What a fab book, a really good read. Pat is a mature psychotherapist who loves swimming in the sea. She gets a visit from the police as one of her clients is found dead at Birling Gap. The police write it off as a death by suicide. Pat does not believe it. She did not see any signs that Henry would do that. Is she right or is her ego in the way of the truth? She and her friend Pritchard investigate. Is boyfriend Derek involved or Dorna who wants to build a golf course on the beautiful Downs? Lovely description of my local area. I can so empathise with Pat shouting at the tourists going so close to the edge of the chalk cliffs. A good sleuthing story, that will have you hooked.

Psychotherapist Pat left London (and her marriage) to live near Beachy Head and she loves it. However, when one of her clients is washed up on the local beach, Pat does not believe he committed suicide and the ambivalent approach of the local police spurs her on to investigate. Henry was well-off and about to ditch his boyfriend so there is suspect number one, but then there is also the developer who wants to build in a protected area and maybe there are more suspects. This is a perfectly pleasant cosy crime caper. I did like the character of Pat but felt that many of the other characters were not quite so well-rounded. There is a little too much repetition at times but overall it's a promising start to a new series.

Shrink Solves Murder by Philippa Perry is a charming and warm debut novel in the cosy crime genre, successfully blending psychological insight with a classic village mystery. The story follows Patricia "Pat" Phillips, a straightforward psychotherapist, who refuses to believe her patient’s death is a suicide, contrary to the local police findings. Pat uses her professional observation skills to look beneath the surface of a seemingly quiet Sussex village, uncovering secrets, scandals, and hidden motives. The strength of the novel lies in its characterisation, offering a slightly prickly yet ultimately endearing amateur detective, paired with a colorful cast of locals. Accompanied by her eccentric friend Prichard, a brewer of terrifying drinks, Pat maneuvers through community social events and tense interviews, bringing a "cosy-plus" atmosphere that feels both witty and engaging. It manages to be a refreshing change of pace from darker crime novels, focusing instead on character dynamics, wit, and observational humor. I hope there will be more books to follow