Well this was a quietly thrilling read. The first couple of chapters doused me straight in and left me hungry for more. But as the tale expanded I found myself asking what this is giving me that other books with the same topic haven't done before?

Clemence has done a great job and building the scene and showing us, from Rachel's point of view how things are unfolding. I did have a couple of gripes, And I understand this is Clemence's first book and in her second language, which is amazing.

I didn't understand why we had to look at the other victims, I'm not sure what they added to the story and using second person view for this was a little strange. I also found some of the descriptions distracting as there was a lot of explaining people in voice and body, what the body is made up of, hands, feet etc. It took me out of the story every time I came across it.

Thanks so much for the advanced copy!

This is the story of “the woman” and told in various stages of her incarceration as she tries to survive after being captured by a serial killer and it’s deeply disturbing. The story is also interspersed with accounts from 8 other female victims who were killed and also the killers 13 year daughter Cecilia who lives a very sheltered life. It’s a hard book to describe as for me it was a very claustrophobic and atmospheric read and I found myself becoming completely absorbed in the read as the woman fought to stay alive and not become another dead victim and I think that’s what’s made the read so good you can really feel the tension and menace creeping up.
So this is a book I would highly recommend the writing is superb it has an excellent and original style and kept me completely gripped from beginning to end and well what more could you want , many thanks to Clémence Michallon for the brilliant 5 star read.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK, Abacus for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Quiet Tenant is a new take on the kidnapping of a young woman who is kept hidden in her kidnapper's home in plain sight of his young daughter. Nobody suspects Aiden Thomas of being anything other than a good man, grieving for his recently deceased wife and caring for Cecilia alone. But he has a secret: a young woman he names as Rachel who he keeps imprisoned in a bedroom, handcuffed so that she cannot escape and is only released in order to eat with Aiden and Cecilia. He tells Cecilia Rachel is a person who needs his help and she believes him. Meanwhile Emily, a local cafe owner, has fallen for handsome Aiden and is drawn in to finding out more about his life, leading her into danger. The story is told through the voices of the three women but Rachel is told in the second person, which I found irritating and took me out of the story somewhat. Personally i would have preferred to read it is third person. Nevertheless The Quiet Tenant is s gripping psychological thriller, suitable for fans of Room. Many thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK/Abacus for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is the story of a woman held hostage by a serial killer and told in alternating chapters from various character’s points of view; including, the ‘woman in the shed’, Aidan Thomas (the kidnapper), Emily (The friend of Aidan who wants more) and Cecilia (Aidan’s daughter). The storyline has been done plenty of times but this book manages to make it original with the way it is told.

I am having a hard time rating this book as I am still thinking about it and definitely felt some creepy vibes, however, the writing style took a lot of getting used to as it is written in the second person and not a lot seemed to happen. I got to the end and expected a few twists or some information about why Aidan is the way he is but it seemed to end very suddenly. Overall this was a quite a good debut and I’ll be reading future books by this author. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for this early copy in return for an honest review.

Aidan Thomas is well liked in the small town where he lives. After his wife dies of cancer, Aidan becomes a single parent to his daughter Cecelia, to whom he is devoted, and towards whom he is deeply protective. Perhaps because Aidan understands more than most just how vulnerable a woman is in a world where predatory men abound.

The Quiet Tenant tells the story of this man, who also happens to be a serial killer, from the perspectives of three of the women in his life. It is these three viewpoints - each offering a very particular perception of who this man is - that make the storytelling in this book somewhat unique.

The first of this trio is "Rachel", the woman whom Aidan has kept prisoner for 5 years in his shed in the woods. During the time that he has kept her captive. he has also managed to murder a number of other women (whose voices are heard briefly and horrifyingly in the narrative, as they share what happened to them), who were less fortunate or perhaps less smart than Rachel, who has learned to act as if she is willingly submissive to her captor's desires, even she shares with us the rules which she has learned to live by in order to keep herself alive. Needless to say, that is a pretty grim set of rules.

Emily, a restaurant owner in the town where Aidan lives, is actually falling in love with him - entirely unaware that she is his next victim. Sickening as it is to listen to Emily tell her side of the story, she plays an important part in the slow burning drama that gradually unfolds in the novel.

And last, and very far from least, is Cecelia. A sweet soul, she grows fond of Rachel after the latter is moved into their house when Aidan and Cecelia must give up the house with the shed and move to a rental owned by the local judge.

Cecelia is told that Rachel is a person going through a difficult time, who needs a place to stay. She has no idea that her father is responsible for imprisoning Rachel in their home and subjecting her to nightly sexual assaults.

This was really dark read, and one that requires a fairly strong stomach. The story does offer something unusual, and Aidan's relationship with his daughter adds a dimension rarely portrayed in this kind of narrative. But it is Rachel's intelligence, and her resilience despite the horrific situation, that haunts the reader - even as the story makes its winding way to its conclusion.

