The Quiet Tenant started off a little slow, but once it got to the point where the decisions of each of the women could potentially decide the fate of the other two, it kept me turning pages to see what would happen next. The only thing that I didn't like was that the captive victim's story was told using second person POV.

This is a debut novel and I had really high hopes for it.

This was told from the POV of The Woman in the Shed/The Woman in the House, Emily and the victims. I like the way this was broken up.

Emily seemed a little too obsessed with Aidan. She knows that his wife just died but still she tries to do everything in her power to get him to fall in love with her.

I was a bit disappointed with the ending. The run from the captor was great but I really didn't understand why she felt like she had to take something with her, that seemed to slow her down.

Thank you NetGalley.

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This review will be posted to https://www.instagram.com/kuhlreads/ on 8/14/23

Overall a great read!! I got a little confused at first with the amount of narrators. The main narrators are the girl in the shed, the love interest, the kidnapper, and the kidnappers daughter. However, there are also other various points of view from other kidnapper girls that were killed. The massive amount of points of view made it a little difficult to figure out at first. Once the story got going though and I figured out the layout, I started to really enjoy it!!

This book was different and interesting, but overall it kept me engaged with the style of writing and the various points of view in this book.

This was 💯 a BMMDI! The praises for this debut novel were all over my feed, so when I was fortunate enough to receive a gifted copy, I couldn't resist immediately diving in. I wish I would have stayed on deck.

I understand why people are attracted to the premise of this book. A kidnapped girl is held for 5 years by her serial killer captor, only to be slowly let out into the world. Can she escape or is this just a ploy to see if she can be trusted?

Sounds chilling, creepy, suspenseful, all the makings for a bingeworthy read!

Just not for me.

I'm pretty sure I got stuck in a time warp, as this took me a long time to read. What was probably 3-5 days felt like 17 months.

This book was delivered in different POV: the kidnapped, the killers other victims and his teenage daughter. Again, great idea!

Things just fell flat for me. The pacing was off and it felt redundant. I didn't like many of the characters, and needed much more page turning suspense.

I liked it, didn't love it.

While it was a little slow at times for my taste, I am surprised this one isn’t getting more buzz. It could be this year’s sleeper that eventually gets noticed.

It has an interesting premise. A girl is taken and being held hostage. All the chapters are the girl in the shed, girl number 7… I was never sure if all the chapters were from the same girl or if there was a play in time. There are multiple POVs, the girl in the house, the hostage taker’s daughter and his love interest. It kept me guessing about who was a reliable narrator and who might have other interests. It is cleverly constructed and while ultimately I did predict the ending, it kept me on my toes and reading a slow burn mystery.

“Rule number one of staying alive outside the shed: You don’t run unless you’re sure."

Aidan Thomas, your typical family man and hard-working lineman, has recently lost his wife. They have one child together, Cecilia. When his wife dies, he is forced to move. There is only one problem…this means that he will also have to move Rachel as well, who is currently being held captive in his backyard shed. He kidnapped her five years ago. Oh, and he is also a serial killer, having murdered eight woman already. But no one knows this about Aidan, and no one knows Rachel is in Aidan’s shed.

Aidan fabricates a story and convinces Cecilia that Rachel is having a hard time and will be staying with them, sticking mostly to herself. He continues to threaten Rachel, telling her that if she tries to make a run for it, he will know. There are cameras everywhere watching her. Is there anyway that Rachel can escape? Could she somehow get Cecilia on her side to help?

Here’s a disturbing fact that will get you “shaking like a leaf”. When you Google what country has the most serial killers you will get the response “The United States is the runaway leader in the category with 3,204 serial killers.” Well, that’s real comforting….NOT! I never would have guessed that many. Holy Moly!

What A Ride!! When I saw the cover of this book and read the blurb, I went to Net Galley to request it and I’m so glad that I was given a copy to read and review. This is an impressive, heart pounding, debut from Clemance Michallon. I will be on the lookout for more of her work in the future.

