Cass is forgetting things - appointments, her purse, and even where she parked her car. Add to that the fear after an acquaintance is found murdered on a shortcut to Cass's the morning after Cass passed a car parked on it and Cass is in a panic. She is convinced she is having a breakdown and tries to hide it from her husband. When she finally goes to the doctor and put on medication things go from bad to worse. Is Cass having a breakdown or are things really what they seem?

Behind Closed Doors was last year’s breakout mystery book for me, even though I wouldn’t necessarily call it a mystery, it was more of a psychological thriller that had all its cards laid out. If anything, it is this novel that follows the beats of a traditional mystery while also being a compelling psychological thriller. This isn’t a bad thing, even if I prefer the first formula more. Even if my first guess turned out to be true, it was the characters that kept me going and made this just as memorable and enjoyable as Behind Closed Doors. Make no mistake, once you start reading this, you won’t be able to stop. B.A. Paris’ fast-paced and addicting writing is back.

The Breakdown managed to capture through its protagonist a terrifying feel of helplessness that comes with losing the control of you reality. This is exactly what happens with Cass, our protagonist, when during a stormy night she decides to take a shortcut through the woods despite the promise she made to her husband. On that road she sees a car with a woman inside, she’s too afraid to check if she is all right so she makes another promise, that she will call the police when she gets home. Just as with the promise she made to her husband, she breaks this one too, as she forgets to call the police. Next day, news of a woman murdered on the forest road is all over TV – it was the woman in the car.

The murder is the catalyst that turns Cass’s life upside down, the woman in the car becomes an obsession. Something she can’t stop thinking about and to wonder if maybe she’s just as guilty for not intervening and letting her all alone. As guilt consumes Cass, so does madness. She starts receiving calls for a person that says nothing, not even breathe, yet Cass is sure that person is a man. She starts getting paranoid and think that the murderer is watching her while also starting to forget things. It’s easy to think that Cass is going mad, and since everything is told through her point of view, it is also hard not to feel for her. To get just as paranoid as her, to start suspecting everyone for everything and to feel victimized because people don’t see what you see.

This is what makes this book so compelling and such a page turner because you become Cass, you need to know if you’re really going mad or if being paranoid is justified and there is truly something dubious going on, something that your husband, your friends and even the police can’t see.

I was really excited to read this book after loving Behind Closed Doors. This book was very enjoyable, but not quite at the same level as BCD.

My initial feeling when I started reading was that Cass was making such a HUGE deal out of nothing. The whole plot is based on Cass's reaction to not stopping to help a car that was pulled over. The subsequent guilt and anguish she felt after the murder was too far-fetched. I can understand shock or surprise, but her constant dwelling on it as if it really affected her life was just dumb.

To get through the book, I had to suspend my disbelief. It did get better and as the mystery built up, I was dying to get to the end so I could find out who was stalking Cass.

Matthew was always the person I suspected but I was hoping he’d be innocent, especially because the husband was the antagonist in Paris’s first book. I wasn’t expecting Rachel to be guilty, although in hindsight, I should have suspected because a real friend would never casually dismiss the fears Cass expressed as Rachel did.

Overall, it was a very quick and easy read that I would recommend for people that enjoy thrillers as well as fans of BCD. However, it wasn’t mind-blowing and not something I’d recommend running out to buy the day it is released.

I enjoyed The Breakdown. As I read through Cass Alexander's story, I was impressed with how well B.A.Paris wrote what we would call 'crazy' but for many is a sad reality of mental illness. There was a point where I felt it dragged and I was tired of the same plot line but I persisted. And... I'm so glad I did! I enjoyed the reveal. I enjoyed the fallout. A really good psychological thriller that had my mouth dropping and finally chuckling. Very good ending. Worth the patience through the buildup. Thank you, Netgalley!

