Not every mystery and crime novel needs a cop or a agent or a hero, sometimes hero comes out from the people around us and the simple characters we met in our way to reach some common goal.
that is what happens in this new and brilliant book by JD Barker.
I always excited to read and explore new and old works of authors i love to read without having a second thought and Mr Barker is one them. and he never disappoints when it comes to soul thrilling stories with ordinary people in it.
a very intense , thought provoking , keep wanting you to ask for more from this other side of this author, we have never seen before.
characters are so much like the people you meet daily in your lives, most of them are insecure and struggles in daily life to find a way to carry out their lives with a purpose.Glad to see that in first few chapters both couples did not commit anything which could cause a stir.
i won't stop thinking about characters in this book and how they grew on me.
Mr Barker developed every character in this book very thoughtfully and in way that you will love them and remember them.
He developed them with a purpose and deep consciousness. A great mystery subtlety unfolding itself behind a closed door or should i say turning the wheels of another story unfolding another story itself.
tension building in this story is of just another level.
when you are at mid point of the book you feel its going to end, cause of much action and thrilling situations, and you wonder how this story gonna make it up to at least 90%, if not 100%.
bad guys turning in to hero, bad guys come to save the day thing, very unpredictable.
this book is totally fun and exciting and left you satisfied with every thing you will wish to happen.

It's not often that i rate a story 5 stars, but i was gripped the whole way through. I think it has something for everyone, action, suspense, sex, gore and romance. Great characters and a detailed storyline that scaroly could be real life, a dismal and grizzly reality. I have been championing this story in my virtual book club and recommended to my husband too. Thank you for accepting my request to read and review. Abby was a kick ass woman, and Juliet was one of my faves. I will be keeping an eye out for more of your stories.

The idea of the book was Ok, just seemed sooooo far-fetched at times so I had a bit of trouble relating. The ending didn’t totally wrap things up for me, and I feel like there could have been a bit more added.

BEST BOOK THAT I HAVE READ FOR QUITE A WHILE NOW.
I finished the book in one sitting and it made me think about it for quite some time. Captivating, sitting on the edge of the seat page turner, this book made me forget i was reading.
theres a lot of stuff going on, quite surprising stuff. The book made me think twice about downloading the app and ticking the terms and conditions page without reading.
A very twisty and thrilling ride, definitely recommended.

Wow! A fantastic cautionary tale about a couple who download an app to spice up their marriage and the chaos that ensues.

It romps along and I thoroughly enjoyed the unique tale of Sugar and Spice. It’s got sex, violence, intrigue and twists and is very well crafted.

It certainly makes you think twice about the risks involved in downloading apps, clicking on links and general dangers of our internet linked world.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to preview and it’s great to have this author back publishing his own works, following his success with James Patterson.

Smut with a side of thriller with killer apps omg this read like a movie already and to know that the folks who did “get out” bought the rights to make this a movie. I can’t wait I loved this book so much and I give it 5 stars. Its spicy so be warned but man oh man it was good

This book was a long read for me but the story was honestly good. It had me really thinking about the digital age we live in and how people could one day end up being controlled by an app. Totally plausible story line. It didn't have me reading into the night or not able to put it down but again it was a good story and worth the read just not one that had me staying up til all hours of the night to get to the next part.

At the suggestion of a Marriage Counsellor Abby and Brendan Hollander download an App that she suggests will spice up and hopefully rejuvenate their flagging relationship. Called Sugar & Spice the rave reviews prompt the doubting couple to download the App and initially enjoy the erotic "truth or dare" format. Once hooked they find the dares increasingly extreme and their lives spiralling rapidly out of control as it becomes obvious that malevolent forces are controlling the App and through it an army of almost brainwashed users who will do anything,even kill,to score lucrative points.

This is a clever,contemporary and thought-provoking thriller that will have readers thinking twice about skipping through the terms and conditions of even everyday technology and clicking "Accept".
J.D Barker has best been known in recent years for his collaborations with James Patterson,this book shows that he's just as capable an author when "flying solo" and this is every bit as good as anything Mr Patterson has written either on his own or with his army of co-authors.

An exciting read that has a bit of everything,great characters, "Romeo and Juliet" are my favourites, plenty of thrills,some great twists and just an all-round excellent read.

