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Kim Slade #1
The Patient
Previously published as Beautiful Losers
I have a scarred man who wants my help. Why won’t he take no for an answer? Now he’s sending weird gifts to my home. I don’t feel safe any more.
Some scars never heal . . .
I know I’m lucky. I have a stunning Cheltenham apartment. A charming weekend cottage in Devon. Chris, my partner, is kind and supportive. He loves me in spite of my scars — the result of a childhood incident I don’t talk about. Most of all, I love my job, helping young women with eating disorders.
But I can’t help everyone. As I tell Kyle Stannard. Kyle was once a top male model. Before he was left horrifically scarred in a random attack.
Kyle thinks we’re the same — but I can’t help him with his problems. It’s not my field.
But then creepy things start to happen. A box of chocolates shows up — but it’s not from Chris. A beautiful mirror is delivered to my home. But I didn’t order it. Silent phone calls in the dead of night.
It must be Kyle. He’s completely obsessed.
But the police don’t believe me. So I take matters into my own hands. I need to uncover Kyle’s secrets.
But the deeper I dig, the weirder it gets. What if Kyle isn’t my stalker?
What if the person who wants to destroy me lies much closer to home . . .
I have a scarred man who wants my help. Why won’t he take no for an answer? Now he’s sending weird gifts to my home. I don’t feel safe any more.
Some scars never heal . . .
I know I’m lucky. I have a stunning Cheltenham apartment. A charming weekend cottage in Devon. Chris, my partner, is kind and supportive. He loves me in spite of my scars — the result of a childhood incident I don’t talk about. Most of all, I love my job, helping young women with eating disorders.
But I can’t help everyone. As I tell Kyle Stannard. Kyle was once a top male model. Before he was left horrifically scarred in a random attack.
Kyle thinks we’re the same — but I can’t help him with his problems. It’s not my field.
But then creepy things start to happen. A box of chocolates shows up — but it’s not from Chris. A beautiful mirror is delivered to my home. But I didn’t order it. Silent phone calls in the dead of night.
It must be Kyle. He’s completely obsessed.
But the police don’t believe me. So I take matters into my own hands. I need to uncover Kyle’s secrets.
But the deeper I dig, the weirder it gets. What if Kyle isn’t my stalker?
What if the person who wants to destroy me lies much closer to home . . .
364 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
January 15, 2016
Before reading this book, I read through a few of the reviews and because so many readers were less than excited about it, I approached Beautiful Losers with a bit of hesitancy.
However, this is definitely one of my favorite books. Usually I can kind of reason why others might not like a book or why they would love something that I didn't, but in this case I really can't figure it out. Nonetheless, I can't say enough good things about this one.
Beautiful Losers is the story of a psychologist with a facial disfigurement. She leads a fairly happy life - great job, caring boyfriend - and yet she finds herself being targeted by a stalker. Who it is remains a mystery and her thinking is that if she ignores him, he'll just go away. That is, of course, until he harms someone close to her. Ultimately it comes down to whether she will uncover who is haunting her and trying to tear her down or will she give in and give the stalker what he wants in order to make him go away.
Very few books, even those that fall within the horror category, are able to give me chills like this one did. I know that writing in stalkers, essentially an invisible character, can be incredibly difficult and this one is so well done. This one was creepy, believable, and so well played out that I couldn't help but to root for his demise.
If you enjoy novels of suspense, especially those with stalkers, you're definitely going to want to get your hands on this one.
My Rating: 5 Stars
Would I Recommend: ABSOLUTELY YES!
However, this is definitely one of my favorite books. Usually I can kind of reason why others might not like a book or why they would love something that I didn't, but in this case I really can't figure it out. Nonetheless, I can't say enough good things about this one.
Beautiful Losers is the story of a psychologist with a facial disfigurement. She leads a fairly happy life - great job, caring boyfriend - and yet she finds herself being targeted by a stalker. Who it is remains a mystery and her thinking is that if she ignores him, he'll just go away. That is, of course, until he harms someone close to her. Ultimately it comes down to whether she will uncover who is haunting her and trying to tear her down or will she give in and give the stalker what he wants in order to make him go away.
