Behind a Closed Door

The Estate #2

by Mel Sherratt

Housing office Josie Mellor loves the community spirit of the notorious Mitchell Estate – when it doesn’t involve benefit cheats, aggression, or murder and mayhem, that is. But it isn’t exactly a party for some of her tenants...Kelly Winterton thinks Josie is sticking her nose in where it’s not wanted. Her partner’s just been packed off to prison and she’s left worrying how to fend for herself and her young daughter. Charlotte Hatfield has fled from her violent partner. With four children in tow, she lives in fear of him finding her again. Amy Cartwright has learning difficulties. She finds it hard enough looking out for herself and her six-month-old baby without being taken advantage of.In the midst of it all, Josie has secrets of her own. Trapped in a loveless marriage, she struggles to escape her controlling husband and, as her home life deteriorates, she realises only a thin line separates her from the people she’s trying to help. Can Josie save herself and return the estate to relative normality when a spate of burglaries causes havoc and deadly violence erupts? Or will both she and her tenants become victims of violence that no one will see?

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Drama, Crime

268 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2012

About the author

I write police procedurals, psychological suspense and women's fiction with a punch - or grit-lit, as I call it.

I live in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, with my husband and terrier, Dexter (named after the TV serial killer) and makes liberal use of my hometown as a backdrop for some of my books.

You can find out more at my website www.melsherratt.co.uk or I'm on Twitter at @writermels

I also write women's fiction under the pen name of Marcie Steele.

Reviews

[ReadAlongWithSue ★⋆. ࿐࿔catching up · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really felt like a nosy neighbor reading this book at times, getting into peoples personal lives, and lets face it, aren't we all a little nosy?

I really enjoyed this account in book 2, we get to meet a few more characters from the Mitchell Estate.

Josie is the Housing Officer, we see and hear a lot about her. Very kind, very patient, but does her job.

The Mitchell Estate is a down and out place to live, lots were reliant on benefits from the state, and LOTS knew how to scam too, dodgy dealings, crime.

Some dirty unkempt residence that were treated with respect from Josie.

I loved the comment when she arrived at someones door, the person was [well let me say...] a bit dirty, and then it was said "that the trousers could walk away on their own". Loved it.

I feel Josie goes way beyond her job description as the Housing Officer at times.
She got to know many of the tenants.
She had to deal with unkempt gardens, refuse, waste, anti social behavior, help with benefits. Even an escaping dog!!!

Josie has problems in her private life of her own. Her marriage wasn't all it was cracked up to be. She worked long and hard hours, many times getting in late. Her husband Stewart hardly pulling his finger out to do anything. We later see some decisions being made.

This story also focuses on a 20 something girl with a young daughter of her own. She did live in the 'better' part, but through no fault of her own she finds herself on the Mitchell Estate. Right smack bang in the middle. It was interesting to see Josie's part in her life and how the young girl changed her life around until........
her boyfriend came out of prison.

There also is another love interest other than her boyfriend, so will this make a difference to her life? Her future, her daughters future?

This is a great DOWN TO EARTH story, stories that could be you or I, stories that are out there among us. And Josie the Housing Officer, the caring person that she is trying to do the best she can.

I loved the insight the author gave to Josie's personal life, her expectations and her exacerbations.

This is not an edge of your seat tale, this is a relax enjoy, its like watching one of those documentory's on the TV like Benefit street!

I loved it.

I must thank Mel Sherratt for allowing me the pleasure of reading this. I found it fascinating and I really felt like some nosy neighbor peeking out of my window. LOL

[Kylie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in 'The Estate' series and follows the lives of residents of a housing estate in the UK. Josie is a housing officer who tries to do her best for her residents but this is not always appreciated. The struggles of some of the families is an unfortunate reality of generations of unemployed families, drug use and domestic violence.
For every bad seed however Josie's faith in humanity is restored by good, kind people who are 'battlers'. This follows a few characters and reveals that all is not perfect in Josie's personal life either.
A good story of where persistence and courage will usually overcome the odds.

[Stephen Clynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Behind a Closed Door is book 2 in the Estate series but can clearly be read as a stand-alone. In this novel the main focus is Josie Mellor, the housing officer on the fictional Mitchell Estate readers met in book 1. Follow Josie as the reader learns what happens behind the closed doors of this down market British housing estate.

I enjoyed reading Behind a Closed Door, this is not a thriller but a down to earth, working class drama of a community with very low disposable income. All human life is here and this novel has the feel of Benefits Street, a Channel 4 documentary broadcast in 2014 and 2015.

