The story concerns Theo, a psychotherapist with ambition, who takes a job in a psychiatric unit in order to closely observe one of its residents, Alicia, with the hopes of healing her. Alicia hasn't uttered a word in seven years, since the night she brutally murdered her husband, for what reason, no one knows. Why won't Alicia speak? And what really happened the night her husband was murdered?
This book had promise, but unfortunately, it didn't fully deliver.

This is genuinely meant with no amount of sarcasm, but this book takes the definition of a “psychological” thriller to a new level. I found the book's use of and reliance on the subject of psychology quite heavy, labouring on the importance of childhood, the unconscious mind, the importance of professional conduct, too much. After a couple of explanations to support the story, anytime psychological explanations were mentioned afterward, it felt like I was back in school, having to endure a lecture full of repetition. Moreover, I felt it prevented the story from flowing easily.

The book’s structure split between Theo’s perspective and Alicia’s perspective (through her diary). The pace of the book was sluggish, and this was only alleviated when something interesting happened with the plot, or the narrative changed to another character, thereby shaking up the structure, like turning onto a new road. It wasn't until I had read 40% I felt mildly engaged with the book. And it wasn't until I had reached 70%, that the book became a real page-turner.

The characters in The Silent Patient were interesting. Theo was likeable enough, and had his own personal issues that established why he was a psychotherapist and so on.
However, Theo's relationship with Kathy felt like a forced sub-plot to provide the book with more plot, and the character with more background. I didn't enjoy reading about Kathy, nor did I really care about their relationship. I empathised with Theo and his relationship problems, but felt the relationship was laboured on too much, especially when it didn’t appear to be relevant to the central story.

I really liked Alicia's story, and loved the amount of detail that was given to her profession as an artist. I felt it really complimented the storyline of The Silent Patient, and how artwork is a mystery that is typically interpreted differently by everyone. How can you guess what a silent woman is thinking? Versus, what was the artist's meaning in this painting? As well, I liked that the reader discovered Alicia’s history alongside Theo. The chapters that were of Alicia's diary allowed me to get a sense of the character, and I quite liked her. It made me wonder what could have happened to that poor woman, for her life to become such a tragedy.

I love a good mystery, and The Silent Patient definitely delivered a mystery I wanted to get to the bottom of. However, I predicted the big reveal, because I realised there was too much forced focus on sub-plots, for them not to be connected. I felt the payoff didn't merit the endurance of reading such a slow-paced book. Honestly, I was relieved to finish it. The premise of the story was clever and had potential, but was executed in a manner that was disappointing and non-engaging. I felt the end of the story was unsatisfying and rushed.
I've rated this 2 stars on goodreads purely for the idea of the story and the connection I felt toward Alicia. To me, a story with the angle that this book took, would have been better as a screenplay, and I genuinely think it would have been more successful that way too.
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for kindly providing me with this book, in exchange for this honest review.

This was a compelling read. This was very cleverly written and it was a very interesting read. Well researched and very well written. I loved the twist at the end - I never saw that coming. Alex has written a wonderful book.

I did struggle to get into this book at the start. Theo Faber is a psychotherapist and he’s heard about a patient at The Grove who murdered her husband but hasn’t said a word since. He manages to get a job there and she becomes his patient. The story is told by Theo as he interviews her family and friends to try and work out why she won’t speak. It’s worth persevering with this book as it certainly gets better as you get into it. There is also a surprise twist near the end.

This is one of the best books that I’ve ever read. Outstanding, unique and captivating. The storyline was flawless and that huge twist at the end - wow. I was trying to work it out throughout the whole book and I just couldn’t. Then as soon as that twist happened, all of my theories were demolished. I never could have predicted it. There were many strong characters - they were well written and well planned. I enjoyed reading about all of them, and didn’t find any of them boring or annoying. I couldn’t put this book down, which resulted in me reading it in just one day. The chapters were a good length and it was a real page-turner. It was a fast read because I was so engrossed. I was hooked throughout the whole book and didn’t lose interest. I will definitely be reading more from Alex Michaelides. I will be recommending this book to everyone!

