Through three perspectives (his captive, daughter, and girlfriend), we see a psychopath’s ability to manipulate and control those around him.

Chapters from the captive’s perspective are told in second person POV, effectively emphasizing her point of view. She is disassociating. The imprisonment and abuse aren’t happening to her (me) but to someone else outside herself (you). (Jennifer Egan also does this exceptionally well in one chapter of THE CANDY HOUSE, “Lulu The Spy - 2023.”)

This literary thriller (is that a thing now?) was exceptionally well done. It’s not explicitly dark, but still deeply disturbing without being gratuitous. “He did what he came to do.” The author’s restraint makes the book approachable without losing the terror. Think of a horror film where you never see the monster, and all the gore happens off-camera. You’re more frightened because of what the director holds back.

It’s a book that haunted me while reading and for days after. Wonderfully well done, and boggling to think that it was written in English - not the author’s primary language. I can’t wait for her author chat hosted by @kellyhook.readsbooks and @beachesbooksnbubbles.

Thanks, NetGalley and AA Knopf, for the DRC.

The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon

Published: June 20, 2023
Knopf
Pages: 304
Genre: Serial Killers
KKECReads Rating: 5/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Clémence Michallon was born and raised near Paris. She studied journalism at City University of London, received a master's in Journalism from Columbia University, and has written for The Independent since 2018. She moved to New York City in 2014 and became a U.S. citizen in 2022. She now divides her time between New York and Rhinebeck with her husband and their dog, Claudine. She has been a fan of crime novels ever since she started stealing her mother’s mass-market paperbacks as a teen. The Quiet Tenant is her debut thriller.

“We gravitate toward the bodies that keep us alive.

She exists in the dark, wholly dependent upon him. He provided food, shelter, everything. He took her, and now he hides her away, his personal plaything. She has created a list, a lot to survive, and so far, it’s worked. Until he tells her, he has to move.

Holy hell. First, for a debut novel, this was beyond brilliant. Beautifully written, boldly terrifying, and all too human. The way emotion is captured in these pages is stunning.

The way this novel was written will draw readers in immediately. It’s terrifying, addicting, and the stuff of nightmares.

I love how Clémence created these characters. Aiden gave me Israel Keyes vibes; not sure if that was intentional or if I’ve just consumed too much true crime.

Every second of this book will make your heart race. The intensity is so well choreographed and executed. Not since reading Gone Girl has a book gripped me so dramatically.

Bravo, Clémence. You have taken your passion, talent, and interest in true crime and created something so devious, so dangerous, and so damn good it almost feels wrong.

I am a fan of this incredible human, and I look forward to her next book!

The Quiet Tenant is about “Rachel” who has been kidnapped and being held in a shed when her captor Aiden Thomas tells her they are moving. The story unfolds as we hear Rachel’s side of the story as well as Cecelia, his daughter, and Emily, who is infatuated with Aiden.

I really enjoyed the story. I read half of it in one sitting which is odd for me. I definitely got Room vibes. I felt like I was pulled into the story and couldn’t wait to see how it would unfold.
Rating 4.5 stars pub date June 20th

WOW! This book was propulsive, inventive, bone-chilling, heart-pounding and so well-written. I think that if the reader goes in expecting a full on thriller, they may be let down. In my opinion, this is more literary fiction with a thriller element to it.

This reminded me of a mix between Room by Emma Donoghue and Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka - but what I really appreciated here - which held me back from giving Kukafka's novel 5 stars - is that we ONLY get the points of view of the women impacted by the serial killer - we do not get his point of view.

I saw a review from Jordy's Book Club that cracked me up where he compared it to Gilmore Girls if Luke was a serial killer and that is actually a great description of the way Aidan has created a normal life for himself in a small town - only with a woman hidden in his house.

The multiple points of view were very effective for me: the main narrator Rachel, who is held captive by the serial killer, Aidan - Emily, who has feelings for Aidan not realizing who he really is - his daughter Cecilia - and the short chapters from the other women who were his victims. This really worked for me and the point of view of Rachel as second person really made ME as the reader feel like I was the one held captive and trying to figure out how to survive right along with her. I thought it was inventive and impactful for me as the reader - but I have seen reviews where that didn't work for other readers.

