This book will stay with me for a while! Atmospheric was the word that kept coming to mind as I read through it in one day, because I simply could not put it down. Haunting, intense, and deceptively plain in its language are a few others.

Written as a series of social media posts, Parker tells the tale of his patient, Joe, who lives at a state asylum. Joe has been there since the age of 6 and is considered uncurable, which presents a challenge to Parker. As Parker researches the case against his superiors' wishes, he finds himself in the middle of a mystery that might just cost him his own sanity.

The way this book is written makes it very easy to read and gives it the ring of non-fiction. I loved how the author seems to be "talking" to the reader - it's conversational and makes the book easy to read in a day or two. I just don't recommend reading it alone at night. Although the type of ending where all the loose ends are tied up is quite satisfying, this book ends on an uneasy note which makes it linger in the mind long after the last page.

I was generously provided with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Creepy, haunting, nightmare fuel.

I requested this title off of Netgalley on a complete whim. If you know anything about me, I love medical thrillers, especially stories that have to do with psychiatrists, therapists, mental hospitals, and similar topics. The Patient is exactly that.

I absolutely loved the casual format of this story told in blog posts written by our narrator Parker, a new young psychiatrist in the field. The story follows him recounting his experience with the “incurable and untreatable” patient Joe. While on the shorter side, this story packs a punch and takes you on a crazy wild ride. I doubt you’ll predict where this one takes you. I didn’t know what to believe while reading this and I was completely shocked when at the final reveal.

This is the kind of story nightmares are made of, leaning more towards horror than thriller, in my opinion. I can’t wait to see what else Jasper DeWitt puts out in the future!

5 stars!

Definitely reminds me of Stephen King but with a psychological and body horror twist. I enjoyed the story, especially the supernatural parts and look forward to reading more from this author!

When I first heard of this book and saw it compared to The Silent Patient (which I found predictable) and Stephen King (one of my favorite authors) I knew that I wanted to read it. That said, I wouldn’t pick up this book based on those comparisons. The only thing it has in common with Stephen King is the genre. You should know going in that this isn’t a thriller, it’s a supernatural horror.

The Patient is told in an interesting and unique way. Our main character, Parker, is telling his story through several installments on a web forum. He is writing about his experiences trying to treat a mentally ill patient named Joe. Everyone who deals with Joe ends up going crazy or committing suicide. Parker is young and confident, and he feels like he might be the one to finally be able to diagnose or cure Joe.

This is definitely a faced paced, creepy story that you will probably fly through in one or two sittings. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick supernatural horror story.

Thank you so much @HoughtonMifflinHarcourt, @NetGalley & @BookishFirst for giving me this eARC & physical ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 07 July 2020)

SYNOPSIS | Parker starts a new job at an under-funded psychiatric hospital and soon finds that there is one potentially dangerous patient who has lived there for over 20 years & has a track record of driving others to madness. He documents his story in a reddit style message board.

WHAT I LIKED:
- I loved the chatty "reddit" style of narration
- I started reading this expecting it to be a medical thriller but it turned into a horror
- it packs a punch in under 250 pages

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- the horror twist was a bit predictable

Parker H. is a newly hired psychiatrist at a mental institute in New England. On his first day on the job, he learns of a mystery patient, that even the other doctors, nurses, and orderlies fear. He is only known as Joe and has been a permanent resident of the institute since he was six years old. Parker is determined that he is the doctor who can finally diagnose Joe and he's sure that he won't fall prey to the psychosis that those closest to Joe have succumbed to. When he's finally given the green light to become Joe's doctor, Parker's world is turned upside down but will he actually solve the mystery that is Joe or will he fall victim to something sinister?

First of all, I assumed that The Patient by Jasper Dewitt, was going to be a psychological thriller. I did not expect the horror twist that came near the end of the book. However, I wasn't completely blindsided as there were hints earlier on. I enjoyed the way the book was written as if Parker were writing his story on a message board for all of the internet to read. I found myself deeply interested in finding out what exactly was wrong with the patient, Joe, yet slightly disappointed in the horror explanation as I tend to enjoy more realistic explanations. As I read this book, I could definitely see it playing out as a movie and think it would make a great Netflix show or series at some point. Overall, I enjoyed the book and would read more from this author.

What a whirlwind. That is the only way to describe this book. A total whirlwind.