Very few books, even those that fall within the horror category, are able to give me chills like this one did. I know that writing in stalkers, essentially an invisible character, can be incredibly difficult and this one is so well done. This one was creepy, believable, and so well played out that I couldn't help but to root for his demise.
If you enjoy novels of suspense, especially those with stalkers, you're definitely going to want to get your hands on this one.
My Rating: 5 Stars
Would I Recommend: ABSOLUTELY YES!
January 31, 2016
Beautiful Losers (Kim Slade #1) by Eve Seymour was the first book in a series featuring Kim Slade, a clinical psychologist specializing in eating disorders. This book was not at all a thriller and the mystery didn’t get half way interesting until three quarters of the way into the book.
There was a lot going on, Kim Slade was being stalked, her boyfriend is found murdered, a friend’s husband leaves her, a former model who is disfigured wants to talk to her, one of her patients is anorexic and somehow tied to the former model and she tries to solve her own stalking case while alienating all her friends and coworkers. The first half of the book was a jumbled, boring mess and the only reason I kept reading was because the supposedly educated protagonist was the in the “too dumb to live” category and I wanted to see how the author rapped this up. None of the characters really grabbed me. The last quarter of the book was O.K., but I can definitely state that I will not be continuing with this series.
Thanks to Midnight Ink and Net Galley for allowing me to read this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
There was a lot going on, Kim Slade was being stalked, her boyfriend is found murdered, a friend’s husband leaves her, a former model who is disfigured wants to talk to her, one of her patients is anorexic and somehow tied to the former model and she tries to solve her own stalking case while alienating all her friends and coworkers. The first half of the book was a jumbled, boring mess and the only reason I kept reading was because the supposedly educated protagonist was the in the “too dumb to live” category and I wanted to see how the author rapped this up. None of the characters really grabbed me. The last quarter of the book was O.K., but I can definitely state that I will not be continuing with this series.
Thanks to Midnight Ink and Net Galley for allowing me to read this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
January 4, 2018
I tried in 2017.
I tried again at the end of 2017.
Left it to pick it up again 2nd January 2018.
I still couldn’t enjoy it as much as I really wanted to.
I’m not sure why this is under Crime/ mystery, it’s not really relating to me like that kind of genre.
I hate giving below 3 stars, but this really didn’t appeal to me personally.
My thanks to Midnight Ink via Net Galley for my copy
December 20, 2015
3.0 out of 5 stars -- Mildly entertaining mystery (quasi thriller) about a disfigured psychologist who tries to turn the tables and attempt to identify her alleged stalker. The problem is that Kim's reactions and behavior are so implausible -- and I'll go ahead and say stupid -- that it's no wonder that the police, her coworkers, boss and friends have a hard time believing her.
I kept reading only to see if I was able to pick out the true culprit despite the red herrings and diversions in the convoluted plot. I did. There was no real suspense and I could not relate to any of the characters -- all stereotypical and one-dimensional (sometimes hard to keep straight). There was lilttle suspense and the tension, menace, and urgency typical of this type of novel were absent. I would say that Kim needs to heed that oft repeated maxim -- "heal thyself."
So, a quick read without much substance, certainly the topic of eating disorders was barely touched upon despite the title. I can't see this being the start of a successful series as Kim Slade is just too much of a hot mess.
Thank you to NetGalley and Midnight Ink for the e-book ARC to review.
I kept reading only to see if I was able to pick out the true culprit despite the red herrings and diversions in the convoluted plot. I did. There was no real suspense and I could not relate to any of the characters -- all stereotypical and one-dimensional (sometimes hard to keep straight). There was lilttle suspense and the tension, menace, and urgency typical of this type of novel were absent. I would say that Kim needs to heed that oft repeated maxim -- "heal thyself."
So, a quick read without much substance, certainly the topic of eating disorders was barely touched upon despite the title. I can't see this being the start of a successful series as Kim Slade is just too much of a hot mess.
Thank you to NetGalley and Midnight Ink for the e-book ARC to review.
