This book took me on quite the journey. You have Alicia who hasn't spoken since the night she was found by the police with a gun and her husband shot multiple times. She is in a mental facility, highly medicated. A psychotherapist Theo Faber, has been wanting to work on her, to reveal the mystery and getting her talking.

I did not see the ending coming. Not everything is as it seems.

Alicia Berenson and her husband Gabriel seem to have the perfect life, until one night Alicia is discovered standing over Gabriel’s body holding a gun. It seems unbelievable, but Alicia’s prints are the only ones on the gun and there is no evidence of another person being in the house, so the police have no choice but to conclude that Alicia murdered Gabriel. The one question on everyone’s mind is - why? It appears that they will never know, as what makes the case extraordinary is the fact that Alicia has not uttered a single word since she was found that night.

Theo Faber is a psychoanalyst who is drawn to Alicia and is determined to find out her story and help her break her years-long silence. He gets a position at the psychiatric facility where she has been since her trial and begins working with her. He soon finds himself ensnared in the tangled web of Alicia’s past, and the lines between professional and personal start to blur as he becomes more and more desperate to make Alicia speak again. Will he be able to get answers before too many lines have been crossed?

After the Gone Girl craze of years ago I got somewhat tired of psychological thrillers, but I devoured The Silent Patient in one sitting while on an airplane and had to spend a few minutes absorbing everything when it ended. It’s impossible not to get drawn into the lives of Alicia and Theo and the mystery of why Alicia killed Gabriel as well as why she has never spoken a word since. I can’t say much without risking spoilers, but the story is intricately plotted with a mind-blowing twist at the end that I did not see coming. I recommend this book for fans of psychological thrillers and suspense!

Holy twist, Batman! It does the job of a suspense novel, for sure - I consumed this book in about 5 hours. I love psychological suspense, and this one works all the angles. We have potentially unreliable patient, a narrator who is her therapist also going through some stuff, and some earlier flashback diary entries from the patient. Satisfying suspenseful psychological mystery.

(From Goodreads as Andrew MacNorth - Eugene, OR)

The Silent Patient is a thoroughly devourable thriller. I'm a slow reader and it took me one day, with just a brief break to go for a walk. And while this book eventually submits to a few tired tropes required of today's twisty suspense genre, there's an emotional core that is utterly engaging and authentic.

Like most worthwhile pieces of genre fiction, The Silent Patient fits into a familiar form—the suspense thriller—while still being about something. This book explores the nature of psychological damage, if we can truly escape a traumatic past, what it means to love and be betrayed, and so on. Not thematic material that will reinvent the wheel, mind you, but compelling and well-executed nonetheless.

Discerning readers may wonder why a character’s diary entries read like pitch perfect prose with ultra-specific dialogue. Overall one's mileage may vary depending on one’s ability to suspend disbelief. But Michaelides maintains a propulsive pace while digging deep into the lives of his tragically flawed characters. It’s a cut above the glut of recent suspense/thriller offerings, and auspicious debut by an author to watch.

This book is absolutely captivating, suspenseful, and intriguing. I devoured it quickly.

The novel follows Theo Faber, a psychotherapist who started working at a medical facility where an artist named Alice Berenson is confined. Alice became a notorious figure after murdering her husband. Her fame is surrounded by increased public interest due to her silence. Alice, is not any murderer, she simply stopped talking after the crime.

Theo is eager to work with her and get her talking. He wants to understand what happened that night, what made Alicia murder her husband. We also follow his personal life with his wife, which is the part I found even more interesting.

I loved the voice of the narrator, the novel takes place in London and the story is compelling and absolutely engaging. I loved it and highly recommend it.

My feelings summarized in two words: Mind. Blown.

The Silent Patient is one of the most original, well written, compelling books I've ever read. And the twist? I'm still reeling from it.

I truly got lost in in this story. The characters have incredible emotional depth. The mystery of Alicia's silence is tantalizing, and the complexities of Theo's character are riveting.

I want to say so much, but I don't want to give away a single detail. What I can tell you without a doubt is that this book will remain at the top of my favorites list. And it's Alex Michaelides first novel! I can't wait to see what comes next.

Astonishing, unputdownable and spellbinding stuff here!

Loved....loved....loved! This book is exactly what I needed…...a fast-paced and fully absorbing thriller that I literally could not put down or stop thinking about. This was some fantastic storytelling!

THE SILENT PATIENT by ALEX MICHAELIDES is a dazzling, fascinating, compelling, and an absolutely fabulous psychological thriller novel that was quite the immersive and thrilling book to read. Right from the very beginning I knew that this book was going to be a gripping page-turner for me and I’m happy to say that it totally held my attention right to the very end, making this quite the compulsive and all-consuming read.