The format of this book was really unique. It is told through reddit posts, and some medical files. I think this added to the suspense, and enhanced the story. The writing was gripping, and I couldn't read fast enough. Books like this are the reason the term "page-turner" exists. This book is really dark compared to other thrillers I have read. I would definitely categorize it as horror.

Dr. Parker is an extremely likable character. He's determined, smart, and sympathetic. He has all the qualities to make him a great doctor. I found myself rooting for him, and being concerned for him. I think Joe's character was done perfectly, but I won't say more to prevent spoilers. The side characters added to the suspense and mystery, and DeWitt did a great job at forming doubt in the reader.

Unfortunately, I predicted part of the ending very early on. This did not take away from the reading experience very much, and overall I highly recommend this book! DeWitt is one of the best up and coming horror writers that I have had the pleasure of reading!

I first learned about this book on Bookish first. After reading the little bit I could I was hooked. Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed by the end of the book. I loved the writing style and I couldn’t wait for the diagnosis/conclusion but this just didn’t work for me. I will be looking for more Jasper DeWitt books though because he was able to hook me with his writings and descriptions.

When I saw this advertised as a cross between The Silent Patient and Stephen King, I was immediately interested. While it does deal with a patient in a psychiatric hospital and the doctor intent on curing that patient, it skews way more to the Stephen King side. It's more of a horror story than a thriller. I enjoyed it and it's a really quick read at just over 200 pages. I tend to get scared easily but this was manageable for me. However, as a mom, some of the things regarding children in this story made me sad and uncomfortable. The book hooks you from the very first page, setting up the premise that this story was posted on an online thread entitled "Why I Almost Quit Medicine". I was completely engrossed in this story from start to finish. The ending left me feeling really unsettled and I was thinking about this book hours after I finished it. I would highly recommend The Patient for horror/thriller fans.

Plot Synopsis:
Parker is a psychiatrist working at a New England mental hospital. This book consists of his posts on an online message board regarding his work with an extremely difficult patient. The patient, Joe, was first admitted to the hospital with night terrors at the age of six. Joe is now 36 and has spent his life living behind a locked door in this hospital. He has no diagnosis. His symptoms change over time. Even person who has worked with him has been driven insane or has committed suicide.

Parker is young, optimistic and desperately wants to help Joe. He is convinced that he can finally be the one to cure Joe. As Parker reads the information in Joe's file, he is more and more uncertain about Joe's case. Despite the warnings he's been given to stay away from Joe, Parker becomes further and further involved in his care. The question is whether Parker will be able to bring Joe back to the real world or if Joe will drag Parker into madness with him.

This was a good read. I was hooked until the last page. I would read other books by this author. Enjoyed this book.

I was super excited to get an ARC (thanks, NetGalley!!) of The Patient as was I intrigued by the synopsis and the premise. I am clearly in the minority, but I was pretty disappointed overall. It was a quick, easy read at only 220-some pages, I'll give it that. I just expected more. This feels like something one would read on Creepy Pasta. I really wanted to like this book, but I feel let down. I'd give it 1.5 stars if half stars were an option here.

This is unlike any other book I have read. It’s a very dark subject a supernatural twist. There were parts I honestly didn’t see coming and the entire experience was a rollercoaster. The one consistent thing I can say about this book was that it was hard to put down. The build up to the conclusion left me on the edge of my seat every time I had to sit it down. In the end it’s a three star for me only because the story almost felt unsettled because of the supernatural theme. However, if you want a book that will swallow all
Of your attention for a day This is it.

A really enjoyable page turning mystery/horror/thriller from Jasper DeWitt. Kept me guessing and wanting to know more throughout.
How far would you go and how much would you sacrifice for the truth?

**Trigger warning for animal abuse and mutilation.

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thriller fans rejoice! Thank you author Jasper DeWitt and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for gifting me with an advanced reader copy of their very exciting new book 'The Patient' which releases July 7. As always my reviews are unbiased and honest. This review will be posted on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/aprilsbookishlife), facebook (https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3367008936652059&id=100000289578326), twitter, Books of Horror facebook group, Pageturners Facebook group and IG (@aprilsbookishlife).

I was so worried this book was going to end in the typical psychological thriller cliche fashion but thank god it didn't. I've read a lot of medical thrillers/horror lately some good, some not but this one immediately captivated me. The characters are intriguing, spooky and mysterious.The writing style (written as if in installments under a thread on a website) is a bit confusing at first. It changes timeframe back and forth as the story unfolds but once you realize that, it's easy to follow. The only negative comment that I can come up with is the book is short but even then the story is complete. I dont feel like it's missing anything. 5 Stars I truly loved it.

#Netgalley @netgalley #bookstagram @houghtonmifflinharcourt #thepatient #arc #bookreview #bookreviewer #horrorbook #thriller #jasperdewitt #newbook

This book started off as a typical suspense book but with an underlying sense of dread. I work in mental health so was curious to see where this book went with the plot. I was surprised at the turn the book took but ended up liking how it ended. This book has a theme of horror, so be aware of that - not your typical suspense book!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for giving me an early review copy!

Jasper DeWitt uses his abilities to create dark atmospheric settings and describe deeply disturbed minds to rivet readers in this won't-let-you-go novel. So captivating is this dark read that I read it in one sitting, my heart racing, and feeling like a wrung-out washcloth at its end!

The book centers around Joe, brought to a mental hospital at age six, and still a patient forty years later. A patient kept in solitary with no one permitted to interact with him beyond the routine changing of his sheets, the quick drop off of his meals, and the giving of his medications. You see, everyone who has actually talked with Joe beyond these brief moments, has been driven to madness or suicide.

A new young doctor arrives at the hospital and believes that he can cure Joe. Writing about his thoughts and actions on a blog, he leads all of his readers to the edge of catastrophe when he almost makes the mistake of his life.

Joe... don't you want to know what brought him to the hospital? Don't you know why everyone is so afraid of him?? Are you sure? Are you ready??

Many thanks to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

“I write this because, as of now, I am not sure if I am privy to a terrible secret or if I myself am insane”.

What a fun horror story! Or, as fun as a horror story can be. Thank you so much to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Netgalley and Jasper DeWitt for this quick and engaging read. I flew through this book and loved every second of it. It was the ultimate psychological thriller because it was set in a mental institution. A new doctor comes to the hospital and wants to take on the most challenging client. This client has been in the hospital since he was 6 years old and every single person who has been on his case has quit, and most of them killed themselves after.

Thoughts: I loved that this book was written in the form of a blog. It was a super fun format and made reading feel personable and easy. I felt like I was reading a Reddit post or a creepy pasta and it was great! I loved how spooky this book was and how you never really knew what was going on. I connected with the characters and the setting immediately, and loved that even though this book was only about 200 pages, each page contributed to the story.

I found the ending of this book to be satisfying and liked that it was a little open to interpretation. There were so many “maybe” moments in this book and I loved that. Creepy vibes? Check! A horrifying setting? Check! A chilling ending? Check! 4.5 stars from me!

Wow!!! I flew through this book in less than a day because it was so engrossing. The writing is impeccable, the plot is fascinating, and it works perfectly as a 200 page novel. The story is told from the perspective of Parker, a psychiatrist who once treated a terrifying patient referred to as Joe. For decades, Joe’s condition went undiagnosed and he showed no progress despite receiving nonstop inpatient treatment. His therapy was largely abandoned because those who came in contact with him experienced dire and disturbing consequences. In the form of posts on an online medical forum, Parker recounts his time working with Joe. Although the story is told in retrospect, the author creates a truly menacing atmosphere and setting, weaving the story together seamlessly. I really connected with the narrator and was fully engaged with his storytelling. I experienced his fascination and paranoia as he slowly uncovered the truth behind the mysterious character of Joe. It is important to note that this is a horror novel, which means it requires some suspension of disbelief. I went into the story with this knowledge and I was therefore able to fully enjoy the ending. The Patient is a wonderfully captivating and unique psychological thriller/horror novel that is sure to leave you with goosebumps.

This was my most anticipated book of the summer and it did not disappoint. From the start, it was a fast paced roller coaster that kept you guessing and questioning your own sanity at times. A very Stephen King-esque story that never slows down. Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys supernatural and psychological thrillers.

This was a great quick read. Longer than a short story but not quite a novel at 220 pages.

I really like how the author explored fear using different metaphors.

I look forward to a longer novel getting more i. Depth characterization.