The Usual Suspects Book Club

Title: The Silent Patient

Author: Alex Michaelides

Genre(s): Thriller; Suspense; Mystery

Audience: Adult.

Quote: “One of the hardest things to admit is that we weren’t loved when we needed it most. It’s a terrible feeling, the pain of not being loved.” –Alex Michaelides, The Silent Patient

Blurb: When famous London painter Alicia Berenson murders her husband Gabriel, she never speaks a word and becomes notorious as the Silent Patient at the secure psychiatric unit where she is sent. The resident criminal psychotherapist, Theo Faber is determined to get Alicia to talk and to unravel the mystery of why she shot her husband. Through Alicia’s therapy sessions and his own investigations, Theo’s complex motivations and complicated past are revealed.

Thoughts: I I was fascinated by the psychology and psychotherapy explored in this book particularly in regard to the lifelong impact of childhood trauma and the professional boundaries of ethical patient-caregiver relationships. The psychological concepts and professional ethics provided me with much material to reflect on as I read.

I also enjoyed the connections to the ancient Greek tragedy Alcestis and how those connections became increasingly relevant as the novel progressed to its conclusion.

The story was told through multiple perspectives and in multiple timeframes. I found that Theo’s narration was more successful for me than Alicia’s diary entries. The final diary entry especially felt implausible to me.

In terms of plot, the drama was more psychological until the final third of the book when the major twist was revealed and the pace became faster. I was most interested in the novel’s themes of communication and silence.

Perfect for: Fans of psychological thrillers; Alex Michaelides fans; those eager for a modern spin on the ancient Greek tragedy Alcestis.

Interested in reading? Formats available with your Leonia Library Card: Book, Audiobook, eAudiobook, eBook, and Large Print.

Have you read The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides? If so, we’d love to chat with you about it at our January meeting of The Usual Suspects Book Club on January 26th at 6:30-7:30pm in the Ficke Room! New members are always welcome at our book club, and NO Registration required.