book review the quiet tenant

In Clémence Michallon’s Debut, a Serial Killer Deceives an Entire Town

“The Quiet Tenant” offers multiple perspectives on a monster who keeps his victim and his young daughter under the same roof.

Clémence Michallon Credit... Gabrielle Malewski

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• June 20, 2023
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THE QUIET TENANT , by Clémence Michallon

Clémence Michallon’s assured debut, “The Quiet Tenant,” is an expertly paced psychological thriller that follows three female characters, each compelled and controlled in different ways by the same man.

The book begins with a mysterious character referred to as “the woman in the shed,” who’s been confined and raped for the past five years by Aidan Thomas, a young widower and single dad. A model citizen of the strong, silent type, he is well liked in his small, unnamed town and always seems to appear just when an extra skilled hand is needed. But Aidan has two secrets: the woman in the shed, whom he renames Rachel, and the fact that he has also killed eight other women for sport.

Rachel has recently learned some bad news: After the recent death of Aidan’s wife, his in-laws have decided to sell the house where he lives with his 13-year-old daughter, Cecilia. Rachel assumes that this means her end is near unless she can persuade Aidan to take her along with him.

Miraculously, she does. Aidan moves Rachel into the bedroom next to Cecilia’s. Thinking this woman is a friend of her father’s down on her luck, Cecilia doesn’t see the handcuffs that bind Rachel to the radiator for the majority of the day, or that Aidan unlocks her only for breakfast, dinner and the midnight assaults.

Over the years, Aidan has trained Rachel to participate in her own imprisonment, an assimilation that becomes increasingly distressing to witness. Why can’t Rachel tell Cecilia? Why wouldn’t Rachel cry for help when she has chance run-ins with other people in town, like the judge who is renting Aidan his home? Why, in the rare moments she’s uncuffed, doesn’t Rachel run for her life? The answer is simple, but no less harrowing for that: Aidan has convinced Rachel that he is all-knowing. He tells her he has cameras monitoring her every move and that if she tries to remove the tracking device he’s fastened to her wrist, “I’ll notice.” She believes that any attempt at freedom will cause only more harm.

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THE QUIET TENANT

by Clémence Michallon ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 20, 2023

He'd be a rom-com hero if not for the woman tied up in his house—a twisted premise that raises unexpected moral questions.

While a widowed man falls for a bartender, the woman he’s held hostage for years plots her escape in this fast-paced thriller.

Aidan Thomas doesn’t seem like a bad person: “People loved and trusted him because he was a normal man.” When his wife dies and he needs to move, his hostage, a woman he calls Rachel, convinces him to move her into his new house under the guise of being his tenant rather than killing her in the shed where he’s been hiding her. There, she has more access to his life—she can look through his possessions, hear who comes into the home, and even talk to his daughter. In alternating chapters, she figures out how to stay alive and how best to try to leave. The tight clip of Rachel’s voice—“Any minute now, the tires of his truck will screech outside. He’ll climb up the stairs, the furious tap-tap-tap of his boots a prelude to his anger”—lends urgency. Meanwhile, Aidan is so popular that his community is raising money for him in a 5K race; bartender Emily has volunteered to run a hot-cocoa station to get to know him better. It’s the contrast between the man Aidan appears to be to the outside world—and even to his family—and the man he is in secret that makes Rachel’s job so difficult. The people who love him will protect him because they can’t see him the way that she does. In other chapters, Aidan’s earlier victims chime in to show what’s at stake for Rachel if he isn’t caught. And when Rachel meets the other women in his life—first his daughter and then Emily—she knows she must escape for their sakes, too, but will they help or hinder her?

Pub Date: June 20, 2023

ISBN: 9780593534649

Page Count: 320

Publisher: Knopf

Review Posted Online: March 13, 2023

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2023

THRILLER | SUSPENSE | PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER | GENERAL THRILLER & SUSPENSE | GENERAL FICTION

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New York Times Bestseller

IT STARTS WITH US

by Colleen Hoover ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 18, 2022

Through palpable tension balanced with glimmers of hope, Hoover beautifully captures the heartbreak and joy of starting over.

The sequel to It Ends With Us (2016) shows the aftermath of domestic violence through the eyes of a single mother.

Lily Bloom is still running a flower shop; her abusive ex-husband, Ryle Kincaid, is still a surgeon. But now they’re co-parenting a daughter, Emerson, who's almost a year old. Lily won’t send Emerson to her father’s house overnight until she’s old enough to talk—“So she can tell me if something happens”—but she doesn’t want to fight for full custody lest it become an expensive legal drama or, worse, a physical fight. When Lily runs into Atlas Corrigan, a childhood friend who also came from an abusive family, she hopes their friendship can blossom into love. (For new readers, their history unfolds in heartfelt diary entries that Lily addresses to Finding Nemo star Ellen DeGeneres as she considers how Atlas was a calming presence during her turbulent childhood.) Atlas, who is single and running a restaurant, feels the same way. But even though she’s divorced, Lily isn’t exactly free. Behind Ryle’s veneer of civility are his jealousy and resentment. Lily has to plan her dates carefully to avoid a confrontation. Meanwhile, Atlas’ mother returns with shocking news. In between, Lily and Atlas steal away for romantic moments that are even sweeter for their authenticity as Lily struggles with child care, breastfeeding, and running a business while trying to find time for herself.

Pub Date: Oct. 18, 2022

ISBN: 978-1-668-00122-6

Page Count: 352

Publisher: Atria

Review Posted Online: July 26, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2022

ROMANCE | CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE | GENERAL ROMANCE | GENERAL FICTION

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by Colleen Hoover

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SEEN & HEARD

by Kristin Hannah ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 6, 2024

A dramatic, vividly detailed reconstruction of a little-known aspect of the Vietnam War.

A young woman’s experience as a nurse in Vietnam casts a deep shadow over her life.

When we learn that the farewell party in the opening scene is for Frances “Frankie” McGrath’s older brother—“a golden boy, a wild child who could make the hardest heart soften”—who is leaving to serve in Vietnam in 1966, we feel pretty certain that poor Finley McGrath is marked for death. Still, it’s a surprise when the fateful doorbell rings less than 20 pages later. His death inspires his sister to enlist as an Army nurse, and this turn of events is just the beginning of a roller coaster of a plot that’s impressive and engrossing if at times a bit formulaic. Hannah renders the experiences of the young women who served in Vietnam in all-encompassing detail. The first half of the book, set in gore-drenched hospital wards, mildewed dorm rooms, and boozy officers’ clubs, is an exciting read, tracking the transformation of virginal, uptight Frankie into a crack surgical nurse and woman of the world. Her tensely platonic romance with a married surgeon ends when his broken, unbreathing body is airlifted out by helicopter; she throws her pent-up passion into a wild affair with a soldier who happens to be her dead brother’s best friend. In the second part of the book, after the war, Frankie seems to experience every possible bad break. A drawback of the story is that none of the secondary characters in her life are fully three-dimensional: Her dismissive, chauvinistic father and tight-lipped, pill-popping mother, her fellow nurses, and her various love interests are more plot devices than people. You’ll wish you could have gone to Vegas and placed a bet on the ending—while it’s against all the odds, you’ll see it coming from a mile away.

Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024

ISBN: 9781250178633

Page Count: 480

Publisher: St. Martin's

Review Posted Online: Nov. 4, 2023

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2023

FAMILY LIFE & FRIENDSHIP | GENERAL FICTION | HISTORICAL FICTION

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by Kristin Hannah

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#BookReview The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon @Clemence_Mcl @AAKnopf @PenguinRandomCA #TheQuietTenant #ClemenceMichallon #PenguinReads

A pulse-pounding psychological thriller about a serial killer narrated by those closest to him: His 13-year-old daughter, his girlfriend—and the one victim he has spared

Aidan Thomas is a hard-working family man and a somewhat beloved figure in the small upstate New York town where he lives. He’s the kind of man who always lends a hand and has a good word for everyone. But Aidan has a dark secret he’s been keeping from everyone in town and those closest to him. He’s a kidnapper and serial killer. Aidan has murdered eight women and there’s a ninth he has earmarked for death: Rachel, imprisoned in a backyard shed, fearing for her life.

When Aidan’s wife dies, he and his thirteen-year-old daughter Cecilia are forced to move. Aidan has no choice but to bring Rachel along, introducing her to Cecilia as a “family friend” who needs a place to stay. Aidan is betting on Rachel, after five years of captivity, being too brainwashed and fearful to attempt to escape. But Rachel is a fighter and survivor, and recognizes Cecilia might just be the lifeline she has waited for all these years. As Rachel tests the boundaries of her new living situation, she begins to form a tenuous connection with Cecilia. And when Emily, a local restaurant owner, develops a crush on the handsome widower, she finds herself drawn into Rachel and Cecilia’s orbit, coming dangerously close to discovering Aidan’s secret.

Told through the perspectives of Rachel, Cecilia, and Emily, The Quiet Tenant explores the psychological impact of Aidan’s crimes on the women in his life—and the bonds between those women that give them the strength to fight back. Both a searing thriller and an astute study of trauma, survival, and the dynamics of power, The Quiet Tenant is an electrifying debut thriller by a major talent.

Unsettling, unique, and intricate!

The Quiet Tenant is a skillfully plotted, sinister tale that takes you into the life of Aidan Taylor, a hardworking, handsome widower who appears to be an honest, loyal, single father in need of a little help, but behind that friendly smile lies a depraved secret and a dark impulse to confine, violate, and murder that only a few know about, most of whom are already dead, one of whom desperately needs to escape, and one of whom may just become his next victim.

The writing is sharp and crisp. The characters are secretive, cunning, and vulnerable. And the plot, told from multiple perspectives, builds quickly, creating intensity and suspense as it unravels all the relationships, motivations, personalities, deception, and devious behaviours within it.

Overall, The Quiet Tenant is a fast-paced, unnerving, impressive debut by Michallon that does an exceptional job of eerily reminding us that even the most heinous of evil often live comfortably amongst us merely hidden behind masks of normality.

This novel is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

About Clémence Michallon

CLÉMENCE MICHALLON was born and raised near Paris. She studied journalism at City University of London, received a master's in Journalism from Columbia University, and has written for The Independent since 2018. Her essays and features have covered true-crime, celebrity culture, and literature. She moved to New York City in 2014 and recently became a US citizen. She now divides her time between New York City and Rhinebeck, NY.

Photo by Gabrielle Malewski

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Book Review: The Quiet Tenant by Clemence Michallon

The Quiet Tenant by Clemence Michallon

A pulse-pounding psychological thriller about a serial killer narrated by those closest to him: His 13-year-old daughter, his girlfriend—and the one victim he has spared Aidan Thomas is a hard-working family man and a somewhat beloved figure in the small upstate New York town where he lives. He’s the kind of man who always lends a hand and has a good word for everyone. But Aidan has a dark secret he’s been keeping from everyone in town and those closest to him. He’s a kidnapper and serial killer. Aidan has murdered eight women and there’s a ninth he has earmarked for death: Rachel, imprisoned in a backyard shed, fearing for her life. When Aidan’s wife dies, he and his thirteen-year-old daughter Cecilia are forced to move. Aidan has no choice but to bring Rachel along, introducing her to Cecilia as a “family friend” who needs a place to stay. Aidan is betting on Rachel, after five years of captivity, being too brainwashed and fearful to attempt to escape. But Rachel is a fighter and survivor, and recognizes Cecilia might just be the lifeline she has waited for all these years. As Rachel tests the boundaries of her new living situation, she begins to form a tenuous connection with Cecilia. And when Emily, a local restaurant owner, develops a crush on the handsome widower, she finds herself drawn into Rachel and Cecilia’s orbit, coming dangerously close to discovering Aidan’s secret. Told through the perspectives of Rachel, Cecilia, and Emily, The Quiet Tenant explores the psychological impact of Aidan’s crimes on the women in his life—and the bonds between those women that give them the strength to fight back. Both a searing thriller and an astute study of trauma, survival, and the dynamics of power, The Quiet Tenant is an electrifying debut thriller by a major talent.

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The Review.

THE QUIET TENANT Clemence Michallon Dear God, If I have to come back again I do not want to be Rachel in my next life. “Rachel” we’ll call her, is the woman in the shed. Rachel has been held captive by Aiden and will continue to be until he is done with her. Until one day Aidens wife dies forcing Aiden and his daughter, Cecilia to move. Aiden decides to bring Rachel along, moving her into the house and calling her a family friend who needs help. Now moved into the house, Rachel is experiencing a whole new horror. Because now she has to make peace with her freedom and watch it walk out of the door every morning. I loved this book and especially liked the audiobook. It is extraordinarily effective in what it is trying to accomplish. The horror of the situation is introduced early. Then there is a layering of terror over and over again. It feels like living out a kill scene on a loop. And you’re the victim. The changes in perspective are captivating. Rachel’s perspective brings forth terror and anxiety. Emily and Cecilia serve to instill that fear in you and are proof of what’s on the line and what’s at stake. THE QUIET TENANT is out now! I highly recommend based on the uniqueness alone. THE QUIET TENANT…⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, Anchor, Knopf, and Penguin Random House Audio, for the advanced copies and the opportunity to proved feedback!

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The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon – Review

By Sandra Callard

This tightly written thriller could be based anywhere – which is all to the good as the author quite deliberately omits any reference to location. What we do have is Aidan Thomas, a reliable, and outwardly friendly young man who has recently lost his wife.

