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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
I’m really happy I sat with my thoughts on this one instead of writing my review right away. What I would’ve posted last week and today’s review would’ve been completely different
Thank you, NetGalley, for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Gee, I love stories with "broken" characters! Fern definitely falls into that category. At first you think she has it all together, but then it spirals down quickly. You find out fast that there is something wrong with her mental health and her family. The entire time I thought her husband was somehow involved in all of the things that unraveled. He was totally unlikeable, just like Fern's dad. Oh, don't get me started on her parents! What a deranged family to be raised in! I felt for Fern and wasn't surprised that she has mental issues.
So, I really enjoyed reading this story. While I couldn't quite connect with Fern or any of the other characters, the story itself was unique and the book well-written. The entire time, I did what I usually do when I read mystery/suspense novels--I try to play Sherlock Holmes, look for clues, draw my own conclusions, and then see if they are right. There were many times when I thought I knew what had happened and how Fern fits into all of this, but in the end, I found that I was wrong. That is a good thing! That means there are unexpected twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end.
Gee, I love stories with "broken" characters! Fern definitely falls into that category. At first you think she has it all together, but then it spirals down quickly. You find out fast that there is something wrong with her mental health and her family. The entire time I thought her husband was somehow involved in all of the things that unraveled. He was totally unlikeable, just like Fern's dad. Oh, don't get me started on her parents! What a deranged family to be raised in! I felt for Fern and wasn't surprised that she has mental issues.
So, I really enjoyed reading this story. While I couldn't quite connect with Fern or any of the other characters, the story itself was unique and the book well-written. The entire time, I did what I usually do when I read mystery/suspense novels--I try to play Sherlock Holmes, look for clues, draw my own conclusions, and then see if they are right. There were many times when I thought I knew what had happened and how Fern fits into all of this, but in the end, I found that I was wrong. That is a good thing! That means there are unexpected twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end.
When Fern Douglas hears the news about Astrid Sullivan, a thirty-four year-old woman from Maine who is missing, Fern is convinced that she knows her. But Fern's husband is convinced that it's because Astrid was famously kidnapped and returned twenty years previously. When Astrid begins appearing in Fern's nightmares, Fern decides to read Astrid's memoir. As she reads, memories begin to come back to Fern and she uncovers more proof that she has a connection to Astrid. Fern tries to find more answers by remembering what truly happened in the past, with the hope she can save Astrid from a dangerous and potentially deadly fate.
I read Megan Collins' debut last year, The Winter Sister, and it received 3.5 stars from me. So when the publisher reached out and offered to send me an ARC in exchange for an honest review, I gladly accepted. Unfortunately, Behind the Red Door really didn't work for me. I found the narrator and main character Fern to often be annoying and frankly gullible and oblivious. While I would never discount what she experienced as a child at the hand of her parents, her relationship with them when she is adult is both upsetting and confusing. I honestly thought about DNFing this one but hoped it would get better. But when I had it all figured out before page 50, I found it hard to get through the rest. There was one reveal that was unexpected but it was a reveal that just made me roll my eyes and scoff.
I don't think that I will be reading future books by this author (unless I see stellar reviews). I just think there are better books and I don't have time to read all the books (even if I may want to).
2.5 stars.
I read Megan Collins' debut last year, The Winter Sister, and it received 3.5 stars from me. So when the publisher reached out and offered to send me an ARC in exchange for an honest review, I gladly accepted. Unfortunately, Behind the Red Door really didn't work for me. I found the narrator and main character Fern to often be annoying and frankly gullible and oblivious. While I would never discount what she experienced as a child at the hand of her parents, her relationship with them when she is adult is both upsetting and confusing. I honestly thought about DNFing this one but hoped it would get better. But when I had it all figured out before page 50, I found it hard to get through the rest. There was one reveal that was unexpected but it was a reveal that just made me roll my eyes and scoff.
I don't think that I will be reading future books by this author (unless I see stellar reviews). I just think there are better books and I don't have time to read all the books (even if I may want to).
2.5 stars.
See full review here
Behind the Red Door is a fast-paced thriller about a woman searching for lost memories. It is very well written, and will keep you hooked from the first page. While I enjoyed reading the book, there are certainly some things I did not enjoy.
Behind the Red Door is a fast-paced thriller about a woman searching for lost memories. It is very well written, and will keep you hooked from the first page. While I enjoyed reading the book, there are certainly some things I did not enjoy.
