Therapissed

by Dasher Canon

Based in the shadow of Niagara Falls, Andreas Torrey thrives on staying invisible.
He works from home. He avoids eye contact. He silently helps people from a distance, where rules feel like safety. For Andreas, routine isn’t comfort—it’s survival.

Then COVID takes his boss.

Enter: the new boss. Loud. Grinning. Hungry for control.
First item on his agenda: No more of this "work from home nonsense." No exceptions.
The home setup Andreas depended on collapses in the blink of an eye—replaced by corporate meetings, chafing button-ups, and ever-judging coworkers.
Worse, his late kid brother keeps taunting him, pushing him, and refusing to stay dead.

As pressure mounts inside a pharmaceutical empire built on dependency and denial, Andreas is driven toward spaces he can't navigate and choices he never wanted to make. The line between helping and harming blurs as therapy pushes him past the point of no return.

Darkly funny, unsettling, and razor-sharp, Therapissed is a psychological thriller about control, compliance, and what happens when a mind designed to fix systems realizes it might be the most dangerous system of all.

495 pages

Published January 27, 2026

Reviews

[Marcie McPherson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This completely exceeded my expectations. I went in thinking it might be a more introspective, character-focused story, but it quickly became something much darker, sharper, and far more gripping than I anticipated.

What really stood out is how the book builds. It starts off slightly off-kilter, with moments of dry humour, before that tone gradually gives way to something much darker and more unsettling —but then steadily escalates into something genuinely intense. By the second half, it becomes edge-of-your-seat reading, with twists and turns that feel earned rather than thrown in for shock value.

Andreas’ voice carries the whole experience. There’s a constant sense that something isn’t quite right and that underlying unease keeps pulling you forward. As things unravel, the tension sharpens, and the story becomes increasingly difficult to put down.

It also handles its darker elements well. The intensity increases, but it never feels excessive or gratuitous—everything serves the story and the psychological tension.

For me, this is what strong writing looks like: controlled, immersive, and completely engaging from start to finish. It’s gripping, unsettling in the best way, and ultimately very satisfying.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and would absolutely recommend it if you’re looking for something tense, twisty, and a little bit dark.

[DarkStar's Book Cavern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andreas Torrey – what a main character! He is head of IT for JK Industries and works from home. Prefers it that way as he doesn’t much like people, any people, but especially his co-workers. At first you really think, well what can go wrong? Sure, it’s a bit weird but other than that, corporate normalness, until it isn’t. But only a little bit, it feels natural, and then a little bit more, then a little bit more, then before you realise it you are knee deep in corporate crap and have a front row seat to Andreas going down a psychological spiral which proceeds to get deeply unsettling. The dark humour is peak. Having an American pharmaceutical company have one of its slogans change to YOLO just sent me into giggles.

It is written like the author is stood in front of you telling you the story and at times there are fourth wall breaks. Not often, they are rare, but they are always a treat, apart from one. Near the end there is an event about to be described which is absolutely horrific and the author stops. And that makes what was about to happen even worse because the author isn’t using words to describe this thing, he is using your own imagination to imagine the very worst that it can. That is horrific in every sense.

YouTube Review: https://youtu.be/oYGZ7t6847Q

[Travis Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Therapissed
By Dasher Canon
Pub Date: Jan 27 2026

This is a very weird thriller book. What really stood out to me is the incredible character study. I haven't read a book with character development this good in a long time.

[Steve Chaplain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Thriller from the first page! And the comedy is super relatable!

[R. M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A disturbed but chronically helpful genius still reeling with grief is summoned back to office work at - the actual name - JK Industries. I recieved a copy of this through TheNicheReader, thank you to them and Dasher Canon.

I was expecting this to feel like I was being monologued to by a dudebro in an Anonymous mask, but the book was in fact far more entertaining. The plot builds fast, only breaking for dark humour and asides that delve deeper into our MC’s mentality. Even the format lends to the narrative - switching between first and second person, left and centre alignment, long pauses and fourth-wall breaks, all make the book seem like a glimpse into the mentality of a deeply unstable yet frankly relatable individual.

I am concerned that this book will become very dated very quickly. It’s set during the pandemic, and makes some jokes about chain stores, WFH and some computing stuff I honestly didn’t understand. This may hold out as a relic, or it may just be confusing to future readers.

Overall: 4/5, a dark read
Enjoyed: quick plot, interesting format
Didn’t enjoy: America-centric references

[Beth H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Therapissed is a fast paced thriller written in crack format.

Andreas is extremely social awkward, he likes helping people, computers, and being left alone. As head of a large pharmaceutical company's IT department, he is able to work from home, keep to himself, and excel at his job. Life was perfect, but then everything changed. COVID took his boss's life and Andreas is forced to work from the office by his new boss. His extreme social anxiety ramps up and all his perfectly executed habits start to unravel. Will therapy help or will this be the beginning of the end for Andreas' sanity?