I could not put this book down and will absolutely recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

Thank you to NetGalley, publisher and author, for the free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. The beginning of this book was something I have never seen. The main narrator is Rachel and I am shocked to read what she is going through. Meanwhile, another narrator, Emily, lets us know how smitten she is with her friend, Aidan. Both lives will connect in unexpected ways. Spectacular story.

This is one of the best thrillers I’ve read in a very long time. Highly recommend! Serial killer as told through the lens of his victims and daughter. It’s a race to learn weather his current victim can escape. So good! Reminded me a bit of Notes on an Execution. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an advanced readers copy.

I love thrillers told from multiple POV and this one did not disappoint. I really enjoyed that the perspectives were women and I thought it was particularly interesting that one of the perspectives was the serial killer's daughter. It is a very twisty story with unexpected turns - you will definitely be surprised as you read!

This is a real creeper of a story, as you hear from the "tenant" who is kept locked up and from the other women who weren't so "lucky" as to be kept alive! He was loved by all who knew him (or thought they did), a widower taking care of his daughter. A good man, always there to help. But the tenant knew what he really was, and did what she had to do to stay alive. A fascinating look at a serial killer and the woman he decided to keep for a while. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for my arc of The Quiet Tenant.

If you need a book to pull you out of a reading rut- I highly suggest this one! So appreciate the authors voice of characters. Refreshing. And dark! Thank you for the early copy and SO glad I finally picked it up.

I could not stop reading this book! It pulls you in from the first page and doesn't let you go. A woman is kept captive and learns how to survive - until she has to be moved and bides her time for her escape. At times, it is hard to read about the captivity, and disturbing to see the views of the other victims. But I liked that we never went into his mind - just those of the women. Recommended!

Such dark and interesting look at a serial killer through the eyes of his victims and his daughter.
The second person point of view was rough and I struggled to get through it. But it was a still a good read and I’m excited to read more from the author!

Thank you Penguin Random House, and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“Rule number two of staying alive in the shed: he’s always right, and you’re always sorry.”

Thank you to Netgalley and Knopf for this arc!

This book had me at the edge of my seat! Tense read about a serial killer who keeps one of his victims alive in his shed for 5 years. We get different POVs, one being the woman in the shed, the victim as he killed, his daughter, and Emily who is obsessed with him. I devoured this book. It’s a creepy, dark and chilling page turner that will put you on a wild ride.

I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This was a an interesting thriller told in multiple points of view. It was definitely more on the slow burn side and has more of a psychological aspect than action packed thriller.

This follows the charismatic Aiden Thomas, and upstanding member of the community from the perspectives of the women in his life. Everyone likes him, he goes to work, and he takes care of his daughter as he has recently lost his wife to illness. What people don't know is that a monster lurks inside the neat and kind exterior that is Aiden Thomas. Most of the book is told from "Rachel's" perspective, she is the quiet tenant for whom the book is named and we get to know her throughout the book. We also get chapters form Aiden's daughter Cecelia and Emily the local bartender who Aiden is sort of courting.

This book book was disturbing for sure and had many uncomfortable moments. While it isn't super suspenseful or action packed, it does provide a creep factor and make you feel icky. I don't want to spoil anything but this was constructed in an interesting way as you knew who the "bad guy" was the entire time. The suspense moments come into play as the story unfolds regarding Rachel and her survival and how she navigates her situation to stay alive and if she is ever going to escape her captivity. You also are always waiting for something terrible to happen.

If you are looking for domestic thriller that is more psychological and isn't graphically violent or gory this is a good one to check out. There are off page references to SA and violence, and other traumatic events, but they aren't described in detail.

