So, this is how I found out that Norwegian thrillers are not for me. It was not the style that I am accustomed to and I did not enjoy the change so this is more of a me problem than the authors!
Thank you to Netgalley for this arc ebook in exchange for an honest review.

A fine example of Nordic Noir, a genre I've not read much of but find intriguing. The title of this book should read instead, Therapist Noir, as it unspools in dark fashion the tale of psychologist Sara, her husband who goes missing after an all-guy weekend, and a who-done-it-narrative that truly keeps you guessing. A bit slow in parts, with a translation that doesn't fully work, but the reveal? Spectacular!

Pub Date 03 Feb 2022
#TheTherapist #NetGalley

Thanks to the author, Mobius Books, MacLehose Press, and NetGalley for the ARC; opinions are mine.

I was very intrigued to read a Norwegian thriller, however to me it kind of fell flat. Everything seemed a little predictable, except for who the killer ended up being, that completely blew my mind! Otherwise, it wasn't that gripping of a story, not horrible but not great either.

This is a domestic noir thriller that was originally written in Norwegian and has been translated into English. I obviously don’t know how well it was translated but I have a feeling I would really like the original version. While this was a little long and there were some slow points, overall this was an interesting read.
Sara is a psychologist who is operating her own office out of the home that she and her husband inherited, which they plan to renovate but never really get to much of it, which is a bone of contention in their marriage because she thinks her husband Sigurd doesn’t make time for it and he thinks that she’s not making enough money to finance it. The couple are slowly drifting apart as a result. When her husband goes away for a guys weekend, she doesn’t think much of it until he calls to tell her he’s arrived, but several hours later the friends call looking for him because he’s not shown up. She reports him missing and the police kind of drag their heels for the first day or so thinking he’s going to turn up. Unfortunately when they locate him, he’s been murdered and she is under suspicion. Sara hesitates to reveal her confidential files to the police which would provide her with some alibi until wired things start happening in her home that can’t be explained. As she grows more frantic in her fear that the person who has hurt her husband and is now coming for her, Sara finds herself being held at gunpoint. Thankfully she is rescued but everything is not as it seems.
Thanks to Spiderline and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my review.

I love this genre, and the summary really caught my eye. I was sure I'd love this book, but it fell short for me. The pace was way too slow for the genre. The characters felt one-dimensional, and I never really connected with them. There were a few interesting moments, but they were few and far between., and the ending was predictable.

Sara is “The Therapist”, with a small practice working from her home. One morning, her husband, Sigurd, leaves early for a weekend with his friends at a cabin. Several hours later he calls Sara and leaves a voicemail that he’s arrived at the cabin with his friends. But later that evening, his friends call Sara, asking if they know where Sigurd is, as he never arrived at the cabin. And so begins this plodding, infuriating slow story. Every time it starts to build some momentum or suspense, the long, detailed-filled paragraphs of Sara’s thoughts just bring everything to a halt. Even the unexpected ending can’t save this one. Disappointing. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this thriller! At times it seemed fast paced and I couldn’t stop reading while other times it seemed slower maybe because I had a hard time getting into the story at first. The saving grace was the ending I did not see coming!

I feel like I'm in the minority but I had a hard time with this book. Although I generally like Nordic Noir, The Therapist was a little too slow for me. I was hoping there would be more action around Sara and her patients, but unfortunately, we only see glimpses into her practice and patients. The story revolves around Sigurd, Sara's husband, who never arrives at a guys' weekend. Since Sara and Sigurd have not been fountains of communication with each other, Sara starts to wonder if she just wasn't paying attention to where and when her husband said he would be. But then there are break-ins where nothing is stolen and other strange happenings. It doesn't help that the police seem a little too curious about Sara and her relationship. I stuck it out to see where the story would go, and there were a couple of tense moments, but all and all it took too long to get to an almost predictable ending. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 because I might be spoiled by reading faster paced thrillers!

Thanks to NetGalley and Mobius Books for an advanced reader's copy.

Parts of this book were a little slow, but there was enough in the story to keep me reading. I am glad I stayed with it. The ending was one that I never saw coming!

