I really enjoyed this book. Alicia Berenson is in a secure psychiatric unit after shooting her husband and then refusing to speak. Theo is a psychotherapist who decides that he would like to try to get Alicia speaking again, so he secures a job at the unit. Part of the story is told via Alicia's diary entries in the weeks leading up to her husband's death. Theo is determined to find out more about Alicia's marriage and exactly what happened. I won't say anymore, as I don't want to spoil the story, but there is a whacking great twist that you definitely won't see coming! I really recommend it. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
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When Alicia’s husband is found tied up next to her shot 5 times at point blank she is sentenced for his murder. But she hasn’t spoken a word since that day, not even in her defence – so what really happened?

The Silent Patient was one of those stories that was just a joy to read. I put down my notes page and found myself completely hooked on the story – finishing it in almost one session! It’s well crafted, switching perspectives between psychologist Theo and snippets from Alicia’s diary which drip feed you just enough information to keep you guessing throughout. The plot itself is well paced, it never felt like it was dragging or being drawn out. There were some very well-rounded characters in the book as well – most of them not particularly nice but this helped to leave you guessing what happened to Alicia right up until the final moments.

No spoilers of course but the ending is brilliant – very well thought out and surprised me completely which was lovely. I’ve read quite a lot of thrillers this year already so I was worried I was beginning to find them a little predictable but this one left me in shock!

This is a rather short review but that is because it was just a joy to read – go pick it up and see for yourself! Thank you to NetGalley & Orion Publishing Group for a chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides was a really ingenious story. Alicia Benson was rendered mute after apparently murdering her husband. At trial the judge advised the jury to accept the plea of diminished responsibility whereupon she was admitted to a secure facility called The Grove. A new recruit to The Grove made it his mission to get Alicia to talk again. That's the background but the mystery surrounding Alicia Benson's life is gradually revealed. The pace picks up when her diary is read.
This was a novel which had great intrigue and more parallels than a railway line. The clues tease initially, then some sort of shape appears from the mists of thought until finally the reader fully comprehends that with perspective, parallels seemingly converge towards the horizon. Three stories, three couples, three tragedies and only one of them Greek.

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. I was really interested in the premise of this book, and found the first few chapters gripping; I was highly intrigued to find out where the story went next. However, I felt it lost its flow as it went on, and found the final few chapters and the revelations which came with them to be disappointing and nonsensical, and I felt that the issues of mental health and psychiatric wards were depicted with too much stigma. That said, in terms of presenting unsympathetic characters, Michaelides wrote well. I'm disappointed I couldn't give this a more positive review, although I'd be interested to see what else the author writes. I'm pleased other people have enjoyed this book more than I did.

Silent is one thing you won't be when you've finished reading the Silent Patient.
As a psychological thriller The Silent Patients doesn’t disappoint. Just when you think you have the story and the characters worked out Alex, the author, adds a twist in the mix.
This booked kept me gripped to the last page as we finally discover what happened on the day Gabriel was shot.
Book clubs will love this book, as there’s lots to discuss. I won’t be surprised if this book doesn’t become a favourite read of 2019.

The Silent Patient was refreshingly different. It wasn’t what I expected at all, but in a good way.
You think you know what will happen, but you’ll be wrong. So wrong. You might be right about some things, but not about what’s coming at the end.
Personally I really enjoy stories written from more than one perspective or POV, but this one had such an unexpected twist, it’s hard to give a proper review without giving too much away!!!
It’s about a famous (or rather,infamous) artist, Alicia Berenson, who killed her (also famous photographer) husband, Gabriel. And since then, she hasn’t spoken a word. She spent the last six years in a psychiatric hospital, heavily drugged, and of course..silent. Then comes a psychotherapist named Theo Farber, who seems to be slightly obsessed with her and is sure that he will be able to help her and make her talk.
For much of the story, we read Theo’s account of the events, and we also learn about his background, his childhood and his marriage to Kathy. Then comes Alicia’s diary entries mixed within these chapters of Theo’s accounts, from the days before the murder of her husband.
I liked the author’s writing style, it was simple yet entertaining and there wasn’t anything unnecessary in the story, which is also quite refreshing! Would have enjoyed learning more about Alicia’s childhood and what shaped her though, and also I felt like there were some family ties/ events not quite examined or explained, it didn’t bother me too much, as the story was still flowing without it, but it would have been a nice addition.

All in all, this was a fast, easy thriller/crime novel, nothing too disturbing in the describing details.

Thank you for NetGalley, the author and Orion Books for providing me with a free advanced copy to read!

This book is told from 2 separate points of view. The first being that of psychotherapist Theo Faber and the second being that of the diary/journal  entries of artist Alicia Berenson who is incarcerated in The Grove, which is a secure psychiatric facility, for the murder of her husband Gabriel.

Theo has left his current job and taken a position at The Grove in order to help Alicia, who has not spoken a word in the 6 years since her husbands death.

Alicia is resistant at first, even violent towards Theo but then she entrusts Theo with her journal. Theo investigates her claims that a stranger was watching her prior to her husbands murder and he visits her relatives and friends in order to find out about Alicia's past. Meanwhile Theo is having his own problems at home and finds out that his wife is having an affair.

I can't say too much more for fear of spoilers but I can say that there is a major, jaw dropping twist that blew my mind and I've recommended this book to all my family and friends. A 5 star read and an author to watch out for. I'll certainly be reading every book that Alex Michaelides writes in the future.

