My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Prisoner’ by B.A. Paris.

This was a rollercoaster of a domestic noir that I would suggest is best read ‘cold’ to avoid spoilers. So just a general overview: the narrative unfolds in two timelines, both told from the perspective of Amelie Hawthorpe (nee Lamont).

It opens with the shocking kidnapping of Amelie and Ned Hawthorpe from their luxury London home and Amelie being imprisoned in a dark room.

In the ‘Past’ we learn that Amelie’s father died in Paris when she was sixteen, leaving her orphaned with no living relatives. Yet Amelie is a survivor and makes her way to London with dreams of saving to attend college. She manages to built a career in the magazine industry and is employed by glossy magazine, Exclusives. At nineteen she meets, and agrees to marry Ned, son of billionaire philanthropist, Jethro Hawthorpe. Sounds like a fairy tale, though was it?

B.A. Paris is adept at creating a page-turning tale with plenty of twists. Yes, the plot is a bit bonkers though I don’t expect gritty realism from this kind of thriller.

I have read many books by BA Paris and think this isn’t one of the better ones. The characters are one dimensional and the storyline unbelievable - example why not use the phone in her Vegas hotel room to call home? The ending was signalled quite a long way from the end and I felt disappointed. - 2.5 rounded up to 3.

Not sure how I feel about this one. It had a really strong start and the first 25% had me wholly enraptured but then it just started feeling a little long. It was in some parts a little too intricate. The reveal was a bit predictable and therefore didn’t give me that aha moment that I long for in thrillers. There were a few answers and then it abruptly ended. I wanted a ‘6 months later’ epilogue or something.

3.5*

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

I definitely preferred this to The Dilemma and and did enjoy the story. I just found the pacing of the writing didn't always work with where the story was at.

I really liked Amelie, our protagonist and the journey she had been on. I just wish we had got to know the other characters a little better.

B A Paris is a prolific author who always amazes me by her unusual plots. I’ve read a few of her books and so was looking for more than I got from The Prisoner. The characters were way too good or way too bad and I simply could not take the seriously. So add to that a over the top story and I’m sorry to say you are left with a fairly weak three stars.

I have enjoyed BA Paris's other books so was looking forward to this.

A gripping read that left me wanting more.

A page turner

Initially intriguing, but left with mixed feelings!

Ever since reading and loving Behind Closed Doors and The Breakdown, I have eagerly read every book published by this author wanting to feel the same way I did about those two early books. Whilst I have enjoyed each book since I haven’t been blown away by them in quite the same way. I had high hopes for this one as I loved the sound of the premise, but as much as I enjoyed reading it, it all fell a bit flat for me, unfortunately.

The start of this book was promising, I was drawn in immediately, I really liked Amelie as a character and I was rooting for her throughout the book. We know from the start that she is being held captive, but we don’t know why. We then follow her story as the chapters alternate from the past to the present, until we understand the reason why she was kidnapped.

The whole story wasn’t what I was expecting at all, which I liked as I didn’t feel it was predictable. I certainly wanted to read on to find out what was going to happen. I think it was in the second half of the book that it lost me a bit and then when the last part of the book became pure dialogue I hate to say it but I got a little bit bored and I have to say confused! The reasoning behind everything all seemed a bit far-fetched and over complicated. Sadly, I didn’t feel satisfied with the ending.

There were parts of this book I loved which is what kept me reading, but there were parts I didn’t enjoy which is why I’d say I’m left with mixed feelings. There are a couple of things that I would love to have changed in this book too, but I can’t reveal what they are, as it would spoil it for others who are reading the book.

I’m sure my opinions are in the minority, so please don’t let me put you off reading this book. I am a big fan of B A Paris and I am already looking forward to her next book!

Thank you so much to B A Paris, Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for my copy of this book in exchange for an open and honest review.

Although at first glance the storyline appears similar to some others it really isn’t. With all t(e twists and turns I had no idea what was going to happen. The characters were interesting, also
A compelling read.

I am a huge BA Paris Fan and was pleased to see she’d written a new book. So much so that I didn’t even read the blurb before reading it. Ultimately the story follows Amelie, a young woman married to her rich Boss Ned. When they both get kidnapped and held to ransom she is left wondering why.

For me this was a little far fetched and even the explanation felt a bit odd for me. An easy read but not my favourite.

I am a huge fan of this author so knew I couldn’t wait for this one. I squealed when it landed and saved it for a time when I have really needed to read a favourite.

Paris definitely hasn’t disappointed. This is a book that is intense, unpredictable and slightly claustrophobic on occasions. There is absolutely no way I could’ve predicted where this book was going.

The Prisoner has some interesting characters present in this one. One is particularly despicable and easy to hate. The plot is gripping from the very first page.

I was literally held prisoner by this book. I found myself craving more and more information to try to piece this one together. I have definitely been unsuccessful.

Paris has made me gasp in shock at the way this has unfolded. I feel as though I have been tense and on the edge of my seat through this entire book.

Paris has a real talent for the emotions she makes a reader feel. I have adored this book and after reading all of this author’s books, I can safely say this is a favourite.

The prisoner is another gem from a truly talented author. I have no doubt this will be a bestseller and one that I will be recommending to everyone.

The worst part of B.A Paris books is that you devour them too quickly that it’s over soon…..another excellent book, told from the past and present where Amelie is a prisoner…but also how she got there.

I enjoyed this book. It was atmospheric and twisty and you didn't know how it was going to end, also when you thought you had reached the final part of the story there was more to follow
Told from the point of view of Amelie in both the present and the past it set the scene well.
Often books that give flashbacks to the past can come across as confusing but this book just flowed.