May 9, 2026
I don’t usually add comments to a rating because I mainly utilize Goodreads to track what I’ve read and I can’t stand reading other people’s regurgitations. I’m so annoyed with the main character in this book that I can’t help myself. I have no idea how this woman manages to get out of bed in the morning and dress herself, let alone survive in the world. What a complete idiot. As another reviewer said, she’s just too dumb to live. I enjoyed the first chapter and the climax, but the rest of the time I just wanted to punch Kim Slade in the throat. How this dumpster fire of a character could carry a series is beyond me.
September 19, 2024
Slow burner, but worth sticking with!
September 8, 2024
BOOOORRRIIINNNNGGGGGG
August 3, 2024
I did not see that twist coming
May 19, 2025
This was a fab read, you never know who to trust, I love a book when you have no idea who the culprit is , until much later in the book
April 6, 2026
I feel like I have been reading this for months. It’s a bit long winded. The plot and story line is good but a bit drawn out
April 12, 2016
Clinical psychologist Kim Slade has intimate experience about body disfigurement. Superficially she’s a successful modern career woman who converted childhood trauma into something positive. Slade has a fashionable flat, a second seaside home, a loving long-term boyfriend, a close-knit circle of loyal friends, a snazzy set of wheels, rewarding work and supportive colleagues.
Oh yeah. She has something else, too. She has a stalker who wants to terrify her, isolate her, ruin her and then kill her.
On one level, Beautiful Losers works as a race-to-the-end novel of suspense. The author throws a stack of suspects into the mix. Neither the reader nor Slade knows who to trust, as suspicion switches from unknown strangers to her most intimate friends. Seymour maintains the mystery all the way to the final showdown, scattering red herrings and the odd dead body en route.
Then there’s way more going on in the subplots: body dysmorphic disorder; the life-rending implications of a rape accusation; the unspoken uncertainties of loving adult relationships; pushy parents and the anxieties they stimulate in their offspring; societal pressures to stay looking attractive into older age – almost every chapter repeats the book’s motif: there’s more to this than meets the eye. Slade’s personal uncertainty has the most resonance. She struggles to define herself as an individual. Is she dependent on her lover? Can she only be happy within the confines of that relationship? She just has to stay alive and out of jail to answer any of those questions…
Slade has potential to be a powerful protagonist. She’s an intelligent, insightful woman with the head-shrinking expertise which should make her ideally equipped to size up and sort out a deranged, disturbed opponent. But she spends much of the time on the back foot, very much in the role of bewildered, out-manoeuvred victim. She could’ve out-thought her stalker but instead reacts without engaging her intellect – deleting emails, disposing of vital evidence, denying her peril rather than facing it full on. However, I appreciate that there’s an entire sub-genre of crime novel which demands ‘realistic’ reactions from its protagonists. And I guess most people would simply fall apart in this situation – we can’t all be Lisbeth Salander.
There are several chapter conclusions which seem to signal a forthcoming change of direction, a new determination in which Slade rejects the role of passive victim and takes the fight to the enemy. My spirits would lift at these, only to plummet a few pages later when she returns to the same pattern of oddly inappropriate, banal, bourgeois behaviour.
So it’s an absolute tribute to the writing that, despite how little I liked her, I was fascinated by Slade’s decline into distrust and disorder. I was intrigued by the potential identity of her tormentor, and keen to discover how the parallel plots involving a mid-life crisis, older woman and a neurotic, anorexic youngster were resolved. For me, the master-stroke involved Slade’s relationship with her lover and how rapidly she became convinced that he’d betrayed her. Who do you trust?
This is a complex novel which aims to incorporate weighty contemporary themes into a page-turning thriller. It struggles in places to realise that ambition, but the pages sure do fly by. Beautiful Losers is listed as being the first Kim Slade thriller. Hopefully in the second, her intellect and grit will play a greater role.
7/10
There's a more detailed review over at:
https://murdermayhemandmore.wordpress...
Oh yeah. She has something else, too. She has a stalker who wants to terrify her, isolate her, ruin her and then kill her.
