Review: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Title: The Silent Patient

Author: Alex Michaelides

Published by: Celadon Books

Released: February 2019

Source: Library

Synopsis: ALICIA

Alicia Berenson writes a diary as a release, an outlet – and to prove to her beloved husband that everything is fine. She can’t bear the thought of worrying Gabriel, or causing him pain.
Until, late one evening, Alicia shoots Gabriel five times and then never speaks another word.

THEO
Forensic psychotherapist Theo Faber is convinced he can successfully treat Alicia, where all others have failed. Obsessed with investigating her crime, his discoveries suggest Alicia’s silence goes far deeper than he first thought.

And if she speaks, would he want to hear the truth? (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: Very Good! This thriller got me. I did not see that twist coming. It pretty much smacked me in the face. I have a feeling my review is going to be very vague, because this is a book that you have to experience for yourself. It takes you on quite a ride, quite a read. It was clever.

When I first started this book, I was unprepared and kind of surprised in the way that it was told. It's all first person perspective from Psychotherapist Theo Faber's point of view. He's kind of obsessed with Alicia Berenson and her case. He's convinced that he will finally make her talk. Through Theo's perspective, Alicia is portrayed as a woman of mystery. We don't really know what makes her tick, what she's thinking. She's there, but it's almost like she's not. It gave me a little bit of Night Film vibe by Marisha Pessl, but not all the way.

We did get a little of Alicia's perspective from her journal entries. They were always a nice little break between Theo's chapters.

One thing I did wonder was why the police didn't investigate it more, the original crime, but I guess since they had their murderess right in front of them, there was no point. But you would think some journalist or someone really obsessed with the case would have tried to put the pieces together.

Theo did have a tendency to ramble at times. It would be about things that didn't really matter or long explanations into why he chose his career path. The story is also interspersed with Theo's personal life, which was interesting enough.

The Silent Patient was a really good thriller. It had a great twist. It was fun to read. I was interested throughout the whole thing. It was fast. I liked it.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4.3/5

Wowza