The Silent Patient is a physiological thriller by Alex Michaelides, published in 2019. Michaelides is a bestselling British Cypriot author and screenwriter. His debut novel, The Silent Patient, was praised for its unexpected ending and thrilling storytelling. It is a New York Times and Sunday Times best seller, with over six million copies sold. 

Set in North London, the story is centered around Alicia Berenson, a talented painter, who has been silent since murdering her husband Gabriel Berenson six years ago. Gabriel was found tied up in a chair and shot in the face five times. Alicia was found nearby holding a gun, unresponsive, and in an attempt to commit suicide. Her silence following the murder attracted a lot of media attention and a mysterious figure. 

Later Alicia is admitted into a psychiatric institution, The Grove, where she continues to stay silent. The story unfolds through the eyes of Theo Faber, a criminal psychotherapist deeply fascinated by Alicia’s case and wishes to help her. Theo is determined to get answers from Alicia regarding the murder. As the story progresses, Theo learns about the web of betrayal, secrets, and emotional turmoil about Alicia’s past. 

This book explores trauma, obsession, and the nature of truth through a gripping story filled with twists. It also deals with topics such as the impact of betrayal, the lengths people will go to protect their secrets, and the reliability of perception. This book does a great job of portraying real-life issues, such as mental illness, marriage, and substance abuse. Moreover, it contains quotes regarding how the human mind works and psychological facts. Learning about the human psyche makes the book more intriguing. 

The Silent Patient explores the human psyche with emotional depth and psychological intrigue. The unexpected shocking conclusion leaves readers reevaluating what they’ve read and redefining the entire narrative. This makes the reading experience more interesting, keeping them hooked. This book is a must-read for fans of psychological and suspenseful thrillers, looking to read a page-turner that challenges your assumptions and keeps you guessing until the end. Especially for people who love Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn or The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, then the Silent Patient is for you.