Behind Her Smile

Elise Close #2

by Molly Black

“I binge read this book. It hooked me in and didn't stop till the last few pages… I look forward to reading more!”
—Reader review for Found You
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Amidst the lush vineyards of Napa Valley, celebrity therapist Elise Close is summoned to the historic Alcott estate, where secrets ferment like the family's prized wines.

The death of the patriarch uncorks a vintage mystery of infidelity and financial deceit that only Elise can decant through her expert sessions.

But as she delves deeper into the Alcott family's tangled vines, her professional resolve blurs with an intoxicating romantic entanglement.

Can Elise maintain her clarity when her heart threatens to betray her mind?

BEHIND HER SMILE is the second book in a highly anticipated new psychological suspense series by critically-acclaimed and #1 bestselling mystery and suspense author Molly Black, whose books have received over 2,000 five-star reviews and ratings.

Future books in the series are also available!

“Molly Black has written a taut thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat… I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to read the next book in the series!”
—Reader review for Girl One: Murder
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“I loved this book! Fast-paced plot, great characters and interesting insights into investigating cold cases. I can't wait to read the next book!”
—Reader review for Girl One: Murder
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“Very good book… You will feel like you are right there looking for the kidnapper! I know I will be reading more in this series!”
—Reader review for Girl One: Murder

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Fiction

183 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 3, 2024

About the author

Bestselling author Molly Black is author of the MAYA GRAY FBI suspense thriller series, comprising nine books (and counting); of the RYLIE WOLF FBI suspense thriller series, comprising six books; of the TAYLOR SAGE FBI suspense thriller series, comprising eight books; of the KATIE WINTER FBI suspense thriller series, comprising eleven books (and counting); of the RUBY HUNTER FBI suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting), and of the CAITLIN DARE FBI suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting).

An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Molly loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.mollyblackauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.

BOOKS BY MOLLY BLACK

GRACE FORD FBI THRILLER

NEARLY MINE (Book #1)

NEARLY SAFE (Book #2)

NEARLY FREE (Book #3)

NEARLY GONE (Book #4)

NEARLY HIS (Book #5)

CAITLIN DARE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

COME GET ME (Book #1)

COME FIND ME (Book #2)

COME TAKE ME (Book #3)

COME CATCH ME (Book #4)

COME SAVE ME (Book #5)

RUBY HUNTER FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

IF I RUN (Book #1)

IF I TELL (Book #2)

IF I LIVE (Book #3)

IF I FORGET (Book #4)

IF I RETURN (Book #5)

MAYA GRAY MYSTERY SERIES

GIRL ONE: MURDER (Book #1)

GIRL TWO: TAKEN (Book #2)

GIRL THREE: TRAPPED (Book #3)

GIRL FOUR: LURED (Book #4)

GIRL FIVE: BOUND (Book #5)

GIRL SIX: FORSAKEN (Book #6)

GIRL SEVEN: CRAVED (Book #7)

GIRL EIGHT: HUNTED (Book #8)

GIRL NINE: GONE (Book #9)

RYLIE WOLF FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

FOUND YOU (Book #1)

CAUGHT YOU (Book #2)

SEE YOU (Book #3)

WANT YOU (Book #4)

TAKE YOU (Book #5)

DARE YOU (Book #6)

TAYLOR SAGE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

DON’T LOOK (Book #1)

DON’T BREATHE (Book #2)

DON’T RUN (Book #3)

DON’T FLINCH (Book #4)

DON’T REMEMBER (Book #5)

DON’T TELL (Book #6)

DON’T HIDE (Book #7)

DON’T BLINK (Book #8)

KATIE WINTER FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

SAVE ME (Book #1)

REACH ME (Book #2)

HIDE ME (Book #3)

BELIEVE ME (Book #4)

HELP ME (Book #5)

FORGET ME (Book #6)

HOLD ME (Book #7)

PROTECT ME (Book #8)

REMEMBER ME (Book #9)

CATCH ME (Book #10)

WATCH ME (Book #11)

Reviews

[Nicky · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I could give it half a star I would. Inconsistencies in the plot. Repetitive protagonist. Such a ‘damsel in distress with no self control. No depth of characters. Ridiculous statements made by protagonist. Very cliche and predictable. The plot twists were just silly leaps.

[Melissa Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent quick story. It kept my interest. I was surprised by the twist.

[Erika Mullins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Molly Clarke books are vey nice and easy to pick up, start and finish within a few hours. This is my second of the series, I sense the pattern and writing style will continue throughout the remaining books in this series, but will keep them in mind for future easy reads. If in a slump and want something fast paced - pick these up

[Deedra Dail-whitley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another home run!! Molly Black has knocked out out of the ballpark!! Dr Elise Close is still the best & her crazy patients & the messes she manages to immerse herself in make the book an extremely enjoyable read!! I highly recommend this book!! The characters are all fabulous, the dialogue never falters & the plot is magnificent BUT she is still using the same editors & I’m not sure they’ve even read thru the book!! Come on people!! Do Better!! This book deserves better!!! Again excellent read!! Just fix the typos y’all!!!

[Jacquelyn Slade · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first Elise Close book but I found myself having to force myself to push through with this one. I don’t know if it’s because I just finished Onyx Storm which is much more in depth and maybe I’m still in a fantasy bubble but I really struggled through the writing. There were a couple of moments that just didn’t make much sense. It was a bit easier once I switched to audio about 70% through because I was determined to not DNF it.

[Brenda S Frame · Rating 5 out of 5]

fast-paced and exciting

I had no idea about the storyline, but this book delivered. Elise is a psychotherapist who digs deeper. She saves a family, helps them cope with the Patriarch’s death (murder), and attempts to on the oldest son’s life as well as her own. She is free to use her psychoanalysis tools and save another!

[Carla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting concept but very poorly handled. So many implausible things, including unprofessional behaviour from the protagonist who was hired as a therapist / counselor to help the family deal with the death of the patriarch. Molly, I know you can write a more more compelling, and believable novel than this one. I just wish Behind Her Smile had been that novel, and not this one.

[Malcolm Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable & easy read.

Elise Close goes to a family that has been torn apart by the death of the patriarch, George, only to discover that all of them had a vested interest in his death.
When the police decide his death was murder things take a more sinister turn.
But who is the killer?

A good story.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging

Molly Black writes an easy reading thriller. It starts out like just another familiar read and ramps up to a real thriller. I find her characters well thought out and as she wishes hard to read. It makes it an easy read with thrills at the end. For me this is fun.

[Eirlys · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read

I enjoyed reading more about Elise and her family therapy business. I liked the family dynamics and how she negotiated her way through them. The twists and turns made reading it exciting.

[Jami Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, another great roller coaster ride by Molly Black. Took another 4 days to read this, but once again if I had the time I would have read it in a day! Dr. Elise Close is definitely a character to follow.

[Pam Armitage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read.

[Anna Stewart · Rating 2 out of 5]

Omg why did I torture myself with this book ? 🙈 The shallowest read this year , it was short so I was trying to give it a chance but boy I’m at loss here 🤦‍♀️

[Deborah Childers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not great but not bad either

This book started off, extraordinarily slow. Got interesting tour the middle to end, but it wasn’t enough to redeem the first part of the book.

[Diane Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

good read

The farther I read this book the better it got and I couldn’t wait to see how it was going to end

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Took too long to get the story going.