Book Review of The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

The Silent Patient


The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Title: The Silent Patient
Author: Alex Michaelides
Pages: 335
Release Date: Feb. 5, 2019
Content Notes: Mystery, Psychological Thriller


“Somehow grasping at vanishing snowflakes is like grasping at happiness: an act of possession that instantly gives way to nothing.”



Brief Synopsis:

A beautiful and talented artist, named Alicia, has murdered her handsome and famous photographer husband, Gabriel. The crime is incredibly brutal and unthinkable, and it leaves the reader thinking, “What really happened here?” The problem is, Alicia has not spoken a word since the murder so answering that question is almost impossible. However, a psychotherapist named Theo Faber makes it his mission to find out what happened that terrible night. 

My thoughts:

I have to say that this is not the type of book I love to read. However, I got caught up in the hype and decided a mute patient would have quite a story to tell, and I wanted to know it. I read this book without knowing anything about it because HEY! That is the best way to read a mystery. 

I found the beginning a little scattered, but the story finally firmed up and by then I was totally into it. I wanted to know what made Alicia murder her husband, and what made her become silent. Also, I wondered how things really went down the night of the murder….and of course HOW and WHY? 

Thankfully, Theo Faver, a psychotherapist, wants some answers too. In fact, he is obsessed with Alicia and with finding her truth. The story is told from his point of view with a few diary entries from Alicia herself. 

I figured it out a little before the big reveal, but not much before. Therefore, the twists and turns were quite interesting. If you like mysteries, you will love this book because it is different from the usual ones. This one is more like an Alfred Hitchcock story than it is an Agatha Christie. I enjoyed reading it.

Comments