(2.5 stars rounded up)

This was a fast read but I didn't feel any tension, so I would hesitate to call this a thriller. I'm not sure I'd call it a mystery either since we know who the villain is from the outset. There were chapters from multiple characters' perspectives, but their voices were identical. The writing felt simultaneously short and stilted, and overly descriptive of really basic, non-important things, like someone picking up a glass to take a drink. I was expecting more in the way of explanations than I got, so this was a really unsatisfying read in that respect.

Such an interesting and unique take on the serial killer story. All the different perspectives really add to the nuances of the perpetrator and make them seem more human, which is odd for someone so evil. This author has such an excellent vision and clear talent to being that vision to life so seamlessly on the page.

I love serial killers, they're fascinating! However, this wasn't as intriguing or captivating as I would have liked. Or even as gritty as some other books. I ended up listening to the audiobook which had multiple narrators and really helped keep me going! This was told in multiple POVs and I enjoyed Rachel's the best since she was the person held captive and it was interesting to see how she acted around Aidan and other people. I did not enjoy Emily, she was annoying and was constantly doing things she had no right doing - she drove me mad!! I wish this did more and was more surprising, it was unfortunately a bit predictable but a quick read!

This one surprised me. I chose it because I was doing the alphabet challenge and needed a ‘Q’ book. It was quite good. It is written in a second person perspective and I’m not the biggest fan of that. But i enjoyed the twists at the end and was entertained throughout.

"The Quiet Tenant" by Clémence Michallon? Whew. That book definitely stuck with me. I'm giving it three stars, because while it wasn't perfect, it was seriously unsettling.

What really grabbed me was the way it told the story from the perspectives of three different women. Rachel, the daughter of a serial killer, was just... heartbreaking. You could feel her desperation, the way she was trapped, and it was so uncomfortable to read, but in a way that made you want to keep going.

Then there was Cecilia, the ex-wife, who was living in constant fear. I felt so much for her, trying to protect her son and just survive. And Julie, the woman who moves into the apartment, completely oblivious? That was just pure, slow-burn dread. You knew something bad was coming.

Honestly, some parts were really hard to read. It's not a light book, that's for sure. And sometimes, it felt like the story was dragging a bit. Rachel's internal monologues, while powerful, felt a little repetitive at times. I kept thinking, "Okay, I get it, you're terrified!"

The ending? I'm still not sure how I feel about it. It felt a bit rushed, like it just stopped suddenly. I wanted more closure, more of a sense of what happened next for these women.

But overall, "The Quiet Tenant" is a book that will definitely stay with you. It's dark, it's disturbing, and it makes you think. If you're looking for something that will keep you on the edge of your seat, and maybe give you a few nightmares, then this is it. Just be prepared for a bumpy ride.

I really liked this book. For the first 3/4s, I was really tense while reading. Thinking "just one more chapter" to see what was going to happen next. Fighting against sleep in bed at night to just read a little bit more.
Sadly the end felt a bit flat though? We'd had snippets of what our male MC had been up to in the past, and a snippet of the aftermath, but I wanted some definite answers to what he did and what the consequences were. Just wanted it to be rounded out.

This left my pulse racing and I was holding my breath. I haven’t read a book that had me on the edge of my seat in quite a while.
We selected this for our thriller book club and it was a great discussion.

I’m not really in to multi person perspectives, but I really enjoyed how this was written! Although dark, Clèmence’s way of writing is something to be studied! Can’t wait to read more.

Loved the mood and tension! Wish more thrillers would take advantage of the atmosphere!! Enjoyed the messaging about the importance of Womens relationships too!

Oh my god! This book was absolutely fantastic!!! What a freakin debut! I never would have guessed this was a debut, it was that well written.

I read this in one sitting, once I started, I could not stop no matter what! What a fantastic thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire ride! I cannot recommend this enough! One of my top thrillers of the year (if not my top thriller of the year)!

Do yourself a favor and pick this up now if you haven't read it, but make sure to have the rest of the day free because you will not be able to put it down until you're done.

Thank you SO MUCH to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m not sure how I overlooked this amazing debut for so long. From the first pages where I was introduced to the woman held captive in a shed for over five years, I read in awe and disbelief how expertly the story developed. The killer’s captive, the killer’s completely unaware teenage daughter, and the killer’s (also unaware) budding love interest, all offer their points of view to inform the reader. But there are other voices too, briefly but vividly providing evidence to this chilling saga. Unforgettable!

The build up was crazy! This book kept me at the edge of my seat, and I loved the outcome….. you think you know you people, lol this man Aidan had a HUGE secret. Wild wild ride.

Thank you NetGalley for the. ARC. What a dark twisted story!! Told from multiple POV. Aiden the seemingly charming family man who is always helpful and beloved in is community. Emily, who has fallen for Aiden. Rachel who was abducted by Aiden. As the story unfolds it was hard to put the book down!!
Definitely recommend!!

Clémence Michallon's The Quiet Tenant is a gripping psychological thriller that explores the depths of human depravity. Michallon's masterful storytelling, vivid descriptions, and psychological insights create a tense and unsettling atmosphere. This is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers seeking a disturbing and thought-provoking read.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

A riveting thriller full of creeping dread and genuine surprises. The interpersonal dynamics and elevating stakes kept me reading compulsively.

This review is full of spoilers, beware.

I found this book, The Quiet Tenant, to be so frustrating. The MC surely was quiet, in all the ways it mattered. We go into the book, if having read the synopsis, knowing that Aidan Thomas is a serial killer and has abducted the titular woman. We also find out that he has a daughter, Cecilia, he's very close with, and a budding relationship with bar owner, Emily. The story follows these three women/girls - the woman in the *insert structure here* aka Rachel, Emily, and Cecilia. There were also several victims who make quick appearances to recount the final moments of each of their lives, respectively. This is done really nicely in the audiobook as there's a full cast.

Now, here are the things I found to be so frustrating - Rachel would not leave. I've never been in such a situation, and I know Stockholm Syndrome is a real thing, but this woman has so many opportunities to leave, and she just... doesn't. She tries to formulate some kind of plan involving the daughter, but I never really understood what that plan was or how she intended it to help her. I guess by the end, it did help that she had his daughter so he brought himself to the police station, but wouldn't he have followed Rachel either way? And speaking of, why Rachel? Maybe I don't understand serial killers, but why did he name her like some sort of pet? Did he rename the others? Did he have someone else in mind he was building the shed for? Why did his in-laws not like him? Surely if they knew what he was up to, they would have reported him. I just don't understand so much.

What I also don't understand is how Emily's experience could be comparable to Rachel's. I never felt that Emily and Aidan got that close. They were never really dating. But how did her life become some chaotic after Aidan was caught. How was her being semi-obsessed with this man, in a way in which she broke into his home twice, make her comparable to a victim who was imprisoned for five years? It just doesn't make sense and it bothered me to no end.

The saving grace for this book, and the only reason I rated it three stars, is because it was done thoughtfully. There are so many trending books and shows and movies that are about women being abducted, r*ped, and murdered, that are really this weird graphic torture porn. The Quiet Tenant is not that. This book is kind of the exact opposite of "You." The reader never hears from the killer, and never sees harm done on the page. You know what's happening, but it's not explicit, and that seemed so intentional. It's the one thing I really liked about this book.

This was a really good thriller, I highly recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for this ARC!

I found that this one was where the repetitiveness of kidnapping stories got to me. It just was a little too much of the same things happening. I just couldn’t get invested. Dnf around 30% I do know a lot of readers that would absolutely love it, so I recommend checking it out for your self! The writing style was great, so I definitely will check out this authors future work.

Thank you to Knopf and Netgalley for my gifted copy

I enjoyed this book! It was slow going but the multi POV was great! Super interesting although I figured it out pretty early on. Creepy,suspenseful, and so much more to love. I think this is a perfect read for the fall and spooky season especially.

I had a feeling that I’d like this one just based on the description, but I can safely say that I was absolutely blown away by this debut thriller. It’s not action packed or super fact-paced, but Michallon nailed the art of slowly building tension and getting you invested in the story. This novel was atmospheric and tension-filled.

I really appreciated the way the story was written. It’s told in alternating perspectives between Rachel (the kidnap victim), Cecelia (Aidan’s daughter), and Emily (the restaurant owner that Aidan is wooing). Then thrown in are chapters from the viewpoints of Aidan’s other victims. Normally I probably wouldn’t like that as sometimes it can take away from the overall story, but Michallon did it in a really smart way that really enhanced the story. I loved each perspective because it gave all angles of what was happening and meshed together so well. I truly felt so invested in each character.

Rachel has been held captive for years and despite years of brainwashing and trauma, she’s still strong and resilient – adapting to the new situation of living with her kidnapper and his daughter in their house with them. Cecelia is bright and kind with the teenage angst of losing her mom and adjusting to so many changes in her life – including moving into a new home. She forms a tentative bond with Rachel and to Rachel, Cecelia feels like her only lifeline. Emily, on the other hand, is infatuated with Aidan. The man who comes across as utterly charming and immensely devoted to his deceased wife and his teenage daughter. Slowly the two form a connection that leads down a dangerous path – since Aidan is not who he seems to be. Aidan is so well-written. You can easily see how someone could be lured in by him and then on the other hand, is so completely terrifying.

This book gave me literal chills and left me utterly speechless. Not only is it a spine-tingling thriller, but it covers heavy themes such as trauma, grief, and manipulation.

I do get the feeling that this book will divide readers. I think it’s one that you’ll either love or hate. For me, I loved it and seriously cannot wait for whatever Michallon writes next.

Rating: 4.5/5