Status
Checked out
Genres
Collection
Publication
St. Martin's Griffin (2017), Edition: Reprint, 352 pages
Description
Fiction. Suspense. Thriller. HTML: THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLING DEBUT PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER YOU CAN'T MISS! The perfect marriage? Or the perfect lie? "A hair-raising debut, both unsettling and addictive...A chilling thriller that will keep you reading long into the night." �??Mary Kubica, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Good Girl "This is one readers won't be able to put down." �??Booklist (starred review) "A can't-put-down psychological thriller." �??Library Journal (starred review) "This debut is guaranteed to haunt you...Warning: brace yourself." �??Bustle (10 New Thrillers to Read This Summer) "The sense of believably and terror that engulfs Behind Closed Doors doesn't waver." �??The Associated Press, picked up by The Washington Post "This was one of the best and most terrifying psychological thrillers I have ever read." �??San Francisco Book Review Everyone knows a couple like Jack and Grace. He has looks and wealth; she has charm and elegance. He's a dedicated attorney who has never lost a case; she is a flawless homemaker, a masterful gardener and cook, and dotes on her disabled younger sister. Though they are still newlyweds, they seem to have it all. You might not want to like them, but you do. You're hopelessly charmed by the ease and comfort of their home, by the graciousness of the dinner parties they throw. You'd like to get to know Grace better. But it's difficult, because you realize Jack and Grace are inseparable. Some might call this true love. Others might wonder why Grace never answers the phone. Or why she can never meet for coffee, even though she doesn't work. How she can cook such elaborate meals but remain so slim. Or why she never seems to take anything with her when she leaves the house, not even a pen. Or why there are such high-security metal shutters on all the downstairs windows. Some might wonder what's really going on once the dinner party is over, and the front door has closed. From bestselling author B.A. Paris comes the gripping thriller and international phenomenon Behind Clos… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member satxreader
If I could give this less than one star, I would.Absolutely nothing about this book was in the slightest way believable. The mystery is where all the glowing reviews came from.
LibraryThing member NCDonnas
Implausible plot and mediocre story. Good narration for the audiobook though. It's readable and mildly entertaining but nothing I'd recommend. I've definitely read more believable and creepier villains. Also, I dislike abrupt endings.
LibraryThing member DidIReallyReadThat
Grace marries the perfect man, Jack Angel, who turns out to be a completely different person.
There was very little nuance in how Jack and Grace Angel (or any of the characters for that matter) were portrayed. The character of Jack Angel is perfect to the point of ridiculousness. His motivation
The plot was predictable; I guessed fairly early how it was going to end. Jumping back and forth between past and present was ineffective and unnecessary. But there was at least some tension in waiting to see how everything turned out which is what redeemed the book a little bit.
There was very little nuance in how Jack and Grace Angel (or any of the characters for that matter) were portrayed. The character of Jack Angel is perfect to the point of ridiculousness. His motivation
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which is key to the plot was unclear. And, I had very little sympathy for Grace Angel; she simply grated on my nerves. They were also surrounded by a bunch of clueless friends and family (with one exception) who did not pick up one single signs that things were not as they appeared between Jack and Grace. This went on for over fifteen months.The plot was predictable; I guessed fairly early how it was going to end. Jumping back and forth between past and present was ineffective and unnecessary. But there was at least some tension in waiting to see how everything turned out which is what redeemed the book a little bit.
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LibraryThing member Romonko
There has been a lot said about this debut novel by B. A. Paris, so I was anxious to read it. It is supposed to be in the thriller genre, but there really isn't any of that in the book. It is a psychological suspense novel. There is no crime that we don't know right from the beginning. There is not
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much action either. The book is all about Jack Angel and his psychotic, psycopathic behaviour and how he terrorizes his wife Grace, but his character portrayal was overdone and he seemed like a caricature of a real person. I will agree that Jack was a monster, but Grace was not a strong character either. I kept wanting to shout at her to do something, but she just went on and acted like a scared little mouse throughout.. She is weak and ineffective right up until the end, and I have to admit that I knew what she was finally going to do about halfway through, so that was no surprise either. The book just doesn't live up to the hype, so I was disappointed. Show Less
LibraryThing member joannemonck
This story about a woman held captive by her verbally abusive husband was a little too long. Interesting idea of the villain marrying a woman so he could get a hold of her mentally challenged sister when the sister turns 18. The extent of his cruelty is gruesome. On the other hand he is a lawyer
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defending women abused by their husbands. Truly wacky. However, even though I felt it was a little too long, I loved the ending. So fitting. Show Less
LibraryThing member Dannadee
Does anyone have the 'perfect' life really? I think not. As this story begins you think Jack and Grace do have that perfect one. Or so they want everyone to believe. But Jack is hiding a secret that Grace is finally privy to after they get married. And it's not pretty. Or nice. Or normal.
I have to
I have to
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be honest. I almost did not finish this book. It was too disturbing and I hated the way it made me feel (I really cannot describe how.) The writing was choppy and unbelievable at times. I did like Millie, Grace's sister who was born with Down's Syndrome. She was so much smarter than all of them put together. The ending was probably the best chapter in the book. Which is why I'm giving it 2.5 stars. Show Less
LibraryThing member Twink
My favourite genre right now is psychological, twisty thrillers. And lucky for me, there seem to be many to choose from lately!
Behind Closed Doors is B. A. Paris's debut novel. And it was a good one....
