Shrink Solves Murder

by Philippa Perry

A small-town psychotherapist draws on all her knowledge of the human psyche to solve the murder of a patient in this warm and witty mystery novel—by a real psychotherapist turned #1 internationally bestselling author.

Living in picturesque coastal Sussex, Patricia Philipps enjoys her quiet life—walking the cliffs, shouting at poorly disciplined dog owners, telling tourists to keep their distance from the crumbling cliff edges, and cold-water swimming.

Then a body washes up near Beachy Head, upending her carefully curated life as she discovers the deceased is one of her clients—her “Three O’Clock,” in fact.

The police chalk it up to suicide, but Pat sees things differently. She reads people. She understands them—their lusts, their loves, their quirks, their ticks, their tells, their deepest desires. She looks, she listens, she watches. And she never jumps to conclusions. After all, she spends her days listening to secrets, resentments, fantasies, and motives. She’s certain someone wanted Henry Clayton dead. 

With her chaotic best friend Pritchard (part-time poet, full-time meddler) in tow, Pat swaps the therapist’s couch for the crime scene. It’s time to unpick the lies, untangle the egos, and catch a killer hiding in plain sight.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, British Literature, Audiobook, Cozy

336 pages, Paperback

Expected publication July 28, 2026

About the author

Philippa Perry, author of How to Stay Sane, is a psychotherapist and writer who has written pieces for The Guardian, The Observer, Time Out, and Healthy Living magazine and has a column in Psychologies Magazine. In 2010, she wrote the graphic novel Couch Fiction, in an attempt to demystify psychotherapy. She lives in London and Sussex with her husband, the artist Grayson Perry, and enjoys gardening, cooking, parties, walking, tweeting, and watching telly.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/philip...

Reviews

[Wal.li · Rating 4 out of 5]

Der drei Uhr Termin

Pat Philipps ist als Therapeutin tätig. Ihr kleines Cottage liegt in einem beschaulichen Ort an der Küste. Die Landschaft ist malerisch, die Kreidefelsen beeindruckend, aber auch hoch. Als Pat erfährt, dass ihr nicht erschienener drei Uhr Termin von den Klippen gestürzt ist, kann sie es kaum fassen. Dann schließt die Polizei die Untersuchung nach kurzer Zeit. Es wird von einem Selbstmord ausgegangen. Das kann Pat nun wirklich nicht glauben. Wozu sollte Henry Clayton gerade eine Therapie begonnen haben, wenn er sich dann umbringt. Das passt einfach nicht und Pat, die es gewohnt ist Fragen zu stellen, beginnt nachzuforschen.

Gemeinsam mit ihrem besten Freund Pritchard versucht Pat von den Leuten im Dorf Hinweise zu bekommen, was mit Clayton geschehen sein könnte. Pritchard ist ein treuer Begleiter, die sie häufiger mal mit Selbstgebrautem erfreut. Im Gegensatz zu ihm hat sich Pat im Dorf noch nicht sonderlich beliebt gemacht. Ihrem Patienten fühlt sich Pat aber verpflichtet. Aus ihren Aufzeichnungen kann sie wirklich keine Selbstmordgefährdung erkennen. Doch wer könnte ein Motiv gehabt haben? Sein Lebenspartner, von dem er sich lösen wollte? Das ist natürlich der erste Gedanke. Nicht hilfreich ist die Polizei, die nur stur an ihrer Selbstmordthese festhält.

Ein idyllischer Ort an der englischen Küste eignet sich immer als Kulisse für einen Kriminalroman. Man ist gleich in der richtigen Stimmung für ein spannendes Rätsel. Als Berichterstatterin kommt Pat besser an als als Bewohnerin des Dorfes. Mit Hartnäckigkeit hält sie an ihrer Meinung fest, dass Clayton keinen Selbstmord begangen hat. Beweise zu finden ist aber garnicht so leicht. Schließlich ist sie doch Laiendetektivin. Und doch ist es klasse, wie sie Henry posthum verteidigt und versucht die Umstände seines Ablebens zu klären. Nebenbei muss sie sich dabei am Dorfleben beteiligen und feststellen, dass es nicht so nervig ist. Ihre Ermittlungen bleiben zwar etwas laienhaft, aber ihre Qualität als Therapeutin kann Pat sehr überzeugend ausspielen. Das ist vielleicht auch kein Wunder, da die Autorin selbst als Therapeutin tätig ist.

Von Sonngard Dressler wird dieses Hörbuch ausgesprochen angenehm vorgetragen. Man bekommt den Eindruck, dass Pat Philipps durch ihre Stimme richtig lebendig wird.

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Henry Clayton's death is put down to suicide, his psychotherapist Patricia Phillips is unconvinced and takes it upon herself to investigate. A very entertaining and enjoyable cozy mystery. I liked the way that Pat was able to use her skills at reading others to help with her investigation. I did dislike that the police detective was portrayed as lazy and incompetent and that she didn't even try to listen to anything that changed her thoughts. It is getting a bit tiresome when police are portrayed as bumbling incompetents. Otherwise it was an enjoyable puzzling mystery.

[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Hutchinson Heinemann for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

I think this is Philippa's debut novel but I know she is an accomplished writer. I don't know much about her to be honest, outside of being a psychotherapist and Grayson Perry's wife, so I was going in blind. But I know I like cosy crime novels so I was hoping it would be good.

But it didn't hit the heights I wanted it to.

It's got all the tropes I was expecting and wanted in a cosy crime novel.

The chapters were a little longer than my preference which drew the story out a bit longer.

