agatha Christie as we follow Zoe and Hailey's escapades across Berlin and, more importantly, when they host their exclusive parties at Beatrice's.

Henkel does well to add layer upon layer throughout, as we learn more about the murder of Zoe's best friend and Hailey's obsession with the Amanda Knox scandal. As the plot grew quite intense, I think I figured out pretty quickly what was coming; however, I still enjoyed the way it panned out.

I recommend it, and especially to all fellow Berlin ex-pats!