The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

If you are reading this post, you need to add this book to your must read list. Better yet, next time you are in need of a new book to read, make sure this is one of the ones you pick up. It’s that good. A friend of mine recommended this book and I have to say I was a bit hesitant at first to read this. I am not one to go for a thriller plot book as I do not handle scary things well (for example haven’t seen past the fourth Harry Potter movie because I tried to watch it when I was 8 and said never again ability to handle scary things). But she is the queen of persuasion so I found myself grabbing a copy.

The trouble I have when describing a thriller is I don’t want to give anything too away as it builds the plot. The only thing I will say that you can’t find in the book summary is that everyone I know who has read this book, has sent a text saying whelp didn’t see that one coming. Are you intrigued yet? Do you want to run out and grab a copy for yourself? Good. The suspense is building.

Silent Patient follows the story of Alicia Berenson who lived a very typical life. Until the night she is found guilty of putting 5 bullets into her husband. It’s now 6 years later and she has never spoken an entire word since that night. Nobody can get her to speak or understand why she did that. What was her motive? The new psychotherapist at the psych ward has made it his mission to be the person that makes her speak. When Theo, the psychotherapist, starts digging into Alicia’s life he quickly realizes that her life might not have been as perfect as many people so thought.

This psychological thriller is a fantastic read that had me wanting to reread it and look for the clues that I might have missed the first time. Though I would not recommend reading it alone at night as it would probably give you the heebie jeebies, it is unquestionably one of my top must reads of 2021. I may not be ready to start reading any Stephen King novels (not that upset by this) but will definitely start adding more thrillers into the different book genres that I read.

Until Next Time, The Library Abroad

Picture Credit: Book Club Questions for The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides – Book Club Chat