Publication: February 5, 2019
Publisher: Celadon Books
Source: Purchased My Own Copy
Synopsis:
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....
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....
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This was one of the best thrillers that I read in 2019. I wasn’t really sure about it in the beginning, but it slowly drew me in, and I found myself wanting needing to know more. The story switches between the present and the past and I was able to learn more about Alicia and her marriage. I was so curious about why Alicia shot her husband if she really did and why did she make the decision to remain silent for the years following the murder.
I also got to know Theo’s backstory and see what motivated his life choices. Theo was so intrigued by Alicia that he literally becomes obsessed with getting her to talk and trying to help her. He feels like he is the only one who can really help her.
The Silent Patient is a very well written story with interesting and complex characters. There were times when I wondered why certain events were brought to light and why I needed to know them, but it all made sense in the end. There were a couple of red herrings thrown into the mix and I thought for sure I knew what was going on and who did it, but the author threw me for a loop. I love it when not only does a story grab my attention, but it keeps my attention and has me second guessing everything that occurs. That is what happened with The Silent Patient. It’s a book that stayed with me long after I turned the last page. If you are a fan of good psychological thrillers, then I recommend you definitely give this book a read.
RATING: 4½ OUT OF 5.
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