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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
2.5/5 stars. This definitely was not what I had expected. It is a good story, though. Just lacked something I wanted and was looking for in a book.
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The beginning started off really strongly, and the middle of the book was interesting enough. The last 25% or so of the book --after Grace discovers the killer -- was a pretty disappointing. I think it could have been a more compelling book if the setting hadn't changed (although for plot purposes, I understand why) and if the ending wasn't Like That. Framing the father for a murder he didn't commit just because he DID rape her? Trust me, I hated the character too, but the ending just felt so far-fetched and a bit problematic.
The ending kind of cheapened all the development (plot and character) that had taken place. It was rushed and all for the purpose of making it feel like justice had been served. It's unfortunate because I did enjoy the writing style, but the plot choices were kind of bleh.
For historical fiction that deals with forced institutionalization, I'd recommend The Spirit Bares Its Teeth over this one.
The ending kind of cheapened all the development (plot and character) that had taken place. It was rushed and all for the purpose of making it feel like justice had been served. It's unfortunate because I did enjoy the writing style, but the plot choices were kind of bleh.
For historical fiction that deals with forced institutionalization, I'd recommend The Spirit Bares Its Teeth over this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Murder
Moderate: Miscarriage, Suicide
I loved this novel. Immensely. Months after finishing it and I still can't stop thinking of about it. In fact, I keep checking for ANY recommendations that may come close to this gritty, suspenseful novel. I expected A Madness So Discreet to be a little creepier, just look at that cover! However I wasn't disappointed as the setting and tone of the novel were unbelievably realistic and rather dark.
“Quite the opposite; my definition is too broad. I think we're all quite mad. Some of us are just more discreet about it.”
The characters in this novel were fleshed out, detailed, and felt very real. I found myself feeling something for each of them, and there was more than one occasion that I found my heart broken and raw over something happening on the page. Grace had particular strength and I was completely invested in her story. Though I felt more connected to the secondary characters, Grace still shone as our main character. I loved Nell so much, she was forward with her sexuality, strength and took as much control of her own life as she was able, living confined as she was. Dr. Thornhollow was also just phenomenal, he reminded me of Sherlock in a way so clearly I loved him. I was a little concerned that he and Grace would fall in love and therefore fall into a familiar trope but NOPE McGinnis steered clear and though there were some moments I found myself swooning for the doctor, I am glad that things were kept platonic. I think in keeping things on the friendly side with these two we were better able to appreciate each character and see how well they worked together. The relationship was fitting, and deeper because of their lack of romance. Also super quick shout out to Adelaide, Thornhollow's plucky, fantastic and blatantly feminist sister...
“So then the National Woman Suffrage Association and the American Woman Suffrage Association merged to create the National American Woman Suffrage Association, which personally I think is rather a mouthful,' Adelaide said as she set down her wineglass.
'I'm sure others have much shorter terms,' the doctor said, sawing into his steak with more vigor than necessary.
'Such as?' Grace asked.
'There are plenty who just call us bitches, dear.”
There was a lot going on in this novel, many different threads weaved together to create something truly fantastic. I will say that there are many triggers in A Madness So Discreet. The beginning of the novel may be very hard for some to get through as it is appalling in how horrifying these patients are treated. Horrifying being my thing, I was hooked from the first sentence, but I promise that things even out a bit and it is completely worth the read.
Shelf Talker: Fantastic. The story built on itself, was never boring, and I really cared about the characters. In fact, I want more from these characters, but I saw that coming as they all complement one another and really create a great story. The ending delivered in a way that brought great closure. Though it is much more, I would say in terms of atmosphere and great characters, A Madness So Discreet can be summed up by saying, "it's Sherlock Holmes meets Cat Winters novels." I really, really enjoyed it.
“Quite the opposite; my definition is too broad. I think we're all quite mad. Some of us are just more discreet about it.”