When Cass drives home one stormy evening, she sees a car parking on the side of the road in the middle of the woods. She is too scared to get out of her car to ask if the woman sitting in the parked car needs any help, and so she drives on. The next day she discovers that the woman was murdered and that she actually knew her. The woman's death really gets to Cass and as if that wasn't enough, she also starts starts forgetting to do things and not remembering things she is supposed to have done. Things are getting worse and worse and she can't trust herself anymore... But who murdered the woman in the car and why is Cass being threatened by anonymous calls?
"The Breakdown" by B.A. Paris was an quick and suspenseful read. I finished the book within two days because I simply couldn't put it down. The writing was perfect - the reader can't be sure if Cass is a reliable or unreliable narrator because of the early signs of dementia she is showing. I also found it quite unsettling to imagine what it must be like to develop dementia. I am afraid I have to keep this review short as I've got so many things to do that I haven't been able to do because I was busy finishing said book, but it was definitely worth it! I would recommend "The Breakdown" to everyone who likes a bit of suspense as they curl up on the sofa.
Last but not least I'd like to thank NetGalley, B.A. Paris and St. Martin's Press for this free ebook in exchange for an honest review!

I was disappointed in The Breakdown, especially after reading Behind Closed Doors. This author is so very good at creating psychological tenseness with just a few words or description of a scene and yet, that all seemed to go awry in The Breakdown.

I can imagine how Cass must have felt, seeing the car on the side of the road in a dark, deserted location, driving on after much hesitation and then finding out that the driver was murdered! I'd have a tough time with that also, wondering what if but it's the rest of the novel that left me scratching my head.

Cass just seemed so clueless and gullible. Granted, none of us are expecting to suddenly begin forgetting things out of the clear blue and even inviting others over and totally forgetting it. But there comes a point at which you have to ask yourself what is really going on. Cass never seemed to get there.

Early on in the book I was pretty sure I was right as to what was happening and in this type of novel, I can't stand that! I want to be surprised. There was way too much foreshadowing and far too many hints along the way for this type of story.

I so wanted to love this book. I was anxiously awaiting it and am sadly, disappointed. I do appreciate that Netgalley, the publishers and the author allowed me to read a complimentary copy.

Spent the day reading it. Thought I had a good feeling on who was involved. Great read; couldn't put it down!

I was already a huge fan of BA Paris after reading Behind Closed Doors, but reading her follow up novel The Breakdown really solidified her place on my top 10 favorite authors list. I read this book very quickly and had a hard time putting it down in order to go about my required daily activities such as eating and sleeping. Haha! The story was rich in detail, full of 3 dimensional characters and of course had a wonderful twist ending. 5 Stars!

B.A. Paris is a master of psychological suspense. I felt absolutely trapped in a web of terror with the main character of the novel, convinced that a murderer is coming for me and I'm losing my mind. Couldn't put this book down even for a moment. I am huge fan of the author's writing. She paints the atmosphere very well and her female characters are smart, strong, and stand up for themselves at the end.

This book!! I was intrigued. I was held captive by the story. I was on the edge of my seat in suspense, wondering what was going to happen next. For that reason, I cannot give anything away. You definitely want to read it for yourself. I could not put this book down. I absolutely loved every minute of it. B.A. Paris is quickly becoming a one-click author for me. I can't wait to see what they bring us next.

While I did enjoy "Behind Closed Doors" I didn't want to read a repeat and was happy that the author went in a different direction with "The Breakdown". However, I think her sophomore attempt fell a little flat.

My biggest complaint is that there is soooo much psychological manipulation going on that it becomes monotonous and unbelievable. There's no slow buildup, it starts right from the beginning and then just rinse and repeat for 75% of the book. I skipped a big chunk in the middle just wanting to get to the end. Also, Cass is just insufferable. Naïve, neurotic, over dramatic. If these issues would have been executed with a more subtle approach I think the reader would have benefited.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Every bit as good as Behind Closed Doors, but I felt like I could relate this book's Cass a little more than BCD's Grace. Most of us have had that bad week that leaves us wondering, "What is wrong with me??" which seemed to pull me into this one just a bit more. (Note: If it isn't normal to ever wonder if something might be wrong with you, don't tell me. I'd rather live in denial.)

Cass Anderson is having a bit of a breakdown following the murder of a newly-made acquaintance. The ups and downs of her emotions bogged down the middle section ever-so-slightly, but it didn't keep me from reading until the wee hours of the morning. And just when you think it might be about time to put this one down and go to bed, things really get crazy. If you're in the mood for a psychological suspense/thriller, this one is worth the read.


Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy.

Having read Behind Closed doors I looked forward to reading something new from B.A. Paris. She did not disappoint but somewhere in the middle I thought the pace slowed down a bit. The story did pick up speed again towards the end. The name of the book is dual purpose as you will see when you read it. I read the book in one sitting. This book is sure to become a best seller.
If you are a fan of thrillers then you must pick up this book as I really enjoyed reading it.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the copy.

