Psychosis by Tony Marturano

4 Stars from me

I’ll begin by saying that I was honoured to be a part of a readers focus group for Psychosis by Tony Marturano before it was published.

I have also just taken part in another focus group which lead me to want to revisit my review for Psychosis… only to find that somehow I hadn’t ever posted one!

So, as it is pretty important to me that you read this book before going on to read the read the newest one, Haunted, here it is!

Psychosis focuses around Marco – a hugely flawed yet hugely charming therapist who has inherited a truly incredibly clifftop property in Porthcove. Having messed things up a little at home (when I say a little, I mean a lot!) Marco heads to the property ‘Dolce Vita’ property to try and turn his life around.

While he is there he misses his wife and son but must plough on with going through the house and the associated feelings and memories that go with it, all while readying it for sale – the plan being to make a huge sum of money to take back to his life and family in London.

I found Marco to be quite a vulnerable character – although there were things I really didn’t like about him yet I couldn’t help but root for him to succeed and beat his demons.

His best friend is a hugely likeable character and there are many other gems within these pages.

Woven throughout the story – like a delightful vein of pure gold found in an already precious rock – is the story of Marco’s therapy clients. I was utterly charmed by these sessions and found them compelling reading in their own right.

As ever, I don’t want to give any spoilers so it is hard to add much more to this review other than to say that Psychosis will keep you guessing! And, now that I know its sequel Haunted picks up just a few weeks after the end of Psychosis, I urge you to read it so that you get the full experience when you read Haunted.

Be warned however, there is something odd about that house.

Blurb: “Police, what is your emergency?” “They’re in the house and they’re going to kill me…”

“My name is Marco and I am flawed. I know that. And I was fine with it until it cost me my family. Now, I’ll do anything to get them back – even see a therapist. Which is a joke, because I am a therapist. At least I was before I was fired.

Now, with nowhere else to go, I’ve had to move out of the city and into the house I inherited, here, in the idyllic fishing village of Porthcove, but only for as long as it takes to sell it.

Because something isn’t right about this place.

You see, I need the money, so I’ve started seeing some of the locals, you know, as patients, but I tell you, there’s something really disturbing about charming neighbours sharing chilling secrets.

And it isn’t just that. It’s the other things. Strange, inexplicable things. It started with odd smells, creepy sounds, and then the intruders… oh God, the intruders.

Now, a child has gone missing, the police are asking questions, and I’m starting to wonder if they’re right. Maybe I can’t be trusted, but you should come and see for yourself; there’s something seriously wrong with this place. It is something hideous, terrifying, and it’s been here the whole time, just waiting to devour my hope, my sanity and maybe even my life.”