The story is told from the POV’s of Rachel, Cecilia, and Emily who is a local restaurant owner. I’m a big fan of multiple POV and I thought that it was done well. Rachel’s POV had me so stressed. The things this man put her through…goodness. It was interesting to read her list of “rules” along the way, a list to help her survive. She was smart and clever with things she did to try to stay alive. Overall, this thriller was a winner, winner, chicken dinner for me. It will have you rooting for Rachel and your heart just might skip a few beats in those final chapters. Be cautious…trigger warnings galore!

Thanks to Net Galley for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Well written psychological thriller that had me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't wait to read more. Well written with loved the plot, characters and building to the nail biting ending.

The Quiet Tenant is a psychological thriller about a serial killer narrated by those closest to him: His 13 year old daughter, his girlfriend- and the one victim he spared... This is the book description for the novel. It is indeed the story of Aidan Thomas, the seemingly hard-working family man. And the girl he kidnapped 5 years ago and kept as his secret slave while his daughter and wife lived in the house on the same property. When his wife dies, he is forced to move from his home and decides to take his slave/kidnapped woman, "Rachel," with him as a tenant in his new house. I tried to suspend belief here, but it just did not work for me! The daughter doesn't see Rachel as odd after FIVE years of captivity. Rachel doesn't immediately seek her way out of the home they 'share.'

This is a man that kidnaps and murders women. He has kept Rachel in a shed in his backyard for 5 years!!?? Then he introduces her to his daughter?? The writing was not bad, but the plot was killing me. This is my favorite genre; my husband thinks I'm crazy, but I love a good kidnapping thriller, and this just was not feasible. I've read the story a million times, but this didn't have the tension it needed, and I kept rolling my eyes. I didn't feel the thrill. However, it has countless good reviews on goodreads, so it's worth a look. 2 stars.

BRILLIANT. So cleverly written and such a unique perspective. Perfect for fans of Criminal Minds. A quick, compelling read.

I’ve seen so many posts about this thriller, so I was super eager to check it out for myself.

Quick premise: The main character “Rachel” has been held captive in a shed for five years. When she finds out that her captor Aiden has to move and senses that this means he will finally kill her, she suggests an alternative: Rachel will come live in the new house with him and his daughter, as his “tenant.” No one will know the horrible truth about why she is in his home, and she can work to stay alive.

I really loved the way this book was written. There are many alternating viewpoints, all from women who have some role in Aiden’s life and crimes. The story alternates between past and present, slowly laying out the history behind Rachel’s captivity and the present day. I thought the pacing was perfect and it kept me engaged throughout the book.

I have read some reviews that felt there was a lack of “thriller” vibes, but I disagree. This is slow burn psychological thrills and chills, perfect if you’re looking for something to help usher you into spooky season.

Thank you @aaknopf and @netgalley for the digital review copy. The Quiet Tenant is out now!

Good story - enjoyed the different POV narrative. Especially Rachel's chapter title updating her status/concerns.
The ending had me in massive suspense - my breathing became quite erratic while inhaling the last few chapters. Great plot and writing skills.
Slow build - took away some of the suspense for me.

I had REALLY high hopes for this one after reading the description and starting the first half of the book. I really enjoyed this for the most part but found the ending to be a bit lackluster in comparison to the rest of the book. It just felt a bit too convenient and lazy. I thought the characters could have been developed a bit more but otherwise really enjoyed them. I thought each of them was intriguing in their own ways and was really entertained watching the relationship between the daughter and the "cousin." I wish that was expanded on a bit too. This had some dark themes but still found a way to keep it pretty light. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you are looking for a suspenseful thriller, I highly recommend The Quiet Tenant by Clemence Michallon.
The quiet tenant is the story of a woman who is kept by a serial killer for five years, even while he continues to kill others. As his life changes, she convinces him to take her with him during a move.

The story is told from the point of view of the woman in captivity, the killer’s daughter, and his next victim. The chapters were short, meaning things moved so quickly. I had a hard time putting this one down and I’m still thinking about it, days later. I found myself tensed up, reading the chapters from the point of view from the woman in captivity. This book was incredibly well written. I'd highly recommend it to fans of suspense, it withheld the gore and cheap thrills that many thrillers of today rely on.