Aidan is bringing up his teenage daughter, Cecilia, and is a well-liked member of his local society. But he is also a murderer who has killed several young women, and the police are baffled and not making much headway in finding clues to uncover him. He lives in a rented house with his daughter, but the owner has had to ask him to move out as he needs the house.

This McGuffin makes it very difficult for our friendly neighbourhood murderer as his garden shed happens to hold a woman he captured five years ago. He takes her food and drink, cleans her and has sex with her, then leaves her until the next time. However, he does somehow manage to move to a new house where he then locks the woman in a bedroom (a shed clearly not available). Here, the room feels luxurious to the woman after sleeping on a hard floor for so long.

The story at this point begins to feel somewhat improbable – and I wouldn’t blame anyone who is already balking at this premise – and although the reader might feel that this is Rachel’s chance to flee, she is so used to being captive that she dare not take the plunge. Quite surprisingly, what evolves is one of the most unusual and engrossing murder stories I’ve read in a long time.

This strange household of murderer, teenager and woman prisoner is gradually turned on its head as Rachel, which is the name that Aidan has given her and is not her own, becomes braver and cleverer as she decides to try to escape. The reader’s thoughts are right behind her as she attempts some juvenile escapology, but without success. As she grows bolder she finds out how to get into a locked cellar and comes up with a plan as she searches for the proof the police have failed to unearth – that Aidan is responsible for a string of horrific murders.

“Breathless”

There is another background theme running throughout about the owner of a local restaurant as she falls in love with Aidan when he becomes a regular. Her final collapse as she learns about him is extremely well done and is a good and thorough example of the breakdowns and effects of the innocents who are found to be connected to atrocity.

The character of Aidan’s daughter eventually comes to the fore, and her conversations with Rachel become some of the most intriguing in the whole book as the story and the characters seem to spin out of control, and all of them must face their demons before they find some peace. The denouement is cleverly executed and produces some effective and astute moments which leave the reader both satisfied and breathless.

The entire theme of the story depends on the three main characters and how they ricochet off each other. They are the major personalities in the story, and it becomes somewhat suffocating as the reader knows everything about the three main characters, but all of them know very little about each other. The ending is surprising and superb as the reader reflects on how an improbable and nasty premise can be turned into something powerful.

‘The Quiet Tenant’ by Clémence Michallon is published by Abacus , £14.99 hardback

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Heather Adores Books

Book review: The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon

4⭐ Genre  ~ psychological thriller Publication date  ~ June 20, 2023 Page Count  ~ 304 Audio length  ~ 10 hours 44 minutes Narrators  ~ Gilli Messer, Elena Rey, Valerie Rose Lohman, Amber Battaglia, Reba Buhr, Jess Nahikian, Aure Nash, Milly Sanders, Sara Sheckells, Yu-Li Alice Shen POV  ~ 1st, 2nd & 3rd Featuring  ~ debut, serial killer, dark, se*ual abuse

Quite the interesting chapter titles (I didn’t realize there were so many different ones until I started typing them up and since I already put in all the work I figured I’d leave it for you to see, so read them if you want, or don’t, I won’t ever know): The woman in the shed ~ The woman in the shed, when she was still a girl ~ The woman in transit ~ The woman in the house ~ Number one ~ Number two ~ Number three ~ The woman-before the house, before the shed ~ Number four ~ The woman in danger ~ The Woman, a long time ago ~ The woman without a number ~ The woman on the move ~ The woman in the house, so very close to a girl ~ Number five ~ The woman in the house, always in the house ~ Number seven ~ The woman, descending ~ The woman under the house ~ Number eight ~ Number nine ~ The woman in the truck ~ The woman on the move ~ The woman, almost there ~ The woman, running ~ The woman at the police station ~ The woman with a name

The woman…  chapters are all told in the 2nd person. This might be my first experience with this and I’m still thinking about if I liked it or not. Emily  owns the local restaurant and has her eyes on Aiden. We, the readers, are screaming at her NO, since we know what this evil man is capable of, but do you think she listens to us, nope.

We hear from  Cecilia , Aiden’s 13 year old daughter, which showed how controlling he is with her.

Overall, this was a pretty good debut. My pulse was pounding a few times just like the description said it would.

I was able to listen to an audio copy as well. Narration notes: Holy narrators batman, however I couldn’t really tell the difference between most of them except for the one that did Cecilia, so if they weren’t all listed I might not have ever known.

*Thanks to the author, Knopf and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*

Add to your never ending TBR  ~ goodreads

I’d love to hear your thoughts if you’ve read it.

Book blurb:

A pulse-pounding psychological thriller about a serial killer narrated by those closest to him: His 13-year-old daughter, his girlfriend—and the one victim he has spared

Aidan Thomas is a hard-working family man and a somewhat beloved figure in the small upstate New York town where he lives. He’s the kind of man who always lends a hand and has a good word for everyone. But Aidan has a dark secret he’s been keeping from everyone in town and those closest to him. He’s a kidnapper and serial killer. Aidan has murdered eight women and there’s a ninth he has earmarked for death: Rachel, imprisoned in a backyard shed, fearing for her life.

When Aidan’s wife dies, he and his thirteen-year-old daughter Cecilia are forced to move. Aidan has no choice but to bring Rachel along, introducing her to Cecilia as a “family friend” who needs a place to stay. Aidan is betting on Rachel, after five years of captivity, being too brainwashed and fearful to attempt to escape. But Rachel is a fighter and survivor, and recognizes Cecilia might just be the lifeline she has waited for all these years. As Rachel tests the boundaries of her new living situation, she begins to form a tenuous connection with Cecilia. And when Emily, a local restaurant owner, develops a crush on the handsome widower, she finds herself drawn into Rachel and Cecilia’s orbit, coming dangerously close to discovering Aidan’s secret.

Told through the perspectives of Rachel, Cecilia, and Emily, The Quiet Tenant explores the psychological impact of Aidan’s crimes on the women in his life—and the bonds between those women that give them the strength to fight back. Both a searing thriller and an astute study of trauma, survival, and the dynamics of power, The Quiet Tenant is an electrifying debut thriller by a major talent.

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Book summary and reviews of The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon

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The Quiet Tenant

by Clémence Michallon

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Book summary.

A pulse-pounding psychological thriller about a serial killer narrated by those closest to him: his 13-year-old daughter and his girlfriend—and the one victim he has spared.

