Title: THE THERAPIST
Author: B.A. Paris
ISBN: 9780008412005
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 362
Source: Private Copy
When Alice and Leo move into a newly renovated house in The Circle, a gated community of exclusive houses, it is everything they’ve dreamed of. But appearances can be deceptive…
As Alice is getting to know her neighbours, she discovers a devastating, grisly secret about her new home, and begins to feel a strong connection with Nina, the therapist who lived there before.
Alice becomes obsessed with trying to piece together what happened two years before. But no one wants to talk about it. Her neighbours are keeping secrets and things are not as perfect as they seem…
Official Summary
26 August 2024
This is a new-to-me-author, I have no idea how I managed to miss out on this. B.A. Paris delivers a gripping psychological thriller with *The Therapist*, a story that plays with the themes of obsession, trust, and the deceptive nature of appearances. Set in a gated community known as The Circle, the novel follows Alice and Leo, a couple who have recently moved into their dream home. However, the veneer of their perfect life begins to crack as Alice uncovers a dark secret about their new house.
Alice is an engaging protagonist—curious, determined, and a bit too eager to uncover the truth. Her fixation on Nina, the therapist who previously lived in their home, drives the narrative forward, creating a tense atmosphere that keeps you on edge. As she digs deeper into the past, the layers of deception surrounding her neighbours unfold, revealing a community bound by secrets and lies.
The setting of The Circle is effectively claustrophobic, with its tight-knit community and eerie sense of surveillance. Paris builds tension as Alice’s paranoia escalates, making you question who can be trusted. The pacing is well-executed, with each revelation leading to more questions and a growing sense of unease. While the plot twists are not entirely unpredictable, Paris does a good job of keeping the suspense alive until the final pages. The novel explores how the past can haunt the present, and how our perceptions can be manipulated by those around us.
*The Therapist* is a compelling read for fans of domestic thrillers. It neatly combines a chilling atmosphere with a protagonist who is both relatable and unreliable, making it a page-turner that will leave you questioning the secrets hidden behind closed doors.
Also By B A Paris
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
Everyone knows a couple like Jack and Grace. He has looks and wealth; she has charm and elegance. He’s a dedicated attorney who has never lost a case; she is a flawless homemaker, a masterful gardener and cook, and dotes on her disabled younger sister. Though they are still newlyweds, they seem to have it all. You might not want to like them, but you do. You’re hopelessly charmed by the ease and comfort of their home, by the graciousness of the dinner parties they throw. You’d like to get to know Grace better.
But it’s difficult because you realize Jack and Grace are inseparable.
Some might call this true love. Others might wonder why Grace never answers the phone. Or why she can never meet for coffee, even though she doesn’t work. How she can cook such elaborate meals but remain so slim. Or why she never seems to take anything with her when she leaves the house, not even a pen. Or why there are such high-security metal shutters on all the downstairs windows.
Some might wonder what’s really going on once the dinner party is over, and the front door has closed.
I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of this book.
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
I’m a Franco-Irish author who writes from a cottage deep in the Hampshire countryside, England. You might know me as the New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of the word-of-mouth hit Behind Closed Doors and my upcoming thriller, The Guest.
With 7 million editions of my seven novels sold worldwide, my books have been translated into 41 languages. Three of my novels have been optioned for major screen adaptations and there’s a film of my novel The Breakdown, titled Blackwater Lane, starring Minka Kelly, Maggie Grace and Dermot Mulroney, in post production.
I’m starting to think my TBR (To Be Read) pile is getting a little out of control. I stand in front of my TBR shelf, and it’s almost like visiting a bookstore. There are books on that shelf that I have no memory of buying—this book was one of those. But what a fantastic read! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Do you have any favourite B.A. Paris books? Leave a comment below—I’d love to hear your thoughts! I loved this story and can’t wait to read more from this author.
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