There is crime featured in this drama, benefit fraud and burglary but what is more alarming is the domestic problems of controlling and lazy partners. It really got me going and I quickly developed a strong empathy for these victims of domestic abuse, wanting them to throw out or leave their controlling and lazy partners. Sadly in real life many households are stuck in this very unfair situation where one partner does everything yet the other does not lift a finger. Even in relationships when one partner is disabled, there will be many tasks that they will be competent to undertake rather than order the other partner to do everything. Mel Sherratt has created some characters here that are so easy for the reader to hate because they are so damn lazy!

I enjoyed Behind a Closed Door so much more than the first book in this series, Somewhere to Hide. The reason for this is the main character, Josie Mellor the housing officer. This book blooms with the little details of her job, the highs and lows plus the whole feel of the job. This inside knowledge is lovely to learn and adds to the realism of this story. Those little snips add so much to this novel, for example…

Josie was astounded at her perceptiveness. ‘In this job, I have to be two different people at the same time. It’s one of those things that only individuals who work with the general public face-to-face will understand. It stops you taking the insults personally.’

… But then at the end Mel Sherratt reveals that she worked as a housing officer for eight years, giving her the background to create a fictional estate. It is the old adage to write about what you know. I consider Behind a Closed Door to be a GOOD 4 star read, especially to readers who do not live alone.

[Caz Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little better than the 1st one

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behind a Closed Door is the second book in The Estate series and actually reads easily as a stand alone, though having read the first you are missing out if you don't read it as well.

In Behind a Closed Door we get to know Josie better who is doing her best in her role to try and make things better for the tenants in the Mitchell Estate.
It does seem like she is fighting a losing battle at times as some people do not want her help and just see her as an interfering busy body.

I have to say Josie deserves a gold medal for what she has to put up with in her job. She really wants to try and help everyone even though at times she might as well be hitting her head against a brick wall trying to get through to some of the tenants. Josie really does have her plate full yet she wants to try and better herself even more, much to the disapproval of her husband Stewart.

Josie really is a great character and I love the friendship that starts to blossom between her and Kelly the other main character in the story.

The Estate really is a great series, the author tackles some tough issues in todays society and it makes for a gripping read. I just love how the author manages to shock the reader and throws the odd twist in for good measure also. I really can not recommend this series highly enough, I have absolutely loved the first two books and I am so glad I have got the third book already on my kindle waiting to be read as I can not wait to see what else is in store for the people of Mitchell Estate.

[Hannah Polley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite like Mel Sherratt but I found this book very samey to previous ones I have read and it didn't really excite me.

This book is back with Josie Mellor, Housing Officer on the Mitchell estate. There are a spate of burglaries happening which doesn't really seem to interest Josie until the end when she cracks the case really easily. Instead, most of the book is taken up with Josie's relationship with her husband and Kelly's relationship with her partner.

I did like the book but whilst I have kept all of my previous Mel Sherratt books, this one I will be passing on.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been on a Mel Sherratt binge this week and finished off Behind a Closed Door last night.

I really wasn't sure when I started this series, if I'd like it or not as I'm a crime/psychological thriller kinda gal! However, I have been pleasantly surprised; I love how this series makes you feel like a "neighbour" on the estate and how you get to know your neighbours, their secrets, their dark lives and the sadness that exists; but also how you feel as though you are a part of the tight knit community that does exist on The notorious Mitchell Estate - yes it has it's fair share of neighbours from hell but when you scrape beneath the surface there is a whole lot of hurt and damage that has led to this and you cannot help feeling as though you are cheering them on to better things!
Josie, the Housing Officer whom we met in book one, is the main focus for this book and things are not as they appear on the outside when we are taken into Josie's life in the book; life behind closed doors is very different than others perceive it to be! And that's what i love about this series - it could be any estate anywhere in the UK - we all have our perceptions and judgements - but when you open the door that the books provide then you get a wee glimpse of what is really going on!
You could read this series as stand alones but I'd recommend reading in order because it gives a greater insight into the characters that you will meet.
Continuing my binge with book number 3 in the series!

[Jamie Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Estate Series

Read a couple of these today, about to start the third. The estimated reading time of 7+ hours seemed way over because they're only about 300 pages.

I was pleasantly surprised by the series, only because I've read some terrible books lately, thanks to kindle unlimited and the annoying practice of promoting awful books to kindle unlimited subscribers.