Aidan Thomas is a hard-working family man and a somewhat beloved figure in the small upstate town where he lives. He's the kind of man who always lends a hand and has a good word for everyone. But Aidan has a dark secret he's been keeping from everyone in town and those closest to him. He's a kidnapper and serial killer. Aidan has murdered eight women and there's a ninth he has earmarked for death: Rachel, imprisoned in a backyard shed, fearing for her life. When Aidan's wife dies, he and his thirteen-year-old daughter Cecilia are forced to move. Aidan has no choice but to bring Rachel along, introducing her to Cecilia as a "family friend" who needs a place to stay. Aidan is betting on Rachel, after five years of captivity, being too brainwashed and fearful to attempt to escape. But Rachel is a fighter and survivor, and recognizes Cecilia might just be the lifeline she has waited for all these years. As Rachel tests the boundaries of her new living situation, she begins to form a tenuous connection with Cecilia. And when Emily, a local restaurant owner, develops a crush on the handsome widower, she finds herself drawn into Rachel and Cecilia's orbit, coming dangerously close to discovering Aidan's secret. Told through the perspectives of Rachel, Cecilia, and Emily, The Quiet Tenant explores the psychological impact of Aidan's crimes on the women in his life—and the bonds between those women that give them the strength to fight

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Media Reviews

Reader reviews.

"A dazzling debut thriller ... This is a smart, female-focused inversion of the serial killer thriller perfect for readers who otherwise wouldn't give the genre a second look." — Publishers Weekly (starred review) "While a widowed man falls for a bartender, the woman he's held hostage for years plots her escape in this fast-paced thriller ... A twisted premise that raises unexpected moral questions." — Kirkus Reviews "A brutal, sad, heartbreaking story focused on resilience and survival. Recommended for fans of true crime stories, Gillian Flynn, or Jessica Knoll." — Library Journal "Nightmarish, nerve-jangling, and horrifying, this one is not for the fainthearted, but it's an explosive, utterly gripping read." — Booklist "Clémence Michallon has written a classic on her first try. The Quiet Tenant is a daring and completely satisfying ... bravura feat of storytelling ... Who in her right mind would attempt a novel utilizing the first, second, and third-person? And then have the skill to actually pull it off." —James Patterson, #1 best-selling author

More Information

Clémence Michallon was born and raised near Paris. She studied journalism at City University of London, received a master's in Journalism from Columbia University, and has written for The Independent since 2018. Her essays and features have covered true-crime, celebrity culture, and literature. She moved to New York City in 2014 and recently became a US citizen. She now divides her time between New York City and Rhinebeck, NY.

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April 11, 2024

Thriller Book Review: The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon

The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon did something that most thrillers don’t do – it triggered actual *female* fear in us as a reader.

Keep reading to see our Thriller Book Review: The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon

This is a psychological thriller book blog post featuring The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon, with our book review and discussion, plus book recommendations for other books we think you might enjoy.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which, if used for purchase, will result in a small commission, at no additional cost to the buyer.

Slowprose Review Format

Generally speaking, we don’t think of ourselves as “serious” reviewers, so our format may be a little different. Here is what to expect when you are reading Slowprose book reviews:

• Cover Review – doing the cliche of judging a book by its cover.
• Book Blurb – we share the book jacket or Goodreads blurb about the plot.
• Intrusive Thoughts – these are the general thoughts and feelings we have about the book while reading it.
• Book review – our overall review and star ranking of the book
• Book aesthetics – this is how gorgeous we thought the pages of the book were, or how easy/hard it was to read, or how good the narrator was if it is an audio book.
• Book recommendations – we talk about the author’s other books or other books that remind us of this book in some form or fashion. Basically, this is our catch-all to talk about anything else that we want to.

To see our full review system, including our method of assigning and weighting stars, go here .

COVER REVIEW – The Quiet Tenant

The Quiet Tenant gets 4 stars for this cover.

We liked this book cover decently enough before reading the book. It is visually appealing and makes you wonder what the story is about, and is a little bit above a “typical” thriller cover.

We wouldn’t call it an absolute banger, but it was decent. Was thinking 3.5 before we read the book. It was interesting enough to catch our eye and maybe look at it to consider picking it up.

After reading this book, this cover review definitely bumped up to a 4 stars. It gives some great context, in a shiver up your spine kind of way.

BOOK BLURB – The Quiet Tenant

Given our extreme irrational fear of ever being a spoiler of an epic plot twist, we will just share the book insert or book blurb found on Goodreads to provide the information in terms of the plot:

The Quiet Tenant

Aidan Thomas is a hard-working family man and a somewhat beloved figure in the small upstate New York town where he lives. He’s the kind of man who always lends a hand and has a good word for everyone.

But Aidan has a dark secret he’s been keeping from everyone in town and those closest to him. He’s a kidnapper and serial killer. Aidan has murdered eight women and there’s a ninth he has earmarked for death: Rachel, imprisoned in a backyard shed, fearing for her life.

When Aidan’s wife dies, he and his thirteen-year-old daughter Cecilia are forced to move. Aidan has no choice but to bring Rachel along, introducing her to Cecilia as a “family friend” who needs a place to stay. Aidan is betting on Rachel, after five years of captivity, being too brainwashed and fearful to attempt to escape.

But Rachel is a fighter and survivor, and recognizes Cecilia might just be the lifeline she has waited for all these years. As Rachel tests the boundaries of her new living situation, she begins to form a tenuous connection with Cecilia.

And when Emily, a local restaurant owner, develops a crush on the handsome widower, she finds herself drawn into Rachel and Cecilia’s orbit, coming dangerously close to discovering Aidan’s secret.

INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS – The Quiet Tenant

I just could not even imagine.

The number chapters are gutwrenching. Just. wow.

Oh my gosh, why didn’t you go??? That’s INSANE.

Noooooooo. No. No. That is crazy that she doesn’t know.

Oh my gosh, just leaveeeee

Would you actually care tho?

Heart is in my throat.

Did he shoot her in the head?

How would a man feel, reading this?

You are going in the house???

*evolking visceral feelings of female terror*

Wouldn’t he have moved that key? Wouldn’t that have been one of the first things he did?

Wasn’t the ending I was expecting, but really liked how it wrapped up.

THE QUIET TENANT – BOOK REVIEW

Slowprose Star Rating – 5 Stars

The Quiet Tenant did something that is very rare – it triggered actual feelings of terror. Let me explain.

This book is an abduction thriller. The story begins well after the abduction takes place and tells the story both in real time as well as flashbacks that explain the scenario of the abduction.

The POV is never told from the perspective of the killer. It is told from the POV of the abducted girl as well as the killer’s daughter, and his “love” interest.

The interesting thing about this book is that it is not just a story from the perspectives of Rachel (the victim) – how she endures, what she is thinking to escape, etc.

Instead, the story is told in a way that gives context about the killer’s life in society. The fact that he was an upstanding member of society. It shows his interactions with townsfolk, and how everyone considers him part of the community.

All the while, we, the readers, know what is going on behind closed doors. It is a fantastic use of perspective that creates great tension and drama.

It was actually this perspective that scared us.

