The Breakdown: A Novel

By B.A. Paris

Now A Major Motion Picture Blackwater Lane starring Minka Kelly, Dermot Mulroney, and Maggie Grace.

THE CHILLING, PROPULSIVE NOVEL FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.


If you can’t trust yourself, who can you trust?

Cass is having a hard time since the night she saw the car in the woods. It was on the winding rural road, in the middle of a downpour, and a woman was sitting inside—the woman who was killed. She’s been trying to put the crime out of her mind; what could she have done, really? It’s a dangerous road to be on in the middle of a storm, and she probably would have been hurt herself if she’d stopped. Not only that, her husband would be furious if he knew she’d broken her promise not to take that shortcut home.

But since then, she’s been forgetting every little thing. Where she left the car; if she took her pills; even the alarm code.

The only thing she can’t forget is that woman, the woman she might have saved, and the terrible nagging guilt.

And the silent calls she’s receiving, or the feeling that someone’s watching her…

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Published May 22, 2018

352 pages

Average rating: 7.31

104 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Rodkris
Aug 02, 2026
10/10 stars
B.A. Paris delivers another gripping psychological thriller filled with paranoia, secrets, and nonstop tension. The story keeps you wondering what’s real and who can truly be trusted. Every chapter pulls you deeper into the mystery, leading to a satisfying ending that ties everything together. Perfect for readers who enjoy suspenseful, character-driven thrillers with plenty of twists.
4gie
May 04, 2026
7/10 stars
Felt the plot of driving her crazy was guessable, and then they tried to kill her? Surprised that the girlfriend killed the victim
Kellyo
Jun 08, 2025
8/10 stars
Satisfying ending. Interesting to see how stress can compound a situation.
stackedlibrarian
Dec 11, 2024
6/10 stars
3.5 Was not as good as BA Paris's first book, Behind Closed Doors.

Since this is her second book it is hard to tell if the husband will always be the bad guy in her writing. I hope not.
thelexilusk
Oct 08, 2024
4/10 stars
this was my first read by B.A Paris. i rated it a 2/5 on my other apps so im doing 4/10 here so it equals out lol. i feel like this was a redundant lifetime movie. it took quite a while to learn how everything tied into each other. it also felt a little rushed towards the end, because everything started to unfold rather quickly. overall the read was good. i listened to the audiobook so i finished in two days. i kind of had an idea one of the culprits was Matthew but i didn’t expect Rachel to be the killer.

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