With thanks to Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for a free and advanced copy of this book for an honest and impartial review.

It took me a while to get into this book but I was intrigued throughout and that pushed me towards the end.

The twist was the real wow moment. I didn’t see it coming and thought it all unfolded in a great way.

A brilliant psychological thriller.

4.5 stars - will definitely be recommending to others.

Thanks to NetGalley, Alex Michaelides and Orion for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

At the start I thought this was a little slow but I kept with it and was so glad I did, it's one of the best book a ive read this year.
It pulls you in from the start and sets the scene perfect you care about them the characters.
The twists once they start to come just don't stop it's been a while that I haven't guessed what is going to happen in a book and I felt my pulse raising and heartbeat getting faster the more I read a fantastic book.

One of the best books I've read in the past 12 months!
Most definitely the perfect thriller.
Not many books can trip me up. I usually work out the twist but this one took me by complete surprise! I loved every page.
This book has been brilliantly written. The characters are like-able (to a point) and well thought out.

Alicia Berenson is a patient in The Grove, a secure mental facility, for the murder of her husband Gabriel. She hasn’t spoken a word since the killing. A new psycho-analyst arrived at The Grove and wants to help her. He thinks he has the key to unlocking her silence. And boy does he ever!!!
What an amazing novel. I cannot wait for the film version!

Alicia hasn't spoken a word since she was arrested for the murder of her husband. Theo is a psychotherapist who takes it upon himself to break her silence. Theo seems to see a kindered spirit in Alicia due to there similar childhood traumas.

I loved this book from the very first page, the writing is superb and the story flowed so easily. I can not recommend this book enough.

Alicia, Gabriel and Theo are the brilliant characters in this book. A thriller that kept me guessing . I won't give away the thriller plot just to say I read it in one sitting. Easy to read, won't give you nightmares, it's a brilliant book.
Loved it.

Great debut novel. I really enjoyed this book which is packed full of twists and turns with an ending that I need not see coming. Would recommend.

This fantastic debut novel really does live up to the hype. It is truly brilliant and easily the best book I’ve read this year.

Alicia Berenson has what seems to be the perfect life, she is an artist and her husband is a fashion photographer. One night Gabriel, Alicia’s husband returns home late and Alicia shoots him 5 times in the face. From that moment she doesn’t utter another word. Theo Faber a criminal psychologist goes to the secure facility where Alicia is kept and tries to work with her to get her to open up, to get to the truth behind what truly happened.

A truly spectacular, debut novel I could not put down.

This story starts with Alicia found stood over her husband Gabriel’s body. He has been shot in the face. Alicia is found guilty and sent to a psychiatric hospital despite never saying a word about what happened. Six years later Theo Faber a psychotherapist who is obsessed with Alicia’s case gets a job in the facility and is determined that he will be able to get her to speak.

I really enjoyed this story it is well written and very fast paced. I thought that the ending was very clever. I would highly recommend this book.

Alicia Berenson has killed her husband. Her fingerprints are the only ones on the gun and she is found with him. She has not said a word since this happened. Prior to this she was a very successful artist. Theo believes he can help her, so when a position becomes available at The Grove, the secure unit where she is kept, he applies and gets the position of forensic psychotherapist. She is heavily sedated and has still not said a single word. She made a painting after Gabriel died, one which ties into a play. Theo thinks this could be a clue into getting her to speak again. The Grove is under threat of closure and his boss has given Theo just six weeks to break her silence. Being an eminent painter, her celebrity could be the way of saving the unit. Theo turns detective to try and find out what has happened to Alicia. I took to Theo and his determination and tenacity for trying to do with right thing by his patient. It did remind me a little of Silent Witness (UK tv) where a person goes beyond the normal realm of their position to try and find out what has happened. Argh!!! I didn’t see that coming! I won’t spoil it but prepare for something to blow you away! A clever plot, an interesting premise. A very entertaining read.
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This is a cleverly plotted narrative which constantly challenges the reader's interpretation of truth.
Theo, therapist, applies for a position at a psychiatric hospital in order to treat an artist who refuses to speak after the murder of her husband.
Theo leads us on a merry chase through the therapy sessions, diary entries and recollections. We are never sure who to believe and even when we think we have the answers, we find we were wrong and have to untangle another set of clues.
I struggled to connect with Theo. He is a flawed character from the outset but what seems mental frailty takes on a far more sinister edge as the story unfolds.
I felt the presence of the author rather too obviously at times, moving the chess pieces. What promised to be an interesting read became like fabric stretched over the planning notes, transparent and thus obvious.

Totally original, stunning, beautifully written and mesmerising.

This captured my attention from the opening chapter and I have never read a thriller quite like this.

I could write a lot about the plot and the twists but I will simply say that this is a must read.

Highly recommended.

I absolutely loved it - best psychological thriller I have read in years! I’m not going to write a long review and give the story away, you will just have to read it yourself. I read this book today on a flight and I had 2% left to read when the cabin doors opened: my family had to literally tear my kindle out of my hands to get me to move. Very clever, well written and one that I will certainly be recommending to my fellow book club members and friends.

I really enjoyed this. Pacey with unexpected twists, and a satisfying conclusion. At times it felt like it was being laid out too explicitly (in the diary entries, for example) but the final pay-off made this worthwhile.