A review by kris_tea516
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

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

2.0

Well…I read this book. I don’t know what to say about it. I had so much hope for it due to so many recommendation lists & people talking about an “unexpected big twist” at the end. 😑 Maybe a lot of people don’t see it coming but my guess from the very beginning turned out to be correct. For me, it just seemed very predictable from the very beginning. I can see why a lot of people do like this book but I just felt very disappointed after it being hyped up so much. I guess my expectations were just too high. 

I also had gotten the impression from I don’t know where, that this story might have a paranormal explanation & with “the big twist” being so hyped up, I kept thinking something like a ghost or something was going to pop up but…nope. So, if you do read this book, just know, nothing paranormal happens. 

I’m also not thrilled with the ending. It could have been so much more interesting but just fell flat to me. 

There were also some, in my opinion, some lazy use of tropes & lots of holes/mistakes. They could have been made a lot better with the right editor or from spending a bit more time really tightening them up to not be so obvious. 

I had hopes for this book but it just fell flat & seemed too predictable. 

Content warning: 
  • language/sex talk (no explicit sex scenes that I remember but a lot of references to sex using derogatory language…imo)
  • At least one scene of graphic violence 
  • Suicide
  • Murder
  • Gun violence 
  • Car wreck
  • Child abuse
  • Childhood trauma & resulting PTSD 
  • Infidelity 
  • Drug use
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