Review: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Just generally confused about how I feel about this book. I read it very quickly, basically in one sitting, and I was curious and interested in the resolution, but I just wasn't that into it in the end. I didn't hate it. I am trying to grasp at the proper word for my feelings, it isn't confusion or disinterest or annoyance, but it is something in this general sphere of emotion.

The Silent Patient follows psychotherapist Theo Farber as his obsession with a 6-year-old homicide leads him to chase a new job at the institution the murderer is in. The murderer in question is Alicia Berenson, who had shot her husband five times in the face then never spoke again. Theo is sure he can help Alicia, even with his actions' questionable ethics.

Some things I liked about the book first! I did like that most of the time when Theo behaved unethically it is specifically noted in the narration. Obviously, you should not apply for a job just so you can treat an infamous patient. I really found the exploration of Kathy pretty interesting (in fact, I might have really really loved a restructured version of this book with Kathy as the narrator, would have been 1000% a different story, but I was interested in her more and more as the story came to an end). Until the last 50ish pages, this would have been a very solid 4 star from me!

I don't want to spoil the ending, that would be quite rude, and I am clearly in the minority on my reaction to this book, but the final reveal didn't floor me. I didn't hate it or anything, I was just like 'alright, I guess' and kept reading sans the feeling I want to have from a thriller/mystery. I just kind of thought that Theo's motive to get Alicia to talk makes absolutely no sense to me with the way the book concludes. I liked how the journal plot ended, and I don't have any qualms with the actual last page; I was just very fine with the conclusions. And you don't want to feel fine when a mystery is solved. You want triumph or shock or WHAT? And I was fine.

Of course, this is not to say that this is how you will feel; this is very clearly not how most who read this book have felt, just how it hit me. I also don't know if it matters that I am new to the genre, but if it does, then I am. I liked the book fine; I might even read more from the author in the future.

I gave this book 3 stars on Goodreads and The StoryGraph. I would recommend this book to anyone who thinks the plot sounds interesting, I am very much in the minority on a meh opinion, so I hope you will love it! It is also kind of zeitgeist-y, so maybe you just want to read it because you are curious over what everyone is on about. If that is you totally go pick it up, it is certainly why I did! I will continue my exploration of this genre. Hopefully, time helps me get better at picking books I will love!