The Silent Patient

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars | 354,340 ratings

Price: 12.99

Last update: 03-12-2025


About this item

**THE INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER**

"An unforgettable—and Hollywood-bound—new thriller... A mix of Hitchcockian suspense, Agatha Christie plotting, and Greek tragedy."
—Entertainment Weekly

The Silent Patient is a shocking psychological thriller of a woman’s act of violence against her husband—and of the therapist obsessed with uncovering her motive.

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....


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Top reviews from the United States

  • KatinaLashae
    5.0 out of 5 stars MASTERPIECE!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2025
    The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides is an absolute masterpiece of psychological suspense that kept me hooked from the very first page to the last. The story is an intricately woven thriller that revolves around Alicia Berenson, a famous painter who shoots her husband and then never speaks another word. Enter Theo Faber, a criminal psychotherapist determined to unravel the mystery behind Alicia’s silence.

    Michaelides crafts a gripping narrative filled with unexpected twists and turns, leading to a jaw-dropping conclusion that left me reeling. The writing is sharp and immersive, and the psychological depth of the characters adds a layer of complexity that is both fascinating and chilling. The tension builds masterfully, and the interplay between art, psychology, and human emotion is simply brilliant.

    The Silent Patient is not just a thriller; it’s a deep dive into the human psyche, exploring themes of trauma, trust, and the lengths we go to protect our secrets. This is a must-read for anyone who loves a well-crafted, intelligent mystery. Five stars all the way! ????????????????????
  • Lauren
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Silent Patient
    Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2024
    I loved this book!! So many twists and turns for me! I really enjoyed the outcome I thought I knew but really didn’t but then actually did. The fact that Theo was extremely good at “his job” and used it to out smart Alicia and use her own trauma to do his dirty work. During the reading of the man and also seeing Theo’s POV of showing up to their home it never clicked to me that he was “the man”, I don’t know why it never once clicked! I liked the writing style it was easy to follow easy to read and kept me interested right from the start!
  • Ja'Nae
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a twister
    Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2024
    The Silent Patient, Alex Michaelides’ bestselling psychological thriller, offers an intense journey into the depths of trauma, obsession, and betrayal. It tells the story of Alicia Berenson, a successful painter who is accused of murdering her husband, Gabriel, in cold blood. After the incident, Alicia becomes mute, refusing to speak a word about the murder. Her silence becomes a mystery that captivates the public and the media, earning her a reputation as “the silent patient.”

    Enter Theo Faber, a forensic psychologist drawn to Alicia’s case. Intrigued by her silence and determined to understand her motivations, Theo takes a job at the mental institution where she is held. His goal: to help Alicia find her voice again and unravel the mystery of what happened on that fateful night. However, as he delves into her life and psyche, Theo discovers that his own dark past and obsessive tendencies make him deeply vulnerable, and the line between therapist and patient begins to blur.

    Michaelides’ writing is atmospheric and gripping, layering suspense with carefully placed hints and misdirection. The novel’s pacing builds suspense beautifully, with short, sharp chapters that keep readers on edge. The narrative oscillates between Theo's perspective and Alicia’s diary entries, adding depth to the plot and a haunting quality to Alicia’s silence.

    One of the most notable strengths of The Silent Patient is its twist ending, which is both shocking and well-earned. Michaelides carefully constructs the story to ensure that readers are left reeling as the truth unfolds. This twist not only changes the perspective on previous events but also forces readers to question the reliability of the narrator—a hallmark of great psychological thrillers.

    Although some may find the characters slightly underdeveloped, particularly those on the periphery of the central mystery, Michaelides succeeds in making both Alicia and Theo complex and compelling. The themes of mental illness, trauma, and the search for truth are explored thoughtfully, though some aspects feel more surface-level compared to the novel’s twist-driven appeal.

    In summary, The Silent Patient is a thrilling read with a satisfying blend of suspense and psychological depth. Its success lies in Michaelides' ability to manipulate readers’ expectations, making it a highly recommended choice for anyone who enjoys thrillers with unexpected twists and complex psychological layers.
  • Casey L. Pettitt
    5.0 out of 5 stars Page-Turning Thriller
    Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2025
    If you're looking for a page-turner that's part psychological thriller and part detective story, look no further. Let's follow along with Doc-tective Theo Faber as he tries to uncover the truth from his silent patient, Alicia Berenson, convicted of killing her husband...

    I picked this book for my book club at work. I hadn't read it before and really didn't know much beyond "woman kills husband then stops speaking." Once I was clued into the existence of this book, I started noticing people all over the place recommending it. As the month wore on, I still hadn't even started reading it yet. Hey! I have a lot on my reading list! Relax! But my co-workers kept asking if I'd read it yet because they'd already finished and were eager to talk about it.

    This is one of those books that I have to be really careful to keep spoiler free. I don't think it's a spoiler (since it's in the prologue) to say that we get Alicia's point of view through diary entries and the remainder of the story is told from Theo's viewpoint. I thought this was a good way to give Alicia a voice. Of the plot I'll say no more. Just to tell you to go read it.

    The writing was very readable and the chapters were short. Perfect for making a story move quickly. The mystery of the whole thing, which is why Alicia killed her husband and why she isn't speaking, is kept hidden throughout much of the book. By the conclusion everything almost seems obvious, which would make for an interesting re-read at some point.

    I do have to shave a little off my rating since my wife is a psychologist and pointed out some of the glaring wrongdoings on the part of Theo in his investigation and treatment of Alicia. But I'm not a psychologist - just a guy looking for a great yarn! Which this is!

    In the end, I gave this 4.5 out of 5 stars. The writing and the story had me hooked until the very end and I am most definitely going to look into Michaelides's other books!

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