⭐️ BOOK REVIEW ⭐️
The Patient by Cole Baxter
My Rating: 4/5 ⭐️

**Spoilers**
Review: Wow. Just wow. This book has left me speechless and my mind spinning in circles. I felt completely insane reading this book and what a great job Cole Baxter did of that. It follows James Owens just after his release from a mental hospital after being found guilty for killing his girlfriend. His twin sister Janet stays with him and ‘helps’ him adjust to life outside of the hospital. But let me tell you, something is OFF about Janet from the moment the reader meets her.

The entire Owens family history is hard to digest and left my thinking how any child could survive such abuse. With an abusive father and what was told to be an unwell mother, Janet and James were left to fend for themselves to try to avoid beatings as best they could.

Riddled with aggression the father beat their mother to death in a memory that took James weeks of intense therapy to recall. Janet had always claimed to be on his side when in fact she was the one who was behind his arrest and being put into a mental facility. The entire family history of horror comes to a head in the final few chapters revealing the truth about James’ childhood and adulthood.

This book will make you think you’re going insane while reading it and make you question every move James and Janet take. Are you ready to jump on the roller coaster that is this psychological thriller?

Trigger Warnings:
Domestic abuse
Child abuse
Murder
Hallucinations
Mental abuse
Physical abuse

3.5 Stars

The novel begins with James, who has just been released from a mental facility where he had been committed after he had killed his girlfriend. He remembers none of it, but he's convinced that he did it, because everybody says he did.

He learns that while he was away, his father had passed away, and he has inherited his father's estate. He doesn't know how he feels about this, because he had a very difficult relationship with his father, who was an abuser. James also has a twin sister named Janet, but their father hasn't left anything for her in the will.

Once he comes to live in the new house, he interacts with only two people-his probation officer, Brianna, and his psychiatrist. That is, until his sister shows up on the scene, claiming that he's incapable of taking care of himself, and she would be handling everything henceforth, from ordering his groceries to managing his bank account.

He's not too pleased with this turn of events, but when strange things start happening around the house, he can't seem to figure out what's real and what's imagined, so he lets her stay and help him out. One moment he suspects his sister, the next moment he can't help but believe that she's in his corner and wants the best for him. He's still undergoing therapy and taking medication, so his grip on reality is hanging by a thread.

What I liked about the story that it was set in one place. They were inside the house almost all the time, and that gave it an atmosphere. Imagine not being able to trust your mind, an then being confined inside a house, and not knowing whether what you hear and see is imagined or real. The story was gripping, it had real potential, but the writing somehow fell short.

The character of James was, I think, a good representation of what mental illness can look like, which is to say, that it can look like different things in different people, and it's a very difficult thing to identify. So even though I was exasperated that he was letting his sister intrude too much in his life, I also understood why he was doing it, because if you can't even trust your own mind, then you need someone else who you believe has your back.

Even though you will most likely know who the culprit is early on, the gaslighting should have been done in a more insidious way, to up the creep factor and build the tension. Instead, you have a very abrasive character with blatantly ulterior motives and wispy excuses and lies, that not even a child would believe.

And then there is the matter of letting Janet walk all over him, and he just letting her. Why? What hold does she have over him? What does he have to lose, if he just tells her to F off? On multiple occasions, he offers to give her half his inheritance, but she refuses, saying that she doesn't want or need it. And yet, she's mad at the end that she didn't get any of it?? Huh?

The dialogue was very flat in some places, and the progression of scenes was disjointed in some areas (suddenly, a sex scene!). However, it was interesting enough to keep me reading, since the story had good bones, but the execution could have been better. Perhaps with a little more research, and a few more revisions of the draft to iron out the crinkles, this could have earned the author a few more stars.

James was convicted of a murder he doesn’t remember committing. He has finally been released from the mental institution after a decade if incarceration. His father had left him plenty of money, but he is still terrified of what he doesn’t remember. He is hopeful that between his probation officer. His friend, and his sister he can get back on the right track. He just wants to live a normal life. But when things start happening that can’t be explained James worries that he isn’t ready to be on his own yet. His sister comes to help him, but then he is convinced that she is seeing the same crazy things he is and the house is haunted. James must explore what is happening to him and figure out who to trust!

This story stayed close to the main character, James, which made it feel visceral and like you were inside his head.

