"𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕜 𝕒𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕤. 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕡𝕠𝕕𝕔𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕤. 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕟𝕖𝕨𝕤 𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕔𝕝𝕖𝕤. 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕥𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕠𝕚𝕕 𝕙𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕤, 𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕧𝕠𝕝𝕦𝕥𝕖𝕕, 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕤𝕥 𝕠𝕦𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕘𝕖𝕠𝕦𝕤 𝕎𝕆ℝ𝔻𝕊 𝕚𝕟 𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕔𝕒𝕡𝕤. 𝕊𝕠𝕞𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕤 𝕔𝕒𝕞𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕥𝕚𝕡𝕤 ... 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕤 𝕟𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕤𝕒𝕚𝕕: 𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕖𝕟𝕕 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕕𝕒𝕪, 𝕚𝕗 𝕒 𝕞𝕒𝕟 𝕨𝕒𝕟𝕥𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕜𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕪𝕠𝕦, 𝕙𝕖 𝕜𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕤 𝕪𝕠𝕦. 𝕀𝕥'𝕤 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕦𝕡 𝕥𝕠 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕥𝕠 𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕧𝕚𝕟𝕔𝕖 𝕙𝕚𝕞 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕥𝕠."

I went into this book with some pretty high expectations because the synopsis sounded like something I would absolutely love, and I was not disappointed in the slightest! This book immediately hooks you with a POV from 'The woman in the shed' and doesn't let you go until the book is finished. There were so many POVs, but the way in which they were written was incredibly genius and never confusing. (You will see exactly what I mean by this when you read the book.) They all lent themselves perfectly to the overall message of the book and oftentimes made me feel a very eerie sense of dread. The pacing was also perfect and it truly felt like I reading a true crime novel at times.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

I really enjoyed this book - a lot of suspense and well written too? I'll take it. I would definitely read other works by this author.

This book is definitely not for the faint of heart if abuse/kidnapping triggers you beware. This story is a heartbreaking tale of trying to survive. It’s sad and scary at the same time. People who lead normal lives, have families, jobs, well known and loved in the community can also have serial and secret lives. How can you keep that a secret and separate? Read on to find out. This is a reminder that sometimes the worst monsters are loved the most. This book definitely had me in all my feelings. I would highly recommend this book. Thank you for giving me access to this eARC.

Adrian is a local guy that the whole town knows. He helps his neighbors; he has a wonderful family and a steady job. He also has a secret- he is a serial killer. Told from the POV of his victims both dead & alive, this was a different take on a serial killer book.

The Quiet Tenant is a propulsive and heart pounding read. I would be lying if I said I slept easily the night I finished this book. Focused on the victims rather than the details of the crime offered a unique perspective. The author's ability to create the small town atmosphere while simultaneously building a feeling of dread really clinched this for me. I spent the last 20% of this book with my heart racing and palms sweating. This book would be great for fans of Gone Girl, I Let You Go, and The Girl on the Train.

Trigger warnings include: kidnapping, murder, captivity, sexual assault, cancer (off page), death of a parent (off page), drink being roofied.

Aidan Thomas is a hard-working family man and a “good” neighbor in the small upstate New York town where he lives. He’s always willing to help anyone. Aidan goes to a bar almost every night after work. He gets a cherry coke as he doesn’t drink. He kidnaps the bartender and chains her in the shed behind his home. He gives her a new name telling her that she is Rachel. Rachel soon learns the ritual of what to do when he comes to the shed each night. She always ends up telling him thank you at the end. Rachel is determined to not lose her identity though Aiden is doing his best to get her to forget. When his wife dies, he and his 13 year old daughter must move as the wife’s parents are selling the house. When he goes to the shed, Rach finds out that he and his daughter will be moving out. She knows that means the end of her life unless she can convince him that she will be useful in the home. He decides to try it. He makes up a story to his daughter about Rachel which the daughter believes. Will she be able to escape? The community likes Aiden so much they are raising money for him by having a 5k race. Meanwhile Emily raises a hot cocoa to get to know Aiden better. When Rachel meets the two other women in Aiden’s life, she hopes they will help her escape but will they?

This is a novel about a serial killer. It is told by the three women in the novel. The reader gets to see how they each see him. It is a suspenseful psychological thriller. I “liked” how Rachel does everything to survive so she can escape this monster. It is unforgettable.

Oh my, was this a taut and haunting book. This was similar to Room by Emma Donoghue - similar plot and structure. I loved how it was told in the point of view of 3 different female characters and the ending was hugely satisfying.

The Quiet Tenet. Ooooh! You have got to read this psychological and suspenseful book. It is an awesome read. A phenomenal read. A fantastic read.
The story reads like a book of man against man but then it reads as women defeats man. Eeek! This book is crazy good. There are twist and turns that the protagonist takes you on, leaving you with your mind blown after each chapter. This book reminds me why I always ask my daughter to text me when she gets to her destination and or she FaceTimes when she’s out shopping.
You never know who’s watching you. I must admit their were some moments when I felt a little sympathy for the man and that’s where you fail. My mind is like, hold up! I’m not having none of that. When Aidan talks to Rachel/ May I instantly start rooting for her to gain her courage and fight.
Then Emily comes along. Personally I didn’t like her. I had this huge feeling that she was going mess up the ultimate plan that starts to formulate over the house. My favorite character is Cecelia. She’s a smart girl who is very intuitive to the people and the things that are happening around her.
Cecelia of course knows how to work her father. Is this an added tool that the women can use in their plan? Either by their actions and/ or through their dialogue, these characters bring some intense and mind numbing engagement to the book. These details is were the book becomes more believable to the reader. The writer has went above and beyond with their amazing writing.
The intensity of the book just kept going higher and higher and your like, when is it ever going to stop. I had to read this book in one sitting. My curiosity was getting the best of me. had to know how it was going to end. Once I found out I was very pleased.
I give this book two snaps and a, As a person, listen to your gut feeling and listen to your friends and listen to your family. What they tell just may save your life. And carry an old fashioned truck crowbar in your passenger seat. Phone in hand with 911.
Until next time my fellow readers. Read on! I received a copy of this book for a voluntary honest review

This book was a wild ride and I loved it! The format of telling part of the story in 1st person and part in 2nd person was genius and really added to the setting. Someone asked me if this book is creepy and I didn't know how to answer, because yes, but also no. The way that you can see all sides, and understand every woman's motivation and captivation by this one man is handled brilliantly! Read this one right now!

If you love a trapped room thriller, this book is for you! My heart was racing every single page. I had to know if the woman in the cabin would escape.

You guys are in for a ride. Clemence Michallon nailed her thriller debut.

I loved the multiple points of view from women who had very different relationships with our murder. I thought that it was unique that Michallon presented the story this way. I was constantly rooting for one woman. I was furious with another woman. I was terrified for the third character.

This story will make your heart race. I was kept on the edge of my seat from page one. It has constant action. Each page brings something new to the table. You will stay up late into the night wanting to what is going to happen to these women.

Now you know me, I always have to an opinion with something when it comes to thrillers. I am not normally one for a "beyond the grave" perspective but I thought that for this story it worked. It added to how menicing, manipulative and terrifying the killer was.

I think this book is mislabelled. I wouldn't consider this a "psychological thriller." Maybe it is? I just feel that when it comes to the "psychological" genre we get big twists and mind-blowing reveals. "The Quiet Tenant" is a thriller but the killer is revealed pretty early on. This isn't "twisty" or "shocking."

It's a fast-paced locked room thrill ride. I say check it out! It's very entertaining! I am super happy I was able to finally get a chance to read this!

If you loved, than read this:
- Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
- What Lies Between Us by John Marrs

Thank you Knopf, Pantheon and Vintage and Anchor for the advanced copy of this book!

