One of my favorite thrillers

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I’m a sucker for spoilers. Peeking at book endings, reading Wikipedia articles before the movie etc. In my defense, I like to argue that it’s not about the destination, it’s about the ride – but without a doubt, the ride is better when you don’t see the twists coming. But here I was, listening to the Silent Patient with an hour left on the audiobook late Sunday night. I knew I couldn’t stay up for the extra hour with a busy work week ahead of me, but man, things were getting good and I could tell the juicy twist was coming. I was itching for that ending.

That’s the kind of book The Silent Patient was. This is a medical thriller where we know the crime – Alicia Berenson shoots her husband five times in the face – but we don’t know why. Because after the murder, Alicia never speaks another word. Her motive is the mystery that psychotherapist Theo Faber tries to unravel. This was a cunningly written novel, with masterful plotting and a twist that punches you in the gut. I’ve read reviews where savvy readers predicted the ending, but alas, I was not one of them. And after reading a spate of rather predictable thrillers, I was literally thrilled to find one that had me on the edge of my seat.

Unfortunately, my impulse control was not on display that night, and I peeked at the ending. And boy, was it a shocking one, and I knew I had spoiled something good. Despite that, I still enjoyed finishing the audiobook the next day, as like I mentioned, the ride is still a lot of fun even when you know where you’re going. But I won’t spoil it for you - you’ll just have to read it to find out.