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The Silent Patient is a shocking psychological thriller of a woman’s act of violence against her husband—and of the therapist obsessed with uncovering her motive.

Alicia Berenson’s life is seemingly perfect. A famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, she lives in a grand house with big windows overlooking a park in one of London’s most desirable areas. One evening her husband Gabriel returns home late from a fashion shoot, and Alicia shoots him five times in the face, and then never speaks another word.

Alicia’s refusal to talk, or give any kind of explanation, turns a domestic tragedy into something far grander, a mystery that captures the public imagination and casts Alicia into notoriety. The price of her art skyrockets, and she, the silent patient, is hidden away from the tabloids and spotlight at the Grove, a secure forensic unit in North London.

Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who has waited a long time for the opportunity to work with Alicia. His determination to get her to talk and unravel the mystery of why she shot her husband takes him down a twisting path into his own motivations—a search for the truth that threatens to consume him....

More praise for The Silent Patient:

“Absolutely brilliant… I read it in a state of intense, breathless excitement.” — Stephen Fry

“Smart, sophisticated storytelling freighted with real suspense - a very fine novel by any standard.” — Lee Child

“The Silent Patient sneaks up on you like a slash of intimidating shadow on a badly lit street. Michaelides has crafted a totally original, spellbinding psychological mystery so quirky, so unique that it should have its own genre.” — David Baldacci

Booklist Reviews

Psychotherapist Theo Faber is fascinated by the case of Alicia Berenson, a noted artist who shot and killed her photographer husband six years ago, but who hasn't spoken since then. Convinced he can help her, Theo applies for a position at The Grove, the mental health facility where she is a patient. Hawkins voices Theo's endless internalizing about his childhood, personal life, and obsession with Alicia, alternating between hesitant and forthright speech. Alicia's actions at The Grove are an early clue to her personality, but the real Alicia becomes evident in diary entries that reveal her pre-murder activities and feelings, read in Brealey's quiet, wistful, young girl's voice. Throughout, Hawkins' speech ranges from forceful to sympathetic, angry to solicitous, while Brealey speaks more evenly. The engrossing narration by two Brits enhances a weaving, twisted psychological debut. An end-of-audio interview with the author offers insight into the writing of the novel. Copyright 2019 Booklist Reviews.

Booklist Reviews

Psychotherapist Theo Faber is fascinated by the case of Alicia Berenson, a noted artist who shot and killed her photographer husband six years ago, but who hasn?t spoken since then. Convinced he can help her, Theo applies for a position at The Grove, the mental health facility where she is a patient. Hawkins voices Theo?s endless internalizing about his childhood, personal life, and obsession with Alicia, alternating between hesitant and forthright speech. Alicia?s actions at The Grove are an early clue to her personality, but the real Alicia becomes evident in diary entries that reveal her pre-murder activities and feelings, read in Brealey?s quiet, wistful, young girl?s voice. Throughout, Hawkins' speech ranges from forceful to sympathetic, angry to solicitous, while Brealey speaks more evenly. The engrossing narration by two Brits enhances a weaving, twisted psychological debut. An end-of-audio interview with the author offers insight into the writing of the novel. Copyright 2019 Booklist Reviews.

Library Journal Reviews

Michaelides's debut is a captivating study of the characters linked to Alicia Berenson, a famous painter who inexplicably shot the husband she loved and then chose never to utter a single word again—not even to defend herself as she was tried and then institutionalized in a secure psychiatric facility in London. Theo Faber, a psychotherapist determined to help Alicia, tells the story of how he tried to unlock her secrets and get her talking again. Sandwiched between his storytelling, Michaelides scatters entries from Alicia's diary of the days leading to that ill-fated night to help build suspense and intrigue. Some aspects of the story seemed predictable, but the emotional twists and amazing turns will carry readers through the most contrived plot points. The narration by Jack Hawkins and Louise Brealey is like a two-person theatrical performance. Hawkins artfully uses different voices to portray each character, capturing the emotion and complexity of each individual. Brealey's reading of the diary stirs empathy and a deep understanding of Alicia's tragic character. VERDICT The book is receiving much-deserved buzz, but the audio production and exceptional narration make the characters feel real. ["Dark, edgy, and compulsively readable": LJ 11/1/18 review of the Celadon hc.]—Gladys Alcedo, Wallingford, CT