I did enjoy this book as this is the genre I enjoy most.. good characters and plot. it is easy to read and keeps you engrossed..look forward to more from this author

My thanks to the Orion Publishing Group for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Silent Patient’, a psychological thriller set primarily in London. While many novels are dubbed as psychological thrillers, this one actually does involve mental health professionals, psychological themes and setting in a psychiatric centre.

I became aware as I started to read that there has been a great deal of anticipation about this title, which worried me a little. Would it live up to it? I did find it quite slow to begin with though appreciated the time that the author took in setting the scene and ensuring accuracy in terms of terminology and contemporary treatments.

So basically six years ago Alicia Berenson had been on trial for the murder of her husband though a plea of ‘diminished responsibility’ was accepted and she was placed in The Grove, a secure psychiatric unit in North London. The title refers to Alicia as she has not spoken a word since being discovered with her husband’s body.

Psychotherapist Theo Faber is fascinated by Alicia’s case and manages to get himself hired by The Grove. The chapters narrated by Theo follow his investigation into Alicia’s past and his attempts to treat her. Interspersed are entries from the journal that Alicia was keeping during the summer of the murder.

I won’t say more as thrillers are better appreciated without the danger of spoilers. My question above about whether it deserves the pre-publication buzz is a resounding Yes!

It’s an outstanding and assured debut. Alex Michaelides does a great job with the story and characters as well as capturing London well. He is going to be an author to watch. I also expect that this novel is going to be very popular with reading groups as there is plenty to discuss.

I wish I had paid more attention during the dairy entries and Theo parts away from Alicia early on. By the time the twist at the end happened I was confused. Until I took a moment to think back to those parts then it all made sense.
I need to reread this one day to full take in everything that happened.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

i found this one to be a very strange book...an artist who was sectioned for killing her husband and she has never talked about that night

several characters in the book had different versions of her so plenty of red herrings but half way through i started to get bored with it so when the ending came with a twist i wasnt overly surprised, i found that what started off as a brilliantly written book lost some oomph towards the end

though i could see it was well written and characterisations were spot on i just lost interest...aw well

Wow, what a gripping book that was to read. A very simple storyline but one that kept you wanting to read on to find out what happens! I highly recommend you read this book!!

I really enjoyed this book! It was entertaining and very readable.

An artist named Alicia Berenson murders her husband then remains silent afterwards all through the court case and at the psychiatric hospital where she is eventually committed.

A forensic psychologist, Theo Faber, is fascinated, obsessed even, by her case having read about the court trial in newspapers. He secures himself a job at The Grove, the facility Alicia is a resident if, with the goal of having access to her as his patient.

I knew there would be a twist but I really did not as it coming! This was a satisfying read and I would recommend this book.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for providing an advance copy in return for my honest personal opinion.

I have also published this review on Goodreads.

In "The Silent Patient", "Sold in 35 territories, film rights snapped up by an Oscar winning production company, and rave blurbs from David Baldacci, Lee Child, A.J. Finn, Joanne Harris and Black Crouch, THE SILENT PATIENT promises to be the debut thriller of 2019" . (publisher) the main character Alicia Berenson is accused of murdering her husband and confined. She spends her sentence in The Grove, a mental care facility for highly dangerous people. After the murder Alicia, a promising painter, stops speaking - not a single word leaves her mouth. Theo Faber is a psychotherapist, somehow obsessed with Alicia and her case. He's desperate to work with her, to bring her to speak again, to solve the mystery behind her husband's murder, and so he transfers to The Grove and starts Alicia's therapy. Will he bring her to speaking? Will the murder's mystery be solved?

The book introduces us to a bunch of characters but I haven't felt connection to them, to be honest. I also had a feeling that they're not well enough developed to get to know them. It is mostly told from Theo's point of view, occasionally alternating with Alicia's diary entries. Alicia has been a very promising and already successful artist and her husband Gabriel a photographer. Throughout the book we get some snippets into their life together but I wouldn't say there is enough information for us to understand why Alicia would/should have murdered him. However, she was convicted - in something that really didn't feel like a serious trial - because she was found at the scene, with a gun in her hand, covered in blood because she had slit her wrists. Theo behaves like a detective and a miracle - worker in one, looking into her past, interfering with her family and friends, trying to piece together her life, to understand what has happened.

