Review: Behind Closed Doors by Elizabeth Haynes

Behind Closed Doors by Elizabeth Haynes

Publisher: Little Brown Group UK

Release date: 8 October 2015

Rating: ****

Back cover blurb: 'To begin with, nothing was certain except her own terror . . .' Ten years ago, fourteen-year-old Scarlett Rainsford vanished without a trace during a family holiday to Greece. Not being able to find Scarlett was one of the biggest regrets of DCI Louisa Smith's career and when Scarlett is discovered back in her home town after all this time, Lou is determined to find out what happened to her and why she remained hidden for so long. Was she abducted or did she run away?As Lou and her team delve deeper into Scarlett's past, their investigation throws up more questions than it answers. But as they edge closer to the truth about what really went on behind closed doors, it is more sinister and disturbing than they had ever imagined.

Behind Closed Doors is another gem of a novel from Elizabeth Haynes. Gripping from the start, the second novel in Haynes' DI Louisa Smith series is an emotional roller coaster of a novel.

Scarlett Rainsford is fourteen years old when she disappears during a family holiday to Greece. Did she run away? Was she kidnapped or worse?

Hers is a case that still haunts police ten years later, until they stumble upon Scarlett, now Katie in a raid on a local brothel. Where has she been all these years? Has she lived the life she wanted, the one her parents are sure she ran away too? Or has she suffered, taken under duress as the police suspected?

Told retrospectively from Scarlett's point of view and present day from Louisa's, Behind Closed Doors is at times a difficult read as we learn of Scarlett's ordeal. The relationship between Scarlett and her family is examined closely, as are possible connections between a local gang and the brothel where Scarlett turned up.

Pieces of the puzzle are slowly given to us during each chapter of this novel until its last stages where we can finally begin to slot them into place.

What I really love about Haynes' novels is the detail we are given behind the criminal investigations, as a former Police intelligence analyst she really puts the reader at the heart of it all, Behind Closed Doors is no exception.

Behind Closed Doors is available from 8 October 2015.
You can pre-order it now from Amazon online and Little Brown.

    Thank you to the publishers who approved my request via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Human Remains by Elizabeth Haynes

Human Remains by Elizabeth Haynes
Publisher: Myriad Editions
Release Date: 14th February 2013
Rating: ****
Back cover blurb: How well do you know your neighbours? Would you notice if they lived or died?
Police analyst Annabel wouldn't describe herself as lonely. Her work keeps her busy and the needs of her ageing mother and her cat are more than enough to fill her time when she s on her own. But Annabel is shocked when she discovers her neighbour's decomposing body in the house next door, and appalled to think that no one, including herself, noticed her absence. Back at work she sets out to investigate, despite her police officer colleagues lack of interest, and finds data showing that such cases are frighteningly common in her own home town. A chilling thriller and a hymn to all the lonely people, whose  individual voices haunt the pages, Elizabeth Haynes new novel is a deeply disturbing and powerful thriller that preys on our darkest fears...

I seem to be reading a lot of 'firsts' at the moment, and this is another as I have never read anything by Elizabeth Haynes before. I picked this book up as an 'Amazon' recommendation, it was either free or very cheap, I can't quite remember which, but I am very glad I purchased it.

This book is exactly the kind of thriller I love. It's very very dark, but has some humour, it is told from the viewpoint of the two main characters Annabel and Colin.

Annabel has the misfortune of discovering her neighbours badly decomposed body after her cat alerts her to a foul smell in the neighbouring house. Her inquisitive mind leads her to investigate a little further as the newspapers report new 'undiscovered' deaths on a regular basis. As a Civilian crime analyst Annabel is not taken seriously at first, but as more bodies are found, the local press begin to take an interest and Sam is introduced to us.

At first Sam appears to be your stereotypical local reporter, only interested in the scoop, but as Annabel's story progresses and her paths cross with Colin's after the sudden death of her mother, we see Sam in a different light.

Colin, well Colin is the most complex character of all. We find out early on his role in the story, and it is very believable due to Hayne's brilliant writing. Although his acts are despicable you will find yourself asking, did he actually do anything wrong?

His viewpoint is that compelling.

The story is complex, with lots of twists and turns, the ending however, gives Colin just what he deserves and in this sort of story, that's all we can ask for...

As an aside, it does almost make you want to check up on your neighbours! I say almost, because although they are older than my parents, they make a right racket constantly so we definitely know that they are okay!