I really enjoyed this book! It was such a quick and easy read. The plot was so good. I did find myself getting frustrated with the main character at times because she had so many chances to get away and didn’t! The writing was great and different. I 100% recommend!

I was able to read The Quiet Tenant by Clemence Michallon. The novel was an ARC unedited copy provided by Netgalley which is due to be formally released in June of 2023.

A small town where everyone knows everyone is about to get the shock of their lives. Aidan Thomas, a recent widower with a teenage girl, is the town’s most helpful neighbor. Stoic and quiet this veteran is just getting by. Little does the town know he’s been hiding a secret…or several.

Imagine taking so “me time” to sort through your trauma. Now imagine for the next 5 years you are held captive and the only way to survive is to trauma bond with your captor to the point you may never leave out of fear.

This thriller switches back and forth between several characters but also mindsets of major players. The back and forth isn’t always necessary. Aiden’a character is built up and the reader is provided with several reasons he may be the way he is however no reason is ever given. The author builds a character but doesn’t fully develop him. The reader is introduced to several of his victims with 1 page chapters but they almost feel unneeded or as an after thought. Overall it was a decent read but in unexpected end was very anticlimactic.

The Quiet Tenant by Clemence Michaellon
Rachel has been held captive in a barn for 5 years. When her captor has to move, she moves with him and begins living in his home along with his daughter Cecilia. Emily lives in the same town and has a crush on this man, who seems perfect to everyone but Rachel.
The book alternates perspectives between Rachel, Emily, and Cecilia. It was a quick-paced read with short chapters and the ending had me yelling out loud. This didn't have the typical plot twists of most thrillers and was more heartbreaking than other books of the genre, but still a captivating read. I found Emily's character unlikable but otherwise really enjoyed this one.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Aidan is a picture-perfect family man, an upstanding member of the community – hiding a secret. He’s a kidnapper, and serial killer. He’s murdered numerous women and holding his next victim in captivity. When his wife dies, Aidan is forced to introduce his victim to his daughter. Will Cecilia go along with her fathers’ ideas of who Rachel is, or will she question what he stands for and expose him for the killer he is?

I spent the whole book thinking I’d already read it. I scoured my goodreads where I keep track and couldn’t find it. Everything about it was just so familiar – I swear I’ve even seen this movie. I kept trying to find something new, but I kept turning up empty handed. I feel that some people will still love this one though. The part I did enjoy in the beginning was the alternating perspectives, but then at the 25% mark of so you were told who the “bad guy” was, and I was so disappointed. I prefer my reveals to occur later in the book and be a surprise. I did enjoy the story told through three perspectives, that was entertaining. The pacing on this one was more of a slow burn as well. Overall, this wasn’t a bad read, it was just too familiar with no new perspective for me and the plot twists were easy to see coming.

If you enjoyed watching the Room movie, and are looking for a similar book, then check this one out June 20th, 2023. Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, @aaknopf, and @netgalley for allowing me a copy of this e-ARC in exchange for this honest review.

"The quiet Tenant" is a debut novel by Clemence Michallon and it came fairly well recommended. The premise is definitely exciting as it features Aiden Thomas: A well respected family man and "beloved family figure in the small upstate town where he lives" So he is obviously a serial killer on the DL and in fact has poor Rachel imprisoned in his shed where he has her bookmarked for victim #9.

Sounds like a great ride! Nope. This may be the most boring book I have read this year. Maybe a psychological study on serial killers? It definitely read like a phycology college textbook with probably the same speed and detail. Long drawn out chapters and verbiage. Confusing POVs. To the point where it was so drawn out and uninteresting that you had no sense of dread or danger or didn't even care what happens to anyone. I had to read all the reviews of the folks in my friend list on goodreads and some quotes are; "Watching paint dry" and "Robotic"

I don't like writing reviews like this but I was given it free for a "Honest" review and that is what this one is. Technically I read it all, (Counting some serious speed reading) so that is my minimum rating of three. Also to be fair, it is still ranked fairly high on goodreads so even if I didn't like it there is a chance that it has a audience and you may get more out of it then I did.

I really appreciate Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for giving me a copy of this to review and it has a publication date of June 20, 2023.

Advance Reader Copy given free for honest review.

