Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
St. Martin's Press, 2016
Crime Fiction (Thriller); 320 pgs
Source: I purchased for my own reading pleasure.
Goodreads Summary:
Everyone knows a couple like Jack and Grace: he has looks and wealth, she has charm and elegance. You'd like to get to know Grace better. But it's difficult, because you realize Jack and Grace are never apart. Some might call this true love.
Picture this: a dinner party at their perfect home, the conversation and wine flowing. They appear to be in their element while entertaining. And Grace's friends are eager to reciprocate with lunch the following week. Grace wants to go, but knows she never will. Her friends call—so why doesn't Grace ever answer the phone? And how can she cook such elaborate meals but remain so slim?
And why are there bars on one of the bedroom windows?
The perfect marriage? Or the perfect lie?
Reading Behind Closed Doors was a spur of the moment decision. I was in between one of my sweet holiday romances, when I noticed an online book group I belong to was reading the book. I thought, “Why not?” Behind Closed Doors is one of those books that takes right off, my suspicions high and anticipating what direction the author might go. I admit I thought of all the different possibilities as I read the first chapter. I hadn’t read the synopsis for the book since I had bought it quite a while ago, and remembered hardly anything about it. I knew it was a thriller, at least. And so I came up with all sorts of theories after reading the first paragraph. Things quickly became clear, however. There wasn’t much twist in what was going on. A dinner party. A nervous wife aiming for perfection. A doting husband. Something seeming a bit off . . .
As much as I was hooked right away, the story became somewhat predictable after a while, but I still wanted to know how it would all play out. Luckily, it wasn’t too long before I was completely sucked in again, thankfully. The narrative alternatives between the past and present. We learn in increments how Grace and Jack met, about their wedding and their marriage to follow. We find out exactly how Jack and Grace ended up in their current situation and get to see how all of it plays out.
This really is a book I do not want to say a lot about because part of its allure is not knowing what to expect initially. It goes to a pretty dark place. That old adage how well do we really know anyone holds true in the case of this book. Jack is a well-respected lawyer and defender of women who are battered by their husbands. Grace would do anything for her younger sister with Downs Syndrome, whose care she took over because of her parents’ lack of interest. The stakes are high in this one, nail bitingly so. B.A. Paris has won me over with Behind Closed Doors and I cannot wait to read her next book.
As much as I was hooked right away, the story became somewhat predictable after a while, but I still wanted to know how it would all play out. Luckily, it wasn’t too long before I was completely sucked in again, thankfully. The narrative alternatives between the past and present. We learn in increments how Grace and Jack met, about their wedding and their marriage to follow. We find out exactly how Jack and Grace ended up in their current situation and get to see how all of it plays out.
This really is a book I do not want to say a lot about because part of its allure is not knowing what to expect initially. It goes to a pretty dark place. That old adage how well do we really know anyone holds true in the case of this book. Jack is a well-respected lawyer and defender of women who are battered by their husbands. Grace would do anything for her younger sister with Downs Syndrome, whose care she took over because of her parents’ lack of interest. The stakes are high in this one, nail bitingly so. B.A. Paris has won me over with Behind Closed Doors and I cannot wait to read her next book.
To learn more about B.A. Paris and her work, please visit the author on the her Twitter page.
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Whew. I've seen this one around, but the blurb creeped me out so much about their relationship I couldn't quite bring myself to pick this up...great review though, you've given me enough to know there's way more going on.
ReplyDeleteVerushka - It is pretty creepy, but good!
DeleteI read her second book (think it was her second), THE BREAKDOWN, and liked it a lot, though the themes in both this one and that one are pretty common right now. Anyway, I've had this one on my TBR for a while. Since there is a new one coming out later this year, I need to get this one read.
ReplyDeleteKay - I have a copy of The Breakdown and am glad to hear you enjoyed it. I hope you like this one when you read it!
DeleteThis sounds like an addictive read! Thanks for the review - I just found it in my library and put it on my wishlist(:
ReplyDeleteEustacia - Yes, it definitely is addictive. I hope you like it when you read it!
DeleteI liked The Breakdown by Paris; it was suspenseful and interesting on several levels. I haven't read Behind Closed Doors, but just finished her newest book (Bring Me Back) which I didn't like all that much.
ReplyDeleteJenclair - I am looking forward to reading The Breakdown and am glad to hear you enjoyed it. Hopefully you will enjoy this one if you do read it. That's too bad about her latest.
DeleteI didn't see all the twists in this one and just loved it.
ReplyDeleteKathy - It was a great book.
DeleteI liked this one a lot better than her second novel, The Breakdown.
ReplyDeleteTi - I have a copy of The Breakdown and will get to it at some point. I had put off reading Behind Closed Doors--so much hype initially--but am glad I finally took a chance on it.
DeleteThe how well do you really know someone premise really creeps me out because it's so true! This sounds like a good mix in with lighter reads even if it a bit predictable. I bed it'd be great on audio!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - It creeps me out too. I think it worked out well--me reading this one in between the lighter reads. I agree, this would be great on audio!
DeleteOhhh this one is definitely being added to my list. I love a good book full of twists.
ReplyDeleteKimberly - I hope you get a chance to read it! It's a good one.
DeleteI remember when I read this one at first I felt like I had to keep my suspension in check but boy was this an additive read. I really enjoyed it and can't wait to read her latest novel!
ReplyDeleteIliana - I had been thinking that to--about keeping my suspension in check--but recent events have reminded me that the premise of this isn't exactly all that unheard of in the real world . . . Scary.
DeleteI've read both of her books and enjoyed them so far. I can't wait for her next book and hope it'll surpass her previous books. :)
ReplyDeleteMelody - I am glad you enjoyed this one too! I hope you enjoy her newest!
DeleteI listened to the first cd of this book and then gave it to Jason because he needed something to listen to and he finished it before I got it back. He did find it predictable and somehow managed to ruin the idea of it for me. I feel like I've read it though!
ReplyDeleteStacy - It's pretty clear what is happening from the very first chapter, although I thought it was interesting to how they got themselves to where they were. And I absolutely loved the ending.
DeleteI have seen Behind Closed Doors around and it looks like a good one. Even if it's a little predictable, sounds worth the read. Great post.
ReplyDeleteNaida - Thank you! I think it's worth reading, especially if you enjoy thrillers.
DeleteI have this one to read. It makes me a little sad to learn that you found parts of it to be predictable. Hopefully, I can get around to some of these books soon.
ReplyDeleteCarole - I hope you enjoy it when you read it. If you have it on audio, that might be an even better way to go. I did really like this one, even if I found it a bit predictable in spots.
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