Book Review: Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris

At the time I’d been happy for her to have Finn. But now it was time to give him back.

I REALLY enjoyed this one! I will admit that I basically saw the Big Reveal coming (not in its exact detail, but the gist) from about the mid-point, but that did nothing to lessen the enjoyment I found in watching things play out. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen this particular plot contrivance at work, but it was managed well and so I didn’t mind – the book was engaging, and even when the characters were behaving bizarrely or things seemed a little too coincidental or pat, the writing kept me enough in the story to keep rapidly flipping pages to see what would happen next.

In the post-Gone Girl era, this type of thriller is starting to get more predictable – there are, after all, only so many ways secrets can unfold and only so many twists that are even remotely plausible… But in the hands of a talented writer, I don’t think that matters. It’s like horror – you basically know what’s coming, but the twists and turns are no less horrifying because you know they’ll involve blood and guts. So too, I think, a Secrets Thriller. B.A. Paris has a knack for balancing the pacing to keep you slightly off-kilter; it keeps things interesting and fresh-feeling, because you’re never quite sure where anyone/anything stands.

Sometimes it’s fun to read books that don’t have to be analyzed – to just fall into a story that keeps you turning pages, half-afraid of what will happen next but dying to see it happen nevertheless. This was that kind of book for me. It didn’t change my life, but it was a very entertaining and enjoyable read and I’ll definitely look for more from Paris…

My review copy was provided by NetGalley.