Following a whirlwind romance and wedding to Jack, Grace seems to have it all - a beautiful home
'Seems to' being the key words. That's looking from the outside in. Because what's happening behind closed doors is a completely different story, Grace is actually a prisoner in her home. Locked in with Jack controlling everything - money, seeing friends, clothes and food. Grace's younger sister Millie is what Jack uses to control Grace. And Millie is what keeps her going......
What an addictive read! I couldn't put it down. Early on I was shouting at Grace to listen to her intuition and run. And then I was behind those doors with Grace, hoping and planning her escape - and revenge. But as every attempt fails and the months go by, Grace's determination and strength starts to wane. " I hold my hands out in front of me and the shaking that I can't control tells me what I've only just begun to realise but what Jack has know all along - that fear is the best deterrent of all."
Paris has created a charming but deadly psychopath in Jack. His dialogue and manipulative actions are simply chilling. Grace is of course the polar opposite, a likable, caring, genuine person who was attracted to a man she thought also had those traits.
Paris unfolds this story in a now and then narrative - how things started and where they are now. There were a few plot details that ask the reader to suspend disbelief. I suggest you do - stopping to ponder them will only slow up your reading. And this is an action filled read, rather than a slow building suspense book.
Did I like? Absolutely! Great escapist reading on the porch swing on a summer's day. Behind Closed Doors would make a great movie.
B.A. Paris's second book, Every Little Thing, will release early next year. (On my TBR list for sure!)
Behind Closed Doors is B. A. Paris's debut novel. And it was a good one....
Following a whirlwind romance and wedding to Jack, Grace seems to have it all - a beautiful home
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and a successful, handsome, devoted husband who makes it possible for her not work. 'Seems to' being the key words. That's looking from the outside in. Because what's happening behind closed doors is a completely different story, Grace is actually a prisoner in her home. Locked in with Jack controlling everything - money, seeing friends, clothes and food. Grace's younger sister Millie is what Jack uses to control Grace. And Millie is what keeps her going......
What an addictive read! I couldn't put it down. Early on I was shouting at Grace to listen to her intuition and run. And then I was behind those doors with Grace, hoping and planning her escape - and revenge. But as every attempt fails and the months go by, Grace's determination and strength starts to wane. " I hold my hands out in front of me and the shaking that I can't control tells me what I've only just begun to realise but what Jack has know all along - that fear is the best deterrent of all."
Paris has created a charming but deadly psychopath in Jack. His dialogue and manipulative actions are simply chilling. Grace is of course the polar opposite, a likable, caring, genuine person who was attracted to a man she thought also had those traits.
Paris unfolds this story in a now and then narrative - how things started and where they are now. There were a few plot details that ask the reader to suspend disbelief. I suggest you do - stopping to ponder them will only slow up your reading. And this is an action filled read, rather than a slow building suspense book.
Did I like? Absolutely! Great escapist reading on the porch swing on a summer's day. Behind Closed Doors would make a great movie.
B.A. Paris's second book, Every Little Thing, will release early next year. (On my TBR list for sure!)
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LibraryThing member jfe16
On the surface, Jack and Grace Angel seem to have the ideal marriage. But their life is not at all the domestic bliss that others see. Can Grace find a way to escape or will Jack win in the end?
Shifting between past and present, the story spins out its difficult-to-believe tale of naiveté versus
Shifting between past and present, the story spins out its difficult-to-believe tale of naiveté versus
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sinister. Readers are likely to predict the ending long before that final reveal, but getting there means traveling through a lot of what feels like depthless good-versus-evil posturing in which the repetitious events tend to hobble the plot at the expense of some delving into the mind of a truly sinister man. Nevertheless, readers are in for a creepy, unsettling experience. Show Less
LibraryThing member Neftzger
This is a psychological thriller that delivers. When Grace married Jack she thought she had finally found "the one." As soon as they left for the honeymoon she began to have doubts, and before the honeymoon was over she knew she was wrong but she couldn't escape. Jack wasn't the perfect man: he was
Note: I was given a free copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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the perfect psychopath and each stage of the story keeps the reader wondering if he could possibly get more abusive or if Grace will ever escape.Note: I was given a free copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member Jen_Bartels
Jack & Grace have a seemingly idyllic marriage, they're so in love, she gets to stay home at his insistence, garden, cook, entertain, all the things we wish we had time to do but can't because we're so busy. To the outsider, they are perfect in everyway, he even agreed to take in her sister Millie
From the beginning, you know something's wrong, we've been conditioned by books like Gone Girl to suspect things aren't always what they seem, we know better, right? The chapters switch off from past to present and we can all see where this is headed. We see what's in front of us, what we're supposed to see, but we know...of course we know. Things are never as they seem.
I'm purposely being vague because to say more about the actual story would be to give it all away and with these types of books, the less you know going in, the better it is. You want to build the tension. I love how this author writes at a slow simmer, pulling you in yet pressing you down so you feel the unease too. Very well done and I look forward to more, this author is now on my watch list for sure.
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who has Down Syndrome when she's 18 and can no longer live at her school. From the beginning, you know something's wrong, we've been conditioned by books like Gone Girl to suspect things aren't always what they seem, we know better, right? The chapters switch off from past to present and we can all see where this is headed. We see what's in front of us, what we're supposed to see, but we know...of course we know. Things are never as they seem.
I'm purposely being vague because to say more about the actual story would be to give it all away and with these types of books, the less you know going in, the better it is. You want to build the tension. I love how this author writes at a slow simmer, pulling you in yet pressing you down so you feel the unease too. Very well done and I look forward to more, this author is now on my watch list for sure.
