Whenever I see a Cole Baxter book I will always priortise it. I find them a great escape and get totally absorbed into the book.

This one was different to most - but no less good, just a different book by this author. I read this in one afternoon as I wanted to find out what happened. The first half dealt with mental health, the second more of a thriller both really good.

I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.

Painfully obvious. Wasn't a bad story but it left nothing to the imagination. And it was very drawn out.

This book was great! It has the unreliable narrator trope that keeps you guessing. It also has mental illness as a central theme and keeps you wondering what is real and what's not. I enjoyed the story and was able to finish this book in one day! The ending was also very interesting, but did slightly remind me of another movie I've seen but it didn't ruin the story for me. Overall I give it 4 stars.

Recently released on parole, schizophrenic James, returns to his childhood home. Will he remember what happened there? Will he be able to differentiate between reality and his hallucinations? Is he crazy or is everyone else? Can he trust anyone? Only time will tell…


This is a well-written quick read. However, I feel like most of it is filler, and I didn't care about the characters at all. I knew pretty much the whole time who the culprit was. The relationship between the parole officer and James is unrealistic IMO. Truth be told I was ready to put it down.

This book is my first by this author. I really liked the writing style. Every sentence had a purpose and not a bunch of word count filler. I was drawn into the story and read it in one day. Kept wanting to find out what was going to happen next. Really wished I hadn’t already guessed most of what went on very early in the book, but still enjoyed learning how it was going to end,

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐+⭐
The Patient by Cole Baxter is a terrifying psychological thriller full of heart-pounding emotions and questions. Took me 2 hours to process my feelings and thoughts after finishing this book.
Let's start with a trigger warning: severe mental health, and domestic and child abuse!

This was just something! I am holding my head in my hands and trying to get it out but it's so hard. I don't know where to start! There is so much in this book! There are so many layers in this book!
The first part of this book is slow-paced, and more mental health-related. There is a lot of description of how James feels, a lot of childhood trauma, and a lot of memories of physical abuse in his childhood.
The second part is more like a thriller that stretches your nerves to the edge. I think around 70% of the book I was on the stage where I felt that I couldn't take it anymore!
This book was a madhouse! I would like to say it was mental but not sure I can describe a book like that but it was emotional overload! There were several moments where I gasped out loud and let out a breath I didn't know I was holding :D
I know everyone is obsessed with the twists. I am confused about it. There definitely is some but I knew the main one. I just knew it would be like that! I don't know if I guessed right or if it wasn't meant to be a twist. BUT, for me this book wasn't about the twist, this book was about emotions, about struggles! There are parts where you start to question everything! There are parts where you hate characters and the way they are.
This wasn't a book that I could finish in one sitting or even in a couple of days as there is so much you can take and then you need a break. There were so many moments where I wanted to put it down for one more day but it had already taken me a week so I just needed to know.

In short summary: James spent 10 years in a mental institution for murder he doesn't remember doing. It is normal for James to have blackouts as he blocked out nearly all his childhood due to physical abuse in the family. His twin sister Janet is there to support and help and always has his back. Things start to go terribly wrong! James lives in a constant struggle to separate what is real and what is hallucination. Things go misplaced or missing, and strange sounds around but the only regular visitors are his probation officer and psychiatrist. James starts to question who he can trust.
To get the answers James must unlock his traumatic childhood memories but can he manage it? Can he look in the eyes of his dark past to unsolve the crazy things that are happening in the present? Can he be strong enough to trust his instinct instead of the things he sees and hears?

This definitely will be a book that I will buy for my collection as probably there will be a day when I will want to reread it again.

Thank you, NetGalley and Inkubator Books for an advance copy of this fantastic thriller.

Is he going crazy, is someone messing with his head? He’s not sure but must find out, after being released from prison, serving time for a crime he can’t remember. James is a well-designed. character and trying to figure out what has happened to him makes for an excellent story.

4⭐️


omg this was so good! i really needed a good thriller and this just checked every box.


