The Silent Patient in G.N.A. Publishing░N░e░w░ ░A░u░t░h░o░r░s░

Jan 28, 2020 Matthew rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020, audio, gr_awards_2019, suspense, mystery, library

3 to 3.5 stars

I have a few friends that are probably going to wonder why I am not rating this one higher. I did think it was a decent thriller and I can tell why many rate it high. But, it is also easy for me to tell why someone would rate it low. I am just going to hang out pretty close to the middle

The best part of this book was definitely the resolution. The build up to it was okay, but not all that suspenseful to me. There were a few big moments throughout the book, but it was mainly just ex ...more

367 likes · Like · see review

Jan 11, 2020 Pat rated it really liked it

So that's what all the fuss was about! At least I'm not out on a limb all on my own with this one. I did actually really enjoy it. The author did an excellent job hooking the reader in right at the beginning. No synopsis from me, there are plenty of reviews that cover that better than I could.

It was one of the most addictive books I've read for a while. Naturally, and having the sneaky suspicious mind that I do, I thought things would not be as clear cut as at first they seemed. There had to be ...more

59 likes · Like · see review

Sep 19, 2019 Kristine rated it really liked it

Shelves: grc-2020

I have been thinking about this review. I must be honest that I love mysteries and psychological thrillers, but my expectations of what I will read are lower then other books/genres I read. If I can find a great PT, I am going to love it. Problem is, that rarely happens. So, with all the early hype of this book, I still was not expecting that much. I did like this book, mostly b/c I did not anticipate the ending. That is the most important. Next, the plot was not that likely, but plausible.

The I have been thinking about this review. I must be honest that I love mysteries and psychological thrillers, but my expectations of what I will read are lower then other books/genres I read. If I can find a great PT, I am going to love it. Problem is, that rarely happens. So, with all the early hype of this book, I still was not expecting that much. I did like this book, mostly b/c I did not anticipate the ending. That is the most important. Next, the plot was not that likely, but plausible.

The main character Theo, who is a psychologist is the hardest to fully understand. The book dragged b/c it spent at least 30 pages with his back story. Then lots of psychobabble and concepts I have never heard of. Theo, has had an abusive childhood b/c his dad is quite cruel to him. He finally starts seeing a therapist while in college. According to Theo, he meets a wonderful therapist, Ruth who helps him greatly. However, this is what is said. Theo (think author’s belief) says that he talks about some very sad/upsetting incidents from his childhood, but can not really feel the impact. However, when he talks about this, Ruth is crying. Why, those are really Theo’s tears, and when Theo is ready she slowly feeds him back his emotions. Really? So, a therapist is supposed to be so enmeshed w/her patient that she has to actually take on his full emotions and then slowly let the patient know thru transmitting those feeling back that he/she can feel. Has anyone ever heard of this? I have not. So, it’s a bit of this nonsense, a bit of quasi psychology, some dated Freud, and whatever else seems of use. Ok, but can we please get to the part where Theo, the psychotherapist meets his patient.

The part when Theo finally meets Alicia, the murderer of her husband, it finally gets to the interesting story. Yes, Alicia will not speak, so have to learn thru her journal. Ok, can go with that. Theo becomes her Full-Time Psychologist and really Private Detective. Ok, at least it was somewhat reasonable. He meets with the people who most knew Alicia. We are not certain who has good motives and bad, and that keeps it interesting.

The book offers different theories about if this was a murder done by someone else or Alicia. Alicia did mention that she kept seeing a man outside her window and around where she was. Still, is that just paranoia, or could it be real. Here the book doesn’t get too off course, as many PT do.

Finding the truth and reasons why this murder happened are finally revealed. Chilling. Good ending. Worth reading just for that.

So, concept was great, but had many flaws. I liked this book, but lean toward 3.5*. Worth reading, not great, but good. ...more

8 likes · Like · see review

May 12, 2023 April • A.M. Flynn • rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

I still think about this book and I read it probably 4 months or more ago. I always recommend this one to friends who ask what they should read. It’s a great book that I’ll eventually read again! Love psychological thrillers!

7 likes · Like · see review

Jan 01, 2020 Kim rated it it was amazing

My podcast partner for Books Don’t Review Themselves, Jessica, has been raving about The Silent Patient for a few months now, and it was on my TBR pile, so I decided it was time to finally read it. I can see why Jessica kept talking about The Silent Patient. I kept turning the pages in anticipation of what was going to happen next, and that ending!

Besides the ending, which I did not see coming, the rest of the book is interesting too. Especially its view of mental health and the gaslighting of ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 05, 2020 Kristy Brown rated it really liked it

Admittedly it took a while to get into this. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about so I'm really glad I kept reading. Of all the twists I guessed, I was pleasantly shocked by the end. Great story telling. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Dec 06, 2022 Kerry added it

With The Silent Patient, Alex Michaelides writes a twisty psychological novel that leans heavily on the message of accountability. A psychologist seeks out a challenging case, one where an artist repeatedly stabbed her bound husband and said not a single word - not in her own defense, not as an explanation. Like Ariel after she made her deal with Ursella the Sea Witch, no talking at all. One of the things I really enjoy in Michaelides’ writing is his incorporation of Greek mythology. This novel ...more

Like · see review

Aug 07, 2023 Becky rated it liked it

This was a decent psychological read! Did Alicia kill her husband, why is Theo so invested in helping her and getting her to talk, or was it one of the other highly suspicious characters, all who seem to use or abuse Alicia in one way or another? Was it Max the adopted brother, Jean Felix her "friend"/gallery owner or her cousin Paul! All questions this author keeps you guessing until the very end! Imo this wasn't so much a thriller but more a psychological mystery. It didn't keep me on the edge ...more

Like · see review

Jun 23, 2019 Saralyn Richard rated it it was amazing

The Silent Patient lives up to the hype. It starts out slow, but, as you go along, the pace picks up, until the plot swirls you in its stranglehold at breakneck speed toward the ending. This is one of the books that both surprises and doesn't surprise you. You know in your soul all along that any of this is possible. My favorite parts were the allusions to a Greek tragedy and a Shakespearean tragedy. These elevated the clues into the realms of literature and culture. Congratulations to Mr. Micha ...more

Like · see review

Dec 11, 2020 Hanin Reads rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-books

What the hell?? the twist was totally unexpected I mean what??? this has all the mental illness hospitals vibes, the mysterious details, and the suspense.

Like · see review