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Following on from the bestselling debut Behind Closed Doors must have been a bit daunting for B.A. Paris, but I think The Breakdown is a worthy successor.

The whole introduction of the storm-ridden trip through the woods was eerie and suspense-filled. The storm providing the perfect background for the terror that is about to be unleashed on Cass. Suffering from apparent memory lapses Cass is seemingly unravelling throughout, edging on a breakdown herself and I must admit that even I was doubting what I'd read that she said or did. I kept having to remind myself to pay attention to what was said to her and what she said to others and this in turn meant that I doubted lots of the people surrounding her. Just who could we trust?

These doubts were then coupled by Cass not telling the truth about that night, about what she saw and what she did (or didn't do). I do accept that she was ridden with guilt but I don't know why Cass found it hard to admit she'd seen 'The Breakdown' even to her husband Matthew, and so I was a little frustrated by her. This frustration then seemed to be echoed by others who grew increasingly confused by her behaviour - it all became a vicious circle with Cass in the centre becoming beaten down by worry.

It was easy to see how anxious and confused she was and whilst I did suspect what was happening to her in parts, it didn't dampen my enjoyment of the well-crafted mystery. Neither could the fact that I couldn't quite keep up with the timeframe; I'm putting this down to a deliberate ploy, as I got the sense of time just slipping away. I suppose this was a good metaphor for the sense of disquiet and uncertainty Cass was suffering from.

The Breakdown is a thoroughly good read which has enough twists and turns to keep you always on the backfoot. A captivating mystery that will keep you on-edge throughout.