The Patient is a well-written, intriguing novel where nothing is what it seems and relationships are interwoven in the most unexpected ways. The characters are well-developed and each one has an integral part to play in the novel. This is a story about what can happen when boundaries are crossed and deception becomes the norm. Highly recommended. Thanks to HarperCollins, the Author and NetGalley for the ARC.

The synopsis feels misleading. The murders felt like an afterthought. They weren't really an important part of the story. Basically pushed aside for the actually main part. Main issue is the main part was underwhelming and boring.
The way the book progressed in a direction I didn't see coming. But not in a good way. Instead I was left wondering why the book was convoluted for it to just be about what it ended up being about.
The characters annoyed me. The daughter was unlikeable. Her behaviour was just irritating. The husband was honestly pathetic and didn't deserve to basically ride off into the sunset.
The other characters just simply annoying.
The book was slowed paced. There were times I thought maybe it would lead somewhere but then things would be revealed and it just felt like the earlier things didn't mean much.
Why even bother doing the police interviews if the murders don't really matter?

This is a story with lots of twists but I found it quite slow with too much detail in places. Still worth a read though and I would recommend it

I enjoyed this book, quite pacy and involved with a few twists I didn't see coming.
It was quite unrealistic on a few occasions, and I don't believe that her husband ended up with who he did. But it was fun to read. Although the daughter was absolutely hideous and believe the whole book could have done without her.

Fans of psychological thrillers should make for Jane’s back catalogue immediately, and start with this beauty. Rachel Goodchild is a doctor and when Luc LeFevre is in need of help, neither could predict the depth of their developing relationship. After giving him her number in case he needs additional support, one moment of contact leads to an all consuming liaison. Rachel is intoxicated by Luc, choosing to put her fractured relationship with her daughter on hold. Rachel’s convinced she’s being followed which puts her on edge… and then there’s a fatality… The problem is, no one seems to believe that she is being watched and as the tension ramps up, while she is in a particular location (no spoilers), we learn more of the back story. It’s clear that everyone has a secret to keep. This is a fantastic read that’s difficult to adequately review without giving too much away, but rest assured, it will grip you.

wow what a book! i loved it from start to finish, and i didn't see that final twist coming! what a clever and really well written novel! can't praise it highly enough! i was really excited to read this book and i wasn't disappointed. thanks to the publishers for letting me read it.

It was okay. A bit rambly at times. Accurate representation of GP practice, though probs too detaily at times. Still, an intriguing read.

I really enjoyed the lyrical descriptions in this book. Although it's a thriller with a twist, the writing is unexpectedly beautiful. It made me want to hop on a plane to the south of France and lose myself in the drowsy beauty of summer evenings. The story itself about a series of murderous attacks in the historical streets of Salisbury twists and turns like a hall of mirrors. Highly recommended.

Doctor, and patient, brother and sister, husband and wife. Twisted family relationships. Murder in a small village, who is capable of such atrocities?
A taut, descriptive book with well formed characters..

I enjoyed this book and really liked how the killer was identified. Although slow in places its worth a read!

I'd heard a lot about this book from other book reviewers, so I had high hopes. It didn't disappoint one bit. This will definitely be one of those viral books that has everyone talking (and hopefully a TV/film adaptation). It's thrilling, and gripping and the way in which the characters are written is wonderful. The ending was fantastic, you won't see it coming

I hugely enjoyed reading Jane Shemilt’s previous novels and found that she superbly dissects the latent tension and hidden secrets at the heart of modern family life. The same is true for this novel, set in Salisbury, and featuring GP Rachel Goodchild. Financially secure and privileged, Rachel is nevertheless deeply unhappy, navigating life with a dismissive husband and an emotionally distant adult daughter. When Rachel starts an affair with an enigmatic but deeply troubled patient, Luc Lefevre, she sets in motion a terrifying chain of events that will include stalking and retaliation and ultimately blow her comfortable lifestyle apart.

It can be rare for authors of commercially successful novels to match readers’ high expectations in their subsequent works, but I would say Jane Shemilt more than achieves this with 'The Patient'. This is a highly recommended read, and I would like to thank Harper Collins (the publishers) and NetGalley for their free ARC that made this honest review possible.

Rachel is a GP in her late forties. Her marriage to Nathan has become stale and her daughter is becoming increasingly distant. At the end of surgery a new patient, Luc, turns up and is clearly distressed. Rachel spends time listening to Luc, helping him to calm down. Rachel becomes entranced by Luc and when the feelings are reciprocated this sets in motion actions that will effect everyone.

This is a slow burning story, part love story, part thriller. It is easy to empathise with Rachel, her marriage is in a rut, life revolves around work and she is slowly realising what she has missed by putting her patients ahead of her family. When the intoxicating Frenchman Luc appears Rachel finds it impossible to fight the attraction.

As the relationship between Rachel and Luc develops there is a sense of something lurking in the shadows. A number of times Rachel is convinced she's being followed. At times she's adamant there's someone watching from the bottom of the garden. Each time no-one is found. Rachel is convinced one of her patients has become fixated with her but when a colleague is found dead the story becomes even more sinister.

Ooh a novel about when the doctor/patient relationship goes too far. This was creepy from the off. Led by the doctor initially I did wonder if she was in her right mind. Well, no evidently not, but you know what I mean? Not the sharpest scalpel on the operating table. It all felt very Doctor Foster how it played out and it would make a good BBC drama. Crazy people alert! Ok so they all do daft things but it's car crash fiction watching it all play out.

This book was great. I loved the different plot strands and the way the characters interacted at the end. Although I saw some things coming, the majority was unexpected - especially the ending which I found truly shocking. Don't want to say anymore and spoiler it! I also really enjoyed the way art was weaved into the plot, to excellent effect which elevated this book in the genre.

Disturbing, thrilling and exciting. This book has it all. Brilliant characters and storyline and extremely well written. Definitely one to read!

You always know you are in for a cracking good read with a Jane Shemilt novel -and The Patient didn't disappoint .
Rachel is a GP . A little disillusioned with life -doesn't have a very good relationship with her daughter and her husband is increasingly distant towards her . Luc comes into her life initially as a patient -then as a neighbour .
Whilst she is on a conference in France they meet up and begin a passionate affair -and life seems worth living again . Until the murders start .

Enjoy !

Thankyou NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review

When I was offered a copy of The Patient, I wasn’t sure whether to accept, but I am so glad I did. Not having read any work by Jane Shemilt before, as it isn’t my usual genre of book, but I really enjoyed it. Set in Salisbury, France, and the States, we have mystery, suspense, murder, romance, glamour and emotional highs and lows. There were many twists and turns in the story, mostly unexpected, which kept me intrigued, wondering what would be revealed about the next character, whom I had completely misjudged. One of the few books which have kept me awake wanting to read just one more page. My thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an arc of this book.

This is the first book I have read by Jane Shemilt and I loved it! I liked the premise of a doctor who finds herself drawn to a mysterious patient and is gradually drawn into his world. The characters are well drawn and the writing is excellent and I found it hard to put down. With twists that took me by surprise and events moving to the South of France I loved everything about this book. It was gripping and I’m going to read her other books now I’ve discovered this author so thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this early read.

This was a mixed bag for me it was a mess of twist and turns with a dose of lust and murder thrown in the bag.

It was a slow burn to start with but then as the layers built up the paced picked up too I did however find it repetitive and predictable in places.