There is a lot of sex and some quite extreme violence,I actually flinched at one scene,so if either are an issue this isn't the book for you.

You may want to think twice next time you want to download an app!

Brendan and Abby have hit a bit of a rocky spot in their marriage and decide to seek out marriage counselor. This counselor may not be the most conventional but at this point they’re game to try anything. Her suggestion is that they download a new and popular app called Sugar & Spice. Guaranteed to put the heat back into their marriage!🔥

But what happens when an app wants to take over your life? How well do you read the small print, the before you clicked accept? Let me just say after reading this book I’ll always take a closer look! Ha, who am I kidding? I’ll just click accept like everyone else and hope for the best!🙈

This is another full-throttle thriller from the very talented J.D. Barker with a rather spicy start. But quickly moved into an all out unputdownable thrill ride. All in all J.D. once again kept me on the edge of my seat to the end!

Make sure to read the author's note on his inspiration for this novel. I think it’s something we’ve all experienced …😉

A buddy read with Susanne that we both enjoyed!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press

I love all JD Barker books, and this one did not disappoint! A twisted realistic storyline that will have you reading well into the night! A dating app gone wrong story that has twists you will never see coming!

Meet Brendan and Abby who are having marital problems. Their couples therapist suggests they try an app, Sugar n Spice! What starts as innocent fun turns deadly. Soon they are caught in a game of truth or dare they can't escape.

This was an ARC I greatly enjoyed

Firstly I would like to thank netgalley and Hampton creek press and the great author J.D.Barker for an early copy of his book to read.


This book is completely different from his other books I've read, A shocking opening chapters,making you wanting to see what was going to happens..Brendan and Abbey a married couple seek a therapist there sex life wasnt as exciting,the therapist started to ask personal questions and recommend an app, this was working great for them to start with until the app started to get dangerous will they continue following the instructions? Enjoyed this read its completely different started great and exciting only found this book abit to long for this storyline. So my rating is 3.5 rounded to four..looking forward to reading more of his books.

This book will be reviewed on goodreads and waterstone's...

I will read anything JD Barker writes as they are always fascinating books and this one was awesome! It opens with Brendan and Abby seeing a marriage counselor as their union feels "stale." But then it gets to be anything BUT stale as they are introduced to a new app called Sugar and Spice that allows them to choose between the two and then act out these fantasies. At first it appears fairly innocuous but then things get dicey as "Romeo" and Juliet" come into the picture and Brendan and Abby are forced into awkward sexual situations that are embarrassing and leak over into their business lives as well. This novel is a train-wreck in every sense of the word and kept me gasping for breath as I couldn't turn the pages fast enough! Be prepared but dig in immediately!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, NetGalley, Hampton Creek Press and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), for this ARC.

Are you ready for a wild ride?! This J.D. Barker book is a bit different from his earlier works, but nothing wrong with that. Filled with unexpected ‘dark’ twists, never-stopping action, sex, murder, suspense and great characters. Abby and Brendan Hollander, who only want to spice up their marriage to Romeo and Juliet who are taking murderous instructions over the phone. This book starts with you thinking it’s just another ‘spiced up’ story, but this story actually has some ‘surprises’ for the reader, which I loved. A dark twisted story that will let you turn the pages like nothing else. This story is like a 4000 Shades of Black. I’m not going to give any spoilers, but this is definitely a book you must read, except if you are not into very dark thrillers, S&M, Sex, Spice and Twisted Games, in that case you probably won't like this book. Before I forget; if you come across an app called ‘Sugar & Spice’, you better skip it!!

4-5 stars

‘Sugar and spice and all things nice
Kisses sweeter than wine….’ that’ll be a big fat NO!

Brendan and Abby Hollander consult a therapist to work out the problems in their marriage. She recommends they download an app, Sugar and Spice, to spice things up between them, so things are all sweet between them again, presumably. However, to say the app isn’t quite what they anticipate would be the understatement of the decade. It seems a bit, er, invasive, and along the lines of truth or dare. It starts to become very twisted sister, seriously messed up as they teeter precariously into dangerous territory and it’s only going to get a whole bunch worse.

