jackierobinson's review against another edition
3.0
The one thing I really enjoyed about this book was that I was so sure I'd figured everything out, but I hadn't! So many red herrings and good little twists.
I also found it to be fast-paced and easy to read.
What I didn't enjoy was how early it seemed that the true nature of the book was revealed.
I also loathed Cass. That's terrible to say, but I found her to be one of the most annoying protagonists that I've ever read.
Three stars for her whiny and annoying self.
I also found it to be fast-paced and easy to read.
What I didn't enjoy was how early it seemed that the true nature of the book was revealed.
I also loathed Cass. That's terrible to say, but I found her to be one of the most annoying protagonists that I've ever read.
Three stars for her whiny and annoying self.
yoteach87's review against another edition
3.0
Last year I had the privilege of reading Paris' debut novel, Behind Closed Doors. The novel, while containing no long term twist, was incredibly tense and well written. The flow was suspenseful, the villain repulsive. Behind Closed Doors was my top choice for book of 2016. Naturally, reading the author's second work was par for the course. However, Paris' The Breakdown suffers from a sophomore slump that fails to echo what made her debut so special. The pacing is slow, the suspense waffles between apparent and inconspicuous. The pay off is a nice change of pace, but it comes too late in the story.
406knits's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
atirandomness's review against another edition
3.0
Against my better judgment I decided to try this one out (I thought [b:Behind Closed Doors|29437949|Behind Closed Doors|B.A. Paris|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1458854462s/29437949.jpg|45981530] was dumb. Since the book was such a hit I don't feel as much guilt when I say that). My sister, who shared my lament, read this book at the same time as me. Where I gave up a bit into the story, she continued to read. Mind you, I'd already figured out the "mystery" when I stopped reading (I'm not sure if that says more about my twisted mind or the book) After she finished she told me in not so many words that it was not worth finishing so I skipped to the end and read the last hour or so to see the ending I predicted.
Ultimately all the characters sucked but the main character (Cass) was the absolute worst. And it's really hard to read a book when you're extremely annoyed by the main character. While driving home on a rainy night Cass see's a lady in her car in the middle of the road. The lady doesn't ask for help when Cass stops for her so, like any other human with a brain, she leaves. The next day the lady is found dead and Cass spends the remainder of the book whining and being scared about nothing. She's afraid to go to the authorities and tell them what she saw because she afraid they will think she's a bad person for not stopping in the rain in the dark.. alone. Because holding up a murder investigation is what good people do apparently. (excuse me while retrieve my eyeballs that just rolled so hard they fell out). Then she involves the dead lady's husband and seriously, why am I even reading this? (this is about the point in the story where I gave up)
2.5 stars but I'm rounding to 3 because one could say I didn't give it a fair shot being that I skipped a large chunk of the book. Buuuuut I wouldn't have skipped said chunk if the story was better than 2.5 stars and I damn sure would not have predicted the ending which such ease. So yeah, I just don't think me and this author will ever work out. (It's not you, it's me)
Ultimately all the characters sucked but the main character (Cass) was the absolute worst. And it's really hard to read a book when you're extremely annoyed by the main character. While driving home on a rainy night Cass see's a lady in her car in the middle of the road. The lady doesn't ask for help when Cass stops for her so, like any other human with a brain, she leaves. The next day the lady is found dead and Cass spends the remainder of the book whining and being scared about nothing. She's afraid to go to the authorities and tell them what she saw because she afraid they will think she's a bad person for not stopping in the rain in the dark.. alone. Because holding up a murder investigation is what good people do apparently. (excuse me while retrieve my eyeballs that just rolled so hard they fell out). Then she involves the dead lady's husband and seriously, why am I even reading this? (this is about the point in the story where I gave up)
2.5 stars but I'm rounding to 3 because one could say I didn't give it a fair shot being that I skipped a large chunk of the book. Buuuuut I wouldn't have skipped said chunk if the story was better than 2.5 stars and I damn sure would not have predicted the ending which such ease. So yeah, I just don't think me and this author will ever work out. (It's not you, it's me)
kthomas4415's review against another edition
4.0
This plot twist though! I actually really enjoyed this book once things got in motion. I was beginning to question towards the middle why scenes kept almost replaying just with little adjustments, but the ending makes it all clear. Loved it!
panda27's review against another edition
5.0
10 stars!!! Wow. I felt like I was losing my mind reading this book. I was so close with my suspicions though!! Can not wait for more by B.A. Paris!!!
afwyt's review against another edition
3.0
**3.5**
This was a quick and easy read and it kept me hooked from the beginning. I'd recommend, although it wasn't the most clever story. I still enjoyed it, and look forward to reading more B.A. Paris.
This was a quick and easy read and it kept me hooked from the beginning. I'd recommend, although it wasn't the most clever story. I still enjoyed it, and look forward to reading more B.A. Paris.
alliepeduto's review against another edition
4.0
WHAT??? DAMN!!! Wow, I literally could not stop reading, I read the last 100 pages in under an hour because I just had to know what happened. I'm still in shock, even though I had a strong inkling to what was going on. I LOVED Behind Closed Doors, so it's hard for me to say I liked this one better, but it's a close call. The only thing I would dock points for is that the middle dragged ever so slightly, but the ending made it so, so worth it.