Behind Closed Doors

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I sometimes wonder how children under 5 survive brutal beatings and turn to a life that is everything they wished for when they were young. Jenny Tomlin certainly survived her Dad's viscous abuse and turned her life into the Life she knew she deserved. And when will she get any time to herself and an opportunity to even do anything remotely like changing her life situation.

it's the literary parallel of the lifetime movie. in which assessment there is no pejorative value judgment implied - it is a marriage thriller, after all. The story was narrated in the first person by Lucy. She also reveals events in her marriage and earlier life which blended in seamlessly with the story, allowing you to build a full picture of why she is the woman she is now. I particularly liked how after twenty eight years of married life and two successful grown up children she managed to return to the person she was before and I was with her every emotional step as she shed her skin from the last few years. It was only after turning 50 that B.A. Paris began writing, when one of her daughters suggested she enter a writing competition advertised in a magazine. While she didn't win, this led her to write her first novels, including her internationally bestselling debut Behind Closed Doors. She is published by HarperCollins Publishers in the UK and St Martin's Press in the US. From the outside looking in Lucy has it all, a beautiful house and garden, a loving husband and two healthy grown up children that appear to be flourishing in their lives, but when there's a break in at Lucy's House and Michael, Her husband is caught in the cross fire and their marriage is about to come to an unexpected end. I have been wanting to read Behind Closed Doors for quite some time. When it was available on NetGalley I requested it right away but unfortunately was denied. I think that just made me want it more!Through reflection we experience her history with Michael and why she was attracted to him. We witness a scene that makes it clear what’s been happening and throughout the story snippets are shared. It’s not until near the end when Luce is talking to Ingrid do we find out the true extent. I was crying. Not only because of what was being shared but also the unexpected unity. It’s such a powerful scene.

When her marriage ends it gives her the opportunity to stop acting a part and be who she really is but there are consequences that overshadow her moving on. I hadn’t thought of those consequences as I was focused on celebrating her freedom and wondering what would happen when she moved to her parents. When I realised what those consequences could mean, I had so much hope that Catherine Alliott would craft an ending to do Luce’s strength justice. But of course things aren't always what they seem. As the title suggests, we do not know what goes on behind closed doors. Is Grace Angel an example of a woman who has it all? A perfect house, a perfect husband, the perfect life? As the truth of their marriage begins to unravel, Lucy leaves their house to go and care for her parents in the countryside, giving her time to reflect on her life and the decisions she's made. Whew! This was certainly one creepy and screwed up story. I expected it to be really messed up, but not in quite the way that it was. A pervasive sense of uneasiness stayed with me the entire time that I was reading this book. Creepy...Very creepy. And let me just say that little Millie, she's brilliant, absolutely brilliant. Millie has it figured out and now all Grace has to do is find a way to execute the plan. But in Grace's world there is nothing easy to execute. Prisoners in a jail have it easier than Grace!and that would be a terribly boring book without some conflict lurking underneath. the synopsis up there pretty much tells you all you need to know about what's really going on, but i'll repost it here in spoiler tags just in case: this is nothing like Gone Girl. it's nothing like The Girl on the Train. i'm not even sure this can be classified as psychological suspense, really. this is a straight-up thriller. and there ain't a thing in the world wrong with that, except when people like women's health start getting a little loosey goosey with their suggestions and ruining the reputation of readers' advisory for everybody. maybe ive been reading some pretty farfetched mysteries/thrillers lately, but this felt pretty realistic and plausible, which is probably why i enjoyed it so much. i think psychological thrillers that make you think ‘holy crap… this could happen to me.’ are the best kind of thrillers. and although i have a non-negotiable long engagement rule, this did make me a little paranoid. Life is very different on the other side of the door, where Michael is controlling and manipulating. He knows how to mentally beat her up and crush her, while there are no scars for anyone to see. When a tragic event takes place, it gives Lucy a chance to take a new direction. But now she is hiding an even bigger secret. On the surface Lucy Palmer seems to have it all – two lovely grown-up children, a career as a crime novelist, marriage to a well-known theatre critic and a beautiful house in the city. However, appearances can be deceptive as not all abuse is visible on the outside. For years she suffered her husband Michael’s controlling behaviour – he made it impossible for her to just walk away – but now, due to unforeseen circumstances, she can take charge of her own life.

