BA Paris does it again! Everything by this author keeps you on your toes throughout the whole story. An automatic buy for me.

Therapist
B.A. Paris
Fiction
Nancy
3


Alice is sure that, in Leo, she has met the perfect man, although their relationship, what with Alice living in Harlestone and Leo in London, is limited to their weekends together. And, even though Alice is delighted to accept Leo’s invitation to move in with him to the luxurious new house, she is less than thrilled with the house itself. It’s huge, for one thing, and in a gated community with only twelve homes, almost all of them occupied by people who have been there for years, forming bonds that Alice knows will make it hard for her to be welcomed. Nevertheless, she finds it impossible to explain the chilly reception she’s gotten, until a stranger explains that the former occupant of the house was brutally murdered there and Alice realizes that not only do all her neighbors think that she knew about the killing, but also that Leo has been hiding the fact that he knew as well.

A couple of things bothered me about this book: first, the overly-hysterical Alice who, despite her terror, insists on staying in the house (here’s where you can join me in shouting “No, not in there, you idiot),” and second, that the plot is so weak that the killer is instantly obvious. I expected better.

My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.

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Alice and Leo move into a beautiful home in The Circle, a beautiful neighborhood. But soon Alice finds out why it was so affordable. A murder occurred there, a fact that was not shared with her. Alice finds out the woman who was killed, was Nina, a therapist which was the same name as her dead sister, and becomes obsessed with her. The more Alice finds out the more she believes that it wasn't Nina's husband who had killed her. She starts to suspect her neighbors.
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the advance ecopy.

Another fantastic book from BA Paris. The reader was engaged from the beginning in the mysyery of who killed Alice. The characters were very well developed and it made for a truly engaging story. Loved this one !

opportunity to read and review an advanced e-copy of The Therapist. Leo and Alice move into their first home together, a house in The Circle, an exclusive gated community. Once moving in, Alice finds out how they were able to purchase a home she didn't think they could afford - a grisly murder had taken place in their home. Alice is drawn into the mystery of who committed the murder -was it the victim's husband, who was arrested and committed suicide, or one of her neighbors, or someone completely unknown to her. Alice tries to figure out what is going on, while keeping some secrets of her own, which allow her to be drawn deeper into the mystery. I will say, I usually have a pretty good idea who "done it" when reading thrillers by about half-way through, but this one I didn't see coming. It was a book I didn't want to put down until the end. This will be a great summer read!

After a year and a half of break (reading murders when you're pregnant didn't feel right), I'm starting off with an exciting page-turner.

First off, I would like to thank Ms. Paris for adding a trustworthy non-psychotic drug-free not-alcoholic narrator to this genre. The main narrator, Alice, might not be everyone's best friend material but she's normal and relatable. Thus making this book so much more exciting and addictive.

Welcome to The Circle - a gated townhouse community in London's Finsbury Park (where a blogger and a Theatre actor can afford a house!!! or say, a couple of part-time working parents lol) sooooo it's clear from the very beginning that this will be one of those murder mysteries where even 007 is just a guy next door and anyone anywhere is capable of partial memory loss for no apparent reason...

Of course, her female cast is entirely supermodel-worthy (or at least Alice sees everyone that way) all the while munching on cakes and pasta. Not a single chapter goes by where they're all NOT sharing a glass of wine or more over an intimate tell-all conversation.

The fact that our narrator is someone who's completely new to this community fits perfectly with the said reality where her ex best friend might've been an MI6 agent, but ok let's assumer for the time being that this is real and possible.

The plot of the story is actually very well developed.

It has all the curiosity-keeping additives of a really good thriller. The gossip about a murder that's taken place in the past and in Alice's house, the spying neighbors, the closed circle with all the inner conflicts and who's keeping what from whom...potential love affairs and/or fall outs, someone said something, someone killed the conversation with the wrong question. The following morning everyone pretends they're all best friends and nothing's happened. NOT even the murder a year ago...

And then there's that PRESENCE of someone in Alice's house while she's sleeping...super creepy. She shrugs it off as nothing but you suspect there's more to it. OTHERWISE, IT WOULDN'T BE ADDED TO A MURDER MYSTERY.

Ms. Paris didn't disappoint with her meticulous writing style. The details that numb your mind from all the ongoing Covid thoughts are all there (and yes, I thoroughly enjoyed even her world of supernatural affordability and good looks - there's a reason they call it escapism). The book is positively Agatha Christie-ish filled with a rather large set of potential murderers all of whom slowly start showing potential for a motive. What Paris has added were the occasional chapters from PAST that were written by The Therapist to throw you off course.

I've read some reviews that mentioned these as tell-tale signs. Well, I disagree. I thought the way Alice narrated her version of things felt very humane and realistic (the actually realistic part of the book!!!). In my opinion, this part (which many call her stupid for) was refreshingly life-like. I could associate with her in many ways.

I would like to raise a glass to St. Martin's Press and Ms. Paris for adding a whole spectrum of new colors to my life by providing this free copy of the book via Netgalley. My summer reading is off to a good start!

While I did enjoy the book, it was rather predictable to me. I had figured out early on what would happen.

As always, B.A. Paris does not disappoint. I could not put this book down and loved all the plot twists - it kept me guessing the whole time! Highly recommend this book along with all of her other novels.

Another knock out from B. A. Paris!! This page turner was twisty and had you wondering about each character being a suspect at different times also questioning how reliable the narrator actually was. I loved the character development and did not see the end unfolding the way it did. Was ready for another great read after Behind Closed Doors and The Therapist did not disappoint. Truly enjoy her writing style and can not wait for her next book!!