On one level, Beautiful Losers works as a race-to-the-end novel of suspense. The author throws a stack of suspects into the mix. Neither the reader nor Slade knows who to trust, as suspicion switches from unknown strangers to her most intimate friends. Seymour maintains the mystery all the way to the final showdown, scattering red herrings and the odd dead body en route.
Then there’s way more going on in the subplots: body dysmorphic disorder; the life-rending implications of a rape accusation; the unspoken uncertainties of loving adult relationships; pushy parents and the anxieties they stimulate in their offspring; societal pressures to stay looking attractive into older age – almost every chapter repeats the book’s motif: there’s more to this than meets the eye. Slade’s personal uncertainty has the most resonance. She struggles to define herself as an individual. Is she dependent on her lover? Can she only be happy within the confines of that relationship? She just has to stay alive and out of jail to answer any of those questions…
Slade has potential to be a powerful protagonist. She’s an intelligent, insightful woman with the head-shrinking expertise which should make her ideally equipped to size up and sort out a deranged, disturbed opponent. But she spends much of the time on the back foot, very much in the role of bewildered, out-manoeuvred victim. She could’ve out-thought her stalker but instead reacts without engaging her intellect – deleting emails, disposing of vital evidence, denying her peril rather than facing it full on. However, I appreciate that there’s an entire sub-genre of crime novel which demands ‘realistic’ reactions from its protagonists. And I guess most people would simply fall apart in this situation – we can’t all be Lisbeth Salander.
There are several chapter conclusions which seem to signal a forthcoming change of direction, a new determination in which Slade rejects the role of passive victim and takes the fight to the enemy. My spirits would lift at these, only to plummet a few pages later when she returns to the same pattern of oddly inappropriate, banal, bourgeois behaviour.
So it’s an absolute tribute to the writing that, despite how little I liked her, I was fascinated by Slade’s decline into distrust and disorder. I was intrigued by the potential identity of her tormentor, and keen to discover how the parallel plots involving a mid-life crisis, older woman and a neurotic, anorexic youngster were resolved. For me, the master-stroke involved Slade’s relationship with her lover and how rapidly she became convinced that he’d betrayed her. Who do you trust?
This is a complex novel which aims to incorporate weighty contemporary themes into a page-turning thriller. It struggles in places to realise that ambition, but the pages sure do fly by. Beautiful Losers is listed as being the first Kim Slade thriller. Hopefully in the second, her intellect and grit will play a greater role.
7/10
There's a more detailed review over at:
https://murdermayhemandmore.wordpress...
August 3, 2025
I downloaded this one on a whim because it was free and the blurb sounded promising. Sadly it was my least favourite read of the year so far. The story was messy and overstuffed with too many characters, too many locations, and far too many subplots. Kim Slade, our main character, drove me mad with her continual poor decisions. I know flawed protagonists can be interesting, but she felt naive rather than complex, and I found myself losing patience with her very quickly.
The suspense never landed for me. It started painfully slow, then suddenly sped up at the end, but by that point I had already stopped caring. It leaned much more towards domestic drama than psychological thriller but a change of genre does not change how negatively I feel about this book. I even tried switching between audiobook and ebook to see if one format would help me follow along more easily, but neither improved the experience.
On the positive side, the audiobook narrator Hannah Curtis was excellent. Her voice suited Kim perfectly, and she handled the huge cast of characters impressively. She made the book as listenable as it could be, even if the material itself was a disappointment.
Overall this one was not for me, and I will make sure to actively avoid the rest of this Kim Slade series.
The suspense never landed for me. It started painfully slow, then suddenly sped up at the end, but by that point I had already stopped caring. It leaned much more towards domestic drama than psychological thriller but a change of genre does not change how negatively I feel about this book. I even tried switching between audiobook and ebook to see if one format would help me follow along more easily, but neither improved the experience.
On the positive side, the audiobook narrator Hannah Curtis was excellent. Her voice suited Kim perfectly, and she handled the huge cast of characters impressively. She made the book as listenable as it could be, even if the material itself was a disappointment.
Overall this one was not for me, and I will make sure to actively avoid the rest of this Kim Slade series.
October 20, 2015
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers, Midnight Ink, for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest and open review.
I didn't just read this book, I devoured it! It grabbed me at page 1 and didn't let go until the final page.
