The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

This book is a mixed bag. It starts off well and keeps you engaged enough for the concluding twist. Although, expert readers of the thriller genre may see that twist coming from a mile away.

The plot revolves around two main characters - Alicia Berenson who, one evening as her husband Gabriel returns home, shoots him five times in the face, and then never speaks another word; AND Theo Faber, a criminal psychotherapist who pretty much demands his way to treat Alicia and make her speak.

The story reads from the POV of Theo and we see him as a character who struggles but wants to change things for the better. He wants to help Alicia, to understand why she shot her husband and the truth of what exactly happened that fateful day. He works hard to prove on his promise and we seem Alicia responding. She doesn't speak but her reactions, her expressions give enough hope to Theo and the facility holding her, to keep up their endeavour.

As a reader, you want to understand why things and people are the way they are. The pace is engaging, it makes you want to reach the end quickly to see if Alicia finally tells the truth which silenced her for so long. We meet many other characters, not many of whom are likeable. There a few plot holes which I can't mention without mild spoilers but you'll figure out when you read the book.

It was a decent read. Wasn't bad, wasn't exceptionally good.

I give it 2.5/5

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