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Alice lost her sister and parents in a tragic car accident when she was 19. Now in her 30’s, she has moved from her childhood home into a gated community in London called The Circle. Her partner works during the week, so she’s left to try and fit in with her new neighbors. But it turns out, that the perfect house isn’t so perfect. It turns out that someone was murdered in her house and now she’s caught trying to solve the cold case and trying not to accuse everyone in The Circle. This was a quick read with a propulsive plot.

If you enjoy tightly wound characters, suspense and untangling a web of lies and deceit, this book is for you.

The plot is twisted and many layered - you will second guess the 'who dunnit' until the last few pages.

Great read!

Loved it! A engrossing neighbourhood story with a lot of mystery and suspense. B.A. Paris books never disappoint me!

I really, really enjoyed this book, despite being able to predict a few of the twists. The ending felt a little rushed and packed with information - the pace would have been improved by spreading out the twisty bits a bit. Some parts were downright implausible, but that's true of most thrillers.

I identified with several of the characters, but also truly believe that the protagonist may be the least intelligent woman alive. Again, it didn't stop me from enjoying the story. This was a great escapist summer read that I'd definitely recommend.

B.A. Paris does it again!

Preface: I might be biased since B.A. Paris is one of my favorite authors and I’ve seen many mixed reviews on Goodreads, but I absolutely loved this book! I was so excited since her last book was released in 2019 (The Dilemma), that is way too long of a wait for a fan!

Let me tell you, she has not lost her touch with Thrillers! This story kept me guessing until the very end! Plus, the story unfolded with an action-packed bang and I couldn’t have been happier.

I felt this story to be quite creative, never read anything like it. There were multiple characters but, again, I felt so invested in the characters and the story that I felt like I was right there with Alice discovering who my neighbors are.

Overall, great writing, great thriller! Highly recommend anything from B.A. Paris!

I requested this title because I have read and enjoyed other titles by B.A. Paris. This novel features a mystery element, who really killed Nina, along with a psychological thriller of a possible neighborhood cover-up. Alice moves to an seemingly secure and exclusive neighborhood in London, The Circle, with her partner Leo. Alice quickly finds out that she is living in the house of murder victim Nina and that the murder took place in the bedroom where she and Leo now sleep. Greatly unnerved, Alice desires to know more about the murder and finds out that not everyone belives Nina's husband, Oliver, was the murderer. Alice begins to speculate which of her neighbors could have committed the crime, while also dealing with trust issues in her relationship with Leo and the uneasy feeling that someone is sneaking into their house at night. Alice's obsession to find out what happened to Nina creates a wedge between her partner and her new friends, but will it lead to the true killer's identity? A well constructed, evenly paced thriller with solid character development. Highly recommended.

I was excited to get copies of the ebook and audiobook ARCs. This one threw me for a loop. I thought that I had it figured out for about the first half of the book ... It seemed really obvious what the outcome was going to be. But there were a bit more twist and turns, and you don't quite end up where you think you will. I think anybody who enjoys thrillers and will be able to get through that beginning where it feels a little too obvious, will enjoy this.

A big thanks to the author, publisher, and that galley for the ARC.

I have to say it, BA Paris you’ve done it yet again! This author is one of my favorites and ALWAYS gives you one wild ride reading her books! Alice and Leo have started dating and are seeing each other on weekends due to work and living distance. They want to change this and decide to take the next step together, getting a house. The house they buy is listed for a great price and is in a gated beautiful community! The community has 12 houses that all are built around a circle. Sounds like the perfect dream home, except Leo neglects to tell Alice his girlfriend why the house is listed for a steal …. Something to do with the previous owners. With this being said, Alice starts to do some digging and the entire community get flipped upside down in so many ways! Everyone in this community has secrets and they all start unfolding one by one!
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This one was a crazy ride! I felt this book flew and had me on edge thinking about what was going to happen next! I felt all the emotions while reading this for the main character - the betrayal, all the emotions, and the firework ENDING! You’re in for a treat with this thriller! I highly recommend checking this one out when it hits the shelves in July!!! Thank you St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for my advanced reader copy

I'm torn over how to rate The Therapist by B. A. Paris. I enjoyed the book, but at times it felt a little scattershot ~ almost as if the author wanted to build suspense by having Alice suspect every. single. member. living on The Circle.

Yes, I wanted to read this book because the synopsis was so very good and I loved this author's book Behind Closed Doors. I find that to be her best work, especially after reading The Therapist.

The setting was wonderful, many of the characters very interesting, and the premise for this novel was unusual, which was great. I loved the idea of a small circle of homes inside a gated community. Something small so that everyone knows everyone and gets to be good friends. It was a great setting.

If you enjoy suspenseful neighborhood dramas you will likely enjoy The Therapist. Definitely give it a read if you're considering it. Not every book is for every reader and this one just did not hit the bar for 5 stars for me. I'd give it 3.5 stars if possible, but am rounding to 4.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for providing an ARC at my request. All thoughts are my own.

This is a twisted tale that will keep you guessing. Is Alice imagining people coming into the house at night? She is obsessed with finding out the truth about the woman who was murdered in the house she is now living in. I was all over the place trying to figure it out and I have to admit I was nowhere close to guessing. This one will keep you on the edge of your seat. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

So it is honesty time. I have a weird relationship with BA Paris books. Some really work for me and others fall flat. I am never going to give them up though, because they are all super quick reads for me and when I like them, I really them. Even if they aren't my faves they are still solid 3 star reads.

I so enjoyed this one. I figured our bad guy out pretty quick ( maybe at the half way point) but I didn't know the why and how it all fit together. I really enjoyed the way it all played out. While I do believe the ending was a bit fantastical, I still read it and would recommend it to any of my thriller loving friends.

4.5 stars from me and I do think, if you are a thriller lover, give this a go. You won't be disappointed.