In the words of Bart Simpson - ¡¡Ay caramba!! The Breakdown did not disappoint. The book was engrossing, exciting, and eerily good. On a rainy, dark night, Cass decided to take a shortcut through the woods (against her husband's wishes). After that night, her life is never the same. It seems Cass is losing her mind and becoming notably cuckoo. I felt sorry for Cass -- she did not stop and it's clear she feels tremendous guilt over the woman's death. The Breakdown moved at a great pace and honestly, I did not want to put it down. I enjoyed and appreciated the steady flow of the story and although the ending was not super shocking it was still brilliant. Paris is a gifted writer that provides the right amount of thrills and twists. Get your hands on a copy of The Breakdown and settle into a comfy spot because you will not want to put this book down.

The title of this suspenseful read is certainly something you want to consider going in.
Easily, on the surface, it seems it is about a murder that occurs on a stormy night when the main character, Cass, passes by the vehicle of a car that appears to be broken down. Well, she doesn't pass by. She actually stops to see if she might help, but, reason and fear overtake her and she feels it may be unsafe to get out of her car and approach the driver in the seemingly broken down car in the storm. Could be a car jacking waiting to happen. Could be many things. She pauses, but decides to drive on home. She is not supposed to be on that road anyway...that dark short cut running through the woods. She promised her husband, Matthew, she wouldn't take that route home as he believes it to be unsafe.

The next day, it is discovered the woman in the car, Jane, has been found brutally murdered and Cass is shocked to learn she knows her. She has a lot of guilt about not persisting in helping the woman who was on the way to becoming a new friend. She doesn't know what to do, but feels she had better tell no one she was on the same road the night before and saw the woman and did not help her. Even her friend, Rachel thinks what Cass thinks everyone would wonder and might even find suspicious.

When Cass meets her friend Rachel for coffee, Rachel says, "It's horrible, isn't it? The police think she broke down." Rachel and Cass talk about the right and wrong of stopping to help someone on that dark road late at night in a storm. Cass hopes Rachel can see that someone might not stop "on a lonely road and in a storm." But Rachel's reply is, "Well, not unless they didn't have a conscience. Nobody would just drive on. They'd at least do something." Which makes Cass feel the need to cover it all up even more.

The plot develops and we begin to wonder if Cass is having a breakdown. She begins seeing a therapist and takes pills. She can't tell anyone the truth. She begins to get a lot of hang up calls on the home phone...but only when her husband is not home. And she begins to think the killer may know she was there that night and will come after her. She has no one to turn to. She also begins to forget things and miss appointments. She appears to be having a bit of a breakdown. Her family and friends are worried. And Cass is worried. She is worried the killer may break into her house and kill her, especially as more and more details come out about the murder.

I don't think I should add any more of the plot here. I initially thought of this as a 3.5 star review out of 5.. I'm bumping to 4. It was a page turner and I did enjoy the suspense. I did have some issues with it but I don't know how to add that without adding spoilers. I felt some of it was a bit too predictable.

This is my first novel by the B.A. Paris. I am thankful to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy to read in exchange for a review. I will look for more by the author.

Pretty suspenseful modern day take on gaslighting. Unfortunately, there are several novels out there that have similar storylines (The Good Neighbor by A.J. Banner is one). Still, I had no trouble reading and enjoying this one.

This book was okay. The ending was pretty predictable and I didn't really like Cass as a character.

This was a great mystery that I could hardly put down! I felt all the anxiety as if it was my own. Great writing!

So I was 50/50 with this one. I have read behind closed doors and it still remains one of my top favorite books so yes I was ecstatic to read this one. The cover is great, I liked that I had to find out the end and was dieing to know if she was crazy or even the killer the author was very creative with how the things around the main character were making her think and sound crazy. The down fall to me was there was to much added talk on the main characters part that I felt was unnecessary and just prolonged the book. And even though I didn't see that her best friend was the killer I did figure out that the husband and best friend were involved so that made me disappointed that the ending was pretty obvious it a good book but not as fantastic as I had hoped for.

I could not wait to start reading this book. I was so happy when I found out that I had been approved to do so.

However, I think this one took way too long letting the reader know that Cass was freaking out over seeing her friend in the woods. I got it, I truly got it, pages and pages ago. And, it was pretty predictable. I was pretty sure what was going on very quickly and detested that character. However, what I thought and how the author ended the book were not exactly quite right. So, I do have to give the author an extra star for that.