One aspect that I particularly liked was the way the dialogue flowed so beautifully. It was as if I was in the same place as the characters, eavesdropping on their conversations.
The characters were exceptionally well-drawn. I loved Kim and veered from hating Kyle to feeling sorry for him.
There were so many twists and turns that at times I felt as if I was on a roller-coaster.
Throughout the book I changed my mind frequently about who the stalker was. As for the climax - what can I say? It was a real OMG moment!
An exceptional book Ms Seymour and one I will be encouraging all my book-loving friends to read.
I do hope we hear more about Kim Slade.
I didn't just read this book, I devoured it! It grabbed me at page 1 and didn't let go until the final page.
One aspect that I particularly liked was the way the dialogue flowed so beautifully. It was as if I was in the same place as the characters, eavesdropping on their conversations.
The characters were exceptionally well-drawn. I loved Kim and veered from hating Kyle to feeling sorry for him.
There were so many twists and turns that at times I felt as if I was on a roller-coaster.
Throughout the book I changed my mind frequently about who the stalker was. As for the climax - what can I say? It was a real OMG moment!
An exceptional book Ms Seymour and one I will be encouraging all my book-loving friends to read.
I do hope we hear more about Kim Slade.
November 4, 2015
The protagonist, Kim Slade, is a psychologist specialising in eating disorders. Kim also has a facial disfigurement and a stalker. The book centres on the mystery of the identity of the stalker and as such keeps the reader engaged. However, the biggest problem for me was the constant stupidity of Slade who continued to make the worst decisions possible in the given circumstances that it stretched the bounds of credibility. While I know psychologists, like anyone else, are quite capable of hypocrisy, this was just dumb behaviour, not once or twice but throughout. Psychologists are generally very intelligent people and I just couldn't believe someone like Slade would leap to conclusions and continue to make the most idiotic decisions throughout the novel. Thus the plot felt very contrived which detracted substantially from my enjoyment of it.
December 25, 2015
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. This book was previewed as a psychological thriller, unfortunately it was not very suspenseful. It was a very long read that dragged on in alot of spots but picked up towards the end. It will leave you wanting to know how it all ends though.
June 25, 2025
Yes! Yet another book with a highly educated female main character who is an absolute imbecile.
May 29, 2023
A psychological thriller laced with tension.
The Patient follows the story of Kim, a psychologist specializing in the treatment of young women with eating disorders.
Her life seems together - career, solid relationship, long-time friends. When she starts receiving notes, phone calls, and other disturbing items, it becomes clear that someone is watching her. She tries to downplay the severity of the situation and becomes suspicious of everyone in her life. Her own insecurities and self-doubt amplify themselves as her life starts to crumble.
The story starts off slowly as the reader gets to know Kim and all of the people in her life. It's a bit of a slow burn as the stage is set. Once the unsettling events start to occur, the tension begins to build.
The tension doesn't really take hold of the reader until a fair way in. Once it does, it takes a strong hold, and the reader is left gripping the pages, needing to know what happens next. An unexpected event throws a powerful twist at the halfway point, amping up the tension. With plenty of clues and suggestive paths, the reader is quite engaged in attempting to solve the question of who Kim's stalker is. A strong enough clue is provided a ways before the ending, allowing the reader to put the pieces together in advance of the final scene.
A solid psychological thriller with an adequate amount of tension, this is a good read for those who like to be immersed in the character's life and unsettled by the unknown watcher.
The Patient follows the story of Kim, a psychologist specializing in the treatment of young women with eating disorders.
Her life seems together - career, solid relationship, long-time friends. When she starts receiving notes, phone calls, and other disturbing items, it becomes clear that someone is watching her. She tries to downplay the severity of the situation and becomes suspicious of everyone in her life. Her own insecurities and self-doubt amplify themselves as her life starts to crumble.
The story starts off slowly as the reader gets to know Kim and all of the people in her life. It's a bit of a slow burn as the stage is set. Once the unsettling events start to occur, the tension begins to build.
