Book Review: The Therapist by B.A. Paris

 

Book: The Therapist 

Author: B.A. Paris 

Pages: 304 

Read on: Kindle 

Read in: 3 hours 

Plot Summary: 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 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 neighbors are keeping secrets and things are not as perfect as they seem.

Things I Liked: 

1. The premise of the book, like most of B.A. Paris' books, was very interesting. A couple move into a new house in a posh gated community with a mysterious past. Their neighbours are cautiously friendly but a bit cagey about the history of their house, something, which Alice noticed early on and was concerned about. So, what did happen in that house two years ago? Interesting, right? 

2. The build-up of the mystery was nicely done. Also, there is a bit of intrigue about Leo and Alice's respective pasts. Both have some secrets they are trying to keep from each other as well as the people around them. Plus, there is the mystery of the house itself and of its previous occupant- Nina, The Therapist. 

3. There is an interesting mix of characters- from our protagonist- Alice- who moved to London and in with her boyfriend with a lot of hopes and dreams of starting afresh. She is keen on making friends and building a future and life in the gated community. The other women in the gated community are, mostly helpful and kind but some of them have silent and not-so-silent resentments. The relationship between Alice and the other women in the neighbourhood develops nicely and slowly as she gradually gleans information about Nina and what could've led to her brutal murder. 

4. There are a few decent twists and red herrings in the book, which are not very predictable- always a good thing in the thriller/ murder mystery genre! I don't want to get too much into any of these because I don't want to spoil the book for you! 

5. The book is fast-paced and taut with not much meandering or navel-gazing at all. Characters are also well developed, the plot is also well developed and there are some breadcrumbs but not too many that the big reveal is easy to guess. The author gives you just enough of a trail to lead you to the killer but doesn't make it obvious! 

Rating: 4/5 

This is a nicely done murder mystery and, finally, a B.A. Paris book I actually enjoyed!