Read this book IMMEDIATELY!! So good! I could not put it down! It has been quite some time that I have read an actual five star book and this one did not disappoint. I am so excited to follow this authors career and I cannot believe this is her debut novel. Can't recommend this novel enough. Gripping, uneasy, I could not turn the pages fast enough. Loved it.

OK, DAMMIT, WOW, THAT WAS OUTSTANDING. What a brilliant idea, and what wonderful execution, to tell the narrative from the viewpoint of people who were closest to the murders. PUT THIS ONE ON YOUR TBR.

Clémence Michallon's The Quiet Tenant is a page-turning, nail-biting thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Aidan Thomas, a serial killer and kidnapper, and his daughter Cecilia, thirteen, reside in a sleepy upstate hamlet. Aidan must take Rachel, the lady he abducted five years earlier, with him on the move since he claims she is a "family friend" after the loss of his wife. The stakes are high, and one false move may be the end for Rachel, so Michallon uses this premise to spin a compelling narrative of duplicity and power relations.

You won't be able to predict the plot twists and discoveries that pop up at the most inopportune times in this fast-paced yet credible tale. You'll find yourself rooting for these people because of how fully realised they are and how realistic their interactions feel. Michallon has crafted a stressful setting where your every action carries weighty repercussions, and where failure might mean death.

Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor and NetGalley for sharing this advanced reading copy of The Quiet Tenant with me.

This book is set to come out on July 20th, 2023

I really liked this book. It’s a bit of a slow burn but I felt it was worth it. Lots of tension building moments. Even though it’s not a super fast paced story, I still read it in two days. Another amazing thing one is that the author is French but wrote the novel in English. It was well written. I have certainly read translated novels that aren’t nearly as well written.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest opinion. I look forward to more books from this author. 4⭐️

For a multiple perspective book, this was not confusing in the least and I really enjoyed the plot and diversity of all the characters and their thinkings. For a debut novel, this is one of the best!

So good! This is easily one or the best books I’ve read this year. I feel I can’t say too much without giving spoilers, but the perspective, the rationale, the thoughts that go through “Rachel’s” head… wow. Brilliantly done. Loved it so much.

“The Quiet Tenant,” by Clémence Michallon (ISBN: 9780593534649, Published Date: 20 Jun 2023, earns three stars.

This novel highlights the truism that evil and terror can be present in the most outwardly acceptable and helpful people, as illustrated via the stories of four protagonists and one “unifying” antagonist. As important, it reminds us that we can all fight back against and prevail over evil people, regardless our circumstances. Unfortunately, the novel plods along, carefully but ever so slowly. I felt as though I was in an interesting lecture but still struggling to stay awake. This book rating would've been higher, were it not for the fact that author Michallon is apparently the master of the S—L—O--W build.

Sincere thanks to the author, and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, Knopf, for granting this reviewer the opportunity to read this Advance Reader Copy (ARC), and thanks to NetGalley for helping to make that possible.

The Quiet Tenant by Clemence Michallon – publish date June 20, 2023
4/5 Stars

Aidan Thomas is a beloved member of a small-town community. He recently lost his wife to cancer and is raising a daughter on his own. He is a handsome, loving, hard working man. But Aidan Thomas is not what he appears to be. Aidan Thomas has a big secret.

I enjoyed this book. It is a bit different than most thrillers as you already know who the “bad guy” is. So, in that regard there is no twist. But the suspense and stress that I felt while reading made up for that. This book is written from several different POV’s; but just one timeline, so it is easy to keep track of the story. For some reason the way this book is written made is very easy for me to ‘picture’ it in my head and that made it that even more enjoyable. As with most (if not all) thrillers this book had it’s moments of “yah right, that would never happen” but that’s why I read fiction – for the fun of it. I know it’s not something that is real! 😊

This is a debut for the author and after finishing this I immediately followed her on social media, so I am aware when her next book comes out! I would definitely recommend if you like a dark, suspense filled thriller. Congratulations on your 1st book Ms. Michallon!

Where do I begin with this book. This is a story of a woman who gets abducted and kept captive and abused for years. Of all of the victims she is the only one who manages to stay alive by following her own set of rules she knows will keep her alive. The strength one would need to live that life day after day would just be mind crushing for most people. It did take some time to get into this book as it is a slower read and not a fast paced thriller like I’m used to. I still enjoyed this book and want to thank Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, Anchor, and NetGalley for the ARC!