The author did a good job of creating suspense as they took you on James’ journey of self-discovery. I wasn’t sure where it was going to go, but it was an interesting journey with a satisfying end. I was questioning what (and who) to believe as James begins to question what made him kill. He confronts his demons in an attempt to understand himself, and pinpoint where his life took such a dark turn.

I love Cole Baxter's books and this one, as well as being a class thriller, really highlighted mental health issues and the stigmas often attached to these issues so well.
It was one of those books where you think you know where it is headed and then a ferocious twist will send you spinning down another track.
Another triumph for this author.

This was an interesting read. It was really good but a bit predictable. There were so,e u expected twists and some strange parts but it held my interest until the end.

I received a free copy from Netgalley to review, here is the blurb:

"The things he fears the most are the ones inside his head.
Ten years ago, James Owens was convicted of a murder he couldn’t remember committing. Now, finally released from the mental institution where he’s served his time, he is placed under house arrest in the sprawling family home he has inherited from his father.
Living in isolation, visited only by his therapist, parole officer, and supportive but controlling twin Janet, he at least has something resembling peace. But he is still haunted by hallucinations, nightmares, and bizarre memories which may or may not be real.
Strange sounds in the house, and objects which disappear or are mysteriously damaged all add to his fear that he is sliding into uncontrolled insanity again.
But is he? Or is his fragile mental state being manipulated by someone with a sinister agenda of their own?
When tragedy strikes, James must go on a journey that will force him to confront the past – and the haunted depths of his own tortured soul."

This book was very easy to read, it was easy to just let it wash over you. I did kind of guess the outcome, however, I did love the character of his twin, and how she twisted situations and conversations. I think it is because she reminded me of someone I know...I would recommend it, if you want an easy read, it wasn't complicated but entertaining nevertheless..

WOW!!! The depths and accuracy that Cole Baxter goes through in this book to showcase mental health issues and stigmas are phenomenal and spot on. This book made you question your own mental health at times. I thought I had it figured out what was happening, but it would twist all over again. I absolutely loved this book, but I did want a little more at the very end between the killer, the accused and the helpers, but maybe that was his intention to leave it open for another book.

Oh my gosh! This book totally blew my mind up and messed with my head. I knew I was right all along but the author has written it so that you start to question yourself many times, thinking maybe I am wrong. I stayed up until 2am to finish reading this book in one sitting and I don't regret it at all. It is definitely well worth the read and being exhausted the next day. I knew how it would play out but then I thought maybe I am wrong. I felt for the main character James as I felt myself going crazy with him. This is by far my favourite book by Cole Baxter and I think it has driven me completely insane!

Cole Baxter's THE PATIENT is a twisty, chilling psychological suspense thriller about a man convicted of a murder he did not remember. Is he guilty or innocent?

Mind-bending, the author keeps you glued to the pages to the end with manipulation, gaslighting, and highly charged topics of mental health, trauma, and unreliable narrators.

James Owens is being released from a mental institution where he has served his time for the supposed murder of Terri, his girlfriend as a teen ten years earlier found near the river, and the autopsy confirmed she had been strangled. She was the love of his life. He cannot comprehend how he could have killed her.

He was deemed unstable, did not attend the trial, and was kept in a secure hospital rather than prison. How could someone have stumbled upon them at the river? There was a lack of witnesses. He found her. He remained in a catatonic stage for two days in the hospital and remembered nothing since.

James is now placed under house arrest (ankle monitor) in the large family home and estate he inherited from his cruel and abusive father.

He has a therapist, Dr. Anthony Jenkins, and a parole officer, Brianna Caldwell. He has to follow the rules; if he does not, he will be incarcerated again. They think his schizophrenia is under control. If he reoffends, he could be taken to prison.

However, since he is outside the hospital, he has been referred to a new therapist, Dr. Andrew Sellers. He still does not remember the crime they say he committed.

James also has an evil twin sister, Janet. But James has been left the house, not his sister. Why did the father leave him the house and not to Janet? James would happily give it to her if he had anywhere else to go. She says she has his back, but does she?

Nick was his best friend and is an author. They had spent years together in the hospital, and he had helped him get through more challenging times.

His father was cruel and mean. He still haunts him. James is a 30-year-old man. He was finally free of his father. Free of abuse. He was free of incarceration, but he did not feel free. He felt trapped by the holes in the memories, the things they said he did, but he could not remember. He still has panic attacks and does not like to take the meds that make him sleep all day and groggy.

Now Janet is coming home from New York to take care of him. That is the last thing he wants! What are her motives? Janet was the favorite.