THE PLOT:
james was released from a mental institution after being accused of murdering his girlfriend. once released, he stays at his fathers house, whom left his entire inheritance and had previously abused him his whole life. james is doing therapy and treatment for schizophrenia, and he doesn’t know what’s reality and what isn’t. his sister janet tries to control everything down to his medication to his bank account. james feels like he’s losing it after weird things start happening around the house and they presume it to be haunted. james struggles with his mental health and throughout the book, learns to cope. at the same time, his probation officer disappears and james is left to piece everything together.


MY THOUGHTS:
i absolutely LOVED the mental health representation in this books. as someone who struggles with mental health (also diagnosed with schizophrenia), i related to what james was going through in a daily basis. i loved that this book delves in darker topics, yet it’s what people go through on a daily basis. the end was very predictable, but i’m not holding it against the book. it was still overall incredibly enjoyable.


if you’re going to read this, PLEASE CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS‼️‼️ this whole book is about abuse and the effects it has on a family as a whole. i can see why this can be sensitive for some readers.


thank you netgalley, inkubator books, and cole baxter for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! <3

ARC Review - The Patient

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

TW - SA, DV, CA

WOW where do I start with this book…

The patient follows the story of James after being released from a psychiatric hospital 10 years after committing a crime he doesn’t remember. Living on the inherited estate from his father, James attempts to rebuild his life and memories. He does this whilst accompanied by hallucinations, nightmares and bizarre memories which he cannot tell the fact from the fiction.

The twists in this book were phenomenal with me sat literally jaw to the ground in the finishing chapters. I sadly did guess one or two from quite early but that didn’t ruin the experience of this book in the slightest.

I have never despised a character more than James’ twin sister (if i hadnt been enjoying the book so much I could have DNFd out of pure anger). However this is part of the story and does make it so much more gripping.

The patient also deals with the stigma of mental illness in an unbelievable way, illustrating how we must view those struggling as people experiencing a mental health issue rather than BEING the issue.

Any fans of psychological thrillers will love this gripping book, i found myself literally not able to put it down!!

Thankyou so much @netgalley @colebaxterauthor for the opportunity to review this piece🫶🏻
Pub date - 8th October 2023💜

In the compelling narrative of The Patient by Cole Baxter, readers are introduced to the intricately layered character of James Owens, whose poignant struggle with schizophrenia forms the heart of this riveting story. As the tale unfolds, James' life undergoes a profound transformation upon his release from the hospital, a pivotal moment that sets the stage for the captivating interplay between him and Brianna Caldwell, his dedicated probation officer. Their dynamic relationship is a testament to the author's skill in weaving complex human connections. Baxter expertly explores James' complicated past, fraught with abuse, and provides a deep and sensitive overview of his character. But as James faces the daunting challenge of coping with the present, the question arises; how will the scars of his past impact his future?

In The Patient, Cole Baxter invites readers on an emotional and thought-provoking journey through the eyes of James Owens. The power of this narrative lies not only in its exploration of mental health but also in its profound examination of the persistence and evolutionary capacity of the human spirit. As the story unfolds, readers are filled with anticipation and eager to discover the destination of James' transformative journey. The author also touches on themes of friendship in scenes where James recalls his best friend, Nick. Cole Baxter is a great storyteller who connects certain events to real-life experiences. The Patient crosses unique boundaries that seem familiar but are somewhat complicated to decipher. In my opinion, this psychological thriller is a masterpiece in every way.

Wow, this story is filled with so much deceit, manipulation and thrills all through the book. Loved every word intros book. No faults and such an enjoyable read.

I would definitely recommend this book, I read it quickly and it had plenty of twists and kept me reading!

I love discovering new authors, one of my favorite parts of being a book lover. I just happened upon this book and immediately knew I had to read it.

And man, I wasn't wrong. It took me on such a crazy rollercoaster ride that I didn't want to exit.

Once things really started to unfold I was white knuckling my kindle right up until the end.

Will definitely be checking out more books by this author.

"The Patient" by Cole Baxter is a riveting psychological thriller that takes readers on a rollercoaster ride through the complexities of memory, trauma, and the dark recesses of the human mind. This novel grips you from the very beginning and keeps you guessing until the final page, as it masterfully explores the blurred lines between reality and delusion.

