By: B.A. Paris
ISBN: 1250151333
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: 6/19/2018 (US)
Format: Hardcover
My Rating: 4 Stars THE NEW TWISTY, GRIPPING NOVEL FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLING NOVELS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AND THE BREAKDOWN A young British couple are driving through France on holiday when they stop for gas. He runs in to pay, she stays in the car. When he returns her car door has been left open, but she's not inside. No one ever sees her again. Ten years later he's engaged to be married; he's happy, and his past is only a tiny part his life now. Until he comes home from work and finds his new wife-to-be is sitting on their sofa. She's turning something over in her fingers, holding it up to the light. Something that would have no worth to anyone else, something only he and she would know about, because his wife is the sister of his missing first love.
As more and more questions are raised, their marriage becomes strained. Has his first love somehow come back to him after all this time? Or is the person who took her playing games with his mind?
Don't miss Bring Me Back, the next thriller from "A-list" (Booklist) author B. A. Paris.
My Review
A dangerous game of Russian roulette (turns psychological Russian Doll Gillian Flynn style).
B. A. Paris returns following Breakdown on my Top Books of 2017 and Behind Closed Doors on my Top Books of 2016 with her latest 'Mind-bending' creepy thriller BRING ME BACK.
Layla and Finn are a couple on vacation in France. They are in love. They stop for a potty break in a remote dark area. Layla is quiet. Finn suspects Layla is hiding something. When he returns from the restroom, Layla is missing from the car and nowhere to be found.
However, what Finn tells the authorities is not precisely the way the night went down. Finn has a past of rage and abuse. However, what is Layla hiding? Do they know one another?
It was dark. Did someone kidnap Layla? Did she leave of her own accord? What truly happened that night?
It has been twelve years since Layla disappeared. All that was left was one of her Russian dolls. Her body was never found.
Since this time, Finn has bonded over grief with Layla’s sister, Ellen. They moved in together. They are close to becoming married. However, is Finn over his feelings of Layla?
He and Ellen do not talk about Layla. Until . . . Russian dolls start showing up. Also, his old neighbor from his former cottage thinks he saw Layla.
Is Layla alive? If so where has she been all this time. What now thirteen years later is she back and why the Russian dolls. Then the mysterious emails start surfacing.
Between Layla and Ellen there was Rudy.
The mystery begins with unsettling clues. Suspects: Layla, Ellen, or Ruby or something else more sinister? Finn’s life begins to unravel. Does he feel loyalty to Layla or Ellen?
Paris keeps the suspense high with this cat-and-mouse triangle. You will see a wide range of reviews. While some readers may be frustrated or cheated and be driven nuts with the Russian dolls—others may like the creativity.
I purchased the Kindle book; however, had already pre-ordered the audiobook. I highly recommend the audiobook. The narrators added a lot of drama for an entertaining listening experience!
While some readers may compare BRING ME BACK to the author’s previous two books, I will only say it is entirely different and demonstrates how past traumas, fears, and the mind (to the point of insanity) can control circumstances, people, and events.
Keep an open mind. Not sure you will ever look at Russian Dolls the same. A nice "tie-in" with the dolls and title. Sneaky, edgy, creepy, and twisted.
Paris keeps you hooked with unreliable characters, (you suspect everyone) until you reach the shocking, explosive conclusion. Looking forward to Book #4 to see what is coming next!
JDCMustReadBooks
Praise
Named one of Good Morning America's "Best Books to Bring to the Beach This Summer" on GoodMorningAmerica.com!
“[Paris] builds a nice plot and brings some originality to the old ‘good sister, bad sister’ character dynamic.” —New York Times Book Review
“Paris once again proves her suspense chops with this can’t-put-down psychological thriller.” —Library Journal (starred)
"Outstanding Hitchcockian thriller...Paris plays fair with the reader as she builds to a satisfying resolution. Fans of intelligent psychological suspense will be richly rewarded.” —Publishers Weekly (starred and boxed)
"Compelling.” —Booklist
“A twisty and seductive new psychological thriller you won't want to miss.” —Bustle
Highly Recommend the Audiobook narrated by Kevin Hely and Cathleen McCarron.
About the Author
B.A. PARIS is the internationally bestselling author of Behind Closed Doors and The Breakdown. She grew up in England but has spent most of her adult life in France.
She has worked both in finance and as a teacher and has five daughters. Bring Me Back is her third novel.
Follow B A Paris on Twitter @BAParisAuthor
