ARC Review - The Breakdown by B. A. Paris

Published Date - July 19, 2017

Book Summary (Amazon)

Named One of the Most Anticipated Thriller Novels Of 2017 by Bustle!

If you can’t trust yourself, who can you trust?

Cass is having a hard time since the night she saw the car in the woods. It was on the winding rural road, in the middle of a downpour, and a woman was sitting inside—the woman who was killed. She’s been trying to put the crime out of her mind; what could she have done, really? It’s a dangerous road to be on in the middle of a storm, and she probably would have been hurt herself if she’d stopped. Not only that, her husband would be furious if he knew she’d broken her promise not to take that shortcut home.

But since then, she’s been forgetting every little thing. Where she left the car; if she took her pills; even the alarm code.

The only thing she can’t forget is that woman, the woman she might have saved, and the terrible nagging guilt.

And the silent calls she’s receiving, or the feeling that someone’s watching her…

You won't be able to put down B. A. Paris's The Breakdown, the next chilling, propulsive novel from the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Behind Closed Doors.

My Review - 4 1/2

I am so pleased to say B. A. Paris has another knockout and shocking psychological thriller.  Behind Closed Doors was on my top 10 list last year and I have no doubt this one will make it also.

I enjoy reading a novel, especially a thriller with an unreliable character so my expectations are higher when authors try this style.  We meet Cass and quickly learn that her mom had Dementia but she hasn't told her husband the history, so when she starts forgetting small things, she starts to worry and doesn't know how to tell him.

Reaching out, I run a finger down his cheek, thinking how much I love him.  I hate that he's seen a side of me that even I didn't know existed, I hate that he must be wondering what on earth he got himself into by marrying me.  Kindle 43%

The story starts out with a bad decision. She decides to take a faster route home in a storm, sees a car and stops to help a lady but the lady doesn't get out and she doesn't want to get out because of the storm, it is late and scary, so she drives off.  The next morning she learns the lady was murdered but not only that, she knows her. The forgetting, guilt and now paranoia starts an incredible downward spiral of Cass breakdown.  It doesn't help that she has started receiving calls and no one is on the other side.  Is this really happening or part of her paranoia and early onset dementia?

How could I have forgotten that Rachel was coming to stay tonight when we'd only arranged it on Monday?  ....... Jane's murder and the guilt I feel have distracted me, yes, but to forget about Rachel coming to stay? Kindle 24%

Cass is on summer vacation, as she is a teacher but unfortunately this is the summer she has a breakdown.  Cass doesn't tell her husband, best friend Rachel or anyone else what is really going on. I start to question her and even not like her because little lies just become so overwhelming and unjustified.  I found the small incidents that were slowly becoming a catastrophe exciting and then just as I became bored with them at 60% it all started coming together.  The little thoughts you have on what is going on start to make sense and you try putting it together and race to the end, WOW, I was completed fulfilled with the ending.  One seating from 60% to the end, I couldn't put it down and stayed up late into the night.  You will not be able to guess who did it in this thriller, so well done.  I was only half right, 2 parts specifically but it was all unexpected even though hints were definitely there.

I continued to have a thought, which I won't say as I think it will be a spoiler and hint to figuring out the motive.

I get excited to find new authors and the 2nd book is just as good, the same intensity, we are in for a great ride with B. A. Paris. Thank you NetGalley, I loved this one.  I also like that the main characters  in both novels, are female and are viewed as vulnerable and weak but shocking they are nothing as portrayed and strong females that should be respected, I really appreciated and enjoyed this.


beyond the book.........

So, where the hell have you been Marce.....   I have started a new job, almost 3 months in and talk about busy.  I have no time for blogging, emails, whatsapp, messaging etc.  And nights I have my family and yoga business.  Also, my 10 year old has taken over my laptop, lol.  I think about you often and really miss what books I should be adding to my list, oh how I miss this part of blogging.  The other thing is Small Great Things really did leave the worst book hangover on me and this is the first book that said, review and share NOW.  I have to figure out the balance, I do think of you often.

Tell me, what has been your favourite book to read so far, I will come over to your blog and read that review and comment for sure.  I will try to get back into networking.