The Therapist

Alice and Leo move into their dream home in an exclusive London development called The Circle. What starts as an exciting new chapter takes a dark turn when Alice learns about the murder of a therapist named Nina Maxwell who lived in their house before them. Alice becomes consumed with uncovering the truth about Nina's death, despite resistance from her neighbors and Leo's increasing frustration. Her investigation leads her to question everything she knows about The Circle's residents and her own relationship. This psychological thriller explores trust, perception and the hidden lives that exist behind closed doors in affluent neighborhoods. The story examines how well we truly know those closest to us, and whether a fresh start can ever truly erase the past.

Readers found this psychological thriller predictable and slow-paced compared to Paris's other works. Many reviews mention figuring out the twist early on and feeling frustrated with the protagonist's actions. Readers appreciated: - The creepy atmosphere of the new neighborhood - Short chapters that maintained momentum - The exploration of trust in relationships Common criticisms: - Main character Alice comes across as naive and unrealistic - Plot drags in the middle sections - Too many repetitive inner monologues - Resolution feels rushed and unsatisfying Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (67,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4/5 (12,000+ ratings) Book of the Month: 3.5/5 Notable reader comments: "The first half builds tension well but loses steam." - Goodreads reviewer "Alice's paranoia becomes tiresome." - Amazon review "Not as gripping as Behind Closed Doors." - BookPage reader review Many readers recommend Paris's other books over this one for newcomers to her work.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides A psychological thriller about a woman who kills her husband and refuses to speak, leading her therapist down a path of obsession and dark revelations.

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell A woman inherits a London mansion with a disturbing history of cult activity and missing children, uncovering secrets about her own identity.

Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris A marriage that appears perfect from the outside conceals sinister secrets and psychological manipulation behind the facade of a dream home.

Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney A woman lies in a coma, unable to move or speak, while piecing together the events that led to her condition through unreliable memories.

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen A complex narrative of jealousy and deception unfolds between a former wife and her replacement, with neither woman being who they appear to be.

🔍 B.A. Paris wrote The Therapist in 2021 while struggling with insomnia, which helped her capture the main character Alice's increasing paranoia and sleepless nights 🏠 The story's setting of The Circle, an exclusive London neighborhood, was inspired by the author's experience of moving into a close-knit community in France 💫 Before becoming a novelist, B.A. Paris worked as a trader in a bank and taught French for several years 🎯 The book explores themes of gaslighting and psychological manipulation, drawing from real cases of therapists who violated professional boundaries 📚 The Therapist debuted at #12 on the Sunday Times bestseller list and has been translated into more than 25 languages worldwide