They came seeking help. But not everyone can be saved.
When strangers Tess and Leah arrive at the private practice of renowned psychiatrist Dr Jenna O'Hara, both are desperate for support. But behind the calm of the consulting room, something far darker is taking shape.
Leah, now in her forties, is haunted by a childhood trauma she's never escaped. Whereas Tess, a successful social media influencer, insists she's simply burned out.
But not everyone is as they seem, and the next session is more dangerous than any of them could have imagined.
Soon, Tess and Leah are caught in something they don't understand — a labyrinth of revenge where past wounds and hidden motives collide. Someone is lying. Someone is dangerous. And someone is about to pay.
As the walls close in, the women are forced to confront a terrifying when the real danger is sitting across the room, who will walk out alive?
The Patients is a gripping and unsettling psychological thriller about trauma, revenge and manipulation, perfect for fans of Gillian McAllister and Alice Feeney.
This book was an exhilarating dive into psychological chaos! First, let’s take a moment to appreciate the cover—it’s stunning! If you know my reviews, you’ll already be aware that I absolutely judge books by their covers. This one, with its touch of intrigue and elegance, instantly caught my eye when I heard that Ms. Charlotte was releasing a new title. I knew I had to get it!
In "The Patients," Tess and Leah seek help from psychiatrist Dr. Jenna O'Hara, each burdened by their own issues—Leah with childhood trauma and Tess claiming burnout. As sessions unravel, they uncover a dangerous web of deception and hidden motives, trapping them in a labyrinth of revenge. They must confront the real threat in the room, facing the chilling reality of their situation.
The story unfolds through the lenses of Tess, Leah and concludes with an insightful chapter by D. Jenna O'Hara. I really enjoy multiple perspectives since they let you dig deeper into the characters and uncover their hidden thoughts and secrets, which may or may not be revealed. As I learned more about each character, I quickly found myself gravitating toward a favorite. But beware—like the book cover, these characters can be deceiving! Choose your favorites wisely, as we’re dealing with some true master manipulators here.
The vivid descriptions pulled me right into their world, making me feel as though I was alongside these women navigating the consequences of their therapy sessions. Everything seemed to be going well at first, but as events began to unravel, it became clear that things were not what they seemed. The suspense kicks in right from the start, leaving you questioning whom to trust. I kept trying to piece together the puzzle, but found myself coming up short! There weren’t many subtle clues, just a handful of intriguing details that might tie together later. Yet I certainly didn’t expect everything to connect the way it ultimately did! The main twist stayed hidden until the closing pages, leaving me utterly stunned as the truths emerged. Bravo! New trauma unlocked!
This read is ideal for anyone who relishes complex plots with unexpected turns, the twisted psyche of a vengeful character, and revenge meticulously plotted and delivered! The suspense was thick in the air, and the conclusion was nearly unhinged, leaving some characters in rather grim situations. It was clever how all the threads came together in the end, shedding light on the lengths people will go when they desire something badly! While a few parts felt a tad lengthy, overall, this was a therapy session I won’t forget anytime soon! Excuse me while I go and reconsider my therapist—just to be safe! Ha ha!
Thank you, Charlotte Stevenson, for reaching out and providing me with a gifted DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This might be the fastest I’ve ever read a book. I just couldn’t put it down. The very definition of a page turner. The perfect example of ‘just one more chapter’ and five chapters later, you’re still going.
Unputdownable.
The Patients is a gripping, intelligent thriller that kept me hooked from the very first page. The suspense is masterfully paced, with a palpable tension that builds steadily, never letting up. Just when you think you know where the story is going, Stevenson pulls the rug out from under you.
Each character feels layered, believable, and deeply human. You can pretty much understand and sympathise with the actions of each of the characters… even the most unsavoury ones (actually, maybe there’s one who is slightly too unhinged to understand 😂)
Dark, atmospheric, and sharply written. If you haven’t read a Charlotte Stevenson book before this one will have you hooked.
The Patients is published March 9th. Pre order now! You won’t regret it.
This was the second book of Charlotte Stevenson’s that I’ve read—the first being The Serial Killer’s Son—and I think this is now my new favourite of hers.
I have never really been interested in psychological thrillers but, if this is anything to go by, I think I need to read more of them from now on.
The storyline of The Patients revolves around the two main characters, Tess and Leah, who are total strangers that meet at the office of Dr Jenna O’Hara, Consultant Psychiatrist, for separate appointments but end up being dragged into a situation that neither one of them can understand. It’s a mistake. A misunderstanding.
Leah is tormented by a childhood trauma that is resurfacing and affecting her mental stability. Tess, on the other hand, is a successful social media influencer, insisting that she's struggling under the limelight. Two patients. Two sessions. One living nightmare.
In their individual sessions, Dr Jenna O’Hara tears through them; psychoanalysing them like a boss, until both women’s façades slip and they begin to unburden themselves. But their next session becomes a fight for their lives. Who will survive?
They say that writers should ‘write what they know’ as in, write from experience, and it is obvious that Charlotte has worked in psychiatry. I absolutely loved the characterisations that Charlotte created and the psychoanalysing of both women—Tess especially—by the doctor was absolutely brilliant. For those that love twists, you will not be disappointed.
Once in a while a book appears and knocks you off kilter with, well basically the story
This is that!
Never again will I go to a Drs appt and not wonder…..( about what you will find out when read it ) but then when you feel like this you know the book has done it’s job
It’s fresh yet gooily dark and one of those you’re eyebrows are raised throughout at the sheer audacity of some of the characters
And what a female cast it is, I will focus on one, Tess, I’ve met some narcissists and psychopaths between pages but never one like this lady, sublimely indifferent to her ways and more than happy to live with them she is a character not to be missed, although saying that she has no intention of anyone missing her
It’s a fizzer of a book, like a glass of pop that you think you have poured right but haven’t and it keeps going and just when you think it cant fizz anymore it does
This book left me staring at the page thinking, what the hell did I just read? Every time I thought I had a handle on the story, it veered hard in another direction. None of the characters are particularly likable, yet the author somehow makes you invested enough to keep turning pages just to see how it all ends. The plot is chaotic in a deliberate way, unsettling but compelling, and while not every moment is comfortable, most of the loose ends are ultimately tied up. It’s the kind of book that frustrates you, intrigues you, and sticks in your head long after you’re done.
This is the first book that I have had the pleasure of reading by Charlotte Stevenson and it was absolutely fantastic. It was a fascinating story of how so many lives can be affected and changed forever by an incident that happened so long ago. Tess & Leah both go seeking the help they think they need for very different reasons from the same Psychiatrist only for their lives to be completely undone. This was a fabulous read and I’ll certainly be on the lookout for more books by this author. Huge thanks also go to Bloodhound Books for sending me a copy of this book before its release date.
Two women from very different walks of life are attending therapy with the infamous Dr O’Hara. Ready to bare their darkest secrets, well almost, and get the help they need however nothing could prepare them for what was coming. They should feel safe and supported but something is off and not everyone will make it out alive.
This had me gripped from the start, the tension is palpable and it grows throughout the story. When you think you have it sussed you’re hit by another twist. The characters are relatable, some more than others, and although some of their actions seem unhinged you can understand the decisions they make. The pacing is perfect and keeps the story flowing so much so I read it over two sittings. The setting is perfect for a psychological thriller, a place where you should be safe suddenly becomes your worst nightmare.
If you enjoy a dark, twisty thriller then I highly recommend this one, you will not be disappointed.
Two women go to see a therapist but nothing is as it seems, the more I read the more bizarre the plot became yet I had to finish it to find out the conclusion. I finished the book feeling like my head was spinning.
My first book by Charlotte and certainly won’t be my last. A different storyline, great characters and very well written. Twisted and kept me hooked. Recommended.
This was a great read, had me gripped and I'm hoping the author will also write another book about these characters as there's definitely some unfinished business. would recommend, great twists!