The characters in this novel were fleshed out, detailed, and felt very real. I found myself feeling something for each of them, and there was more than one occasion that I found my heart broken and raw over something happening on the page. Grace had particular strength and I was completely invested in her story. Though I felt more connected to the secondary characters, Grace still shone as our main character. I loved Nell so much, she was forward with her sexuality, strength and took as much control of her own life as she was able, living confined as she was. Dr. Thornhollow was also just phenomenal, he reminded me of Sherlock in a way so clearly I loved him. I was a little concerned that he and Grace would fall in love and therefore fall into a familiar trope but NOPE McGinnis steered clear and though there were some moments I found myself swooning for the doctor, I am glad that things were kept platonic. I think in keeping things on the friendly side with these two we were better able to appreciate each character and see how well they worked together. The relationship was fitting, and deeper because of their lack of romance. Also super quick shout out to Adelaide, Thornhollow's plucky, fantastic and blatantly feminist sister...
“So then the National Woman Suffrage Association and the American Woman Suffrage Association merged to create the National American Woman Suffrage Association, which personally I think is rather a mouthful,' Adelaide said as she set down her wineglass.
'I'm sure others have much shorter terms,' the doctor said, sawing into his steak with more vigor than necessary.
'Such as?' Grace asked.
'There are plenty who just call us bitches, dear.”
There was a lot going on in this novel, many different threads weaved together to create something truly fantastic. I will say that there are many triggers in A Madness So Discreet. The beginning of the novel may be very hard for some to get through as it is appalling in how horrifying these patients are treated. Horrifying being my thing, I was hooked from the first sentence, but I promise that things even out a bit and it is completely worth the read.
Shelf Talker: Fantastic. The story built on itself, was never boring, and I really cared about the characters. In fact, I want more from these characters, but I saw that coming as they all complement one another and really create a great story. The ending delivered in a way that brought great closure. Though it is much more, I would say in terms of atmosphere and great characters, A Madness So Discreet can be summed up by saying, "it's Sherlock Holmes meets Cat Winters novels." I really, really enjoyed it.
I have some mixed thoughts and emotions about this one, but overall, it was a good read and I recommend it. Probably closer to 3.5 stars.
First of all I just want to say that this book didn't turn out the way the description of it implies. I thought I was in for a story about an insane asylum, like many other stories like it out there, but I was wrong. The book I thought I was going to read ended about 20% in, and then it became something else entirely. I must say that I did like what it turned out to be, though others might find the whole thing misleading.
The writing was good. She didn't make things overly dramatic to try and milk the tragedies that were there, but she gave it the morbid weight necessary. The characters were also well rounded, I felt, interesting and lovable.
Yet still, the book didn't grip me. It took me so long to finish it, even though it's pretty short. The story interested me and I cared for the characters, but not enough to keep me up at night or eagerly read more to find out what happens next. I think if it had been a bit longer, with some extra scenes added to really tie in the reader, it would have been a perfect book.
I'd also like to make a point about the ending -
Also, the part where Grace goes to confront him - a moment I had personally been waiting for - was very weak and brief. This to me was going to be the peak of Grace's journey - a final confrontation to really bring her peace, to look her father in the eyes and tell him she's alive and kicking and to have her put him in a coffin - and the story really gave me nothing. I think that chapter was 2-3 pages? A huge miss, in my opinion...
I can't say I didn't enjoy it, because I did, and I would recommend this book to others. It does debate interesting questions as to what makes us insane, and society's stigmas as a whole, as well as emotional traumas. But it could've been so much better with a little more work, in my opinion.
First of all I just want to say that this book didn't turn out the way the description of it implies. I thought I was in for a story about an insane asylum, like many other stories like it out there, but I was wrong. The book I thought I was going to read ended about 20% in, and then it became something else entirely. I must say that I did like what it turned out to be, though others might find the whole thing misleading.
The writing was good. She didn't make things overly dramatic to try and milk the tragedies that were there, but she gave it the morbid weight necessary. The characters were also well rounded, I felt, interesting and lovable.
Yet still, the book didn't grip me. It took me so long to finish it, even though it's pretty short. The story interested me and I cared for the characters, but not enough to keep me up at night or eagerly read more to find out what happens next. I think if it had been a bit longer, with some extra scenes added to really tie in the reader, it would have been a perfect book.
