Behind the Door by M.S. Berry
Reviewed by Katie Ingram
A psychological thriller, Behind the Door by M.S. Berry is like a rollercoaster; it’s a riveting experience, but the end leaves you wanting more.
In attempt to put more distance between herself and her stalker ex while finishing her PhD in folklore, Anna decides to take a house sitting/part-time bookstore employee job in a rural English town. Along with manning the store and following set rules there, the job comes with one other stipulation: don’t go into the room on the second floor of the house. While, for me, alarm bells immediately start going off, Anna is a bit less cautious, at least a first.
“Behind the Door is a rollercoaster. I finished the book in a few hours, after finding myself unable to put it down.”
There are quirky residents, strange sounds in the night, and strange customs (including the weird door and store hours), all of which Anna takes in stride until she can’t anymore.
As I mentioned, Behind the Door is a rollercoaster. I finished the book in a few hours, after finding myself unable to put it down. I wanted to know what would happen next, no matter how many times I yelled at Anna just to pack up and leave. It’s the kind of story that gives you crumbs, each bigger than the last. Although, to keep with the cookie analogy, I’m not sure if we’re ever given the whole cookie as I felt the ending to be a little underwhelming. Without spoiling, I had too many questions and not enough answers.
At times, I found the writing to be a bit stilted, and upon looking up the folktale that inspired it, Blue Beard (which I’m not as familiar with as I would like), I found the style quite similar. So, perhaps that’s on purpose?
If you like edge of your seat thrillers, with no hint what or who will happen next, Behind the Door is for you.
About the Author
M.S. Berry is Michelle Berry, an award-winning author of seven novels and three collections of short fiction. Her work has been optioned for film and published internationally in the United Kingdom.
About the Reviewer
Katie Ingram is a freelance journalist and the author of Breaking Disaster: Newspaper Stories of the Halifax Explosion and The Undesirables: A History of Rockhead Prison. She’s also a part-time instructor with the University of King’s College School of Journalism, Writing and Publishing.
Book Details
Publisher : Turnstone
Publication date : Dec 15 2025
Language : English
Print length : 250 pages
ISBN-10 : 0888018010
ISBN-13 : 978-0888018014