Patient's Privilege

Some secrets are sacred. Others are a death sentence.

With a murder investigation closing in on him, psychologist Timothy Shea is running out of time. He maintains his innocence, claiming he is the victim of a ruthless frame-up, but the evidence against him is overwhelming. His only hope lies in a dark truth he’s uncovered: his legendary mentor, Dr. Abner Reeves, has been weaponizing patient secrets for years.

But the law has set a trap. Patient privilege—the very oath meant to protect the vulnerable—now acts as a gag order, prohibiting Timothy from using the truth to save himself. While the privilege preserves Reeves’ lethal secrets in the shadows, Timothy is forced to face his judgment with his hands tied.

In the final weeks before trial, Timothy’s crusade to expose his mentor’s treachery becomes a frantic, high-stakes gamble.  Reeves vindictively furnishes more evidence of Timothy’s guilt to the police, and the battle shifts from a search for justice to a ruthless war of attrition. In his quest to pierce the privilege and expose the darkness of others, Timothy aims to convince the world that truth is on his side. Reeves and his cronies have other ideas.

In a world of professional silence, the loudest truth is the one you are willing to kill for.

Praise for Patient’s Privilege

“[A]n intense psychological thriller with many twists and turns.”—Robert McCaw, author

“Shocking, complex, brilliant. Patient’s Privilege expertly blends medical ethics, legal drama, and high-stakes corruption . . . A must-read for those who love a book with a bit of everything.”—Diane Elizabeth Taylor, reviewer

“It's a great, fast paced and exciting read which is fast paced enough that it never feels like there is time to put it down or get distracted, something increasingly hard to do in 2026, but also serves as a fun escape.”—TJ Mutton

“That damned final plot twist. I died a little inside.”—Prachi Bhagchanda, reviewer

“Wow! Just WOW!”—MB, reviewer

“The best kind of mystery thriller book is the one you think you've figured out and then the twist happens and you are left with your jaw on the floor. That is this book from beginning to end.”—Britney Ireland, reviewer

“[A] creative, twisty and highly enjoyable murder mystery!”—Hannah Eva, reviewer

“[A]n engaging psychological crime thriller that kept me turning the pages. The novel skillfully blends legal drama, medical ethics, and suspense, creating a story that feels both intelligent and emotionally layered.”—Estelle Bouldin, reviewer

Rich Morvillo is a nationally recognized lawyer who cochairs the white-collar defense and investigations group at a large international firm. He graduated from Fordham University School of Law before beginning his career as a trial attorney with the Securities and Exchange Commission. He is a frequent speaker at professional seminars and has published extensively on white-collar criminal matters, including the Fifth Amendment and ethical considerations for preparing witnesses. He first became interested in the field of psychology when he majored in it at Colgate University. He combines his interest in clinical psychology with his expertise in criminal investigations to create a taut psychological thriller where the search for truth is constrained by ethical rules and evidentiary norms. He resides in Washington, DC, with his wife, two children, and two dogs.