Alicia Berenson, a happily married painter shoots her husband Gabriel five times in the face and goes silent after she is arrested. Alicia somehow is not imprisoned but is sent to a psychiatric facility in North London which seems to be secure. After six years Theo Faber, her therapist takes the onus of making her talk and also to get to the bottom of the cold blooded murder. During his sessions it comes to light that Theo and Alicia have a lot in common as both had experienced a very traumatic childhood. He learns all this from her diary and tries to understand her state of mind over the years. Through a painting named Alcestis that Alicia created Theo tries to decipher her silent message but to no luck. There are many intriguing twists and turns that make one hooked. The book is a pager tuner and never gets boring. 

This debut novel of Alex Michealides is not only a thriller but also highlights mental illness, suicidal tendencies, self-harm, child abuse, betrayal, trauma, love and a dark side. The characters in the book Max her brother in law, Jean Felix manager of the gallery, Barbie who is Alicia’s next door neighbor, Paul her cousin and Lydia Rose her aunt add a lot of color to this murder mystery. The ending is unforgettable and makes one introspect.