Jane Shemilt, author of the psychological suspense thriller The Patient, has written a CrimeReads article on the evolution of ‘madness’ in fiction.

In a piece entitled “Tracing the Portrayal of Mental Disorders in Literature Over Time, Through Five Books”, which you can read here, Jane discusses how perceptions, treatments and representations of mental illness have changed over the course of the last four centuries in literature and wider society, from the days of Shakespeare to the 21st century.

Jane’s latest thriller novel, described as an “elegant, multi-layered… must-read” by Janice Hallett, author of The Appeal, follows well-respected GP Rachel as she embarks on an illicit love affair with a patient and falls into a world of distrust, scandal and murder…

The Patient is out now. Grab your UK copy here, and your US copy here.

Follow Jane on Twitter @JaneShemilt.