Typically when we read a thriller we have sort of detached interest, or reading from a safe place kind of feeling.

That’s one of the best things about a good thriller. It lets you be scared or have an adrenaline rush in a completely safe way. We will often feel the tension built up in the book (if the book is written well) to have that edge of your seat kind of expected suspense feeling. We love that! We want a thriller to deliver that kind of emotion.

The Quiet Tenant gave us the edge of the seat kind of emotion, but it went beyond that at one point.

One thing about this book that made it stand out to us was the idea that this kind of thing actually happens.

That we could see this actually being someone’s reality right now.

That we could put ourselves in Rachel’s shoes.

We could also see how society would want to believe Aiden, not Rachel.

The book achieved an undercurrent of uncomfortable realness as we read it, which really culminated in one particular scene/scenario. It triggered an actual visceral, fearful emotion as we read it.

For that reason alone, this book gets 5 stars.

Beyond that, The Quiet Tenant was a really well written book. The pacing was excellent.

There are some parts that we reacted with ARE YOU KIDDING ME but then, based on the context and thought process that the author fleshed out regarding the reasoning behind the actions, particularly of Rachel, made sense to us. We could see the psychological impacts of Aiden causing her to think and behave as she did, after the author explained out her thought process.

It was really well done. We highly recommend The Quiet Tenant!

BOOK AESTHETICS – THE QUIET TENANT by Clémence Michallon

We listened to this audiobook, and it was great in the format. There are different narrators for each of the main POV’s.

We really liked how each perspective switch lead off with the reading of the name of the person whose perspective we would be listening to during that chapter. From an audiobook perspective, it really helps keep the listener from being confused.

There is also a chapter for each of his victims. Identified as numbers. Read by different narrators. Very powerful.

Slowprose Feature – Book Content Creator

Typically we have two books going at once – one audio and one physical.

Most of the time, when we listen to an audiobook we don’t have a physical copy of the book to take pictures of. We love to feature pictures of the book because, well, we are nerdy like that. We love book pics!

So, we figured that reviews of audio books would be a great opportunity to feature other content creators and their incredible book pictures!

We were so thrilled that Skyla and Heather gave us permission to use these photos, because when we saw them we immediately saw them side by side representing The Girl In The Shed and The Girl In The House portions of the book!

Please do go visit their beautiful feeds and support fellow book nerds and creators!

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

Our book recommendation will be for another book that triggered big emotions in us when we read it.

It’s not a thriller book, but is in the horror genre. It kept us awake at night when we read it, and we still think about it. It still makes us uncomfortable. It was the last scene with the family that did it to us.

If you want to read a book that will give you this type of reaction, check out Theme Music by T. Marie Vandelly .

You can find this and more in our storefront, Slowestuff Books From The Blog storefront .

We hope you enjoyed our book review of The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon. If you pick it up, let us know what you thought of it once you read or listened to it! If you know of other thrillers that you think we will love, please let us know what they are. We love to get book recs from fellow readers.

If you want more book posts, check out the Slowprose section of the blog where we have more book reviews, book lists, favorite authors and more.

Hey Book Nerds! Lets be friends on Goodreads and BookTok !

Happy reading!

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Book Club Questions for Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon (+ Printable PDF)

By: Author Luka

Posted on Last updated: August 14, 2024

Categories Reading Guides

Book Club Questions for Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon explore the themes of deception and hidden identities, the enduring strength of human connection in the face of adversity, the psychological toll of trauma, and the blurred boundaries between victimhood and empowerment.

Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon

What a dark and juicy novel! It’s nightmarish, and heartbreaking, yet expertly structured which is quite impressive for a debut author. The narrative’s unique perspective shifts kept me engaged, leaving me curious to know if others felt the same sense of connection.

Summary  |  Ending Explained | Book Club Questions

About the Story

“The Quiet Tenant” is a really intense and suspenseful book that’s all about a guy named Aidan. He seems like a nice and helpful person in his small town, but guess what? He’s actually a secret serial killer who has done some really bad things.

He’s kidnapped and killed eight women, and he’s planning to hurt another one named Rachel. After Aidan’s wife dies, he has to move to a new place with his daughter Cecilia, and he brings Rachel along, pretending she’s just a friend. But Rachel is strong and determined, and she starts to connect with Cecilia.

There’s also this woman named Emily who gets involved, and things get really dangerous because she’s getting close to finding out Aidan’s terrible secret.

The story is told from different perspectives, like Rachel, Cecilia, and Emily, and it’s about how these women fight back against the scary things happening around them. It’s a mix of a super exciting thriller and a deep look into how people cope with really tough situations.

About the Author

Clémence Michallon is a talented author and accomplished journalist based in New York, known for her impactful work at The Independent.

With a strong educational background in political science and journalism from renowned institutions like Sciences Po in Paris, City, University of London, and Columbia Journalism School, Clémence’s writing prowess shines through.

Her debut thriller, “The Quiet Tenant,” set to release in 2023 by Knopf (US) and Little, Brown (UK), has already secured rights in 30 countries, generating significant anticipation. In 2020, she also penned a novel in French, a compelling story that revolves around a female bodybuilder’s journey managing her sister’s bakery, delving into themes of self-identity and belonging.

Clémence Michallon’s engaging narratives and insightful storytelling mark her as a rising star in both the literary and journalistic worlds.

Book Club Questions for The Quiet Tenant

1. Let’s talk about Emily and Rachel. What strengths and vulnerabilities do each of them possess, and how do they compare? Are there any parallels in their experiences that stood out to you?

2. As Rachel shares her rules for survival, such as “He always wins” and “He’s always right, and you’re always sorry,” what do these reveal about her state of mind and Aidan’s control over her? Have you encountered similar dynamics in real-life relationships?

3. Aidan seems to manipulate Emily and stoke her crush on him. How does he achieve this? What tactics does he use to maintain control over those around him?

4. The voices of Aidan’s previous victims play a haunting role in the story. How did their perspectives affect your understanding of the narrative? What significance do the artifacts in the basement hold for Aidan?

5. Cecilia’s worldview and coping mechanisms come into focus throughout the book. What are her beliefs about love, security, and gender dynamics? How do her experiences shape her perceptions?

6. Describe the evolving portrait of Caroline, Aidan’s wife. How did your opinions of her change as the story progressed?

7. Aidan’s wife’s illness seems to trigger his obsession with control. Why do you think he developed a sadistic appetite? What could be the reasons behind his decision to spare Rachel for an extended period?

8. Rachel’s narration style, with second-person pronouns and present-tense verbs, stands out. How does her storytelling technique affect your connection to her experiences? How does her narrative voice contrast with Emily’s, Cecilia’s, and the voices of Aidan’s victims?