The tension doesn't really take hold of the reader until a fair way in. Once it does, it takes a strong hold, and the reader is left gripping the pages, needing to know what happens next. An unexpected event throws a powerful twist at the halfway point, amping up the tension. With plenty of clues and suggestive paths, the reader is quite engaged in attempting to solve the question of who Kim's stalker is. A strong enough clue is provided a ways before the ending, allowing the reader to put the pieces together in advance of the final scene.
A solid psychological thriller with an adequate amount of tension, this is a good read for those who like to be immersed in the character's life and unsettled by the unknown watcher.
May 3, 2026
3.67
This book made me a bit angry. I’m not too sure how I feel about it so the rating is almost in the middle. A little better than neutral.
KIM my least favorite name. (If you call me Kim, I’ll disown you.) Was kinda dumb not gonna lie for a psychologist.
1. There were so many boring American names that I couldn’t keep track of who was who. The boyfriend’s name was Charlie I think…?
2. I can’t remember his name but I could tell that the other disfigured man was not the stalker
3. Andy? Gave weird vibes
4. Jen gave weird vibes
5. Charlie? Was like a really good boyfriend who only had “kind of” an affair with the gym hoe HALF A DOZEN TIMES like that’s supposed to make Kim feel better lol
6. You have a stalker that leaves you gross things and your first thought “let me get rid of all of the evidence” lol
7. The more I’m writing the more I’m tempted to bring this score down..
8. I think his name was Simon. Why was Simon always in her house?? I’m sorry but that’s weird. And for her friend that’s his wife to go to the police and be like “yeah..Kim attacked him.” H was in her house knowing she has a stalker out there?? What was that all about? I feel like that was touched on and then forgotten about
9. Seems like she needs indoor cameras that record
Byyyeee 👋
This book made me a bit angry. I’m not too sure how I feel about it so the rating is almost in the middle. A little better than neutral.
KIM my least favorite name. (If you call me Kim, I’ll disown you.) Was kinda dumb not gonna lie for a psychologist.
1. There were so many boring American names that I couldn’t keep track of who was who. The boyfriend’s name was Charlie I think…?
2. I can’t remember his name but I could tell that the other disfigured man was not the stalker
3. Andy? Gave weird vibes
4. Jen gave weird vibes
5. Charlie? Was like a really good boyfriend who only had “kind of” an affair with the gym hoe HALF A DOZEN TIMES like that’s supposed to make Kim feel better lol
6. You have a stalker that leaves you gross things and your first thought “let me get rid of all of the evidence” lol
7. The more I’m writing the more I’m tempted to bring this score down..
8. I think his name was Simon. Why was Simon always in her house?? I’m sorry but that’s weird. And for her friend that’s his wife to go to the police and be like “yeah..Kim attacked him.” H was in her house knowing she has a stalker out there?? What was that all about? I feel like that was touched on and then forgotten about
9. Seems like she needs indoor cameras that record
Byyyeee 👋
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2023
This book follows the blueprint of a thousand others of this genre. The protagonist has somehow become embroiled in a crime against her and rather than leave it up to the police to find the culprit, she decides to investigate it herself. And like all these stories, she makes incredibly stupid decisions and puts herself into potential danger with each one. And like in all these stories, the hero/ine is allowed to take all the time off work she needs. There are the usual suspects, including her closest friends who may or not be red herrings. All leading up to the reveal of the baddie in the final chapters and the reveal is underwhelming as I had guessed correctly early on. And I use the term "guess" because I didn't think back on the story later and see all the clues I may have missed. It was just underwhelming because the villain was such an overused trope. So an okay read but nothing special to differentiate it from a bunch of others.
July 3, 2023
Let me start by saying I would definitely recommend this book! It’s very well written, gripping, exciting!
Honestly I was gripped from the minute I started this book! The story was throwing me back and forth between the characters, I think I was suspicious of everyone at some point! I loved how the book was written, how each character was described with care. I felt genuine emotions towards the characters!
Spoilers below!!
My only critique and the only thing stopping me from giving 5 stars is how Andy was linked to being the stalker/murderer. It felt a little random that it ended up being him. Don’t get me wrong, what a twist! I just felt a little confused!
