The Silent Patient
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides Book Summary
**THE INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER**
"An unforgettable—and Hollywood-bound—new thriller... A mix of Hitchcockian suspense, Agatha Christie plotting, and Greek tragedy."
—Entertainment Weekly
The Silent Patient is a shocking psychological thriller of a woman’s act of violence against her husband—and of the therapist obsessed with uncovering her motive.
Alicia Berenson’s life is seemingly perfect. A famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, she lives in a grand house with big windows overlooking a park in one of London’s most desirable areas. One evening her husband Gabriel returns home late from a fashion shoot, and Alicia shoots him five times in the face, and then never speaks another word.
Alicia’s refusal to talk, or give any kind of explanation, turns a domestic tragedy into something far grander, a mystery that captures the public imagination and casts Alicia into notoriety. The price of her art skyrockets, and she, the silent patient, is hidden away from the tabloids and spotlight at the Grove, a secure forensic unit in North London.
Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who has waited a long time for the opportunity to work with Alicia. His determination to get her to talk and unravel the mystery of why she shot her husband takes him down a twisting path into his own motivations—a search for the truth that threatens to consume him....
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides Book Reviews
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Slow moving at times and not plausible but what a compulsively entertaining read. An engrossing beach or vacation read
It’s great don’t get me wrong… but as a fan of psychological thrillers, I’m not sure if I like how the ending played out. The twist was cool but there were just a few too many questions left in the end. I give it a 3.5
If you were a fan of the film Shutter Island, this book is for you. I didn’t see the end coming!
The twist at the end was predictable, but still a decent payoff. The novel reads like a screen play turned into a novel - the characters lacked depth, the female characters in particular were laughably written, I’m not sure how this book became so popular. It’s fine. Wait until the inevitable movie streams for free, or you have nothing to do at the beach.
Great book !
This is an amazing book…one of those thrillers that truly make you think who done it? Takes you down every detail. Must read
Crazy story. Had me at the edge of my seat. Definitely a good read if you like suspense.
Ugh what a great read, as soon as you think you have things figured out, this book will take you through a complete loop! What a great plot twist!
I couldn’t put this book down. Great book, even greater twist!
Lots of build up with predictable plot twist. This was good until the final chapters.
Great, suspenseful novel. Hard to put down.
Please do not write a book from the perspective of a therapist if you have absolutely no education in psychology. This is an insult to actual therapists everywhere. The writing is lazy and predictable. It seems like he read many of the classic psychological thrillers and rewrote them to be worse.
i read this book in two days. it was hard to put down. the twist at the end was super unexpected. his 2nd book, The Maidens is equally as good and ties into this one slightly. they’re both amazing!!!
This book was so easy to binge. It kept you on your toes at the end of every chapter. Even if you can’t get in to the first few pages or even chapters, I encourage you to finish it all the way through. I finished this through a 3 day trip to Hawaii and it was a great choice.
I’m writing this review through partially closed eyes because I decided to fight sleep and finish the book. Now it’s the middle of the night and I have work in the morning, but because the book was so good, I’ll push a little bit more to write this review. I’m surprised by the amount of people who said it was a slow start. I was hooked from the beginning! I didn’t have the greatest childhood and I had to go through therapy for a while. As a result, I am hyper-aware of human reactions to trauma and I am sensitive to just about all forms of coping mechanisms. Michaelides captures the inner workings of each character so beautifully that I am able to see bits of myself in each of them. I thought to myself, “he’s done his research!”- Only to find out he was on a psychotherapy track before becoming an author. This experience definitely makes him superior to most writers. His illustration of the human mind, meshed with an unforeseeable plot twist, makes for a perfect read!!!
This book consumed me for two days. I truly couldn’t put it down. A plot twist I never expected.
Wasn’t a thriller fan before reading this. Do yourself a favor and get a nice big cup of tea and dig into such a great and crazy story.
Definitely worth the read! Such a good book.