9. The novel contrasts scenes of mouthwatering food in Emily’s restaurant with Rachel’s descriptions of starvation. How does the book explore the themes of hunger and need, and what do these representations teach us about the characters’ experiences?

10. As Rachel reflects on her relationship with her brother, what insights does her journey reveal about the human will to survive? How does her brother’s influence shape her perception of life, and what lasting impact does he leave on her?

11. In Chapter 41, “The Woman Without a Number,” Rachel vividly recounts her abduction. How does this scene provide us with a glimpse into the predator’s mindset and the chilling moment of entrapping their victim? What emotions and techniques does it evoke?

12. When Rachel’s true identity is unveiled, what does this reveal about her ability to maintain a sense of self during her captivity? How do her memories of family and past trauma shape her resilience? To what extent do our innate characteristics versus external influences define our identity?

13. “The Quiet Tenant” explores the theme of concealed evil within ordinary life. What traits and behaviors enabled Aidan to blend seamlessly into his communities, even garnering sympathy from a judge? Did the book alter your perception of the world’s hidden complexities? Have you ever found yourself in a situation where appearances masked the truth, and you were at the mercy of someone’s deceptive facade?

14. “Was The Quiet Tenant what you were expecting from the cover and blurb? Did you find it difficult or upsetting to read at any point?

15. Have you read many other books in the psychological thriller genre? If so, how does The Quiet Tenant compare to them? Can you identify any potential crossover into other genres?

16. What do you believe are the primary themes of the novel, and how are they intricately explored through the different perspectives?

17. The deliberate absence of Aidan’s perspective is noticeable. Did you observe this while reading, and how does it contrast with other works in the thriller or true crime realm that do give voice to the antagonist?

18. How did Clémence Michallon’s choice of second person narration for ‘Rachel’ impact your engagement with the story? Do you think it altered your perception of, or connection to, her character? Compare this narrative approach with Emily and Cecelia, who share their viewpoints through first person narration.

19. How did the alternating perspectives of Rachel, Cecelia, and Emily influence the book’s tone and pace? Did you find yourself becoming more invested in certain characters due to their knowledge or lack thereof? How might the narrative dynamic have shifted with only one perspective?

20. Reflect on the book’s epigraph: ‘Alas! Who does not know that these gentle wolves Are of all such creatures the most dangerous?’ (Charles Perrault, Little Red Riding Hood). Do you think the choice of a children’s story reference was intentional, and if so, why? Who do you believe the author is alluding to with this quote?

21. “It’s embedded in you, once you’ve been a girl…” (pages 26-27). What does this quote signify to you, and how does it relate to the bonds that form between Rachel, Cecelia, and Emily?

22. What are your thoughts on the ending of the novel? How do you envision the future for each of the women involved?

Selected Reviews for The Quiet Tenant

“Dark and juicy . . . like Emma Donohue’s Room, the novel takes this creepy and claustrophobic premise and spins a paradoxically expansive plot from it, told from the perspective of his victim, his daughter, and a local restaurant owner.” —Vogue

“Nightmarish, nerve-jangling, and horrifying, this one is not for the fainthearted, but it’s an explosive, utterly gripping read.” —Booklist

“Clémence Michallon’s The Quiet Tenant is a spell-binding Trojan horse of a  novel, bracing and beguiling. A dangerous man and his unforgivable crimes are its seeming center but, in Michallon’s nimble hands, the novel soon reveals itself to be a story of female strength, cunning, depth, and power.” —Megan Abbott

Additional Recommendations

The other mrs. by mary kubica.

A woman is drawn into a mysterious web of secrets in this twisty whodunnit from New York Times bestselling author Mary Kubica.

Sadie and Will Foust have only just moved their family from bustling Chicago to a coastal island in Maine when their neighbor Morgan Baines is found dead in her home. The murder rocks their tiny coastal island, but no one is more shaken than Sadie.

But it’s not just Morgan’s death that has Sadie on edge. And as the eyes of suspicion turn toward the new family in town, Sadie is drawn deeper into the mystery of what really happened that dark and deadly night. But Sadie must be careful, for the more she discovers about Mrs. Baines, the more she begins to realize just how much she has to lose if the truth ever comes to light.

Those Empty Eyes by Charlie Donlea

The bestselling author of Twenty Years Later and master of modern suspense is back with a brilliantly twisting, skillfully plotted thriller perfect for fans of Jeneva Rose and Colleen Hoover’s Verity.

Alex Armstrong has changed everything about herself—her name, her appearance, her backstory. She’s no longer the terrified teenager a rapt audience saw on television, emerging in handcuffs from the quiet suburban home the night her family was massacred. That girl, Alexandra Quinlan, nicknamed Empty Eyes by the media, was accused of the killings, fought to clear her name, and later took the stand during her highly publicized defamation lawsuit that captured the attention of the nation.

It’s been ten years since, and Alex hasn’t stopped searching for answers about the night her family was killed, even as she continues to hide her real identity from true crime fanatics and grasping reporters still desperate to locate her. As a legal investigator, she works tirelessly to secure justice for others, too. People like Matthew Claymore, who’s under suspicion in the disappearance of his girlfriend, a student journalist named Laura McAllister.

Laura was about to break a major story about rape and cover-ups on her college campus. Alex believes Matthew is innocent, and unearths stunning revelations about the university’s faculty, fraternity members, and powerful parents willing to do anything to protect their children.

Most shocking of all—as Alex digs into Laura’s disappearance, she realizes there are unexpected connections to the murder of her own family. For as different as the crimes may seem, they each hinge on one sinister truth: no one is quite who they seem to be . . .

The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf

A woman receives an unexpected visitor during a deadly snowstorm in this chilling thriller from New York Times bestselling author Heather Gudenkauf.

True crime writer Wylie Lark doesn’t mind being snowed in at the isolated farmhouse where she’s retreated to write her new book. A cozy fire, complete silence. It would be perfect, if not for the fact that decades earlier, at this very house, two people were murdered in cold blood and a girl disappeared without a trace.

As the storm worsens, Wylie finds herself trapped inside the house, haunted by the secrets contained within its walls—haunted by secrets of her own. Then she discovers a small child in the snow just outside. After bringing the child inside for warmth and safety, she begins to search for answers. But soon it becomes clear that the farmhouse isn’t as isolated as she thought, and someone is willing to do anything to find them.

Printable PDF

Happy reading! ❤️

I love to read and I enjoy exploring a range of genres including contemporary and historical fiction, mysteries, thrillers, nonfiction, and memoirs. If you would like me to review your book, feel free to reach out to me!

The Quiet Tenant

Clémence michallon. knopf, $28 (320p) isbn 978-0-593-53464-9.

