Absolutely loved listening to this book! Kept be wondering the whole time. Wonderfully written and very descriptive. Twists and turns through the whole book. I thought I had it figured out a couple times but boy was I wrong.

At first, it was so good. Definitely had "Behind Closed Doors" vibes with the abusive, horrible husband. Learning how they ended up getting married and being held captive by going between past and present kept my interest. But then the past part ended and there was still so much left in the book... It seemed to go on FOREVER. I feel like it could have been made shorter and still had everything explained. And I *knew* Hunter had to be her captor! It was also super sad, since basically everyone she loved died. Then it gets a little Stockholm syndrome-y at the end...

The Prisoner, by B. A. Paris (Audiobook Review)

I had the privilege of reading The Prisoner by B.A. Paris e-book while listening to the audiobook. The audiobook is beautifully narrated by the very talented Georgia Maguire. B.A. Paris' story is interesting and has many exciting plot twists. I was taken in by the beginning of the audiobook and excited to hear what happened next.

It is my pleasure to always highly recommend Macmillan Audio, but there was something wrong with the copy of the audiobook that I received. Because this is not the author's or narrator's fault, I will not remove stars, but rather report my findings.

The audio is missing many chapters which makes it a bit difficult to follow with clarity. The audio abruptly cuts off at the end of the book. Compared to the e-book, the entire last section of the book is missing. As it stands, the ending does not make sense to the listener. The written copy of the e-book by B.A. Paris is fascinating to read. To complete the delightful listening experience, the audiobook needs to be corrected to include the exciting and informative last chapters of the book.

The Prisoner audiobook by B. A. Paris, (narrative by Georgia Macguire) is available on November 1st. I will not be posting this review on social media as I do not want to take away from Macmillan Audio or the author. The purpose of this is only to inform NetGalley.

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio. Your kindness is always appreciated.

I read The Couple Next Door and quickly devoured all of Paris' books. Until The Prisoner I was about to give up on Paris. We have a strong lead character in Amelie - she is a survivor. Amelie spent the majority of the novel locked in one room, but it was kept interesting with being able to with her being able to hear her husband, speculate why they have been kidnapped, the motives, and who are the kidnappers. Honestly, to keep a book interesting locked in a small dark room for the majority of the book is quite the challenge that Paris succeeded in writing. The pacing was great and I was keep intrigued on how the story would play out.

How did this book find me? I received an audio version through NetGalley.

Amelie, having been orphaned at a young age, moves to London to start a new life. A hasty decision with the hope for a better future changes everything, and she finds herself waking up in a dark room being held prisoner attempting to fight for her life and puzzle how everything could have gone so, so wrong.

What I enjoy about BA Paris' books is her ability to intertwine characters and build on details to help develop a complex storyline with unexpected twists. Reading this felt like a puzzle, with each chapter or new development a small piece being added to the greater picture. Similar to her previous works, I felt like once I was invested I couldn't stop reading (or listening, in this case) until I knew the ending. The narration was perfect and only enhanced the flow and tone of the story.

This book started off with a bang. Told in dual timelines, the intensity was building in both the past and the present as the story unfolds. Then, about 2/3 of the way through, it seemed to shift and there was a lull. Although there were more twists ahead, the intensity didn't quite pick back up. While I did appreciate the closure I felt for both myself and some of the characters, I just wish that momentum had propelled a bit more through the entire book and it would have been a hit for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and SMP for an ALC in exchange for an honest review. Full review on my IG @manis.and.manuscripts on 9/8 and shared again on pub day!

I found the middle of the book to drag on a bit, while the ending felt rushed and like there were too many logistics to explain to the reader. If the plotline had been a little simpler, I think I would have liked the book better.

B.A. Paris does not disappoint in her latest book. As usual she spins a twisted tale. Emily is an orphan running away to London, where a group of young women takes her under their wings. She is happy - but somewhat unfulfilled. When the Playboy Ned, proposes a business deal - a proforma marriage that will earn her enough money to go to university and move on with her life, she accepts, despite the girlfriends having warned her about how Ned sexual harrassed one of the friends. After the marriage, Ned isolates Emily, and everything unravels.

There are a few loose ends in the story - biggest is how everybody seems to accept that a charitable foundation is more valuable than any human life - but all is forgiven when a story is well written and entertaining.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book.

After losing her parents, Amelie decides she's going to move to London and make it on her own, even if she has to lie a little because she's so young. When a chance encounter in a cafe leads to an amazing job and a nice place to live, Amelie couldn't be happier. Not only does she have a job and shelter, she has also found a family. Maybe her dreams of becoming a lawyer could happen after all? Will one poor decision ruin everything? This is a fun audiobook to listen to, it definitely kept my attention. Nov 2022 Pub Date

First line: I sense the shift of air beneath my nose a millisecond before something – thick, sticky tape – is clamped over my mouth, silencing the scream that would have ripped from me.

Summary: Amelie is alone after the death of her father. Rather staying in her home town full of memories she leaves for London and the hopes of opportunities. As she makes friends she works her way up to being an assistant at a popular magazine. And then one weekend she marries the owner, millionaire Ned Hawthorpe. But the next thing she knows she is in a dark room with only a mattress and meals served by a silent captor. Why has she been kidnapped? And where is her husband?

My Thoughts: I really liked the layout of the story. It flipped back and forth between the past and present. Amelie slowly gives us a peek into her past as it connects with her capture. And rather than being a scared victim she tries everything she can to get free and figure out what is happening. But as the story progresses everything changes. Big twists with lots of drama. It is similar to many of Paris’ novels which are always enjoyable.

