I love him so totally, completely,sometimes it threatens to overwhelm me.Sometimes I think-No. I won't write about that.ALICIA Alicia Berenson writes a diary as a release, an outlet - and to prove to her beloved husband that everything is fine. She can't bear the thought of worrying Gabriel, or causing him pain.Until, late one evening, Alicia shoots Gabriel five times and then never speaks another word. THEO Forensic psychotherapist Theo Faber is convinced he can successfully treat Alicia, where all others have failed. Obsessed with investigating her crime, his discoveries suggest Alicia's silence goes far deeper than he first thought.And if she speaks, would he want to hear the truth?The Silent Patient is a heart-stopping debut thriller about a woman's brutal and random act of violence against her husband - and the man obsessed with discovering why.
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About the author
Alex Michaelides
Author
Alex Michaelides is a bestselling author and screenwriter whose literary career has been marked by a seamless blend of psychological insight, narrative suspense, and cinematic flair, earning him international acclaim as one of the most compelling contemporary voices in crime fiction. Born in 1977 in Cyprus to a Greek father and an English mother, Michaelides grew up immersed in a multicultural environment that shaped both his identity and his storytelling sensibilities; the island’s history and mythological backdrop would later permeate his work in subtle but resonant ways. After completing his early education in Cyprus, he moved to the United Kingdom, where he pursued English literature at Cambridge University, an experience that honed his appreciation for classical texts and the psychological dimensions of character. Eager to combine his literary foundation with a visual medium, he studied screenwriting at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles, where he learned the mechanics of pacing, structure, and dialogue that would become trademarks of his novels. Before finding his breakthrough as a novelist, Michaelides worked in film, contributing as a screenwriter to projects such as The Devil You Know (2013) and collaborating on scripts that, while modest in recognition, gave him invaluable experience in the dynamics of storytelling for a mass audience. His immersion in therapy and psychology, including a period working at a secure psychiatric unit for teenagers, profoundly influenced his creative path, exposing him to the complexities of mental health, trauma, and human behavior—insights that later informed the authenticity and depth of his fictional characters. In 2019, Michaelides published his debut novel, The Silent Patient, a psychological thriller centered on a woman who stops speaking after a violent crime and the psychotherapist determined to uncover her truth; the book became an instant sensation, topping The New York Times bestseller list, selling millions of copies worldwide, and earning translation into over fifty languages. Praised for its shocking twist, elegant prose, and masterful control of suspense, The Silent Patient established Michaelides as a new force in crime fiction and has been optioned for a film adaptation, further cementing his crossover appeal between literature and cinema. Building on this success, he released his second novel, The Maidens, in 2021, a dark academic thriller set against the backdrop of Cambridge University that wove together classical mythology, psychoanalysis, and murder mystery; the book achieved bestseller status in both the UK and the US, demonstrating his ability to sustain reader interest with layered plots and atmospheric settings. In 2024, Michaelides published The Fury, a high-stakes tale of betrayal and revenge on a private Greek island, which once again showcased his affinity for combining the mythic landscapes of his heritage with the psychological intensity of modern suspense narratives. Throughout his career, Michaelides has been celebrated not only for his ability to craft intricate, tightly plotted thrillers but also for his exploration of silence, trauma, obsession, and the fragility of identity—themes that resonate with audiences far beyond genre fiction. Today, he continues to write from London, where he balances his literary pursuits with ongoing work in film, admired by readers and critics alike for his capacity to merge the timeless allure of Greek tragedy with the immediacy of psychological thrillers, making him one of the most distinctive and influential authors of his generation.
The Silent Patient
by Alex Michaelides
Books Like The Silent Patient
If you're looking for books similar to The Silent Patient, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.
Gone Girl
Gillian Flynn
A psychological thriller about a marriage gone terribly wrong. Nick and Amy Dunne's relationship unravels in a complex narrative of manipulation and deceit. The book explores dark psychological themes and unexpected plot twists. Like 'The Silent Patient', it delves into the psychological motivations behind a shocking act of violence.
Big Little Lies
Liane Moriarty
A psychological drama about three women whose lives become intertwined through a mysterious death. The narrative explores complex psychological dynamics and hidden secrets. The book reveals unexpected psychological motivations and personal traumas. Like 'The Silent Patient', it delves into psychological complexity and unexpected revelations.
Sharp Objects
Gillian Flynn
A dark psychological thriller about a journalist investigating a murder in her hometown. The protagonist battles personal demons and complex family dynamics. The narrative explores psychological trauma and hidden family secrets. Similar to 'The Silent Patient', it delves deep into psychological motivations and unexpected psychological twists.
Behind Closed Doors
B.A. Paris
A psychological thriller about a seemingly perfect marriage hiding a terrifying reality. The book explores psychological manipulation and domestic abuse. The narrative reveals the dark psychological dynamics between a husband and wife. Like 'The Silent Patient', it examines psychological trauma and unexpected violence within a relationship.
The Secrets She Keeps
Michael Robotham
A psychological thriller about two women with hidden secrets and unexpected connections. The narrative explores psychological manipulation and personal traumas. The book reveals complex psychological dynamics and unexpected twists. Like 'The Silent Patient', it delves into psychological complexity and hidden truths.
Before I Go to Sleep
S.J. Watson
A psychological suspense novel about a woman with memory loss trying to reconstruct her past. Each day, she wakes up with no memory of her life, relying on her husband and a journal to understand herself. The narrative explores themes of identity, trust, and psychological manipulation. Similar to 'The Silent Patient', it features a protagonist with a mysterious psychological condition.
Dark Places
Gillian Flynn
A psychological mystery about a woman investigating her family's brutal murder. The protagonist uncovers dark family secrets and psychological trauma. The narrative explores complex psychological motivations and unexpected revelations. Like 'The Silent Patient', it delves into psychological complexity and hidden truths.
The Breakdown
B.A. Paris
A psychological thriller about a woman haunted by a murder and her own deteriorating mental state. The narrative explores psychological uncertainty and hidden truths. The book reveals unexpected psychological twists and personal challenges. Like 'The Silent Patient', it delves into psychological complexity and mental fragility.
The Girl on the Train
Paula Hawkins
A psychological thriller told from multiple perspectives, centered around a woman who becomes entangled in a missing person investigation. The protagonist struggles with alcoholism and unreliable memories. The book explores psychological complexity and hidden truths. Like 'The Silent Patient', it features a narrative driven by psychological intrigue and unexpected revelations.
The Couple Next Door
Shari Lapena
A psychological thriller about a child's kidnapping and the subsequent investigation. The narrative explores psychological tension and hidden secrets within a seemingly normal relationship. The book reveals unexpected twists and psychological manipulations. Similar to 'The Silent Patient', it examines psychological complexity and unexpected violence.
The Woman in the Window
A.J. Finn
A psychological thriller about an agoraphobic woman who believes she witnessed a crime. The protagonist struggles with psychological issues and unreliable perceptions. The narrative explores themes of isolation and psychological uncertainty. Similar to 'The Silent Patient', it features a protagonist with complex psychological challenges.
The Perfect Stranger
Megan Miranda
A psychological thriller about a journalist who becomes entangled in a mysterious disappearance. The narrative explores psychological uncertainty and hidden identities. The book reveals unexpected psychological twists and personal secrets. Similar to 'The Silent Patient', it examines psychological complexity and unexpected revelations.
The Widow
Fiona Barton
A psychological thriller about a woman whose husband is accused of a terrible crime. The narrative explores psychological manipulation and hidden truths. The book reveals complex psychological dynamics within a marriage. Similar to 'The Silent Patient', it examines psychological complexity and unexpected revelations.
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