Reviewed on: 03/23/2023

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Other - 978-0-593-53465-6

Paperback - 480 pages - 978-0-593-74419-2

Paperback - 384 pages - 978-0-593-46786-2

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The Quiet Tenant: A novel (Random House Large Print) Paperback – Large Print, June 27, 2023

• Print length 480 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Random House Large Print
• Publication date June 27, 2023
• Dimensions 6.15 x 1.05 x 9.2 inches
• ISBN-10 0593744195
• ISBN-13 978-0593744192
• See all details

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Editorial Reviews

About the author, excerpt. © reprinted by permission. all rights reserved., product details.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Random House Large Print; Large type / Large print edition (June 27, 2023)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 480 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593744195
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593744192
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.2 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.15 x 1.05 x 9.2 inches
• #3,663 in Murder Thrillers
• #5,096 in Psychological Thrillers (Books)
• #12,746 in Suspense Thrillers

About the author

Clémence michallon.

Clémence Michallon was born and raised near Paris. She studied journalism at City University of London, received a master's in Journalism from Columbia University, and has written for The Independent since 2018. Her essays and features have covered true-crime, celebrity culture, and literature. She moved to New York City in 2014 and recently became a US citizen. She now divides her time between New York City and Rhinebeck, NY.

Customer reviews

• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 41% 37% 17% 4% 1% 41%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 41% 37% 17% 4% 1% 37%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 41% 37% 17% 4% 1% 17%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 41% 37% 17% 4% 1% 4%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 41% 37% 17% 4% 1% 1%

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers find the story hard to put down and clever. They also find the plot captivating, gripping, and chilling. Readers praise the writing style as well-written, credible, and not full of gory details. They find the characters compelling and real. Opinions are mixed on the pacing, with some finding it fast-paced and others saying it's a little slow.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the plot captivating, intense, and gripping. They also say it's predictable.

"...I seriously couldn't put it down. It is a suspenseful and thought-provoking novel that takes readers on a chilling journey through the minds of..." Read more

"...There were many moments that made me feel on edge and it kept me guessing the whole time ...." Read more

"...was about when I chose it, but it hooked me pretty quickly & held my attention . I’m sad for it to her & to say goodbye to the characters." Read more

"I loved this book it was a page turner , kept me entertained and on edge the whole time definitely one of my favorite books ever...." Read more

Customers find the writing style well-written, devilishly clever, and believable. They also say the plot is original and touchable.

"...The writing here is top-notch , and the author expertly gives each of the three women their own voice. The book is also perfectly paced...." Read more

"...It was fast paced and easy to read . The only thing missing was an epilogue!! I needed more at the end!!" Read more

" Well written . Had not read a book like this before or a plot either." Read more

"...The prose was flawless and thought-provoking ...." Read more

Customers find the characters compelling and real.

"... Loved the characters , but there were some parts that were a little slow...." Read more

"This was a excellent read!! Had amazing character development and you grew to care about all of them (yes including the bad guy) so glad I took a..." Read more

"...It is full of twists and turns. The author brings the characters to life and it makes you feel like you’re walking in their shoes...." Read more

"The perspectives of the characters really dragged in this book. In a previous review mentioned they felt the ending was “rushed” and I totally agree...." Read more

Customers find the premise clever and great job of delving into the long game involved.

"I loved this! It was great thriller that really kept you guessing ...." Read more

"...It did such a great job of delving into the long game involved, the psychological aspect. The prose was flawless and thought-provoking...." Read more

"The Quiet Tenant is gripping, chilling, and so very very smart ...." Read more

"This was so well written- and devilishly clever from a first time author. I just want to wrap her in a hug!..." Read more

Customers find the story good, hard to put down, and easy to keep everything in order.

"...There are multiple POV's but so easy to keep everything in order . I never got lost or confused and was captivated the whole time...." Read more

"I read this book in one day! It was a great read and hard to put down . I loved hearing the story in the different POV’s. I would recommend to anyone." Read more

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The Quiet Tenant – Book Review

Title:- The Quiet Tenant

Author:- Clemence Michallon

Date published:- June 20th 2023

No. of pages:- 320 pages

Genre:- Psychological Thriller

Writing:- 4/5

Overall rating:- 4/5

ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED NOVELS OF 2023 – “A bravura feat of storytelling…a daring and completely satisfying mystery.” –James Patterson, #1 best-selling author

A PULSE-POUNDING PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER ABOUT A SERIAL KILLER NARRATED BY THOSE CLOSEST TO HIM: HIS 13-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, HIS GIRLFRIEND–AND THE ONE VICTIM HE HAS SPARED.

“All…of the expected suspense and psychological tension, but offering a story about women—the ones who didn’t know the evil that lurked within, the ones who tried to placate or fight but still perished, the ones who might actually survive. Haunting but never prurient…truly unforgettable.” — Alafair Burke, author of The Wife

Aidan Thomas is a hard-working family man and a somewhat beloved figure in the small upstate town where he lives: he’s the kind of man who always lends a hand and has a good word for everyone. But Aidan has a dark secret he’s been keeping from everyone in town and those closest to him: he’s a kidnapper and serial killer. Aidan has murdered eight women and there’s a ninth he has earmarked for death: Rachel, imprisoned in a backyard shed fearing for her life.

When Aidan’s wife dies, he and his 13-year-old daughter Cecilia are forced to move. Aidan has no choice but to bring Rachel along, introducing her to Cecilia as a “family friend” who needs a place to stay. After five years of captivity, Aidan is betting on Rachel being too brainwashed and fearful to attempt to escape. But Rachel is a fighter and survivor, and recognizes Cecilia might just be the lifeline she has waited for all these years. As Rachel tests the boundaries of her new living situation, she begins to form a tenuous connection with Cecilia. And when Emily, a local restaurant owner, develops a crush on the handsome widower, she finds herself drawn into Rachel and Cecilia’s orbit, coming dangerously close to discovering Aidan’s secret.

Told through the perspectives of Rachel, Cecilia, and Emily,  The Quiet Tenant  explores the psychological impact of Aidan’s crimes on the women in his life-and the bonds between those women that give them the strength to fight back. Both a searing thriller and an astute study of trauma, survival, and the dynamics of power,  The Quiet Tenant  is an electrifying debut thriller by a major talent.

This is the debut book of Clemence Michallon and is the most anticipated psychological thrillers. I managed to get a copy of Kindle and thought to give this book a try.

It does deserve to be the most anticipated psychological thriller but there are some hiccups that lowered my rating from a five star to a four star.

This is the story of three women centered about a single person–Aidan Thomas. To outsiders, Aidan is smart, handsome blue-eyed man and is respected by many. But inside, he holds a dark secret–he is a serial killer.

The three women are Rachel, Cecelia and Emily. Rachel, who we know her as “The Woman” as that’s not really her name has been held captive by Aidan and is one of those few lucky ones to be spared from murder. Cecelia is a thirteen-year-old daughter of Aidan and Emily is a restaurant owner who falls in love with Aidan. The story is told from these three women POV’s.

