August 2016

There are few thrillers that make me look away from the page because they are so intense. But BEHIND CLOSED DOORS by B. A. Paris is one of them!

We start out meeting Jack and Grace, who seem to have a perfect life. Their home looks like something from a magazine, and they have amazingly perfect dinner parties. Jack has a great job as a lawyer, and he wins his cases. He is always by Grace’s side, but something feels a bit off. Grace does not seem at ease. It’s hard to put a finger on what’s going on, but readers know something is up.

Grace is the guardian of her sister Millie, who has Down syndrome. Millie lives in a guarded environment that she will age out of when she turns 18. She will be moving in with Grace and Jack. And that idea terrifies Grace, and with good reason. You see, she knows the other side of Jack --- the one where he dictates every minute of her life, and he taunts her with how Millie will be part of this world. The clock is ticking.

The story alternates between the past and the present --- and the race is on for Grace to change the pre-ordained story. There will be moments where you will wonder why Grace cannot get herself away, but then you will see more of how Jack has terrified her. It’s a complete head game with things wrapped in many directions.

This is not a book for everyone, and I did have issues with the cruelty in it. As I said, there were times I needed to put it down. There are some moments with Millie where she seems way too prescient. That said, I had to see how it ended and how it unfolded. And if you are comfortable with edgy writing and a psychological twister, you’ll want to pick this one up!