"Behind Closed Doors"

“Behind Closed Doors”

Written by B.A. Paris

Review written by Diana Iozzia 

Spoiler Free

“Behind Closed Doors” is a psychological thriller, but I often struggle to read through B.A. Paris’s books. I find her books to be very soap-opera like, similar to Lifetime Movies. The husband is often the villain, which is quite predictable as you read along. Her books also have very typical plot solves as well, as if by magic, the protagonist survives and only slightly is in the wrong.

In this story, we meet Grace and Adam, “the perfect couple”. Of course, nothing is perfect about their relationship. Adam is abusing Grace, by locking her in a secret bedroom and basement, threatening to hurt or kill Grace’s sister, and mentally manipulating everyone they know.

Grace is not a likeable character, because people who have not been in abusive relationships do not understand. We do not understand why she just won’t go to the police and ask for help. Yes, Adam is scary, but she has ample time to escape and save herself, every time they are out in public. Yes, he follows her to the bathroom, but all Grace would have to do is tell her already suspicious friend that Adam is hurting her. Adam could not think of an excuse that quickly and convince suspicious Esther.

Adam is not a unique abusive husband. He ticks every box. He hurts in most ways. His main goal is to insight fear.

I will not explain the ending: but it culminates in a typical ending of a B.A. Paris novel. The endings are not usually plot twists. However, they are just surprising. I personally did not feel satisfied with the ending. I think the book is well-written in style and description. The dialogue feels natural. I just had far higher expectations. I do not know if this is due to my having read Paris’s later two books, before reading this, her debut. I was disappointed.