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LibraryThing member BookDivasReads
Jack Angel appears to be the perfect gentleman and husband. He adores his wife and is protective of his new sister-in-law. He's an attorney that fights in court on behalf of battered women. Grace Angel appears to the be the perfect wife, loving and nurturing and never more than a few steps away
Jack and Grace have a whirlwind romance and before you know it, Grace has quit her job, sold her house, and is ready to be a full-time wife. Jack was the perfect gentleman and lover during their courtship and is quite accepting of the fact that Grace's younger sister, Millie, will be moving in with them when she finishes at school. Grace knows many men aren't so accepting of having a younger sibling, much less one with Down's Syndrome, move into their homes after marriage, so this is just one more thing to admire about Jack. Grace quickly learns that Jack is not the man he pretends to be on the day of her wedding and during her honeymoon. Every attempt she makes to deflect Jack results in her being seen as deranged or psychotic. As a result, Grace does the only thing she can do in this situation and that's bide her time and pray that things will change for the better before Millie comes to live with them. Just how far is Grace willing to go in an effort to protect Millie from Jack?
I found Behind Closed Doors to be a fast-paced read that kept me on tenterhooks from the beginning to the very end. Jack is quite skilled at manipulating not only Grace but his circle of friends and acquaintances as well. The more that is revealed about Jack and Grace's relationship, the more we realize that Jack epitomizes the psycho in this psychological thriller. I've read books with plenty of bad guys and books with plenty of evil guys, and Jack is probably in the top ten on both lists. Ms. Paris provides a nice little twist at the end of the story that was somewhat unexpected but pleasing nonetheless (no, I'm not going to tell you what the twist is...read the book!). The story is presented from Grace's perspective from both the past and the present. This story contains some hot-button topics such as emotional, mental, and physical abuse, not to mention murder. The abuse isn't presented in graphic detail, but it isn't exactly glossed over either. If you enjoy reading psychological thrillers, then you'll definitely want to add Behind Closed Doors to your reading list. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Paris in the future.
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from her husband's side. Is theirs the perfect marriage or can looks be deceiving in Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris.Jack and Grace have a whirlwind romance and before you know it, Grace has quit her job, sold her house, and is ready to be a full-time wife. Jack was the perfect gentleman and lover during their courtship and is quite accepting of the fact that Grace's younger sister, Millie, will be moving in with them when she finishes at school. Grace knows many men aren't so accepting of having a younger sibling, much less one with Down's Syndrome, move into their homes after marriage, so this is just one more thing to admire about Jack. Grace quickly learns that Jack is not the man he pretends to be on the day of her wedding and during her honeymoon. Every attempt she makes to deflect Jack results in her being seen as deranged or psychotic. As a result, Grace does the only thing she can do in this situation and that's bide her time and pray that things will change for the better before Millie comes to live with them. Just how far is Grace willing to go in an effort to protect Millie from Jack?
I found Behind Closed Doors to be a fast-paced read that kept me on tenterhooks from the beginning to the very end. Jack is quite skilled at manipulating not only Grace but his circle of friends and acquaintances as well. The more that is revealed about Jack and Grace's relationship, the more we realize that Jack epitomizes the psycho in this psychological thriller. I've read books with plenty of bad guys and books with plenty of evil guys, and Jack is probably in the top ten on both lists. Ms. Paris provides a nice little twist at the end of the story that was somewhat unexpected but pleasing nonetheless (no, I'm not going to tell you what the twist is...read the book!). The story is presented from Grace's perspective from both the past and the present. This story contains some hot-button topics such as emotional, mental, and physical abuse, not to mention murder. The abuse isn't presented in graphic detail, but it isn't exactly glossed over either. If you enjoy reading psychological thrillers, then you'll definitely want to add Behind Closed Doors to your reading list. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Paris in the future.
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LibraryThing member SilversReviews
Jack Angel..... what a gentle name, but what a terrifying person.
Jack and Grace have what appears to be the perfect marriage and Grace the perfect life not having to work, painting, cooking perfect meals, and having perfect dinner parties. All is not what it appears, though.
Ms. Paris takes the
She has a writing style that draws you in and makes the characters and situations very real.
Ms. Paris is so good I could just feel something was wrong the minute Grace met charming, dashing, wealthy Jack. I was extremely frightened for Grace as I was reading and feared for her every time Jack had planned one of his horrific deeds.
I couldn't believe someone could be as evil as Jack.
If you truly want to hate a character, Jack is your man.
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS was quite intense and had such an extremely scary plot that you won't be able to read it except in broad daylight.
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS is a chilling nightmare, but also a must read. 5/5
This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation in return for an honest review.
Jack and Grace have what appears to be the perfect marriage and Grace the perfect life not having to work, painting, cooking perfect meals, and having perfect dinner parties. All is not what it appears, though.
Ms. Paris takes the
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reader on a terrifying ride with the three main characters....Grace, Jack, and Millie. She has a writing style that draws you in and makes the characters and situations very real.
Ms. Paris is so good I could just feel something was wrong the minute Grace met charming, dashing, wealthy Jack. I was extremely frightened for Grace as I was reading and feared for her every time Jack had planned one of his horrific deeds.
I couldn't believe someone could be as evil as Jack.
If you truly want to hate a character, Jack is your man.
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS was quite intense and had such an extremely scary plot that you won't be able to read it except in broad daylight.