It felt a bit like a painting-by-numbers at times, a bit formulaic.

I didn't find any of the characters likeable. She's given us a reasonably broad spectrum of characters but most of them were these rich upper-class snooty types and I couldn't take to them. Even with the characters who were introduced as opposites of them didn't hit the mark.

This is going to sound weird because it's a fictional novel and it's not meant to be real, but I do still expect there to be a certain amount of believability in a book and this wasn't. Mainly to do with the police force. They were so unbelievable, and not in a fun quirky way, and that spoiled it slightly for me.

it doesn't take a whole lot of concentration and I think that was at its detriment because I kept losing focus and felt reluctant to continue reading at times.

The ending doesn't really feel in keeping with the rest of it and it felt rushed like she suddenly realised she had to finish it.

I read a lot of cosy crime novels and I do enjoy them. They're good to lose yourself in and relax to, but this one fell short to what I was expecting.

It was okay. Would I recommend it? To fans of really cosy, cosy crime books probably yes. But it is a very basic story, done well but nothing overly special.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I liked the sound of it, and amateur sleuth types of mysteries are always a favoured read of mine. Who doesn't love a good whodunnit? And this, is a very witty, highly entertaining whodunnit with a touch of the 'did they even dunnit in the first place' about it too.

Patricia 'Pat' Phillips is a psychotherapist, living on the south coast of England, a stones throw from the notorious Beachy Head, a 'popular' spot for those who feel they have reached the end of the line. When the body of one of Pat's clients is found at the foot of the cliffs, it is immediately assumed that he reached that figurative 'end', but Pat is not so sure. Nothing about their sessions spoke of a man on the edge (no pun intended), and a troubling ex-partner aside, he was practically positive - at least as much as a person in therapy can be. Backed by her trusty friend, Pritchard, Pat sets out to prove that there is more to Henry's demise than meets the eye and the results ... well they are just all I could ask for.

Pat, Pat, Pat ... where to begin. As introductions go, it is very easy to see how she might get the backs of her neighbours well and truly up. Particular is probably a kind way to describe her. A stickler for fairness and not afraid to say what is on her mind. Perhaps dangerous traits for a therapist in many ways, but I actually really liked her. She just says and does all the things most of us would like to say and do, without hesitation or fear of recriminations. She is eternally patient with Pritchard, whose attempts at making the perfect homebrew - be that gin or wine - prove a hoot all on their own. And they make an unconventional but addictive pairing. She is canny and determined and all the qualities you want to see in an amateur 'detective' and I found that I wanted to spend that time with her and see how she got to the bottom of this mystery.

There are many threads in this book that could, and do, point the finger of suspicion in any one of a number of directions. From the on again, off again relationship to a seemingly unscrupulous property developer, Dorna, to whom Pat takes an instant, and eventually understandable dislike, there could be any number of reasons for Henry's potential murder. And the various characters in this book really are what makes is such a laugh. There are so many personalities that, although maybe a touch larger than life, feel so much like someone I might, or probably do know. The personality types at the very least. I actually quite liked the sparks between Dorna and Pat, a strangely addictive back and forth that is endlessly entertaining.

A lot of the real humour in this book comes from Pat's attempts to assimilate into the community, something she has largely actively avoided before. Book clubs, neighbourly parties - all the kinds of things that turn Pat cold but that may hold the clues vital to her, and our, understanding of what is going on. There is an artful use of misdirection at times, and with a plethora of suspects, we have to wait until the pivotal moment for the truth, and the guilty party to be revealed. One mention I must make is for PC Footer, one of the police officers that Pat works hard to convince to look further into Henry's case. He is a simple and yet strangely loveable character, easily swayed by Pat's personality, but although working in the shadow of the more senior officer, DS Stevens, he is far more useful to Pat and perhaps the wiser of the pair as well, in his own way.

If you love your crime on the cosier side, more Marlow Murder Club than Jane Tennison, then this is definitely worth reading. I am unsure from that ending whether we can expect a return for Pat and her friends, but I'd be more than happy to spend time with them all again. A fun and entirely entertaining read.

[Tracy Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Psychotherapist Patricia Philipps likes living on the south coast, her small cottage suits her, and she can run her business from the shepherd hut in her garden. When one of her patients is found on the shore close to Beachy Head, the local police detective is convinced its suicide. Pat, however, thinks otherwise. She was sure Henry Clayton wasn't suicidal. He was just very confused about his way forward with a violent partner. The police aren't interested in her theories and so, along with her best friend, Prichard Knowles, Pat decides it’s up to her to get justice for the young man she had become quite fond of. With the distraction of a possible golf club and spa being built at the end of her garden, an elusive Mars bar wrapper dropping stranger, and new neighbours who live quite a hedonistic lifestyle she knows she needs to focus if justice is to be served.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Random House UK, Cornerstone, Hutchinson Heineman, but the opinions expressed are my own. The beginning of a new series, this was an interesting read. Pat grated on me to start with, but her heart was in the right place, and she softened as the story progressed. There was a definite lead into a second book at the end, which I will be on the lookout for.

[Maisie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book from a cute little independent book shop in Brighton with my girlfriend. We must’ve spent a solid 45 minutes in there having a look at all sorts of books when I nearly left without purchasing any, but this one jumped out at me.

I haven’t read a book this quickly in a while, I was very locked in and would’ve read it faster if I’d had the time. I love the simplicity of this book, it was an incredibly easy read and had a beautiful pace. I love how it’s written, the font, the words per page, the narrative, and everything about it really. It’s nice that there’s a simple focus in this book too, I didn’t get lost od confused at any point which is unusual for me.

