“Shrink Solves Murder” by Philippa Perry

“So I had lunch with my publisher and she said, ‘What do you want to do next?’ And she was pushing for nonfiction. I said, ‘No, I've got an idea for a novel.’ She said, ‘Well, you can send me something then.’ So I went home that afternoon after that lunch and I just wrote the prologue and chapter one and sent it to her. Then she said, ‘this is great. You can write it.’ So I wrote it in one. It's all been in my head, but I just sort of smashed it out.”

Philippa Perry, known to her thousands of subscribers as Ask Philippa, is a seasoned psychotherapist, artist, and nonfiction bestseller. This year, she blended her professional insights with humor, small town antics, and mystery, making her fiction debut with a cozy crime novel—Shrink Solves Murder.

The narrative: about Shrink Solves Murder

Patricia Phillips, a psychotherapist, doesn’t agree with the police when they say one of her patient’s, Henry, took his own life. With her friend Prichard’s “assistance,” Pat goes from therapist to sleuth, determined to solve this case and find out what really happened to Henry.

The nightcap

Whether you’re cozying up with a book or in need of something warm on a cool, autumn day, you’ll never go wrong with a comforting nightcap. And an extra soothing sip was just what we needed this episode while recovering from being under the weather. We’re pretty sure we edited out most of the coughing, but Twining’s Defence Citrus and Ginger Green Tea was the beverage that accompanied Philippa for a boost and warmth. It’s exactly what we imagine Patricia Phillips, the therapist-turned-sleuth in Shrink Solves Murder, might also enjoy while walking the cliffs near her small town or following a cold water swim.

In this Narratives and Nightcaps podcast episode

Get to know Philippa in this episode of Narratives & Nightcaps. We chat about:

• Philippa’s journey to fiction, the lunch meetings and conversations with her team, and the “yes” to finally put the story living in her head on paper. Here’s a peek:

  “I said to my agent, ‘Can I write a novel now?’ And she said, ‘No, not yet… You've got to write another nonfiction.’ Because I talked to her about an idea I'd had for a nonfiction. She said, ‘You've got to write that book first.’ And she was right because that book was The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read [and Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did]. And that has sold millions worldwide. She was right… So I wrote The Book You Want Everyone You Love To Read, and then when that did sufficiently well, she went, all right, you can do your fiction now… 

  So I had lunch with my publisher and she said, ‘What do you want to do next?’ And she was pushing for nonfiction. I said, ‘No, I've got an idea for a novel.’ She said, ‘Well, you can send me something then.’ So I went home that afternoon after that lunch and I just wrote the prologue and chapter one and sent it to her. Then she said, ‘this is great. You can write it.’ 

  So I wrote it in one. It's all been in my head, but I just sort of smashed it out.”

• Drawing from her own life, the friends who inspired characters, and the setting. Philippa said, “I just that it would be a good place to set a murder.”

• Her love for a classic mystery novel or cozy crim and its unexpected “connection to social media reels and TikToks (you have to listen to the episode to understand).

Even before this interview, a bookish group chat of ours couldn’t stop talking about You Know Why. The layers of buried secrets, dark pasts, hidden identities, and revenge kept us guessing and hanging on until the very end. To then sit down with J.T. and hear her explain the craft she’s honed and the brilliant passion behind her storytelling was truly remarkable. You Know Why is certainly a suspensful thriller, but this conversation will is filled with lots of joy, laughter, and expertise.

Thank you to Crown Publishing for coordinating this chat!

Listen to the full author interview on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Purchase your copy of Shrink Solves Murder here.

Connect with Philippa’s Substack and on Instagram.