This tightrope walk keeps the reader engaged and turning pages rapidly. Simultaneously we begin to feel sorry for Faber when the reader is able to peer through the window into Faber’s somewhat difficult personal life and relationships. It was refreshing to read about an ‘asylum’ setting that wasn’t in the traditional gothic, horror house style but discussed more current and modern ‘scary’ issues.Īs the story progresses, Faber’s feelings towards patient Alice begin to border on obsessive with him delving into her personal life, talking to her family and friends, and seeking out her paintings, leading the reader to begin having doubts about whether to trust Faber’s perspective. He also provides commentary on the prevalent issues of overmedication and lack of funding and the effects of cuts on the patients.

It seems that the Michaelides has really done his research with regards to psychology and therapy and employs actual psychological theories and real-life therapeutic techniques making for a realistic depiction of a mental health inpatient setting. The story is told from the point of view of the character Theo Faber, the flawed and therefore realistic, psychotherapist assigned to Alice. I devoured page after page desperate to know each characters’ story, contribution ,and ultimately not just ‘who dunnit?’, but ‘why?’ With the reader let in on little initially, suspense and curiosity builds immediately. From the onset, there are mysteries that envelop your mind which will wonder if you can truly trust your senses. Historically this is the part where we, as the readers, say ‘but all is not as it seems…’ Except nothing at all is what it seems. But did she do it?Įnter Theo Faber the psychotherapist, Alice’s last hope, he digs to uncover the truth and help Alice to talk again. With no words to defend herself, Alice is convicted of the crime and sent to a forensic mental health unit. What really happened that night in this idyllic household? A famous artist and top fashion photographer appear to have it all… However a sudden horrific shooting of Gabriel, Alice’s boyfriend, leaves Alice taking a vow of silence lasting six years.

Combining elements of Greek mythology, psychological sciences, and crime, The Silent Patient weaves these elements together to create a web of clues the reader will enjoy untangling, playing the role of detective.

Michaelides appears to seamlessly segue his previous themes of crime and secrecy into his first novel, The Silent Patient, which is an intense and shocking psychological thriller. You may already have heard of writer Alex Michaelides due to his previous success in screenwriting for the films The Devil You Know (2013) and The Con Is On (2018).

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides