This was an interesting read focused on a psychiatrist named Steph who works for the Dept of Corrections and takes on a new inmate named Trent who is a famous singer turned serial killer. While Steph is trying to earn trust with Trent and determine if he is fit to stand trial, copycat murders start happening, amping up the need to figure out what Trent knows and how to get him to help.

The dynamic between Steph and Trent was interesting, though some of their conversations read as stilted (e.g., lack of contractions used in many sentences that made me wonder if the book had been translated from another language, though I investigated and it was not), which made the interactions seem somewhat unnatural. Though I liked the dynamic between Steph and the detective, I didn't see any way in real life that she would have been able to get that involved in the investigation (and even questioned if she would've been able to get the job she had based on mental health issues that were caused by childhood abuse). That being said, I enjoyed the cat and mouse game in trying to figure out who the copycat killer was and I appreciated that no one appeared to be off-limits as to who would be killed next. The twist was really well done- I had come up with that as a potential conclusion myself but it seemed so out there that I dismissed it, so was glad to see that's what ended up happening. The end of the book was abrupt and while I got what the author was going for, I wished for more.

Overall, I am fascinated by getting into the minds of serial killers and also trying to solve mysteries, so I did enjoy the book, though I had to suspend my disbelief at many of the situations depicted. I would give it 3.5 stars, rounded up. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this book ahead of time in exchange for a review. It didn't disappoint! Must read!!

Dr Stephanie Fletcher is a psychiatrist who is assigned to work with Trent Davis, a rock star who has been deemed criminally insane after murdering several women in horrific ways.

Whilst Dr Fletcher is trying to help Trent to control his hallucinations, another woman is killed in very similar circumstances causing the Police to declare a copycat at large.
Dr Fletcher works with the Police to try and work out the identity of the copycat and prevent further murders but when it looks like she may be the next victim the copycat has their sights on she has to find them before they get to her.

I find anything about forensic psychology fascinating so loved the plot of this book, as well as trying the help Trent exercise his demons, the main character of Dr Fletcher is also trying to exercise her own. I love the inclusion of her backstory which adds to the overall plot. Trent is a very creepy killer so it adds an extra dimension to the usual serial killer story.

I enjoyed this book and would have given it 4 stars but I felt like it ended a bit abruptly and I was left wanting more, that was the only reason I have marked it down.

𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚙𝚒𝚜𝚝
𝚂. 𝙰. 𝙵𝚊𝚕𝚔
𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎: 𝚃𝚑𝚛𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚛
𝙿𝚞𝚋𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚛: 𝚂𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚖 𝙿𝚞𝚋𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐
𝙿𝚞𝚋 𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚎: 𝙰𝚙𝚛𝚒𝚕 𝟸𝟻, 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟺
𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’m a therapist, so of course, the title of this book is what initially caught my eye! Dr. Fletcher, our main character is assigned a new patient, Trent Davis (and Larua), a serial killer. All is well until a copycat comes into the picture. Que the twists and turns. Dr. Fletcher and Detective Navarro must figure out who this copycat is before anyone else gets hurt. Who is this copycat and where are they hiding?! No spoilers here!

𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝙽𝚎𝚝𝙶𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚢 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚂𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚖 𝙿𝚞𝚋𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙰𝚁𝙲!

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬: 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘧 𝘐’𝘮 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵.

𝘈𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘱𝘴𝘺𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘴𝘵, 𝘐’𝘮 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘥𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘐’𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘛𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘋𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘴. 𝘚𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘮𝘦, 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦. 𝘏𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘴 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧.

𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘛𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴.

𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵…

I enjoyed this book, slow to start with a good twist however I did figure it out beforehand. I would recommend this as a quick easy read for a beginner in this genre.