I was so heartbroken for Kim & Chris. They deserved a happy ending. A truly sad story but a wholesome outcome for Kim & Kyle both.
Honestly I was gripped from the minute I started this book! The story was throwing me back and forth between the characters, I think I was suspicious of everyone at some point! I loved how the book was written, how each character was described with care. I felt genuine emotions towards the characters!
Spoilers below!!
My only critique and the only thing stopping me from giving 5 stars is how Andy was linked to being the stalker/murderer. It felt a little random that it ended up being him. Don’t get me wrong, what a twist! I just felt a little confused!
I was so heartbroken for Kim & Chris. They deserved a happy ending. A truly sad story but a wholesome outcome for Kim & Kyle both.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2026
★★
“In time-honoured fashion, absence would extinguish even the closest relationship.”
I decided to pick this up because I wanted to switch things up a bit and try more thrillers, but unfortunately it just wasn’t for me. It started off fairly strong with a promising setup, which is what kept me going, but it soon felt like there were too many characters and side plots, and it became more confusing than tense and gripping. I also really struggled with the main character because she made so many questionable decisions that I found myself more annoyed than invested. I’d seen mixed reviews and heard the twist made it all worth it, but for me it just wasn’t a big enough payoff to make up for the slower middle. It also didn’t feel like that big a twist. It wasn’t terrible, but definitely not the book that’s going to convince me thrillers are for me.
“In time-honoured fashion, absence would extinguish even the closest relationship.”
I decided to pick this up because I wanted to switch things up a bit and try more thrillers, but unfortunately it just wasn’t for me. It started off fairly strong with a promising setup, which is what kept me going, but it soon felt like there were too many characters and side plots, and it became more confusing than tense and gripping. I also really struggled with the main character because she made so many questionable decisions that I found myself more annoyed than invested. I’d seen mixed reviews and heard the twist made it all worth it, but for me it just wasn’t a big enough payoff to make up for the slower middle. It also didn’t feel like that big a twist. It wasn’t terrible, but definitely not the book that’s going to convince me thrillers are for me.
August 14, 2024
A psychological thriller
Kim Slade, a psychologist treating mainly anorexics, splits her time between work in Cheltenham and weekends at her family’s old home in Devon with her boyfriend Chris. When she realises she is being stalked , she decides to ignore it , then to track her stalker down. As events ramp up, she finds herself under suspicion.
Lots of heavy-handed hints and red herrings in this novel. I found the prologue and title misleading but didn’t take them seriously. Kim Slade , supposedly an intelligent person, frustrated with the stupid things she did and didn’t do and her obsessive actions beggared belief which meant I didn’t gel with her character .
The final twist was nearly a surprise and I did want to find out what happened.
Kim Slade, a psychologist treating mainly anorexics, splits her time between work in Cheltenham and weekends at her family’s old home in Devon with her boyfriend Chris. When she realises she is being stalked , she decides to ignore it , then to track her stalker down. As events ramp up, she finds herself under suspicion.
Lots of heavy-handed hints and red herrings in this novel. I found the prologue and title misleading but didn’t take them seriously. Kim Slade , supposedly an intelligent person, frustrated with the stupid things she did and didn’t do and her obsessive actions beggared belief which meant I didn’t gel with her character .
The final twist was nearly a surprise and I did want to find out what happened.
March 27, 2026
I listened to 'The Patient' on audible and it was the most underwhelming thriller.
Kim Slade is a psychologist who specialises in eating disorders, she has been through an ordeal herself which left her with a face disfigurement. We discover early that Kim has a stalker, thinking it's Kyle Stannard she starts obsessing and trying to solve the mystery herself resulting in her isolating herself from colleagues and friends. The plot follows a generic thriller/mystery storyline but it is so chaotic, a mess that I was glad to have Chris's murder happen.
To be completely honest, I read reviews to find out who Kim's stalker was I'd lost interest when she was being framed. Thanks to audible for the free book, but not the best experience.