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS is a chilling nightmare, but also a must read. 5/5
This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation in return for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member BooksCooksLooks
I am generally not a reader of thrillers but something about this one intrigued me. As you all know too I am trying to stretch myself out of my reading zones so I took a chance; what I got was a page turning read and a book that has stayed with me for days.
The chapters are either “past” or
It’s always tough with a book of this type to review it without spoiling it. Much can be gleaned from the synopsis but I’ll not give things away here! Grace and Millie are sisters; Millie has Down Syndrome and Grace is pretty much her caretaker as her parents just couldn’t handle having a child with a disability. Grace had about given up on finding a man that would love her and Millie until she meets Jack. He meets them in the park one day and from there it’s a whirlwind courtship. Soon Grace and Jack are getting married with plans to have Millie move into their house when she is finished with her school.
Jack and Grace appear to have the perfect marriage; their house is beautiful, their parties are exceptional and they are always together and happy. But looks can be deceiving but no one could possibly imagine what goes on within a marriage – especially this one.
I pretty much read this book in two sittings – it would have been one had I not started it at 10 at night. It was the devil to put down and when I did I had the bear of a time getting to sleep. Then the next day I just had to pick it up and finish it. Not being a reader of thrillers I did not read either of the two books it’s being compared to so I can’t offer my thoughts on that comparison, I can only speak to the utter and complete creepiness of this book. Jack is one complicated character. It’s hard to rectify his different parts. Grace is not as developed as a character and that is a shame – I think there was room for nuance in her that is lacking. Millie is a revelation and a true delight. Most of the ancillary characters are there to move the plot forward and are truly of minimal consequence. But that is OK – this is Jack, Grace and Millie’s tale.
And it is a whopper of a tale. One that will keep you looking over your shoulder and wondering about the nature of relationships. I am sure it would be, in some ways, even worse on a second read. It might be worth one as I went through it so quickly because I just wanted to know what was going to happen!
I received a free copy from SheSpeaks for my honest opinion
The chapters are either “past” or
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“present” and the book does go back and forth in time in a rather random pattern as a way to keep the reader a bit off balance. This is psychological thriller and there is no blood or gore; the abuse is all mental and it is pervasive. From the first chapter it’s almost as if the book is giving off evil gas or something but you don’t know exactly why or what until you get about a third of the way in.It’s always tough with a book of this type to review it without spoiling it. Much can be gleaned from the synopsis but I’ll not give things away here! Grace and Millie are sisters; Millie has Down Syndrome and Grace is pretty much her caretaker as her parents just couldn’t handle having a child with a disability. Grace had about given up on finding a man that would love her and Millie until she meets Jack. He meets them in the park one day and from there it’s a whirlwind courtship. Soon Grace and Jack are getting married with plans to have Millie move into their house when she is finished with her school.
Jack and Grace appear to have the perfect marriage; their house is beautiful, their parties are exceptional and they are always together and happy. But looks can be deceiving but no one could possibly imagine what goes on within a marriage – especially this one.
I pretty much read this book in two sittings – it would have been one had I not started it at 10 at night. It was the devil to put down and when I did I had the bear of a time getting to sleep. Then the next day I just had to pick it up and finish it. Not being a reader of thrillers I did not read either of the two books it’s being compared to so I can’t offer my thoughts on that comparison, I can only speak to the utter and complete creepiness of this book. Jack is one complicated character. It’s hard to rectify his different parts. Grace is not as developed as a character and that is a shame – I think there was room for nuance in her that is lacking. Millie is a revelation and a true delight. Most of the ancillary characters are there to move the plot forward and are truly of minimal consequence. But that is OK – this is Jack, Grace and Millie’s tale.
And it is a whopper of a tale. One that will keep you looking over your shoulder and wondering about the nature of relationships. I am sure it would be, in some ways, even worse on a second read. It might be worth one as I went through it so quickly because I just wanted to know what was going to happen!
I received a free copy from SheSpeaks for my honest opinion
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LibraryThing member shayrp76
I won this book in a giveaway.
First of all, I don't usually pay attention to book or author comparisons. This is compared to Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl, and as a fan of both the author and that novel I can say it's a pretty good comparison.
This is one of those stories that is so frustrating that I
I have no complaints about this novel. I absolutely recommend it, especially to readers who enjoy tense thrillers that aren't particularly cheery.
First of all, I don't usually pay attention to book or author comparisons. This is compared to Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl, and as a fan of both the author and that novel I can say it's a pretty good comparison.
This is one of those stories that is so frustrating that I
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wanted to scream and throw the book a few times. That's what made it so good. I was on the edge of my seat and on the tip of my toes literally through most of the reading. The pacing is quick, not because there is a lot of high flying action, but because there is so much tension that I felt like my heart couldn't take it if I didn't know what happened. The main character is unlikeable, which again, made it even better. I didn't want to sympathize with her but I did. As with a lot of well though out books my favorite character is a side character. I am guessing most readers will fill the same. I have no complaints about this novel. I absolutely recommend it, especially to readers who enjoy tense thrillers that aren't particularly cheery.
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LibraryThing member kulmona
Thank you St. Martin's Press for my complimentary review copy.
All that glitters is not gold. This saying is apt for Jack and Grace's seemingly perfect life.
Grace, a produce buyer for Harrods Department Store, meets Jack while visiting the park with Millie, her sister. Like many other women, she had
The story is told from Grace's perspective. Not only does every chapter end in a cliffhanger, since each alternates between present and past, the anticipation builds. Also, throughout the novel, there were many times when I was caught off-guard.