I also think we aren't given a chance to have an opinion about Alicia - she doesn't speak, the short diary entries don't really tell us much about her and mostly all that we know about her comes from Theo and from those he discusses Alicia's life with, so it's basically only assumptions.

And so here we are again, with the book I've heard about for the first time probably a long time ago. The advertising campaign was absolutely brilliant, it's impossible to be a book blogger and not being able to know about "The Silent Patient", but also done in a way that made me feel there are better book bloggers and worse book bloggers, but it's probably an issue for a separate post. As might be expected, I was desperate - simply desperate - to read this novel, especially after hearing such brilliant things about it from the fellow bloggers. Well, so many people can't be wrong, right. I think it wouldn't be an understatement to say that "The Silent Patient" was one of my few most anticipated books for 2019. This all, put together, simply put the book under a great deal of pressure to be honest, and me as well, because I felt as if I must love it. Well, I liked it, but it left me feeling lukewarm. It didn't wow me. This whole book was actually depending on the final twist that happens at the very end of the story - the twist that you know is going to happen, everybody hints at it, every blurb and review, and so you're waiting and waiting, and then, well... It happens. Yes, the whole book was really well written, the author tried to pool wool over our eyes adding some new information that made me ask myself and casting negative suspicions at other characters, there was tension and suspense, so theoretically there was everything, preparing you for this huge grande finale. Probably, if I weren't reading so many brilliant psychological thrillers/mysteries, I'd appreciate "The Silent Patient" much more but I must be already spoiled, and I've simply had a feeling that well, I've been there, I've seen this, it was already done numerous times. Book, to blow me away, must have more than one twist at the end and it has to have a strong, incontestable plot.

But please, please, please do not feel put out by my thoughts! The author is really talented, he has a great way with words and his writing style is absolutely easy to follow, it's also gripping and it kept me glued to the pages, I simply wanted to read this book. He for sure knows how to tackle the heavier issues, such as mental heath and the care of it, people's personalities - all kinds of them - relationships, and he easily gets into his characters' heads. I'm already looking towards his next novel.

What an amazing story.Gripping from start to finish.At no stage would did I guess the outcome till the end,what a twist.
The quest to get Alicia to speak again and find out if she really killed her husband,Gabriel is extremely absorbing.

A must read for all you psychological thrill seekers!

The Silent Patient is a fairly interesting study of a psychotherapist in need of therapy and the ‘silent patient’ herself, a murderer committed to a mental health facility who hasn’t spoken since the killing. It’s a pacy thriller with pretensions to more than this, referencing a relatively obscure Greek tragedy which was interesting in itself. However, i wasnt convinced by the motivations of the central character and this meant i didnt fully engage; the eventual denouement left me cold. It’s probably a good beach read but didn’t fully work for me.

Alicia Berenson has been in an institution since she shot her husband in the face 5 times several years ago. She hasn't spoken since that night.  Theo Faber is a psychotherapist who believes he can be the one to help break her silence.   Borderline obsessed with Alicia and her crime, Theo will stop at nothing to get her to speak, but as he investigates he discovers more than he expected.

I'd already heard quite a lot of buzz about this book before I started, and seen lots of 5* reviews, so I had pretty high expectations.  I've thought about my review for a while, teetering between 3 and 4*.  Ultimately though I feel it is closer to a 3 than a 4.

The book grabbed my attention very quickly, and it was a good page turner of a read.  We learn the premise very early on, so from the start you want to know what happened and whether Theo will be successful in getting Alicia to speak, or what he will find out.
The book is mostly told from Theo's point of view, with a few excerpts from Alicia's diary thrown in.  This worked well for the story I felt, and gave us an insight into Alicia and her state of mind.  I did note that Theo comments a couple of times about how her diary is written in a confusing manner, with lots of arrows between different sections, and very muddled.  I wondered if it would have had a bigger effect if theses diary excerpts had been printed in such a way, as images rather than the typed, corrected entries.  I felt that Alicia' s character didn't come across as particularly confused, unhappy yes but not unstable as we were supposed to feel.
I think ultimately the main deciding factor in my rating is the twist.  Unfortunately I had foreseen what happened, so it didn't blow me away as it seems to have done other readers.  Maybe that is because I've read a lot of psychological thrillers in my time, or because I knew there was a twist to come.  Either way, I didn't get the 'omg what did I just read' moment.  I did like that the ending wraps things up properly though and doesn't leave unanswered questions.