Thanks to #netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The Quiet Tenant is a captivating nail biter that kept me riveted throughout. Aiden is a nice guy, recently widowed with a 13 year old daughter. The people in his community like him. He is responsible, friendly, and even helpful. But, he also has been holding "Rachel" captive in his shed for five years, and he is a serial killer? There are no stereotypes here. There is no time for much of anything except Rachel's survival. Michallon delivers tension throughout from a slow burn to frantic page turning intensity. The story is narrated by Rachel, his captive, Emily, bartender and Aidan's love interest and his daughter, Cecilia. Three voices incredibly articulating their real-time emotional and psychological experience. Hope rides like a roller coaster for Rachel, whose bravery and rules of survival are painfully heartbreaking. The Quiet Tenant may be my favorite book of the year. This is a book that will stay with me. I am giving The Quiet Tenant an easy five stars and placing it on my Extraordinary Reads.

The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon is a dark tale of psychological suspense about Aiden, a widowed serial killer told from the perspectives of his 13-year-old daughter, his potential love interest (next victim?), and the one victim "Rachel" he has not killed, but rather has kept captive for the past five years, first in a shed then, after a move, alternately handcuffed to a radiator and a bed frame in a guest bedroom. The heart of this story and most of the suspense comes from the victim's viewpoint, which is told in the second person making the sense of suffocating dread even more effective.

Rachel has discovered, via trial and error, rules for survival that she adapts over time and through differing circumstances, learning which behaviors will trigger the wrath of her captor and which will ensure her continued survival in precarious circumstances. Aiden exerts unwavering control over his captive, forcing her to suppress her own identity and memories, lest she give in to despair. Even when there is a glimmer of hope of escape, Rachel fears to make the attempt for fear that it is a trap, destined to trick her into giving Aiden an excuse to finally kill her.

The story and the suspense kicks into a high gear once Aiden moves Rachel from the backyard shed of his old home (through a subtle manipulation by Rachel based upon her years-long psychological study of her captor's motivations) into the guest bedroom of his new home, describing her as a down-on-her-luck room renter to his oblivious daughter, and when Aiden's new love interest becomes curious about what is going on in Aiden's home.

The Quiet Tenant is a well-written study of a victim enduring unspeakable treatment for years yet keeping a glimmer of hope alive enough to attempt a final act of bravery that will either doom her to a quick death or grant her freedom at last. While the story is psychologically disturbing, you won't be overwhelmed by gore or violence. But it will keep you breathless through the final pages.

I didn’t mind the start of this one but I couldn’t get into it after about 25% through. Characters were good, slow delivery though. Just needed a bit more to draw me further in.

I really enjoyed this book. "Rachel" has been kidnapped and held for 5 years in a shed by Aidan Thomas. Aidan is well-loved by everyone, he is always helping out and good and kind. But he is a serial killer, and for some reason, has spared Rachel for now.
After his wife dies, he and his 13 year old daughter, Cecilia, are forced to move. Rachel convinces him to let her come along. Aidan agrees, believing she is under his control. He tells Cecilia that Rachel is a friend in need, and keeps Rachel handcuffed most of the time in the bedroom. When Aiden gets involved with Emily, a local restaurant owner, Rachel fears for herself, Cecilia and Emily. Rachel knows she must fight to save herself.
This is a tense thriller, where you hear from each of the 8 women that Aidan has killed. You root for "Rachel". Terrifying to read how easily people trick you.
Great thriller.

I was interested in the concept of this book from the start. I liked that some of the chapters were told from the point of view of the victims of the serial killers as well as his daughter. I was most interested in her viewpoint and the view of his captive. I wasn't expecting the ending - I definitely thought it was being set up to be the opposite of what happened, but I'm glad it worked out the way it did - but it ended up feeling a bit unresolved. After moving a bit slow leading up to the end (the viewpoint of the bar owner always ended up in chapters that felt much longer to me), it felt like there was a quick burst of action, a bit of resolution, and then the book was over.

Ohhh what a creepy and intense read this was! So eerie and weird. But in the best way. I devoured this as quick as I could. Loved the writing style, it was perfection. Will definitely be recommending to patrons!!