The story centres on James Owens, a man who was convicted of a murder he couldn't remember committing a decade ago. Now released from a mental institution and placed under house arrest in his family's sprawling home, James is struggling to regain a sense of normalcy in his life. Isolated and haunted by hallucinations, nightmares, and fragmented memories, he grapples with the fear that he may be slipping back into insanity.

Baxter skilfully creates an atmosphere of unease and tension within the confines of the Owens family home. Strange occurrences and unexplained phenomena contribute to the growing sense of dread, making it difficult for both James and the reader to distinguish between reality and hallucination. The author's ability to convey James's internal turmoil and paranoia adds depth to the narrative, keeping readers on edge.

The character of James is well-drawn and sympathetic. His journey to uncover the truth behind his past and confront the demons that haunt him is both compelling and heart-breaking. The supporting characters, particularly his twin sister Janet, add layers to the story, and their complex relationships with James contribute to the novel's intrigue.

What sets "The Patient" apart is its exploration of the fragility of memory and the power of manipulation. As the plot unfolds, the reader is constantly challenged to question the validity of James's recollections and the motivations of those around him. The novel delves into the depths of psychological manipulation, leaving readers to ponder the true nature of reality.

As the story hurtles toward its climax, the pacing remains relentless, and the tension continues to mount. The twists and turns are expertly executed, with revelations that will leave readers revaluating everything they thought they knew about the characters and the events of the past.

"The Patient" is a gripping and thought-provoking thriller that delivers on both suspense and psychological depth. Cole Baxter's writing is sharp, and his storytelling is skilful, making for an absorbing and immersive reading experience. If you enjoy psychological thrillers that challenge your perceptions and keep you guessing until the very end, "The Patient" is a must-read. It's a haunting exploration of the human psyche and the enduring impact of trauma, and it will linger in your thoughts long after you've finished reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for this ARC. This was my first read by Cole Baxter and I went into it blind. I was drawn in from the first chapter, but I struggled through some parts.

One of the main issues I had was how mental health was addressed throughout, as well as the gaslighting from Janet, who I hated, but she was written that way.

All and all, I finished the book to write a review, but I wasn’t a fan of how it ended. A lot of things happened all at once in the second half and didn’t pan out. 3 ⭐️s

I did not enjoy this book. It was super obvious as to what was going to happen which isn't what someone wants from a thriller novel.

This book was written so well I dont know what to believe as I read. It had me doubt everything thats happening with our main character, James, who suffers from schizophrenia and can't identify which is reality (I couldn't trust my conclusions too!) Trigger warning on domestic violence, intense gaslighting, anxiety and panic attacks. Once I got to the end, I almost cried my heart out with the twist because it was painful to see him suffer through all that.
Just imagine being charged guilty for a murder you cant even remember.

The ability to make a reader believe that the narrator is going crazy without being too over the top I’m sure is difficult to do. In the Patient, we follow James as he is recently released from the court mandated hospital stay from a murder he supposedly committed. Due to his mental health issues he has come to accept the murder and just wants to get on with his life as a “normal” citizen. However as he attempts to adjust to living back in his childhood home at times with his twin sister, he quickly comes to question his sanity. I mostly guessed the ending of this book but it was a really fun read. I got creeped out and I was constantly wondering what was fact and fiction. The haze of forgetting meds, a haunted house, and forgotten memories all blend into one enjoyable read! Well done! I’m excited to read more by this author!

I will post my review on instagram in two weeks.

Absolutly incredible. Had you guessing the entire time, perfect amount of suspense with good twists through and through. The character plot was also good, would highly reccomend this book.

I have previously really enjoyed Cole Baxter's writing so was excited to give this a whirl - I was not disappointed. It was fast paced, easy to read and had a few twists and turns. I liked the main character and had a lot of empathy for him. The other characters at times were slightly too perfect but I think that made me enjoy the book more - people that genuinely wanted to help which made a nice change from other thrillers.

The emphasis on mental health and memory - I think this added a nice element.

I saw the twist coming a mile away but it didn't make it any less thrilling or interesting. Solid 4 stars from me - can't wait to read more from Cole Baxter!