The only reason I haven’t given this book a 5 ⭐ is because I felt there was some suspense lacking, I feel that with some added suspense and a dramatic plot twist this would top it all off. I mean it was slightly unexpected at times, but I felt like there could’ve been a bit more oomf to it.

Nevertheless, it was a good book and I loved the writing style. Glad I made the choice to get a signed first edition of this book and this will be the start of my signed books collection. Goldsboro books, I will be back…

[Anna Suwald]

Ich glaube ich lahns eso stah. Hans bis 38% glost.

Es isch en cozy Crime und eher ruhig. Nüt brutals, kei Bluet, britisch und chammer sicher guet Lüüt empfehle wo "Donnerstag Mord Club" gern händ.

Näb em usefinde, wer de Mörder isch, merkt mer bi de Haupfigur super, wie sie d Mänsche analysiert und hinterfragt. (Wiil sie ebe Psychologin isch)

Es juckt mich z'wenig zum ferig läse, aber chan mer empfehle. :)

[Amanda Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Got about a third of the way through it, and there was still no proper motivation given for the protagonist to solve the murder, or any concrete reason for her to think there was a murder at all. It's possible this will be given later, but I feel like it's something that should appear sooner rather than later. I'm happy to suspend my disbelief, as long as the basics are taken care of, and here they weren't. The characters, aside from the main, were all distractingly one dimensional. However, it is nice to see an older woman as a protagonist.

[Helen O · Rating 3 out of 5]

Authors tend to write best when they’re writing about what they know. I’m not talking about murder, obviously, but of psychotherapy. Perry is one, and it shows. There’s even a self aware conversation when she’s talking with her supervisor, suggesting she shouldn’t be telling her clients what to do, that maybe she should be an agony aunt (which she also has been) because that’s what they do. I was rather perturbed, as a therapist myself, that she spoke of caring about clients in more than the objective non judgemental way we should be doing, but maybe that was the character rather than the author speaking. It was hard to tell, because the voice and character of Phillipa Perry spoke loud throughout. Personally I prefer to be offered insights through story telling, rather than just telling, so this was a plus for me. Even though I didn’t especially take to Pat’s character.

However, this was a rather cringeworthy middle class story. Maybe it was meant to be. I live near the area and it is generally quite privileged, but not exclusively so. There’s a mixed demographic if you go a little wider, but this was not factored in. It came across as almost a parody. I found it quite amusing that Perry recommended her own book, Pat stating it was written by a friend of hers, and being brilliant. I’m glad the author is pleased with her own brilliance, but product placement isn’t really appropriate in a novel.

The police didn’t seem to be interested in the facts, dismissing anything that didn’t fit the narrative they’d chosen. Yes, people do commit suicide in this area quite regularly, but I found this to be unconvincing. That the police were painted as useless and self serving. While I’m sure this is the case from time to time, it was an artifice I found unconvincing and slightly insulting to the police and the law. Though I know some groups of people rarely get justice, it didn’t come across to me as realistic. As a rule they do tend to go for evidence based conclusions, rather than unfounded assumptions. Though I guess there’d have been no story if they’d actually done their job.

A point of accuracy: as they were sleuthing to find evidence of murder, there was the claim you can’t edit video footage as easily as you can photos. This is completely incorrect. As a long time YouTube Vlogger, I edited all my videos, as do many others. Largely to remove ums, or repetitions, or stumbles in speech, but also to edit out people who wander into view.

Towards the end of the book there was a flurry of making it all fit and people behaving out of character to tie everything up neatly which was unconvincing. Including the police, having ignored Pat throughout, deciding they needed to involve her in another case (no doubt the next in the series), which was highly improbable and as unprofessional of the police as their behaviour throughout.

Murder mystery isn’t a genre I tend to read, cosy or otherwise. I was curious as to how Philippa Perry would tackle it, and a foray into fiction. While it hasn’t encouraged me to read any more of this type of novel, and wasn’t appealing enough to me to read any follow up that might manifest, it was an easy read that was quite amusing.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let’s start by saying what should stand out when you see the cover. The Tagline, “Her three o’clock just became a murder case” must be the single greatest tagline in the history of publishing. How could you not want to read this book from just reading that.

Well, as we have been told since we were children, “You can’t judge a book by it’s cover.” So, the question you have to decide is, “Does this novel live up to its cover?”

I’m still trying to decide, as you may have guessed by me only giving this book three stars.

Even though I haven’t seen where it is indicated as being the start of a new series. But it sure does feel like one.

The mystery is good. There were several parts of the investigation where I thought to myself, “Man, that is awesome. I would never have thought of that.” Also, there are plenty of quirky and interesting characters in this novel. I honestly would like to visit them again to see what they say or do next.

My problem with the book is the main protagonist. Or maybe the author. I’m not sure. There were times that Patricia Philipps would be interesting. But there were a lot more times she came across as a grumpy person that you want to avoid like the plague. Honestly, even when she was right, she came across as a middle-aged Karen. Sure, they are fun to laugh at on TikTok, but they wear you down after a while.

But that wasn’t the only part that bothered me. There were several times that Patricia (“Pat”) would say something derogatory about men or think negatively about them. At first, I thought that this must be part of her backstory. She has an ex-husband. Maybe we will find out something more in future novels. But then I started noticing the male characters are all flighty, dumb, or just buffoons. Then other female characters started saying negative things about men.

