
Member Reviews

This was a dark, twisty read. Some said this was a slow burn but I found this to be a fast read. I wanted to know more, flipping pages madly as I wondered what was coming next. I'd made some guesses but each POV offered a new thing to speed up my heartrate over and I spent all my time just shocked at the next reveal.
These 3 POV got under my skin. A serial killer. The girl he hasn't killed, the daughter, and a woman in his 'normal' life that is interested in him. I found each POV unique and eye-opening. It was hard not to wonder who I would be, could be, and if I'd see through that man or if I'd be like one of them. This one felt unique and interesting and I loved it! I'll definitely look for more from this author!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

In Clémance Michelin's "The Quiet Tenant," readers experience a chilling narrative that unfolds through the eyes of those closest to a serial killer. Set against the Set in a small upstate New York town, the story follows Aidan Thomas, a seemingly ordinary hard-working family man is loved by the people in his town, but is harboring a sinister secret.
Narrated from multiple perspectives, including that of his 13-year-old daughter, his captive of 5 years “Rachel” and his girlfriend, Michelin crafts a narrative that is as haunting as it is mesmerizing. Each voice adds a layer of complexity to the story, providing insight into the inner workings of a disturbed mind and the devastating impact it has on those around him.
The tension builds steadily throughout the book, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they navigate the twisted story. Michelin's skillful storytelling and meticulous attention to detail create a sense of unease that lingers long after the final page is turned. As Rachel's captivity stretches into years, her resilience and determination to survive offer a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness.
Overall, "The Quiet Tenant" is a pulse-pounding psychological thriller that will leave readers breathless. With its compelling characters, intricate plot, and spine-tingling suspense, it is a must-read for fans of the genre. The author expertly navigates the complexities of trauma, survival, and power dynamics. This book will linger in the minds of readers long after the final page is turned.
Thank you Netgalley and Knopf Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

I really enjoy mysteries, especially psychological ones. This book was one of the best I that I have read in a long time. The character development was very good. Once I started this read I couldn't stop, even though I had to find out what happened in the end. I recommend this this book to everyone who loves mysteries.
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read an advance copy.

Thank you NetGalley for sending me The Quiet Tenant. I LOVED this book!
The Quiet Tenant grabs you from the start and never lets go.
A frighteningly realistic tale of a “normal and nice guy who everybody loves” who is actually a serial killer and kidnapper.
Read it. But don’t expect to out it down anytime soon!

I found this book to be incredibly interesting and such a refreshing take on the subject. I loved that we never got the male's POV, because honestly who cares why he's doing this, what he's thinking, or how he got here? It was so eerie to read the chapters from the women that he already killed and almost more eerie to hear from his daughter who has no idea what's going on. It made me skeeved out in the best way that we had this love interest character who is also a little strange but doesn't know the kind of danger she is in. Now so far so great, so why did I only give this book 3-stars? Honestly, I'm not sure. I just felt a little disappointed by the end. The pacing is great throughout the book, but the ending is extremely ramped up and then we come to this big ending with little closure. On one hand, it was very realistic, but on the other, I was left wanting more. Overall, I would recommend others pick this up and would probably be very interested in another thriller by this author.

Book Review:
Title: The Quiet Tenant
Author: Clemence Michallon
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/3 stars
This book was crazy! On the outside, Aiden Thomas appears to be a kind man, always willing to lend a helping hand, focused on his family, a general all-around great guy. But on the inside, he's hiding a very dark side to him. He's a serial killer. His wife passes away, and he and his 13 year old daughter, Cecila must move. One of the things he has to take with him is his current victim, Rachel, who he hides in his shed in the backyard.
Rachel has been held captive for five years, and she's not giving up without a fight. Aiden decides to allow her to live in their new home, trusting that after all the years, she wouldn't flee. Aiden tells his daughter that Rachel is a family friend and slowly starts to build a relationship with Cecilia. Throw in a new potential love interest, Emily, and things are about to get crazy! I liked that it was taken from the viewpoint of Cecila, Rachel, and Emily because it helped to pull the climax altogether.
Published: June 20th, 2023
Thank you, @netgalley and @aaknopf, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book slowly reels you in with characters that are believable and real to life. The author does it in such a way that before you know it, you are so enthralled in the story line that you must know how it ends! A real nail biter!

i wasn’t a fan. it was predictable and a little unrealistic. i was able to guess the end and when it came to fruition it made me even more annoyed.

Something was missing for me. I needed more mystery. This felt a bit like watching an episode of Columbo.

I had initially declined to review this as the second person POV made it hard for me to read. However, after release, a friend read The Quiet Tenant and raved about it, so I wanted to give the book and the author a second chance. I borrowed the audiobook from the library and was pleasantly surprised at how well the second person POV lent itself to audio.
Rachel's tenacity and determination were amazing, and she's truly the backbone of the story. I'm glad I gave this a second chance.

