Thirty years ago Stacey endures a horrifying kidnapping and the criminals responsible are never caught. The experience leaves her with dissociative amnesia and just a few flickering and fleeting memories. What she does know with absolute certainty is that her father never pays a ransom. In the present day and now an investigative journalist in Lancaster, it seems history may repeat itself when her ex-husband Jack knocks on her door. His daughter Lyra, who Stacey really cares about, has also been kidnapped, the ransom demand is for half a million pounds and no police. Jack appeals for her help and she agrees which ultimately forces her to take a deep dive into her traumatic past in the search for clues.

This is yet another gripping and chilling read from Carol Wyer. I really like the way the author fuses the past with the present and the manner she chooses to tell of Stacey’s ordeal works well and is most effective. You wonder, just as Stacey does, if she can trust her ‘memories’ or if she is transposing given the current situation. Once her utterly shocking story emerges it’s little wonder she erases it from her memory.

There are plenty of discordant off notes with some behaviour that is strange and doesn’t entirely add up and your suspicion antenna twitches north, south, east and west. In addition there are some red herrings that put you off the scent. The characterisation is good, you grow to utterly admire Stacey and despise others. I love the setting in and around Morecambe Bay and the city of Lancaster and all locations are used really well to add atmosphere and moments of tension.

Although I figure out part of the plot, never fear the author has plenty of surprises to keep her readers of their toes! It’s an intense, compelling read with some bone chilling moments which amounts to a novel I find hard to put down.

this was a suspenseful atmosphere going on, it had a great start and did what was promised from the description. I enjoyed the way Carol Wyer wrote this and I loved the way she wrote her characters. It was my first book from the author and I want to read more from her.

‘They must have seen us together. They said on the phone “it was unfortunate”. You were told not to contact the police. Maybe they see my involvement as some sort of betrayal on your part. It could be another warning for us to toe the line.’ Her heart bashed against her ribcage as she spoke. She prayed she was right, that Lyra’s kidnapping was not her fault."

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy. I have been a fan of Carol's Natalie Ward series, so I thought I would give this a try. Stacy was kidnapped 30 years ago and now must relive that experience to try to help her ex-stepdaughter, Lyra. While there were some shocks to this book, I felt it was entirely way too long. I ended up jumping to different parts as it was just too slow moving for me.

In this heart wrenching book, Stacey is forced to relive the darkest period of her life. It had been thirty years, but being kidnapped as a teen is something she could never forget. Things get all too real when she shockingly discovers that her former stepdaughter Lyra has been kidnapped. Although no longer married to Lyra's father Jack, the bond Stacey has with Lyra is as strong as ever.

A half million pounds as well as no contact with the police and Jack just might get Lyra back safely. This message was delivered via a video that Jack has shared with Stacey. Jack is determined to cooperate by not calling the police as instructed, so he begs for Stacey to help him to gather the ransom amount and to try and find Lyra. Jack is banking on Stacey's past traumatic experiences as a way to get her to help him. Reluctantly, Stacey agrees, despite having very little time to follow instructions.

What a thrilling story! Although the two kidnap situations were decades apart, Stacey's experiences seemed as tentative and as shocking as Lyra's. It was impossible not to feel for both of them as they were hoping for rescue. I read this standalone thriller by Carol Wyer with bated breath. The intensity of the story, as well as the experiences Stacey endured throughout her life left me filled with compassion. If you want a book that will keep you reading late into the night, and also to want to hold your loved ones a bit tighter, look no further than Behind Closed Doors.

Many thanks to Carol Wyer, Thomas & Mercer and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.