From James' Journal entries after his release and his mother's journal, as well as his internal thoughts and the search from his childhood, old letters, etc., he must remember the past to face the present.

When Janet arrives, she wants to control his meds, finances, and everything in his life. As James struggles with mental health, sinister things happen around the house. Is someone trying to drive him insane? He does not trust her.

What was Janet (pretends to be Bible-loving) hiding, or is James paranoia making him doubt her motives? Janet is pushing James to go back to the hospital. She does not have his best interest at heart.

What happened to the mom? She was never reported missing or dead. The last James saw her, he was eleven. His mom would never have left him with the monster. Did the dad kill her?

But as he battles his demons, mysterious events unfold in his inherited family home. Is it madness or a sinister plot at play? Who is messing with his medicine? Can he trust his instincts?

Will Brianna be able to help him before it is too late? Did Brianna believe James was innocent and not a psychopath or cold-blooded killer? She said she was looking into his case and had become a good friend.

There were no witnesses and none of his DNA. Could he just have found her? It was easy for the DA to blame the mentally ill kid who cannot remember. He has tried regression therapy. His memories are locked away.

Now, his visitors at home, where he remains with the ankle monitor, are Janet, Nick, Brianna, and Dr. Sellers. Then Janet brought in her pastor, Anne, to eliminate the evil spirits. (This part was both fun and scary).

From past to present, the author takes us back to James' life as a child. Has he been blamed for something someone else has done? Was he a scapegoat, and why? Is someone making him believe the house is haunted?

If he didn't kill Terri, someone is still out there, mocking him and the system. He and Brianna might be the only ones to stop them. He has no evidence. He must remember. Someone is playing mind games with him. Are they trying to drive him mad?

Then the cops show up, and Brianna is missing. She was last at his house. Now he is on his own! She was his friend and probation officer. Will they blame her disappearance on him, too? His meds are missing again.

Then, the mysterious tunnels! James finds himself in danger once again!

THE PATIENT was my favorite book by the author. It is a twisty popcorn thriller for fans of authors—Daniel Hurst, KL Slater, and Freida McFadden. I loved James, Brianna, and Anne. Janet was one piece of nasty- EVIL! I felt so bad for James as he was vulnerable and unable to take up for himself.

I stayed until I finished it as I could not put it down!

If you enjoy twisty psychological thrillers with relatable good and evil characters, you will enjoy this one! In this twisty domestic suspense, the author explores mental health, childhood abuse, and trauma with compassion and sensitivity.

PS I would still like to learn why James inherited the house and the estate, not the twin sister, from the abusive father.

Thanks to Inkubator Books and NetGalley for a gifted advance reading review copy. #CoverLove

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Oct 8, 2023
My Rating: 4 Stars
Oct 2023 Must-Read Books

📱E-Book Review📱

The Patient
Cole Baxter

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Oh my gosh!
This is the fourth book by Cole that I've read now and I honestly can't get enough!
This was another read that hooked me in at the start and had me gripped throughout!

This story deals with mental health issues which is such a fascinating topic and super current right now.

James, previously convicted for a murder he can't remember committing, having served his time and now released (with a tag) from the mental institution.
He returns to his family home which now lies empty since his father's death.
Unable to escape those 4 walls, James has to come to terms with his "freedom" - when strange things start to happen, we question whether it's in his head of whether someone is manipulating him.

Cole manages to creat that perfect tense and creepy vibe right from the first page and this is what keeps me turning the pages as fast as I can. I just have to know what's going on.

As usual, I'm not convinced by the characters in this one. Not that they're not authentic, just that I'm not all that keen - and this only serves to complicate my feelings on who to trust, or not trust!

Even unlikable, the characters jump right off the page and you can't help becoming immersed in their lives.

I think I'd worked out who was the cause of the troubles, fairly early on, but I don't think this was the point of this book, it wasn't so much a who-dunit but more about how we get to the conclusion.
Throwing in the mental instability created intrigue and chaos to the perfect plot.


Another brilliantly atmospheric read with twists and turns throughout!
I can't wait to read more....

I really enjoyed my first Cole Baxter thriller!
I love medical thrillers, and this one was unputdownable!
James has just been discharged from the mental institution after conviction for murdering his girlfriend. A crime he doesn't remember committing.
This was a strong premise and the pacing is extremely fast throughout, and is definitely a 'read in one sitting' book.
The ending wasn't much of a surprise to me, but it was a really enjoyable read nonetheless.

