Here's How I Kicked Off Spooky Season: a review of The Silent Patient

I have never read a lot of thrillers, though I grew up on plenty of cozy mysteries like Nancy Drew. This book was recommended to me by MANY people, and since it was just about spooky season, I went for it! And I was not disappointed.

First things first, I highly recommend this book. Secondly, this is a thriller so it is not for the faint of heart. Additionally, though, I am pretty squeamish, so in that respect you can confidently expect something safe. Unnerving psychological tension? Yes. Jump scares and gore? No.

Yet again I am tasked with reviewing a book that I dare not say too much about for fear of spoiling the journey that is reading the book in question. Also, I have never reviewed a thriller before. This doubles the difficulty of the task. A thriller is, at its core, a mystery, and it would be a crime to give away any of the twists and turns.

But though I cannot say much to the plot, allow me to tell you what I can to convince you that this book is truly as good as I say it is.

I characterize The Silent Patient as a psychological thriller, specifically in the realm of mental health. It follows the story of a psychotherapist as he attempts to get one of his patients to talk to him about her traumatic experiences. That is the story in a nutshell, but it is so much more than that. It delves into the depths of human nature-- the good and the bad. But beyond that, why should you read this book?

1. You should read The Silent Patient because the plot is brilliant. And the twists will having you audibly gasping on more than one occasion.

2. You should read The Silent Patient because of its well-researched, even educational, and highly compassionate anecdotes about mental health and trauma. But don't worry, these anecdotes always drive the plot. This story is never dull.

3. You should read The Silent Patient because if, like me, you are new to the thriller genre, it is a great place to start.

Are you convinced? I hope you are, because I fear if I say more it will ruin the magic of reading this story. But let me leave you with this: I read The Silent Patient in two days. I could have read it in one sitting were it not for my full time job.