THE SILENT PATIENT by Alex Michaelides

"Alicia Berenson was thirty-three years old when she killed her husband." reads the opening line of "The Silent Patient", the 2nd book in our mini book club reading list.

Published: 2019
Author: Alex Michaelides (British Cypriot)
Genres: Mystery, Psychological thriller, Suspense
Pages: 323
My rating: 3/5

"The Silent Patient" by Alex Michaelides is a psychological thriller that revolves around Alicia Berenson, a talented painter who seemingly has a perfect life with her husband, Gabriel. However, everything takes a dark turn when Alicia is found standing next to her husband's dead body with a gun in her hand. Shockingly, Alicia then chooses to remain completely silent and stops communicating with the outside world.

The story is narrated by Theo Faber, a criminal psychotherapist who becomes fascinated by Alicia's case. He takes on the challenge of working with Alicia to unravel the mystery behind her silence and to understand what led her to commit such a violent act. As Theo delves deeper into Alicia's past and explores the secrets hidden within the walls of the couple's home, he uncovers a web of lies, deceit, and psychological trauma.

I don't usually read thrillers, but "The Silent Patient" was a refreshing break from my usual picks. I enjoyed the suspenseful moments when the mystery unraveled. However, I wasn't completely hooked on the story. Some parts, like Alicia's deep love for Gabriel, felt a bit unclear to me – I think it could have been described more to make it believable. Additionally, some plot elements, like the infidelity, seemed quite expected and didn't surprise me much. I like the end scene, however. It had a nice touch, even though it spelled out a grim fate for the narrator.

I would recommend "The Silent Patient" to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers and are intrigued by stories that involve mysteries and complex psychological elements. If you appreciate novels that explore the human mind, relationships, and unexpected twists, this book might be a good fit for you.

Happy Reading!

Comments

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