Kim Slade is a psychologist who specialises in eating disorders, she has been through an ordeal herself which left her with a face disfigurement. We discover early that Kim has a stalker, thinking it's Kyle Stannard she starts obsessing and trying to solve the mystery herself resulting in her isolating herself from colleagues and friends. The plot follows a generic thriller/mystery storyline but it is so chaotic, a mess that I was glad to have Chris's murder happen.
To be completely honest, I read reviews to find out who Kim's stalker was I'd lost interest when she was being framed. Thanks to audible for the free book, but not the best experience.
July 15, 2024
An emotional rollercoaster
A book with an incredible storyline, about a woman with a disfigured face. Kim is a psychologist who specializes in young women with eating disorders. She begins to believe that someone is stalking her, but the evidence is tenuous to say the least, and the police don't take her seriously.
Fear becomes an overwhelming emotion, which Kim is experiencing constantly. The characters were creatively constructed, and were only too convincing. Many twists and turns, as well as red herrings.
A book with an incredible storyline, about a woman with a disfigured face. Kim is a psychologist who specializes in young women with eating disorders. She begins to believe that someone is stalking her, but the evidence is tenuous to say the least, and the police don't take her seriously.
Fear becomes an overwhelming emotion, which Kim is experiencing constantly. The characters were creatively constructed, and were only too convincing. Many twists and turns, as well as red herrings.
October 23, 2024
Unsure at first, then loved it
Slow to start with as it sets the scene, but once things start to unravel in Kim's world the pace snowballs and I found it hard to put it down.
It leaves you questioning everything, and second guessing everyone.
Fabulous storytelling and suspense is built nicely until it reaches the peak of the precipice, and then everything is left nice and tidy at the end.
Love a good, thrilling mystery.
Slow to start with as it sets the scene, but once things start to unravel in Kim's world the pace snowballs and I found it hard to put it down.
It leaves you questioning everything, and second guessing everyone.
Fabulous storytelling and suspense is built nicely until it reaches the peak of the precipice, and then everything is left nice and tidy at the end.
Love a good, thrilling mystery.
February 10, 2025
Plenty of Twists and Turns
Kim Slade is being stalked. She thinks it is by a man who has sought her professional help, but supposing it isn't? She believes her boyfriend has left her, but he suddenly turns up dead. Someone is playing a very dangerous game with her. Each time I thought I knew who the stalker was, it it turned out I was wrong. Just the sort of book I like. It kept me guessing until the end.
Kim Slade is being stalked. She thinks it is by a man who has sought her professional help, but supposing it isn't? She believes her boyfriend has left her, but he suddenly turns up dead. Someone is playing a very dangerous game with her. Each time I thought I knew who the stalker was, it it turned out I was wrong. Just the sort of book I like. It kept me guessing until the end.
March 28, 2025
I felt like this book was all over the place and a lot going on that seemed like several stories in one. it seemed to skip around to each character. She then finally figured out who her stalker was but there was no indication along the way that she had figured it out. Just a chapter telling who it was. The main character did a lot of stupid things that made the police and everyone else not believe her. For a psychologist, she did not seem too bright at times.
November 10, 2025
I have to say that this did not fully engage me. It felt very contrived, somewhat predictable and so very ridiculous. The writing was bland and not well executed and there were moments that were infuriating (a metaphor from the voice of the main character that referenced something that they had never done... how can one draw a metaphor or simile without knowing what you are describing)
Overall a basic mystery/thriller that was not that entertaining and definitely not thrilling.
Overall a basic mystery/thriller that was not that entertaining and definitely not thrilling.
May 7, 2026
Compelling, tense, and impossible to stop reading.
The Patient draws you in immediately with an unsettling atmosphere and a mystery that keeps tightening with every chapter. E. V. Seymour builds suspense with precision, layering secrets and emotional tension in a way that keeps you fully invested. The pacing is strong, the twists are effective, and the story maintains its grip all the way through. A five star thriller that I truly could not put down.
The Patient draws you in immediately with an unsettling atmosphere and a mystery that keeps tightening with every chapter. E. V. Seymour builds suspense with precision, layering secrets and emotional tension in a way that keeps you fully invested. The pacing is strong, the twists are effective, and the story maintains its grip all the way through. A five star thriller that I truly could not put down.
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