You can purchase Clemence Michallon's debut thriller now! Don't forget to support her on Goodreads and all social channels!

I cannot believe this was a debut?!?! This was such an interesting premise - a story about a serial killer who kidnaps and murders women in his private life, but is a "hero to the community" in his public life. It's told through the story of 3 women in his life rather than from his POV which added a uniqueness to the story.

I thought this was an incredible thriller that had me at the edge of my seat and I couldn't get enough of the story. Early in, the unnamed woman who the man kidnapped five years ago is moved from the outdoor shed to his family home, under the guise of being "a friend." It was so interesting to see how this shift played out - I was constantly wondering "is this going to be the time she escapes?" while simultaneously thinking about all that could go wrong, just like her.

These are some of my favorite thrillers - one that isn't meant to spook you necessarily, but tugs at your deepest fears and haunts you for a long time. I would love to see this one adapted into a movie or tv show!

4.25 stars/5

3.5 stars
though I was enjoying the slow pace of this in the beginning, I did want the pace to pick up at some point and that never happened. I can appreciate a slow book if it brings up some interesting conversations but that didn't happen here. I also wish there was so much more character development, I don't feel like I really know anything about any of the characters. didn't love the open ending.

In general, I found the plot very compelling. It’s exactly the time of story I reach for time and time again. Despite this, I found it very difficult to get into the book. The beginning dragged for me and only when I was about halfway through did I start to feel invested, but only slightly. I wanted more about Aidan’s background and relationship with his wife. I found myself so frustrated with Emily (although that’s probably only because of what I knew about Aidan). What should have been an incredibly relevant story about living in the world as a woman, seemed to fall flat for me. I can resonate with the primary narrator, but something prevented me from connecting.

There are so many pathological situations throughout this book that keeps the reader turning pages.
Stockholm Syndrome, serial killer, Jeckel and Hyde, teenage angst…………it’s all here.
   Rachel, the name he gives her, has been held captive for 5 years handcuffed to the floor in a shed. He keeps her alive, but why? We learn that there have been other victims through their voices in the chapters, but SHE is the one he kept. He goes about his daily life, is enamored in the community as a wonderful guy but there is a hidden side the real world doesn’t see. He’s very good a compartmentalizing his life.
   He has to relocate after the death of his wife and the shed is no longer available to him. For reasons that are hard to comprehend, he moves his “tenant” into his new home as a friend who needed a place to stay. Mr. Niceguy keeps to himself in the community, has a daughter who is very compliant to her father’s rules and regulations and the woman stays alone in her room so there are few questions asked.
   Rachel finally realizes what she has to do to keep herself safe at the same time planning her escape from this maniac. The move from the shed to the real world seems to revive her spirit. There are times the reader is yelling at Rachel to take advantage of situations that would rescue her from this hell but her moral compass and concern for others keeps her tied to the bedpost.
   Exciting right up to the last page………..

This was one heck of a ride. The different perspectives were perfect. The creepiness was high. This is so realistic, its scary! A great fall/spooky season read for sure.

I was so excited to receive an ARC of this author's debut, as the description sounded great, and it certainly did not disappoint! The Quiet Tenant was a dark, twisty, and suspenseful thriller about a small town's friendly neighbor who is actually living a double life as a serial killer.

This book was a wild ride! Multiple POVs aren't usually my favorite, but I liked getting to know all the characters through their own voices. I didn't connect with one of them (she was truly so annoying until finally redeeming herself at the end!), but I thought it was really impactful to hear from the rest of Aidan's past and present victims. I especially loved his daughter's chapters! It did take me a while to get used to the second person narrative, and it was definitely a bit of a slow burn in the beginning. The second half of the book moved a lot faster and I couldn't put it down towards the end! There were fair amount of triggers, so definitely read the warnings, but this was a fresh take on a thriller that I'd definitely recommend. I can't wait to see what the author does next! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

He’s a family man, recently widowed raising his young daughter on his own but he’s hiding a few secrets and when he’s forced to move one of his secrets gets moved into the open. The woman he’s had imprisoned for years in a shed must now reside in the new house he shares with his daughter. When happens next is a test of survival and a carefully thought out plan for a future that might not be possible.

