The Quiet Tenant by Clemence Michallon was a thrilling look at psychological and physical control that one person can have over another, and the lengths that are gone to for the perpetrator to avoid red flags in their public persona. This story is told through multiple viewpoints of the female victims. Well done, well written, and believable.

3.75/5

I ended up listening to this on audio instead of reading the physical copy and I really enjoyed it. Having the different voices for the different characters really added to the book for me.

What a wild story to be told from all of the different point of views. I feel like it added so much to the story to see how all of the different people that were involved were feeling.

I must read if you want a book that will have your head reeling and be hard to put down. Whoa! This book was a wild one.

This book feels like it could’ve been ripped out of the headlines and put to paper.

Definitely check the content warnings before you begin.

The novel’s premise—a secluded woman who discovers disturbing secrets about her seemingly ordinary neighbor—offers a compelling foundation for suspense and intrigue.

Michallon’s writing is sharp and atmospheric, effectively building tension and creating a palpable sense of dread. The exploration of the protagonist’s psychological state and the eerie, claustrophobic setting contribute to the book’s unsettling mood. The characterization is nuanced, and the psychological elements are well-crafted, drawing readers into the protagonist’s increasingly fraught world.

However, the novel’s impact is somewhat diminished by its abrupt ending. After a buildup of suspense and a deep dive into the psychological themes, the resolution feels sudden and leaves several questions unanswered. This abrupt conclusion might leave some readers unsatisfied, as it doesn't fully resolve the narrative’s complexities or provide a satisfying closure.

While The Quiet Tenant offers a tense and engaging read with strong psychological elements, the ending’s lack of resolution may detract from its overall effectiveness. Fans of psychological thrillers might appreciate the book’s atmosphere and suspense but should be prepared for a conclusion that may not meet all expectations.

The Quiet Tenant is a chilling psychological thriller that follows the life of Aidan Thomas, a widowed, seemingly upstanding member of his community who also happens to be hiding a dark secret. Behind the facade of a hardworking, charming man lies the horrifying truth: he has been holding a woman captive in his home for years. As Aidan’s life takes a turn—moving to a new house with his teenage daughter—he takes his captive with him, presenting her as a tenant to the outside world. What follows is a tense, pulse-pounding narrative that unfolds through the perspectives of the women in Aidan’s life: his captive, his daughter, and a local woman who is drawn to him.

Michallon’s writing is sharp and compelling, pulling readers into the disturbing psychological maze of Aidan’s dual existence. The tension simmers steadily as Aidan’s facade cracks, and Michallon masterfully weaves together layers of suspense, deception, and dread. What makes The Quiet Tenant particularly engaging is the way Michallon allows readers to see the psychological manipulation at play, with glimpses into Aidan’s mind contrasted with the experiences of the women he ensnares.

The twists in this thriller are subtle but effective, especially when it becomes clear that Aidan’s captive has her own plans for survival. The growing realization of Aidan’s true nature by those around him, particularly his daughter and a local woman, adds to the unease and suspense. The unexpected alliances and the tension between trust and danger make for an exciting read that keeps you guessing.

While some readers might expect more dramatic revelations or a faster pace, the quiet, methodical unraveling of Aidan’s life is what gives this book its edge. The Quiet Tenant is a psychological thriller that excels in character development and psychological tension, making for a gripping and unsettling read.

If you’re looking for a thriller that thrives on atmosphere, character depth, and unsettling twists rather than outright shock, this book is well worth the read.

Thank you NetGalley, Knopf Publishing, and Clémence Michallon for the opportunity to read and review The Quiet Tenant.

Captive Woman Escapes Serial Killer

The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon is a psychological thriller that delves into the harrowing life of Rachel, a woman held captive for five years by Aidan Thomas, a seemingly charming and helpful man in his small upstate New York town. The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, including those of Rachel, Aidan's thirteen-year-old daughter Cecilia, and Emily, a local restaurant owner who becomes entangled in their lives. When Aidan's wife dies, he moves with Cecilia and Rachel, disguised as a "tenant," into a new home, setting the stage for Rachel's desperate attempts to escape and expose Aidan's true nature.

Overall, The Quiet Tenant is a powerful debut that combines psychological insight with a gripping narrative, making it a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers.

Intense and read pretty fast. Still left with unanswered questions but overall good. Read half and listen to half through libby. There were times where I felt I was holding my breath waiting for the next page! More of a 3.5⭐️

This book was a slow burn but it was so worth it. It was a very dark and sinister read, so if that's not your thing, I would avoid this one.

I LOVE this book. The pacing and POV storytelling was perfect. One of my all time favorite reading experiences.

This novel is truly unique in the way that the story is told. The author tells the story from the point of view of three different women who are involved in the life of a serial killer: his captive, his daughter, and a potential love interest. While the POV story-telling is well done and definitely adds to the tension, the author uses first, second, and third person pov’s to effectively keep the reader in the dark about certain characters motives and actions.

A well conceived plot and a well written story that will keep you on the edge of the seat until the bitter end.