Steph is a psychiatrist working in the penal system in California and is treating a serial killer who has committed cannibalistic crimes. He is a victim of child abuse. The book, told from the point of view of Steph, describes the cat and mouse nature of her therapy sessions with Trent, the killer as well as her own investigations into his background. There are also short chapters written by the current copycat killer. The book mostly documents mental illness. The crimes are quite sickening because of the cannibalistic element and I did start to predict the ending, rightly, as I progressed with the book.
Shortish chapters, not too much suspense, but a couple of twists in the plot . The book has left me with a dissatisfied feeling . I liked the exploration of abuse and the long lasting effect it can have on a person, Steph's obsession with Trent did not ring true from the off though and the middle of the book lost it's way a little for me.
An OK read, thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

I was immediately intrigued by the synopsis. This book gave me vibes from the Mindhunter show and the movies Seven and Silence of the Lambs. The story would make for a thrilling movie! ⁣
⁣
It felt a little slow in the beginning but then it turned into fast paced thriller. I was hoping for some shocking plot twists but I figured out who the copycat killer was in the first quarter of the book so it was a little predictable for me. However, I was still excited to see how it turned out and why. This book had a lot of hard to digest, disturbing, and traumatic parts which added to the sinister ambiance. ⁣
⁣
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC that was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

The Therapist by S. A. Falk is a psychological thriller that is wickedly good fun with a twist at the end that will leave you reeling!

. This story follows a psychiatrist and criminologist who, on their first day back at work after a period of grief, encounters a new patient whose case is far from ordinary. As the story unfolds, the protagonist is drawn into a complex web of deceit, manipulation, and psychological warfare that challenges their professional acumen and personal boundaries.

Falk’s writing is sharp and incisive, crafting a world where every character is meticulously developed, and each interaction is loaded with potential significance. The pacing of the novel is masterful, with Falk knowing precisely when to ratchet up the tension and when to give the reader room to breathe and reflect.

The twist in The Therapist is deeply rooted in the characters’ psyches and the novel’s thematic concerns. It’s a twist that recontextualizes everything that has come before it, forcing the reader to reconsider their assumptions and the clues sprinkled throughout the narrative.

What sets this book apart is its exploration of the human mind. Falk delves into the complexities of mental health, trauma, and the ethical dilemmas faced by those in the psychiatric field. The book doesn’t just entertain; it also poses profound questions about the nature of therapy, the boundaries of professional relationships, and the capacity for change within individuals.

The Therapist is a standout addition to the thriller genre.

Since I actually am a therapist, I’m a sucker for any book titled The Therapist, and boy oh boy, this one did not disappoint. We are introduced to Dr. Fletcher after she attends the funeral of her life-long therapist. We find out that Dr. Fletcher is a psychiatrist who works in a hospital for the criminally insane and she is about to receive a new patient, the infamous serial killer and rock star, Trent Davis and Dr. Fletcher has made it her mission to find out why he brutally murdered six women during the pandemic. However, a copycat killer starts to taunt her and the investigator working with her, Detective Navarro.

The more I read of this novel, the better it got. The plot was dark and twisted and it just kept coming. I loved the dual timelines that were figuring out during the entirety of the book. I also love the character development. S A Falk did a phenomenal job unraveling the thriller. There are a lot of dark concepts in the story, like, murder, abuse and rape. I have to say it all fit into a literally un-put-downable thriller that I had to uncover as much as I could as fast as I could.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing Co and S A Falk for the eARC of The Therapist in exchange for an honest review. Publication date for The Therapist by S A Falk was 25 April 2024.

A dark fast paced thriller. Liked the twists and red herrings that kept me guessing on my toes.

It started reeling me in right from the first chapter which I liked about this book. While it's a bit dark I liked the therapist - criminal genre and the way the book is written.

Thank you Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.

** I received this book as an arc through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Stephanie Fletcher, a psychiatrist and criminologist, returns to work with lingering grief but maintains her professional facade. She encounters Trent Davis, a charming man whose warm demeanor contrasts with his dark past as a serial killer. However, when a package arrives addressed to Trent but from Stephanie's home, it threatens to disrupt everything.

Overall rating: 4.4/5

Ratings:

1. **Plot and Storytelling:** 5/5 I was completely captivated by the plot of this book. It held my attention from start to finish, with twists that kept me guessing. The storytelling was masterful, delivering the story with impeccable pacing and surprising turns.