The characters are not necessarily all likeable but they are well written, so is the depiction of life on an estate, especially the good / bad side snobbery. Not set in London, which makes a change. Not sure what people outside the UK would think, just because council estates are a weirdly British thing. There's a lot going on in the story but it all ties up nicely in the end. I don't do plot synopsis because there's plenty of those already and I'm never sure what constitutes a spoiler.

I guess if you enjoy Martina Cole, Jessie Kane or Minnette Waters this series would appeal. Definitely worth a try.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent second book in the Estate series. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the new characters as well as learning more about characters featured in book 1. I already have book 3 downloaded so I will be starting that now.

[Gerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Teresa Nikolic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josie Mellor is the Housing Officer for the notorious Mitchell Estate, most of the tenants on the Estate have issues; drugs, crime, benefit cheats etc and some of them are doing what they can to get by and keep their heads above water, Kelly Winterton is one of these people after her partner Scott gets sent down, how will she cope on her own with her little girl? Charlotte Hatfield has escaped her abusive partner and is in hiding with her four children, but how long will it be before he discovers where she is? Amy Cartwright has learning difficulties and is struggling to look after herself and her young baby. All Josie wants to do is help these people stay on the straight and narrow, she's not unlike them in the fact that she has issues at home with her own husband, can she escape his controlling ways and keep these people on the Estate safe at the same time or will she be dragged down alongside them?

Sherratt has a way of drawing you into this series so you feel that you are part of it, living alongside these people and uncovering their secrets, I must admit, part of me would hate to live somewhere like that but the other part would love the sense of community spirit that it evokes and the camaraderie between some of these very strong willed women. Behind a Closed Door is the second in the gritty Estate series where crime and benefit fraud is second nature to some of its residents. I loved the friendship that developed between Josie and Kelly and I believe Josie needed this just as much as Kelly did. I read book one in this series back in 2015 and decided to re-read it before this one to reaquaint myself with the background of the characters, as although they can be read as standalone books, you learn a little about Josie in the first one too, and I'm glad I did. I've already got books three and four on my kindle and will be paying the people on the Mitchell Estate another visit very soon.

[Marie Beveridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read!!



Yet again, another smashing read from Me!.. She has a knack for making her character true to life, the goodies and the baddies!! Looking forward to reading more about Josie!!

[Biff meechan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behind closed doors⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The 2'nd book I have read from Mel &I am really enjoying the way the stories play out,Mel you have a great way of writing & I get to love reading about a characters.Now on to book 3 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Sue Kitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

After wanting to read the Estate Series for several years, I am on a binge and amreading them all consecutively, and what a treat it is. Absolutely loved both 1 & 2 so far.

[David Highton · Rating 3 out of 5]

More 'grit-lit'from the Mitchell Estate - a bit like a soap opera

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant book, a good story too loved it.

[Gemma Antoine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic,this author provides everything! The characters are brilliant and realistic and the style provides the emotional attachment - can't wait to read the next one

[Ann Marie Booton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

This book was Absolutely fantastic it was amazing from start to finish couldn't put it down once I picked it up

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant book finished in 2 days what a gritty page turner

[Adele Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really loving Mel's books but this one took me a while to get into it. XX

[samriepe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing after 1st book

I actually gave up on this book about 80% in, which is incredibly rare for me. It was just-- too much. Too much of too many plots and sub plots and I tapped out at the unrealistic attempt to tie these things together.

[Best Crime Books & More · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s funny how when you haven’t read something for a while you forget the reason you loved it in the first place. I am certainly a fan of Mel Sherratt, however when I realised book 4 was due for release I caught up with book 3, only to realise I also hadn’t read book 2! Thankfully all the reasons I like these books came rushing back and this one was no different. Book one I thoroughly enjoyed, book 3 was an absolutely brilliant read as was this (although book 3 has the edge). Josie Mellor seems to be the heart of these books (although not necessarily the main focus of stories). As the Housing Officer for the Mitchell Estate where these books are set, she is a pretty central and important character.

In addition to Josie in this book we meet Kelly Winterton who is a charming woman although young and a little naïve. She and her daughter are now fending for themselves after her boyfriend is sent to prison. Her boyfriend, is certainly a character you can love to hate. However, I liked the way that multiple stories are told and we get to see another Tenant Amy Cartwright try to make her way as a young mother with learning difficulties. Add on top of this the death of a resident and multiple burglaries on the estate and you have lots of drama at every turn.

