: Narrated in the present as he investigates Alicia’s past, interviewing her family and friends .
The story follows , a famous painter who shoots her fashion-photographer husband, Gabriel, five times in the face and then never speaks another word . Her only communication is a self-portrait titled Alcestis , referencing a Greek tragedy about a woman who sacrifices her life for her husband and returns from death speechless . The Silent Patient
: Epistolary entries that detail her life leading up to the murder, including her growing paranoia about a stalker . Key Themes The Silent Patient: Full Book Summary | SparkNotes : Narrated in the present as he investigates