Powerful, anxiety-inducing and completely immersive, The Quiet Tenant is an unforgettably haunting tale you experience deep in your core. An unfathomably traumatic and emotional story that will have you feeling angry and dejected while retaining a glimmer of hope for a satisfying conclusion.
Rachel is being held captive by a man who abducted her on the side of a country road 5 years ago. Her life has consisted of being chained inside a shed where she’s visited daily by the man who brings her food, a bucket to relieve herself in, and supplies to clean herself before he has his way with her. But things change when the man’s wife dies, and he’s forced to move with his 13-year-old daughter. He takes Rachel with him, locking her up in a room in their new house for most of the day and letting her out for dinner under the guise of a family friend going through a tough time. But this little taste of freedom gives Rachel strength and opportunities she hasn’t had before. As she tests the boundaries of her personal prison, she forms a connection with the daughter while also finding out that her tormentor is in a new relationship with a local woman, adding a sense of urgency to Rachel needing to do something before other women are victimized. Summoning the courage to act, Rachel will have to execute a perfect escape to finally bring justice to the man who has stolen her life…and the lives of many others.
On the surface, The Quiet Tenant is a thriller about a woman who’s been abducted and the man who retains power over her. But this novel is much deeper than that. It examines male/female power dynamics, how sometimes just surviving each day is a huge win, and how you can find strength and courage in the direst of situations. It also leads you question if you truly know your neighbors and what they are capable of. Is that beloved pillar of your community really as squeaky clean as they seem? Or do they have a deep dark secret that would rock your world if it ever came to light?
As such, The Quiet Tenant is multi-layered, thought-provoking and contains a lot of depth. But it’s also very well written, moves at a brisk pace and strings you along with just enough hope to compel you to keep reading and root for Rachel to find freedom. And as if the book isn’t compelling enough on its own, Clémence Michallon is a native French speaker who pulled off writing this amazing novel in her second language. An incredible feat that makes this book even more phenomenal. A brilliant debut thriller from someone new to watch in the genre.
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