The writing was good and I have to say the author is a very talented writer. The plot of the story is really great–there were some gripping parts in the book. Reading Rachel’s POV was emotional and sad and I am glad that this is one of the books where we focus more on the victim and not on the killer (most of the times, we tend to forget the victims and glorify the serial killer). But there are ones that made me give this book lower to four stars. I did not like the character of Emily at all. I feel Emily is stalkerish, stalking after Aidan but maybe the author did that to give an air of feeling that Emily is going to find Aidan’s dark secret soon. The ending wasn’t so much great–even though I like how the author outlined Rachel (Rachel is the main protagonist here), I wish I know if Emily was intended to be the next victim of Aidan, or the potential to become the next wife of Aidan.

Overall, this book is fast-paced and will keep you hooked till the end–worth four stars!

Clémence Michallon was born and raised near Paris. She studied journalism at City University of London, received a master’s in Journalism from Columbia University, and has written for The Independent since 2018. Her essays and features have covered true-crime, celebrity culture, and literature. She moved to New York City in 2014 and recently became a US citizen. She now divides her time between New York City and Rhinebeck, NY

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The Quiet Tenant

51 pages • 1 hour read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-13

Chapters 14-27

Chapters 28-44

Chapters 45-64

Chapters 65-84

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Summary and Study Guide

The Quiet Tenant is the second novel and first English-language work of fiction by career journalist Clémence Michallon. Best categorized as a contemporary thriller, the novel depicts one woman’s desperate attempts to escape the clutches of a serial killer named Aidan, who has imprisoned and abused her for five years and killed many other women as well, unbeknownst to his daughter. In an innovative move, the author has chosen to deprive the killer himself of the ability to narrate any of the events; instead, the story is told through the voices of the women who find themselves within his destructive radius.  

It is important to note that the author shifts perspective strategically throughout the novel. The chapters featuring the killer’s unsuspecting daughter (Cecilia) and the woman he is dating ( Emily ) are written in the first person, as are those interludes written in the voices of Aidan’s previous victims, whose chapter headings indicate the numbered order in which they were killed. The third woman, “Rachel,” is also referred to as “the woman” in her chapter headings, and her chapters are often written in the second person. “Rachel” is the name that Aidan insists on giving to “the woman,” but it is later revealed that her real name is May Mitchell. May is referred to as “Rachel” in quotation marks throughout this guide, in order to preserve clarity for the reader while emphasizing that “Rachel” is not the character’s true name.

Author Clémence Michallon was born and raised outside of Paris and educated in journalism at City University of London. She then earned her master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University and permanently moved to New York in 2014. Since 2018, she has been covering true crime, literature, and celebrity news for

The Independent . The Quiet Tenant was released on June 20, 2023, and became an immediate national bestseller, appearing on numerous “best books of the summer” lists, including those released by The Washington Post , Vogue , The New York Post , and others. The novel has also received accolades from many of Michallon’s contemporaries in the thriller, suspense, and horror genres, including Paul Tremblay, Alafair Burke, and Brad Thor. In June of 2023, Blumhouse Productions acquired the rights to adapt The Quiet Tenant for the screen.

This guide refers to the 2023 Knopf hardcover edition of the text.

Content Warning : The Quiet Tenant is centered around the behaviors and crimes of a serial sexual sadist and murderer, and includes depictions of captivity, assault (sexual and otherwise), torture, manipulation, social isolation and sensory deprivation, murder, and stalking. The novel also includes references deaths of family members, post-traumatic stress, familial instability, and the accidental injury of an animal that survives the incident.

Plot Summary

Aidan Thomas is a widower, father, veteran, and valued member of the small upstate New York community where he lives with his family. Unbeknownst to everyone around him, he has been successfully stalking, sexually abusing, and killing women for decades. There is only one woman alive who has lived to witness the full extent of his sadistic impulses, and when The Quiet Tenant opens, she has been surviving in captivity in a shed on his property for the past five years.

When Aidan’s wife dies after her five-year battle with cancer, he and his daughter, Cecilia, are evicted from their home and forced to move into a rental house. Instead of killing the woman that he has been holding captive for years, Aidan decides to bring her into his own household and present her as an acquaintance in need of a place to stay. He insists that she call herself “Rachel,” using the threat of violence to force her to abide by strict rules of behavior and uphold his ruse in front of Cecilia at all times. Whenever she is not spending supervised time with Aidan and his daughter, she is chained to a radiator in her locked bedroom. Aidan’s chief rule is that Cecilia must never know who “Rachel” is or why she is really in their house.

While Cecilia struggles to cope with the loss of her mother and “Rachel” tries to adapt to life inside the house while awaiting the perfect moment to escape, Aidan begins a flirtation with a local restaurant owner and bartender named Emily, who, like everyone else, is oblivious to Aidan’s true nature. One night, when Emily shows up to Aidan’s house unannounced, “Rachel” uses the distraction as an opportunity to escape with Cecilia in tow. Aidan brutally beats Rachel to punish her for her disobedience and stops texting Emily, focusing instead on maintaining control over the goings-on in his house. Obsessed and undeterred, Emily finds another reason to enter Aiden’s house unannounced. Discovering “Rachel” in the home, Emily becomes convinced that she is not Aidan’s cousin, as she claims to be, but is instead a rival for Aidan’s affections.

One night “Rachel” manages to secure a safety pin and unlocks the basement door, hoping to find evidence of the crimes that Aidan has confessed to committing. She discovers a gun, stacks of Polaroids featuring a variety of women, and articles of clothing and personal effects. Later, on the night of a Christmas party that Emily insists on holding in Aidan’s yard, “Rachel” acquires the gun, pockets the Polaroids, and forces Cecilia into Aidan’s truck at gunpoint. Emily and Aidan pursue her. First, they follow in Emily’s vehicle, and when “Rachel” crashes the truck, Aidan pursues her on foot. Finally, “Rachel” and the terrified and confused Cecilia reach the local police station, where “Rachel” is finally able to utter her real name, May Mitchell, and present the evidence proving that Aidan Thomas has killed a total of nine women, and that Emily was likely his next intended victim.

May/“Rachel” returns home to her family in New York City, while Cecilia and her rescued dog go to live with Cecilia’s grandparents. Emily accepts an offer to sell her parents’ restaurant and also relocates to Manhattan. At the conclusion of the novel, while the investigation into Aidan’s crimes continues, Emily pays a visit to May/“Rachel,” the only other woman who survived Aidan’s murderous activities. May/“Rachel” agrees to speak with Emily, acknowledging that unlike the detectives, special agents, reporters, and curiosity-seekers who are eager to learn what it was like to escape the clutches of Aidan Thomas, only Emily and Cecilia can have any true understanding of the ordeal that she experienced.

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