Behind Closed Doors

The Blurb

The perfect marriage? Or the perfect lie? Everyone knows a couple like Jack and Grace. He has looks and wealth, she has charm and elegance. You might not want to like them, but you do. You'd like to get to know Grace better. But it's difficult, because you realise Jack and Grace are never apart. Some might call this true love. Others might ask why Grace never answers the phone. Or how she can never meet for coffee, even though she doesn't work. How she can cook such elaborate meals but remain so slim. And why there are bars on one of the bedroom windows. Sometimes, the perfect marriage is the perfect lie.

I was drinking...

I finished devouring the novel on Valentine's Day, so it had to be champagne with some chocolates on the side. Cheers BA Paris!

In my opinion...

This wasn't exactly an ideal Valentine's Day read- or maybe it was...

I had read numerous good reviews for this novel and couldn't wait to begin reading; once I had started it I couldn't put it down. In fact it was quite irritating when someone very kindly invited me to join my husband for a coffee ,when all I wanted to do was sit in the car & continue reading whilst he gave them a quote for some work!

This is written in a deceptively simple way but the characters are totally credible and the tensions build up right to the end , when I discovered I was holding my breath, terrified by the twists and turns. Indeed it is not an easy read, particularly if you have ever known someone in a similar situation- but the descriptions are not gratuitously horrific , which is part of the skill shown in this novel, and makes it so real.

In her acknowledgements at the end of the book, Mrs Paris (her real name?I don't think so!- but I love it!) thanks her husband 'for giving me the space to write'. We also should thank him for supporting her in writing this novel. From a personal point of view, I understand just how much that means.

My rating....