I wanted to like this book more than I did. The premise is intriguing: a woman is kept captive for five years by a serial killer for purposes that are never quite explained. Our captive tells her story in the second person, which I don't care for. It seems pretentious and doesn't really add anything to the story. One can surmise that living through something so horrific would make you detach from yourself, so it may be easier to describe yourself as "you" rather than "I". This is a thriller, so of course, there are multiple narrators. We meet a woman romantically obsessed with the killer, the killer's daughter, and multiple other victims at the moment of their death. I did read it straight through in a day, so I liked it well enough, but it was unsatisfying and rambling. I didn't see any point in the dead women chapters and I certainly can't see why the author would give the daughter an intermittent voice but no epilogue. Others may really be riveted by this story, but I'm not one of them.

*Thank you NetGalley, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

*Maybe a little spoiler-y*

This was definitely my kind of thriller! I was stressed for 90% of the book- so you know it was good.

At first, I really wasn't sure how I would feel about the second person narration, but I was pleasantly surprised. I think the author really made it work. Even when I was frustrated or annoyed with one of the narrators I could still sympathize and understand why she felt or did a certain thing.

I would have loved one more POV of Cece. How was she? Did she talk to her Dad after he was arrested? I always feel like the children of serial killers or murderers are just one more victim to the crime. I just wanted to know if she was truly okay.

All in all, it was a great fast paced thriller. Even though this is a work of fiction, I think fans of the true crime genre will enjoy It (especially since this story only focuses on the victims NOT the killer.)

Fabulous read!!! Dark and twisted, regarded as a pillar of society to the community, attracts an admirer after the loss of his wife, a Dad to a daughter, and a lifelong serial killer since college!?! Secrets…. How does he hide all this? Throw in kidnapped tenant who he’s hidden away and only remains alive by appeasing his desires. It’s one of those page turners you don’t want to put down but you’re also afraid to turn the page to see what’s coming next. If it’s adapted for television or screen later, may be too creepy to watch while home alone😉

Thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for the ARC copy.

A gripping, fast-paced read. Clémence Michallon's debut should be one of the most anticipated titles of the summer.

Absolutely fantastic plot! Could not put the book down once I began reading it. Cannot wait for it to be released. Will recommend it to everyone I know!

"Rule number two of staying alive in the shed: He’s always right, and you’re always sorry."

I was invested in this story from the first chapter. Holy crap! This story was told from several perspectives but the most important ones are "The Woman in the Shed," Emily, and Cecilia. A man of many secrets connects them all. This story was written with unique and fast-paced voice. I absolutely loved it. I couldn't put this down. I read it on the edge of my seat.

I absolutely flew through THE QUIET TENANT because I simply had to know what happens to “Rachel” - a woman who was kidnapped five years ago and has been kept prisoner, handcuffed inside a garden shed, ever since. Outside the shed, the man who keeps her is a well-loved member of the small community in which he lives. No one knows what terrible secret he’s hiding, or the violent man he is behind closed doors.

A majority of the story is told from Rachel’s point of view in second person, which is an interesting choice but one that worked for me, because it put me directly in Rachel’s shoes. Other parts are told from the first person view of the kidnapper's burgeoning love interest, Emily, and others from the kidnapper’s 13-year-old daughter, Cecilia.

THE QUIET TENANT is a heart pounding read. What set it apart from other serial killer/kidnapped women stories, for me, is that it really takes a look at what a person would actually do in such a terrible situation. I like to tell myself that I’d be bold, be brave, get away as soon as I could. But in real life, the circumstances may not be that simple and staying alive may require long term planning - and I honestly don’t know if I have the strength. I think Clemence Michallon took a lot of care while writing a realistic story that involves a dash of Stockholm Syndrome and really strong female leads.

I feel that THE QUIET TENANT is a kind of testament to the strength and resiliency of women.

Michallon wrote THE QUIET TENANT in English, which is her second language (first is French). I would never have guessed this, but looking back I can see it reflected in her clean, simplistic writing style, which I find refreshing. There is a section in the middle of the book that drags a bit, but both the beginning and end are very strong, so it didn’t stop me from devouring the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher Knoph for an eARC of THE QUIET TENANT and the opportunity to give my honest feedback.