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Primary Obsessions
The endearing and unflappable Dr. Annick Boudreau regularly confronts a myriad of mental health issues in her psychiatric practice at the West Coast Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Clinic. But even Annick is stunned when Sanjay, a young patient who suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, is arrested for the brutal murder of his roommate.
While Sanjay is tortured by repeated violent thoughts, he is horrified by them and Annick is convinced that he would never enact one of them in real life. But the police and prosecutor are convinced that they have caught the perpetrator and aren't interested in looking very hard. Unable to talk to the authorities because of doctor-patient confidentiality, Annick feels compelled to investigate on her own, whatever the risks.
Primary Obsessions is the first book in a series of mysteries starring Dr. Annick Boudreau and involving themes of mental health. Author (and longtime CBT patient) Charles Demers deftly reveals a particular aspect of psychiatric practice in each book, illuminating shadowy subject matter with masterful sensitivity and sharp wit. Primary Obsessions is an engrossing page-turner and a refreshing reboot of the sleuth genre.
Shortlisted for the 2021 Bill Duthie Booksellers’ Choice Award
“The kind of narrative storytelling style that engages the reader’s full and rapt attention from first page to last” Clint Travis, Midwest Book Review
“Charles Demers brings freshness to a literary genre that has been in danger of turning as ripe as a week-old murder victim” John Moore, BC BookWorld
“Dr. Annick Boudreau is a winning literary creation: she’s smart, funny, confident, and easy to cheer for” Paul Headrick, Ormsby Review
“Delivers a nuanced portrayal of the stigmatization of mental illness in collision with crime” Nathan Ripley, author of Find You in the Dark
“Witty, compassionate and sharply observed... exciting from start to finish” Iona Whishaw, author of the Lane Winslow series
“A page-turning mystery that’s ultimately about trying to help our loved ones through their darkest days” Kelly Hrudey, Hockey Night in Canada and Sportsnet analyst and mental health advocate
While Sanjay is tortured by repeated violent thoughts, he is horrified by them and Annick is convinced that he would never enact one of them in real life. But the police and prosecutor are convinced that they have caught the perpetrator and aren't interested in looking very hard. Unable to talk to the authorities because of doctor-patient confidentiality, Annick feels compelled to investigate on her own, whatever the risks.
Primary Obsessions is the first book in a series of mysteries starring Dr. Annick Boudreau and involving themes of mental health. Author (and longtime CBT patient) Charles Demers deftly reveals a particular aspect of psychiatric practice in each book, illuminating shadowy subject matter with masterful sensitivity and sharp wit. Primary Obsessions is an engrossing page-turner and a refreshing reboot of the sleuth genre.
Shortlisted for the 2021 Bill Duthie Booksellers’ Choice Award
“The kind of narrative storytelling style that engages the reader’s full and rapt attention from first page to last” Clint Travis, Midwest Book Review
“Charles Demers brings freshness to a literary genre that has been in danger of turning as ripe as a week-old murder victim” John Moore, BC BookWorld
“Dr. Annick Boudreau is a winning literary creation: she’s smart, funny, confident, and easy to cheer for” Paul Headrick, Ormsby Review
“Delivers a nuanced portrayal of the stigmatization of mental illness in collision with crime” Nathan Ripley, author of Find You in the Dark
“Witty, compassionate and sharply observed... exciting from start to finish” Iona Whishaw, author of the Lane Winslow series
“A page-turning mystery that’s ultimately about trying to help our loved ones through their darkest days” Kelly Hrudey, Hockey Night in Canada and Sportsnet analyst and mental health advocate
227 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 4, 2021
Thank you Netgalley and Author Charles Demers for this ARC.
I was drawn to the book as it involved themes of mental health and a thriller which I was very intrigued by. Reading the story, I felt that all of the parts related to Dr Annick's professional life and Sanjay's mental health and his views were well written and I enjoyed finding out about both of them more.
Unfortunately, when it came to the mystery part, I didn't experience that sense of excitement to find out what is happening next and wasn't as invested in that part of the story.
I was drawn to the book as it involved themes of mental health and a thriller which I was very intrigued by. Reading the story, I felt that all of the parts related to Dr Annick's professional life and Sanjay's mental health and his views were well written and I enjoyed finding out about both of them more.
Unfortunately, when it came to the mystery part, I didn't experience that sense of excitement to find out what is happening next and wasn't as invested in that part of the story.
October 10, 2025
Fye! Front to back! Annicka is goated for her passion for her patient, although I find her behavior highly unrealistic for a real psychiatrist. However, good story, just wish the book was longer and ending less rushed.
March 10, 2023
This book was so nearly a DNF and would have been if it wasn't so short. I skim read the last 50 or so pages.
January 21, 2024
Started off ok but I think I just didn't get in to the characters so really didn't enjoy it
March 22, 2022
Thank you to Net Galley and Legend Press for the Free copy of Primary Obsessions!
I was interested in this book because of the unique subject/story line! I enjoyed that it is not your typical mystery. It dealt with a lot of what is currently going on in society and the “real world”. the misunderstanding and stigma around mental health and the how everything is under the microscope of social media and the media outlets.
Over all I enjoyed this book but feel it could have been shorter. There were unnecessary details or descriptions added and sentences that went on forever. This made it difficult to read at times.
That being said, I give it a 3 star rating! And would give the author another chance!
I was interested in this book because of the unique subject/story line! I enjoyed that it is not your typical mystery. It dealt with a lot of what is currently going on in society and the “real world”. the misunderstanding and stigma around mental health and the how everything is under the microscope of social media and the media outlets.
Over all I enjoyed this book but feel it could have been shorter. There were unnecessary details or descriptions added and sentences that went on forever. This made it difficult to read at times.
That being said, I give it a 3 star rating! And would give the author another chance!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews