"Мовчазна пацієнтка" Алекс Майклідіс

Author: Alex Michaelides

Publisher: Vivat

Number of Pages: 288

Cover: Hardback

Reader Age: For adults

Year of Publication: 2019

The book The Silent Patient by British-Cypriot author Alex Michaelides is a psychological thriller and detective story that caught the attention of Brad Pitt himself. Despite its modest length of under 300 pages, the book is a true Pandora’s box: once opened, it unleashes a wild concentration of dramatic tension, anxiety, and noir. It also brings the atmosphere of a psychiatric hospital, glimpses into the inner world of a killer, and an intrigue that holds readers captive until the final page. A gripping investigation, chilling narrative, and detailed atmosphere create the impression of watching a Hollywood film — and the ending stuns with its unpredictability. The story is told from two perspectives: the silent patient who killed her husband, and her doctor, for whom uncovering the truth becomes a life mission.

Five bullets to her lover’s face: is Alicia truly ill? Alicia Berenson is a famous and successful artist whose life resembles a fairy tale. Fame, a luxurious home in a prestigious London neighborhood, a beloved husband — a fashion photographer… Until one fateful evening when Alicia, without apparent reason, fires five bullets into her husband’s face and falls silent. For six years, Alicia hasn’t spoken a single word. Amid this scandalous story, public attention focuses on the killer. Everyone wants to know the mystery behind her crime, the press is bursting with speculation, and her paintings skyrocket in value. But Alicia remains unreachable. She’s been in a forensic psychiatric unit for years, where her case catches the interest of a new doctor — criminal psychotherapist Theo Faber.

Theo has dealt with all kinds of criminals. It seems nothing can surprise him, but Alicia’s case becomes an obsession. Throughout the story, alongside the readers, Theo digs for the truth, transforming from doctor to detective. But sometimes it’s better not to know the truth — because Alicia’s motives run much deeper. And Theo’s own life will never be the same.

Interesting facts about The Silent Patient

Bestseller according to The New York Times and Sunday Times, with over 6.5 million copies sold worldwide

Rated 4.18 on Goodreads and named Best Thriller of 2019 by readers

One of Amazon’s top three bestselling books of 2019, with a 4.4 rating from over 300,000 reviews

Forbes Bestseller of 2019

Alex Michaelides drew on his own experience in psychotherapy — three years of study and two years working in a youth psychiatric ward

Rich in references to ancient Greek mythology, including Euripides’ tragedy Alcestis

The gripping plot attracted Brad Pitt’s attention, and his production company acquired the film rights