I am the odd man out on this one. I did not like it or enjoy it. I see why it was sold as a movie but I don't think I will go see it. Creepy in a not good way

This was a difficult story to finish. Not only because of the subject matter and the repeating information, but because it requires you to buy into the plot. The first few chapters had me very curious; what kind of serial killer keeps a victim? How has she survived this long? And then, the hammer drops: her captor is moving her into a house...with his own daughter. Truthfully, I did not want to keep reading past that, but I was curious to see where the character development lead. Essentially...no where? This book felt both far too long and drastically underwritten, with nothing at the end to satiate the reader.

This book wasn’t a thriller book with the twists but was more of a darker thriller. Aidan is a beloved member of the community. His wife recently passed and he is now a single father. But, Aidan has a dark secret. He has a woman imprisoned in the shed in his backyard. This is not the first time he's done something like this.

The premise of the book sounded good but there were parts of it that just weren't plausible to me. I know it's fiction so it is not a true story or even based on a true story. However, when he moved her into the house she ate meals with his daughter. She never thought to make a run for it? She had an opportunity to leave but was determined not to go without his daughter, Cecilia. Why didn't Rachel leave and get help if she really thought Cecilia, was in danger? I love books about serial killers and kidnappings. I know I'm not normal 😆

This book felt very slow moving for me. I liked the switching perspectives in each chapter but it could get a little confusing. I wanted it to have a bit more to it if that makes sense. I feel like it wasn’t as satisfying as I’d hope especially the end.

The Quiet Tenant is a thriller that really pulls you in. In a way you find yourself drawn to the killer at first, until his true nature is shown. The dramatic irony of the town's love for this man added a different aspect to this book that many other thrillers do not have. some people may also be annoyed by multiple perspective and the perspectives of a child, however, I again was drawn to this aspect of the book. Overall this book kept me on my toes and was a great thriller that I recommend to others.

This title is completely misleading. Yes, the tenant is indeed quiet, but is the quiet tenant the man who rents the property, or is it the tenant that the landlord knows nothing about - the one locked in the shed? Or later on, is it the woman keeping house for the man and his 13-year-old daughter?

This book gave me the shivers. I recommend it to anyone who is a fan of serial killers who prey on women. One thing that hit me hard was how, after so much time has passed, the victim may be afraid to try to escape, even when given the chance.

I received an e-arc of this book from the publisher Knopf via Netgalley, and voluntarily read and reviewed it.

Aidan seems like an okay guy on paper. He works hard, provides for his family, owns a home. He’s also kidnaps and kills people. Then his wife moves and his current captor is brought to the surface and rebranded as a family friend needing somewhere to live for awhile, which he expects to go smoothly having kept her captive for several years and assuming she has just assumed her new role in life. Except Rachel remembers her past left and she will fight to get it back.

Sometimes you need a popcorn thriller that is outlandish and crazy, full of the most eccentric people that likely would never exist…and sometimes you need this - the unsettling, creeping, and completely realistic and therefore horrifying thriller that gets under your skin and makes you look over your shoulder every time you’re out on your own.

This was a great character study and examination of a variety of people. The 2nd person POV is always a risky move and it paid off big time with The Quiet Tenant.

I would prefer to leave most of my thoughts regarding specifics out of my review, I think going into this one blindly and expecting a visceral experience is the way to go. It’s not a light read, it’s not something I would want to read every week, but it was definitely one of those ‘holy shit this changed things for me’ kind of reads and I can’t recommend it enough to people who enjoy darker thrillers / horror.

This was such a good one! There may be some triggers for some - so be mindful of that. It’s about a woman being held captive by a man, who eventually is put in a situation to meet the man’s daughter. The captive has to navigate the situation perfectly if she ever wants to escape.

When I first started reading this book, I couldn't help admire the writer's style. The way I was able to get inside the character's head. It really captivated me. I did put the book down several times, however the more I read, the more I was drawn to continue reading. If I'm correct, there are three perspectives in the story. My favorite character is the woman held captive, Rachel. My least favorite character arc is Emily. I can understand why Rachel would develop PTSD, however I think the fact that it seemed like Emily felt the need to change her life at the end was drastic. I can understand that she was a distraction for the antagonist, but it didn't make sense about her decisions at the end of the story. I would have preferred to hear more about what happened to Rachel and Cecilia. I don't think I would read this book again.

This book really delves deep into the human psyche of a serial killer and someone held captive by him. It was disturbing and gritty, but at the same time, I couldn’t put it down.

This book is a gripping thriller about Aidan, a respected man who secretly kidnaps a young woman named Rachel. Despite her captivity, Rachel maintains hope and sanity, while the tension builds throughout the story.

Michallon's clear writing and well-paced plot keep readers engaged. The characters are well-developed and their interactions compelling. This powerful story about resilience and the fight for freedom is a must-read for psychological thriller fans. Over all, it was good! Gave it a 4 out of 5 stars!

What a thrilling book. Told from different perspectives and never knowing what is really happening, kept me guessing. The end was very suspenseful and good. I’m glad that I was able to receive this book and thank you to the publishers for allowing me to read it