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storystoker313's review against another edition
3.0
It was fine. As others have said, the writing is good, and I enjoy Megan Collins’s writing style. I figured out the twist entirely too early, which took some of the enjoyment out of it for me.
The main character has severe anxiety, which makes sense given her upbringing. While this undeniably human condition should have made her more easy to relate to, somehow it just made her annoying. She also seems weak and pretty dense. I would have preferred a stronger lead.
The main character has severe anxiety, which makes sense given her upbringing. While this undeniably human condition should have made her more easy to relate to, somehow it just made her annoying. She also seems weak and pretty dense. I would have preferred a stronger lead.
mmatthews1208's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sleepytimebooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.75
punkgremlin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
belinda_frisch's review against another edition
4.0
Behind the Red Door sets an immediate hook. Atmospheric, tense, and a master class in character development, the mystery surrounding Astrid Sullivan’s disappearance is as well-written as it is compelling.
Fern Douglas has returned home at the behest of her father, Ted, to help him pack for a relocation to FL in the wake of an impending separation from her mother. Fern, who grew up constantly seeking her father’s approval, leaps at the request for help. Flattered that her father, Ted, with whom she has an unconventional relationship, says he “needs” her.
Once home, a story surfaces about the re-disappearance of Astrid Sullivan, a recent memoirist who has chronicled her childhood abduction in a now bestselling book. Fern can’t help feeling like she was part of the original ordeal, if not a witness to it, and dives in to help unravel the mystery in a then and now story that unfolds neatly. Astrid appears to have been taken by the same, untraceable captor as held her before, only who was it? Where is she now? And had she been taken alone?
To say more would give away things best left discovered by the reader, but trust me when I say, you will want to know what happened. Even if some of it appears obvious, the author has a definite knack for stopping and starting chapters at the exact right points to keep the reader turning the page.
I have a bit of fatigue where unreliable narrators are concerned. Folks with repressed memories. Mysteries that hinge on the obvious. Somehow, Megan Collins has managed to use familiar tropes, but to create such unique characters that I almost (reason for four instead of five stars) didn’t notice. A father whose primary interaction with his daughter is to study her responses to fear? That’s a new one on me, and a great job was done fleshing out folks that live and breathe on the page—despite, and maybe because of, their eccentricities. A compelling story from beginning to end, Behind the Red Door is an enjoyable, recommended read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC.
Fern Douglas has returned home at the behest of her father, Ted, to help him pack for a relocation to FL in the wake of an impending separation from her mother. Fern, who grew up constantly seeking her father’s approval, leaps at the request for help. Flattered that her father, Ted, with whom she has an unconventional relationship, says he “needs” her.
Once home, a story surfaces about the re-disappearance of Astrid Sullivan, a recent memoirist who has chronicled her childhood abduction in a now bestselling book. Fern can’t help feeling like she was part of the original ordeal, if not a witness to it, and dives in to help unravel the mystery in a then and now story that unfolds neatly. Astrid appears to have been taken by the same, untraceable captor as held her before, only who was it? Where is she now? And had she been taken alone?
To say more would give away things best left discovered by the reader, but trust me when I say, you will want to know what happened. Even if some of it appears obvious, the author has a definite knack for stopping and starting chapters at the exact right points to keep the reader turning the page.
I have a bit of fatigue where unreliable narrators are concerned. Folks with repressed memories. Mysteries that hinge on the obvious. Somehow, Megan Collins has managed to use familiar tropes, but to create such unique characters that I almost (reason for four instead of five stars) didn’t notice. A father whose primary interaction with his daughter is to study her responses to fear? That’s a new one on me, and a great job was done fleshing out folks that live and breathe on the page—despite, and maybe because of, their eccentricities. A compelling story from beginning to end, Behind the Red Door is an enjoyable, recommended read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC.
thisbookishcat's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
If you have an axiety disorder this book will probably be difficult to me because oh my gosh does the author NAIL anxious thought-spirals and tendancies to the point that it triggered mine.
Throughout the whole book I had so many theories and opinions, turns out I was wrong about all of them, but I'm okay with that because it really felt like I as the reader was in line with Fern as she was going through it and getting her memories back.
That said I need to know if Ted got his because FUCK that guy and his sad excuse of being a parent .
Throughout the whole book I had so many theories and opinions, turns out I was wrong about all of them, but I'm okay with that because it really felt like I as the reader was in line with Fern as she was going through it and getting her memories back.
That said
alexgardner's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
3.25
lifeanista's review against another edition
5.0
What a wild ride! I thoroughly enjoyed reading every single page of this book. As soon as you thought you'd figure something out, an unexpected turn popped up. It was truly very thrilling. One of my favorite books I've read this year (out of nearly thirty).