Title: Lock the Doors
Author: Vincent Ralph
Publication: March 1, 2022
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: Teen, YA Fiction
Pages: 400
SYNOPSIS: (From Goodreads)
A brand new addictive, twisty thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of 14 WAYS TO DIE.
Tom’s family have moved into their dream home. But pretty soon he starts to notice that something is very wrong – there are strange messages written on the wall and locks on the bedroom doors. On the OUTSIDE.
The previous owners have moved just across the road and they seem like the perfect family. Their daughter Amy is beautiful and enigmatic but Tom is sure she’s got something to hide. And he isn’t going to stop until he finds the truth behind those locked doors. . .
Will their dream home become a nightmare?
REVIEW:
**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
I’m a big fan of publishing house Sourcebooks and their Fire division gives me some of my favorite Teen and YA Fiction novels, so when I saw a mystery thriller called Lock the Doors, I was intrigued. Sounded right up my alley. I was not disappointed.
My very first impression when I started reading Lock the Doors by Vincent Ralph was that the writing was not my favorite. The storyline seemed interesting, but the thought processes playing out from the main character as I read seemed almost simple and basic. After I got a little more into the book, however, I realized that this viewpoint is from a kid with severe OCD tendencies and it wasn’t simple or basic, it was organized. When I think of the thoughts in my head they are chaotic. Tom is far more organized and methodical. I quite liked Tom and feel we have a similarity in the sense that we are always suspicious of people and think there is probably a darker side to something most wouldn’t even look twice at. I love that Tom wouldn’t let his thoughts be brushed aside no matter how much his family and friends told him to let it go. Amy was weird from the very beginning and I’m not sure I’d have been as drawn to her as Tom, but I definitely would have questioned her family because they were strange and had very odd behavior.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was the family dynamic playing out in Tom’s home. I love how Ralph wrote about this mixed family where some people felt extremely accepted and part of the family, where others struggled with that intermingling concept of the two families becoming one. I also really appreciated how Ralph wrote about the negativity and abuse that Tom and his mom faced earlier in his life and how they’ve both adapted in very different ways to be where they are now. I love a good successful outcome for a family like this. I almost wish there was more of it. I wanted more family time, more family dynamic even though I understand that was not the main part of the story. I really enjoyed seeing the kids bond over time and watch how their relationships grew.
This book was not just about a mystery, but also about family and friendship and trusting your gut instincts even when others think you are wrong. It was an easy read and I really enjoyed the characters. I loved the different types of personalities Ralph was able to make stand out really well from each other. This was a good book and I plan to pick up many more from Vincent Ralph. A great mystery that had me guessing and gasping until the end.
