Behind Closed Doors

by B. A. Paris

[Leah]

Behind Closed Doors is one of those books you read, hardly believing what it is you’re actually reading. It makes you question everything. First off, it made me question why Grace was so willing to jump into the relationship – and then marriage – with Jack so quickly, without being even the tiniest bit suspicious? I was pretty much screaming at her in my head, wondering what she was doing, why she was so eager to jump into something so quickly, with someone she barely knew. But, that was her decision, and to give her some credit, Jack seemed like the perfect man. But I also stress DO NOT DO THIS. In this world of the Internet, make sure you thoroughly look into someone you’re thinking of marrying, don’t just jump in like it’s no big deal! IT’S A BIG DEAL.

Saying that, mind, considering how charming Jack was and the fact that Grace had Millie to consider I can see why she jumped so quickly. What baffled me the most is how it all changed so quickly. Like the blink of an eye. The synopsis itself tells you Grace ends up a prisoner in her own home, but the manner in which it all comes around, and the way those scenes made me feel will stick with me for a while yet. It was almost like Jack was an entirely different person and for his performances he deserved an Oscar. The scariest part, for me, was how absolutely thorough Jack was. Where Grace saw opportunities, Jack had already covered his back and it’s SO easy to see why no one suspects anything! It was the perfect freaking facade.

This book moves at a breakneck pace. Everyone read this book last year and I am very, very late to the party, mostly because I am allergic to reading books people hype up massively, in case I get disappointed. So I waited and I saw both of B.A. Paris’ books at the library and took the plunge on a whim and I am glad I did. It’s one of the most unique thrillers I’ve ever read, and Grace is a far better person than I am because I would have jumped off the balcony in Thailand. Everything about this book. The scope. The tiny little details. It’s scary, but it was so addictive, so hard to put down.

Grace’s frustrations, her inability to outwit Jack, all made me angry and worried and bothered and tense. I felt constantly threatened, even though I was happily (mostly) sitting on my sofa reading, but the sense of impending doom was always there. B.A. Paris has written such an incredible book. In fact, I would go so far as to say I would have loved to have had Jack’s point of view. I am fascinated by what it is that makes people like Jack do what they do, and I felt like there was untapped potential there. I don’t know if B.A. Paris would ever write that, but I would certainly read it.

And before I finish up, can we talk about that ending? Thrillers are notorious for bad endings, endings that just peter out like the author couldn’t be bothered to finish the book, but this one worked. Do I wonder what would happen in the future? Yes. But I was also immensely satisfied with how it all went down. The scariest bit about Behind Closed Doors is how the book changed Jack AND Grace. I would so read a sequel about what happened afterwards. But if that is that, that is also fine for me. Behind Closed Doors was an exceptional thriller. The writing, the pace, the sense of fear I had every time Jack was in a scene, the addition of Grace’s sister Millie who I’ve not really spoken about, but who I loved down to her bones, for being this wonderful girl, Downs isn’t something I know much about, and I feel like I learned a bit more by reading about Millie. But Grace. I admire everything about Grace, the way she was there for her sister no matter what, everything she did in this book, her strength. What a read. What a fantastic read. If you haven’t read this book you MUST.