The Silent Patient is a psychological thriller that follows the case of a woman, Alicia,  who shot her husband 6 times in the head, then stop talking to anyone, including the police, the Courts, and medical staff.    The story is told by her psychotherapist, Theo Faber, who works in the clinic where she is sedated and imprisoned.    The story is told from a limited point of view, through the voice of Theo who is interested in helping Alicia.    As the story develops, we learn more about Alicia, but even more about Theo.   There are dark secrets, that once revealed, propel the story to a climax with a very big twist.   The author has contrived a “Gotcha” ending, one I did not see coming, but might have since there were a few clues and some  unlikely “coincidences” that are really connections.

The story’s narrative is simple, unadorned,  and easy to follow and there is some character development, and indeed there can be no separation of the unraveling of the two protagonist’s stories and secrets and the progression of the plot.    The story is cleverly delivered as a thriller, but it lacks depth as a literary work and relevance to our own lives,  and therefore the author does not leave us wanting more.   A recommended book to read on the beach.   4.0 out of 5.0 stars4.0

The book will soon be a movie.    Here is a book trailer:

An audiobook excerpt: