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The Breakdown [Sample]
Read the first five chapters of B.A. Paris’s The Breakdown, that inspired the 2024 film Blackwater Lane.
Cass is having a hard time since the night she saw the car in the woods, on the winding rural road, in the middle of a downpour, with the woman sitting inside, the woman who was killed. She’s been trying to put the crime out of her mind; what could she have done, really? It’s a dangerous road to be on in the middle of a storm. Her husband would be furious if he knew she’d broken her promise not to take that shortcut home. And she probably would only have been hurt herself if she’d stopped.
But since then, she’s been forgetting every little thing: where she left the car, if she took her pills, the alarm code, why she ordered a pram when she doesn’t have a baby.
The only thing she can’t forget is that woman, the woman she might have saved, and the terrible nagging guilt.
Or the silent calls she’s receiving, or the feeling that someone’s watching her…
Cass is having a hard time since the night she saw the car in the woods, on the winding rural road, in the middle of a downpour, with the woman sitting inside, the woman who was killed. She’s been trying to put the crime out of her mind; what could she have done, really? It’s a dangerous road to be on in the middle of a storm. Her husband would be furious if he knew she’d broken her promise not to take that shortcut home. And she probably would only have been hurt herself if she’d stopped.
But since then, she’s been forgetting every little thing: where she left the car, if she took her pills, the alarm code, why she ordered a pram when she doesn’t have a baby.
The only thing she can’t forget is that woman, the woman she might have saved, and the terrible nagging guilt.
Or the silent calls she’s receiving, or the feeling that someone’s watching her…
29 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 23, 2016
About the author
B.A. Paris
26 books24.6k followersB.A. Paris is the New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of eight novels including the word-of-mouth hit, Behind Closed Doors, and her latest psychological thriller, When I Kill You.
Over nine million editions of her work have been sold worldwide and her books have been translated into 41 languages. Her novel, The Breakdown, has been adapted for film under the title Blackwater Lane.
Before becoming an author, B.A. Paris, who spent most of her adult life living in France, worked in finance as a trader before retraining as an English teacher. Today, she writes from her cottage in Hampshire, England.
Sign up to her newsletter at www.baparis.com or follow her on Instagram @baparisauthor
Over nine million editions of her work have been sold worldwide and her books have been translated into 41 languages. Her novel, The Breakdown, has been adapted for film under the title Blackwater Lane.
Before becoming an author, B.A. Paris, who spent most of her adult life living in France, worked in finance as a trader before retraining as an English teacher. Today, she writes from her cottage in Hampshire, England.
Sign up to her newsletter at www.baparis.com or follow her on Instagram @baparisauthor
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 23, 2021
I just finished reading this book. I am having mixed emotions about it. As always, just like Behind Closed Doors, the tension leading up to the final twist of the story is unnecessarily long. I mentioned in the past that I loved Behind closed doors. And I will also say the same for this book. However, there were pages upon pages of boring build-up that I was at the point where I was thinking of skipping some pages. I did not want to skip in the fear of missing anything important but I was going mad just waiting for what was going to happen. Not sure if the author intentionally did it this way to make me feel like I was going through the same thing feeling as Cass but OMG. The twist, in the end, was so deliciously satisfying, I totally forgot how pissed I am for spending hours reading the same theme of what Cass was going through. I guess BA Paris was trying to totally drill in the fact that Cass IS having a Breakdown. But I was just a bit too bored with most of it.
However, despite that, I still like the premise of the book and I am super satisfied. And as always, I am still craving for so much more from the ending. I feel like there were a lot of build-ups but a sudden cut in the end. I was half hoping that I get to see the characters after everything that happened.
I wish BA Paris would cut down a little on the buildup and add a little more in finishing the plot.
However, despite that, I still like the premise of the book and I am super satisfied. And as always, I am still craving for so much more from the ending. I feel like there were a lot of build-ups but a sudden cut in the end. I was half hoping that I get to see the characters after everything that happened.
I wish BA Paris would cut down a little on the buildup and add a little more in finishing the plot.
June 5, 2017
The Break Down, billed as a psychological thriller just as A. B. Paris' first novel, Behind Closed Doors, definitely fits the description. Who can Cass trust? Is she imagining things or are they really happening? Is she losing her memory? I could have finished this page-turner of a novel in a day if I hadn't been traveling and busy! Once again Paris paints realistic and likeable characters who intrigue the reader. The setting in a small English town is easily visualized. Paris does not disappoint in this page-turner novel that I finished in the wee hours of the morning, not able to put it down last night. Fans of mystery will definitely want to check out this new novel, set to be released by St. Martin's Press on June 20, just a few short weeks away! I appreciated receiving this advance copy. I hope she is crafting her third novel as I pen this review! #thebreakdown #whocanyoutrust @BAParisAuthor
July 26, 2024
Enjoyed this 👌
October 4, 2018
Was für ein tolles Buch! Nach ein paar gelesenen Seiten wusste ich, dieses Buch wird gut. Der Schreibstil ist so flüssig und rasant, dass das lesen eine wahre Freude war. Eins gleich vorweg, das Buch ist unblutig und lebt durchgehend von Psychospielchen....von richtig krassem Psychwahn.
