Fern Douglas is a skilled social worker but a wreck. Her adoring husband wants to start a family but is having a child right for Fern, who was raised by selfish parents and lacked good role models? She suffers from severe anxiety attacks and when we meet her, she is trying out new medication to try and get them under control.
She travels to her childhood home to help her father pack and prepare for his planned move to Florida. Her mother, who is separated from her father, is off on a trip. During Fern’s visit, she sees on the news that a former victim of a local kidnapping decades ago is missing again. Astrid Sullivan, the now grown woman and author of a best-selling memoir on the abduction, looks familiar to Fern.
Upon reading Astrid’s memoir, Fern recognizes her young self within the pages. And as her memories expand and the pieces of the puzzle start to come together, so does her determination to help uncover the mystery of the abduction and find Astrid. Her search takes her down some very dark paths with many people who could have been involved. You won't want to put this book down so you can find out what truly happened.
Behind the Red Door is an intelligent, skillfully written book that does not disappoint. The book-within-a-book storytelling was very effective. The story is heavily focused on the impact of extreme fear and mental abuse. I liked it very much but this book might not be a good fit for everyone. If you are a fan of psychological thriller and this sounds like something you'd enjoy, I recommend it.
Rated 4 out of 5 stars.
Mystery / Thriller.
Publication Date: August 4, 2020.
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