ALEX MICHAELIDES delivers an impressive, clever, suspenseful, entertaining and well-written read here with an intriguing and refreshing premise, an intoxicating mystery and irresistible compelling characters. I thought this was an extremely well-crafted thriller where the author seductively guides you to the shocking and twisty conclusion.

This book definitely appealed to this psychological thriller lover even though I wouldn’t necessarily say there is anything new here and you might have your suspicions early on like I did but it was all in the execution here that made this quite the fantastic and exhilarating read. I thought it was so cleverly and originally done. If an author can still make that ending shocking and thrilling to read even if you think you’ve figured out the outcome well then I’d say that is one heck of an accomplishment and perfect read!

This was an absolutely fabulous psychological thriller that quickly made it into my favourite reads shelf making this my very first favourite of 2019!

Expected Publication Date: February 5, 2019

Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Intriguing, unsettling, creepy, eye-catching and an extremely fitting representation to storyline that kind of gives me the heebie-jeebies to look at.
Title: The title of this book is an extremely fitting representation to storyline that definitely piqued my interest, totally intrigued and fascinated me.
Writing/Prose: Well-written, entertaining, compelling, engaging and convincing. I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style and it definitely spoke to me.
Plot: Engrossing, refreshing, suspenseful, interesting, complex, fast-paced, and highly entertaining.
Ending: A surprising and twist ending that definitely should shock and wow the reader regardless if you’ve figured it out or not. The ending was totally satisfying and did not disappoint!!
Overall: A fantastic and riveting read that had me totally absorbed within this story right from the very start, thoroughly enjoying every minute of this debut thriller! Would recommend!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Celadon Books and Alex Michaelides for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review!

Psychotherapist Theo Faber wants to help a patient who has not spoken since she killed her husband six years prior. Alicia Berenson was a successful painter and her husband Gabriel was a well known photographer. What caused her to shoot him him in the face five times.? No one knows because Alicia hasn’t spoken a word. Theo thinks he can help her. A slow burn to a shocking climax

A review of The Silent Patient will be on www.MapYourMystery.com on Monday, January 21.

A twist domestic thriller in the Gone Girl/Girl on the Train vein - although it was on purpose, I didn't care for the narrator at all and thought the whole thing could have been more developed. I enjoyed it well enough and would suggest it to people who like this specific subgenre.

I received this book in exchange for a honest review from NetGalley

Fantastic and so original! I loved reading every minute of this mystery. The novel switches perspectives between the wife of the murdered husband (through diary entries) and the therapist who is treating her. Allusions to Greek mythology are blended into the story and provide breadcrumbs to the reader and narrator to help solve the mystery of Alicia's silence. I've read many domestic thrillers and suspense novels, but this is one of the best! I highly recommend it to readers of suspense.

Theo Faber is a psychotherapist who takes an interest in treating Alicia Berenson, a woman convicted of murdering her husband and sentenced to a mental institution. Convinced there is more to the story than appears, Theo begins his own investigation, starting with Alicia. But since the murder she has refused to speak. This was a slow-paced, but well-crafted psychological thriller with a killer twist that left me stunned. I tend to rate these types of books on the basis of the twist and the author's ability to shock me and Michaelides has scored a 5 star rating from me. Highly recommended.

This is an amazing read. Kept me wanting to turn the page to find out what would happen next. Highly recommend it for anyone who loves psychological thrillers. One of the best read for 2019. #netgalley#thesilentpatient#indigoemployee

Alicia Berenson is a well-regarded painter living in London with her husband, Gabriel, a successful fashion photographer. For no apparent reason, when Gabriel comes home one night, she shoots him multiple times in the face. She is discovered by the police covered in blood and refuses to speak another word. She is sent to a psychiatric ward for treatment but no therapist can break through to her. Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who desperately wants to work with her after hearing about her case. Theo, it seems, has some problems of his own at home. He tries to break through to Alicia while dealing with his own domestic struggles.
There are some books- very few, actually, that lead to a surprised ‘a-ha’ moment. It can make you stop, think and reconsider. When an author can pull this off in a superb well written thriller, it is truly impressive. What is even more remarkable is that this is the author’s debut novel. The plot is both clever and relentlessly fast paced. The characters are generally stock figures and few likeable. This is, perhaps, the only weakness but in a first time novelist’s hands, it works just fine. I won’t comment on the ending but just know it is extremely satisfying. This is a very entertaining novel and is highly recommended.

This book was awesome. I love how the doctor is the one telling it. I love broken characters who come into their own. The ending you never ever see coming. They the book there were times I was anxious & on edge. I loved it.

Alicia Berenson is a famous painter who has been admitted to the Grove, a forensic unit in North London. She has been charged with murdering her husband, Graham, who is a fashion photographer, after he returns home late one evening. After shooting Graham, Alicia has never spoken again.

Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who accepted a job at the Grove in the hopes of working with Alicia. He is obsessed with learning her motive. He knows he can get her to talk. Others have tried - others have failed. Will he be successful?

