What do you think?
Rate this book
Behind Closed Doors: Harry Briscombe Detective Mystery Crime Series, Prequel Novella.
The New Page-Turning Prequel Novella to the Harry Briscombe Series
Edward Hamilton is an educated, respectable Lawyer, seemingly devoted to his children and struggling to save his rocky marriage. When his wife, Serena, accuses him of physical abuse and calls the police, PC Harry Briscombe is put onto the investigation in what proves to be his last case before transferring to CID.
Ed Hamilton dismisses his wife as a fantasist with a habit of making false claims against him. His wife claims that this is not the first time he has hit her and that this time she will follow through with a Prosecution.
As Harry probes further, he realises the extreme intricacies involved in establishing the truth.
For who can ever really be sure what goes on behind closed doors?
A gripping, page-turning Prequel Novella by the author of Cry From The Grave, The Jagged Line and Shadow Watcher. If you like Rachel Abbott, Claire Mackintosh and Patricia Gibney, then you'll love this series.
Edward Hamilton is an educated, respectable Lawyer, seemingly devoted to his children and struggling to save his rocky marriage. When his wife, Serena, accuses him of physical abuse and calls the police, PC Harry Briscombe is put onto the investigation in what proves to be his last case before transferring to CID.
Ed Hamilton dismisses his wife as a fantasist with a habit of making false claims against him. His wife claims that this is not the first time he has hit her and that this time she will follow through with a Prosecution.
As Harry probes further, he realises the extreme intricacies involved in establishing the truth.
For who can ever really be sure what goes on behind closed doors?
A gripping, page-turning Prequel Novella by the author of Cry From The Grave, The Jagged Line and Shadow Watcher. If you like Rachel Abbott, Claire Mackintosh and Patricia Gibney, then you'll love this series.
- GenresFiction
67 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2018
47 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Mahony
15 books51 followersI've written as a hobby for almost as long as I can remember and now that I have books published, I'm living the dream! If you'd like an introduction to my writing, do visit my website at www.carolynmahony.com where you can download a FREE copy of my Prequel Novella, Behind Closed doors, introducing my Detective in the series, Harry Briscombe.
The first full length novel, Cry From The Grave, is a story that was bubbling away inside of me forever, and follows the story of Hannah, who's baby went missing six years previously.
When I'm not writing, marketing or researching, I'm catching up on my sleep but even my dreams are infiltrated by (sometimes totally nonsensical) plots and scenes.
The second full length novel in the series is called The Jagged Line and the third one about to be published any day now, is called No Escape. Each book follows the same detective but is a standalone story in its own right and can therefore be read out of sequence.
Shadow Watcher is a slight drift away from the psychological crime thriller and is a standalone romantic suspense novel. I tried to bring it back into line with the others but it just wasn't co-operating, and in the end I decided to go along for the ride and enjoy it. I hope you do too! Who says crime and romance don't mix?
To contact me or find out about my books, visit my website or contact me on Facebook. I'd love to hear from you!
Website: www.carolynmahony.com
Twitter: @carolynmahony
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolyn.maho...
The first full length novel, Cry From The Grave, is a story that was bubbling away inside of me forever, and follows the story of Hannah, who's baby went missing six years previously.
When I'm not writing, marketing or researching, I'm catching up on my sleep but even my dreams are infiltrated by (sometimes totally nonsensical) plots and scenes.
The second full length novel in the series is called The Jagged Line and the third one about to be published any day now, is called No Escape. Each book follows the same detective but is a standalone story in its own right and can therefore be read out of sequence.
Shadow Watcher is a slight drift away from the psychological crime thriller and is a standalone romantic suspense novel. I tried to bring it back into line with the others but it just wasn't co-operating, and in the end I decided to go along for the ride and enjoy it. I hope you do too! Who says crime and romance don't mix?
To contact me or find out about my books, visit my website or contact me on Facebook. I'd love to hear from you!
Website: www.carolynmahony.com
Twitter: @carolynmahony
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolyn.maho...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Read
March 7, 2024PC Harry Briscombe got to investigate a domestic abuse case.
Edward Hamilton is an educated lawyer, but one morning there are cries for help heard by a neighbour of Ed and Serena's house. When the door was opened, the neighbour saw Serena holding her bleeding nose and called the police.
Ed is brought to the station and his colleague Kim is asked to defend him. Ed and Kim are friends and this looks inappropriate.
Harry's boss is not eager to go ahead with accusations as they don't have an eye witness of events and says such cases are hard to prove in court.
The events in the story are moving fast and are not always what they seem at first glance.
This story is a prequel to a series of books about Harry Briscombe and the first thing I read from this author. I am going to try the first book in the series Cry From The Grave and find out more about this character. As far as this novella gets a 4-star rating from me.
Edward Hamilton is an educated lawyer, but one morning there are cries for help heard by a neighbour of Ed and Serena's house. When the door was opened, the neighbour saw Serena holding her bleeding nose and called the police.
Ed is brought to the station and his colleague Kim is asked to defend him. Ed and Kim are friends and this looks inappropriate.
Harry's boss is not eager to go ahead with accusations as they don't have an eye witness of events and says such cases are hard to prove in court.
The events in the story are moving fast and are not always what they seem at first glance.
This story is a prequel to a series of books about Harry Briscombe and the first thing I read from this author. I am going to try the first book in the series Cry From The Grave and find out more about this character. As far as this novella gets a 4-star rating from me.