2. **Characterization:** 4/5 The characters in this book were truly enjoyable. They undergo development throughout the story, leading to shifts in how the reader perceives them. It was fascinating to see how their personalities evolved.

3. **Writing Style:** 5/5 Falk's writing style was a highlight for me. It struck the perfect balance between pace and detail, ensuring that every moment felt significant without any unnecessary filler. The prose was engaging and immersive, drawing me deeper into the story with each page.

4. **Originality:** 4/5 While the premise of a psychiatrist encountering a dangerous inmate is not unique, the way this story unfolds sets it apart. The evolution of the narrative and the unexpected twist at the end added a fresh perspective, making it stand out in its own right.

5. **Emotional Impact and Resolution:** 4/5 This book kept me on the edge of my seat throughout, thoroughly engaging my emotions. While I was completely absorbed, I found myself wishing for a bit more closure in the ending—an epilogue would have provided a more satisfying conclusion to tie up loose ends.

If you found this book enjoyable, I suggest exploring "The Silent Patient" by Alex Michaelides or "The Inmate" by Freida McFadden for similarly thrilling reads.

I loved loved loved this one! Wow! What an incredibly suspenseful book this one is! SO thoroughly transporting and addictive. Absolutely brilliant. Very highly recommend this one.

This was a darker read than I was expecting. I enjoyed it and the ending was such a shock! I'm still thinking about it a day after I have finished it. I recommend this if you like darker psychological reads. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this one.

Dr. Fletcher is an experienced psychiatrist and criminologist for the criminally insane. She is asked to work with the infamous serial killer Trent Davis and she can't wait to discover the secrets of his mind. Once Fletcher began working with him, a copycat serial killer is on the loose. Whoever is responsible for the new murders idolizes Trent Davis, and Fletcher is determined to use his mind to help solve the current crimes. This was a DARK mystery, and if you're concerned about trigger warnings you may want to stay clear of this one. I happen to love dark thrillers and really enjoyed this. I had a hard time putting it down and finished it so fast! I didn't care for the short chapters of lyrics, but other than that it was a good book. I would recommend this if you are a horror lover!

Wow! I did not see that ending coming at all. If you want an un-put-downable thriller, you’ve come to the right place. You’ll be led right up the garden path and won’t know how you got there. Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I was not able to review this book on time due to my grandmother passing away. 😞
When I thought about reading, this book came to mind often. I am excited to start this book now and plan to write a review on goodreads when I am finished.
Thank you #netgalley for my ARC!

The Therapist is a twisty psychological thriller that will keep you hooked you from the start!
This follows a psychiatrist, Dr. Fletcher who works with patients in the criminal system. Her newest patient, Trent Davis is a notorious serial killer and Dr. Fletcher is determined to break into his psyche. However, while Davis is locked up, a copy cat killer following his infamous crimes.
Is there a copy cat killer or was Davis always innocent? What does Dr. Fletcher uncover while treating him?
I recommend this book for those who enjoy psychological thrillers!

3.5/5 ⭐️ rounded up

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC! I love psychological thrillers and based on the description, the Therapist was totally up my alley with it following a psychiatrist meeting with a serial killer patient. The book started off really strong, although gory at times, with the serial killer being insufferable (to be expected). However, the ending fell off for me :( It was so short and felt rushed - it could've down with a another chapter or two, which is why I'm knocking it half a star down. If you're a fan of The Silent Patient/Freida McFadden, I think you'd really enjoy this one!

The Therapist was a novel that I was so excited to read. I love psychological thrillers and looking into the minds of criminals. Unfortunately this one was slow to start, and I had a hard time connecting with the main character. The ending also felt rush and just left me unsatisfied.

the therapist was so mysterious in every way possible, but I have literally figured out who this creepy "copycat" is miles away. this book was too predictable though it held my interest for sure! it was nonetheless fun to actually solve it yourself <3 gave this a 3.75 star! Thank you so much NetGalley and to the author for this ARC !