Patient X, 5 star review by Readers’ Favorite, Art Smukler, MD, author & psychiatrist

Patient X, a psychological suspense novel

5 Stars – Congratulations on your 5-star review!

Patient X by Art Smukler, MD is a gripping mystery that begins with a startling scene—Jake Bennett sees his brother Nelson, who died two years earlier, alive in a crowded Santa Monica street. This moment sets off a chain of events that pulls Jake into a world of confusion, loss, and unexpected danger. As Jake tries to make sense of what he saw, the story reveals his struggles as an aspiring writer, his complicated relationship with Gina, and his day-to-day life as a waiter. The plot thickens when Jake’s path crosses with Dr. Todd Horowitz, a psychiatric resident, and their lives become linked through Jake’s stay at Nine North, a psychiatric unit. The story weaves together Jake’s search for answers, the secrets of his brother’s past, and the lives of those around him, all while exploring themes of grief, identity, and the thin line between reality and fantasy.

Art Smukler’s writing is clear and vivid, making it easy to picture each scene and feel the characters’ emotions. The plot moves quickly, with just the right mix of suspense and personal moments to keep you turning the pages. The dialogue feels natural, and the characters are believable and easy to care about, especially Jake, whose pain and hope come through strongly. The action is well-paced, with moments of tension balanced by quieter, reflective scenes. Themes of family, mental health, and self-discovery are woven throughout the narrative in a meaningful way. I found myself invested in Jake’s journey and enjoyed how the story kept me guessing. Patient X is perfect for anyone who likes mysteries with real emotional depth and characters you can root for.

Thank you for the 5 star review.

Art

#Patient X, #suspense, #fiction, #award winner, #psychological suspense, #Inside the mind of a psychiatrist

What Microsoft Copilot says about Art Smukler, MD, author & psychiatrist

When I just tried Copilot for the first time, I was floored. This is an unedited version of what it said about me. In addition to being scary, artificial intelligence is amazing. Everything you are about to read is accurate and unedited…

Dr. Art Smukler is a psychiatrist and author known for blending his deep clinical experience with a flair for psychological suspense fiction. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he pursued pre-med and creative writing at Penn State before earning his medical degree from Drexel (formerly Hahnemann) School of Medicine. He completed his psychiatric training at UCLA and went on to serve as a Major in the U.S. Air Force, treating personnel and Vietnam casualties.

For over four decades, Dr. Smukler maintained a thriving private practice and was a faculty member at UCLA, where he led an award-winning psychotherapy conference for psychiatric residents. His accolades include the “Teacher-of-the-Year” and the coveted “Golden Ear” award.

Now based in Los Angeles, he writes full-time, channeling his understanding of the human psyche into novels like Little ItalyThe Secret of Carol Rosa, and Patient X—all part of his Inside the Mind of a Psychiatrist, psychological suspense series. His stories often explore the blurred lines between sanity and delusion, with characters navigating intense psychological terrain.

He also maintains a blog and has published in psychiatric journals, continuing to share insights from both his clinical and creative worlds.

Eerie!

Thanks for reading and following me, Art

#artsmuklermd, #psychologicalsuspense, #AI, #suspenseseries