The plot twist god
This was a amazing book. For most of the book I didn’t really like it but then slowly it became interesting and then it hit all at once and made so much since. Everything about this book was amazing and very well executed read the whole book trust me. It’s wroth it and don’t skip any pages.
Surprises surprises in this book! I Enjoyed it!
A bit slow at times but towards the end I couldn’t put it down
Very well put together. The blend of intrigue and shock make for a great read.
Love love this book. I found myself guessing who the killer was the entire time. Only to be stunned at the end. Fabulous writing! Great read.
I hardly ever rate books. If you’re on the fence, BUY IT! Not the ending I expected!
This book is really all about the psychological thrills. At first the book started off very slow but the last third of the book was so wild, I just couldn’t put it down. One of the best plot twists I’ve seen in a very long time. My one complaint though would be the ending is very loose. It wasn’t as satisfying as I’d like and left many loose ends. Overall though this book was great and a quick read!
The ending… I was shocked. The book seems slow at times but it’s worth the read.
Great book! Trust me, you want to read it!
This book is incredible. I already thought it was a great book, but oh man that ending!!! My jaw was on the floor and it made me want to immediately reread it so I could pick up all the clues throughout. Just a very well written rollercoaster of a book!
Must read
This book was like a snake, twisting & turning and changing my mind with every part. Loved it.
WOW! I thought I had a feeling where this book was going and I was completely wrong. It has been a while since I got into a book that I couldn’t put down. My bookworm friend recommended this one to me and it’s not a typical genre I would go for but I loved it.
It starts off good and it just keeps getting better. Wait for the end, major plot twist!
This book was very intriguing and has an amazing PLOT TWIST that you would not expect! Such a great psychological journey it takes you on!
4.3
Threw me for an absolute loop. The writing is brilliant. So many moments I found myself mouth wide open. Highly recommend.
A fun read with a hit over the head I didn’t see coming.
Would’ve never predicted that ending. My jaw was on the floor!!! DO NOT LISTEN TO ANY LOW RATINGS! THIS BOOK IS TOO GOOD TO IGNORE!!!!
I can’t believe some of the lower rating people gave this book. It could be considered slow in the beginning but that’s the point. It’s a test of your patience to build up that shock factor in the end. I became engulfed in the story from the moment I started reading. An absolute page turner and I’m even on the brink of reading it twice. Bc I’m sure no matter how studious I thought I was the first read through I’m sure I could start aligning things better going through a second time. 5 stars and 6 stars if that was an option!
Boring.
It kept you on your toes.
One of my favorite books, has the best plot twist.
WOW. Thats all i gotta Say. What an Amazing story
This is a book you need to read relatively quick and not take breaks because it will take away from the shock factor.
Wow this book had me thinking in a completely different direction!! And then slapped me across the face with such shock. Amazingly written, I was hooked from the beginning. I absolutely loved it!! A must read!
For me it took almost half the book for things to pick up, so a little slow in the beginning but about halfway it gets pretty good!
A little slow in the beginning but if you can make it through you don't regret it! Great plot twists till the very last page.
It was extremely slow moving and the climax was quite disappointing.
What a plot twist.. such a great read. Definitely recommend to friends who love a mystery, with some drama and a great twist at the end. Very well written.
This is the second time I read this book! At each step I thought how the ending would happen and twice was was surprised! A must read!
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I didn’t see this coming. I truly enjoyed this book and couldn’t put it down. What a twist the end was!
Where’s the whole book 🫥
Such a good book. Psychological thrillers are my favourite and this one did not let me done. My eyes were glued to the pages, always eager to find out what happens next. One of my favourites!
Loved the twist, easy to read but a bit of a slow start. I’d recommend it.
I couldn’t tell how it was going to end, nor could I predict who was more on the edge of madness. This book was hard to put down and I really enjoyed it.
I thought this was great! It was suspenseful and moved along at a good pace. I didn’t think it was predictable at all and I read a lot of books in this genre. Well done!
This is such a good book, I literally could not put it down. Can’t wait to read his next book!
Wow
Amazing book from start to finish. I really did not see the ending coming.
Fast paced read
I couldn’t stop reading this book. A real nail bitter.
i only read a sample of the book so i could make sure it was worth the money before buying it. i saw a book review on it on youtube and i listened to it and just fell in love with the tone she said the book set. so i went on here and read it. it’s an amazing book! 5/5 stars!! definitely worth the money if you are into thrillers and mystery. it’s extremely detailed snd i couldn’t put what i read of it down.
The ending though! Try it and see for yourself but it’s definitely worth the time💙
I read this and hid by accident
It was an okay book. I actually found it rather predictable and familiar. Not the shocking ending that everyone said it was. Good though, over all.
By far one of the best books I have ever read. If you know what is good for you, you’ll read this book. It is almost addicting being so entangled in a book but I just couldn’t stop reading.
was truly surprised at the end, good quick read
What a novel. Tight writing. Not a word wasted. Great story that carries you along a roller coaster to the final paragraph. Highly recommended.
A quick read, with a predictable ending.
Interesting read, predictable ending.
I absolutely LOVED this book! I was hooked from the first page...so much so that I read it in one day! If you like psychological thrillers (or just a good mystery and/or thriller) I highly highly recommend this book!!
Excellent!!!!! Finished book 3 days ago and I’m still pondering the outcome, never see it coming
I enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting. The twist was unexpected in the extreme and made it all the more interesting. I look forward to more from this author.
Brilliant!!
Really enjoyed this book - fast paced, a quick read.
Ludicrous plot, tedious and pretentious
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Great ending….just slow reading for a majority of the book.
I really enjoyed this book it keeps you guessing until the end. The story is laid out in such a way that it gives you bits and pieces at a time. Then gives you an ending you don’t see coming, love it.
Plot holes you could drive a truck through. Predictable ending.
It takes me a while to finish a book. Well this is the first one that took me four days to finish, which for me that is REALLY good. Couldn’t stop reading it.
I truly couldn’t put this book down. The twist really was so unexpected. There were a few plot holes that I would have loved to flush out, but overall it was an incredible read. Haven’t stopped thinking about it!
Interesting writing! It made me stop and think more than a few times. The only time I set it down was to think about the ending.
The TWIST. YOU. WILL NEVER. SEE COMING. I am so done. In the best way. What a great read.
This is AMAZING it has a giant plot twist at the end it is definitely worth the wait
This is the first book I stayed up until 5 am reading. It drags on a little in the beginning but picks up and has a INSANE twist. Worth the read!!
Perhaps I only saw it coming because I’d read similar books already such as “The Wife Between Us” but unfortunately I saw the very hyped up plot twist coming. Nonetheless, I wouldn’t say it “ruined” the story for me. I quite enjoyed getting into the minds of Alicia and Theo. I find Theo a particularly interesting character. And it was very enjoyable reading a story where almost all of the dialogue was completely one-sided. The fact that Alicia doesn’t talk and yet we can still get to know so much about her firsthand through her nonverbal language and Theo’s psychoanalysis of her is proof of the author’s talent and makes for a fascinating story. I also really loved how the author took inspiration from Greek mythology and incorporated it perfectly into the plot in a way that felt so natural. A good read that kept me moving through the story and didn’t at all feel like a waste of time even though I knew what was coming.
Honestly it was hard to follow. The hype made me read it and it was not that good. The only reason I kept reading was because I wanted to see what happened, but the ending was just a mess.
i read this book for six hours straight on my day off it was so good.
Perfect mystery thriller from start to finish!
This was one of the best suspenseful thrillers I have ever read. Just when you think you got it figured it out, it takes you completely by surprise. Great ending. I highly recommend for those who enjoy suspenseful thrillers
A page turner. I could not put it down.
I couldn’t stop reading it, the plot was perfectly made and the twists and suspense it had, I definitely recommend reading it
Superb novel with an unpredictable ending.
Captivating all the way through!
I enjoyed this book. It flows well and ended differently than I thought, which is always a nice surprise. I would read more from this author.
Fantastic book!!!! Read in 6 hours!
I love mysteries & this is one of the best I’ve read in awhile! Definitely recommend!
What a twist towards the end that I didn’t see coming at all. Not much to complain about with this book. It was a fast, easy read with a compelling storyline. I was a bit confused on the formatting, specifically why there needed to be parts, but I didn’t mind too much. Read this you won’t be disappointed!
This book switches between past, present, fake, and real so seamlessly you get trapped in the web just like the main characters do. I was on my toes until the very end, and was completely unsuspecting of the twist, but as soon as it was revealed it all made sense. The constant weaving of fiction-based metaphors and psychological comparison is both beautiful and devastatingly real. If you’re looking for a psychological thriller, this is the perfect book.
The twist at the end of this book was unexpected and exciting. Overall one of the best books I’ve read held my attention the entire time.
Take a read on this one! Amazing novel. My first book since getting back into reading again and loved it.
I don’t know…the narrative style felt almost juvenile and the payoff just didn’t hit for me.
Couldn’t put it down! Loved the slow-burn and the inevitable twist at the end. Definitely worth the read.
Definitely a book you take a long sigh after putting down. You won’t regret this one even after the emotional wreckage it takes you through.
What a great read! This book kept me on my toes and had such a fun twist that I didn’t see coming! Must read!
Took a turn at the end I wasn’t expecting
It took me a bit to get hooked, but it kept me interested and obsessed throughout! I was sad when it was over!
Brilliant.
I, too, read this book in two days! Could not lay it down. I am not great at figuring out “whodunit”, but this one kept me captivated until the very last page! Can’t wait to read his second book.
Very clever and well written, didn’t take me long to read which means it was good.
This is one of the best books I have ever read
Very compelling read with amazing twists and turns. The plot is a bit improbable and the characters too uniformly troubled for me, still insights abound.
A good read if you can look past the plot hole near the end.
Wasn’t expecting the twist !
This book kept my interest from the beginning! With a twist I never expected!! 10/10!!
👍🏻
Loved this book!!!
Did not see the ending coming at all… it was brilliant. Hadn’t read a book this good in a while. Finished it in 2 days, definitely worth the read if you’re into psychological thrillers and plot twists like I am.
Nice twist. Did not see that coming!
I could not put this book down. I would read it in bed and wake up 4 hours later and read it in the middle of the night, hiding from my husband like I’m have an affair.
Amazing, I’m not a reader and I could not put this down!
Saw the ending coming
Unpredictable ending. Captivating read. I really enjoyed this book.
I didn’t know what to expect as I jumped into this. But once things started coming together……man. This was def a great read.
I couldn’t put this book down. Definitely recommend.
Just when you think you have things pinned in this book, another twist or turn is presented in order to complicate and challenge our understanding of what’s truly going on. It will keep you on the edge of your seat in the best possible way. Masterfully executed and something you’ll want to read again and again!
Alex Michaelides - The Silent Patient Comments
Alex Michaelides (born 1977) is a bestselling British Cypriot author and screenwriter. His debut novel, the psychological thriller The Silent Patient, is a New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller, with over three million copies sold. Biography Michaelides was born in Cyprus to a Cypriot father and English mother. He studied English literature at Trinity College, Cambridge University.He studied psychotherapy for three years, and worked for two years at a secure unit for young adults. This work provided material and inspiration for his debut novel The Silent Patient. Work Michaelides' debut novel, The Silent Patient, was the No. 1 New York Times Bestseller of Hardcover Fiction in its first week and was the bestselling hardback debut in the US for 2019. It was a Sunday Times top 10 bestseller for seven weeks. On Amazon.com, it was the No. 2 most sold for 2019 in their list of Most Sold Books in fiction and named as their number one thriller of 2019. It also won the Goodreads Choice....
