21 April 2015

Today's Read: Behind Closed Doors by Elizabeth Haynes

Behind Closed Doors by Elizabeth HaynesSuppose you were in charge of finding a teenage girl who went missing during a family vacation in Rhodes but failed to recover the girl or her body. Then, by chance, ten years later, you find her back in the UK and working in a brothel under an assumed name. Contrary to your expectations, neither the now young woman nor her family seem eager to see each other. DCI Louisa Smith isn't sure what to make of it. The book opens with the girl's story:

To begin with, nothing was certain except her own terror.

Darkness, and stifling heat, so hot that breathing felt like effort, sweat pouring off her so her skin itself became liquid and she thought she would simply melt into a hot puddle of nothing. She tried crying out, screaming, but she could barely hear her own voice above the roar of the engine, the sound of the wheels moving at speed on tarmac. All that did was give her a sore throat. Nobody could hear her.
Behind Closed Doors by Elizabeth Haynes (HarperCollins / Harper, 2015, opening paragraph)

Quick Facts
  • Setting: UK (outside of London); Greece; Amsterdam
  • Circumstances: DCI Lou Smith is investigating a murder, an assault, and the abduction / discovery of Scarlett Rainsford. Because Scarlett is reluctant to tell her story to the police, Lou asks DS Sam Hollands (a specialist) to talk with the young woman. Meanwhile the DCI turns her attention to the other cases. As the investigations progress, Lou begins to think the three violent crimes may be related, but before Scarlett can reveal her secrets, she once again goes missing.
  • Characters: DCI Lousia Smith, DS Sam Hollands, and others in the police department; Scarlett Rainsford, her sister, and her parents; various victims and bad guys
  • Genre: mystery, thriller, police procedural
  • Topics & themes: family, human trafficking, relationships, women's issues, survival
  • What reviewers have said: Most reviewers comment on the taut, tense story, on the realistic (sometimes uncomfortably so) plot, and on the believable characters
  • Extras: The story is told from the alternating points of view of the three women (Lou, Sam, Scarlett). The author has experience as a civilian police analyst who worked with criminal behavior data; she wrote about the inspiration for this novel on her website. This is the second installment in a series featuring Lou Smith

26 comments:

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea 4/21/15, 6:36 AM  

Love the intro, I'd definitely read more.

Suzie Quint 4/21/15, 7:14 AM  

IDK, this sounds like it might be rather bleak. I'd have to be in the right mood I think.

Cleopatra Loves Books 4/21/15, 7:22 AM  

I really want to read this one, I loved the first in the series, Under a Silent Moon and the intro has me reaching for the one click button ;-) Thanks for visiting my Tuesday post https://cleopatralovesbooks.wordpress.com/2015/04/21/first-chapter-first-paragraph-april-21/

bermudaonion 4/21/15, 8:44 AM  

I wouldn't know what to think of that situation either!

Laurel-Rain Snow 4/21/15, 9:37 AM  

I have enjoyed two other novels by this author, so I am eager to read this one. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

Catherine @ Book Club Librarian 4/21/15, 10:07 AM  

The plot has me very curious...

My Tuesday post: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2015/04/first-chapter-first-paragraph-103.html

rhapsodyinbooks 4/21/15, 10:11 AM  

I'm really maxing out on missing/abused/murdered women!

Kay 4/21/15, 10:32 AM  

This one is on my list to read soon. I read the first in the series and it was very good. Plus I've read another of this author's books, a standalone that just made me breathless. It involved OCD. Terrifying. So, yes, I'd read on and shall at some point.

Nadene @Ttly Addicted 2 Reading 4/21/15, 12:04 PM  

This one is going on my list. Great Teaser. Here is mine
http://totallyaddictedtoreading.blogspot.com/2015/04/teaser-tuesday-10.html

Sarah (Sarah's Book Shelves) 4/21/15, 12:20 PM  

Oooh - intriguing premise! I'd keep reading.

Margot 4/21/15, 12:31 PM  

This one sounds like it could be nice and intricate. I like the setting and the fact that the DCI is working on three cases. I'm interested.

Majanka Verstraete 4/21/15, 1:15 PM  

That teaser is scary and intriguing at the same time. Good choice!

Here's my teaser.

Nise' 4/21/15, 1:32 PM  

Looking forward to this book. I enjoyed the first book.

Monica's Bookish Life 4/21/15, 1:37 PM  

I really enjoy Elizabeth Haynes' books, and I've been looking forward to reading this one. I'd keep reading!

The Candid Cover 4/21/15, 1:58 PM  

This one sounds like a great mystery! My TT: http://candidcover.net/2015/04/21/teaser-tuesdays-1/

Stormi 4/21/15, 2:57 PM  

This sounds like something I would love to read. :) I love British Crime novels!

Emma Litttlefield 4/21/15, 3:03 PM  

Have enjoyed Elizabeth Hayne's other novels so will definitely be reading this one.

Anonymous,  4/21/15, 3:17 PM  

This sounds very intriguing, I would read it.

http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2015/04/teaser-tuesday_21.html

Unknown 4/21/15, 3:25 PM  

This one sounds utterly engrossing; one that will keep me at the edge of me seat for sure! Here's my teaser :)

Unknown 4/21/15, 6:01 PM  

I'd definitely like to read this one. Already wondering about the circumstances between her and her family.

My TT - http://fuonlyknew.com/2015/04/21/teaser-tuesdays-111-constricted-by-bejjajcampbell-review-free-book/

Anonymous,  4/21/15, 6:07 PM  

Not sure...many have read and loved this series, so maybe. I love thrillers but this one has a creepy element to it. Enjoy!

Girl Who Reads 4/21/15, 7:53 PM  

Reminds me of Chevy Stevens's novels. I might have to read this one. Girl Who Reads

Yvonne 4/21/15, 9:07 PM  

This sounds really good.

Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms 4/22/15, 3:55 AM  

This sounds really good, Beth, but also quite sad and a little dark. I'm looking forward to your review!

Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews

Daryl 4/22/15, 10:55 AM  

just this past weekend i read about this book in the NYT BR ... you seem to have liked it better than the reviewer did .. thanks!

Literary Feline 4/22/15, 7:17 PM  

This week the reality of human trafficking yet again came up in my office. I really liked this book.

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