The nicest thing about this particular book is that Josie actually plays a larger part in it than in book 3, and you get to see a lot more about her personal life, which makes for an exciting plot line on its own. It took me only a couple of sittings to finish this and I really did enjoy immersing myself in the gritty worlds of the tenants living on the Estate. I think the only thing that made finishing this book less depressing, was knowing that I have book 4 lined up and ready to go.

[Bill Kupersmith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in the Mitchell Estate series, Behind a Closed Door features Josie Mellor, a Housing Officer. One of Josie's unpleasant duties is evicting tenants from dwellings to which they are not qualified. One of them is Kelly Winterton, a 24 year old woman with little education and no job skills, the mother of four year old Emily. Kelly has been living quite well because her live-in boyfriend and father of her child, Scott, has fiddled the system so that both or drawing benefit as single parents, supplimented by Scott's talent for burglery, which enabled them to live rather better than Josie. But Scott has been banged up in prison for six months and Josie has to move Kelly to a flat in the bog end of the estate which she initially hates.

Like Cathy Mason, the principal character in the first book of the series, who puts in a cameo appearance here, Josie is a sainty woman and a hero (she's told she should change her job title to 'guardian angel'). But the title of the novel is significant. Josie is trapped in a loveless marriage to Stewart, who is utterly controlling, and as we shall discover, a liar and a sleaze. The story of how these women change their lives is inspiring.

An aspect of this book I much admire is the emphasis on the importance of independence and eduation for women, to enable them to qualify for a better life and to escape from domination by bad men. Because of people like Cathy and Josie, that is possible even in a sink like the Mitchell Estate. The ending may be a little too good to be true, but I was glad to finish on an uplift.

[Nicki Southwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEHIND CLOSED DOOR

The second book in the Mitchell Estate series centres on Josie who is the housing officer for Mitchell Housing Association. We were introduced to her in the first book of the series.

She has been married for 5 years to Stewart who is becoming a difficult man to live with and ensures that going home for her is no fun. (In fact she starts to dread it) especially if he is back from an early shift at work. He is lazy and obnoxious thinking that her sole role in their marriage is to do all the housework and cooking. The fact that she has a responsible and demanding job doesn't matter in the slightest.

Josie takes a young mum under her wing when the boyfriend is sent to prison. She cannot stay in her home as the boyfriend's name is on the tenancy and he has ensured that there is no paperwork linking her to the house. She has to move, home with her 4 year old daughter.

With Josie's help, her confidence grows – to the extent that when her boyfriend is released from prison she begins to wonder why she is still with him. Josie's special ability to listen and advise is tested to the limit.

New friendships and old, the closeness of the estate's residents are apparent at every level. Some people thrive on a challenge but for some it is much more difficult. Josie puts her own life in order so that she can move on.

I am really looking forward to her next book.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Read...

I've read three of this author's books; the first two from the Estate series and Someone Watching You. So far Someone Watching You has been my favorite, but overall I have enjoyed them all. I definitely think the author is a pretty good writer. The storylines make sense and there is always the unexpected, twists and turns. I enjoyed this one as well and I liked the way she connected the story and characters from book one by touching on some of them, but moving right along to the next set of characters at the Mitchell. I loved the growth in Josie and Kelly. We as woman have to stop being the victim for the sake of love and both of these women got that and sooner rather than later. I'm excited about book three because it's focus is Stanley Street with the notorious Bradley clan. Keep the Estate series going because the Mitchell has loads of stories to tell.

[Sharon Sant · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're back on the Mitchell Estate for the second book of the series. Once again, it's the female characters that truly shine here. The story is perfectly evocative of a world where you have to get tough to survive and the two main females, Kelly and Josie, go on parallel journeys where they learn to rise above their grim surroundings to do just that. Where we leave them at the end of the book is where, as a reader, you're rooting for them to be.

[Hoopz Chick x · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, I have to go give this author & 2nd book in this series 5 stars! Absolutely brilliant and addictive reading! So much so that I started and finished this in 2 sittings! Having lived on an estate for 4 yrs, I can totally relate to these stories and it makes me ever thankful that I managed to get off the estate for a better way of life. these stories really draw you in. I hope there are many more of these to come.

[Michelle Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same estate as the first book in this series, but the focus is on different characters. We focus more on the life of a staff member on the estate, and there are some strong similarities between this character and a new character, Kelly in this book.

Quick read, enjoyable enough.

[Sarah Haddington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm enjoying this series & hope after book three there will be more to come

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Throughly enjoyed this 2nd book in the estate series.