Nicci French's latest novel merges thriller, mystery, and suspense into one. The Other Side of the Door is set in Franch, and it isn't afraid to take some risks.
Bonnie Graham's whole world has turned upside down in an instant. And it all started with a pool of blood – and a murder. She stands on the threshold. On one side is the life she used to know. On the other, a life full of mystery that she must unravel.
The threshold is also more literal, as there is a dead body inside the doorway of her boyfriend's apartment. How did she get here? How did the person die? What did she have to do with all of it? These questions run through her head as she tries to figure out her next move.
Perhaps my description is a little bit misleading, as Bonnie's story actually does begin before the murder takes place. It actually all starts when she agrees to be at her friend's wedding—cue all of the drama and the actual beginning of The Other Side of the Door.
Before I really dive into this review, can I just say that I adore the title of this novel? It's so clever and distinct, eliciting strong imagery. It's perfect for a thriller and is more than half the reason I wanted to pick this book up.
Ultimately, I do feel like The Other Side of the Door was a bit of a letdown. It was odd and jumbled in places, and Bonnie's story is not quite the compelling tale that I had hoped it would be. Normally I don't mind it when perspectives shift, but I don't feel like it added much to this story.
Honestly, there are some good parts to this novel, so it is not like it is bad or anything like that. It would be more accurate to say that it is a perfectly run-of-the-mill thriller—fun to read but quick to forget about.
Thanks to Minotaur Books and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
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Reading updates
- Started reading
- 28 June, 2021: Finished reading
- 28 June, 2021: Reviewed