Catherine Adel West is a fantastic author of three outstanding works, including Saving Ruby Kind and The Two Lives of Sara. The books were so compelling that USA Today named her a “Black author you should know.”

She has solidified that status with her latest book, Strangers Behind Closed Doors, which releases on June 9th.

Think When No One is Watching meets The White Lotus in this captivating thriller about a woman who disappears after a public fight with her former best friend, the head concierge at a famous luxury hotel, and the female detective who believes the case is tied to the unsolved disappearances of other Black women in the city.

Giovanni Mason has worked her entire life to become the first Black head concierge at the glamorous and exclusive Ivory Hotel, a five-star luxury resort in Chicago. It’s a job that requires patience, perfection, and above all, self-control. But when Giovanni reunites with her former best friend, make-up influencer Natalie Moore, things get heated–a mending of fences morphs into an ugly, public argument in the hotel restaurant, and Giovanni loses her cool.

Then, Natalie goes missing that night, and all signs–including a blood-spattered, ransacked hotel room and a witness statement–point to Giovanni.

Beleaguered detective Redding Stark is the only one who thinks Giovanni isn’t the culprit. A series of unsolved disappearances have been haunting the city, all involving Black women, and Detective Stark believes this case is connected. As she and Giovanni investigate, they’re drawn deep into a labyrinth of power, privilege, and betrayal within the iconic hotel.

Will Giovanni and Detective Redding find Natalie or join the missing?

Please click here to learn more about Catherine and her work.