Member Reviews

Oh my goodness!!! I love this book. When the last part of the book unfolds, I gasped so many times I couldn't hold it in! B.A. Paris has done it again, given us a book that can keep you guessing.
I liked Alice and was curious about her boyfriend Leo. The house he wants to buy is wonderful, but priced below what is market value and one has to be curious as to why. Sure enough a woman was murdered there, and her husband committed suicide, and the police sort of just assumed he did it even if it didn't add up. When Alice learned about the murder she's angry with Leo for keeping it a secret, and she becomes obsessed with learning about Nina and Oliver who lived there before them. Alice tries to endear herself to the neighbors and wants to make friends and also dig into their knowledge of what happened. I did feel Alice was chasing after wild theories, but on and on it went. Her naiveté at being in a larger city like London, and meeting new people stand out. She's perhaps too trusting.
I figured out a few things in this book, but not the ultimate who done it, or why or how until it was revealed near the end.
The writing and atmosphere set was spot on, I could imagine the intimate neighborhood of the circle, a bit of privilege and snobbery. The smaller characters played an integral part in this book, it was interesting to meet the neighbors, so to speak. Having just moved into a new home myself three months ago, I can relate to how Alice felt, well minus the previous murder in my home.
Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the both the advanced readers copy and the advanced audio copy of this book.

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I had high expectations for this book. Could it possibly be as good as the author's previous books? Could I possibly like it as much? No worries. It's just as good and I liked it just as much. It's another page-turner that keeps the reader guessing to the end.

Even as the book began, it felt creepy for some reason - maybe I was just expecting what was to come - - and that was plenty of creepiness!!! I found myself suspecting everyone of the murder; and make no mistake, EVERYONE is a viable suspect!! I did start to suspect the right person but hoped I wasn't right - and couldn't figure out how he could possibly be the one!

Paris ties everything up in a breathtaking, horrifying moment and = sad to say - certainly not a happy ending for everyone. Except for this reader who was happy to have read another great thriller.

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Who’s ready for a ghost story? Not a violent demonic possession like the latest Conjuring movie. No, a quiet and refined little story of a spirit who just won’t leave her perfect house. In The Therapist, the ghost is determined to run the new owners straight out of HER house. Now.

Alice and Leo are just moving in together after eighteen months of long-distance dating. They have found the perfect house in a small, gated community in London. The price is incredibly low, and they are enchanted. But one night, soon after moving in, everything changes. Leo feels someone watching them while they sleep. But after searching the house, and finding no one, he has to admit he may have imagined it. But the experience impacts Alice more deeply.

“For a moment, the silence is absolute and my mind flicks to the thought of someone here; a stranger watching us as we slept. It’s only as I stand there, shrouded in perfect stillness that a thought slams into my head. I don’t like this house.“

The Therapist is a slow-building tale. Alice is of the old fashioned had-I-but-known school of heroines. By which I mean, she’s definitely not the sharpest tool in the shed. Her observation skills could use some work too. A boyfriend who wants you to himself is clearly a warning sign in a psychological thriller. Yet Alice doesn’t see it. Perhaps noisily investigating a previously solved murder in your house is not the best long-term survival plan either. Even if that is the only way to silence your ghost. Sometimes, moving away from danger is the right answer.

While Alice’s behavior is challenging (and requires frequently yelling at her in my mind), I still enjoyed reading this ghost story and domestic suspense thriller mash-up. Perhaps you will too. 4 stars!

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

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I enjoy the twists and turns of B.A. Paris' writing. The Therapist was one such novel and I liked it the most of her works thus far. Perhaps it was because I listened to it as an audiobook (which really enhanced the experience) or maybe it was the overall premise of the story. Either way, I wasn't totally sure of my "whodunit" guess until about 80% through. The title of the book was a bit misleading and the character of Nina, the therapist who was murdered, wasn't really developed. And although Alice appeared to be all over the place in her assumptions and characterizations of others, Paris did a good job in providing enough of a backstory and internal dialogue to explain her character flaws.

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The Therapist by B.A. Paris is a psychological thriller.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher St. Martin’s Press (and in particular Kejana Ayala for sending me a widget), and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Alice and Leo are starting a new life together.  They move into a gated community of exclusive houses, and Alice wants to get to know the neighbours.

Apparently it isn't as easy as it seems.  Furthermore, no one wants to talk about the therapist who lived in their new home before they moved in.  Alice becomes obsessed with the secrets that everyone seems to be keeping.  She is determined to find out more, even if Leo isn't interested.

Her paranoia and obsession may become the death of her.


My Opinions:   
I found this to have a rather slow start, but as the suspense started building, so did my interest.  By the end I didn't want to put it down.  The plot was wonderful, the premise very sound.  If given the same circumstances, I, too, would have been interested in learning more about the previous owner of my house.  Hopefully I would not have become quite so obsessed.

The book is about trust, and lies, and deceit, and secrets.  It is also about fear, anxiety, paranoia and obsession.

Some of the characters were easy to like, others just as easy to hate.  I really felt sorry for Alice, as she was a very likable character, but definitely needed a therapist of her own!  Her mind was always going in a million different directions, and when Tamsin called her a "fantasist", I think she  was close.