I cannot fully explain how much I loved this book. Dasher Canon has an amazing talent for pulling you into a story and never letting go. As a reader, seeing all of the choices Andreas makes has you conflicted on whether what he did was right or wrong.

I loved Dot! Her character was extremely relatable and she brought a sense of calm to Andreas. Honestly, all of the characters were very well written.

Overall, Therapissed was an amazing breath of fresh air. The concept and writing was new and I look forward to reading more from this author.

If you like fast paced, addicting thrillers with twists you need to check out Therapissed by Dasher Canon!

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to The Niche Reader for providing a digital copy of Therapissed to read and review honestly.

I thought this was so darkly funny, I enjoyed reading this book and would be interested to see what this author does next.

I’m rating this book 4 stars.

[Mollie Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could not put this down and could NOT see where this was going! The character development was outstanding and I look forwards to reading more from this author.

[Armando Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

My God!!! This has been one of the best books I’ve read since getting back into reading. Therapissed by Dasher Canon completely pulled me in from the start. The story is so immersive that I instantly connected with Andreas, the MMC, especially his struggle with social anxiety and the pressure of being forced back into the office. It felt real, raw, and deeply relatable.
But what truly surprised me was the direction this book takes. I went in mostly blind, and the journey completely captivated me. It’s the kind of story that makes you feel like you’re missing out on something important every time you have to put it down; even just to sleep. That’s how gripping it is.
Dasher weaves these characters and their stories together in such an insightful and emotional way that I reached a point where I didn’t just want to keep reading, I needed to. I had to understand Andreas, to uncover what shaped him into who he is. And when those answers finally come, they hit hard!!Real hard. It’s devastating in a way that feels both emotional and physical, you don’t just read it, you feel it.
By the end, I was completely blown away. This book easily ranks among my all-time favorites, and I’m so glad I went in without knowing what to expect. An unforgettable reading experience. Thank you Dasher for such an experience, I am truly blown away.

[Rachel Browning · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Therapissed” by Dasher Canon is a dark, twisted ride that somehow manages to be horrific and funny at the same time. The story leans into its weirdness in the best way, creating an unsettling atmosphere that keeps you hooked while throwing in moments of unexpected humor. The character development really stands out, each one flawed and compelling enough to keep you invested in where things go next. Strange, disturbing, and surprisingly entertaining.

[Andi Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really had no idea what I was getting into with this book. I blindly followed the MMC, Andreas, as he navigated a world he was both rejected and encouraged in.
This book had me on the edge of my seat and I could NOT put it down. The pace was quick, but not rushed. The depth in which we were able to get to know the main character was intimate and rare.
I loved:
-That I didn't know what was going to happen next.
-The 4th wall breaks
-The humor
-The character development
-The slow unraveling

This book was complex, intimidating, funny, and left me wanting MORE!

[Jason Downs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Thriller, addictive!

I read 25% of this in my first sitting, absolutely one of my favorite books of the new year and it’s even in a genre I tend to not read often, highly suggested!

[Enid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ARC from NetGalley.

This book was wild!! There seemed to be a little bit of everything for the readers. Andreas does NOT like people, and many of us can agree with this even if you may not admit it. He's enjoying life working remotely, when his immediate boss dies and now he is required to go in to an office where things start to go badly. Did I mention he had a twin that passed, but he sees him all the time and said brother isn't very nice and has a bad influence over him. He goes to see a shrink and things go downhill from there. I really enjoyed going crazy with him and I'm sure you will too!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

rare thriller that refuses to let you off the hook. Dasher Canon has written a protagonist you'll root for, despise, and ultimately understand — sometimes all in the same paragraph. This is dark, precise, and disturbingly human.

[Bri Becka · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, this book is super weird - but honestly, if you couldn’t tell that by the cover and title, then you picked up the wrong book.

Therapissed primarily follows our main character, Andreas. Andreas is not a mentally stable individual. There’s a little boy that lives in his head (but like. Outside his head. You’ll see), and he doesn’t react in the way that a sane individual would react. That’s what makes this book interesting. Everything falls apart when Andreas’ boss dies during COVID and his new boss makes him stop working from home.

This novel is full of dark humor, vivid characters, a background mystery/plot, and a healthy splash of corporate dystopia. I enjoyed the nonconventional story telling that extends even to the formatting on the page.

[Sara Rothery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so worth a read. One of the best books I've read this year. Twisty and unpredictable to most. Take it on holiday, on the train, on the bus... Just read it

[Ginger Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. The protagonist, Andreas, is sympathetic and likable. The author's descriptions of Andreas' struggles with extreme social anxiety really resonated with me. I myself suffer from anxiety, and these parts were realistic and very well written. I didn't like the ending as much as the rest of the book, unfortunately. I wanted a bit more closure to the story than the ending provided. Still an enjoyable read!

