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I enjoyed the short chapters that helped move the book along at a nice pace. The two timelines were also enjoyable and kept me invested. The book started strong and instantly grabbed my attention and had me wanting to know more. It was obvious from the beginning, that her husband was not the nicest of fellows, and I wanted to know more of his motivation and why both were taken. Amelie has always been a survivor, from losing her parents as a child in Paris to making it on her own in London. As she builds a career for herself in the magazine industry, she meets, and agrees to marry, Ned Hawthorne. Amelie will meet the magazine's owner, Ned Hawthorpe, who will offer her a job there. Ned will eventually offer Amelie a marriage proposal that Amelie can't turn down. You get the picture. Thank you to NetGalley, B.A. Paris, and St. Martin’s Press for my advanced reader’s copy of The Prisoner, publishing November 1, 2022!
Dark, daring and irresistible. B.A. Paris takes a clever, sinister survival story and further elevates it with her trademark style and heart. Truly impossible to put down' CHRIS WHITAKER B.A. Paris knows how to build suspense in an unforgettable way.” — Tarryn Fisher, New York Times bestselling author of The Wrong Family I thought Paris' book the Dilemma was implausible...and it is. However, this one took the word 'implausible' to a whole new level. This is the sort of book that not only requires a suspension of disbelief, but a complete willingness to forego logic ENTIRELY...and a willingness to be okay with the fact that about 75% of it doesn't really make any sense. This was a totally different vibe than those two books. The Breakdown is a slow burn psychological thriller and The Dilemma is more of a thought-provoking familial drama.
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If it hadn’t been for Carolyn, I wouldn’t have had any misgivings at all. She would be hurt that I’d kept a supposed relationship with Ned from her. It bothered me that I couldn’t tell her the truth. But if I did, she’d be angry that I’d married him for money. Except that I hadn’t, not really, because I’d given him something in return, a way out of what to him was an impossible situation. Psychological thrillers don’t get any better than B.A. Paris’ scorching The Therapist, one of those books that make you want to draw the blinds to make sure nobody’s peeking inside."— Providence Journal
Loved the first half of the book! But the ending just came apart at the seams. Endless explanation as to why and how the kidnapping happened. To the point I just wanted to scream “enough already”! Just too much! The explosive start of this book sets up a compelling plot […] written in well-executed super-edgy, short, sharp chapters and the description of her confinement is full of claustrophobic detail and menace’ DAILY MAIL The other criticism is that Lina, Justine, and Carolyn are really important people in Amelie’s life. But because of the nature of the book and the first person POV we don’t really get to know them at all. Their absences in the story feels abrupt. Which considering the reason for their absence makes sense, but as a reader we don’t get much closure and are left unsure if we need it. So it’s almost a dream come true when she’s hired by billionaire Ned Hawthorpe for an entry-level position at his glossy magazine. Her other closest friends work for him too, ensuring that she feels even more comfortable in the position than she ordinarily might. When Ned asks her to travel with him as his assistant on a glamorous trip to Las Vegas, Amelie is both dazzled and flattered. She’s never even been on a plane before, and is eager to prove her professional worth to her boss of several months.There's plenty of guessing and twists in this story of obsession that will leave readers wondering who to trust."— Parkersburg News and Sentinel I imagine him holding a copy of today’s newspaper as he stares at a camera, his eyes wide with fear. Ned isn’t the bravest of men. The Circle evokes the chills of 'The Stepford Wives.' A well-crafted psychological thriller."— Booklist Although this was not my favorite by B.A. Paris, I will happily read more of her books in the future. It opens with vicious men snatching Amelie and her wealthy husband in the middle of the night. She tries and fails to identify her captors.
This is my 6th BA Paris novel and also my least favourite. Yes, it ranks below the much-panned The Dilemma. I don't think The Prisoner is slow, boring or badly written at all. I actually started out liking it so imagine my own horror when I realised it would be a 1-star read for me. 1 stars and BA Paris just don't exist in the same world... until now. The story just ends after Hunter explains himself in New Zealand. Amalie says that maybe they can keep in touch, and walks away. The Review: As a teenager, Amelie moved to London on her own after both of her parents passed away. Not long after her move, she met Carolyn Blakely, who took her under her wing, giving her a housekeeping job and a place to live.
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BA Paris is a talented author who is highly skilled in masterfully orchestrating compelling psychological thrillers. Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and B.A. Paris for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 11.1!**
In fact, the story then devolves into more of a formulaic, soapy drama that really struggles to keep up momentum. Paris skilfully stitches together domestic noir with a kidnap thriller and the result is a gripping read’ DAILY EXPRESS I have enjoyed most of this author’s previous work, but this one was a BIG miss for me! If I wasn’t buddy reading it with DeAnn, it would have been a DNF! A] thrill-stuffed novel about a posh London gated community that’s a hotbed of secrets and lies."— The Washington Post Likable heroine: Amelie, orphan, trying to survive in England to find her way, is naive, good hearted girl evolving into a bold, damaged, tough woman. The character development of Amelia is great and she’s easy to connect with.A wave of sadness flows through me. If we were another couple, I might have put my mouth against the hole [in the floor] and called quietly to him, let him know I was nearby, tell him we could find a way to escape together. But we are not that couple, and when I escape, it will be to get away from him, not just our abductors. Regardless, I still recommend reading this book as B.A. Paris is one of my favorite go-to authors. I also love the title and cover for this book! I loved the short chapters in part one, which really added to the rising tension. You will be rooting for Amelie!' PRIMA
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