So this was a bit weird. Not terrible, but not great either. This is the second novel in the Kathy Ryan series, but it can be read as a standalone because she’s barely in it. And when she is, there’s no information presented about Kathy that has too much bearing on the novel as part of a series. Really, without this being strictly marketed as in a series starring Kathy Ryan, I would never have known.

The concept was kind of fun and I was hyped to read a series centring on a woman who’s a little like Dean and Sam Winchester, but the execution was so off that it distracted my entire reading experience.

The first 50% of the novel is really heavy in scenes featuring the residents of Zarephath, exploring their wishes and how they connect. In some cases, there were really great connections being made that should have been explosive plot twists, but the writing was so clunky, wordy and unedited, that it seriously killed the plotting and pacing, even going so far as to delay the introduction of the series lead, Kathy Ryan, by like 100 pages which felt really weird to me.

I would have loved to see the novel open with Kathy, explain in a mysterious way who she was and what she did and then flip to the town where the chapters about the residents needed to be more streamlined towards the overall point of the plot. There was a lot of telling instead of showing in this novel, which is one of my biggest writing pet peeves. A chapter about a character would be 90% thoughts in their head, half of it totally unnecessary to moving the plot forward.

It felt like I was reading the first draft of a novel that still needed to be edited and reworked, instead of something ready to be published. That’s kind of a bummer because there was something really great about the concept for this, it just took a misstep when it came to actually putting the idea into the framework of a novel that worked.

If the writing had been cleaner and the plotting more dynamic, specifically in the case of the main character Kathy, I would have liked this a lot more than I did. But I’m still interested to read more about Kathy Ryan because “female supernatural doctor” is a cool job.

I did not complete this book, due to the portrayal of pedophilia (more to the point, the pedophile gets a sympathetic POV) and my inability to suspend disbelief for long enough to enjoy the overall story. However, I am sure that other readers could get more out of this than I can, and would recommend it to adult readers due to its dark themes.

Ok book and alright for a holiday read. Didn’t get completely engrossed and didn’t find it to be a page turner but finished it ok.

What if you could make a wish, any wish, and your wish would be granted as long as you followed a few simple rules?
In a forest surrounding the small town of Zarepath, there is such a door. No one knows where the door came from or what it leads to but any wish will be granted in 3 days as long as it is sealed with wax and a bit of blood. Kari is a single mother trying to cope with the death of her daughter. She decides to write a letter asking the powers that be to erase the memory of her daughter but realizes it is better to grieve and remember rather than forget the person existed at all. She regrets writing the letter and tries to get it back but in the process opens the door and releases an unspeakable horror into the world at large. It is up to Kathy Ryan, an occult specialist to close the door that has been opened.
I always love Mary Sangiovanni's writing. I really like Kathy Ryan's character and how she shows what makes each person tick. The writing is suspenseful and I especially enjoyed Behind the Door because there were elements of the unknown and ancient Gods that remind me of H.P. Lovecraft but without going overboard.
Be careful what you wish for...

The premise of this book really intrigued me... but it just didn't work for me. There wasn't as much horror as I thought there would be and everything (plot and characters) just fell flat.

The premise is intriguing and I find it creepy and unsettling. I was prepared for more horrors, though, but it was lacking. The set of characters are interesting but there's not enough about the main character Kathy. I was hoping the story will focus more on her and how she'll deal with the Door than that of the residents of Zarepath. Even the ending fell a little short for me. There is no denying it is a well-written novel, though. I was just expecting for a lot more. Overall, an okay read

*thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

2 stars.

This was just not for me and that is quite surprising really as I loved the sound of this. What I was thinking would be a creepy read turned out to not interest me. There were too many character narrators and usually I find any more than 2 is over doing it, and this book had more than 2. I just wasn't interested but clearly most people do really enjoy this wish tells me that its pretty much just me it wasn't for and not that it was written poorly or anything like that. If you like the sound of it I suggest reading it and having your own opinion. I do quite like the cover though. It's pretty creepy and well done.

<I>Behind the Door</I> is the second book in the Kathy Ryan series. When I first requested the book, I hadn't realized it was part of a series. I figured that I would still give it a chance as a potential standalone book because I hadn't read the first in the series. I got through about 40% before determining that I didn't want to go further. There were a number of characters and storylines. As I read, I had to remind myself which character I was following because I felt like it transitioned or jumped pretty quickly. I tried but ultimately decided that I didn't want to continue reading the final 60%. Although the subject matter was intrigued, I couldn't develop a connection with any of it.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Kensington Books, Lyrical Underground and the author, Mary SanGiovanni, for the opportunity to read a digital copy of Behind The Door in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.
I was drawn to this book from the cover initially, then the premise of the storyline was intriguing. I was excited as I thought this book held a lot of promise.
Unfortunately, while I did enjoy this book, I felt that the ending really let the story down. It felt rushed compared to the rest of the storyline. Would definitely read this author again though. 3.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the first part of the book, but it went downhill for me after that. I wasn’t a fan of the characters. And the ending felt rushed and it just ended abruptly.