Although I had an idea as to the perpetrator, there were many things that eluded me.  There were some major twists which I did not see coming.

Overall, this was a very entertaining read, and I will continue to watch for more books by this author!

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BA Paris has done it again. She has created an edge-of-your-seat thriller that will keep you guessing and enthralled until the very end. As with her other books, The Therapist grabbed me from the very first chapter and kept me in it's clutches until the very last page. I am never disappointed in her stories.

This is a book full of relationships, most of them strained and troubled. Alice has to work hard to try to find the good ones and to try to figure out who she can trust—who is on her side and who isn't? And then there are all the secrets. What aren't her neighbors telling her?

I totally loved the mystery, suspense, and secrets of this story. The Therapist is a spell-binding thriller that I know you will love as well.

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I really enjoyed this book! Every time I thought I had it figured out something else happened that made me change my mind! I appreciate a book with twists and turns that has me stumped. I really enjoyed Alice's character - strong, independent, and not willing to settle. She had her suspicions, and she was not going to stop until she had it figured out. I love B.A. Paris and I highly recommend this book along with her other titles.

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This thriller was very fast-paced and intense… It kept me turning the pages! It also definitely had a creepiness factor, and made me imagine someone was watching me inside my house. While I could see how others could predict the ending, I did not. I was a little disappointed by the twist, but this seems to happen a lot lately so maybe I just have my expectations too high. Overall, a great read!

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Who murdered Nina Maxwell? Was it the husband, neighbor or stranger? This was a fascinating book. It had 2 plots really, who murdered Nina and who is Leo, woven all together to make a brilliantly written story that leaves wondering who done it. I didn't figure it out till the reveal. I loved it. Really great book.

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Thanks to NetGalley for my gifted copy of this book.

The Therapist is the story of Alice and Leo. They’ve just bought a house in a gated and exclusive London neighborhood called “The Circle”. This is Leo’s dream house and while Alice is hesitant, she loves him and agrees to move there with him. As Alice tries to adjust to the new house and living in London, she decides to invite the neighbors over for drinks. As she gets to know her new neighbors, she also learns that there is a sorted past that has come along with the house that Leo has neglected to share with her. Her house was the site of a viscous murder and the woman who was murdered also happens to share the name of her sister who was killed, years before, in a car crash with their parents.
Tons of twists and everyone is a suspect. This was a little slow to get started but then had a steady pace until the end. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

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I absolutely love every novel I have read by B.A. Paris, and The Therapist is no exception. I love books that grab you from the start and this one did just that! Review below ⬇️

Alice and Leo have not been dating long, but things seem to be moving in the right direction, so when Leo asks Alice to move in with him, she says yes! They buy a house in London in a neighborhood called The Circle. The Circle is a gated community with twelve houses built around a square. Alice and Leo live in number 6.

Alice decides to get to know the neighbors and invites them all over for drinks. Leo isn't happy about it, but goes along. Alice gets strange vibes from some of the ladies and doesn't understand why. One neighbor arrives late and Alice assumes he is Tim, a neighbor who was having trouble finding a babysitter. Everyone has a good time, and Alice is starting to feel more at home until she finds out that the man she let into her house isn't Tim, and that Leo neglected to tell her that a lady had been murdered in their house and that was why he was able to get the house so cheap. What follows is more deceptions, more lies and eventually Alice figures out that no one is as they seem and she can't decide who to trust. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and though I figured out what was actually going on, it was great fun seeing how the author tied everything up! 4⭐

Thank you to Netgalley, St Martin's Press and B.A. Paris for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

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This was such a frustrating read. The main character doesn’t make the best decisions and that was really difficult to go through. It was a quick read and I liked how the thriller aspect of it kept me intrigued. However, the ending was over-the-top.

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This was a great suspenseful story set in London that focuses on the truths kept hidden between couples. Alice and Leo have moved in together in a perfect little neighborhood that seems too good to be true. When Alice discovers that a murder has occurred in the house before she Leo owned it, she becomes obsessed with getting to the truth of what really happened. Twisty and fast paced, this novel reminded me why I enjoy books by B.A. Paris. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

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When partners Alice and Leo decide to purchase a single house so that they won’t be traveling back and forth visiting each other, Leo is the one to surprise Alice with his purchase of the perfect home. It’s in a gated community and is being offered at a lower price than it’s worth, so he can purchase it with his funds, and she can rent her house out. Perfect! Right? Not-so-much. Leo failed to inform Alice of one very important fact: Nina, a therapist, was murdered by her husband in this very house. At least that’s what everyone assumes, since shortly afterward Nina’s husband commits suicide.

Will this news be enough to run Alice off? She loves Leo and he’s purchased the house because he thinks it is perfect. Maybe learning more information from her neighbors will help her decide.

Once again I find myself in the minority with my thoughts and review. Though this started out interesting, I soon tired of the plot and it felt like it was dragging. Yes, I wanted to see how it ended, but it just didn’t have enough to support the whole middle of the story. Plus, I’d guessed the ending. Of course, not every bit of it. But enough.

