Book Review: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

     Alicia Berenson murdered her husband, shooting him five times in the face, then never spoke again. Everything in her life seemed perfect from the outside. Both she and her husband, Gabriel, were well-renowned artists. He a photographer and she a painter. She loved him so much it hurt and he doted on her constantly. Why then did she kill him? Why wouldn't she speak about it? Her only hint had been a painting done after her attempted suicide which she titled Alcestis. She has now been moved the the psychiatric ward, The Grove, where every attempt to get her to open up has failed. 

    When Theo Faber, psychotherapist, heard all of this on the news he felt the need to help Alicia. Almost 6 years later he got the chance when a psychotherapist job opened at the unit Alicia was held in. Until now no one has gotten close, but Theo is sure he can bring her out of it and get the needed answers. The more he probes into the secrets of her past the more twisted things become. The line between doctor and patient is blurring and what is found there may be no coming back from.

    I downloaded this audiobook in the Libby app at the suggestion of one of my subscribers. It isn't their book, just one that they had read and enjoyed. I am always interested in crime mysteries so was instantly intrigued. As soon as I began the book I found it hard to stop. In fact, I read 25% of it that first day and 3 days later here I am, with the book completed. I needed to know what happened to Alicia. Perhaps that is because the legal spelling of my name is Alicia, perhaps not. 

    I liked how the book jumped from the point of view of Theo to that of Alicia. We had a mixture of the past and the present working our way to a common goal. Always giving details, but never the answer the reader so craved until almost the very end. The end surprised me. While the person I suspected seemed a pain he didn't, in fact, kill her husband. I wonder what would have happened if what happened with Alicia at the end hadn't. How would things have changed? It is so hard to write this without giving things away, but I want you to form your own opinions. I will say that who I suspected was one of those that Alicia suspected in her journal. 

    Now for the bad. I don't have a lot of bad to say about this book. In fact my issues with this book stem from the psychotherapy standpoint. Not if it is bad or good as therapy helps many. No, what I mean is it is says if you were not loved and nurtured by your parent you in turn cannot give what was missed in the future since you don't know how. I don't feel that way. Your past doesn't have to define who you are. Yes, I am speaking from experience, but I won't go into it. Other than that, which is delved into quite a bit, I really enjoyed the book and believe that you would as well. 

    My favorite character in this was Rose, Theo's therapist. Something about the kindly old lady vibes. Besides anyone who can put up with years worth of Theo deserves an award. When it was first mentioned that he was married I was surprised. He seemed emotionally detached from anything not involving Alicia and her case. Even then it seemed more obsession and intrigue than an emotional attachment. 

    This is a shocking psychological crime thriller that will leave you guessing until the very end. There is love, loss, betrayal, and many suspects to choose from!  This book is available on Amazon for $12.50 by clicking here. 

Book Review: Reality Check by Dave McCreery (Weight of the World Book 1)

     Since WW3 there has been a global economy and everything has a safety net. Individuals are minors until the age of 25. Racing is done in the Sims. Even if you jump out of a building there are precautions to keep you from dying. Everything is...safe. And most enjoy their padded world. Except when there is no risk of getting hurt one become more reckless. This is the case with Ryan. He is an underage racer who takes risks that sometimes pay off and other times end in wrecks. Everything was going great until the Enforcer's show up with an ultimatum. Join their special program or be prosecuted for underage racing. Without a true choice his decision is made. However, the program General Matthews has in mind has no safe guards and the risk is very real. No longer are just computer simulations at risk. Instead, the fate of the Globe rests heavily in Ryan's hands. 

    I received this ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. Anyone who reads my page with some frequency, or if you are new and have played a bit of catch up, knows that I enjoy LitRPG and VR books. While this isn't a LitRPG it has a similar feel. There is a sim, or simulated reality, much like in VR. There is a virtual world and your decisions have an impact on what happens. Similar to a LitRPG.

    However, there is more to it than that. In this case there is also the ability to remotely control actual items in the real world from the safety of a sim unit. The pilot is protected and only machinery is at risk. Seems perfect. Keeps potential casualties low and you don't have to constantly retrain new recruits to replace your senior agents. I do want to let you know this book leaves off on a bit of a cliffhanger. I need to know what the word was flashing on the screens!

    Beyond this, in these pages, you will find an impulsive young man at the tender age of 24. He is reckless and a bit of a wildcard and being 24 myself I have known many that age to be a reflection of this. Can't say that I agree with being considered a minor until 25. Adulthood is much better than anything I experienced as a minor, but to each their own. That being said war has the ability to age a person quickly and it was interesting to see how real time choices impacted Ryan. He took consequences hard, but I can't say that I would have reacted any differently. Getting a reality check isn't always a pleasant experience and this was only heightened by his upbringing. 

    Ryan is an interesting individual. His past is hinted at. Giving clues that he was a bit of a spoiled rich boy who had a falling out with his parents. I really would love to know what happened there, but as it wasn't pertinent to the story at this point I can understand why it was left out. However, I can't say that he is my favorite character. In fact, that would have to be Sara, Ryan's friend. She is a good racer and is in touch with reality even though she declined to be a part of the program. She is able to give some much needed advice and put things into perspective without judgement. Someone like that is rare and I hope we see more of her in the future. 

    Alright, so I have said a lot of positives in this book as well as my general impression. But, I do have a negative to say. Keep in mind this could be because the author is British, but I'm not sure. Frequently in the book the word coo is used. I originally looked this up on Google to see what kind of slang it is in Brittan, but was unable to find anything satisfactory. When I looked it up it said coo was a phrase used to express surprise or amazement. As that didn't fit with many of the instances it was used I started popping in my own word. I thought perhaps the author was using it to substitute the word shit. Maybe not a fan of cussing. This was quickly dispelled as the author does curse without hesitation (not complaining on this fact). So for the remainder of the pages I would flop between shit and idiot whenever I read the word coo. I feel this detracted from the book. If it was mentioned, even in one place, what coo meant it would have been easier to not be momentarily pulled from the story. 

    That is my only complaint for the story. Reality Check is a fast paced action book full of saving the world from invaders and a race against time. It is also a book that I suggest to anyone who is a bit of an adrenaline junky. Even if it comes from a videogame or within the pages of a book. This book is set to be released on 10/5/21 on Amazon for $4.49. You can pick up your copy now by clicking here to have it auto-delivered to your reading device next Tuesday.