Although Alicia does not speak, the reader gets a glimpse into her life through Theo's discussions with those in her life. Well, more to the point, we get their impressions of her, things they know about her and their own assumptions about her. They seem to have no problem sharing what they know about her but why hasn't anyone been to visit her? The reader gets to learn even more about Alicia through her diary entries. Finally, Alicia "speaks" via the written word. But what could have led her to shoot her husband? Will she ever speak? Why isn't she speaking now? Is it by choice? Is it due to trauma? hmmmm

Theo is also an interesting character. Most of the novel is told through him. The reader also gets a glimpse into his life, his thoughts and the inner workings of his mind. I was curious as to why he was so obsessed with learning her motive. Why is he so driven to learn the truth? Is he a fan or her artwork? Will learning the truth advance his career?

This is a very clever tale which grabbed my attention right away. I was intrigued to learn what was going on. I had several theories and assumptions. Some were close and some were way off base - as in a mile off base. Of course, there is that shocking reveal - I did not see that coming - AT ALL. It really was the perfect "OMG, what did I just read?" moment followed by an "Aha!" moment.

This book was a page turner for me. I kept turning the pages to learn how the book was going to unfold. The ending felt a little bit rushed and I wanted to just a tad bit more. Overall, a very enjoyable read even thought one character really annoyed me.

Thank you to Celadon Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Silent Patient begins with a rush, like a bullet train, with Alicia Berenson murdering her husband and never saying another word, not even in her defense. The story is narrated by Theo Faber, a psychotherapist who is fascinated by her and her art. He sought a job at the hospital for the criminally insane where she had been sent. He is shocked by her over-drugged state and works hard to connect with her.

In order to reach her, Theo begins investigating her life, talking to relatives, her agent, and even her brother-in-law whose brother she murdered. He finds a lot of people with mixed motives and who may not have Alicia’s best interests at heart. But then, who does? Does Theo?

Why is he so obsessed with this one patient over all others? Is it just her art or the challenge of her silence? One thing about Theo, everyone else has written Alicia off as a hopeless case and he keeps fighting for her.

The Silent Patient begins so strongly that I was surprised to find myself feeling tired of the story about mid-way to two-thirds of the way. Perhaps it was this feeling on not really liking Theo despite his care and concern for Alicia. He seemed so judgmental and to have so little regard for other patients and his colleague. I tired of his voice.

We hear from Alicia, too, in her diary which is where we eventually learn the truth, though how she was able to write it under the circumstances baffles me. Some will find the end surprising and others will, like me, think it a foregone conclusion in this post-Gone-Girl world.

The Silent Patient will be released on February 5th. I received an e-galley from the publisher through NetGalley.

The Silent Patient at Celadon Press | at Macmillan
First Three Chapters Excerpt
Alex Michaelides on Twitter

What a twist! I love when a book surprises me with the ending and this book definitely did that! I loved the short chapters it made reading for just 5 more minutes easy to do. This book captured my attention early on and did not let it go. Highly recommended. Thanks to Celadon Books and Netgalley for ARC. I will be watching for more from this author. 4.5 stars

I’ve seen The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides mentioned over and over again. I was lucky to get a sneak peek and started it last night. Yes, it’s very good and once you start reading, you don’t want to stop. I read for a solid two hours and only put the book down because I needed to get some sleep.

There are so many ways a story can be told. This one is told from the point of view of a psychotherapist who takes a job at a hospital for the sole purpose of treating a woman who shot her husband in the face then proceeded to not utter a single word for years. Why did she shoot him? What was going on in their marriage? Why is she silent now?

Theo is determined to find the answers.

Here’s the official synopsis:

Alicia Berenson’s life is seemingly perfect. A famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, she lives in a grand house with big windows overlooking a park in one of London’s most desirable areas. One evening her husband Gabriel returns home late from a fashion shoot, and Alicia shoots him five times in the face, and then never speaks another word.

Alicia’s refusal to talk, or give any kind of explanation, turns a domestic tragedy into something far grander, a mystery that captures the public imagination and casts Alicia into notoriety. The price of her art skyrockets, and she, the silent patient, is hidden away from the tabloids and spotlight at the Grove, a secure forensic unit in North London.

Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who has waited a long time for the opportunity to work with Alicia. His determination to get her to talk and unravel the mystery of why she shot her husband takes him down a twisting path into his own motivations—a search for the truth that threatens to consume him.



I can’t wait to continue reading. Its every bit as good as I hoped it would be with a real sense of suspense.

This psychological thriller kept me guessing until the very end- and then it twisted the truth some more.

I can usually figure out the perpetrators of a mystery by the time I’m halfway through a book, but this one caught me completely off guard. I love it. Alex Michaelides did a fantastic job at misdirecting the reader and making you think you had it figured out until the last moment. Having said that, the part after the twist felt a bit rushed. Otherwise it’s a wonderful story.