Listen, I’m a guy and I will be the first to tell you guys can be stupid at times. I also get that “female revenge” novels are in right now. But at what point is just cliché and a tired and worn-out viewpoint. Go back to late 1960s through current sitcoms portray the dad as an idiot. I’m not saying let the pendulum swing back the other. But can we stop using overused tropes and find a balance? This isn’t a sticking point for me usually and I laugh at the dumb male characters. But it just felt overdone and tiresome and kept taking me out of a well-written novel.

Hopefully this will stop if the series continues. I would love to visit these great characters again and see improvement in this area. But honestly, there are too many good books out there for me to sit through it again. Maybe I will, but right now, I don’t feel like being told just because I’m a guy, I’m an idiot.

Crap. Did I just mansplain that? Never mind. Maybe she is right.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.

[Sylvia Hertel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ein Krimi der ruhigeren Art

Klappentext:
Mit Toten ist man in Westlinke vertraut; die Seven Sisters, weiße, ziemlich hohe Kalksteinklippen, ein Hotspot für traurige Seelen, die ihrem Leben ein Ende setzen wollen. Ermordete hingegen, die gibt es so gut wie nie in diesem verschlafenen Landstrich an der südenglischen Küste. Für die Polizei ist der Fall Henry Clayton deshalb klar: Selbstmord. Eine Theorie, mit der Pat Philipps so gar nichts anfangen kann. Und sie muss es schließlich wissen. Immerhin war sie Henrys Therapeutin. Und für sie kann er nur auf einem Weg die Klippen hinabgestürzt sein kann: Er wurde gestoßen. Aber bei DS Stevens beißt sie mit ihrem Ansatz auf Granit. Also muss sie wohl selbst ermitteln: mit scharfem Blick für die menschlichen Schattenseiten, einem kratzbürstigen Kater und einem Nachbarn mit fatalen Likör-Ideen. Im Gegensatz zur Polizei stellt Pat die richtigen Fragen und findet Antworten, die sie selbst gefährlich nahe an den Abgrund bringen.

„Die Therapeutin und ihre Mörder: Dr. Pat Philipps und der tote Klient“ ist das Krimidebüt und gleichzeitig der 1. Fall für die Psychotherapeutin Pat Philipps von Philippa Perry.

Die Psychotherapeutin Dr. Pat Philipps muss erfahren, dass ihr Patient Henry Clayton Selbstmord begangen hat. Er hat sich von den Seven Sisters gestürzt. Pat, die ihren Patienten besser zu kennen glaubt, zweifelt die Theorie des Selbstmordes an. Doch DS Stevens, für den der Fall klar und schnell abgeschlossen ist, lässt sich von den Zweifeln der Therapeutin nicht beeindrucken.
Also bleibt der Psychotherapeutin nichts anderes übrig, als auf eigene Faust zu ermitteln. Hilfe bekommt sie von ihrem besten Freund Pritchard.

Philippa Perry ist selbst Psychotherapeutin, so liegt es nahe, den Krimi auch von der psychologischen Seite anzugehen.
Ihre Protagonistin Dr. Pat Philipps ermittelt so auch nicht im klassischen Sinn. Sie überzeugt durch Beobachtungsgabe und zieht auf psychologische Art ihre Schlüsse. Bald hat sie einen Verdächtigen, damit ist der Fall aber noch lange nicht gelöst.

Philippa Perry erzählt den Fall in einem ruhigen Ton. Die Charaktere sind gut gezeichnet. Mir gefallen Pat Philipps und auch ihr Freund Pritchard gut.
Die Geschichte lebt von den Dialogen und dem Humor, der immer wieder eingestreut wird.

Der Handlungsort, die englische Küste, wird anschaulich beschrieben.
Der Schreibstil der Autorin ist flüssig und gut verständlich.

„Die Therapeutin und ihre Mörder: Dr. Pat Philipps und der tote Klient“ ist ein Cosy-Krimi der mich gut unterhalten hat.

[UKDana · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the body of a young man is discovered at the bottom of a cliff, the police assume he died by suicide. However, his psychotherapist, Dr. Patricia Phillips, who lives nearby, is adamant he wasn't suicidal and sets out to prove he was murdered.

Dr. Patricia Phillips was a successful solicitor in London. Dissatisfied with her life, she retrained to become a psychotherapist and now practises from a shepherd's hut attached to her cottage on the South Downs. The death of one of her clients doesn't sit right with Pat, although most of their sessions took place via Zoom, she knows he wasn't suicidal. Along with her close friend and neighbour, Prichard, Pat is determined to prove to the police that it was murder.

From the very opening pages, I loved Pat and her "grumpy old woman" persona, particularly the way that she kept shouting at people who were doing things that annoyed her (standing too close to the cliff edge, not keeping their dog on a lead, etc). The list kept getting longer, and I found myself nodding along in agreement. Pat is obviously very empathetic, but she also has just the right mix of self-doubt and stubbornness to make her an interesting character that the reader can sympathise with. She's not a fan of social media either, and her opinions of Instagram in particular rang very true.

There is a whole host of eccentric support characters, many of whom are possible suspects. Pat's neighbour, Prichard, is only mildly eccentric, but I can see lots of scope for the character. The pair work well together, with Prichard being the comedic sidekick to Pat's straight man.

As Pat digs deeper into the events leading up to her client's death, there are some tender moments, which reflect on the aftermath of a sudden loss. There was one chapter in particular, where Pat is talking to a depressed young man, that was extremely moving, and makes you appreciate the work of those who support individuals in crisis.

I did find the ending a little disappointing. In an effort to keep the identity of the killer hidden until the very end, it felt a little abrupt and almost as if the murderer had been plucked out of a magician's hat. It won't, however, stop me from reading any more of what I hope will be a new cosy crime series.

