The First Impulse

Taimur Sabih

When eminent psychologist Alicia Edward’s own mental health begins to deteriorate, her husband Omar, who is a South African business tycoon, sends her to England for treatment under the watchful eye of Eda Norrington, whose care facility is greatly indebted to Omar’s financial generosity. Psychotherapist Eda is Alicia’s former classmate and, coincidentally, their mutual friend Oliver Carton is also undergoing treatment at Eda’s centre. Thus is set the stage for this psychological thriller, as Eda determines to uncover the truth behind Alicia’s mental breakdown and the roles Omar and Oliver — each with a shady past — have played in it.

Published in Dawn, Books & Authors, December 19th, 2021