That is not to say that I would not read another book by this author. I just think this one really didn't do it for me.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Breakdown has many meanings in this book. Interesting twists and turns plus mural delimna.
Recommended!

I could not put this book down. I started The Breakdown by B.A. Paris one evening and finished it the next. Stayed up way too late, but it was well worth it. This novel is so intriguing and draws you in to the point where the world falls away around you and you feel everything the characters are feeling.

The Breakdown follows Cass, a young woman who is happily married with a great job, but goes through a traumatic time after witnessing the beginning of a horrific murder. Following that she feels like she is slowly losing her mind. And she has every right to feel like that.

This entire novel makes you feel for Cass. You want to help her. You want her to feel better. You want to believe that she is not going crazy. The fact that author B.A. Paris can make you feel such strong connection and emotions for a character is one of the best things an author can do. This makes me want to read everything from B.A. Paris from this point going forward. On top of that, the ending when all is revealed on who is guilty, who is innocent, and who is crazy took me by surprise. While I had a few guesses that ended up being correct, the ending of how it all came to be and how everything went down was mind blowing. And even So cunning. So intriguing. This novel was packed with mystery and suspense from page one. I am an absolute fan.

I highly recommend this novel to anyone, whether you are looking to kill your boredom on a rainy day or just looking for the next page turner to read, The Breakdown is it.

This book was definitely an edge of the seat page turner from the moment I began reading. Cass is on her way home one night when she passes a car on the side of the road during a torrential storm. She wonders if the driver needs help, but sensing no signs of actual distress she moves on. The next day she comes to find out that the driver has been brutally murdered and the killer is still out there. Moving on with her guilt, she begins to wonder if she was seen by the killer and is being stalked by them. Mysterious phone calls start occurring, random packages start showing up and Cass begins to wonder if she's losing her mind....or is she being followed and watched. This one night begins to effect her entire life, her marriage, her friendships, her job and even her mental health. Is the killer out to get her because she knows the truth? The Breakdown is full of twists and secrets that I thought I had predicted, but in the end was most definitely shocked and left me wanting more. I really look forward to reading more from this author.

Why not just Breakdown? Because this is The Breakdown. I watched as Cass Anderson’s world fell apart and was so glad it wasn’t my life but deep down I worried this could be me. Cass is either suffering the ultimate mental breakdown or she has early onset memory disease. Neither is good news for Cass who up until the moment she took a shortcut home was leading an envious life, good marriage, good friends, good job. Her world took a curve on this dreary, rainy night on this lonely road, the road her husband begged her not to use, when she comes across a broken down car and does not stop to help the occupant. If she had would things be different? Or was Cass’s destiny preordained. Edge of your seat suspense twined with a rooted fear of losing one’s mind.

Had heard good things about this book, so was disappointed that I didn't really get into it at first. I found the narrator irritating, so she had driven past a murder spot? Get over yourself! However as the book progresses it gets better and better, I had to stay up lat to finish it. Even if you have already guessed at some of it, the plot is stunning.

Behind Closed Doors was not only one of my Top Reads of 2016, it’s one of my favorite books period. It was absolutely horrifying – particularly because it could (and does) so easily happen – and I was unable to look away or get it out of my thoughts. A year later I’m still recommending it. Naturally when I heard about the follow-up I began counting down the days until it was in my hands (and fangirled hard over it in my post about the mystery/suspense novels of 2017 I needed to get my hands on).

Despite promising her husband she won’t take a shortcut through the woods on her way home, Cass does exactly that, knowing all too well how tricky the road can be to navigate during a storm…but it’ll shave a good chunk of time off her trip. Halfway down the road she sees a car pulled off to the side, its lights on. Cass debates stopping, but one too many crime dramas has her convinced this is all a setup, she’ll be robbed, shot, left in a ditch somewhere. Besides, the woman didn’t look up or flag her down as Cass drove by; she obviously already called a tow truck or someone to come to her aid. It isn’t until the following morning that Cass learns the devastating news – the woman had been brutally killed and, worse still, Cass actually knew her.