If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/

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[Maine Colonial · Rating 4 out of 5]

Former lawyer and current psychotherapist Patricia Philipps has left London years before and moved to Westlinke on the Sussex coast, where she lives on a windswept hilltop with her cat, Dave, and enjoys swimming in the frigid sea every day and castigating tourists for getting too near the crumbling cliff edge. She’s not awfully friendly to neighbors either, especially the newbies who want to turn the area into some kind of touristy Cotswolds-by-the-Sea. She does like her eccentric neighbor Prichard Knowles, though. Not so much for his poetry as for his conversation and, sometimes, for his wildly inventive distilled beverages.

Pat sees some clients in her Westlinke office/shed, but since Covid, most are via Zoom. She’s a little surprised when her usual 3pm, handsome young Henry, tells her he wants to travel from London to see her in person for his next appointment. That morning, though, she’s visited by two police officers who tell her that Henry’s body was just found at the bottom of the nearby cliff. Despite her telling them repeatedly that Henry would not have killed himself, they are happy to consider him another suicide statistic.

Pat is not computer savvy nor does she have the personality for getting people to share information with her. She is especially hampered by the latter, because she has clashed with more than one of her neighbors who want to gentrify Westlinke. Fortunately, she has Prichard for the chattiness, and a couple of others for the tech-aided sleuthing. Pat also has the sheer determination and attention to detail it takes to crack the case despite the police and all the neighbors but Prichard insisting there was no murder.

I enjoyed this debut mystery for its sense of place and strong characterization. The author, herself a psychotherapist, resists too much therapist content, while including enough to add to the plot. She clearly sees Pat as a version of herself, with the first clue being names: Philippa Perry and Patricia Philipps. I could have done without her having Pat give a recommendation of Perry’s own book to her daughter, calling it “brilliant.” I was embarrassed for her over that. I’m hopeful she will avoid that kind of thing if there is another book in the series, as is hinted in the last chapter.

3.5 stars, rounded up

[Denis Wheller · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a body is found in the sea at the foot of a cliff famous for suicides one’s first thought is ‘another suicide’. The police certainly think that, when Henry Clayton’s body is found in such a position. Henry’s Psychotherapist, Dr Patricia Philipps, is convinced that Henry would not have committed suicide – after all she has been inside his mind for some time – but the local police are obdurate in their verdict. The cliff beneath which Henry was found is close to her home in a small village, so she knows the terrain and can easily investigate the location, and also knows all the local people. Recruiting her friend and neighbour, Pritchard Knowles, they begin to analyse what they know, and what they find. Suspicion falls on Henry’s London based boyfriend, but also on an incomer who plans to construct a vast Hotel/Spa/Golf course on the edge of the village, or perhaps the hedonist couple next door. However, in the absence of any real clues they have to assume that everyone around them is a possible culprit. Can this unlikely pair of sexagenarians prove murder and discover the killer?
There is a category called cosy crime, but this story is more like snug crime. The plot is undemanding, albeit well written, and the characters are well enough constructed, albeit a bit obvious. Given the investigator being a psychologist, one might expect that to be an important aspect of the investigation, and be disappointed to realise that it isn’t. Coincidences are necessary in most murder-mysteries, but are overstretched here. One thing that worries me is the attitude of the local police – which seem to be just a detective sergeant and a uniformed constable (and a couple indolent in the office). Although they are entitled to make a judgement of probable suicide, they would await forensics and the postmortem before making a decision, but they seem to have none of the former and no findings from the latter. So a pleasant, easy read with a slightly surprising conclusion, but not very true to life. I'm giving it three stars but it’s quite borderline.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something immediately compelling about the setting of this novel: England’s south coast, with Beachy Head looming in the background—beautiful, iconic, and quietly ominous. It’s the perfect backdrop for a story that explores both the mysteries of human behaviour and the darker edges of a seemingly orderly life.

Dr Pat Phillips is not your typical sleuth. She is capable, observant, and deeply committed to her community, but also controlling, occasionally abrasive, and more than a little self-righteous. That complexity makes her interesting, even when she’s frustrating. Her dynamic with Prichard Knowles adds warmth and balance, grounding the story in a friendship that feels lived-in and real.

The mystery begins with the death of one of Pat’s patients, Henry Clayton, initially presumed to have died by suicide. Yet as Pat insists, something doesn’t sit right—and so begins an investigation that is as much about understanding people as it is about solving a crime.

Readers who enjoy The Thursday Murder Club will likely find a lot to appreciate here, particularly the blend of humour, community, and amateur sleuthing. However, this novel leans more heavily into psychological observation, which gives it a slightly different tone—quieter, more introspective, and at times more unsettling.

At its best, the book offers sharp insights into human behaviour and relationships, drawing on the author’s background in psychotherapy. The pacing is steady rather than fast, and the pleasure lies less in twists and more in the gradual unfolding of truth.

That said, there were moments where the narrative voice felt somewhat heavy-handed, particularly in its treatment of certain themes. While the book aims to be compassionate, some passages may strike readers as unintentionally judgmental or reductive, which slightly undercuts its emotional depth.

Overall, Shrink Solves Murder is an engaging and thoughtful debut in what could be a promising series. Readers looking for a character-led mystery with a strong sense of place—and a protagonist who doesn’t always make it easy to like her—will find much to enjoy.

[George · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Shrink Solves Murder" is about a therapist who lives in the South Downs and learns that one of her clients has fallen off a nearby cliff in an apparent suicide. She suspects murder.

