Thank you to BookishFirst and Celadon Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Six years ago, Alicia shot her husband in the face--five times. She hasn’t spoken a word since. Many people have tried to get through to her and failed, but forensic psychotherapist Theo Faber thinks he holds the key to unlocking her voice, and finding out what really happened that night. This is a gripping thriller that keeps you guessing, unsure who to trust, clear until the twist at the end. Despite an opaque display of rather toxic masculinity, this book is an enjoyable mystery that packs a solid punch.
I rarely miss twists, but this one got me. The plot of this book is subtly misleading, clear up until the reveal. For that, the author deserves serious respect. The triple storylines are easy to follow and wound together brilliantly. Like a great thriller, it leaves you questioning what is real, and who is telling the truth, from beginning to end.
The characters, next to the plot, left something to be desired. However, if Michaelides was going for “all-around despicable,” he definitely succeeded. Alicia is a somewhat sympathetic character, despite this apparent charge brought against her. And there’s enough question in your mind as to her sanity to leave you hanging on every word in journals, hoping for her to give something away.
I did not like Theo at all. I found his voice to be imposing and arrogant, as in of course the male doctor can fix the broken, crazy woman. She needs a hero to rescue her and all that. [SPOILER AHEAD] Of course, as the end reveals, we aren’t actually supposed to side with Theo. So, I understand why he was despicable from the outset. However, his voice was such a turnoff in the beginning that had I not received a copy of this book to review, I probably would have put it down. [END SPOILER]
The writing style reflected some of the issues I had with Theo, mentioned above. He is a very arrogant narrator, and I didn’t care for that. However, other aspects of the writing were excellent. The tone was just creepy enough to make me wary about looking out my windows after dark. It was largely appropriate for this genre, and built into the thriller-aspects well.
The Silent Patient is an excellent mystery with a plot twist you can’t see coming. Arrogant masculinity overpowers some of the domestic plot, but the overall cast of characters is decent. I would recommend this as a domestic thriller/drama for those who enjoy mindgames, and the less-bloody mysteries. I also think it would make an excellent movie someday.
Six years ago, Alicia shot her husband in the face--five times. She hasn’t spoken a word since. Many people have tried to get through to her and failed, but forensic psychotherapist Theo Faber thinks he holds the key to unlocking her voice, and finding out what really happened that night. This is a gripping thriller that keeps you guessing, unsure who to trust, clear until the twist at the end. Despite an opaque display of rather toxic masculinity, this book is an enjoyable mystery that packs a solid punch.
I rarely miss twists, but this one got me. The plot of this book is subtly misleading, clear up until the reveal. For that, the author deserves serious respect. The triple storylines are easy to follow and wound together brilliantly. Like a great thriller, it leaves you questioning what is real, and who is telling the truth, from beginning to end.
The characters, next to the plot, left something to be desired. However, if Michaelides was going for “all-around despicable,” he definitely succeeded. Alicia is a somewhat sympathetic character, despite this apparent charge brought against her. And there’s enough question in your mind as to her sanity to leave you hanging on every word in journals, hoping for her to give something away.
I did not like Theo at all. I found his voice to be imposing and arrogant, as in of course the male doctor can fix the broken, crazy woman. She needs a hero to rescue her and all that. [SPOILER AHEAD] Of course, as the end reveals, we aren’t actually supposed to side with Theo. So, I understand why he was despicable from the outset. However, his voice was such a turnoff in the beginning that had I not received a copy of this book to review, I probably would have put it down. [END SPOILER]
The writing style reflected some of the issues I had with Theo, mentioned above. He is a very arrogant narrator, and I didn’t care for that. However, other aspects of the writing were excellent. The tone was just creepy enough to make me wary about looking out my windows after dark. It was largely appropriate for this genre, and built into the thriller-aspects well.
The Silent Patient is an excellent mystery with a plot twist you can’t see coming. Arrogant masculinity overpowers some of the domestic plot, but the overall cast of characters is decent. I would recommend this as a domestic thriller/drama for those who enjoy mindgames, and the less-bloody mysteries. I also think it would make an excellent movie someday.