As the days following the murder turn into weeks, Cass can’t seem to get the woman out of her head. Her guilt slowly gives way to paranoia as she begins receiving mysterious phone calls. When she answers, she doesn’t hear anyone on the other end, but she knows there’s someone there. Things get even worse as Cass starts to forget little, everyday things: where did she put her car keys, what gift had been agreed upon for her friend’s birthday. Being so busy a lunch date with a friend is forgotten seems trivial, but for Cass, it could lead to something bigger. Cass’s mother passed away from complications due to dementia (something Cass has kept from her husband) and as her insignificant mishaps build (a baby stroller arrived that Cass doesn’t remember purchasing – not to mention she and Matthew don’t have any children) she fears she’s headed down the same path.

All of this sounds really thrilling, right? Unfortunately, The Breakdown was a huge letdown. I’m actually a little surprised this novel and Behind Closed Doors were written by the same author. Because of the VERY tiny cast of characters, it’s obvious from the start what’s going on, despite Paris’s weak attempts at tossing in a few red herrings. There were scenes and sentences that were so juvenile I contemplated abandoning the book completely. While I’m glad I didn’t, I can’t say The Breakdown ever really picked up steam.

Early on Cass quits her job as a teacher (the book opens in the summer while Cass is on break) and from there, her days are literally spent either a) asleep after popping prescription meds or b) out shopping to avoid being in the house alone. That’s it. There are a few lunch dates with her bestie thrown in, but apart from that, Cass does nothing. The chapters read more like a series of reactions Cass has to the phantom caller or a neighbor walking by her house. Not once does she think to actually do something about her fears. Instead, she swallows pills and sleeps the day away until Matthew comes home. Even things that would seem to be common sense (like checking her calendar where her lunch dates, appointments, etc have been penciled in) goes right over her head.

The one thing The Breakdown has going for it is that it’s an extremely quick read, largely aided by the fact that the final few chapters seem to be entirely written out in texts. Texts that rehash everything that has happened in the novel to that point. This was unnecessary, aggravating, and a cheap copout to wrap up the book.

For my most anticipated read of the year to turn out to be such a dud is SO upsetting. Behind Closed Doors was a phenomenal read, yet it’s The Breakdown that feels more like a debut with its weak twists, juvenile writing, and an all too predictable plot. While I’m fine with awful characters that have zero redeeming qualities, a lack of common sense is something I absolutely cannot tolerate, though I suppose there wouldn’t be a book had Cass demonstrated some level of intelligence. I’m so disappointed with this one and I’m hoping B.A. Paris will be back to form with her next novel. If you’re looking for a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat ride, The Breakdown is not it.

*Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.* Fans of the author's previous work, 'Behind Closed Doors', will not be disappointed with Paris' latest book. The Breakdown tells the story of history teacher Cass Anderson as she seemingly plunges into a mental breakdown. The novel starts with Cass driving home from an end of term celebration and taking a shortcut through the woods. She sees a woman stopped in her car and does not get out to help her. This is where everything starts to go wrong. The next day, the news reports that a young woman has been murdered in this very spot. Cass' well-ordered life begins to unravel. Like 'Behind Closed Doors,' this book is addictive reading. I found myself struggling to put it down and it kept my attention and suspense until the very last page. I can't help but feel that this will be as popular as 'Behind Closed Doors.'

It's readable, but it didn't knock my socks off. There's many good things about this book: It's easy to read, intriguing, and the story is interesting. I simply found it a little too predictable and the characters a bit too frustrating to give it a higher rating. I also wasn't a big fan of how the ending was executed. It has been getting a lot of four and five star ratings, so if you're interested in it, it could still be worth a shot. While I was interested enough to read it within the span of a day, it didn't completely work for me.

Cass is haunted by a decision she made one rainy night. When she took a shortcut home, she passed a car pulled over on the side of road. There's no one else around, and though she pulls over to help, she doesn't want to get out of her car and get soaked. She instead waits to see if the woman she can barely see in the car comes to her. She doesn't, and Cass is wary it could be some kind of trap. Or maybe someone has already gone for help. So she drives away...

Shocking news the next day: a woman has been found dead on that very road. She's racked with guilt, believing perhaps the woman killed herself. She soon learns that's not the case... the woman she saw has been brutally murdered... and no one knows who did it.

Could the murderer have been there watching Cass that night? Do they know who she is? Do they think she saw them? She's soon a paranoid mess, feeling guilt over not approaching the woman and fearful for her own safety. She then starts receiving regular phone calls during the day from a silent caller: they just listen and don't say a word. They don't even breathe. And is someone watching the house?