The writing was good and I will try this author again. I just wasn’t a fan of this book.

3 stars. A nice and solid effort, that fell short at the end, with an anticlimactic ending.

(SPOILERS BELOW!)

I was very well immersed in Mary SanGiovanni's story for most of the book. The horror scenes and the "Be sure your sins will find you out" vibes got me, not to mention the Lovecraftian elements. The lore behind the story seemed rich, and I was excited to see what would happen.

Up until we got to 3/4 of the book, when it suddenly became rushed and formulaic. Oh no, we're surrounded! We need to run to the car, go to [x place], and say the magic words to undo everything! Mary SanGiovanni went the extra mile and didn't even bother coming up with an incantation for the big finale!! It's just "Kathy said the words"!! Jesus Christ, that laziness almost got me laughing at the "big moment".

And one last thing: I can't say I was fond of a pedophile being a POV character, or him ~nobly sacrificing himself~ at the end, a sort of redemption. Not fond of it at all.

The small town of Zarepath has a strange secret. A door. Nobody knows where it came from or exactly how it works, but if you follow some simple rules, it can ease burdens. It doesn't always work as expected...but it always works. A note sealed with wax and blood slipped under the door...an outpouring of emotion and need....wait three days....and the door does the rest. There is just one Big Rule that cannot be broken -- NEVER EVER open the door. Unfortunately, sometimes broken people break rules.

OMG! This book was so suspenseful and fun to read! I love weird, spooky stories and this story about a magical strange door was wonderfully creepy and awesome! The town did great for awhile dealing with times that the door sort of got things wrong....or letting new people in town know the rules....but their luck certainly ran out when a woman freaked out and opened the door to get her letter back. MISTAKE! There are no take-backs when it comes to supernatural shit-shows.... Who you gonna call?? Kathy Ryan, Occult specialist.

The whole time I was reading this book I wanted to yell at the residents of Zarepath...warning them. If supernatural beings offer you favors, wishes, assistance....ANYTHING...you say NO THANK YOU and walk away. There is always a price. And wishes never ever get granted the way you think they will. All those ghostly tales....like the one where two old people wish for money to pay a debt and just as they utter the wish there is a knock at the door. It's news that their son was killed and there is a death payment due them of exactly the amount they wished for. Like the old saying says....when you sup with the devil, you use a long spoon. It is never never wise to play games with things you don't understand. And it's even dumber to do it right where you live. Plus....if there is one un-breakable rule, it is pretty much a given that some ninnyhammer will come along and break that rule. There's one (or usually multiples) in every group/town/family. Always. The residents of Zarepath certainly learned their lesson. What were they thinking! Sure makes for an awesome story though!

Kathy Ryan is a great main character. She comes in to face the evil that has poured out of the open door, and shows amazing bravery and talents at facing the supernatural. It made for a great, eerie, entertaining story! Loved it!

Another book in this series, Inside the Asylum, is coming out in 2019! I will definitely be reading it!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Kensington Books via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. No magical doors were opened or messed with during the reading of this book.**

I Couldn't Turn the Pages Fast Enough

The best writers are able to convey a lot with few words. Ms. SanGiovanni has packed a whole lot of horror into a relatively short novel. It felt a bit like Doctor Who's Tardis -- much bigger inside than suggested by the cover.

I lost some sleep the night I read it, and not only because I couldn't put it down. It's a ‘barricading the doors and hiding under the covers’ kind of scary. I loved it! I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.

Kathy Ryan is a paranormal investigator called in by the police department of the tiny burg of Zarephath when they realize that their situation is so dire, it's beyond their own ability to protect the townsfolk. Ryan comes highly recommended by a number of police departments who’ve requested her help (and discretion) with cases having occult or supernatural elements.

The author has imbued Ryan with deep insight and even deeper compassion for the mistakes and dark desires human beings can succumb to. The characters include a few whose acts are so reprehensible, it would have been easy to let them remain two-dimensional. I admire that she resisted that.

I really like Kathy Ryan and I'm delighted to know that book two is in the works. However, the story in Behind the Door is complete, no cliffhangers. If you like early Koontz or King, you'll like the scares in this book.

here’s a Door in the Zarephath woods. It has the power to “grant things”. Unfortunately, as it can give, it can also take back. And if you open the Door…well, just don’t open it. Take my word for it.

Fug. Somebody opened it didn’t they? Fug.

Time to call Kathy. She’ll know what to do. She kicked plenty of demon butt before.

This was a very good horror in a small town novel. An assortment of colorful and sometimes creepy characters with a very interesting backstory and no shortage of bloody action. Plus, Kathy Ryan is back. If you haven’t checked out Mary’s “Chills”, then you definitely should.