My Concerns
The characters weren’t developed enough for me to really care about them. And the story was too drawn out and repetitive.

Final Thoughts
My three-star rating doesn’t in any way mean that you shouldn’t read it. It wasn’t my cup of tea, but if you check reviews you will see that many don’t just like it, they love it. I would suggest that you read this one and make your own decision.

My thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for the ability to read an advanced copy and review the story.

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I was provided a free copy of this book by @netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
When Alice decides to move in with her boyfriend Leo, she thinks they find the perfect house in an exclusive gated community! That is until she is informed (not by Leo 😒) there had been a brutal murder in the house. Not convinced the killer isn't still out there Alice begins to try to piece together what happened, the only problem is she's not sure who she can trust!
This one definitely kept me guessing, although I got frustrated with Alice at times! There were some obvious things that she kept dismissing or explaining away and I wanted to yell at her! 😂 Overall it was a pretty good book, just not amazing for me.
This is my first B.A. Paris, so I can't really compare it.
But if you're a fan of suspense, it's worth an add to your TBR, and the good news is you don't have to wait because it was published today! 😁
#NetGalley #TheTherapist

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Wow! I loved this book. B.A. Paris did not disappoint with this book. It was suspenseful right to the end. Poor Alice, still upset 20 years after the death of her parents and sister. Her sister Nina was her best friend and she is gone. But Alice still feels her presence at night and still misses her very much. Leo, the boyfriend, buys a house for her and Alice to start living together and begin their new life. What he forgot to tell her is that a woman named Nina was murdered in that house. She finds out from a stranger who crashes her "drink" get together with her neighbors about the murder. Alice becomes obsessed with the murder and trying to find the real killer. Her relationship with Leo is in jeopardy because of the omission of truth. The story takes off from there with Alice playing private investigator with the real private investigator party crasher. It kept me anxious and on the edge of my seat through the whole book. If you are looking to escape into a psychological thriller pick up this book. Happy Publishing day! Thanks to #stmartinspress, #netgalley and @baparisauthor for an ARC of this book.

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It took a few chapters for me to really get reeled into this one but once I was, I couldn’t put it down. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone but loved the ending.

Alice and Leo move into a lovely community, but everything is not as it seems. Nina, who lived in their house before them, was a therapist. Alice wants to know more about what happened to her but her neighbors are being obtuse. A really great thriller!

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I love a good thriller, especially one set in England, and this one did not disappoint. Gilda and her boyfriend, Leo, move into an exclusive neighborhood in London, The Circle. Gilda receives a less than warm welcome from some of the neighbors and has a drinks party to try and get to know everyone. After the party, Gilda learns that a man who did not belong had infiltrated his way in and soon after she also learns that her house was the site of a murder just a couple years prior.

Nina Maxwell and her husband, Oliver, were well liked within The Circle and so they were all shocked when Nina was murdered by Oliver who then killed himself.

Gilda meets someone who gives her reason to believe that it wasn't Oliver who killed Nina and she becomes obsessed with finding out the truth, despite The Circle being less than cooperative. I suspected every character at one point or another and all the twists and turns kept me flipping the pages to find out what happened. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers, this is definitely one to pick up.

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Thank you SO MUCH St. Martin’s Press for gifting me one of my top favorite thriller authors’ books!
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B A Paris is back with a bang with yet another compelling domestic thriller! If you even remotely enjoy this genre, do not miss this one!!!
Do you like reading about neighbors keeping deadly, unresolved secrets? What about a new house keeping dark secrets too? Then pls allow me to present to you…The Therapist!

Alice and Leo move to house No. 6 in a new gated community called The Circle. The house seems to be everything they imagined…until Alice quickly discovers it has a very sordid past. Even worse? The neighbors in the other houses, and Leo, knew about it but didn’t disclose to Alice.

And so begins trails of suspicions, lies and betrayals. One of the neighbors whispered into Alice’s ears 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲! What do you do in a gated community when you’re new and can’t trust anyone including your partner? I’ll emphasize again, read this book if you enjoy domestic thrillers!!! Go in as blind as possible!

B.A. Paris always has atleast one main character who is at odds with themselves, questioning everything. The soliloquies of the person are so often disturbing and creates a tense atmosphere to the reader, which I enjoy because it makes me feel like I’m right there in the story.

If you are the reader who likes to try solving the “whodunnits”, the author provides ample clues and little tricks and a final curveball too. I never figured it out so when I reached the final pages, so many things made sense and I was like “Dammit, how didn’t I figure this out?!” All in all, a great entertaining thriller!

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Every time there is a new B.A. Paris book out there, I get so excited. She has easily become one of my favorite authors. Her new book, The Therapist, is out today. I received an advanced readers copy. This did not influence my opinion on the book.

The Therapist did not disappoint. I love how the author keeps coming with these amazing stories, without losing her essence, and even though none of her books after Behind Closed Doors have been that dark, but still, thrilling enough to keep us wanting more.

I can honestly say I would ready anything B.A. Paris writers, and cannot wait for her next book.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the free Advanced Copy in Exchange for an honest review.

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