The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

“I am not usually a fan of thrillers and I’m afraid this didn’t convert me. All plot and not much else. I didn’t find any of the characters sympathetic in any way, and it didn’t have me on the edge of my seat. Once we knew about Theo’s unfaithful wife, his history of therapy and his fascination with Alicia’s case it was clear that he was involved on something other than a professional level. It didn’t convince or engage me.”

“Found the description of mental illness poor and offensive.”

“No characterisation really – the characters are all one dimensional.”

 “It was okay as an audiobook, because there’s no opportunity cost when you listen, and so I think you have lower expectations and are more tolerant.”

“The diary entries were very unrealistic – no-one writes a diary like a novel. I could not finish it and that’s very rare for me.”

“Found it very difficult to keep going and I skim read it to get it finished.”

“A slow-burner, but intriguing.”

“I love a thriller so I stuck with and enjoyed the twists and turns but it didn’t meet my hopes for a page turner at all. I found myself rolling my eyes at some of the characters and it felt contrived in parts. Disappointingly it didn’t live up to the hype.”

Range: 0 – 6

Overall score: 3.7