Closed Doors by Lisa O'Donnell

Author: Lisa O'Donnell

Puiblisher: Harper

Date of publication: May 2014

In this tense and brilliant tale from the national bestselling author of The Death of Bees, a young boy on a small Scottish island, where everyone knows everything about everyone else, discovers that a secret can be a dangerous thing.

Eleven-year-old Michael Murray is the best at two things: hacky sack and keeping secrets. His family thinks he’s too young to hear grown-up stuff, but he listens at doors—it’s the only way to find out anything. And Michael’s heard a secret, one that may explain the bruises on his mother’s face.

When the whispers at home and on the street become too loud to ignore, Michael begins to wonder if there is an even bigger secret he doesn’t know about. Scared of what might happen if anyone finds out, and desperate for life to return to normal, Michael sets out to piece together the truth. But he also has to prepare for the upcoming talent show, keep an eye out for Dirty Alice—his archnemesis from down the street—and avoid eating Granny’s watery stew.

I liked The Death of Bees enough to want to read more by this author.  So when I saw Closed Doors, I was hoping for a good read.   It is a unique look at family secrets and the impact that they have on not just the family members, but the people outside that circle.  I kept waiting for a tense book.  But it just never came for me.  I felt like the book dragged in places, but that may be because of who was narrating the book. 

It's told through the point of view of an eleven year old boy. So the events that he describes are very innocent, sometimes confused and often boring. I felt like this was really more of a coming of age story.  My heart really broke for Michael as he ends up growing up way too fast.  When he learns the truth of what happened to his mom, his relationship with her changes in a heart breaking way.

I did like how the book ended and was satisfied with the conclusion.  While I liked the book, I can't say I loved it.  I think this is one that you have to try out for yourself.

About the author:

Lisa O’Donnell won the Orange Screenwriting Prize in 2000 for her screenplay The Wedding Gift. Her debut novel, The Death of Bees, was the winner of the 2013 Commonwealth Book Prize. She lives in Scotland.

Visit Lisa at her website, connect with her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter.

Lisa’s Tour Stops

Tuesday, May 20th: she treads softly

Wednesday, May 21st: Jenn’s Bookshelves

Monday, May 26th: Book Hooked Blog

Thursday, May 29th: Love at First Book

Monday, June 2nd: No More Grumpy Bookseller

Monday, June 2nd: Sweet Southern Home

Tuesday, June 3rd: Book-alicious Mama

Wednesday, June 4th: A Bookworm’s World

Thursday, June 5th: Book Loving Hippo

Monday, June 9th: 5 Minutes For Mom

Tuesday, June 10th: Lit and Life

Thursday, June 12th: BoundbyWords

Friday, June 13th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Friday, June 20th: Drey’s Library

Monday, June 23rd: Books à la Mode

Tuesday, June 24th: From the TBR Pile

TBD: The Written World