Many times, due to the subject matter and the diabolical nature of Jack, it was difficult to read. Whenever, I thought he couldn't do worse, Jack hit a new low.
In conclusion, I LOVED this book! I couldn't wait to find out what happened next and, yet, I didn't want it to end. I find it difficult to believe that this is Paris' debut novel. She has set a high bar for not only other authors, but also herself. She is now one of my favorite authors and I can't wait to read what she comes up with next.
All that glitters is not gold. This saying is apt for Jack and Grace's seemingly perfect life.
Grace, a produce buyer for Harrods Department Store, meets Jack while visiting the park with Millie, her sister. Like many other women, she had
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noticed Jack, but she didn't think he would be interested in someone like her. He is a successful, attractive lawyer who specializes in domestic violence cases. But, little does she know, that she is exactly what Jack has been looking for.The story is told from Grace's perspective. Not only does every chapter end in a cliffhanger, since each alternates between present and past, the anticipation builds. Also, throughout the novel, there were many times when I was caught off-guard.
Many times, due to the subject matter and the diabolical nature of Jack, it was difficult to read. Whenever, I thought he couldn't do worse, Jack hit a new low.
In conclusion, I LOVED this book! I couldn't wait to find out what happened next and, yet, I didn't want it to end. I find it difficult to believe that this is Paris' debut novel. She has set a high bar for not only other authors, but also herself. She is now one of my favorite authors and I can't wait to read what she comes up with next.
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LibraryThing member Tasker
The alternating "Present", "Past" chapters seemed to make this book overly long. The whiny, dishrag of a protagonist should have turned out the lights and creamed her controlling husband with a chair after the first two hundred pages instead of waiting for the last sixty pages to make this book
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interesting. Show Less
LibraryThing member reemsf
Oh my!! I don’t even know where to start. I have had the pleasure of reading this wonderful book as an early release. B.A. Paris’s book has been published in the U.K. already, to great acclaim. They called it the answer to ‘Gone, Girl’ {which I haven’t read, but I just might do so now}.
My head is still spinning after having finished this book. My emotions ran the roller coaster that Grace’s did. Just as with every other book I’ve read, I make connections to my life and with the world around me. Grace is a young woman who does everything she can to protect her younger sister.
She does so to the point that she thinks she will never marry. Her parents leave her knowing that she will take care of her sister. Until she meets the man of her dreams. He promises to be with her and care for her sister. He promises to take care of them both if only she will marry him. But sometimes, you need to beware of wat you wish for.
My connection… I have a daughter. She has a twin brother who needs to be taken care of. He may always need to be taken care of. I would never want my daughter to feel like he is a burden. I don’t ever want her to feel like he is an obstacle to anything she wants to accomplish. I would definitely not want her to feel beholden to anyone because of him.
Reading about Grace and her sister only made me think of my daughter and her brother. I felt every emotion double-fold as the mother of children who should never feel the evil that was felt through this book. It is an edge of your seat, must read!
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They called it “unputdownable” {which it totally is}!My head is still spinning after having finished this book. My emotions ran the roller coaster that Grace’s did. Just as with every other book I’ve read, I make connections to my life and with the world around me. Grace is a young woman who does everything she can to protect her younger sister.
She does so to the point that she thinks she will never marry. Her parents leave her knowing that she will take care of her sister. Until she meets the man of her dreams. He promises to be with her and care for her sister. He promises to take care of them both if only she will marry him. But sometimes, you need to beware of wat you wish for.
My connection… I have a daughter. She has a twin brother who needs to be taken care of. He may always need to be taken care of. I would never want my daughter to feel like he is a burden. I don’t ever want her to feel like he is an obstacle to anything she wants to accomplish. I would definitely not want her to feel beholden to anyone because of him.
Reading about Grace and her sister only made me think of my daughter and her brother. I felt every emotion double-fold as the mother of children who should never feel the evil that was felt through this book. It is an edge of your seat, must read!
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LibraryThing member susan0316
"The perfect marriage or the perfect lie?"
Jack and Grace appear to be the perfect couple. They live in a beautiful home, they travel often and they have a room in their house for Grace's sister Millie to move into as soon as she turns 18. Millie has Down's syndrome and she and Grace are very close.
This is a stunning psychological novel that is told from Grace's POV and alternates between the past and the present. The plot is full of lots of tension and plenty of twists and turns. My advice - set aside lots of time before you start this book because you won't want to put it down until the end.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Jack and Grace appear to be the perfect couple. They live in a beautiful home, they travel often and they have a room in their house for Grace's sister Millie to move into as soon as she turns 18. Millie has Down's syndrome and she and Grace are very close.
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Jack is a successful lawyer who defends women who have been abused by their husbands and he has never lost a case. Their friends are envious of their life together and the love they have for each other. It all sounds wonderful but behind the closed doors of their home is a totally different life than what the world sees.This is a stunning psychological novel that is told from Grace's POV and alternates between the past and the present. The plot is full of lots of tension and plenty of twists and turns. My advice - set aside lots of time before you start this book because you won't want to put it down until the end.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
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LibraryThing member stephanieloves
Jack and Grace Angel are the perfect couple, but from a keen eye's perspective, there are little things that are peppered throughout their marriage that raise many red flags, like Grace not even having her own cell phone (or email address), Jack's propensity to accompany Grace everywhere (including
Sadly, in the book, no one sees this as particularly odd or toxic, which may reflect how domestic abuse manifests in the real world; despite actual cries for help, it may go unnoticed, or not taken seriously.