The title character is a woman who was kidnapped and held for years in a shed by a serial killer. There are two other narrators – a woman the serial killer is dating and his teenaged daughter. The story was interesting and fast-paced and held my attention. The serial killer is the nicest guy in town and everybody loves him. He has killed multiple women over many years, honing his craft as he goes. His life is meticulously planned until the unthinkable happens, and he has to bring his captive into his house to live there with him and his young daughter, which seems preposterous. This book is more about the affected women than the serial killer. There is no attempt to delve into his psyche to understand why he does what he does. The captive, the girlfriend, the daughter - each has their own issues to deal with. What’s most chilling is that someone can be so charming and yet so deadly. There were some inconsistencies that hampered the story, such as the idea that preparing hot chocolate for a 5k race can be started after the runners take off, and it could have used a good editor. Despite the minor issues I had with the book, the ending was great and it’s given me a lot to think about. Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf Publishing Group for the chance to read an advance copy.

This was SO thrilling- I was on my seat for half the book. Don’t go into it thinking it’s a mystery, it is definitely more of a thriller. I was so anxious for our main character, I couldn’t flip the pages fast enough!

The first thing you should know about The Quiet Tenant (if you haven't already read it, that is -- I'm definitely late to this one) is that it isn't a psychological thriller. What it is, instead, is a psychological character study about a serial killer named Aidan, told through the voices of the women in his orbit: his captive Rachel, his teen daughter Cecilia, his new love interest Emily, and, in snippets, his victims.
With The Quiet Tenant, Clémence Michallon has written a thoroughly unique take on an abduction story and structured it well, with the shifting perspectives and urgent prose giving the book a propulsive quality, even when not much is actually happening in the plot. I listened to the audiobook, which is read by a full cast who immersed me in the world of the book.
The audio may have also helped to neutralize one of my major issues with the book, which is that it's overwritten, with mundane actions or events over-described in a way that often left me scratching my head. And although Michallon clearly seeks to provide justice for victims, and does so, I found some of the characterization lacking. The idea of seeing Aidan solely through the perspectives of the women closest to him is a compelling one -- but ultimately, the various versions of him are so different that he doesn't come across as one composite person, and there isn't enough backstory for him. I also wish Michallon had done more with the victims' perspectives -- or at least that she had given them names, rather than just numbers -- and with Cecilia's perspective, which wasn't utilized as effectively as it could have been. There are several plot holes and moments that strain believability just a little too much, specifically surrounding the way Emily behaves and the reason behind Aidan's having to move, which serves as the jumping-off point for the book.
Ultimately, The Quiet Tenant had a lot of promise, but it just didn't fully deliver on that promise for me.

This is a thriller but written more as a slow burn. It was a good premise and plot with a serial killer, a trapped woman, and a daughter who is seemingly clueless. I would read another book from the author.

This one didn’t live up to the hype for me! I need answers!!! Lots of answers. I also found this quite confusing most of the time. It was thrilling and suspenseful but I was ultimately let down.

"The Quiet Tenant" is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the chilling world of a serial killer through the eyes of those closest to him. Aidan Thomas appears to be a beloved figure in his small town, but beneath his facade lies a dark secret—he's a kidnapper and serial killer. Told from the perspectives of Aidan's daughter, Cecilia, his girlfriend Rachel, and local restaurant owner Emily, the novel explores the psychological impact of his crimes and the bonds formed between the women in his life.
What makes this debut novel stand out is its beautiful writing style, which immerses readers in the protagonists' minds, keeping them glued to the pages. Despite the dark subject matter, the author skillfully navigates the complexities of trauma, survival, and power dynamics, creating a compelling narrative that keeps readers on edge until the very end.
While "The Quiet Tenant" is a riveting read, I couldn't help but wish for a more striking cover to match the intensity of the story within. However, this minor quibble does not detract from the overall excellence of the book.
In conclusion, "The Quiet Tenant" is an electrifying debut thriller that showcases the talent of its author. With its masterful storytelling and unforgettable characters, it's no surprise that this novel earned a well-deserved five-star rating.

This book right here. It’s so flipping creepy. There’s a woman in the shed but she’s not the first. There is a bartender, Emily, who is attracted to the man that out the woman in the shed. And the town is in love with him because he is a model citizen. Debut author and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️read.

Thank you NetGalley for my copy to review. Hands down a great thriller! Told from multiple view points to include that of the victims it is like no other thriller I have ever read. The story did drag a bit in the middle but overall a fast paced thriller about a women held hostage and those around her.

This book was great. A lot of twists and turns that I did not anticipate! I liked the multi POV and the social dynamics really had me thinking!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. This book is about a serial killer/rapist/evil man, but told entirely from the point of view of the women and I loved this. The details about Aidan and his heinous crimes are told by Rachel and Emily, and there is also insight from his daughter Cecilia. I found the behavior of the women to be highly frustrating while at the same time realistic (I imagine) for those that have lived with extreme trauma. I shouted GO, just RUN, several times while reading the story as sitting comfy in my chair reading I didn't understand their traumatic bond with the evil man that is loved by everyone in town. We never do learn why he does what he does and for me this kept the focus on his victims and their individual experiences. I was left feeling very unsettled at the end of the book, as I imagine all the women in his life felt as well as they tried to pick up the pieces of a new normality and move on with their lives.
I listened to the audio book version, which is read by a full cast of characters. This gave each victim a voice for the reader to connect with. It made them all real, with unique voices and stories and not just stats on the page. If you are interested in this book I do recommend the audio version.
Thank you NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.