I think this is the first "cozy crime" book I have read, and I may be judging it harshly by the standards of the genre, but I didn't get on with the book.

The plot is motivated by two implausible points. The first is that the therapist's client, whom see saw from his London home via Zoom, would turn out to have a connection to her tiny community that for some reason he never mentioned despite being an honest and innocent witness to his life in other respects. The second is that the police would refuse to consider the idea of murder after cursory enquiries even when the therapist brings forward plausible concerns. These two points lead the therapist to take it upon herself to investigate the death.

However, she doesn't really investigate the death with much gusto, instead learning things pretty much by chance in the course of village life. I thought that the book would involve the therapist-detective making acute psychological assessments of the suspects to find the culprit, but although there are some interesting psychological vignettes (the best written parts of the book), these are basically irrelevant to the plot and the solution does not depend on psychology at all. This was disappointing because I thought that the lack of psychological material would be made up for in a Poirot-like conclusion, but this doesn't happen.

On a wider note, the author does not have a distinctive voice and, apart from the psychological vignettes, anyone could have written this book. The identity of the author as a successful and celebrated therapist is redundant to the end product. Of course, it is impossible to lots of disparate things brilliantly, and I am not critical of the author for trying her hand at detective fiction, but I came away feeling that I should have read something else.

I am grateful to have received a review copy from Cornerstone and NetGalley.

[The Cookster · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: 2.3/5

It is often said that you should write what you know. Philippa Perry has taken note of that sage advice for her first venture into cosy crime fiction. Using her background in psychotherapy, Perry has built this story around the central character of Dr Patricia (Pat) Phillips, a shrink practising in beautiful surroundings near Beachy Head. However, in spite of its inherent beauty, the location is also a popular location for suicides. Therefore, when Henry Clayton, a patient of Pat's, is found dead, the authorities believe he is just the latest such casualty. However, Pat is not convinced and with the aid of her faithful friend, Prichard, she sets about investigating Henry's death.

As cosy mysteries go, "Shrink Solves Murder" is far from the worst I have read - but nor is it the best. At times, Pat comes across as something akin to Margaret Rutherford's incarnation of Miss Marple, with Prichard being her equivalent to Mr Stringer. The plot developments are unlikely and of the type that would only ever pass muster in a mystery of the cosy variety. Overall the characterisation isn't bad and the Pat / Prichard combination does work quite well as a double act. Where "Shrink Solves Murder" does fall short is with regard to its pace. There are occasions when it treads water and becomes a touch dull. The pacing issues aren't helped by the narrative going off at a tangent and becoming more like a feel-good family drama. Perhaps the book would have benefitted from some more rigorous editing.

I suspect the plan may be for this to be the start of a series. If that does prove to be the case, then I am not sure this opener has grabbed me sufficiently to have me rushing back to read further instalments.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.

[Anna]

I for some reason thought this might contain at least an interesting ethical aspect, knowing the protagonist detective figure (and indeed the author) is a therapist. but no, the extent of that is literally like 'thank god I had zoom meetings with my dead client so I have a recording of me asking him if he was suicidal and he said no! phew!'

and the police are such deadweight lazy dumbass/'pitiable fat person' characters they don't add anything to this either. the protagonist is always right, always wry (read: has the kind of 'witty' opinions you'd expect from someone who would rather be a normal columnist not an agony aunt but has no vision of what they'd gripe about beyond Woke 101 but I'm Actually Wry so I'm Above Frothing and never morally interesting (I accept this might not have been a goal but I think the therapy angle is begging for something beyond 'I have a hut where I go on zoom')

I sometimes like the agony aunt columns the author writes, I think that's her thing (not that that's for me to decide). I enjoyed her refreshingly being like I know I'm not the world's best writer or a 'literary' one but I hope I can write a page turner

tbf I did turn the pages but it got more and more weary. I think crime novels take too much shit for bad endings - not because these accusations are wrong but I think it's such a hard thing to do well it shouldnt stop you reading one that creates great atmosphere, psychology, whatever. but this one was just pointless and you look back and there isn't enough to redeem it

including just being more entertaining. writing a page turner is something you can get extremely good at. this is adequate at that and worse at other stuff

[Clive Hodges · Rating 3 out of 5]

Patricia Phillips, a psychotherapist, welcomes two police officers into her home. They have unpleasant news. The body of Henry Clayton, one of her clients, has been found on the beach below the coastal cliffs of the English county of East Sussex. Dr Phillips lives close by and Clayton was due to arrive for a consultation that very afternoon.

A psychotherapist is a trained mental health professional who facilitates deeper self-awareness and long-term healing for trauma, anxiety and depression.

Information from a close friend of the deceased and the fact Clayton was seeing a shrink have convinced the police that notorious Beachy Head has claimed another death by suicide. Dr Phillips strongly disagrees. Clayton was having problems with the ‘close friend’ but there was absolutely no signs of suicidal ideation. In her opinion, the cause of death was accident or murder.

With help from Prichard Knowles, an eccentric neighbour, Phillips discovers Clayton had links to people in the local community. Gossip, secret liaisons, sexual shenanigans, possible bribery and local government corruption are uncovered. While we listen in, mouths agape, they assess what is – and what is not – relevant to the accident/murder investigation.
'Shrink Solves Murder' is a fascinating psychological cosy crime novel with touches of humour that keep the investigation light-hearted. It’s a promising debut into fiction from an author whose technical books on understanding psychotherapy have sold well.