Behind Closed Doors takes a somber real-world matter and spins it into a hysterical, drama-filled novel that is narrated in alternating timelines: The Past—the first glimpses of Jack's private battery against Grace—and The Present—the buildup of Grace's plan to end it all.
Maybe I'm just desensitized to thrillers having read some very effed-up ones before, but overall I felt this book fell short of my expectations. After all, the back cover says in large red print: "Makes Gone Girl Seem Like a Fairy Tale," so I expected just that: something bigger and bolder and scarier than Gone Girl. Spoiler alert: Behind Closed Doors doesn't really measure up to Gone Girl at all. To me, it reads like a book-version of an over-the-top Lifetime movie. It revolves around an issue that shouldn't be taken lightly, but Grace's first-person narrative is pretty hard to take seriously, and all the "riveting" twists are quite predictable.
Are there parts that are extremely disturbing and sad? Yes. Jack is a venomous character with no chance of redemption at all, and it was hard to swallow some of his terrible actions. However, to me this was another extremely unrealistic point; characters, especially in real life, are rarely one-dimensional and I would have liked to see some conflict within his character, or maybe a dilemma between his thoughts/feelings and actions, but there was none of that. He's the big bad villain in this story, and nothing more. Grace's determination to free herself of this marital prison and plot her revenge against her husband is the almost impossible, excruciating journey readers are taken along on.
But did these disturbing scenes really keep me at the edge of my seat? I think that's the true indication of a good thriller, but unfortunately, Behind Closed Doors didn't do it for me. The so-called "scary" storyline is painfully obvious, and there is no mind-blowing twist like Gone Girl had. Grace's situation is more frustrating than suspenseful. As a reader, I felt bad for her and wanted to help her out of such a helpless situation, but I wasn't necessarily reveling in the psychological abuse.
While British author B.A. Paris's writing style is appropriately falsely cheery, it isn't wonderfully skilled. The book focuses on plain detail with no integral purpose (like paragraphs of what was served for dinner, what Grace is wearing, how long commute takes, etc.), and while the structural choice of jumbling up the past and present chapters is interesting, it can get quite confusing and seemed unnecessary.
Content-wise, Behind Closed Doors is definitely an anxiety attack kind of story: it's more the threat of death and violence that's scary about Jack's abuse, rather than the actual blood and gore itself. It doesn't really fit in the horror genre, so if you're the squeamish type, you'll be able to get through this one. But if you're easily disturbed by exaggerated threats and targeted psychological abuse, you may want to stay away.
Pros: Fast-paced, not difficult to read // Interesting timeline shifts that aren't too confusing // Original, convoluted storyline; props to B.A. Paris for creating the ultimate evil character
Cons: Writing style and narration is elementary, at best.. nothing special // Grace is an irritating character, although I do sympathize with her // There are multiple twists and turns throughout, but most of it, while pretty horrific, is barely shocking // Overall plot is too obvious; you don't have to do much guesswork based off the vague synopsis // All of the characters are flat and underdeveloped; none of them seem realistic or complex (including the main characters, Grace and Jack) // Doesn't really compare to Gone Girl, despite the rave reviews
Verdict: Behind Closed Doors is a lofty attempt at an intense psychological thriller, but reads more like a Lifetime drama about extreme emotional abuse than anything else. Part of my critique stems from the hype surrounding this novel; it isn't at all a bland read, but it's hardly "2016's answer to Gone Girl" (Women's Health), which is exactly what I was anticipating. If it had been marketed as a domestic showpiece rather than a psychological thriller that supposedly trumps Gone Girl (to reiterate: it doesn't), I may have enjoyed it more.
Rating: 6 out of 10 hearts (3 stars): Decent for a first read, but I'm not going back; this book is decidedly average (whatever that means!).
Source: Complimentary copy provided by publicist in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Wunderkind PR!).
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up to the door of the ladies' room), and Grace's eerily immaculate and calm exterior.Sadly, in the book, no one sees this as particularly odd or toxic, which may reflect how domestic abuse manifests in the real world; despite actual cries for help, it may go unnoticed, or not taken seriously.
Behind Closed Doors takes a somber real-world matter and spins it into a hysterical, drama-filled novel that is narrated in alternating timelines: The Past—the first glimpses of Jack's private battery against Grace—and The Present—the buildup of Grace's plan to end it all.
Maybe I'm just desensitized to thrillers having read some very effed-up ones before, but overall I felt this book fell short of my expectations. After all, the back cover says in large red print: "Makes Gone Girl Seem Like a Fairy Tale," so I expected just that: something bigger and bolder and scarier than Gone Girl. Spoiler alert: Behind Closed Doors doesn't really measure up to Gone Girl at all. To me, it reads like a book-version of an over-the-top Lifetime movie. It revolves around an issue that shouldn't be taken lightly, but Grace's first-person narrative is pretty hard to take seriously, and all the "riveting" twists are quite predictable.
Are there parts that are extremely disturbing and sad? Yes. Jack is a venomous character with no chance of redemption at all, and it was hard to swallow some of his terrible actions. However, to me this was another extremely unrealistic point; characters, especially in real life, are rarely one-dimensional and I would have liked to see some conflict within his character, or maybe a dilemma between his thoughts/feelings and actions, but there was none of that. He's the big bad villain in this story, and nothing more. Grace's determination to free herself of this marital prison and plot her revenge against her husband is the almost impossible, excruciating journey readers are taken along on.