THIS. THIS BOOK. THIS FREAKING BOOK. I loved this story. This was interesting and thrilling and I read this in a 24 hour period which hasn't happened in a long time. Highly recommend.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, Mobius Books and by #NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.


Creepy! While it was a fast-paced thriller, hard to put down, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I hoped. It was okay, I wanted more.

Oh my goodness, it was a long time before I was at all interested in our mystery here.

I do not think it was a translation issue. The author seems inordinately fond of long, blathering flashbacks – only one or two of which really had anything to do with our story.

Our main character needs a therapist herself (seriously). She’s sometimes likeable, but I think being in a relationship with her would be utterly exhausting.

The reason behind almost everything is rather prosaic – seriously, only one reason behind everything is interesting.

If you like a glacial pace and a book chock full of inner monologue, this one might be for you.

It was no, unfortunately, for me.

*ARC via Publisher

Domestic thriller.

Slow burn.

Reliable or unreliable narrator?

Totally creepy vibes! The story is about a psychologist who works from her home office. Her husband goes missing. I love the way the author leaves breadcrumbs but takes them away immediately after. What a suspenseful psychological mess…. This story has me questioning my sanity. Brilliant!

Scandinavian noir is quickly becoming my favorite genre and The Therapist is a great example of why. A thrilling page turner that has me reading well into the night

After hearing so many great things about this novel, I just had to try it. Unfortunately, this really just bored me to death. I'm not sure if it's the genre, the author's writing style, or what was going on, but I was completely unable to connect with Sara and after about 40% I couldn't go any further, this one wasn't for me. Two stars because hopefully, it got better towards the end.

*Thanks to Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

Fast moving and addictive suspense with enough red herrings to keep you enthralled and guessing until the very end. You might think you've guessed part of it or all of it, but nope, you didn't. You'll want to keep reading, so don't plan anything else ...

i was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review -
I could not put this book down! I never saw the ending coming!
Sara, a psychologist sees patients in her office above the garage. Her husband is taking a trip with the boys, kisses her goodbye and is gone. Later she receives a call from the boys and her husband never arrived. What happened? Where is he? As the investigation begins no one is exempt, and when things begin appearing and disappearing she begins to wonder about her sanity.
You will surely want to read this book!

Last year I read my first Nordic Noir novel and became obsessed with this sub-genre of books. The Therapist by Helene Flood is finally being published in the US and it is a terrific read for those that already love Nordic Noir or those who are looking for a book to start with in this genre.

Synopsis: Sara has a private psychology practice for troubled youth in the newly inherited house that she is renovating with her architect husband, Sigurd. Sigurd is scheduled to go on a guy’s cabin weekend, but does not show up as expected. After he goes missing is when strange things begin to happen in the house.

Thank you Mobius books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book ahead of publication in exchange for my honest review.

Very creepy and full of surprises! The definition of a thriller! I’d like to read more by this author. It seems she has a great understanding of what fans of this genre like!

All righty! Definitely gripping domestic thriller picked my interest as soon as I read the blurb!

Slow burn high tension psychological thriller with lost husband theme and twisty ending is a great formula for my lazy grey cells who need a fun escape to solve a quick mystery!

Pros: therapist wife- missing husband- secrets- great conjunction between now and then always attract my attention.

Cons: twist was too foreseeable, pacing was too slow.

Summary of plot: Sara stay at home therapist ( it’s not a term, I made it up) specializing to cure the young adults. When her husband Sigurd decides to have a weekend getaway at his buddy Thomas’ cabin, she fully approves. Sigurd leaves a voice mail message to inform her, he reached his destination safe and sound. But… when Sara talks with Thomas and Jan Erik who declares Sigurd never made it to the cabin, it rings a lot of alarm bells. Ding ding! Husband on the run!

Unfortunately this is not the only mysterious thing Sara has to deal. Things start getting missing in the house. She finds the front door open that she can swear she didn’t leave it that way!

You keep reading to learn more about husband and wife’s past to solve the mystery. I wish I didn’t solve it too early so I would enjoy it more!
It was still well written, interesting, slow burn psychological/ domestic thriller I can recommend to the genre lovers.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Mobius Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.