[Heather Wilkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my top favorite books of 2026. I love this book. I was confused at times, cheered at others, cracked up at some, and almost threw the book across the room another time. It hits your emotions on so many points. I can't tell you how many times I recommend this book to people, and how many more times I'll keep recommending it. Love it

[Tony Miasco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Character development is one of the novel’s strongest pillars. Andreas feels layered and psychologically consistent: his need for control, safety, and predictability is woven into both internal narration and external conflict, especially through his relationship with authority figures, coworkers, and his hallucinated brother. The supporting cast—Dot, Daniel, Duke, and later power figures—function less like background characters and more like pressure systems shaping Andreas’s evolution. The story’s recurring theme of “wardens” (external and internal) gives the character arc cohesion from the opening philosophy-heavy framing through the later moral and psychological unraveling.

Plot progression is methodical early and accelerates effectively as stakes compound. The corporate-to-criminal-to-psychological escalation feels intentional rather than chaotic. The narrative uses workplace systems, tech competence, and social pressure as believable gateways into darker territory, which helps the thriller elements land harder because they feel earned. By the later sections, tension is less about what will happen and more about how far Andreas is willing to go, which is exactly where this genre thrives. The ending material (investigation pressure, shadow actors, moral tradeoffs) reinforces the sense that consequences extend beyond Andreas himself.

Dialogue realism is solid overall, especially in conflict scenes. Workplace conversations, power dynamics, and emotionally charged exchanges read natural and distinct by character. Dot and Andreas exchanges are particularly strong because they balance blunt realism with character voice, showing both emotional friction and functional partnership. Occasionally, some dialogue leans slightly heightened for dramatic tone—but in a dark psychological thriller, that often works in your favor. Overall: strong voice, strong psychological core, high thematic cohesion, and a plot engine that keeps tightening rather than wandering.

One of the few books I'd heavily recommend that feels extremely original.

[Rich McCracken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Therapissed is honestly a vibe—in the best, dark, brain-scratching way. The character work hits hard, especially with Andreas. He feels real, messy, and painfully relatable in that “hyper-competent but internally spiraling” way. His growth (or unraveling, depending how you look at it) feels earned because every interaction—coworkers, authority, family, and the stuff in his own head—keeps stacking pressure in a believable way. The whole “personal wardens” idea gives the story this philosophical backbone that makes it feel deeper than just a thriller.

Plot-wise, it cooks. It starts controlled and smart, then slowly turns into “oh dang, we’re in deep now,” without ever feeling random. The corporate world sliding into darker territory feels natural, and the tension keeps leveling up instead of plateauing. The dialogue especially pops—characters sound like real people having real, uncomfortable conversations, not just plot-delivery robots. By the time outside forces and consequences start closing in, it feels big, cinematic, and kinda ruthless in a way thriller fans will eat up.

[Nikki B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Therapissed. This is a psychological thriller with dark humor taking place during the time of Covid when we were all a little screwed up.
Andreas sounds a lot like me to be honest. Likes to be home. Likes to fly under the radar, stay invisible, willing to help people, but from a distance. But then, his boss he gives him all the liberties and freedom to work from home dies and the new boss that takes over isn't so willing or considerate. Now, everything Andreas relies on through his home set up is collapsing. He seeks therapy as the visions and voice of his late brother is amping up as well. But therapy is pushing him and the line between help and harm is becoming blurred.
The story is a great, fun, easy, enjoyable read. I really enjoyed the way this story built in momentum as the story progressed. Thought seemingly crazy, I found Andreas to be a really relatable character.
This was a great story and I highly recommend giving it a read! You won't regret it!

[Dan Mckeithan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An original concept that explores the human mind. Dasher brings us Andreas, he likes to be unnoticed, but that all changes with his boss passing and the new boss makes him come into the office. Also he is talked to by his dead brother. All this combines to be the perfect character study for a man that is slowly going to lose it. It's dark, humorous, and wildly unsettling. Can't wait for more from Dasher in the future.

[Roger Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sick book! Characters are real, but the narrator is the one who wins the day. Easy read with lots of funny parts, but it gets very dark at the story progresses. Highly recommend. I had an ARC, but i hear the final draft is even better. This book was actually a single draft book, with the tiniest edits being made before publishing!

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He works from home whee he feels safe and is able to help others from a distance. COVID hits taking his boss with it, now a new boss has arrived and they want everyone in the office. He is forced into the office and things seem to get worse for him. Follow him as things become unbearable for him
I received an advance copy from from hidden gems and a powerful read

[Amarra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This author writes so beautifully, but the story never really fully developed or went anywhere. There was nothing surprising about the book and I still feel as if I’m waiting for the book to end even weeks after I’ve read it.

[Megan Schroeder · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasnt quiet what i was expecting. Very confusing.