But did these disturbing scenes really keep me at the edge of my seat? I think that's the true indication of a good thriller, but unfortunately, Behind Closed Doors didn't do it for me. The so-called "scary" storyline is painfully obvious, and there is no mind-blowing twist like Gone Girl had. Grace's situation is more frustrating than suspenseful. As a reader, I felt bad for her and wanted to help her out of such a helpless situation, but I wasn't necessarily reveling in the psychological abuse.
While British author B.A. Paris's writing style is appropriately falsely cheery, it isn't wonderfully skilled. The book focuses on plain detail with no integral purpose (like paragraphs of what was served for dinner, what Grace is wearing, how long commute takes, etc.), and while the structural choice of jumbling up the past and present chapters is interesting, it can get quite confusing and seemed unnecessary.
Content-wise, Behind Closed Doors is definitely an anxiety attack kind of story: it's more the threat of death and violence that's scary about Jack's abuse, rather than the actual blood and gore itself. It doesn't really fit in the horror genre, so if you're the squeamish type, you'll be able to get through this one. But if you're easily disturbed by exaggerated threats and targeted psychological abuse, you may want to stay away.
Pros: Fast-paced, not difficult to read // Interesting timeline shifts that aren't too confusing // Original, convoluted storyline; props to B.A. Paris for creating the ultimate evil character
Cons: Writing style and narration is elementary, at best.. nothing special // Grace is an irritating character, although I do sympathize with her // There are multiple twists and turns throughout, but most of it, while pretty horrific, is barely shocking // Overall plot is too obvious; you don't have to do much guesswork based off the vague synopsis // All of the characters are flat and underdeveloped; none of them seem realistic or complex (including the main characters, Grace and Jack) // Doesn't really compare to Gone Girl, despite the rave reviews
Verdict: Behind Closed Doors is a lofty attempt at an intense psychological thriller, but reads more like a Lifetime drama about extreme emotional abuse than anything else. Part of my critique stems from the hype surrounding this novel; it isn't at all a bland read, but it's hardly "2016's answer to Gone Girl" (Women's Health), which is exactly what I was anticipating. If it had been marketed as a domestic showpiece rather than a psychological thriller that supposedly trumps Gone Girl (to reiterate: it doesn't), I may have enjoyed it more.
Rating: 6 out of 10 hearts (3 stars): Decent for a first read, but I'm not going back; this book is decidedly average (whatever that means!).
Source: Complimentary copy provided by publicist in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Wunderkind PR!).
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LibraryThing member TooBusyReading
You know from the beginning sentences that something is very wrong in the Angel household, and you suspect what that problem might be, but you are not really sure.
The problem is a lot worse than you imagined.
This is an engaging thriller. Some of the characters are quite interesting – Esther shows
Although I liked this story, it moved slowly in places. Too much of the same crisis with a bit different detail. The story is told in chapters of “past” and “Present.” It takes too long to get to the heart of the story, and it's a bit one-note.
And there is animal torture. Not a lot, and not overly gruesome, but still, I hate to read about animal abuse. Reading about human torture I can tolerate – animal torture, no.
Despite a couple of shortcomings, this is an entertaining and suspenseful novel.
I was given an Early Readers Edition of this book for review.
The problem is a lot worse than you imagined.
This is an engaging thriller. Some of the characters are quite interesting – Esther shows
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herself in the first few pages to be cold and judgmental and superior. Millie, who is protagonist Grace's little sister, has Down (not Down's) syndrome, and is likable. And it is Millie who keeps Grace going on, against all hope. Because their parents, who can't wait to get away to New Zealand, really don't want to be bothered.Although I liked this story, it moved slowly in places. Too much of the same crisis with a bit different detail. The story is told in chapters of “past” and “Present.” It takes too long to get to the heart of the story, and it's a bit one-note.
And there is animal torture. Not a lot, and not overly gruesome, but still, I hate to read about animal abuse. Reading about human torture I can tolerate – animal torture, no.
Despite a couple of shortcomings, this is an entertaining and suspenseful novel.
I was given an Early Readers Edition of this book for review.
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LibraryThing member nicx27
Well, this was the very definition of a page turner for me. The story is told by Grace Angel, perfect wife married to perfect lawyer husband, Jack. Living in a perfect house with a perfect life, or so it seems to their friends. We soon come to realise that things are very far from what they seem.
I
Great psychological thriller, I loved it.
I
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read this book in a day and a half and I struggled to put it down. It's not great literature and there are parts that didn't quite seem to ring true, but despite that it completely grabbed me. It's full of malice all the way through and it was chilling enough to give me disturbing dreams and keep me from sleep.Great psychological thriller, I loved it.
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LibraryThing member Cherylk
Finally a book that actually does live up to the hype. What I mean by this is the mention to this being the next Gone Girl or other books like this. I have recently read some books that made comparisons to books like this and other best sellers and they turned out to be downers for me. In fact,
Everything from the storyline with the alternating past to present, Grace and Jack's Jekyll and Hyde relationship, Grace's sister, Millie, and the suspenseful moments leading up to the ending. I can't wait to see the movie. It can't come out fast enough. Although, I am hoping it will be every bit as great as this book. At first I thought Grace was just the "perfect" wife but she was a fighter. I loved Millie and agree with her when it came to "Jorj Koony". He is an evil, evil man. Anyone who is looking for the next great book to read has to pick up a copy of this book. You will be doing yourself a favor.
