Review: The Breakdown by BA Paris 


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Release date: February 9, 2017

Publisher: HQ

Genre: Psychological Thriller 

Blurb: 

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, on the winding rural road, in the middle of a downpour, with the woman 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. Her husband would be furious if he knew she’d broken her promise not to take that shortcut home. And she probably would only have been hurt herself if she’d stopped.


But since then, she’s been forgetting every little thing: where she left the car, if she took her pills, the alarm code, why she ordered a pram when she doesn’t have a baby.


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


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

Review: 

Last year, Behind Closed Doors was one of my favorite reads and is still one of my most recommended books, hands down. (By the way, everyone I’ve recommended it to has been just as pleased as I was, it’s really that good) It knocked me off of my feet and to say I’ve been eagerly awaiting Paris’ second book is an understatement. I was actually so impatient that I ordered a U.K. copy because I didn’t want to wait until this summer for the U. S. version to be released. If you missed my review, you can find it here and if for some reason you haven’t it read it yet I urge you to ignore your growing TBR and get on it in a hurry. 

The Breakdown had many of the same elements that BCD had that made me such a fan. It was another addictive page turner with the same breathless pacing that makes for such a compelling read. I read it in one frantic, do not disturb, me sitting making it totally absorbing. There was something missing for me though, maybe a huge shocking twist? Though there were still surprises nothing that kicked me in the teeth like BCD, and the ending wasn’t nearly as chilling either, but I was consumed by this one and feel that Paris is a force to be reckoned with as a psychological thriller writer. 

The less you know the better here, but when Cass makes the decision to keep on driving after passing a woman on the side of the road she has no idea how much that minor choice will effect her entire life. The guilt consumes her and turns her into a paranoid, insecure person who’s entire life starts to crumble in the aftermath. Paris sure knows how to set an uneasy stage full of suspense, spine tingling dread and later, full blown hysteria. She is extremely talented at getting under the reader’s skin as you race through the pages trying to figure out who is trustworthy and who isn’t. 

All in all, this was a really entertaining read and a solid follow up to a massive success. Maybe it’s unfair of me to compare this book so much to her debut, but it’s inevitable I think, and it was still a really gripping read and a powerful psychological thriller in the truest sense of the word. 

Overall rating: 4.5/5

48 thoughts on “Review: The Breakdown by BA Paris ”

  2. Susie | Novel Visits says:
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    I’ve been nervous to read The Break Down because, like you, I loved Behind Closed Doors so much. Too often that 2nd novel disappoints. After reading your review, I think it’s worth the risk. Thanks!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Renee (Itsbooktalk) says:
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    It’s SO hard not to compare an author’s previous book you loved with their new one…I’m doing the same thing with Chevy Steven’s Still Missing and NLYG…I think it’s fair to compare books by the same author. Great review:)

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Inge | The Belgian Reviewer says:
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    I haven’t read BCD yet but jumped right to The Breakdown. I’m afraid I didn’t find it as racy, thrilling and suspenseful as you did and I gave this one 3.5 stars I think because of that. I really liked the ending though where there’s finally some drive and she’s not such a weak woman anymore :-). I’ve read a few other reviews and many experience it just like you though and I see high praise about this book everywhere. Fab review as always!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Amanda @Cover2CoverMom says:
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    Lovely review! I just got done reading Behind Closed Doors last week. I agree, it was a super fast paced and absorbing read. Loved the ending! It was a solid read for me, but I think I just need to accept that the thriller genre is never going to be a favorite of mine. BCD felt like it was missing something for me. I actually read it for my book club and the general consensus was very positive. I’ll have to recommend this book to them!

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  13. Payton's Book Thoughts says:
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    Great review Amy! This is another one I’ve been trying to get my hands on! LOL
    Jill actually recommended Behind Closed Doors to me because you recommended it to her! LOL I’ve been waiting on Jill to send BCD so that I can read that one as well!

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  16. Crystal Bentley says:
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    I read this book in three days. It is so riveting. I thought I had figured out who done it in the first couple of chapter but boy I was wrong. Just when you think you’ve figured it out the story will twist and turn. It got my heart rate up and I read for hours on end. I just couldn’t put it down!

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