Strangers Behind Closed Doors

Catherine Adel West was born and raised in Chicago, where she currently resides. She graduated with both her bachelor's and master's of science in journalism from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Her work is published in Black Fox Literary Magazine, Five2One, and Better Than Starbucks, among many others. She is the author of Saving Ruby King and The Two Lives of Sara is her sophomore novel.

"There is a very noir tone to this novel: the invocation of the city; the uncovering of evil at high levels of power; the wounded, vulnerable detective—and, in many ways, the femme fatale—all these elements work to amplify the search for social justice, the pervasive rage, of West’s narrative."—Kirkus, starred review "There is a great deal of suspense within this novel that locks the reader in. It goes beyond being a mystery, drawing awareness to the very real lack of attention abducted and murdered Black and Brown women get in America."—Booklist "The solid first thriller from West (The Two Lives of Sara) spins the search for a missing influencer into a treatise on race, labor, and the failures of law enforcement."—Publishers Weekly"Strangers Behind Closed Doors is a thought-provoking thriller filled with jaw-dropping twists that kept me racing through the pages. Catherine Adel West masterfully weaves together shocking twists, heart, and a heroine who's impossible not to root for." —Gigi Pandian, USA Today bestselling author of the Secret Staircase Mysteries"Strangers Behind Closed Doors is a gripping and intricately woven tale of secrets, survival, and the unyielding pursuit of justice brought to life through West's masterful storytelling and vivid, evocative prose. A compelling exploration of systemic injustice and resilience."  —Terah Shelton Harris, author of Where the Wildflowers Grow “Clever, perceptive and much, much creepier than you think, Strangers Behind Closed Doors is a lacerating look at class and race and the bonds we need to survive the horrors of both. Catherine Adel West is a powerhouse.”  —John Fram, critically acclaimed author of The Bright Lands and The Midnight Knock "A gripping, fast-paced read that twists and turns through the streets of Chicago as it explores issues of race, class, friendship, and influencer culture...This novel questions what it means to thrive in a society that is built to keep power and attention consolidated to a select few, and provides no easy answers."  —Christine Kandic Torres, author of The Girls in Queens "A powerful thriller based on the chilling reality of unsolved disappearances of Black women, and the racist and misogynistic systems that utterly fail them...West delivers a gripping, twisty tale with wit and an originality that will captivate and keep you guessing until the very end." —Iris Mwanza, author of The Lions' Den “Strangers Behind Closed Doors seamlessly blends two of my favorite genres: domestic suspense and police procedural. Catherine Adel West has crafted a story ripe with vivid writing and complex characters that explores much needed, timely topics. I can’t wait to see what she writes next.”  —Kellye Garrett, award-winning author of Missing White Woman