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some of the books I could not finish. Yet, I had no problems with this book what so ever.Everything from the storyline with the alternating past to present, Grace and Jack's Jekyll and Hyde relationship, Grace's sister, Millie, and the suspenseful moments leading up to the ending. I can't wait to see the movie. It can't come out fast enough. Although, I am hoping it will be every bit as great as this book. At first I thought Grace was just the "perfect" wife but she was a fighter. I loved Millie and agree with her when it came to "Jorj Koony". He is an evil, evil man. Anyone who is looking for the next great book to read has to pick up a copy of this book. You will be doing yourself a favor.
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LibraryThing member tsutton
This is the first book being compared to Gone Girl that has lived up to the hype – not because they were anything alike in terms of writing style, plot, or book construction, but because it was the first book since Gone Girl that I couldn't put down. I sat down one evening and read the first
This debut novel presents the perfect couple, Jack and Grace. They met one day in the park when Grace's younger sister Millie was dancing by herself and Jack stepped in to be her partner. After a whirlwind romance they were married and rushed off to an exotic honeymoon in Thailand. Upon their return Grace loses touch with her friends and quits her job, seemingly content to stay at home in the beautiful mansion that Jack bought for them and decorate, garden, and enjoy her new wonderful life. Soon, their friends notice that Grace and Jack are inseparable and Grace is less available for lunch dates alone.
Do you see where this is going? Don't worry if you don't because Paris shows you before long. By the time that happens you won't care, though, because you'll want to know how the situation is going to resolve itself. The story flips back and forth between two timelines, the first following Grace as she meets Jack, falls in love, and accepts his proposal, and the second as she details what her life is like in the present. This moved the story ahead in a way that highlighted the frantic rush Grace was in. I genuinely enjoyed the scenes with Millie, too. Her portrayal as a person with Down's Syndrome but still smart as a whip, fun, and present in her sister's life.
The book was not without flaws. Without giving too much away, it did require a slightly higher-than-normal suspension of disbelief because one of the characters was SO extreme. The circumstances were so perfectly plotted that it seems impossible for anyone to be as well-coordinated as would be necessary to pull off their plans. There are a lot of trigger warnings in this book – nothing graphic but a lot of allusions to things – and they're scattered liberally throughout the book (not problematic but something to keep in mind before deciding to read it).
I recommend it but don't pick it up when you have places to be or things to do. You won't be able to put it down.
(Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
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half, only stopping because it was time for bed, and then I waited grumpily all day until I could sit down again and finish it. It was incredibly fast paced and, as fast a reader as I am, I was still irritated that I couldn't read it faster. That earns it the comparison, in my opinion. This debut novel presents the perfect couple, Jack and Grace. They met one day in the park when Grace's younger sister Millie was dancing by herself and Jack stepped in to be her partner. After a whirlwind romance they were married and rushed off to an exotic honeymoon in Thailand. Upon their return Grace loses touch with her friends and quits her job, seemingly content to stay at home in the beautiful mansion that Jack bought for them and decorate, garden, and enjoy her new wonderful life. Soon, their friends notice that Grace and Jack are inseparable and Grace is less available for lunch dates alone.
Do you see where this is going? Don't worry if you don't because Paris shows you before long. By the time that happens you won't care, though, because you'll want to know how the situation is going to resolve itself. The story flips back and forth between two timelines, the first following Grace as she meets Jack, falls in love, and accepts his proposal, and the second as she details what her life is like in the present. This moved the story ahead in a way that highlighted the frantic rush Grace was in. I genuinely enjoyed the scenes with Millie, too. Her portrayal as a person with Down's Syndrome but still smart as a whip, fun, and present in her sister's life.
The book was not without flaws. Without giving too much away, it did require a slightly higher-than-normal suspension of disbelief because one of the characters was SO extreme. The circumstances were so perfectly plotted that it seems impossible for anyone to be as well-coordinated as would be necessary to pull off their plans. There are a lot of trigger warnings in this book – nothing graphic but a lot of allusions to things – and they're scattered liberally throughout the book (not problematic but something to keep in mind before deciding to read it).
I recommend it but don't pick it up when you have places to be or things to do. You won't be able to put it down.
(Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
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LibraryThing member bhowell
compulsively readable, good tight plot, a first novel for this English writer
LibraryThing member bookmuse56
This disturbing, scary and satisfying horror storyline immediately grabbed me and held me to the very end. The story unfolds in alternating chapters – the present and the past though the time between two periods are not that far apart but it certainly helped to keep the suspense and my anxiety
I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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high. The narrator is Grace Angel and while we are told in the first chapter that Grace the beautiful gracious wife of the brilliant lawyer Jack who specializes in domestic violence cases is assumed to have the perfect life we feel Grace’s uneasiness and wonder what is amiss in this premise. The past chapters provide the background information answering our questions from the present chapters how did Grace get herself into an unsettling situation, and how the “pawn” in her sadistic psychopath’s husband’s wily plans makes for a ticking time bomb. The terror felt by Grace is very palpable and so disturbing at times I wanted to turn away from the pages. Yet, the deft writing, fast-paced action, and dignity and grace handling of a character with Down Syndrome make this psychological thriller hard to put down. I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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Awards
LibraryReads (Monthly Pick — August 2016)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2016
Physical description
352 p.; 5.48 inches
ISBN
1250132363 / 9781250132369