All in all the book is an enjoyable read, it kept me interested all the way through and I read it pretty quickly so it definitely wasn't a chore.  I think Michaelides writes well and created some interesting characters.  I liked his idea, and would definitely read his next book.  I've given 3* mainly because as I said I had seen the big twist coming.  That said it is clear from other reviews that this isn't the case for many readers, so I would still recommend this for fans of psychological thrillers.  It's sure to be an early hit for 2019.

Thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for an arc in exchange for an honest review

“As you will see, it’s an incredible story - of that there is no doubt. Whether you believe it or not is up to you.”

Theo Faber is a psychotherapist who develops an intense interest in, if not an obsession with, the case of Alicia Berenson, a relatively famous artist who, having murdered her husband has refused to speak a word and has been confined to a secure psychiatric unit in London. Despite the clinic’s shaky financial viability, Faber sets his sights on, and succeeds in gaining, a position there purely for the opportunity to treat Alicia and, in the process, perhaps persuade her to speak and reveal the truth about why she shot and killed the husband whom she appeared to love.

Alex Michaelides has written a very competent, entertaining mystery. The short chapters propel the story along with the added technique in which the last line of one chapter feeds straight into the first of the next, often contradictorily. “‘She won’t like it one bit.’” … “‘I think it’s a great idea.’” The author uses this sparingly but enough that it makes you smile when it happens and anticipate the next one. The book begins with extracts from Alicia’s diary and these reappear at stages to break up Theo’s narrative and reveal elements of her past and of her state of mind leading up to the murder. And then there is a twist.

I’m not a huge fan of ‘the twist’. There is a vogue at the moment to elevate ‘the twist’, to make it the reason to read a novel. And often it is contrived and disappointing. However, when the moment arrives in ‘The Silent Patient’ it is so unexpected and so well done that it makes the reader question everything that has gone before. I stopped and re-read the chapter. And then I read it again. I took a moment before moving on to the conclusion of the story. It is excellent and turns a good, competent mystery into a five star thriller. The key to this is that Michaelides has laid the groundwork - the climax arises naturally from the plot, and it rings true. It is like the camera changes and you see what has gone before through a different lens. And, crucially, it makes you want to go back and read it again.

I enjoyed this a lot and it deserves to sell and to be talked about. I look forward to what comes next from Alex Michaelides.

Thank you Netgallery #silentpatient #alexmicaelides #orion for allowing me to review this book. I can't believe what I've just read! I had to go back and re-read the last 30 pages. The author did a fantastic job of putting you right in the middle of what was happening. I had goosebumps throughout. Twist upon twist. I could not put this down, I completed it within a day. Fantastic read. Highly recommend

Loved it, fascinating from start to finish, it had me hooked and I loved the mystery involved wondering what had actually occurred and why on earth Alicia wouldn't speak. I love a good twist and did not see this one coming. Well written so that the shocker really was shocking.

The Silent Patient feels like a book everyone loves, expect me. Yeah, for some reason this book just didn't do the trick for. For one thing, it didn't feel like a thriller, or rather for me it lacked any thrilling moments. The story felt flat, likewise the characters, especially Theo Faber. I'm sorry, but he mostly annoyed me, his obsession with Alicia Berenson and his marriage problem. And, from the beginning is it clear that he's not that mentally sound so I wasn't surprised when "things" happened towards the end.

I felt that the story was just idling along, it never picked up the pace and neither Alicia's diary entries nor Theo's POV really grabbed my interest. At least it was pleasant enough that I could finish the book. Now, of course, there must be some twist to the story and sure enough, when the book was nearly done did it show up. And, yes I have to admit that it was a clever move, alas a bit too late for me and frankly not especially imaginative. It felt a bit like it's been done before and I just felt a bit tired and not that impressed.

Well, my review is pretty negative, but it's hard to think of anything good to write when I mostly felt like it was not the right book for me. I like my thrillers to draw me in, for the characters to be fascinating to read about. This book, nah.

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.
Copied to Goodreads.

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.