I'd also like to make a point about the ending -
Spoiler
the whole trial thing was a bit ridiculous, I felt. It felt a bit far-fetched and a desperate effort to bring Grace a happy ending. Blaming a man for a crime that happened when he may or may not have been in town, and convicting him with a testimony from an insane asylum patient... A bit ridiculous, especially when the entire book it's been established how the general public treats people who are deemed "insane", and the man is a senator with many connections and money for lawyers. -insert joke about O.J. Simpson-Also, the part where Grace goes to confront him - a moment I had personally been waiting for - was very weak and brief. This to me was going to be the peak of Grace's journey - a final confrontation to really bring her peace, to look her father in the eyes and tell him she's alive and kicking and to have her put him in a coffin - and the story really gave me nothing. I think that chapter was 2-3 pages? A huge miss, in my opinion...
I can't say I didn't enjoy it, because I did, and I would recommend this book to others. It does debate interesting questions as to what makes us insane, and society's stigmas as a whole, as well as emotional traumas. But it could've been so much better with a little more work, in my opinion.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a decent read and I would recommend it to a mutually interested friend for sure! It was over 300 pages which I think is a little ridiculous for a novel unless you are Stephen King but I read every page and it was pretty good.
It's about a young girl named Grace who is stashed away in an insane asylum because she is pregnant and unmarried (more twists and turns there... it's not what meets the eye) when a medical doctor who specializes in crime scene investigation see's Grace's observation skills and her ability to read people and sneaks her out of the asylum to help him solve crimes.
Now this is why I didn't give it 3 stars... the plot line kind of wandered around a bit. First, it was about criminal profiling and then it was about bringing justice to the populace and then it completely turned around and became about bringing her assailant to justice. It was all written and put together well enough that you kind of just wound up carried along, which is a testament to the author's skill, but at the end of the book I felt like I had been slightly deceived by the inner covers synopsis. The criminal profiling actually seemed like a rather small blip in the map of a 300+ page book but oh well.
It was good enough to finish and good enough to recommend to anyone who has a similar interest in 19th century asylums and criminal profiling like me! Enjoy!
It's about a young girl named Grace who is stashed away in an insane asylum because she is pregnant and unmarried (more twists and turns there... it's not what meets the eye) when a medical doctor who specializes in crime scene investigation see's Grace's observation skills and her ability to read people and sneaks her out of the asylum to help him solve crimes.
Now this is why I didn't give it 3 stars... the plot line kind of wandered around a bit. First, it was about criminal profiling and then it was about bringing justice to the populace and then it completely turned around and became about bringing her assailant to justice. It was all written and put together well enough that you kind of just wound up carried along, which is a testament to the author's skill, but at the end of the book I felt like I had been slightly deceived by the inner covers synopsis. The criminal profiling actually seemed like a rather small blip in the map of a 300+ page book but oh well.
It was good enough to finish and good enough to recommend to anyone who has a similar interest in 19th century asylums and criminal profiling like me! Enjoy!
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The characters developed but we never got to see it. Cut scenes made the whole book jumpy and it was just overall unimpressive. A fun read for true crime-ers but nothing super thought provoking. The beginning with the Boston asylum was well written and well researched. The rest fell a little flat. Not bad, but wouldn’t go out of my way to recommend
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, Medical content
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Mental illness, Rape
Minor: Miscarriage, Suicide
Such a fantastic look into the treatment of mental health in the 1800s in Boston and Ohio. Good as a thriller but that takes a background to the oddities that befell those named as insane either with our without cause.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Beginning in Boston, Grace is a pregnant patient at an asylum.
After one of the treatments kills her unborn child, Grace is placed in the basement where she meets Falsteed.
His friendship leads to Grace’s introduction to Thronhollow, a doctor and scientist attempting to use early psychology to solve murders.
After one of the treatments kills her unborn child, Grace is placed in the basement where she meets Falsteed.
His friendship leads to Grace’s introduction to Thronhollow, a doctor and scientist attempting to use early psychology to solve murders.