I really loved this book! It was different from any thriller I’ve ever read before and I would recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a twisty thriller.
Thank you to the author & Atria Books for gifting me this book in exchange for a honest review.
Fern is about to head to her hometown to help her dad, Ted, pack for a long haul move when she sees a picture of a kidnap victim on TV. The victim is Astrid, who was kidnapped in Fern’s hometown 20 years ago, by supposedly the same captor who was never found. Something about Astrid’s picture triggers emotions and repressed memories in Fern, so she decides to seek answers and find Astrid.
I must admit that when I was at one third of this book, I hated it. The story deals with a very intense, disturbing dynamic (or I should say abuse) between father and daughter. Ted has been using Fern as a psychology experiment throughout her life, which causes Fern to be a highly self-doubting and insecure individual. Her constant anxiety permeates throughout the book so this is definitely not a book to read if you’re not in a positive frame of mind.
However the author perfectly weaves in a healthy, beautiful relationship between Fern and her husband, Eric, as a sharp contrast to that of Fern’s with her father. I marvel at how Ms. Collins crafted a textbook-perfect manipulator who delivered deceiving words and actions at impeccable timings to hold his prey’s attention and interest, especially when he felt his victim was gaining an upper hand. You will find every manipulation technique such as gaslighting and projection in this book.
As for the actual story of the book, I had figured out the two final reveals by midway. The author gives you very subtle clues, you just need to find it. In the end, I loved this book more for the way the author created her characters than the story itself. There are many triggers in this book, including xenophobic attitudes by religious fanatics towards lesbian characters.
Fern is about to head to her hometown to help her dad, Ted, pack for a long haul move when she sees a picture of a kidnap victim on TV. The victim is Astrid, who was kidnapped in Fern’s hometown 20 years ago, by supposedly the same captor who was never found. Something about Astrid’s picture triggers emotions and repressed memories in Fern, so she decides to seek answers and find Astrid.
I must admit that when I was at one third of this book, I hated it. The story deals with a very intense, disturbing dynamic (or I should say abuse) between father and daughter. Ted has been using Fern as a psychology experiment throughout her life, which causes Fern to be a highly self-doubting and insecure individual. Her constant anxiety permeates throughout the book so this is definitely not a book to read if you’re not in a positive frame of mind.
However the author perfectly weaves in a healthy, beautiful relationship between Fern and her husband, Eric, as a sharp contrast to that of Fern’s with her father. I marvel at how Ms. Collins crafted a textbook-perfect manipulator who delivered deceiving words and actions at impeccable timings to hold his prey’s attention and interest, especially when he felt his victim was gaining an upper hand. You will find every manipulation technique such as gaslighting and projection in this book.
As for the actual story of the book, I had figured out the two final reveals by midway. The author gives you very subtle clues, you just need to find it. In the end, I loved this book more for the way the author created her characters than the story itself. There are many triggers in this book, including xenophobic attitudes by religious fanatics towards lesbian characters.
I have got to be honest, I am still gathering all of my feelings up for [b:Behind the Red Door|52763592|Behind the Red Door|Megan Collins|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1579055031l/52763592._SY75_.jpg|67689100] by [a:Megan Collins|18280418|Megan Collins|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1533773606p2/18280418.jpg], but I will say this is a quick, engrossing, and frustrating read. I don't think I truly liked a single character in this book and Fern and her father both made me want to throw my book across the room. BUT, I have got to hand it to Collins for producing so many emotions in me! I did not see the end coming, and it was all a surprise to me. I had so many theories while reading the book and then it turned out not a single one was right. It may have its flaws, but I am always impressed when a book can keep me guessing and that is exactly what Behind the Red Door did.
It's a rather slow burn, but all of the chapters are fairly short, and it is a very quick read so this could easily be read in one sitting. This is my first time reading a book by this author and it will definitely not be my last! I really enjoyed Collins' writing style, and I am hoping characters in her other books will have more of a backbone. I prefer books that have strong female leads and that is not what I would call Fern, but she did redeem herself a bit in the end for me which I was happy about. And honestly she was definitely the way she was because of the story and if she would have been a strong lead this would have been a different book.
I don't think a whole lot can be said about Behind the Red Door without giving anything away so I highly recommend going in mostly blind. I do wish the end would have answered more of my questions, but overall this is a thrilling, suspenseful read that I highly recommend if you don't mind unlikable characters.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions and thoughts are my own.
