Silent Patient

Theo Faber, a psychotherapist, becomes obsessed with helping an artist after the murder of her husband. Alicia Berenson is the titular Silent Patient in Alex Michaelides’ novel. She has been institutionalized after her murder conviction and refuses to speak. Theo is convinced he can help her. The novel is told from Theo’s perspective and interspersed by Alicia’s diary entries. The book, though a bit slow in the beginning chapters, is a quick read overall. I thought I had the mystery figured out, but I was wrong. I appreciated the ending, and other mystery readers will as well.

Watching You

An attractive headmaster, schoolgirl crushes, voyeurism, and mental illness are all plot elements in Lisa Jewell’s Watching You. The novel moves between the perspectives of several characters, including a high school student, a newlywed living near the new head teacher, and the head teacher’s son. The novel is a fast, entertaining read. Even though I guessed the mystery, the book’s final image left me feeling disturbed and those feelings linger. I'll definitely read another Jewell mystery.