I really enjoyed this book, nice easy one to get into, and once started very hard to put down. Great :)

The first half of this book was eerie. It was a little slow moving for my liking, but i could tell it was building up to something big, and I wasn't disappointed. The last 30% had me flipping pages like crazy.

I enjoyed Paris' debut novel so much that I just had to get my hands on The Breakdown! Hands down, a fave, fast paced thriller. Full review coming soon! This is one you don't want to miss!!

THE BREAKDOWN
B. A. PARIS


MY RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️▫️
PUBLISHER St. Martin's Press
PUBLISHED June 20, 2017

A chilling page turner that will make you question everything you think you know!


SUMMARY
It's pouring, it's dark and it's a winding road. Cass sees a car on the side of the road. Should she stop. She pulls over but the woman in the drivers seat doesn't act like she needs help. So Cass drives away. The next day, Cass heard the news that a woman was murdered in her car on that winding road right up from her house. It was the woman in the car. Cass knew that woman too. Cass had met Jane at a party several weeks earlier. Ever since that night, Cass has not been the same. She feels so guilty. She should have done more to help. She should have gotten out of her car. She never told anyone about seeing the car that night.

Next, she starts getting silent calls. Multiple times a day. She's convinced they are from the murderer. He must have seen her that night. He's after her now. The calls, the murder and her guilt have upset her so much, that she has started forgetting things. Does she have dementia? She forgets things like: where she parked the car, signing a contract for an alarm, buying a baby pram or inviting friends over for dinner.

What she can't forget is that rainy night in the woods, and the look on the woman's face as she drove by.

REVIEW
The Breakdown is a gripping and intense read. From the moment Cass turns down that dark, winding road you can't stop turning the pages. It's addictive. Cass's forgetfulness ever since the murder is gut wrenching but you can't stop reading. Her life is like a roller coaster, but you can't stop reading. Thankfully, her new husband and friends are supportive.

B. A. Paris writes a fabulous page turning thriller. Her writing is clear and succinct, and her pacing is quick. She does a great job of creating a horrifyingly realistic situation and describing it with ease. I couldn't put it down until the last satisfying page was read.

B. A. Paris is the New York Times and USA today best selling author of Behind Closed Doors.

Thanks to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Behind Closed Doors,also by B.A.Paris was my favorite book in 2016 and I read 150 books. I love psychological thrillers and I seem to be reading a lot of them lately. The Breakdown is going to be right up there with my favorite books.

Cass is on her way home on a blustery, rainy night. Her husband has asked her to not take the shortcut that Cass likes to take, but she disregards his concerns, what could happen right, she will just take her time. It is raining hard and it becomes increasingly difficult to see where she is going, but she keeps going. Ahead she sees the taillights of a car ahead. Should she stop and see if there is anything she can do if the person needs help. She is apprehensive though, as you never know who is in the car, it could be very dangerous. She pulls in front of the car, hoping that maybe if the person needs help, he or she can toot the horn or flash their lights. That does not happen so after a period of time, Cass leaves and makes her way home.

The next morning Cass finds out that there was a woman murdered on the street she was on and it turns out it is a woman that she knows slightly. Now the guilt sets in and she keeps thinking that there could have been something that she could have done, or if she would have stopped the woman would be alive. She doesn't tell anyone, even her best friend or her hubby, or the police. There is a reward and a hotline for anyone with any information that anyone might have. Cass does call the hotline and tells what she knows but doesn't give her name.

Aside from her knowledge and guilt she feels about the woman that was murdered, she finds that she is starting to forget things and is worried that she has early onset dementia, like her mother had. This is disconcerting to Cass because at times she feels like she is going crazy. So with the insistence of her doctor and husband she starts taking medication that may help this affliction. The story gets going pretty fast from there and there are a lot of twists and turns until the last page.

Like I said earlier, I love the books by Ms.Paris. Well written, good character development. Some might say that is starts out a bit slow, but that is good for a psychological thriller, kind of sets up the suspense for the reader! This could very well be another favorite for the year for me!

Loved this book! Unputdownable right from the beginning and just the right amount of twisty. I loved how the reveal at the end all came together.

I was looking forward to reading this after seeing all the hype on social media. However I was bitterly disappointed. The writing was simple, it was repetitive and the storyline was obvious after just a few pages. Mediocre at best.