In Zarepath Pennsylvania, there is a door. A random door in the woods. A door that grants wishes. If you write a letter and put it under the door, within three days your wish comes true. Be careful what you wish for and even more careful how you write your letter. One wish per person and no take backs. oh, and NEVER open the door! Kari knew about the door and all the rules, but when she realized her letter to help her forget the pain of her daughter who committed suicide was causing her to totally forget her daughter, she did what she was not supposed to do... she opened the door! Now all the granted wishes were being reversed and creatures from the other side of the door are on this side of the door. Occult expert, Kathy Ryan has come to Zarepath to help put whatever came out from the door, back where it belongs. This is the second story featuring Kathy Ryan by Ms. SanGiovanni. I have not read the first, but that did not hinder my enjoyment of this story. While Kathy is the heroine, she is not the total focus of the story and Ms. SanGivanni gave enough background for the reader to understand her role. I am giving this a solid 4-star review.

This book was so exciting for me.  What is behind the door?  One wish you can write on paper and slip under the door.  Would you do it? What would you ask for?  This book had me on the edge of my seat.  I wanted to know all about it and see what else the author had in store for us the readers.  I could not put this book down.  It was a great book of suspense and wonder for me!  *This book was given to me for free at my request from NetGalley and I provided this voluntary review.*

BEHIND THE DOOR was both magical and creepy, a great combination. SanGiovanni did a great job with both the plot and characters but as usual, I really wanted the book to be more in-depth, longer. Nonetheless, I truly enjoyed it and will always look forward to SanGiovanni's next book.

The Door. It has been in the small, wooded town of Zarepath, Pennsylvania for as long as anyone can remember. Just The Door.....with no building around it and strange writing on it. And while no-one understands why it is here or who brought it, it is used. People write down all manner of things that they want to change and slide it under the door. And The Door obliges. Wrongs righted....or forgotten, deaths erased....kind of......you must be very careful how you word your request of the door. Written the wrong way and The Door's interpretation may not be quite what you anticipated. The careful wording. This is rule one. Rule two is that you cannot ever, under any circumstances, open the door. Once a request is made, it cannot be remade and you must live with what follows. Kari tried her very hardest to word her request just right. She knew that she could not bring her daughter, Jessica, dead by suicide, back to life......she just wanted the pain to go away. What she did not anticipate was that all of her memories would start leaving her....not just the painful ones. So she returns to The Door and does the unimaginable......she opens it. Only for a moment or two but it is enough. Enough for bizarre creatures to begin appearing throughout town to other folk who have left their own letters. Enough for people to start dying. Enough for occultist Kathy Ryan to be called to help save their town and re-seal The Door if it is not already too late. Fantastically visual and thoroughly enjoyed!

There is a Door in rural Pennsylvania. All the older residents in the nearby small town know that if a letter outlining a wish is placed beneath the threshold, it will be resolved one way or another in three days. The only rule is that one wish is granted in a lifetime, and no one opens the door. Kari recently moves to the town after her daughter's suicide and asked for her pain to be taken away. When she realizes this means all of her memories of her daughter are being erased, she tries to open the door to retrieve the letter. This breaks the pact with the other side, and now all of the wishes ever made are coming undone.

This is a Kathy Ryan novel, though I hadn't read other books in this series. It starts off with the stories of various residents of Zarepath, so it didn't feel necessary to have read any prior novels first. We learn of the tragedies in others' lives, the grief that wrecked Kari's life and led her to Zarepath, and of the Door itself. Kathy is introduced as an occult specialist, and her job is to track down the source of the oddities in town and try to reverse the damage, saving the people from whatever lived on the other side.

What starts off as creepy descends into the realm of outright horror after Kari opens the Door. We're slowly introduced to the ebb and flow of life in Zarepath, the idiosyncrasies that inevitably happen in small towns, and then it's turned on its head fairly rapidly. The horrors start out relatively tame: a hit and run wished away attacks the driver, compulsive behavior that disappeared is dreamed about, visions of fallen comrades in war reappear. It worsens over time, with what is probably typical monster movie fare in the form of blood, tentacles, faceless demons and whispers of terrible things about to happen.

Once the horror begins, it does go quickly and we reach the conclusion. It's fairly satisfying but does feel a little abrupt at the end. It's definitely a fascinating concept to read about as the start to a horror novel, so the other Kathy Ryan novels must be just as good.

Cosmic horror can be like quantum physics, leaving one with more questions than answers. If you "get it," then you really don't understand it. I loved this so much, just being dropped in to the town of Zeraphath, PA, where there's a wish-granting Door townsfolk have used for decades...and that's just normal. Until it's not. Fiction like this exists between the lines of reality, outside the periphery, and somewhere in the void, that it's normal for a small town to have access to an inter-dimensional Door, while nothing of it shows up on YouTube, social media, or the 24-hour news cycle. Hm...no one in the town (to my memory) even has a cellphone! Readers familiar with cosmic will have no trouble suspending the disbelief on more than one level required to really enjoy the second Kathy Ryan book. And readers not familiar with the sub genre may just want to investigate a bit more.