Zu beginn lernt man gleich Cass kennen, die mir sofort sympathisch war, die ich aber auch nicht gleich wirklich durchschauen konnte, so das ich mich sehr schnell gefragt habe, ob sie nicht vielleicht das eine oder andere Geheimnis mit sich herumträgt. Matthew, ihr Mann und Rachel, ihre beste Freindin, spielen in diesem Buch auch eine wichtige Rolle. Wichtigster Aspekt war aber natürlich der Mord an Jane. Denn, seit sie ermordet aufgefunden wurde, überschlagen sich die Ereigniss im Leben von Cass.
Ich habe jede einzelne Seite verschlungen und wusste schnell nicht mehr, wem man trauen kann. Im Prinzip hätte jeder der Täter sein können...da hatte ich Seite für Seite jemand anderen im Visier. Cass wurde mir dann immer mehr zum Rätsel, denn ich hatte irgendwann keine Ahnung mehr, was "echt" war und was sie sich halt nur eingebildet hat. Da sie plötzlich auch viele Dinge vergisst, habe ich stellenweise total mit ihr mitgelitten und war gespannt, in welche Richtung sich ihre Demenz entwickeln wird. Viel mehr möchte ich zu ihrer Person gar nicht verraten, allerdings kann ich sagen, dass in dem Buch nichts so ist, wie es scheint.
Hier hat die Autorin ziemlich gut mit den Nerven des Lesers gespielt. Die Aufklärung kam dann auf einmal so schnell, dass ich gar nicht richtig Zeit hatte, den Schock so schnell zu verarbeiten....allerdings ist mir dann auch ganz schnell alles wie Schuppen von den Augen gefallen...plötzlich ergab alles einen Sinn. Ich habe ich eine ganz andere Richtung gedacht und war natürlich gleich umso mehr schockiert. Die Auflösung zieht sich dann auch ein ganzes bisschen hin, so das immer mehr und mehr die Wahrheit zum Vorschein kam. Das fand ich sehr gut, denn so gab es eine kleine Überraschung nach der nächsten, was die ganze Sache nochmal umso spannender gemacht hat. Ein absolut gelungener Psychothriller, den man gelesen haben muss!
Zu beginn lernt man gleich Cass kennen, die mir sofort sympathisch war, die ich aber auch nicht gleich wirklich durchschauen konnte, so das ich mich sehr schnell gefragt habe, ob sie nicht vielleicht das eine oder andere Geheimnis mit sich herumträgt. Matthew, ihr Mann und Rachel, ihre beste Freindin, spielen in diesem Buch auch eine wichtige Rolle. Wichtigster Aspekt war aber natürlich der Mord an Jane. Denn, seit sie ermordet aufgefunden wurde, überschlagen sich die Ereigniss im Leben von Cass.
Ich habe jede einzelne Seite verschlungen und wusste schnell nicht mehr, wem man trauen kann. Im Prinzip hätte jeder der Täter sein können...da hatte ich Seite für Seite jemand anderen im Visier. Cass wurde mir dann immer mehr zum Rätsel, denn ich hatte irgendwann keine Ahnung mehr, was "echt" war und was sie sich halt nur eingebildet hat. Da sie plötzlich auch viele Dinge vergisst, habe ich stellenweise total mit ihr mitgelitten und war gespannt, in welche Richtung sich ihre Demenz entwickeln wird. Viel mehr möchte ich zu ihrer Person gar nicht verraten, allerdings kann ich sagen, dass in dem Buch nichts so ist, wie es scheint.
Hier hat die Autorin ziemlich gut mit den Nerven des Lesers gespielt. Die Aufklärung kam dann auf einmal so schnell, dass ich gar nicht richtig Zeit hatte, den Schock so schnell zu verarbeiten....allerdings ist mir dann auch ganz schnell alles wie Schuppen von den Augen gefallen...plötzlich ergab alles einen Sinn. Ich habe ich eine ganz andere Richtung gedacht und war natürlich gleich umso mehr schockiert. Die Auflösung zieht sich dann auch ein ganzes bisschen hin, so das immer mehr und mehr die Wahrheit zum Vorschein kam. Das fand ich sehr gut, denn so gab es eine kleine Überraschung nach der nächsten, was die ganze Sache nochmal umso spannender gemacht hat. Ein absolut gelungener Psychothriller, den man gelesen haben muss!
