The Silent Patient
By Alex Michaelides
Celadon Books, 9781250301697, February 2019, 336pp.
The Short of It:
It’s very satisfying to pick up a buzzy book and have it meet your expectations.
The Rest of It:
*No Spoilers*
Alicia murdered her husband. Due to her unstable mental health at the time, she is admitted to The Grove, a mental health facility where she will live out her days. The thing about Alicia though, is that she is absolutely silent about what happened the night of her husband’s death. She has not uttered one word to anyone since she was discovered hovering over his body.
An artist by trade, Alicia is pegged as eccentric and difficult to work with. Her doctors have not had luck with her so when Dr. Theo Faber, a psychotherapist hears of her case, he can’t help but be intrigued. Could he possibly help Alicia and get her to talk? Does her previous body of work contain clues about that night?
The Silent Patient was a super-fun book to read. If you’ve paid any attention to the buzz, then you know it’s a book with a big twist. I have to tell you, knowing that a twist was coming did not ruin my enjoyment while reading. Quite the contrary. I was eager for it. However, I did figure it out moments before its revelation. Again, not disappointed by it. I picked it up and read it in a day and a half. Books like this one make reading so engaging because you simply have to talk to others once you turn that last page.
I am loving these types of books! Have you read it? If you comment do not include spoilers!
Source: Borrowed
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Book Chatter 
I think for me, figuring out the twist ruined the story for me and I really didn’t enjoy it! Glad you did though!
I don’t think I would have figured out the twist had I not been looking for it though. Everyone mentioned this big twist so my eyes were peeled. I guess because I expected it knowing what it was didn’t affect my enjoyment.
Oh, I love books with a big twist. This sounds good to me.
You like a mysterious element so you should enjoy this one.
Your thoughts on this book has sold me. I’m going to look for a copy!
Yes!! A real page turner. Played out like a movie almost.
You are on a roll! I loved this one as well.
I have not read it — I think I’ve been on the waiting list forever. But it sounds good especially on an airplane flight!
Yes. You could probably read this on a flight in one sitting.
Ok, I am adding this one to my TBR list, it sounds really good.
I still have this sitting on my stack to read. I’ve had one friend rave about it and another say it was meh. Maybe someday I’ll get to it.
The ravers most likely are the ones who didn’t figure the twist out but I knew it was coming so although I figured it out it wasn’t a deal breaker for me. Still enjoyed the pace of it.
And, again. You and I agree on only 50% of the books we read. I was not impressed by this. AT. ALL. (not quite true, I gave it 3 stars. but I agreed with all the bad reviews after I read them realizing what I didn’t like!) love you! -C
I do love books with a well done twist.