I begin this latest original and creative offering from JD Barker and I’m thinking this is rather a change of direction, what’s going on here? There’s quite a lot of blushing (me) and eye popping (me again) as things definitely get fruity and spicy between Brendan and Abby and I’m certainly of the opinion they should ditch that app. If only they had listened to me, but then it wouldn’t have been half so entertaining, would it? They certainly end up wading in a whole load of effluent.

Alongside the increasingly scary demands of the app, is Brendan‘s job as a financial crime detective, investigating companies nefarious deeds and what is uncovered here becomes seriously weird and deepens the precarious nature of their situation. Initially I think some of this is somewhat far-fetched, but then I reflect for a bit and decide, actually it may be exaggerated, but it ain’t out of the realms of possibility. It gets darker and darker, very much JD style. The eyes are still popping but for different reasons!

It becomes a real puzzle you try to connect, it’s so suspenseful, intense, tense and naturally, twisty, twisty. I love the cliffhangers that many chapters finish on which certainly keeps me glued to the train wreck of Brendan and Abby‘s lives. It’s well plotted, it’s much tighter than some of his other novels, which makes a sharper and much more focused reading experience. It builds and builds, it’s absolutely action packed, and most certainly action movie worthy as it barrels and turns to a cracking end. it is definitely a wild train ride but it’s an entertaining one.

The moral of the tale ? So app(t). Buyer, beware, read your t’s and c’s, tech can work for you, but on the flipside… talking of flips… Where’s my old flip phone? That might be safer than big brother, watching and listening!! However, can I survive without my gadgets?!!

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hampton Creek Press for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

JD Barker co-wrote The Coast to Coast murder with James Patterson and it was one of my favourite books for the year....so I was ridiculously excited to get my hands on Behind a Closed Door.

We have Abby and Brendan who at their first marriage counseling session, when their counselor suggests they try the Sugar and Spice app to help connect them again and spice things up.

We also meet Romeo and Juliet who seem to be on some sort of murderous spree..... and then Brendan and Abby's best friends, Hannah and Stuckey. Eventually one realises the app is more sinister and not just about spicing up relationships....

The book started off intriguing and the writing is great, I do love Barker's writing style, but there was just something that didn't connect me to the pages. I did finish it though, so maybe that counts for something.

There was one twist that was very obvious to me, one scene that was really disturbing as a woman, and perhaps that got me checked out. I didn't have the desire to keep turning the pages and I didn't feel that there was much tension or suspense for me. Perhaps it was the legal/financial jargon that I didn't enjoy or need....I think that possibly a different angle around that plot would have had me more invested.

I will say that reading the Author's notes at the end of the book, I can appreciate why he wrote the book, it really is a cautionary tale of how technology is taking over the world....literally!

As said in the blurb, would you kill a total stranger to save someone you love?

This alone drew me into this book, it gets you thinking doesn’t it? Would you?

Abby and Brandon are struggling within their marriage, they go to see a therapist who tells them to try this new craze app that everyone is going on about - I mean, it’s the highest rated app, so trustworthy, right?

The app starts with a bit of fun, boosting their sex life, but then things get deeper, more sinister asks are popping up. Soon the couple find their lives being dragged through some very dark stuff.

Without giving any more away, you must read this book! I thought the overall experience of the book was brilliant, I did struggle personally about 3/4 of the way through and I just wanted to find out what happens, but the ending did not disappoint

Let me first state that I am a big fan of J.D. Barker.

Then let me say that "Behind a Closed Door" exhausted me. There is that much action. It's almost two books within a book. We open with steamy sex that builds and builds. Then the intrigue comes onboard and we start a more typical Barker adventure through the twists, turns, and action that make his books to addicting.

"Behind Closed Doors" is a layered novel that should keep J.D.'s fans satiated for awhile. Then again, it might have us begging for more. Read it and see.

I was pleasantly surprised to see a new book by JD Barker available. As much as I have enjoyed reading his past books, this one not so much. The subject matter was not a comfortable read. While I am sure that Mr Barker’s many fans will enjoy the book, this one was not for me.

Thank you the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book

Wow. The app Sugar & Spice is truth or dare for adults. The key word is “adult,” so the book begins with much erotica. Then the tune changes to violence, bloody and painful. Throw in debauchery. Almost 500 pages of these tunes was a bit much for me. I liked the ending and the lesson it has.

The producer of “Get Out” has bought rights to this novel. Be prepared to wince while watching!

3.5 stars rounded up.