Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris

Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris – 304 pages

ARC from St. Martin’s Press

Book Blurb:

Everyone knows a couple like Jack and Grace: he has looks and wealth, she has charm and elegance. You’d like to get to know Grace better. But it’s difficult, because you realize Jack and Grace are never apart. Some might call this true love. Picture this: a dinner party at their perfect home, the conversation and wine flowing. They appear to be in their element while entertaining. And Grace’s friends are eager to reciprocate with lunch the following week. Grace wants to go, but knows she never will. Her friends call—so why doesn’t Grace ever answer the phone? And how can she cook such elaborate meals but remain so slim? And why are there bars on one of the bedroom windows? The perfect marriage? Or the perfect lie?

My Review: 3.5 stars

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Behind Closed Doors is a thriller that offers a frightening look into who people really are and not what they seem to be. I finished this book the night before heading out of town. During a long wait in the airport security line, a man and woman started talking (balking) to those of us around them. They felt that because they have 2 sons in the military, they shouldn’t have to go through security. What? Of course my big mouth and me couldn’t keep quiet. I politely thanked them both for their sons’ service to our country and nicely informed them that anybody can come from crazy. This book is a perfect example of that.

An extremely high level attorney that seems to have it all: handsome, smart, charming and kind, is anything but. People are not always what they seem and this book shakes that out in an awfully powerful approach. This book was suspenseful and reads incredibly quickly. It’s a very commercial thriller.

On the other hand, I had a hard time believing it was possible to happen. The details in planning some of the things happening “behind closed doors” just didn’t seem doable when you have such a high power and busy job. Much of it felt over the top unless you are good at suspending reality and just living in the story.

I enjoyed the author’s storytelling and use of the past and present as the plot unfolded. I kept asking myself why all the characters were so clueless and not getting what was happening around them. Honestly, I think that was the most realistic part. We all live in a bubble and assume the best in people. We’ve become experts on justifying behaviors that seem off, when often we should listen to our gut.

If you like quickly paced thrillers, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one.