When a book tops thriller charts, wins the Goodreads Mystery & Thriller award, and stirs up book club debates, it demands your attention.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides is one such hit—hailed as a psychological thriller masterpiece, it begins with five gunshots and a haunting silence. But the real question is: does it live up to the hype?
Let’s get into it. Here’s a no spoiler review by your own – Andrew Norman. (Click here to go to book suggestions)
The Premise
The story follows two main characters: Alicia Berenson, a renowned painter who shoots her husband and then goes completely silent, and Theo Faber, a psychotherapist determined to uncover her motives.
Alicia is held in a psychiatric facility, and Theo takes a job there just to reach her. But the real mystery isn’t just the murder—it’s her silence. What unfolds is a gripping blend of psychological drama, mythological undertones, and a slow unraveling of obsession and truth.
What Works
The Silent Patient grips readers early with Alicia’s chilling silence and keeps the tension high. The Greek tragedy Alcestis adds depth, and while some twists may feel familiar, the final reveal delivers a satisfying punch.
What Falls Short
However, the story leans too heavily on Theo’s perspective, sidelining Alicia’s complexity. Some characters feel flat or exaggerated, serving more as red herrings than real people.
For seasoned thriller readers, the twist might not shock, and the ending wraps up a bit too quickly to fully land its emotional weight.
Should you Read It?
The Silent Patient is an engaging, page-turning debut with strong commercial appeal. It’s not without flaws—some may find it surface-level or emotionally distant—but its gripping premise and clever use of myth give it a leg up on more generic thrillers.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Not quite the thriller of the decade, but definitely one that will keep you reading late into the night.
3 Books Like The Silent Patient
If twisty, mind-bending reads are your thing, these books like The Silent Patient will get you hooked.
1. I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh
At first glance, it’s about a mother mourning a fatal accident—but just wait.
Clare Mackintosh masterfully leads you down a winding road of misdirection before flipping the story completely on its head. The twist midway is as jaw-dropping as anything in The Silent Patient, but the emotional impact hits harder.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5)
2. The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James
If you liked the eerie atmosphere and investigative perspective in The Silent Patient, this one’s for you.
A true crime blogger interviews a woman long suspected of a double murder. Set against a haunting backdrop, this is a slow burn laced with gothic touches, psychological tension, and supernatural undertones.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.3/5)
3. Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
Jewell knows how to blend domestic suspense with emotional realism.
This story of a missing teen girl and a mother’s unraveling life pulls you in and messes with your sense of trust.
It has that same eerie tension and tragic undertone that made The Silent Patient compelling—except here, the characters feel more raw, more human.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.1/5)
More Books Suggestions
If you’re craving more dark, twist-filled psychological thrillers, these books are sure to satisfy. Let us know your favorite in the comments and keep the suspense going.
If you like’s this review and suggestion, we also have reviews on books like Divergent, Red Rising, ACOTOR, Fourth Wing, 1984 and more.