Book Review: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides|An unspoken horror, a silent patient and an obsessed psychotherapist

Blurb (as on Goodreads):

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 has been winning hearts because of its constant chain of events, fewer characters and an ending that is truly unexpected. (Kudos if you predicted it beforehand. I certainly, didn’t)

Alicia Berenson, an artist is in ‘The Grove’ after being accused of brutally murdering her husband. But right after the incident which happened 6 years ago, Alicia stopped talking altogether. The only event of significance in her life after the murder was a self- portrait titled ‘Alcestis’.

Theo Faber. a criminal psychotherapist is obsessed with Alicia’s story and his only goal is to unravel her side of the story. And to do that, he has to turn into a detective, pocking into the lives of Alicia’s aquaintances.

What I loved most about this book is that it did not confuse me with too many unnecessary information. There were a limited number of characters and even when they were lying, the stories had minor variations. I found myself invested in the story, especially Alicia’s diary which was full of raw emotions. Theo’s personal life was somewhat boring, especially with repetitive thoughts and bad decision making. But it all came together at the end and I was left utterly shocked and laughing at my foolishness in not looking at the most obvious clues.

‘The Silent Patient’ will impress you with creative storytelling, chilling revelations, and a satisfying ending.

Purchase Links:                        |Amazon Kindle|Amazon Paperback|

*Thanks to Hachette for a copy of the book. All opinions are my own*