October 27, 2018
Harry is assigned a case of domestic violence. The wife says her husband hit and this isn't the first time, but she will go to court on this one. The husband says the wife has a habit of lying about him. Can Harry figure out this case of "he says she says"? You will need to read the book for the answer. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
February 14, 2021
Good start to the series
January 14, 2022
For a short story, this packed a lot in. Harry is nearly finished his career in uniform before joining CID and gets called to a domestic violence incident. The general attitude at the time is captured well where the police don't really care about such cases as usually the allegation is retracted and it's typically hard to prove in court so they don't want to waste time and resource on such events.
Harry however is different and is eager to get to the bottom of things. I like his youthful way of thinking and determination to see this through to the end. There is a nice twist which was worked in well, particularly for such a short novella.
It whet the appetite enough to start the first book in the series soon.
Harry however is different and is eager to get to the bottom of things. I like his youthful way of thinking and determination to see this through to the end. There is a nice twist which was worked in well, particularly for such a short novella.
It whet the appetite enough to start the first book in the series soon.
March 15, 2020
I was quite surprised with this book. I don’t normally read short story’s or novellas as I feel that they never do justice to a storyline. This book however read and felt like a complete book . It flowed and characteristics of the people came across well. Will definitely read her series on Harry’s move to detective.
August 17, 2020
Enough to have me buy the next book
Not wowed, but I am intrigued enough with this novella to read the next story in the Harry Briscombe series. I realize I am more used to an experienced, hard-bitten detective story and Harry Briscombe is not that. I did like how well the author presented both sides of the DV situation in such a way to keep me wondering.
Not wowed, but I am intrigued enough with this novella to read the next story in the Harry Briscombe series. I realize I am more used to an experienced, hard-bitten detective story and Harry Briscombe is not that. I did like how well the author presented both sides of the DV situation in such a way to keep me wondering.
November 23, 2020
A great novella to the Harry Biscombe series, is it true or is it lies.
A wife accuses her solicitor husband of physical abuse, Pc Harry Biscombe is on the case but soon realised you can never be sure of who is telling the truth.
A great twist to the end.
I usually hate short story's but this one says it all, very well written and worth reading.
A wife accuses her solicitor husband of physical abuse, Pc Harry Biscombe is on the case but soon realised you can never be sure of who is telling the truth.
A great twist to the end.
I usually hate short story's but this one says it all, very well written and worth reading.
October 30, 2022
I don't usually read Novellas as they are finished before you've really got into the plot and they don't have the same impact as a full length book has, as the storyline is usually very limited in its impact . This one however packs in a lot of good writing with the main character doing a great job of delving into the truth. I did guess the real guilty party about halfway through as it was too obvious to be anyone else, but a worthwhile read all the same.
June 30, 2018
A very good introduction to the main character Harry Briscombe.
Well written, with just the right amount of suspense, and on a subject very much of today.
I haven’t read the other novels in the series yet, and am looking forward to seeing how Harry’s character develops in CID.
Well written, with just the right amount of suspense, and on a subject very much of today.
I haven’t read the other novels in the series yet, and am looking forward to seeing how Harry’s character develops in CID.
June 30, 2018
I discovered Carolyn Mahony's books by adverts on my Facebook newsfeed.
This book is a great short prequel to introduce Harry Briscombe to the readers. I highly recommend people to read her novels as they are superb books which I have very much enjoyed.
This book is a great short prequel to introduce Harry Briscombe to the readers. I highly recommend people to read her novels as they are superb books which I have very much enjoyed.
October 21, 2022
Kept me guessing
This was a brilliant prequel and I'm definitely going to order Cry from the Grave . First I've read of Carolyn Mahony and it's certainly not the Last I will read
This was a brilliant prequel and I'm definitely going to order Cry from the Grave . First I've read of Carolyn Mahony and it's certainly not the Last I will read
June 30, 2018
I love this & I can't wait for more.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
July 15, 2018
I really enjoyed the read and I was surprised by the unexpected twist at the end. Looking forward to reading more books from this series and Author.
June 1, 2019
A great intro to the Series protagonist Harry Briscombe.
A story we all know well Domestic Violence. the way an introduction should be.
A story we all know well Domestic Violence. the way an introduction should be.
June 19, 2020
Book kind of felt rushed in the writing. It wasn't bad.
November 28, 2021
A big twist! Grabs the reader and doesn’t let go. Spousal abuse is difficult for all to deal with. As the title says, it’s behind closed doors.
January 24, 2023
Quite a lot packed in to this short story and a brilliant twist to say the least. Characters were good and lessons to come from this story too. A good, quick read.
February 1, 2023
Enjoyed this prequel which was free from the author.
I will download the series to read now.
I will download the series to read now.
May 4, 2023
Great short novella that brings you into the world of the detective. Was a fast paced read. Throughly enjoyed this book.
September 6, 2023
I didn't mind the story, but reading the words WPC for the female police officers made me think it was either written in the 80s or should have been fact checked.
November 27, 2024
A great introduction to Harry Briscombe and the rest of the team; I look forward to reading more about them in the future. Well written and easy to read.
July 26, 2025
A new author and series in the mystery / detective / suspense genre for me, although this was a short story, it was a decent read and kept me intrigued as to what will come next, I will definitely read more books in this series.
July 18, 2023
Loved this book.
May 25, 2023
Enjoyed this short story. Cleverly written and penalty of content. Looking for others to read by this author.
January 1, 2019
A thoroughly enjoyable read. Don't let the cover put you off, it is surprisingly good.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews