The synopsis of the book certainly caught my attention and the opening did not disappoint. How could you not be intrigued about a book about a woman held captive for years by a serial killer. Unfortunately, it was not the thriller I thought it was going to be. There was no mystery or suspense in this book, it was basically the POV of Rachel, the captive, and Emily, a local restaurant owner, who has a crush on Aidan. The ending was confusing and left me with many unanswered questions.

I received this advance review copy from from NetGalley & the publisher for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is one of the best thrillers I have ever read. I was absolutely glued to the pages, and had to keep reading to find out what happened. I finished it in one day because I was so engrossed in the story. I loved how the story of a serial killer was told from the point of view of the women in his life; his victims, including the one trapped in his house, his daughter and the new woman in his life. This was an absolutely fantastic feminist thriller, with nail biting twists and turns, I highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf Publishing Group for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Before diving into this book, I was so captivated by the synopsis. A serial killer, trapped woman and clueless daughter? SIGN ME UP. I would rate this one a solid 3.5 stars maybe even rounded up to four, just due to the novel is very character driven, you are very much in the minds of the three women the book follows.

I instantly became hooked in the beginning. As I continued reading the book; I felt like there was no mystery? no really thrilling aspects at all? Did I miss something?? cause the synopsis pretty much gives everything away. Overall it was still good- but wasnt my favorite. but Would still recommend!

I thought this thriller was exceptionally well done and really felt fresh from the usual formula. The three very different perspectives gave nuance to all of the characters and it raised interesting questions throughout. My only critique is that I wish just a liiiiiiittle bit more had been done with the ending - otherwise a great and thought-provoking book!

This was so well written. It was as dark and disturbing as I had anticipated. It was tragic and makes you feel the hopelessness. Absolutely amazing.

4.5 rounded up

Oof what hard-hitting ride! I actually didn’t remember the synopsis to this before I started reading it, and I was like, “oh this is gonna be brutal.” Once I got in the right headspace, I was all in.

I can see where some reviewers thought the writing was robotic, but I thought it worked to convey the detachment and trauma of the main POV. I also really liked the multiple POVs and perspectives used (e.g., woman’s POV in second-person, daughter’s POV in first-person). I thought it was all very successful and added to the air of mystery throughout.

I definitely thought something was going to happen that didn’t, and while I think it would’ve been awesome, I get why the author chose the direction they did. It was a good way to bring together all the different types of girls and women impacted by the same monster of a man, but in a siloed way where you realize that despite a common bond, trauma can make you feel very alone. (Idk if I’m making any sense but either way, I liked it ok!!)

I also appreciated that the author hinted at why the killer did what he did, but didn’t spend much time on his background or personhood. There was some Criminal Minds-esque speculation, but no attempt to humanize him or create any sort of empathy. The story’s main focus was the victims.

I always feel a bit rambling when reviewing a book I loved, so I’ll just end with: read this if you can!

The Quiet Tenant is a psychological thriller narrated by three different women that are close to a serial killer: his 13 year old daughter, his girlfriend, and the victim he kept alive and has hidden in a shed. This is one dark and disturbing thriller. But it’s also a very clever and well written one.

This novel’s greatest strengths are the premise and structure in how it was written. We never hear from the serial killer directly. Instead, Michallon brilliantly writes three very different voices giving various insights into a serial killer and how they are often hiding in plain sight. This is what makes it such a psychologically thrilling read. I really liked how the author quietly gave a voice to the victims. This is a novel that reads like a slow burn thriller, but it is also a study of trauma, power, and survival. Michallon dissects the killer’s psyche through the trauma of his victims.

I think anyone who enjoyed Notes on an Execution and Room (Emma Donoghue) should give this novel try.

Thank you very much for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

3.5⭐️

Following the death of his wife, Aidan Thomas and his 13 year old daughter Cecilia move to a small town in upstate New York. Aidan quickly becomes a beloved figure in the town. He's always willing to lend a hand and is often seen nursing his non-alcoholic drink at the bar downtown. But Aidan has a secret. He has killed eight women and has his next victim currently locked in his house.

Rachel knows her name isn't really Rachel. She knows that the man has rules and that man could kill her at any time. She doesn't really know why he hasn't killed her yet, though. She's surprised when he brings her with them when he and his daughter moves and she's even more surprised when he lets her join them at dinner at times. Rachel thinks she can get away, she just need to wait for the right time.

I had seen multiple reviews about this before starting the book, but underestimated how much it would bother me. A majority of this book is written in 2nd person (you go down the stairs, you listen to the man, etc) and I think the only POV I hate more is an omniscient narrator. There were also chapters where the past victims are talking about the events leading up to the their deaths. The insight was interesting, but I don't think that it really added to the story.

I really enjoyed the storyline and seeing how a serial killers actions affect the three women closest to him: his victim, his daughter, and a possible new love interest. I liked Aidan being a beloved town member and Rachel's horrifying realization that people might not believe her when she says he's evil. Overall I liked where this book was going, but the 2nd person POV really took me out of it.

Thanks Netgalley for providing this ARC to me.

Kudos to Clemence Michallon for delivering a dark, psychological thriller that is hard to put down. Told from the point-of-view of 3 women, captive Rachel, daughter Cecilia and bar owner Emily, The Quiet Tenant is the story of Aidan Thomas, loved by many but secretly a rapist and serial killer, and his vastly different relationship with each of these women. Interspersed among these POVs are short clips of several of Aidan's victims.

This was a great debut novel with wonderful writing and especially impressive as we learn that English is not the author's first language. Thanks to Knopf and NetGalley for this ARC.

Thank you to Knopf publisher and net galley for a copy of The Quiet Tenant. This book was intense in the beginning but, I felt it could of been shorter. The main character is the guy next door, the hard worker, a father of a daughter. But he is another person that a few people get to know. It is a thriller I love the title a friend suggested it and she was not wrong but, I felt it was a little drawn out.

Thank you Knopf and NetGalley for my e-ARC in en change for an honest review. I give this novel 3.5 stars. I did enjoy it and I was not expecting the ending. However, it felt a little dragged on to me. Why did Aiden keep her for so long? The motive was really never answered other than “he was too nice” he kept killing after her though so why hold on to her still? The book was still a quick read and still a pretty good book. I recommend trying it out to see the story unfold!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Clemence Michallon, and publisher Knopf for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest review!

As a woman, this is probably one of the most terrifying books I've ever read. A book about a serial killer told from the perspective of his captive victim, teenage daughter, and new romantic interest? I really appreciated how Michallon centered women's voices in this story, as it not only worked well and was important but also increased the ickiness factor in reading. I enjoyed "Rachel's" chapters the most, as I felt her story was the best developed and complete. This book truly had me on the edge of my seat the entire time reading, and there were several parts that I didn't expect. I wish Cecilia would have had more chapters because I appreciated the juxtaposition of her teenage voice against the older women. Emily, I personally couldn't stand reading about, but I understand the purpose she served in the story. This book was a solid 3.5 star read for me, as it was a great thriller, but parts of the ending and not meshing with the writing of some of the women's perspectives has me rounding it down. I do think this was an important story to tell and truly shows the power of women and the universal horrors that we have to face together.

4.5 stars. Amazing debut. A story about a serial killer - narrated by the women in his life. Rachel (the victim he let live) is quiet strength; Emily (potential new girlfriend) just wants to be noticed and loved; and Cecelia (his 13 year old daughter) is still suffering the loss of her mother. SO good - I loved the characters, the story, everything. This is both a thriller, and the story of surviving trauma.

"Aidan Thomas is a hard-working family man and a somewhat beloved figure in the small upstate New York town where he lives. He’s the kind of man who always lends a hand and has a good word for everyone. But Aidan has a dark secret he’s been keeping from everyone in town and those closest to him. He’s a kidnapper and serial killer. Aidan has murdered eight women and there’s a ninth he has earmarked for death: Rachel, imprisoned in a backyard shed, fearing for her life.

When Aidan’s wife dies, he and his thirteen-year-old daughter Cecilia are forced to move. Aidan has no choice but to bring Rachel along, introducing her to Cecilia as a “family friend” who needs a place to stay. Aidan is betting on Rachel, after five years of captivity, being too brainwashed and fearful to attempt to escape. But Rachel is a fighter and survivor, and recognizes Cecilia might just be the lifeline she has waited for all these years. As Rachel tests the boundaries of her new living situation, she begins to form a tenuous connection with Cecilia. And when Emily, a local restaurant owner, develops a crush on the handsome widower, she finds herself drawn into Rachel and Cecilia’s orbit, coming dangerously close to discovering Aidan’s secret."

Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

I think readers are either going to like this book or hate it. It's very dark. It's very disturbing. It's scary in that you never really know the people in your town. I enjoyed a lot but didn't love it due to the dark material.

Aidan Thomas is someone everyone loves when they see him. He is a family man and a dad. Seems perfect, except he has a dark secret. He is a serial killer that has murdered women (not giving anything away, that's in the synopsis of the book). His life gets turned upside down when his wife dies. He and his child must move out of their house, the only problem is who he has hidden away in the shed behind his house.

'Rachel' was kidnapped 5 years ago by Aidan. For some reason, he has kept her alive. Now that they have to move will he keep her alive?

As I said, this is a disturbing book. I enjoyed the character development of 'Rachel'. How she changes throughout the book. That was about the only character development I noticed. Everyone else pretty much stayed the same.

Beware that there are trigger warnings: kidnapping, abuse (emotional, physical, and sexual), rape and murder.

Tentative Publication Date: June 20, 2023

Thanks to Netgalley and Knopf for the E-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

🙂 Happy Reading 🙃

#netgalley
#knopfpantheonvintageandanchor
#ClemenceMichallon
#TheQuietTenant

I read a LOT of horror and thriller novels. This psychological thriller had my pulse racing! I was completely invested in the characters and couldn't wait to see how it all turned out in the end. I was not disappointed. If you're looking for a character driven journey with lots of obstacles and "how are they going to deal with this" moments, this is the book for you!

This is a great read! If you only read one thriller - let it be this one!!

Great plot, interesting read through the perspective of the 4 main characters. It kept me turning the page all the way through! Heart pounding final chapters.

Everything a thriller needs to be!

🔑🔑🔑🔑🔑 / 5

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

I think this is my favorite read of 2023 thus far. I truly loved everything about this story and couldn’t put it down! The author is such a skilled writer, but she also perfectly incorporated so many important themes that I appreciated. As a young female, this story made me feel validated and heard because it’s about a serial killer, but he’s never given a voice. Instead, the story is told from the POVs of the women in his life. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, and I held my breath for the last 10% of the book. I can’t believe this was her debut thriller, and I’m so excited for her next one!

This is quite a page-turner, very creepy and disturbing. I felt a bit traumatized by the end. Fans of darker stories should really like this one. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I saw some absolute rave reviews of this novel on bookstagram, so I decided to request it on Netgalley and was lucky to be approved. I was interested enough at the beginning, although I didn't like the 2nd person writing. It did feel a bit repetitive, but I was in the mood for a good thriller.

By 16% though, I still don't care about the characters and feel like I know what's going to happen, so I'm DNFing. I know the man the different characters are describing are all the same man - the serial killer. This doesn't feel like an original plot line. Thanks anyway for the ARC - I'm glad others are enjoying it but it's clearly not for me.

If you like super slow burn thrillers, and I use that word loosely here because I never got true thriller vibes, with a unique premise this may be for you. There was so much here that I liked, the authors style was really quiet and the way the story was told was powerful. It’s fun to get the viewpoint of a killer in thrillers but there is something really interesting about getting the POV of the women in the serial killers life that gave me chills and definitely grabbed my attention. I was into this one for the majority of the time, the alternating perspectives, the sense of dread and the subtle writing was good for me. The slow burn aspect was ok, I have no patience lol but I was still hanging in but ultimately it was truly a character study that somehow still left me wanting to know more about the characters in the end? Just sort of an odd experience for me overall but I do think this will find the right audience and it will probably be people who enjoy slow burn literary dramas with light suspense.