The Silent Patient

By: Alex Michaelides

Narrated by: Jack Hawkins, Louise Brealey

Length: 8 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

"The perfect binge listen."—Yahoo Lifestyle

Instant #1 New York Times bestseller.

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....

More praise for The Silent Patient:

“Absolutely brilliant… I read it in a state of intense, breathless excitement.”—Stephen Fry

“Smart, sophisticated storytelling freighted with real suspense—a very fine novel by any standard.”—Lee Child

“The Silent Patient sneaks up on you like a slash of intimidating shadow on a badly lit street. Michaelides has crafted a totally original, spellbinding psychological mystery so quirky, so unique that it should have its own genre.”—David Baldacci

©2018 Astramare Limited (P)2018 Orion Publishing Group Limited

Yawn....

Got the book because the ratings were high and it was recommended by a co-worker. Yawn.... Story development was slow and although the ending had "THE TWIST" (the only one) - I wasn't surprised or shocked, more like "oh yes, of course". Writing is ok, No like-able characters, no depth and not meat. Reminded me of the movie : Don't say a word - with Michael Douglas. So, nothing new. Recommend: Sure, if you get it on sale, but I don't know what the hype is all about.

Good but dark

Spoiler alert:


Didn't expect this book to have such a dark ending. Depressing. I prefer the cliched happily ever after when consuming "empty calorie" fiction.

Too much pontificating, not enough suspense

I was excited to read this book, but quickly grew impatient with the character development(or lack of it). Had to push on to sort out the end, then felt kind of duped, instead of surprised.

Gave me PTSD and a huge book hangover

I read this book after receiving it from BookishFirst. It was so good I purchased the audiobook. I very rarely ever read or listen to a book over again but this is one I definitely will. I can’t tell enough people about it. I was so shocked then shocked again when listening. I had to stop both times and just think about it and replay stuff in my head. I was screaming NO! Throwing the book. After that was slowly absorbed, but not accepted, I carried on only to come to a place where it happens again and I’m thrown another curveball! By this time I am frantic and wanting to cry. It’s like a bad car wreck that is also so great you can’t turn away from. I can’t find out the facts fast enough. Then, at the end, we get some more facts. I fear I had PTSD after this. It left me with nightmares so bad I was screaming out loud and my dog waking me from. The author did his job for sure. I’m sure he’s somewhere reading this now smirking to himself. This is one author I will be reading everything he writes. Heck, his grocery list would be entertaining. Now I have a huge book hangover.

Thoroughly Enjoyable

This was a book you can easily get lost in. The narration by both parties was perfect.

There’s not much I can expound on from the summary - Or other reviews. I Just wanted to insert my two cents.

Beginning to end, great read.

Mind blown. I was waiting for the twist and I just knew whatever it was, it was something I couldn't have seen coming, because the story was written SO well.... Didn't disappoint! I couldnt stop listening because I absolutely had to know what happened in the end... Highly recommend!

Pretty good

Enjoyed it. Unfortunately figured out the twist about 30 percent of the way through so spent the rest of the book hoping I was wrong. All in all though, I'd recommend it.

My Favorite

I absolutely loved this book. Great story, Great narration and I actually said "holy shit" outloud when I didn't see the twist coming. My favorite book so far and I have yet to find one I like as much.

Pretty good

It’s worth a credit, but nothing amazing. Narration is good, but the story line is boring at times and I was able to predict the ending.

What!

Characters that are so real you become very attached to them make this a very readable and realistic story. Plot twists that leave you saying oh of course that's what happened lead to a totally unexpected ending. Best book I've read all year!