Psychotherapist Philippa Perry releases Shrink Solves Murder novel

Psychotherapist and TV agony aunt Philippa Perry says she is delighted to 'finally join the murder mystery club' after publishing her debut crime novel. Perry, 68, chose to set her novel in the South Downs where she has lived with her husband, artist and writer Grayson Perry, for more than 25 years. Of her new release, she said: 'It's a cosy crime novel for people who like to lose themselves in a book and for people who like a good page turner.' Shrink Solves Murder is for everyone, she said, but particularly those who enjoy Agatha Christie and Richard Coles novels. 'Walking feeds my imagination' 'I really wanted to write good characters and there's nothing like a murder to drive a plot,' she added. 'I always wanted to set the book around Birling Gap in East Sussex because when I go for walks there it feeds my imagination. 'Grayson and I chose to live here because I like the sea and swimming and he likes the hills and mountain biking and we get to enjoy both of those on our doorstep.' Perry said she never 'tests' her writing on friends or family. 'I keep them out of it because they tend to make suggestions and it's got to be my book,' she said. In the story a body is found on a beach and is originally ruled a suicide but the main character, a psychotherapist, suspects something darker and turns detective. 'There are some similarities between me and my main character but she's much grumpier than me. I'd make a useless sleuth,' said Perry. 'Writing non-fiction feels like work for me but this novel felt like playing while also being able to express things.' She said writing murder mystery novels looks set to be the next phase of her life now. 'I've always enjoyed reading them and it's so nice to finally start writing them and join that club,' she added.