The House Behind the Walls

by Aliyah A. Symonette, Jade Weiss (editor), Tylen Perpall (illustrator)

After the body of Cypress Fellow is found in the backyard of a prominent couple, Yael and Saloni Barlowe - Detectives Izaak West and Gray Key launch their investigation into his murder. During their initial visit to the crime scene, West is instantly drawn to and intrigued by Saloni but there is no time to dwell on her intrigue as the immense media pressure to solve the case intensifies. In his desperation to identify a clear motive, West inappropriately involves himself in the investigation and does something he never thought himself capable of, withholding potential evidence. The guilt and fear he feels are overshadowed by curiosity and an insatiable hunger for justice. When the biggest case of their lives is finally closed and wrapped up with a bow, Izaak must make a decision about his complicated feelings for Saloni.

A year later, the new perfect life West has built feels secure until new information pertaining to Mr. Fellow’s death is presented to him and he must act. In his search for answers, West uncovers a devastating betrayal that threatens to destroy his career and life. Can West succeed in getting justice for Cypress Fellow or will he lose everything, including himself, in the process?

192 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 27, 2024

Reviews

[Anastacia Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has me hooked from start to finish. I was able to clearly see the characters. What I didn’t see coming was ANYTHING. I don’t think I’m that blind of a reader but this book had me biting my nails before I even turned the page! Definitely worth adding to your TBR

[Aysha]

Took me awhile because ✨LIFE✨ but I finally finished THBTW. This was a good read. The MMC Izaak was very delulu though. I thought he fell very fast for someone he barely exchanged two words with 😅.The amount of red flags 🚩🚩🚩🚩 from Saloni yet STILL! Smh I was ready to knock him😒 but I’m glad my boy finally catch some sense. I knew there was gonna be a bit of a time jump but I think there a few things I would’ve liked to see before the jump.
I loved the twists and turns the book takes. This is a nice quick read for anyone that like classic who done it/murder mysteries.

Very proud of you! This is only the beginning ❤️

[yanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story starts off with two detectives who work together to solve the murder of the groundskeeper of a wealthy, power couple. After meeting the woman of the household where the crime took place, one of the detectives, Izaak West, finds himself invested in the case in more ways than one. He closes the case eventually and the book fast forwards a year later, but everything seems a lil too good to be true.

I’m ngl I hated the mmc and fmc!!!! I honestly was praying for both their downfalls. My favorite character??? Gray Key because she was a REAL friend!!! But I hated them in a way that was like,,, please why are you doing this??? Imma still read about y’all tho……It is just wild how many red flags there were and as a detective,,,, you would think that he would see them

Its givingggg delulu

There was one part of the book that didn’t wrap up for me like I hoped- I wanted to know more about the fmc’s past and the story solved itself quicker than I had wished, but i did still really enjoy the story!! The concept of getting to know someone through their words and how those words can call to someone is beautiful- at the same time, i would have liked to read more details of the time they spent together in the flesh!!!

I liveeee for the details and i think given that this book is less than 200 pages, aliyah did a great job with what she had!

this book is a good starter for anyone wanting to read/get into a murder mystery because it is on the shorter side! if i wasn’t tandem reading, i could’ve finished it in a sitting 10000%.

[Tanisha Scruggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Finished it in two days because once I started reading it, I just couldn't stop.

[Sheontra Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first murder mystery, it was a good quick read!