It's a rather slow burn, but all of the chapters are fairly short, and it is a very quick read so this could easily be read in one sitting. This is my first time reading a book by this author and it will definitely not be my last! I really enjoyed Collins' writing style, and I am hoping characters in her other books will have more of a backbone. I prefer books that have strong female leads and that is not what I would call Fern, but she did redeem herself a bit in the end for me which I was happy about. And honestly she was definitely the way she was because of the story and if she would have been a strong lead this would have been a different book.
I don't think a whole lot can be said about Behind the Red Door without giving anything away so I highly recommend going in mostly blind. I do wish the end would have answered more of my questions, but overall this is a thrilling, suspenseful read that I highly recommend if you don't mind unlikable characters.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions and thoughts are my own.
This is a dark, psychological thriller with very descriptive writing and decent compelling character development. You do really feel for and connect with the main character but I was left wanting when it came to some of the more important side characters.
I did correctly guess the twists but the way this book is written, with all the different turns, I kept almost second-guessing myself.
It's suspenseful and captivating and I'd recommend it to both thriller fans and those just dipping their toes in.
I did correctly guess the twists but the way this book is written, with all the different turns, I kept almost second-guessing myself.
It's suspenseful and captivating and I'd recommend it to both thriller fans and those just dipping their toes in.
**Thank you NetGalley and Atria for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What a great, gripping and fast read. I could not put it down! Fern suffers from an anxiety disorder and when she’s on the way to see her father she sees news of a missing woman named Astrid Sullivan. Fern swears she knows her but Fern’s husband believes its because the kidnapping was well known but Fern has no memory of the famous kidnapping. Astrid wrote a memoir about her experience being kidnapped then returned unharmed and it appears she has been kidnapped again. Fern purchases the memoir and as she begins to read she feels a disturbing connection to Astrid. Fern must confront these memories in order to survive and save Astrid.
Behind the Red Door was so well planned and detailed. It kept me guessing the entire time. The characters were complex and compelling too. Part of me wanted a different ending, which I wish I could share but it would spoil things. Overall this book was fantastic. It was dark, disturbing and everything you want a thriller to be.
What a great, gripping and fast read. I could not put it down! Fern suffers from an anxiety disorder and when she’s on the way to see her father she sees news of a missing woman named Astrid Sullivan. Fern swears she knows her but Fern’s husband believes its because the kidnapping was well known but Fern has no memory of the famous kidnapping. Astrid wrote a memoir about her experience being kidnapped then returned unharmed and it appears she has been kidnapped again. Fern purchases the memoir and as she begins to read she feels a disturbing connection to Astrid. Fern must confront these memories in order to survive and save Astrid.
Behind the Red Door was so well planned and detailed. It kept me guessing the entire time. The characters were complex and compelling too. Part of me wanted a different ending, which I wish I could share but it would spoil things. Overall this book was fantastic. It was dark, disturbing and everything you want a thriller to be.
Fern Douglas can’t shake the feeling that she knows a local missing woman, Astrid Sullivan. Fern’s husband is sure it’s because Astrid was kidnapped as a child, then set free which drew national headlines. As an adult, Astrid published a memoir which sparked new interest in her story. But it also sparked interest in her kidnapper because she’s missing again. Fern starts having vivid dreams about Astrid, that feel more like a memory. As Fern travels to her childhood home, she begins to experience flashbacks and a feeling of kinship with Astrid that uncover repressed memories. Fern is sure that if she can remember more clearly, she can find Astrid before her fate is sealed.
This book made me picture changing leaves, cold weather, and creepy little towns. I loved all the fall vibes. The plot of this story was so eccentric and unique. I say that a lot, but this one truly was unexpected. This book brings ‘psychological thriller’ to another (very literal) level and doesn’t fit the mold of many other suspense books. The characters really stand out and there’s a purpose for each one of them. There could have been an entire other book on Fern’s childhood and relationship with her parents because it’s such a strange dynamic. The character personalities certainly added to the creep factor of this story. This one is out on August 4, and is so perfect for fall!
This book made me picture changing leaves, cold weather, and creepy little towns. I loved all the fall vibes. The plot of this story was so eccentric and unique. I say that a lot, but this one truly was unexpected. This book brings ‘psychological thriller’ to another (very literal) level and doesn’t fit the mold of many other suspense books. The characters really stand out and there’s a purpose for each one of them. There could have been an entire other book on Fern’s childhood and relationship with her parents because it’s such a strange dynamic. The character personalities certainly added to the creep factor of this story. This one is out on August 4, and is so perfect for fall!