If you thrive on books that leave you feeling trapped, isolated and with no one to turn to, then this is definitely the book for you. This book was like Lucy, as it held so many secrets, stories and emotions that made me gasp. I raged and laughed at times as I touched base with parts of this story and nodded along with fully understanding. Some incredible characters hang on to memories of their pasts while making many more of them while they can. I envied Lucy for having parents while at the same time wanting to become like them in a few years. The book covers some very difficult topics and can be hard to read about. However, I feel the author did a wonderful job of telling the story in a chilling way, but without going overboard with graphic descriptions. It's hard to explain but it was still just as terrifying and kept me on the edge of my seat. Behind Closed Doors is a chilling and atmospheric psychological thriller. I have read a few books recently about marriages that are not all they same and when this theme is done well (as this book does) it's absolutely breathtaking and scary. Disturbed is what you will feel with much of this book, don't be surprised if your mouth pops open (watch out for fruit flies at that point). Holy moly what a ride!! I HAD to find out what happened, so seriously, I stayed in bed until NOON, with no thoughts of family, friends, or world chaos. Dry eye made the words blurry, but who cares? And food? Is that really necessary? My only necessity was finding out how this story turned out, to get me out of the claustrophobic terror created by a holy-shit psychopath. It was some tense!As the story progresses we see Lucy faced with further troubles from her past and this gave the story another layer that I hadn’t expected. I actually didn’t need the romance with Dan or Josh, it felt a little much for me. I was more interested in Lucy’s life as a free woman, away from the troubles of her marriage and finally enjoying her life. What a life! To be able to live this and then write about it, to share your deepest darkest secrets and come

Jenny, I hope you will get to read this. This is the first book written by you that I have read and I am looking forward to read Silent sisters. You have been an inspiration to me as a Social worker and I must say I felt like ripping that book apart out of anger and agony was when the NSPCC man would come talk to your mum and dad and never have some private time with the children and listen to their side of the story. The worst of it is when you tried to ask him if you can talk to him and he led you to where your parents were and said you got something to talk about. I could only imagine how your dad was looking at you. Personally, I also feared him through the whole read. He had such power that controlled your mum, not even being able to leave this abusive relationship. Let me not think of how she said she doesn't want a divorce after taking that bold step to go to court because I will get mad at her just like Laurence did and swore never to step foot in that house.You were a strong girl and you are a strong woman Jenny. I am so inspired. Laurence was a good brother to you and Kim, and I loved his brave character of taking all the blame and getting all the beatings just to cover you up. That is called love. How I also thought you could end up with John because he seemed like a caring man, but I am also happy you found your soulmate because you deserve the best. You have had a tough life and I am glad that your very beautiful daughter Martine brought you happiness. I would like to comment more about many things, about Carole,the late Chris, Kim, your mum and dad, but let me stop there. This book actually did have very dark themes that I wasn't expecting. Iv always kept up with Catherine Alliot and will always read her books, might she be stearing in another direction!? 🤔 if so... that's all good with me. I love her flawless writing style and her sharp tongue! Funny when it probably shouldn't be, but I liked this about it. Yet longueurs aside, this remains an entertainingly readable and well-researched glimpse into a world that fewer and fewer choose to be a part of, and perhaps rightly so. The chastened Pincher and those of his ilk should have heeded the Duke of Wellington’s advice: “Never write a letter to your mistress and never join the Carlton Club.”An author that I will always praise, I began my adult reading journey with this Author and will forever push others to read her work 🥰🥰. This book left me with a huge smile on face, but it didn’t start that way as it’s quite dark and sad in places. The plot interested me from the start, I read the book in one glued-eye sitting until the early hours and was glad that I did, this my reader friends is one of those real escapism books. Love them. Taut, terrific and terrifyingly real at times. I have no doubt these marriages do exist. Think on that.