Very good thriller, wasn't sure where it was going but slowly started figuring it out, enjoyed it though as always from B.A Paris.

‘𝙄 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙮 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙡. 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙩'𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝. 𝙃𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙢𝙚. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙭𝙩 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨, 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚, 𝙄'𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙢 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙨. 𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙣'𝙩 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙣𝙙.’

I’ve read and loved a few of the authors book now so I was super excited to get an ARC for this one!

The start is told over dual timelines (you know I love them), the chapters were short and sharp making it a really fast paced read. Each chapter from the past giving us a little more to work out what was happening in the present and why.

The plot was really clever, part one was exciting and I was dying to work out what was happening. Got just over half way through and I thought, this is wrapping up a little too neatly at this point and BAM, plot twist! Definitely didn’t see it coming and I immediately needed to know what was happening.

The second half was a little slower in pace but I think that suited it better. All told in the present from one perspective, everything slowly unravels and you get the chance to piece it all together.

The plot was very clever and I really enjoyed it. Even though I’d had my suspicions about one of the bigger plot twists, it didn’t distract from my enjoyment and I loved seeing everything come together.

Good packing, clever and twisty - a really exciting read. Any thriller fans need to get their claws into this one because it is a great book! I’m looking forward to seeing what Paris comes up with next!

“The Prisoner is a gripping survival story, a twisted tale of love and at its dark heart a thriller to keep you up all night.”

I read this addictive and entertaining book within 24 hours, as it kept me captive within its pages! The plot is different to anything I’d read before, with action and suspenseful sequences that kept me engaged until the last pages.

The intense atmosphere was greater than I anticipated thanks to B.A Paris’ writing style and the characters are flawless. Amelie’s strength, determination and versatility are amazing in equal measure and I loved that B.A Paris created her in this way.

I definitely recommend this impressive read to fans of this author and genre. A well deserved five star read!

The Prisoner by B.A. Paris
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication date: 03/11/2022
-
-
-
Amelie worked hard to rebuild her life after becoming an orphan at the age of 17. But the glamorous lifestyle she finds herself mixing with leaves her in a complex situation, with life changing effects. One day, Amelie wakes up in a dark room, alone and no idea who her captors are.
This psychological thriller, carefully told across a past and present narrative is face paced and keeps the reader on their toes.
Thank you to NetGalley, B.A. Paris and Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC in return for an honest review.

Firstly I’m definitely a fan of BA Paris and have enjoyed past books. So I’m not m in 2 minds with quite how I feel about this one snd I hate settling on ‘it was ok’ but in all honesty it’s kind of where I’m at.
For me there wasn’t the punchy storyline, or decent twists im used to with this author.
Im not sure how I felt about the main character Amelie either, maybe it was her thought process being young and written as first person I didn’t gel with. In not 100% sure.
So sadly I didn’t love it but didn’t entirely hate it either. X

This book is told from main character, Amelie's point of view both in the past & in the present. In the past,

Past

Amelie was left orphaned when her father died when she was just 16. Her mother had already passed away when Amelie was a child & there were no other relatives that she knew of, so she was left to fend for herself as she did not want to go into care. Instead she heads to London & lives on the streets, in & out of youth hostels & working waitressing jobs. When she loses her latest job there is nowhere left to turn, but when she follows a woman who looks upset home from the local cafe to ensure she gets back safely, Amelie is stunned when the woman returns to the cafe a few days later & offers her a job as a live-in housekeeper.

Carolyn has just split from her husband & has a busy career & so needs someone to take care of the day-to-day details. Amelie accepts & Carolyn & her friends, Lina & Justine, become Amelie's surrogate family over the next few years Justine works for a rich businessman called Ned Hawthorpe, & when now nineteen-year-old Amelie is introduced to him at a party, he offers her a job. She is stunned when Ned asks her to travel with him to Las Vegas to talk with a client & asks why Justine isn't going. Ned replies that Justine is on another assignment but Amelie happily goes along, but things get weird when Ned suddenly proposes a short marriage of convenience. Amelie agrees as it seems the only hope of paying for her dream of studying law at university, but does she really know what she is getting herself into?

Present

Amelie is woken in the middle of the night, a cloth hood put over her head & hands tied behind her back. She is taken away to a place where she is kept in a room which doesn't have any natural or artificial light. Just a square room with a small bathroom through one door & a mattress on the floor to sleep on. Her captors bring her food to eat & a blanket, but they keep the door locked & don't speak to her. Over time, she realises that they have kidnapped Ned too & are keeping him in a separate room - holding both of them until his rich father pays up. Strangely though, Amelie feels safer in this room than when living with Ned.

The first 70% of this was very atmospheric as it led the reader through what Amelie was experiencing whilst kidnapped with the light deprivation etc, alternated with chapters about her early life. Amelie was fairly easy to empathise with, although she was a little naive, not only in accepting a job from someone she had only just met who could have had nefarious motives, but also in agreeing to marry Ned. It was a 4/4.5 star rating for sure until the final 30%. Things slowed down & there was a lot of talking as Amelie tries to find out why she was kidnapped & who was behind it. It made the pace of the book rather uneven. In the end, I'm rating this 3.5 stars (rounded up) as the first 70% of it was great.

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Hodder & Stoughton, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

I loved this absolute masterpiece of a thriller! The Prisoner is compelling, compulsive, and begs to be read in a single sitting. Highly recommended.

I usually highly enjoy a BA Paris book. But sadly this one wasn't for me. I just couldn't get into it. I'm sure it's just me and others will love it. But not for me sorry.