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I also was loving the Greek mythology references but I feel like they didn’t end up having any real significance?
TLDR: I’m just really salty about the ending. Maybe I’ll get over it (probably not)
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Murder
Minor: Addiction, Abandonment
I wish that Sebastian's thought process was narrated from his POV more of why he chose Mariana. Maybe that's a good opening for a prequel or novella for this book.
This was my first time reading a book from this author, and I'll definitely want to read more from him!
Graphic: Death, Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Stalking, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
Oh--I wanted to note the author's idiosyncratic use of the m-dash. It was used many places I'd expect a comma, and really broke up the flow of the reading for me at first. It got easier with time. Maybe it's a UK thing? (I grew up in the US and moved to Mexico in my 40s--I know Mexico uses punctuation much differently, so perhaps that's the case with this unusual m-dash usage.)
I'm working to re-establish a daily reading habit, and I was certainly invested in this story! I had a million theories I thought were sooo smart. Pleased to be incorrect about all of them.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, Blood, Grief
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Gore, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Cancer, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Car accident, Suicide attempt
Graphic: Death, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment
Graphic: Death, Gore, Mental illness, Blood, Grief, Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Death, Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Cursing, Drug use, Sexual content, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Violence
Minor: Addiction, Child death, Death of parent
I read The Silent Patient a few years ago and I have never been able to find a mystery/thriller that got me the way that book did. Other books came close, but nothing surprised me like that twist. I read The Fury by Michaelides back in March I think, searching for that same WTF moment, but it did not impress... in fact, it fell so flat and horrible and so I thought that Michaelides was just a one hit wonder and didn't rush to grab this one. I came across it at the library over the summer and figured I'd give it a shot... I put it off for a few months and finally picked it up for spooky szn since it's dark academia and all that, and I read it in just a little over 24 hours. It FLOORED ME.
I liked all the characters. I was suspicious of everyone, feeling tense and putting my head in my hands very often. I was convinced certain people were the killer, but nothing compared to the truth. I had some inklings that the murderer was indeed the murderer, or at least an accomplice in some way, but... even my thoughts did not come close to what was actually going on.
I saw some people online say that the book was pretentious, but I never felt that way. I loved the whole Cambridge scenery and the nods to Ancient Greece and Greek mythology. It was perfect for cozy autumn reading which is exactly what I was looking for (if you consider murder/thrillers to be cozy like I do!). Other people said it was boring and drawn out, and I could not disagree more. I thought the writing was so smooth and it flowed so well, it was such a page turner and it left me wanting more after every single chapter. There was never a moment where I was bored or felt like a scene could've been cut out, especially knowing what I know now. I especially loved the random journal entries thrown in, giving a look into the murderer's mind. I get goosebumps looking back at them now and knowing... fuck, this book was SO GOOD!
There are some dark and heavy topics covered in this book and I would suggest reading the TWs before going in.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Abandonment