Hey everyone! Today I wanted to pull back the curtain a bit and talk about my psychological thriller, The Therapist. I've been getting questions about the book, about where it came from, and what it was like to write—so I thought I'd answer some of those burning questions. Grab a cuppa and settle in, because we're diving deep into obsession, dark secrets, and the creative process behind one of my twistiest novels yet.
So, what's The Therapist about? Well, buckle up—it's a dark psychological thriller that explores obsession, manipulation, and what happens when you cross a line you can never come back from.
Let me introduce you to Zack. He's a therapist who specializes in helping victims of domestic violence. He's passionate about his work, really good at what he does, and genuinely wants to help people. But then Millie walks into his office, and everything changes.
Millie is beautiful, alluring, and heartbreakingly vulnerable. Her partner is beating her, but she refuses to leave him. And despite all his training, despite knowing better, Zack can't stay detached. He becomes obsessed with saving her.
As the story unfolds, Zack makes increasingly dangerous decisions to protect Millie—choices that put his career, his safety, and his family at risk. And speaking of his family? They've got some pretty dark secrets of their own lurking beneath the surface.
This twisty domestic thriller centers on one impossible question: Can Millie be saved without Zack losing everything he's worked so hard for? It's a gripping, suspenseful page-turner about manipulation, secrets, and the devastating cost of trying to rescue someone who might not want to be saved.
Where was I in my life when I wrote this book?
I was in the middle of settling into a completely new life—and I mean completely new. I'd just moved 12,000 miles away from England to New Zealand with my husband and children, leaving behind everyone I knew and loved.
Was I feeling a bit vulnerable at the time? Probably. I have this tendency to push down negative feelings and just power through like everything's fine—a trait I actually share with Zack. The difference is, my consequences weren't quite as dire as his (thankfully!), and I'm now absolutely flourishing in my life here.
I want to be clear: I'm not a victim of domestic violence, but my heart goes out to anyone who has survived it or is currently fighting that battle. Those battles do end. And it's absolutely okay to ask for help—just make sure you're asking the right people. Zack? Not so much.
Writing about Millie was incredibly hard for many reasons. Her trauma spoke to me. Her true self drew me in. But you'll only understand why if you read the book. 😉
What inspired me?
Honestly? I love coming up with book ideas. I could sit for hours daydreaming about "what if" questions—it's one of my favorite parts of being a writer.
For The Therapist, it started with this question: What if a medical professional crossed the boundary lines?
But then I dug deeper. What if that line involved someone in a deeply vulnerable position? What if the professional was in a position of complete trust—the kind of trust you're supposed to be able to rely on when you're at your most broken?
And just like that, Zack and Millie were born.
There's something so unsettling about the idea of someone who's meant to help you becoming the very person who puts you in danger. That tension, that betrayal of trust—it felt like the perfect foundation for a dark, twisty psychological thriller.
What was difficult to write?
This is easy to answer, actually. Psychological thrillers come with trigger warnings for a reason—they can hurt, they can challenge, and they can cause pain. As an author, I have to keep that in mind while still delivering a gripping story. It's a constant balancing act, but inevitably, the story has to win. Otherwise, there'd be no stories—especially in the thriller market.
So that's what's hard: writing a novel that could potentially cause hurt. I genuinely don't want to do that. I can only hope that I provide enough joy, escape, and entertainment that you'll forgive me for tackling this subject matter.
Now, as for the craft element? Writing twists is HARD. You thriller lovers expect a good twist (and rightfully so!), and ensuring I deliver on that promise without giving it away too soon—or completely blindsiding you out of nowhere—is seriously tricky.
But oh, it's so much fun.
Can I relate to the protagonist?
Zack is a good person who makes bad choices. And honestly? We've all been there—it's just that our consequences are less dramatic, less dire. Or at least, I hope so.
What I really connect with is that Zack genuinely believes he's a good father. I feel like we all think we're doing our best when it comes to parenting. It's the hardest part, isn't it? Not knowing if you're getting it right, but battling on every day, walking with your eyes shut and hoping it all works out in the end.
I also deeply respect Zack's passion for his work. That drive, that conviction that he's doing something meaningful—I get it. I absolutely love what I do as an author, and I can never see myself doing anything else. There's something powerful about finding your calling and pursuing it with everything you have.
Yes, Zack makes some absolutely abominable choices. But that's why karma exists, right? His story is a cautionary tale about what happens when good intentions collide with obsession, when helping someone becomes about needing to be the hero. And watching him spiral? That's where the real horror lies.
So there you have it—the story behind The Therapist. Writing this book took me to some dark places, forced me to examine uncomfortable truths about trust and obsession, and challenged me to create characters who blur the lines between hero and villain.
If you've read The Therapist, I'd love to hear your thoughts! Did Zack surprise you? Did you see the twists coming? And most importantly—did you forgive me for putting you through the emotional wringer? 😉
And if you haven't read it yet, well... what are you waiting for? Zack and Millie are waiting for you in those pages, and trust me—their story will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.
Happy reading (and prepare yourself for some serious mind games),
Clare
You can buy the paperback copy here or click here for the digital copy. German, Spanish, and French editions can be found on Amazon or click here for the french paperback.