Yooooooooo! This plot was so sinister & beautifully twisted together. In retrospect, it took me way too long to get around to reading this book. I blame the cover, despite rave reviews & a synopsis that intrigued, I judge covers. The cover put me off but I’m so glad I finally read it, let’s review.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
- Category – Psychological Mystery Thriller
- Length – 336 Pages
- Read Time – 1 Day
- GR Rating – 4 Stars
Although told to us from 2 pov’s we mostly get the story from criminal psychotherapist Theo Faber, with a few alternating chapters from Alicia Berenson’s pov. Alicia is definitely the main character, she is the silent patient. Regardless of the fact that most of the story is given to us by Theo it’s all about her!
Alicia was a famous painter living in a beautiful home in an affluent & desirable neighborhood in London. She was in a happy & loving marriage with Gabriel, a talented fashion photographer with a lucrative career. Then one night her life was irrevocably shattered. Gabriel was dead, she was covered in blood & holding a gun. The scene was gruesome & Alicia was refusing to speak. Even after 6 years of being at The Grove, the psychiatric facility where she was institutionalized by the courts. That is until Theo becomes her psychotherapist.
Theo Faber is obsessed with Alicia’s story. This obsession is what leads him to apply for the opening at the asylum, despite being in a secure job. He’s intrigued by her story professionally & personally. He believes himself to be the one that can make her speak again. He’s right of course, he just doesn’t know this yet. Neither does he know that she won’t be speaking for the reasons he believes she will. While Theo is in the psychology field he also has his own battles with mental health. Battles that are unraveled as the story progresses, he has some dark & twisted thoughts.
Theo is married to Kathy, a fun loving, passionate stage actress. They live a quiet life together in a nice home. He became interested in the field of psychology because of his troubled upbringing. Raised by an abusive father Theo struggled with suicidal depression, ultimately seeking help & being turned to psychology. As the story unfolds we learn that Theo & Alicia’s connection goes beyond their respective presence at The Grove.
The stories major twist is also the stories major plot point & so perfectly done. I loved the revelation, the way it changed the energy of every page I’d read prior. This book may get a 2nd read, not sure yet. For the time being it goes with my keepers. To be saved for the day I have my personal home library & can shelve all of my books neatly, rather than stacking them into boxes for storage.
Definitely recommend this book for the psychological thriller readers. As always, thank you for joining me for another review & happy reading!
Hasta la próxima – V
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