So I really liked parts of this thriller, the premise and the anxiety around the story as it progressed but it was just missing something for me. I liked that the story was mostly told from the imprisoned woman’s perspective with the occasional chapters from his daughter, the new girl and his previous victims but I don’t like that it was in second person. Also, I think the chapters from the previous victims kinda threw off the momentum of the story but they gave indications to the point in time. Nothing really happened in the story that you wouldn’t have predicted based off the first few chapters. It’s a quick ish read that I know will hit the mark with a lot of readers.


Thank you @aaknopf for my finished gifted copy and @netgalley for my eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

Will be a best book of the year.

This is one of those books you read the blurb for and you really hope meet your expectations because everything is there to make it a 5 star book. I am so pleased to be able to share that this for me, was not only a 5 star read, but a best book of the year for me. It was FANTASTIC. Not since reading [book:Descent|20312459], have I remembered my heart beating in my chest like it did and feeling the anxiety of being this invested in a story with stakes like this.

Similar to [book:Notes on an Execution|57773248] and [book:I Have Some Questions for You|61053829], authors are shifting the narrative away from the serial killer and placing it on the victims and other people impacted by the actions of the serial killer. This book took that another step further and was done brilliantly. What makes it even more impactful is that the author's first language is French. Her debut novel is written with such expertise and foresight. Anything I could think of while reading that I could see others being critical of, she handled somewhere in the narrative. She took victim blaming head on and that is where I think this book really excelled. In her reminders to the reader about how we as bystanders to these horrific crimes, have no right to judge those who were involved. The victims of these crimes are just that. Victims. It is not our place to question their decision making and choices.

To me, this book sets a new standard for all books in this topic that are to follow. It was incredible and I cannot recommend enough.

Thank you to Knopf Books and Netgalley for the gifted finished and e-copies. Thank you also to PRH Audio for the gifted audiobook.

**I forgot to mention that I listened to 80% of this book and the narration was fantastic. It was done by an ensemble and this was absolutely the right move and each narrator was perfectly chosen. Highly recommend the audiobook as a way to read this.

Review Date: 07/20/2023
Publication Date: 06/20/2023

This was quite an unexpected read. I loved the premise right off the bat - a book about a serial killer, and his captive. Loved that the POV was from her point of view for the most part, but also from other people in his life. It wasn't a mystery per-se, more of what it takes to survive something so tragic.

I liked the suspense, I liked the slow burn of where will this story end. How. Who will help. It showed not only the strength of the victim/survivor but also the "normal" side of the serial killer. It was a psychological suspense if nothing else. You get to see the normal life a disturbed person leads, how other people perceive him, how they admire him, but still can't feel bad for him, because you get the look into the captive's life and how much fear there is living with him.

I really enjoyed this one, though I can see that this won't be for everyone. It is quite slow, with disturbing scenes pushing the plot forward.

Thank you to PRH audio and the the publisher for my review copies.

While this book started out intriguing, I did not end up liking it at all.

I felt like it focused way too much on the murderer and not enough on developing the Rachel/May. I think the author wanted to focus on the victim and other women in the murderer's life, but it just didn't read that way at all.

I also found the end to be really abrupt and not developed enough. That would have been the perfect place in the book to develop Rachel/May more. The Emily character was also very strange and her actions were inexplicable to me. Her character felt like a distraction at times.

This story gave empathy. While Aidan's intentions were not always clear, the terror he caused was ripe. Each character's point of view carried intense directness in the voice. The story also has stellar social commentary about women who live in fear and their will to survive.