View source for Before I Let You In by Jenny Blackhurst

{{infobox1
|title= Before I Let You In
|author=Jenny Blackhurst
|reviewer= Zoe Morris
|genre=Thrillers
|summary= A complex thriller, this looks at complicated relationships in and out of work, and the dangers they can bring
|rating=4.5
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|pages=368
|publisher=Headline 
|date=November 2016
|isbn=978-1472235275
|website= http://crimefiles.co.uk/blog/cf-author/jenny-blackhurst/
|cover=1472235274
|aznuk=1472235274
|aznus=1472235274
}}
As a psychiatrist, Karen is never too sure who or what will walk through her door, but the variety keeps it interesting, and her years of training and experience keep her on track even when a statement from a patient seems to throw her off course. It's hard sometimes, because she can't really talk about work at home, but her friends and partner are supportive even when she's not able to share the details with them.

Eleanor is one of those friends, mum to two and a little in awe of Karen and their other friend Bea, and their engaging grown up lives. Her days are mainly spent trying to keep up with the never ending demands of a newborn and his big brother. Bea is somewhere in between, not a high flier but not addled with the mundane demands of family either. She has a secret from her past that she's trying to forget, but somehow things keep coming back to her mind. The three of them form a close knit friendship group, and when Karen fears one of her patients may have her mind set on hurting one of them, she will do everything in her power to keep them safe.

This is a complex book that confused me a little at first because in some parts you do not know whose thoughts you're reading. This is fully intentional, and in the end it all becomes glaringly obvious, but I wasn't content to wait and see and was annoyed I couldn't work it out for myself. As thrillers go, though, it's fascinating. There's so much going on it's almost like several stories in one, though again that ending will make sense of everything. We don't hear much about Karen's other patients, just Jessica really, but then she is taking up almost all Karen's time and attention with her worrying statements and hints she is dropping. It's a difficult relationship, that patient/therapist one, and Karen needs to be sure of what is going on before she takes any action.

I enjoyed the book immensely, and immediately felt the need to re-read it now I know who's who and what's what. It's very clever in the way it makes you second guess the characters, in exactly the same way they end up second guessing each other and there's a twist towards the end I don't think you could anticipate, but which suddenly sees everything slot into place.

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending us a copy to review. If this sounds good, you might also enjoy [[Remember Me This Way by Sabine Durrant]].

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