Novelist Laury A. Egan is chatting with me about her new psychological suspense, The Psychologist’s Shadow.
Bio:
Laury A. Egan is the author of twelve novels: The Psychologist’s Shadow; The Firefly; Once, Upon an Island; Wave in D Minor; Turnabout; Doublecrossed; The Swimmer; The Ungodly Hour; A Bittersweet Tale; Fabulous! An Opera Buffa; The Outcast Oracle; and Jenny Kidd; and a collection, Fog and Other Stories. Four limited-edition poetry volumes have been published: Snow, Shadows, a Stranger; Beneath the Lion’s Paw; The Sea & Beyond; and Presence & Absence. Eighty-five of her stories and poems have appeared in literary journals and anthologies. She lives on the northern coast of New Jersey.
Welcome, Laury. Please tell us about your current release.
The Psychologist’s Shadow: In October 1992, Dr. Ellen Haskell begins a new therapy practice in Princeton after a tragic error with a former client. Demoralized by her failure, Ellen strives to restore her emotional and professional confidence. Her parents have departed for Greece, leaving Ellen alone in their secluded country house. As the reader is introduced to her roster of clients through their individual sessions, Ellen becomes unnerved when she receives hang-up phone calls and a series of bizarre gifts from an anonymous admirer—at first at her office and then at home. As the obsessive lover increasingly invades her life, Ellen’s anxiety crescendos and she begins to fear the stalker’s behavior will escalate into violence.
What inspired you to write this book?
I’ve always been fascinated by psychology, so Patricia Highsmith’s books were a natural attraction when I began writing fiction. She loved creating sociopaths (Tom Ripley) and spider-like characters who ensnare innocent victims. After reading about erotomania (a form of stalking), I became intrigued about writing a novel from the point of view of a therapist, with interspersed short journal entries by the person who has become enamored of her. So much fun to don a psychologist’s hat and to conjure a cast of clients, to imagine their sessions, and to use some of my knowledge about writing case studies gained during psych courses!
Excerpt from The Psychologist’s Shadow:
[THE JOURNAL]
I’ve been searching for so long. To find the One, and finally I’ve found you. The last time I felt this way, it was all wrong—I was wronged—but not now. Now I’m sure. As you asked, I will prove my loyalty.
Dear Ellen, I’m waiting and watching for your signal.
Chapter One
The October fog was oppressive. Unlike the poet’s description, it didn’t move on little cat’s feet but in dense curtains of white, slicking every surface and thrusting its damp fingers down the collar of my trench coat. As I approached my office, I stared at the gift from my mother, a new brass plate: “Dr. Ellen J. Haskell, Clinical Psychologist.” I smiled at her kindness, used my keys to unlock the outer door, and climbed upstairs, feeling that the weather was being ushered in with me. In many ways it was, because my mood was as heavy as the air outside. It was on a foggy day such as this, six months ago in the spring, as the dogwoods were blossoming in New York City, when my confidence as a psychotherapist was severely shaken.
Lucas Constantinou was a gifted classical guitarist, tall, slender, and strong, with virile dark looks. Perhaps it was his heritage, but he reminded me of a Greek warrior-athlete. Lucas had begun counseling after falling down a flight of icy steps and breaking his right wrist and four fingers when he had thrust his hand forward to protect his face. The other bruises healed, but despite two surgeries, his fingers and wrist would never regain the dexterity needed to play the guitar at a professional level. Thus, a year after a glorious debut and dozens of performance opportunities in America and Europe, Lucas’ career was finished. He found work as an instructor but making music was his joy, his life’s singular passion. Lucas had been in therapy with me for three months with very little improvement in his depression.
Despite my strenuous efforts to maintain a professional distance, I was attracted to Lucas, miserably so. In fact, fearing that I could no longer remain impartial, I had planned to refer him to another therapist, though I didn’t intend to reveal the reason. I was in the process of devising an explanation when the unthinkable occurred.
Like this Wednesday morning, the fog had erased the sun. I remembered watering the purple hyacinth on my window sill, noting the cheerfulness of the hyacinth’s color even in the gray light. Lucas was my first client. Knowing he was probably sitting in the outer room, waiting, filled me with pleasure. Already my intention to terminate our professional relationship had wavered.
Promptly at ten, I opened the door and there he was, smiling, but with tears in his eyes.
He rose to his feet. “I’m sorry, Ellen.”
“Lucas, what’s wrong?”
Just as I asked the question, I smelled it—gasoline—and saw the gallon container behind his chair. Before I could say a word, Lucas flicked a cigarette lighter into flame, and with it, himself. He shrieked in agony and fell to the floor.
“No!” I screamed. “No!”
Horrified, my brain froze. Then I rushed into my office and pulled the rug from under the coffee table. I ran back and smothered his writhing body, smelling his charred flesh and the stench of gasoline and hearing his heart-rending cries.
A receptionist from a doctor’s office appeared in the doorway, her eyes huge. “Oh, my god! I’ll call for help!”
By the time NYFD and an ambulance came, a janitor had grabbed an extinguisher and doused the flames, including those on the carpet and nearby chairs. When the medics hurried in with a stretcher and removed the rug from Lucas’ face, I lost consciousness.
What exciting project are you working on next?
My next publication, two linked novellas, The Black Leopard’s Kiss & The Writer Remembers, is my strangest and most creative work to date—literary, with magical realism and Orlando-esque touches. The paperback will be available December 16; the Kindle format is for sale now. In April 2024, I will return to the psychological suspense genre with Jack & I, about a boy with dissociative identity disorder. Beyond these two, I’m trying to wrestle an ancient manuscript into publishable shape—a tall order!
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I wrote my first poem at age seven, a first novel at age twelve, and poetry and short stories during high school. The impetus to write originated as self-entertainment (I was an only child, with working parents, no close family, and lived distant from town). It was my way to make new “friends” and to sort through my thoughts and feelings. Although my identity was that of a writer, for university, I veered into graphic design and photography and made my career as a book designer and photographer. When I was able to semi-retire, I returned to my first passion, writing.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
Yes, I work full-time, usually seven days a week and most of the day, and feel very fortunate that I’m able to do so. In addition to new writing, much of my time is involved with revisions, editing, proofing, book promotion, and, in many cases, designing and illustrating covers for my novels (I was a former book designer). I also teach fine arts photography and provide critiques, though this activity only happens every two months for a day or two.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Hmm. One of the hallmarks of my fiction is the creation of complex psychological portraits. Because of my background as a poet and a fine arts photographer, I’m also very attuned to sensory detail and am often inspired by natural settings.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A writer. This was my childhood identity, though my degree and career were in the visual arts. I feel so much better now that I am writing once again!
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I consider myself a “bridge” writer because my fiction ranges across genres, from psychological suspense, such as The Psychologist’s Shadow, Doublecrossed, and A Bittersweet Tale; to literary: The Swimmer and the forthcoming The Black Leopard’s Kiss & The Writer Remembers; to comedy, young adult, and coming-of-age novels. Many authors tend to stick to one or two genres, their comfort zones, but also because they’ve established a dedicated readership. My readers are necessarily diverse in their interests and willing to be flexible (I hope!).
Links:
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Many thanks, Lisa! Great questions!