A review by lubo_lovestoread
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

The Silent Patient was… fine. It didn’t really hook me until I was about 60% in, which is a bit late for a thriller. Most of the characters felt flawed in ways that made them hard to connect with, and the psychotherapist? Honestly, he lacked any real charm. His obsession with helping Alicia didn’t fully make sense, even after the plot twist. It just felt off.

Alicia, though, was the most interesting part. Her diary entries were gripping and kept me curious. And that plot twist?
The reveal that the story had been jumping between past and present the entire time?
That was clever and totally caught me off guard. Easily one of the strongest parts of the book.

But the ending? It left me unsatisfied, especially Alicia’s fate. Some characters didn’t get any closure, and while I get that life isn’t always neat, it felt a little incomplete.

Overall, it’s a decent thriller, but I prefer stories with a bit more action and momentum. If you like slow-burn mysteries with smart twists, this might be for you.
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