[Mrs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book from start to finish. A body is washed up near Beachey Head and the Police decide it was suicide. The Detective Sargeant is adamant not to pursue it as murder as it would mess up her crime rate figures. Dr Patricia Phillips was a lawyer and now is a psychotherapist. Henry Clayton, the one found was one of her patients. She had never met him other than on zoom and she was convinced that he would not have killed himself. He was planning to visit her and Patricia was surprised he was in the local area the day before their appointment. She becomes a nuisance to the Police and decides to investigate his death herself with the help of a neighbour Pritchard Knowles (I loved this character). They bundle along blindly as there does not seem to be any clues but bit by bit they piece the story together. They decide there are several people in the frame and start to eliminate them one by one. It does not help Patricia’s mood as there is a rumour that a Spa and a Golf Course will be built on her doorstep and her newish neighbours are driving her crazy. She has a lot to contend with. The neighbours are very free and easy – enough said. She goes from one drama to the other with a need to solve all. Eventually the crime is solved and all the other things which irritated her come to conclusions. Her daughter has visited and helped with this and that has made her very happy. A charming book

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a cozy mystery set in contemporary England. At first I strongly disliked the main character Pat since she had a habit of yelling at strangers about their behavior and seemed to be a very opinionated, cranky senior. Later we see her using her skills as a psychotherapist to help people and analyze motivations. She is informed at the start of the book that one of her clients has just been found dead of an apparent suicide. Since Pat doesn’t believe this client was in a suicidal frame of mind, she and her sidekick friend Prichard begin investigating on their own because the local police have already closed the case as a suicide. There are plenty of suspects and some fun, local village activities that give Pat and Prichard opportunities to question other people. Even though the author herself is a psychotherapist, I didn’t find the interactions between characters to be quite realistic. I guess it’s the nature of cozy mysteries that characters are not necessarily complex. I thought the way Pat and her daughter came to terms with the past was a bit simplistic and conveniently easy. Another reviewer remarked that the author had mentioned one of her professional books as a plug; I think perhaps instead the author was being ironic by having Pat recommend the professional book. There were some funny moments when the killer was revealed, but overall, if this is the start of a series I would not continue to read it.

[Nikki Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a whodunnit, murder mystery, cosy mystery - whatever genre you want to label small town crime fiction.

Patricia is a former lawyer and current psychotherapist. No longer having to deal with the fast pace of London, she's enjoying the country pace of life. She's made some friends and her therapy business is going well. Well it was until her latest client ends up dead! Worse, the local police are writing it off a su*cide!

Henry was in no way presenting as wanting to hurt himself and Pat thinks that nothing is adding up. So with her trusty bestie, Pritchard, she sets out to solve this crime herself. With a cast of quirky characters including some friendly swingers, Pat has a plethora of suspects and possible reasons for Henry's death.

Pat, I'm sorry to say was not the easiest mc for me to like. She came over as so privileged and even her being LGBTQIA didn't quite make her endearing. She did grow on me but she isn't my favourite amateur sleuth. Pritchard was a hoot with all his home brew experiments. Lovable PC Footer reminded me so much of Kelbie from Beyond Paradise!

I did enjoy watching all the clues come together as the story unfurled. There were plenty of twists and turns and a suitably fiendish big reveal.

More 3.5 stars to be completely honest just because I didn't gel with Pat as much as I usually do with MC's

[Hunted Snark]

Yeah, nah.

I'm Australian and I don't watch telly, so I'd never heard of the Ms Perry as a shrink, tv personality or author.

But the idea sounded like fun.

But ... it rapidly became clear that it wasn't my kind of fun.
Even with the little dose of gay, I still didn't care.

I do hope the sleuth-shrink character isn't a self-portrait of the author, because she's a pain in the arse from the first sentence.

Then we get hit with a wall of improbabilities over the next couple of chapters:
* police who don't investigate
* someone wanting to put a golf course and health spa on the edge of the Seven Sisters cliffs.

That bit's like a parody. Actually – I'm sure I've seen a joke book: 'Hardest golf courses in the world' and it's all fun 1990s pre-photoshop paste-ups of players tackling the Long Seventh on the side of Annapurna or whatever.
I've a feeling that the white cliffs might have featured in it.
The author even helpfully points out that it's a national park, so there's no excuse. If you'd wanted a NIMBY plot with a health spa, set the thing somewhere else.
Oh, but we want the heroine to have an eccentric home.

okay, fine.
I'm out.

Maybe it's all a hilarious wheeze and it all makes sense in the end.
And maybe I've given it 60 pages and I don't care yet.

[Edward Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having enjoyed Philippa Perry’s non-fiction, I was really curious to check out her foray into crime fiction with Shrink Solves Murder. I was especially interested to see how her background in psychotherapy might shape the story, in the same way legal and medical expertise inform the novels of writers like John Grisham or Robin Cook.

That professional perspective does make its way into the book, though not always in the central mechanics of the mystery. Instead, it appears more in small asides from our suspiciously named psychotherapist-turned-detective, Patricia Phillips, as she comments on the behaviour and motivations of the people around her.

A better comparison might actually be something cosier, like The Thursday Murder Club. We have an older protagonist, a smaller community, and a picturesque setting that contrasts with the darker elements of the crime. That said, Pat is immediately more curmudgeonly than the much loved retirees. We first meet her shouting at strangers to follow the rules, which made her a little difficult to warm to at the beginning. I initially struggled to relate to her prickly personality, but there a few moments of genuine warmth over the course of the novel and it becomes much easier to root for by the end.

[Charissa Wilkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book courtesy of NetGalley for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Overview: Pat has lived in her small English town for almost as long as she's been a psychiatrist. Yet, today, on top of a sore hip, dog owners unwilling to keep their pets leashed, and someone who insists on littering, she finds out that her 3:00 won't be coming in. What happened to Henry? Could it have really been suicide? And why is the new woman in town hiding an injured hand? Let's find out.

Dislikes: Pat is not a woman you'd want as a confidant, a board member of the local HOA, or as counsellor. And it's not because she is opinionated. It's because she acts as if her opinions have descended from on high, and should be followed as if they were the Lord's Gospel.

And the detective running the case, Stevens, completely dropped the ball. What cop assumes that you have a suicide, just because the victim is seeing a psychiatrist and his significant other said so?

Likes: Sofia had a good heart, and was dedicated to her spouse.

Prichard sounds like he is rather adventurous, both as a cook and in life.

Conclusion: This book wasn't for me. If you like to follow the local grump, then this book may be for you. Enjoy the read.

[Devi · Rating 1 out of 5]

📱📖 Read on Kindle
📃 315 pages
⏱ Read time: 4 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Penguin
📅 Publication Date: May 7, 2026
⭐⭐ My Rating
🎁 ARC provided by NetGalley

I walked into Shrink Solves Murder expecting amateur sleuths with actual skills, maybe some therapeutic wisdom sprinkled in like literary seasoning. The opening delivered exactly that. Patricia’s psychological insights were the standout here. The way she reads people, picks up on subtle behavioral cues, and filters everything through a therapist’s lens added a fresh twist to the genre. It felt smart, a little witty, and full of promise. When her patient Henry Clayton dies under suspicious circumstances and the police wave it off as suicide, Pat's instinct to question authority felt earned, not contrived. Her partnership with Prichard, charming village infiltrator and questionable home-brew enthusiast, promised delightful amateur detective dynamics.

But then… the pace just stalled. Around the 40% mark, the story slowed to a crawl. Not the atmospheric, simmering kind, more like nothing-is-happening and I’m-checking-my-progress-bar kind. The momentum from the opening chapters faded, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged. With so many books waiting, this one lost me before it could deliver on its strong premise.

[Deborah Almada · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a new author for me as well as the start of a new series. Dr Patricia Phillips is a psychotherapist who has moved from London to South Downs in Westlinke. Here, by the ocean, she can get in her daily swims and see her patients by Zoom from her Shepard's hut. When the local police show up to ask her about one of her patients, she is horrified to learn that one of her patients, Henry Clayton, has committed suicide according to the police by jumping off the cliff at Birling Gap not far from her home. Pat is having a very hard time with this as she did not feel her patient was suicidal and they actually had an in person appointment set up for that afternoon at 3:00. This was an interesting and quirky mystery as our "shrink" tries to figure out what really happened to her client as the police will not take her concerns seriously. I loved the different perspectives, funky characters, and interesting approaches to getting answers to what actually happened to Henry! I will definitely read more in this series. Thanks to #Netgally, #CrownPublishing, and the author for an opportunity to check it out! #ShrinkSolvesMystery #PhilippaPerry #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a body is found near Beachy Head, the police chalk it up to suicide — a tragic but not uncommon end in these parts. But local psychotherapist Patricia Phillips isn’t convinced. The victim? Her three o’clock patient, Henry Clayton. The cause of death is supposedly self-inflicted. Yet Pat can’t shake the belief that someone wanted Henry Clayton dead. She spends her working life listening to histories and secrets, and she has a nose for when a story doesn’t quite ring true. At her side is her best friend Prichard — a home-brewer of fearsome, stomach-turning concoctions, an excellent cook, and a man who seems to get along with everyone. Which makes him useful for infiltrating village life.
A new author to me & I thoroughly enjoyed it. It took me a while to warm to Pat but I grew to like her down to earth manner & her outspokenness. I really enjoyed the relationship between Pat & Pritchard. There were twists, turns & red herrings & I was kept guessing. I look forward to more books by the author
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Soozee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really enjoyable read, well written and kept me enthralled.

Pat is a psychotherapist living in Devon. She's a real human being - gets cross at people throwing litter or parking inconsiderately or letting their dogs roam off leads. I loved her straight away. She also goes swimming in the sea regularly, which isn't something I'll ever do, but good for her. Then one of her clients dies and the police write it off instantly as suicide, but Pat is not so sure - she trusts her instincts enough to question. With her neighbour Prichard, a real character himself, she sets out to find out if Henry was killed.

The only bit that didn't really ring true was the utter incompetence and indifference of the police, particularly in such a small, rural area. Could anyone really be that determined to clear their rate of solving crimes to the extent of ignoring genuine suspicions?

Its a great read and I hope there will be more! Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Millie Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this while recovering from minor surgery. It was just right for that. Not too taxing but entertaining and well paced.
I liked the main character Pat, bit of a grumpy old boomer (but then so am I- so relatable for me). A boomer, but a kindly self aware one, due to her training as a psychotherapist.
She has a happy easy going friendship with Pritchard Knowles which reminded me of the friends on Gogglebox- Lee and Jenny (albeit a middle class version) they both agree that watching telly is like drinking, best done with company.

For me the 'cosy crime' genre was a bit of silly fun, but it was the psychotherapeutic insights and deeply human relationships that held my interest. I follow Phillipa Perry on Substack and have read her other books. I thought the conversation with her daughter towards the end was so insightful and an honest appraisal of how us parents can mess up so badly, but healing and repair is possible when we are prepared to listen and grow.
I liked how it picked up pace towards the end. That little flurry of drama made me chuckle 😹