FYI: Kidnapping, murder and torture.

4.5 stars rounded up. A solid thriller with plenty of twists, and an intricate and well-paced plot. The first part of the book unfolds in chapters alternating between the past and present, with the past chapters providing an engrossing back story, and adding to the building suspense of the present. The second part of the book moves at a slower pace, but enough details are revealed that it kept my attention throughout. The narrator’s portrayal of the main character, Amelie, was effective.

I knocked off half a star as I did have to play back the audio a few times to fully grasp all of the details of the final reveals, but overall was satisfied with the ending.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for sharing an advance audio recording of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy of this audiobook.
I have read every book by BA Paris. Though this was not my favorite of hers it was an enjoyable read.

Good spooky book with an interesting twist. Really like the narrator, and definitely will share with others.

One of the thrillers that started my love for the genre was Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris and unfortunately I’ve been chasing that same high from her ever since. While The Prisoner didn’t rise to the same level, it was still quite enjoyable from start to finish. I typically feel like thrillers/mysteries end too abruptly. Like there are lots of questions that still need answers and explanations. The Prisoner doesn’t do that. In fact, at about the 75% mark, I thought it was over, but then it went on for another couple of hours of what I would consider wrapping the story up. While I appreciated this, I wish it had been a bit less. It felt a bit redundant and like we had all the info needed for the book to just end. Overall I would recommend if looking for a very fast-paced, short audio/read.

The Prisoner was a very quick listen, 8 hours on audio (but since I do 1.75x I listened for under 5 hours). This audio was very easily sped up and still very enjoyable to listen to, which I personally love. The British accent of the narrator made the book feel more real and added depth to the story.

Overall I’d give a 3.5, but rounded up for Netgalley. I will post on IG closer to the publishing date.

3 stars.*

B.A. Paris is hit or miss for me. I love a thriller, so her style and the tension work for me. I love that she always writes in multiple twists and turns. And the narrator for the Audiobook is great.

However, the protagonist, Amelie, is just too sweet and naive to be believable.

The Prisoner is the tale of French-Born, English-raised Amelie finding herself an orphan following the sudden death of her father. She stumbles upon a savior in her employer/friend Carolyn whom she follows home from a coffee shop. Ultimately, Carolyn and her friends/colleagues become Amelie's whole world. She winds up wrapped up in a bizarre kidnapping situation that is far too outrageous to be plausible and the antagonist is so overly evil as to be a caricature.

That said, it was a fun quick listen and it won't keep me from reading her next book!

*with thanks to NetGalley for the audio ARC in exchange for this honest review.

3.5/5 - Audiobook via eARC

This wasn’t my favorite storyline by Paris. I enjoyed Part One of the book, and while I was surprised a tad with the ‘plot twist’ of the abduction, it just wasn’t as on the edge of my seat gripping as previous books.

Brief Plot: Amelie has been abducted into a dark room, with only a faint idea of why. In a then/now perspective storyline, Amelie starts homeless in London and through meeting new people, ends up being married to a handsome billionaire, Jed Hawthorne. Could that marriage have led to her kidnapping?
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an eARC audiobook copy of The Prisoner, by B. A. Paris, and narrated by Georgia Maguire. This is my honest review!

I was hooked immediately and while some of the parts were slow, overall it was a quick read. I enjoyed it and was invested in all of the characters.

The audio narration was excellent as well.

I really liked the doubling concept in this book and how everything came together at the end.

Final thoughts…(1) Ned is really the worst. Rich kid running amuck with seemingly no repercussions for his awful behavior. (2) Don’t let the “meh” good reads rating keep you from checking this one out.

A solid 3.5 stars rounded up. This book started out SO strong. I could not put it down. But the second half fell a little flat for me. All the questions were answered but it was a little far fetched at times and some of the answers seemed a bet convenient. I also felt like Ned was a bit flat. I wish I knew a little more of his backstory to find out why he was the way he was.

This is only my second BA Paris book after Behind Closed Doors and I definitely feel the need to run not walk to get more!

Thanks NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to share my thoughts on this!

An exhilarating read from start to finish. It was a thrill ride which kept me guessing throughout the story. The main character, Amelie LaMont was relatable and likable.

4/5 stars

Thank you Macmillan audio for the advanced listening copy!

When Amelie's dad passes away suddenly, leaving her with nothing and no one at age 16, she jets off to London in search of a better life. After a few tumultuous months, Amelie falls in with a supportive and glamorous group, ultimately leading her to Ned Hawthorne, a billionaire who becomes her husband. A seemingly perfect arrangement goes sideways when Amelie wakes up, alone and in a pitch-black room, uncertain even who her captors are. Through a dual past-and-present timeline, we uncover the complicated situation Amelie finds herself in, and the ways that things are not always what they seem.

I have mixed feelings on this one. Overall, I enjoyed it. The narrator did a great job. The chapters were short and the story was overall fast-paced. I genuinely like Amelie and wanted things to work out for her. There were a few twists that elicited genuine shock from me. However, I felt this book left a bit to be desired. I still gave it 4/5 because I truly did enjoy it. But, compared to B.A. Paris's usual standard, this one fell a little flat. Do I still recommend it? Absolutely. Just lower your standards a bit from Paris's usual exceptional work.

I am a fan of B.A. Paris. This was an enjoyable read. I did almost feel like it was two books in one. It's not that the story did not flow well. I just think the plot could have been narrowed down and more focused on one aspect instead of so many. I got through 65% of the book and thought it was done but then more just kept coming.

It is worth a read for sure if you like thrillers.