I read this in a single afternoon as I couldn't put it down. Drawn in by 'Rachel', Emily and Cecilia views of all round 'nice guy' Aiden.
However Aiden is hiding a big secret, one that will shatter many lives if his perfect routine and perfect state of play that he controls gets found out.

I found this debut to be so enthralling and the use of 'You' in 'Rachel's' sections were deeply emotive and made me feel a deeper connection to Rachel then other characters.
Whilst it lacks major twists and turns. I feel that the writing style and multiple points of view made up for it because my heart was certainly racing by the end.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy in exchange for this honest review.

For five years Rachel, the name given to her by her kidnapper Aiden Thomas, has been kept prisoner in his shed, handcuffed and chained like a dog, fed only when he sees fit, raped most nights, and psychologically tortured. Why has he kept her alive whilst killing at least eight other women?

When Aiden’s terminally ill wife dies he and his thirteen-year old daughter have to leave the only home she has ever known. He takes “Rachel” with them and installs her as a “tenant” in a spare bedroom. She is under orders to stay silent until he gives her permission to speak. Aiden is a well respected, even well loved, man in the town where he can always be relied upon to help in an emergency. Handsome but shy, the local restaurant owner, Emily, becomes attracted to him.

Told from the perspectives of the three women – Rachel, Emily and Cecilia (Aiden’s daughter) – this really is a book I couldn’t put down. It’s rare for me to feel my heart thumping in fear when I read a book but this one did it for me. It’s one of the best books I’ve read so far this year, all the more remarkable when you consider this is not the author’s first language.

This really does live up to the hype. I hope this author continues to write because I will definitely look out for future books from her.

Rachel has been locked in a shed for years. Her captive is a devoted husband and father who everyone loves but what they don’t know is he’s a kidnapped and serial killer. For some reason he has kept Rachel alive all these years and when after the death of his wife he is forced to move house Rachel comes along as his new tenant. As she starts to learn more about his life and form some kind of friendship with his daughter things take an even darker turn as she finally learns the truth about his past and wonders if she will ever get our alive and is his daughter in danger. I have lost a nights sleep with this book as I couldn’t put it down. Thrilling and disturbing but a great read.

The story centres around serial killer Aidan an apparently normal, family man who keeps “Rachel” (the name he gives her), prisoner first within a shed and subsequently his family home for 5 years.

The story is told from the perspective of Rachel, the daughter, the new girlfriend and his victims who are only given numbers. Each views Aidan through a different lens which I found fascinating as you get completely different perspectives of the same person depending on who is narrating.

This book does seem to have divided people opinions. There’s definitely some prose in the book which has made me cringe but I can overlook that for the more interesting storyline. You are definitely invested in seeing whether Rachel makes it out alive. The last few books I have read I’ve not liked or felt anything for the characters which left me feeling disinvested and ambivalent about the whole story line. This however did make me want to champion Rachel and see her set free! Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy of this book.

Aidan Thomas is a doting dad. Recently widowed, the whole town are impressed with how he’s holding up and coping. A really nice man, who goes out of his way to help anyone. An asset to the local community. Pity he has a big, dark secret!

For a debut this book is outstanding. It is told from the POV of “Rachel” (sort of!), Emily, Cecilia, plus various other unnamed victims. That the murdered women are given numbers as opposed to names makes it all the more sinister.

From the first few pages it is gripping, with a real rough ride of emotion and fear. The writing is mesmerising, with the reader having no idea where the imprisonment of Rachel will lead, or how the killer will react.

Tense and thrilling, it’s definitely one to recommend.

Thank you NetGalley.

Amazing debut from Clemence. I picked this book because I sounded like Emma Donogue's Room. Just like that book this one had me gripped from the very start. I couldn't stop reading, I read it in just over a day.

Told from the perspective of the prisoner of a serial killer, locked in his shed for years. Plus from the viewpoints of his daughter and current love interest/possible future victim. It was a really compelling read. I will definitely be looking out for future books by this author.

I definitely recommended giving this book a go.

You will either love or hate this book. Although the premise sounds right up my street and I was excited to start reading, I found the reading style difficult to engage with and lose myself it. It was very robotic and this stood out more than the words on the page. The story also lacks any major surprises and was more of a descriptive narrative of everyday life. Unfortunately, I had to persevere to finish this book.

The most tense, nail-biting thriller I have ever read. I was on the edge of my seat from the opening sentence and I was compelled to read it every spare moment, willing the victim to escape from the clutches of evil at every available opportunity. A wonderful study in the power politics of misogyny and psychopathy from the female perspective and the strategies employed to keep one’s sense of self alive. Fabulous reading! Amazing novel!