Every now and then, a book that appears to be “just” a thriller turns out to be far more - and this is exactly such a book.
The setup feels vaguely familiar (thank you, Emma Donaghue): we meet a woman - we are placed directly into the mind of a woman - who has been kept in a shed for five years, in the darkest, dullest, most horrific of conditions. She is brave; determined to hang on to what is true about herself, even as her universe shrinks to four dark walls. But villains are no more one-dimensional than heroines, and the man who put her there - Aiden - is a grieving widower with a preteen daughter (Cecilia) and a favorite bartender (Emily). Cecilia and Emily have their own perspective on Aiden. The “woman in the shed” becomes the “woman in the house” when Aiden moves Cecilia to a new location, and she is smart enough to know that the change means a chance to escape. But when she gets to know Cecilia, and learns about Emily, the calculus changes: it is no longer only herself who must be saved.
This novel was that rare combination of a page-turn and a literary delight. The characters were nuanced, and I loved that this story was told exclusively through the voices of the women Aiden sought - unsuccessfully - to silence. This was a four-and-a-half star read for me rather than five stars, solely because I found the ending lacked the same gravity and carefulness that the rest of the story offered.

I've had mixed reactions to kidnapper/victim themed stories. Some I've found compelling and some exploitive. Thankfully, @clemencemichallon's knockout debut falls into the compelling debut falls under the compelling category.

"Rachel" was kidnapped by Aidan five years ago. She has been held prisoner in a shed under Aidan's watchful eye. Aidan informs "Rachel" that they are moving to a new location. The difference is that they will now be living with Aidan's daughter, Cecilia. Cecilia is told that "Rachel" is an old friend that will be staying with them. Cecilia is taken with "Rachel" and they form an unexpected bond. Emily manages her family's restaurant. She sees Aidan and instantly falls in love with him. Aidan is not only a kidnapper, but a serial killer as well. Emily is drawn closer to Aidan while "Rachel" plots to get away from him. The three women form a triangle that connects with Aidan that will resolve with three different endings that may or may not result in new beginnings.

The triangle between the three women is tightly constructed. Michallon is clear about the impact Aidan has made on their lives. The rotating narrative between the three is distinct. The suspense is consistent especially between "Rachel" and Aidan. There's always the question either is she going to get away or is Aidan going to make her his next murder victim?

There were scenes in The Quiet Tenant that I found brutal or disturbing. At same time, I never felt that Michallon was going for shock value. Aidan characterization shows he's a man who's capable of these acts. I actuality thought how he psychologically damaged "Rachel" just as disturbing to read.

"The Quiet Tenant" is one of the few debuts that I have read that lives up to its early hype. I have a feeling it's going to make a lot of noise among readers of psychological suspense.

4.5 stars

“Rachel” (the name her kidnapper gave her) has been living in a shed for five years. When her kidnapper’s wife dies, his in-laws want to sell the house he’s bee living in. An odd arrangement comes of this, as he (Aiden) does not want to kill Rachel. He and his 13-year old daughter move into a house in town, and Rachel moves into a room. Aiden explains this to his daughter as Rachel being a friend who needed a place to stay, and is renting from them. Even so, most of the time, Rachel is handcuffed in her room, but to appear normal, she is sometimes brought down to eat with Aiden and Cecilia. But does this greater “freedom” give Rachel a better chance of getting away? Meantime, Aiden has started a new relationship with a local bartender, Emily.

I thought this was really good. I wanted to keep reading when I already was and when I wasn’t, I wanted to get back to the book. It sounds implausible from my description, but it seems more believable when reading. Viewpoints include Rachel, Cecilia, and Emily the bartender. Rachel needs to figure out when and/or if she should say anything and/or run. Everything she does is to give herself the best chance of survival.

(𝘔𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 @𝘢𝘢𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘱𝘧 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬.) I’ve been on a real roll with thrillers this month and 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗧 by Clémence Michallon has definitely been one of the best. I liked so much about this story of serial killer Aidan Thomas, told primarily by three very important females in his life. One was “Rachel,” the woman he’d for some reason spared. The woman he’d also held prisoner for five long years, chained to the floor of a shed on his property. Another was his 13-year old daughter, Cecilia, who felt about her dad the way most 13-year olds do. The last, Emily, owned a restaurant in their small town, and was very attracted to Aidan, who had recently become a widower. Additionally, oh so briefly, we also heard from the women who did not survive. ⁣
⁣
I think the reason this psychological thriller worked so well for me was because of this chorus of female voices used by the author. Through them she was able to delve into the life and patterns of a serial killer without giving him space. I didn’t want to know him, his excuses, his private pain or regrets. Instead, with each page I turned I grew more and more invested in Rachel, Cecilia and Emily, eager to know how they would finally survive him. You rarely hear me say this, but I cannot wait to see what this debut thriller author writes next. I’ll be first in line for a copy! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25

The Quiet Tenant, by Clemence Michallon

Short Take: This book made me feel so many bad things, and I loved it.

(*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*)

Good evening, my beloved Nerdlings! Like the rest of the world, I have been obsessively following the Titanic submersible story, and I’m greatly saddened by how it ended. I’m sure there are a lot of thoughts and opinions I could throw out there, but I’m just going to leave it at that - it’s tragic.

And speaking of stories in the news….

We’ve seen stories of women being held captive, who seem to have the opportunity to escape, and still keep silent. Elizabeth Smart, Jaycee Dugard, and so on. And we all wonder, why didn’t she scream and run at the first opportunity? Surely she knew that if she was out in public, someone would see what was going on, and help her? Did she WANT to be with him?

In The Silent Tenant, Ms. Michallon does a masterful job of answering those very questions. The unnamed narrator, referred to but such titles as “The Woman In The Shed” has been a prisoner of Aidan Thomas for five years. She is locked in a shed, fed sometimes, raped daily, and told by him, over and over, that he has eyes, ears, cameras, and surveillance equipment everywhere, and that any move she makes will end in her death.

Because she has no choice but to believe him, when he moves her into the house with both him and his thirteen year old daughter, Celeste, she does as she is told. Celeste doesn’t see that the woman is handcuffed to the radiator at night, or that her father visits the woman’s room nightly. And Celeste definitely doesn’t know that her father is a serial killer, and that every other woman who has caught his eye is dead.

It doesn’t help that everyone in the small town seems to know and love Aidan.

Duckies, I can’t fully express the rage this book brought out of me. It’s narrated by all the women - Aidan’s victims, his daughter, his lover - and every last word is about him. There’s so much to unpack, but mainly, it’s hammered home over and over how women are forever and mainly defined by their relation to a man. And if the man is a terrible one, a violent one, then the woman’s name is even more entwined with his. It’s always his story, and she’s just a background character.

It’s maddening, and infuriating, and depressing, isn’t it? And even in a book like this, where the women are smart and sympathetic and resourceful and interesting and all the things you want in a female character, it’s all about the man. Even when I was racing through the last few chapters, with my non-book-holding hand clenched and my heart racing (OMG so freakin intense), I was still so, so angry. And really, just so very, very sick and tired of that man.

Which is all to say, everyone should definitely read this book, and keep some small, soft throwable items nearby. You’ll be glad you did.

The Nerd’s Rating: FIVE HAPPY NEURONS (and a long walk to shake this one off. It’s going to take a while.)

The title makes you think the woman is there by choice. Maybe she was just renting space in the home of a man and his daughter, or maybe she is just trying to stay alive. She makes rules to stay alive and it has worked for five years. Who is the tenant, why is she there, and how did she stay alive? From page one these are all the questions that were runnning in my head.

This book is a gripping thriller and many may compare the Room. I think it is bettter than that one, It did take me a bit to understand if I was in the past or the present with the titles of the chapters. It only refers to a woman and where she is at that moment, Once I got used to it and moved along in the story it all fell into place. I guess that is my only con. I really liked the characters and the story was well written. This is a really good debut novel, I will certainly pick up the next one.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read in exchange for my honest review. Honestly, it was a solid 4 star read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf Publishing Group for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut thriller by Clémence Michallon - 5 stars!

Aidan Thomas is hard working and beloved by the small community in Upstate New York where he lives with his daughter, Cecilia, after her mother's death. But Aidan is hiding a huge secret - he's a kidnapper and serial killer. He has "Rachel" locked in a shed and she's been there over 5 years. When Aidan and Cecilia have to move, he is forced to integrate Rachel into the household, telling Cecilia that she is a family friend in need of a place to stay. Then there's Emily, a restaurant owner in town, who has a crush on Aidan.

This story is told from the POV of all the women currently in Aidan's life as well as those speaking from the grave. I really loved the way this story was written, as we got background information in snippets, yet allowing us to see the big picture as well. It's a bit of a slow burn as the author delves into these women's thoughts but it all worked for me and I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read more from this author!