May 9, 2018
Great book, can't wait until her next book.
March 13, 2017
I can't tell if this book will get better. Right now the main character is constantly trying to justify her poor choice and actions repeatedly. Thinking her husband or her closest friends won't understand, she tells lie after lie after lie. The story is heavily laced with her dementia episodes which will probably play up the suspense later in the book. The story is overly abundant with lesser known British terminology and references. I don't think I'll be able to get drawn to this novel.
July 23, 2017
Unfortunately 2nd book syndrome is alive and well in this book which is BA Paris's second novel. "The Breakdown" is far too predictable. I worked out who did it and why about 50 pages into this mess. The ending is better but does little to redeem the rest of the book. Once I realized it was almost a carbon copy of the ending of "The Couple Next Door" the little bit of goodwill I could muster up quickly dwindled. While it was a great ending for her first novel, to blatantly rip herself off to take the easy easy out in her next book came off as cheap, lazy and unimaginative.
The characters are too predictable and stereotypical. The main character Cass is a complete ninny and I found myself rooting for the bad guy.
The characters are too predictable and stereotypical. The main character Cass is a complete ninny and I found myself rooting for the bad guy.
August 13, 2022
I honestly didn't expect Rachel to be a murderer in the slightest. The book literally proves to us that we shouldn't trust anyone but ourselves. Sometimes those closest to us can make a plan to finish us off and bring us to the bottom. I was sorry for Cass. She was desperate and helpless. Then when she most needed support from her loved ones,they were not there. It is another proof that even in the most difficult moments we are alone and only if we believe in ourselves that we are strong we can win and finish those which deserve to be at the bottom. It was not clear to me why there are several pages from the book Behind Closed Doors after the end of the book, but I still recommend it for reading. I literally read it in 2 days.Don’t trust anyone….
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2017
This book definitely keeps the reader engaged. Is Cass losing her mind or is it something more sinister? If it was the latter, I expected one character involvement but was surprised by the other. If you liked "Behind closed doors" by this author, then you will definitely like this book. Also should be a favorite of readers of "The Girl on the Train".
October 21, 2017
I'm glad I gave this author a second try! This story is so much better than the first one I read. It is a good mystery that keeps you guessing. It seemed like more of an old-fashioned suspense story - not too much added in. She stuck with a few main characters which is refreshing these days. If she keeps improving, she'll be a 5-star mystery writer before long.
March 17, 2018
I feel the book dragged a lot in the first half and I was so ready to find out what was going on with Cass and the murder. I was surprised by the outcome but wasn’t shocked. After reading Behind Closed Doors, this book wasn’t one of my favorites 😏 This is a good starting book for the B.A Paris collection 📖
August 21, 2017
This is the second B.A.
Paris book that i have read recently. Another easy read, predictable, but I continued to the end. I almost quit halfway when I realized what was happening, but it was entertaining.
Paris book that i have read recently. Another easy read, predictable, but I continued to the end. I almost quit halfway when I realized what was happening, but it was entertaining.
December 1, 2018
A very gripping read - the kind that you need to finish in one sitting. I will say that the twist is not a complete surprise : if you’ve read enough books in this genre, you’ll see it coming. Inspite of that, it’s still a very satisfying read.
May 14, 2017
Wow this book only took me a day to read. I could so see this happening in todays world where you really can't trust anyone! I would recommend it to my friends. #the breakdown
July 2, 2017
Very good story. Half way through I kind of figured out half the problem. I was surprised when I found out the ending.
October 5, 2018
Easy read. Fairly transparent and a little cloying, but moved easily enough.
November 7, 2018
Great psychological thriller book definitely recommend.
December 19, 2018
The first half was irritating, repetitive and somewhat predictable. The last half was better.
February 5, 2019
Very good! Easy fast read. Not as good as Behind Closed Doors but still good. A tiny predictable, but still good.
May 20, 2019
Not bad. Predictable.
August 10, 2019
Me gustó el libro aunque veía venir quien era el responsable, me pareció inverosímil la parte de cómo se hace de pruebas. En general buenob.
June 29, 2022
Great read! Read in a day.
January 19, 2024
Things are not as they seem! Great mystery right up to the end!
June 3, 2026
Never saw the ending coming. This was a fantastic book.
December 17, 2017
Very slow start with a frustrating and weak main character. Once it got to the “twist” it really picked up though and I enjoyed it - I just wish it hadn’t taken so long to get there.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews