Member Reviews

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a strange book for me, it was good in places and too far-fetched in others. Not really for me.

Was this review helpful?

Dr Stephanie Fletcher Forensic Psychiatrist works at Pantano correctional facility. She is assigned a high profile case. Dr Fletcher had a difficult childhood and she is missing her mentor.
When crimes happen that look similar to the high profile case she teams up with Detective Navarro against her boss express wish.
Enjoyed the book.

Was this review helpful?

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Therapist by S. A. Falk is a dual-POV psychological thriller following Dr. Stephanie Fletcher, a psychiatrist working at a state hospital. Fletcher’s newest patient is Trent Davis, a former musician who murdered and drained the blood of multiple women. Meanwhile, a copycat killer is on the loose and seems to be picking up where Trent left off.

The novel moves at a fairly crisp pace and alternates between Fletcher and the copycat killer's POVs. The copycat POV is usually more in stanzas, almost like a song, linking back to the Trent Davis connection

Content warning for brief depictions of CSA and ableist language

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC copy of this book.
3.5 stars
A well written thriller with well done research into the topics. Twisty and dark. There was something missing that I wanted more of but I can't quite put my finger on it. Overall it was a good storyline although a bit repetitive at times.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Net Galley and publisher for an arc of The Therapist by S.A. Falk.

This book had so much potential and would have been a 5 star read if the last few chapters had been different.

It was well written, well researched, good character development( for the most part) and suspenseful (again, for the most part)

Its fast pace, intriguing ( read in on sitting) couldn’t put it down. But at around the halfway point I had a gut feeling of how the plot twist was going to go and hoped I was wrong.
I was not.
This particular twist has been so overdone it’s just not enjoyable.
I was particularly looking forward to this novel as the author was highly recommended and had great review but it’s just not for me.

Was this review helpful?

The Therapist ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A dark psychological thriller.

Stephanie is a psychiatrist in a high security unit. After losing her mentor, who was also her therapist, she is returning back to work. Hoping that her routine will be with the same patients, she finds out that isn’t the case. She has been assigned a new patient, Trent Davis, who is being charged with multiple murders. While his actions are very disturbing, Stephanie feels a connection with him and hopes she can correct his behavior and find out what made him do these horrible acts. Only problem is, there have been several murders happen since he’s been admitted. Is there a copycat out there and if so, who is it?

This book started a little slow but once I got into it, I was hooked. There were a lot of supernatural discussions within it that had a creepy effect. It was more of a psychological suspense-horror/thriller and definitely a dark one. You’ve been warned! I did like all the psychological aspects of the characters and learning about mental illness. The twist was one that I didn’t see coming! However, I do wish there would have been more at the end because I felt like it was rushed.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my advanced readers copy. This is my voluntary and honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Dark thriller that, at times, details heavy topics. I was intrigued with the story from beginning to end. I found the main character to be unlikeable at times, mostly due to her “strong” personality and beliefs and how much it differs from mine, Somewhere in the middle, I took a (correct) guess at who the killer was, but the story continued with enough twists and turns to keep me reading.

Steph works as a clinical psychologist dealing with the most dangerous of criminals. Her newest patient, Trent, has been committed after the brutal murder of several women. Steph believes in rehabilitation and focuses her time in treating and evaluating Trent when a copy cat killer surfaces. The story focuses on finding the copy cat killer before there’s another victim, but is Steph in direct path of danger?

Was this review helpful?

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I usually give mysteries and thriller books the benefit of the doubt because I know it usually takes a while to build a story up so if I am bored, I usually wait until at least Chapter 10.

I couldn’t even get past Chapter 7.

It wasn’t a for a lack of trying either. This book was my book of choice for a 10 hour flight. I was stuck in an airplane cabin with no where to go and nothing to do than to either read or watch old movies I’ve already watched before so really, I was determined to get through this book.

But I was so bored, I couldn’t do it.

In all honesty, I think it was the writing style that really got to me. It was all so pedantic, less showing and more telling. I’ve never been a fan of scrupulous books that tend to over explain things to its readers so that’s probably why I wasn’t such a big fan.

I’m sure this book has its audience. That audience just isn’t me.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book in return for an honest review. The title had me intrigued and I couldn't wait to dive in! Steph is a psychiatrist returning to work after the loss of her mentor and therapist.

Trent Davis, a high profile case is admitted to her unit. She feels a connection with him even knowing what he's capable of. He is accused of multiple, sadistic murders and doesn't dispute his guilt. However, the murders continue. Is there a copycat or is he somehow working with someone on the outside?

Steph finds herself being absorbed by the case and working with the investigators to help crack it.

This was a quick and entertaining read for me. It is a great recommendation for those of us that love suspense thrillers.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review. I was instantly hooked by this edge of your seat psychological thriller. It was completely dark, gritty and extremely gory but so good! I flew through this book in a few hours as I didn’t want to stop reading it. I found it quite disturbing in parts but it all came together to create the atmosphere of the book. Definitely recommend this book to any psychological thriller fans.

Was this review helpful?

Having read a book by this author before, I was brilliant read. Full of twists and turns, and an ending that I absolutly did not predict.

Steph is returning to work as a psychiatrist in a high security unit, following the death of her own therapist and mentor, for which she is still grieving.

However a high profile case has just landed in her unit....Trent Davis, being charged with multiple cannibalistic murders of women. He is not disputing his guilt, however the murders continue after his admission, and they appear to be copy cat murders to his.

Steph begins to work alongside the police in the race to find the new killer but her efforts are hindered as she is put on extended leave when her boss feels she is not in a place to make rational decisions in her job. However she continues in her quest to find the truth behind these brutal killings.

An absolutly brilliant read.....highly recommend.

Was this review helpful?

3.5/5 - If you enjoyed "The Silent Patient," I think you'll love this!

Corrections psychiatrist, Steph Fletcher, is grappling with her own childhood traumas while treating patients who have committed terrible crimes. After losing her mentor, therapist and friend she throws herself into her work and, more importantly, her newest patient, Trent, who has just been charged with brutal serial murders. Once Trent is admitted a copycat killer emerges and Steph dives headfirst into the investigation.

I will admit that this book started off a bit slow for me. A lot of demon and devil talk which typically isn't my cup of tea. Once I got halfway into it I was HOOKED. This is a psychologically thriller through and through with a twist that will have your head explode.

Was this review helpful?

A very dark psychological thriller that will have you gripped from start to finish. If you enjoyed 'The Silent Patient' by Alex Michaelides then this one is definitely for you.
'The Therapist' centres around the work between a Forensic Psychiatrist and her in-patient rockstar serial killer. The emergence of a copycat killer throws a spanner in the works and case investigations on the outside hot up quickly as more and more victims meet gruesome endings.
Fast paced, intense and very cleverly plotted with a superb ending.
I am grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book.

Was this review helpful?

This one was just okay. It had a good pace and the characters were well-developed, but some parts felt like they were written to be gory/creepy for the shock factor rather than to develop the storyline. I found some of the word choices odd and repetitive, and the ending felt a little rushed. I think a lot of suspense/thriller readers who prefer darker content would be a better audience; this just wasn't for me. Thanks so much for the ARC!

Was this review helpful?

Dr Stephanie Fletcher works with some of the evillest prisoners, and none more so than serial killer musician, Trent Davis. The novel charts her desire to understand Trent and to help stop a copycat killer. The book is much gorier and more graphic than a typical psychological thriller however it was a fascinating delve into the depravity of the human psyche and interesting to learn how a psychiatrist approaches such work.

But that twist…! I was so taken aback at the end of the book, I feel like I need to go back and reread it to pick up on the breadcrumb of trails that is undoubtedly there, but I missed. I rather wish there had been another chapter or two as the ending is shockingly abrupt. Beware: it’s a much darker novel than the blurb suggests.

Thank you to S.A. Falk, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for an arc of this novel in exchange for my review.

Was this review helpful?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Honestly, this would have been 5⭐️ for me if the ending weren’t rushed. That twist hit me hard. My wheels were spinning trying to place who the copycat was and when it was revealed, my jaw hit the floor. But then it ended. I needed more, but I’m giving those details to the author so I don’t spoil this review for future readers.
AUTHOR- This would have been 5 stars for me if the ending were extended. Flashbacks to how Stephanie began her crimes, or even future shots of how she continued to blame this on her insomnia and stuck to her claims that she had amnesia. I just needed more. This was great though. I read a lot of thrillers and get annoyed when I am able to guess who did it, even when I’m unable to guess the why and the how. I had no clue it was her. I kept waiting for her to be abducted. Very well done!

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley and my review is 100% voluntary.
Dr. Fletcher is a psychiatrist working in Pantana State Hospital, a criminal psychiatric facility for those who cannot stand trial due to insanity. She is one of the doctors who treats the patients and determines when they are ready to stand trial, or if they will ever be able to. Her most recent patient is the high profile Trent Davis, lead of the popular band SOS and most recently dubbed the Vampire of Bakersfield after his bout of serial murd3r and cannib@lism that landed him here. Shortly after his arrival, a detective draws her into his investigation into a potential copycat who is possibly communicating with Trent Davis as a fan or protege. The further she dives into Davis’ schizophrenic psyche, his claims of a demonic infestation, his abusive childhood, along with the current case, she begins wondering if it’s time for a career shift into family therapy where she can prevent these horrible psychopaths from being created.
Can Dr. Fletcher help find this copycat? Or will Trent Davis keep sending them on false leads?

Was this review helpful?

Incredible! I was hooked from chapter 1!
A therapist trying to figure out the mind of a cannaball serial killer with a huge twist at the end!
Every chapter had me needing to read more.
Loved it!

Was this review helpful?

WOW. such a good book. i really loved it, i am a huge fan of thrillers and this was an amazing one. the plot twist?? i wasnt ready. also. is there going to have another book?? cause how can it end like that? if you wanna see my complete review, go on instagram @bookself.mel

Was this review helpful?

I didn't realise this book was more of a horror than thriller, to gory for me and I didn't finish it, gave 3 stars as it wasn't the authors fault it is not to my taste, sorry.

Was this review helpful?

This was my first time reading this author’s work and I absolutely loved the writing style! As someone who enjoys psychology and criminology, this book was the perfect read for me. My mind was working in overdrive trying to figure out where the story was going and I loved the twist, did not see that coming! I was also very interested in reading about the author and I enjoyed how he used personal and educational experiences to draw inspiration and bring awareness to certain subjects. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I’m looking forward to reading his other work.

THANK YOU to Storm Publishing, Netgalley and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review

Was this review helpful?