‘Behind Closed Doors’ is an intriguing, sharply gripping debut thriller. For a fairly short story, there’s an awful lot packed in. Jack and Grace appear to be a perfect couple however on meeting them, little disturbing jolts of information flicker emerge, all is not as it first seems. I initially found myself frustrated with Grace, however as the layers built and the story evolved, my irritation melted away. B.A. Paris starts each chapter as either ‘past’ or ‘present’, and they run in a disconcerting way, keeping you on a serrated edge of understanding, as the two pictures gradually fuse into one. I recommend turning away any small moments of disbelief, just allow yourself to be captivated by the story, because ‘Behind Closed Doors’ transforms into a cracking and fiercely intense story.
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.
B. A. Paris is from a Franco/Irish background. She was brought up in England and moved to France where she spent some years working as a trader in an international bank before re-training as a teacher and setting up a language school with her husband. They still live in France and have five daughters.
She is the author of the bestselling psychological thriller Behind Closed Doors.
