Interview with Psychological Suspense Author Deborah Serani


Deborah Serani is an award-winning author and psychologist who has been in practice for thirty years. She is also a professor at Adelphi University and is a go-to media expert for psychological issues. Her interviews can be found in Newsday, Psychology Today, The Chicago Tribune, The New York Times, The Associated Press, and affiliate radio programs at CBS and NPR, among others. Dr. Serani has also been a technical advisor for the NBC television show, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. The recurring character, Judge D. Serani, was named after her.

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Dr. Alicia Reese, a recent widow and a CODA – a child of Deaf Adults, takes on a new patient. Lucas Ferro reveals the reason for his consultation is that he wasn't really open with his previous therapist. After gaining Reese’s trust, he shares aspects of his life that are clearly disturbing – experiences that create anxiety and panic, but also reveal horrifying psychopathology. Instead of referring Ferro elsewhere, Reese chooses to continue working with him, feeling reinvigorated by the challenge of his case.          
As sessions progress, and Ferro’s disclosures become more menacing, Reese finds herself wedged between the cold hard frame of professional ethics and the integrity of personal truth – and learns just how far she’s willing to go, willing to risk and willing to lose to do the right thing.

★★★★★ORDER YOUR COPY★★★★★

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Can you tell us what your new book is about? 

THE NINTH SESSION is a psychological suspense thriller about a crime – and how this trauma touches the lives of those involved. It not a who-done-it, but a why-it-was-done. Why it occurred. And how evil can be both born and created. The novel unfolds in session format, so the reader gets a nice feel for how psychoanalysis happens. And American Sign Language and Deaf Culture are also explored.

Can you tell us a little about your main and supporting characters? 

The two main characters are psychoanalyst, Dr. Alicia Reese, a recent widow and a CODA – Child of Deaf Parents. And Lucas Ferro, as the patient who seeks treatment with her.  

Supporting characters include Alicia’s Deaf sister, Nicole, and her children, Rebecca and Seth. As well as security guard, Steve, who keeps Reese feeling safe at work. There’s Dr. Reese’s supervisor, Dr. Susan Prager, who signs with Reese and shares a CODA background as well as psychoanalytic training. And finally, Elvis, the black cat that lives with Reese, is a scene stealer in the novel.


Your book is set in the Gold Coast of Long Island.  Can you tell us why you chose this location in particular? 

I grew up on Long Island, and spent many of my formative years in the cities, locales and restaurants I write about in THE NINTH SESSION. Long Island is a most beautiful place, and I wanted the scenery to be as much a character in the book as the people described in the pages.  

How long did it take you to write your book? 

Six years. I work full time and spent many off hours and weekend moments tapping on the computer to make this come alive.



What has been the most pivotal point of your writing life? 

Getting my first book deal. That was a huge moment.

What kind of advice would you give other suspense thriller authors? 

While querying agents or emailing publishers can feel daunting, persistence is key. I like to say that everything I’ve ever written has found a book deal. And this is true. The other half of this statement is that I never stopped trying. So, you can’t fail if you never quit. It takes only one person to believe in your work to get it published. And if you feel you have a wonderful manuscript, keep dreaming. Keep querying. And keep writing.