Adding to her frustrations, she's been forgetting things here and there. A present she'd buy, a lunch date with a friend... it starts small but then she's forgetting much bigger things. Her mom was diagnosed with early onset dementia. Is this how it starts? Her attentive husband is supportive and as understanding as he can be, since she hasn't told him she passed that ill-fated woman that dark night because she swore she wouldn't take that dangerous shortcut. He simply doesn't get her worries. He also doesn't believe her claims that she's being watched or stalked, though she's convinced... but with these heavy burdens on her shoulders, is she simply being paranoid?

I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and St. Martin's Press, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.

4.5
Holy mind f.

I really liked B.A. Paris' debut Behind Closed Doors and was thrilled when I got an ARC of The Breakdown! I really enjoy Paris' writing style and find it waaay too easy to binge read her books. This book was no exception.

The Breakdown is a glorious mind eff. Cass, our main character starts out driving down a road that she was not supposed to be going down. Her husband doesn't like when she takes that road, it's not as well lit or safe. And the night Cass takes it, it's a torrential down pour. Cass doesn't plan to tell him, she wants a shortcut and what he doesn't know, won't hurt him right? Well, as she goes along, she sees a woman in her car, pulled over. Cass is worried this woman may need help, but being alone, Cass doesn't want to stop. What can she do for her, anyway? So Cass tries to get the woman's attention, but she doesn't seem to be in distress. But the next day, when Cass wakes up, she finds out that the woman in her car was murdered. Now, Cass is blaming herself. Should she have stopped? Could she have intervened? Or would she have been killed too? And she can't exactly go venting to her husband, because she wasn't supposed to be on that road. Cass is torn, fess up to her husband or just keep it to herself. She chooses to keep it to herself but it seems to be eating away at her. Cass begins forgetting things and doing strange things. What is happening to her? Is she her own worst enemy? Or perhaps whomever killed the woman in her car thinks Cass saw something and is now after her?

Writing this review brought me back to how delicious this book was. I bow down to you, B.A. Paris, queen of binge-worthy mind eff books. Can't wait for the next!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press/NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book grabs you at the start. Is there anyone who hasn't been deathly afraid driving through a pounding rainstorm, hands gripping the wheel? And it's totally understandable that Cass doesn't stop when she comes across a car stopped along the side of the road, given the location, worries that it could be trap and the miserable weather. But the guilt compounds the next morning when she learns the woman in the car was later murdered. She keeps quiet, not telling either her husband or friends about what she did (or rather didn't do) for various reasons. And on top of the guilt is the worry about her faltering memory. Her mom died of early onset Alzheimer's at an age just 10 years above Cass’s own.

For a story that started so promisingly, I felt it dragged in the middle. What was meant to show the building fear and confusion started to just feel redundant. There were several parts of the storyline that beggared belief. Unlike a lot of mysteries, I started having a strong inkling of who the guilty party was early on. And I was proved somewhat right, although the author threw in a few twists I didn't see coming.

On the positive side, I liked that Paris told the story from Cass’s perspective, which did help keep the tension going. As the title implies, there are multiple definitions of a breakdown. Not just the car, but Cass’s mental state.

It bothered me that Cass didn't take any responsibility for her own health or wellbeing. She seems content to turn over too many decisions to Matthew.

Final score, this was an okay but not extraordinary mystery.

My thanks to netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.

I liked this and zoomed through it in a few hours. I enjoyed it more than Behind Closed Doors. I think this gets published July 18th. ARC e-copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

I cannot praise this book enough. Have recommended it to family already after only finishing it
yesterday.
The plot was great with so many twists and turns. I hated to put it down, my sign of an excellent
book,

This book wasn't perfect but it did hold my interest. A psychological thriller that makes you wonder just how well you know the people closest to you.

One rainy evening, Cass Anderson disobeys her husbands orders and take a shortcut home. The road is windy, the rain heavy and visibility poor. Cass notices a car stopped on the side of the road and a woman behind the wheel. Too nervous to stop to help, she drives on and the following day she learns that the woman in the car was murdered -- she was someone Cass had met in the past.

What follows is a series of events that causes Cass to think she is losing her mind. She's ridden with guilt for not stopping to help, but she can't talk to her husband Matthew about that terrible night. She's forgetful, paranoid, and she wonders whether she is in the beginning stages of early onset dementia -- like her mother.

This was a quick read and page-turner for me but, I found it far from perfect. I thought it too predictable and the characters did some really crazy, hard to believe things at times.

I'm still happy I gave it a try though. 3.5/5 stars --https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2022990689