Really thrilling and compulsive read, hard to put down . Fast moving and easy to read, brilliant! It was so disappointing to get to the end and I hope there will be more books from her! Have recommended it to so many who have also loved it!

This is the first book of this french writer and wow what a debut. I requested this half-heartedly to be honest and when I started reading it, I wasn’t initially sure it was for me, but something grabbed my interest and before many more pages had turned, I was 100% hooked! I have read this book in 24hrs!

The quiet tenant is a girl who has been taken by a man but for some reason he has not killed her but kept her locked up for years.

I’ve never read a book like this! Obviously, we’ve all heard of people who have been kept by predators and have eventually been found and released or escaped, but this explores the mind of the captive girl and the life of her captor. Totally fascinating. What I would have liked that I felt wasn’t there was more exploration of why this seemingly normal man did what he did. Maybe there is no explanation for psychopathy or sociopathy?

A really fantastic first novel and I look forward to reading more from this talented author.

My thanks go to the author, Clemence Michallon, to the publishers and to Netgalley for an advanced e.copy of this book, however, the views expressed in my review are 100% my own views.

Another book that I can’t praise highly enough is, Clemence Michallon- The Quiet Tenant and it is without question, one of the best debuts I have ever read. We follow the story of Rachel, who is kept against her will, in the home of a seemingly upstanding widower, Aidan Thomas and father of one, but who is in actuality a prolific serial killer. This plot synopsis does little to actually encompass the scope and power of this book, as we bear witness to the stories of Rachel, Aidan’s daughter, Cecilia and Emily, a local woman who becomes increasingly pulled under Aidan’s spell, with no comprehension of what lies behind the facade of this man who presents two very different faces to the world. The writing is hypnotic, emotive and utterly mesmerising, as Michallon explores the nature of free will, suppression, love and betrayal through this incredibly powerful group of characters. She chooses to not completely demonise Aidan in the reader’s eyes, but achieves a remarkable balance in our perception of this man, and the power he wields over these three different female characters. I love fiction that challenges my comprehension of the world, and this book does just that, as we see this dark and dangerous man move amongst the community without compunction or discovery, and the contrasting experiences of, and feelings for this man displayed by Rachel, Cecilia and Emily. It’s clever, thought-provoking, and a book that will challenge and immerse you completely. Highly recommended.

A great story getting you absorbed right in. You felt so many emotions, it felt like this was happening in front of you

Overall I enjoyed the book. It made me feel quite disturbed and claustrophobic as she was being kept as a hostage and I just wanted her to get away. It’s good as I’ve never had a book make me feel this way before. I was a little disappointed with the ending as I wanted to hear what May said to the police. Also I found it a little confusing at times as I wasn’t sure who’s point of view it was from, and I found some the wording a little strange, but overall it was good and I’m glad I read it.

Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read this for my honest review.

Aiden Thomas is a widower, a caring father and a really good guy. Polite and helpful he is very much appreciated by his neighbours in the small town where he lives. Of course they are not aware that he is a murderous rapist currently holding one woman as a long term prisoner in his garden workshop.
The story is told by the various women in his life.

I've taken a little while before reviewing this book because I had difficulty deciding on how to rate it. I found that some of the prose was difficult to like, possibly because the authors first language is French also there were a number of questions that I never felt were answered properly. Having said that the story had me hooked and is one that will stay in the memory for a very long time. Overall definitely worth reading.

With thanks to NetGalley and the Little Brown Book Group for the much appreciated ARC in return for an honest review.

I am saddened to say that I have now finished The Quiet Tenant and it took me just over 2 days from start to finish - which for me is pretty amazing. This is when I know I am in the realms of an amazing author and their creative world.

Upon reading the blurb for The Quiet Tenant and I was desperate to read it and when Netgalley allowed me an ARC I could not wait to start.

We meet "the woman" (Rachel - or that is who her capturer has told her to be). We meet her first in the shed in her kidnappers garden and she has been there for 5 years. Recently her kidnapper's wife has died and her parents want him and his daughter out of the their house so this raises the question of what is he going to do with Rachel. Well, readers he takes her to the new house and introduces her to his daughter as their new lodger Rachel.

obviously it is not as straight forward as that as there is another story line and other characters. We meet Aidan Thomas, the kidnapper, good looking and a local sort of hero, Emily the local restaurant owner who is transfixed by Aidan and start a romantic involvement and Aidan's daughter, Cecilia who we learn about.

Amazing characters, deploy written and heartfelt. Each section of the novel is told through Emily, Rachel or Cecilia and I absolutely adored this book. For me, this novel is perfect, a thriller, heartbreaking and fast paced. It also poses the question of serial killers/kidnappers do seemingly live a quiet life and there is nothing suspicious about them.

5 stars from me.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers and Clemence Michallon for allowing me a copy of this brilliant book in exchange for my honest review.