The Therapist

The Therapist (2021) is a novel by Franco-British author B. A. Paris. Known for writing tense psychological thrillers, Paris won the Nielsen Gold Bestseller Award for her 2016 debut Behind Closed Doors. The Therapist is her fifth novel and charts the experiences of Alice Dawson after moving to London with her partner, Leo. The couple’s exclusive home in a gated community seems the ideal setting for a fresh start. However, when Alice discovers the previous owner of the house was murdered, she becomes suspicious of Leo and the other residents of the Circle. As Alice attempts to solve the murder of Nina Maxwell, she uncovers dark secrets and places herself in increasing danger. The novel’s themes include Trust and Betrayal, The Complications of Community Dynamics, and The Repercussions of the Past.

This guide uses the 2021 HarperCollins eBook edition.

Content Warning: The source material features violence, murder, suicide, and likely instances of abuse.

Plot Summary

The narrative combines the present-day story of Alice Dawson, interspersed with past one-to-one interactions between an unnamed therapist and female clients. The therapy sessions follow a pattern.