Need something suspenseful to read over Winter Break?

Alex Michaelides’ psychological thriller novel, The Silent Patient, deep dives into the struggles of silence, trauma, and the complexity of mental health and human psychology. This debut novel was the number one New York Times bestseller in 2019. 

The Silent Patient follows the story of Alicia Berenson, a talented and famous painter, who suddenly murders her husband after seven years of marriage. Since that horrific incident, Alicia refuses to utter a word.

Six years later, Theo Faber, a new psychotherapist in the area who has always had a particular interest in Alicia’s case, takes on the job of working directly with her. Convinced he can uncover the secrets of her past, Theo begins his journey, determined to break Alicia’s long-standing silence and to figure out the real question – why did she murder him? And why won’t she speak?

Michaelides utilizes his knowledge of mental health and psychology in his writing, creating a unique story. Alicia’s complex character and her mysterious silence leave readers, like myself, curious.

The setting of the story, a psychiatric hospital, gives the reader a feeling of unease and suspense. It adds yet another layer of mystery to the story. 

Alex Michaelides’ effective writing keeps readers hooked until the final, shocking plot twist. As the point-of-view switches, each chapter adds a sense of depth to the book, going from past diary entries to real-time events.

The author’s careful attention to detail creates an intense and thought-provoking atmosphere in the chapters. It builds a sense of suspense that keeps the reader engaged.

While some argue that they saw the plot twist coming and found it somewhat predictable, others did not and experienced an exciting surprise. The Silent Patient proves to be a great book for those wanting to get into thriller or mystery books.