Title: The Patient
Author: Jane Shemilt
ISBN: 9780008475918
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 311
Source: Private Copy
What price would you pay for falling in love?
Rachel is a respected doctor who lives in a picturesque and affluent English village where her husband Nathan teaches at an elite private school. Competent, unflappable, and nearing 50, Rachel has everything in her life firmly in her control, even if some of its early luster has worn off. But one day a new patient arrives at her practice for emergency treatment. Luc is a French painter married to a wealthy American woman who’s just bought and restored a historic home on the edge of Rachel’s posh neighborhood. The couple has only recently arrived, but Luc is struggling with a mental disorder, and so he goes to the nearest clinic…to Rachel.
Their attraction is instant, and as Rachel’s sense of ethics wars with newly awakened passion, the affair blinds her to everything else happening around her. A longtime patient appears to be following her every movement, turning up unexpectedly wherever she goes. Her somewhat estranged adult daughter Lizzie is hiding a secret—or at least, hiding it from Rachel. Nathan has grown sour and cold as well—or is that merely Rachel’s guilty conscience weighing on her? But when one of her colleagues winds up murdered and Luc is arrested for the crime, everything Rachel didn’t know about her life explodes into the open—along with her affair with her patient—a disgrace and scandal that will have consequences no one could have predicted.
Official Summary
26 September 2022
This book popped up on social media and I found myself intrigued by the blurb despite not having read anything else by the author. I ordered a copy and what it read it has been. Reaching for this book you will find it has a slow start, but before you know it the story is galloping along delivering one twist after the next. It’s a story full of surprises that is sure to keep you flipping pages into the early hours.
I am new to Jane Shemilt’s work and found myself enjoying the way she eases you into the story. Her mature characters are relatable and the twists she delivers are brilliant. I found it very difficult to put this book down once I reached the second half. After the slow start, the increase in pace kept me glued to the pages.
Rachel is a respected local doctor whose life is stable and secure. She has everything under control and she is content, even if she is a tad listless and bored with the routine of her days. Until a new patient moves into her neighbourhood with his American wife. Rachel finds herself intrigued by Luc and before she realises what is happening this man is a part of her life and turning everything upside down.
The relaxing start to the story left me with some doubt, but the more I read the more difficult it become to put this book down. I was wrapped up in the story and quickly forgot about the book starting slowly. It is a surprising read that delivers twists you never expected.
Dr Rachel Goodchild has dedicated her life to her career. As she is getting older, she realises that she has maybe not spent as much time with her family as she should have. Her husband is distant and their relationship is not what it used to be. Her daughter is distant and prefers to keep Rachel at arm’s length. When Rachel meets Luc there is an awakening of her younger self and she experiences feelings long forgotten.
This book is an intriguing read that eases you into the story, allowing you to relax, only to pick up speed, delivering twist after twist you never expected. If you enjoy a suspense thriller, then this book is guaranteed to have you reading into the early hours. I am looking forward to reading more of this author’s work.
Also by Jane Shemilt
Little Friends
Their children are friends first. They hit it off immediately, as kids do. And so the parents are forced to get to know each other. Three wildly different couples. Three marriages, floundering.
There are barbecues, dinner parties, a holiday in Greece. An affair begins, resentments flare, and despite it, all the three women become closer.
Unnoticed their children run wild. The couples are so busy watching each other that they forget to watch their children. Until tragedy strikes.
But the summer won’t be over until our story twists, and twists again, while three families search desperately for answers. Because while they have been looking the other way, evil has crept into their safe little world and every parent’s biggest nightmare is about to come true…
About The Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Jane Shemilt is an internationally-acclaimed, best-selling author of psychological suspense novels. Her debut novel Daughter was a Richard and Judy pick, shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish award and nominated for an Edgar award. It became the fastest selling debut of 2014. Her third novel, How Far We Fall, has been optioned for production as a TV drama by Twelve Town.
Jane’s stories are inspired by her background in psychology and medicine. She studied Psychology at London University before qualifying with honours from the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine. She began writing while working as a GP, undertaking a diploma in Creative Writing then an M.A. also in Creative Writing, at Bath Spa University, gaining both with distinction.
Jane lives in Bristol with her husband Steve Gill – a Professor of Neurosurgery – where they brought up their five children. She is currently working on her fifth novel.
Thank you for visiting the blog. I loved this book and would recommend you give this author a try if you haven’t yet. If you are a fan, what if your favourite Jane Shemilt book? Leave a comment below. Until next time…Happy Reading!
