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Behind Closed Doors

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'Behind Closed Doors' by B.A. Paris is a psychological thriller that delves into the dark and twisted world of a seemingly perfect marriage between Jack and Grace. The story follows Grace as she realizes that her charming husband is actually a psychopath who controls her every move, trapping her in a nightmare of abuse and manipulation. Through alternating chapters of past and present, the plot unfolds to reveal the horrifying truth behind closed doors, keeping readers on edge with shocking twists and a suspenseful narrative.

Characters:

The characters, particularly Grace and Jack, are crafted to evoke strong emotional responses, showcasing a complex dynamic between victim and abuser.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is engaging but has been critiqued for lacking depth, featuring alternating timelines to enhance suspense.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around the hidden horrors of a seemingly perfect marriage, highlighting the dark side of manipulation and control.

Setting:

The setting emphasizes the contrast between outward perception and hidden nightmares within a domestic space.

Pacing:

The pacing is fast and engaging, making it difficult to put the book down.
Taking my hand, he leads me to where our guests are waiting. As we go through the hall, I see the flowering lily Diane and Adam brought us for our garden. It’s such a beautiful pink that I hope Jack w...

Notes:

The book contrasts a seemingly perfect couple, Jack and Grace Angel, with their dark reality behind closed doors.
Grace's sister, Millie, has Down syndrome and plays a significant role in the plot.
Jack, the husband, is a successful lawyer specializing in defending battered women, which adds an ironic twist to the story.
The narrative alternates between past and present, providing insights into their romance and the eventual unraveling of their relationship.
The story explores themes of manipulation, control, and the nature of evil within domestic relationships.
Readers generally regard Jack as one of the most despised antagonists in literature due to his manipulative and cruel behavior.
The writing style evokes strong emotions, pushing readers to empathize with Grace while hating Jack.
Many readers were shocked by the realistic portrayal of psychological abuse and its impact on victims.
The novel creates intense suspense and keeps readers guessing about the characters' fates until the very end.
The book has been praised for its gripping and engaging storytelling, leading many to finish it in one sitting.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Readers should be aware of high content warnings for themes including emotional and psychological abuse, manipulation, gaslighting, and animal cruelty.

From The Publisher:

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 Closed Doors.

Ratings (164)

Incredible (29)
Loved It (49)
Liked It (42)
It Was OK (21)
Did Not Like (19)
Hated It (4)

Reader Stats (311):

Read It (168)
Currently Reading (2)
Want To Read (106)
Did Not Finish (9)
Not Interested (26)

5 comment(s)

Liked It
1 week

This book was really engaging and i felt rage throughout most of it, but i found the last part of the book to be a little rushed and even the first section wasn’t really that believable but once the story kicked off I was so stressed and worried that I kept reading and really needed to see how Grace would escape!!! Still a good storyline just wasn’t a fan of how rushed it was at the end.

 
It Was OK
1 month

It was fine, except the animal cruelty.

 
Incredible
1 month

This book was fantastic! I read it in a single day and have been thinking about it ever since I finished. Awesome summer read, very suspenseful, interesting premise. It did lag in a couple of places but not so much that I stopped reading.

 
It Was OK
3 months

The plot and characters in this were too ridiculous to be believed.

 
Loved It
5 months

I was physically ill when I got to the dog part

 

About the Author:

B. A. PARIS is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of Behind Closed Doors, The Breakdown, Bring Me Back, The Dilemma, and The Therapist. Having lived in France for many years, she and her husband now live in the UK. She has worked both in finance and as a teacher, and she has five daughters. Behind Closed Doors was her first novel.

 
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