A review by caitnichl
The Quiet Tenant: A novel by Clémence Michallon

mysterious tense

4.0

❗️Potential Spoilers ❗️
I was hooked from the first sentence! The writing in this book, in my opinion, is INCREDIBLE. I loved the switching POV, I loved the short(ish) chapters, I devoured the second person narrative (this is normally something i hate) I thoroughly enjoyed (almost) the entire experience of the book ! I thought this book was wonderfully written, engaging, I mean the suspense and tension was written throughout every page…
My only complaint is the ending! (Anyone with me?) I feel like it just fell short and by the end of this book I didn’t get everything that I needed/wanted out of it. The book was beautiful, gripping, intriguing..and I think it would have been 5 ⭐️ if the ending was…different?! If it gave me more!!??
Ending aside, I loved this book. The story focuses on Aidan Thomas, beloved community figure, lineman worker, “wonderful father”, he’s SO ordinary. Except, obviously, he’s NOT because he’s a serial killer (of course!) We’re told the story from multiple perspectives throughout the book (“Rachel” - his captive of 5 years, Emily - his new “love interest” / victim, his daughter Cecelia, and we do get some insight from his past murder victims) I think each character was well-developed, and incredibly interesting and purposeful. Michallon did not write a single character who fell flat! The plot progresses at an expert pace (until the end in my opinion) and unfolds to a harrowing climax! 
I definitely recommend this book! 👏🏻👏🏻