The Therapist by B.A. Paris – a Review

The Therapist by B.A. Paris – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
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…

 

 

Review:

The Therapist by B.A. Paris is another one of her psychological thrillersWe meet our heroine, Alice at the start, as she is planning to move with her boyfriend, Leo to an exclusive cul-de-sac neighborhood, The Circle.  Leo was thrilled to get the house at a great price, since it has been on the market for a year, which enabled him to buy it at a reduced cost.  After making renovations on the house, Leo and Alice move in, and are happy to be in a safe gated area.

Alice goes out of her way to meet her neighbors, but in a short period, she learns why Leo got the house so cheap.  The woman who lived in her house, was a therapist, who was murdered; to top it off, the woman’s name was Nina, which happens to be Alice’s deceased sisters name, who died years before. Alice is upset about not knowing about the murder, and that Leo kept it a secret, and she is very angry at him, causing him to not be home as much, at least until she gets over it; if she does.

Alice meets a private investigator, who gives her more information about the murder, and she becomes obsessed with finding out the truth.  Did Nina’s husband kill her, or was someone else the real killer. Alice spends her free time, asking questions of her neighbors to gather more information, and is convinced the husband did not kill his wife. With Leo mostly away, Alice becomes paranoid, as she suspects someone is coming into her house at night; leading her be suspicious of all of her neighbors.

Though Alice seemed like a nice person, she was way overboard, changing her mind constantly as to who she suspects.  Her behavior was off the wall, totally unreliable and frankly as time went on, I was not liking her at all. To paraphrase a friend’s slogan; I thought Alice put herself in danger so many times, that she most definitely was TSTL (too stupid to live).

Despite the heroine being a bit crazy obsessed, the story was a very good thriller mystery.  The last half of the book was a wild ride to the climax, that kept me on the edge of my seat.  Just when you thought you knew who the killer was, another surprise twist occurs.  I will say that from the start, I did suspect who it might be, and even though I was beginning to change my mind, I was right.  LOL.

The Therapist was very well written by B.A. Paris, though I would like a smarter, less stressful heroine. If you like a mystery thriller that has your attention from start to finish, I suggest you read The Therapist.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

Share

The Dilemma by B.A. Paris – a Review

The Dilemma by B.A. Paris – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
It’s Livia’s fortieth birthday and tonight she’s having a party, a party she’s been planning for a long time. The only person missing will be her daughter, Marnie.

But Livia has a secret, a secret she’s been keeping from Adam, her husband, until the party is over. Because how can she tell him that although she loves Marnie, she’s glad their daughter won’t be there to celebrate with her?

Adam is determined everything will be just right for Livia and the party is going to be perfect… until he learns something that will leave him facing an unbearable decision.

 

 

Review:

The Dilemma by B.A. Paris is a standalone novel focusing on a family preparing for a special birthday celebration and the ensuing complications.  Having read a previous thriller by Paris, I was surprised at this different genre, but it did turn out to be a great story that was very well written.  The Dilemma revolves around Livia and Adam, a married couple with two children (Josh & Marnie), with each having their own POV. The story starts out with Livia planning her 40th birthday party, which she has saved and planned for many years, having all her family and friends attend.  When Livia and Adam got married, they were very young and did not have enough money for a big wedding; this party has been her dream, and she is going all out, with Adam determined to help her enjoy her day. With everyone planning to attend, Livia understands that her daughter Marnie, who is overseas at school in Hong Kong, and cannot attend the party. But Marnie plans a surprise, as she tells Adam that she was able to switch planes and be able to attend the party, and to keep it a secret.

Livia has been carrying a secret of her own that she needs to tell Adam about, but decides to wait until after the party.  The secret, which she accidently discovered to her dismay, involves Marni, and Livia knows it will destroy Adam, so she is content that Marni cannot come home.  Though she hides this from all of the family, Livia knows the family dynamics will change drastically if her secret is revealed. Hence, she will wait for after the party to tell Adam, and decisions can be made.

Adam also has his own secret, and is having a hard time not telling anyone why he seems very upset.  Before people arrived at the party, Adam learns that there was a crash on a plane that Marni was planning to travel on, but he was sure she had changed planes.  In order not to worry Livia, he keeps it to himself and continues to try to leave messages for Marni on her phone. 

What follows is a heart wrenching story about family, friendships and secrets that were meant to wait for the right time to reveal them; but when revelations are made, all hell breaks loose. Will Livia and Adam be able to come to terms with each of them hiding their terrible secrets? 

The Dilemma by B.A. Paris was a wonderful story line that continually pulled on our emotions, especially this mostly covering a 24-hour period.  I do not want to tell too much more, as you really need to read this book.  If you enjoy a dramatic family dynamics and relationships, you should read The Dilemma, written so well by B.A. Paris.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

Share