This is an intriguing mystery, with a psychological twist!

James has been released from a rehab facility, and is on probation, after his girlfriend was found dead in his arms. He has no memory of the crime, but it deemed well enough to go home, with an ankle monitor and a weekly visit from his probation officer.
He returns to his family home, which is now legally his, following the death of his father. With medications in hand, he begins his life again. However, strange events start occurring in the house, and he believes he’s hallucinating. His only living relative, his sister Janet, comes to visit. Janet convinces James that the house is haunted, and perhaps he should return to the rehab facility.
Throughout the book, James is unsure about his past, and present. Is he crazy? Why can’t he remember his past? Who can help him?

This book was well written with an easy flow. The author just kept me guessing!

I thank NetGalley and Inkubator books for this ARC, in return for my honest review.
4 stars

My palms are sweaty
knees weak
arms are heavy
I opens my mouth
but the words won't come out..

This pretty much sums up how I feel after reading The Patient. I am quite frankly...speechless. The Patient, took my breath away time and time again. Every time I thought I had it all figured out, Baxter, through me for another loop.

Cole Baxter, is a literary genius and I am so here for it.

The twists in this book are wild!!!

Before I give something away, I will just leave you with this little teaser and advice...

BUY THE BOOK

Teaser:

ames thought he’d be safe in this old house. He was wrong.

Ten years ago, James Owens was convicted of a murder he couldn’t remember committing. Now, finally released from the mental institution where he’s served his time, he is placed under house arrest in the sprawling family home he has inherited from his father.

Living in isolation, visited only by his therapist, parole officer, and supportive but controlling twin Janet, he at least has something resembling peace. But he is still haunted by hallucinations, nightmares, and bizarre memories which may or may not be real.

Strange sounds in the house, and objects which disappear or are mysteriously damaged all add to his fear that he is sliding into uncontrolled insanity again.

But is he? Or is his fragile mental state being manipulated by someone with a sinister agenda of their own?

When tragedy strikes, James must go on a journey that will force him to confront the past – and the haunted depths of his own tortured soul.

The book was just ok. I did not like the writing style, it felt like it was blocky and it was hard to get into the story. It was all “I did this”, “I did that”. The first part of the book was discombobulated, every chapter would introduce a new scene but there was no flow to it, like one chapter did not really lead to the next. The end was mildly entertaining but also predictable. Overall I liked the story as a whole but the writing style of this book wasn’t for me.

I really enjoyed this book! The writing was a bit simple, but with the unreliable narrator it worked well! There were some twists in the story that kept me wondering if I had actually figured out what was going on like I thought I did. Over all, a great story that I would recommend to a friend! Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Really enjoyed this book , I mean I was sure I had it all worked out and then boom …. I was soooo wrong !

After spending ten years in a mental hospital after being convicted of the murder of his girlfriend ( which just does not add up ) James owen finds himself free to read apt into normal life . Naturally everyone would think that his sister is the one to help him readdapt ….. boy was I wrong !! She is a vile narcassistic character along with the rest of his family .

A very odd twist is the introduction of ghosts and at times I was super confused as to where it was actually going but as thrillers go it had it all .

Thank you to netgalley for the chance to read and review this book .

This book follows the life of James after leaving a secure psychiatric hospital after 10 years for a crime he doesn’t remember committing. He had an awful upbringing with an abusive dad, a mother who disappeared and a vindictive sister. Even though his dad treated him awfully he still inherited his dad’s small fortune including the house they were brought up in, there seems to be a lot of secrets hidden in this house including some paranormal activity- can James get to the bottom of this and piece together what has gone on in his life to get him here.

I was completely hooked from the beginning and wanted to keep reading to find out how the story would pan out. The story was a bit predictable but I still enjoyed reading it and even though I worked out the ending beforehand, I wasn’t left disappointed.

Compelling, thrilling and an absolutey wonderful read. I totally loved the book and I would definitelu recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery filled with suspense.

A book about a man who was sent away to a mental hospital after committing some crime, and then being released on probation.. as he starts to return to normal life, there are things that begin to concern him about his own health and the stories he had been told from various people in his life.. his twin sister arrives to assist, but why is it that when she is there he is beginning to feel worse. who can he trust what is real? It’s all very difficult to unravel with an unreliable narrator who doesn’t know his own mind.. the book is written in a way that seems a little amateur with the prose but the message gets across if you take it from the first person point of view a quick read gets a little silly at the end but is overall and okay read.