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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
Audiobook/Narration: 4.55/5
Book/ Story Overall: 3.75/5
What a ride from start to finish! A little bit of Black Mirror mashed up with The Truman Show! This book had me feeling all the eerie vibes right from the start. After reading a lot of slower-paced books, this was refreshing and held my attention all the way through. I will definitely be recommending it to all my suspense and horror friends out there. I’d even suggest it to readers who want to start—or have just started—reading horror as well. Especially because this isn’t your typical horror book; it leans more into suspense and thriller territory with horror elements.
Everyone in Bethlam knows Hank Davies is a good man. He’s a good son, a loving husband, and a hard worker. He has a great job with the Postal Service and takes each day as it comes—no matter how routine. He is good, life is good, and Bethlam, Nevada is amazing. Because nothing goes wrong in Bethlam…
Until one day isn’t like the others.
Part of the reason I really enjoyed this book is because the author acknowledges that there's an element of predictability in the story. There's a consistent undertone of suspense and something lingering that starts right at the beginning. We get this gradual buildup for both our main character, Hank Davies, the people in Bethlam, and the reader. The author doesn't try to hide the fact that something’s off about Bethlam. It’s described as idyllic and perfect in a way that feels programmed and unsettling. It’s obvious to the reader that not everything is as it seems. Your mind immediately starts going in a million different directions with all the possibilities of what the secret of Bethlam is. As the story progresses, you can pretty much guess where it’s going—but I think many readers won’t expect how far it actually goes.
Now, this isn’t just a story about a creepy town. It’s a story about finding the truth at all costs—and wondering whether that truth is even worth it. It's also largely about memories: the power they have to control us, keep us in a trance, and sometimes trap us in the past, unable to move forward. We kind of see this theme throughout the book. That’s why I found it to be really interesting that every time Hank started to feel out of place, someone was always there to help him "remember" and bring him back down. But brewing underneath it all is the Hank that never left. Which is why by the end of the book it’s interesting to see the changes Hank experiences while trying to escape a routine and cycle that’s beyond his control. He ends up becoming part of that cycle in a different way. And I think many readers, like myself, will get to the end and wonder if Hank made the right decision—or if he ever really had a choice at all.
Funny enough, I don’t usually enjoy stories that leave me guessing too much or have you wondering what’s real and what isn’t. But I actually enjoyed those elements here, because they supported the larger structure and premise: watching someone unravel while also creating a cyclic experience. I know some readers might find the beginning a little slower, but I personally thought the pacing was perfect for the story’s progression. It’s intentional that we see Hank’s days repeat, with just enough variation and strange occurrences each time to build tension and keep both Hank and the reader in a growing sense of unease. The author really succeeded in making the reader feel just as confused and off-balance as Hank.
I listened to the audiobook for this read and was fully engaged the entire time. I never once felt lost, and I think the narrator did a fantastic job capturing the tone and fear in the characters, especially as we meet people with secrets of their own—like Veronica, who helps Hank realize Bethlam isn’t what it seems. I really enjoyed hearing Hank’s father and witnessing the realizations unfold between them. But the most powerful part was hearing Hank at the beginning versus Hank at the end—there’s a little more darkness in his voice, a sharper edge. The audiobook made it easy to be immersed in the world and atmosphere of the story.
And speaking of atmosphere, I found the 1950s/60s elements in Bethlam really entertaining. I’ve seen some readers express confusion about the timeline or when exactly the story takes place, but I thought that was a clever choice on the author’s part—it draws readers deeper into the unraveling of Hank’s reality and descent into madness. There’s both a sense of comfort and creepiness. The furniture Hank once didn’t notice is suddenly so out of date. This reminded me of WandaVision and its 1950s suburban aesthetic—this facade of safety: the working husband, the loving housewife, the perfect neighborhood. But it’s all fake.
While I really enjoyed this read, I’m not surprised it has mixed reviews. Like any thriller, some readers will find one element boring and another fascinating. Something will feel too slow for one reader, too fast for another. It really comes down to individual interpretation. I know some readers might feel the predictability ruined it, but others—like me—were happy to be along for the ride. I’ve also seen reviews saying the truth reveal was jarring, and I definitely understand that perspective. Hank’s truth is dark, and I questioned whether the level of detail was necessary. But considering how Hank is being used, I understood why the author included that information. I think the intent was to make the reader feel just as uncomfortable and disoriented as Hank. You're seeing someone who’s both unfamiliar and somehow still him. I completely understand why some readers might be turned off by that, but for me, it was a welcome shift from my recent reads, and the audiobook energy hooked me. I hope more people check it out!
Spoilers It’s hard to review this book without diving into what it’s really about, so I’ll touch on some spoilers here. If you don’t want to know them, stop reading now.
I’ll start by saying that this is definitely one of those books where your enjoyment will depend a lot on personal preferences. If you’re not into government conspiracy theories, this might not be the book for you. If you dislike ambiguous endings or the whole “is it real or is it a dream?” thing, again, this might not be your cup of tea. And if you need a main character to connect with or root for deeply, this book may also fall short for you.
Hank is our main character, but he’s not really someone you’re supposed to connect with emotionally. I felt like the real connection here was with the eerie tone of the story, the lingering fear, and the question of whether something like this could actually happen. You do occasionally root for Hank—but more so because you want to uncover the truth, not necessarily because you care about him personally. Once you realize that Bethlam is a government-owned city used for memory-based experiments, it becomes clear that none of the characters are who they seem, including Hank.
The idea of implanting memories is especially compelling because people do this every day—they misremember or reframe events, and eventually those become their truths. Some people lie to themselves so much that they start to believe the lie. That concept worked really well here, especially since the memory tampering is presented as a form of therapy—to help traumatized people forget. Early on, it becomes pretty clear that Hank has done something he wants to forget. Readers may suspect that Hank has a dark or traumatic past, as opposed to the idea that the government randomly selected people for this experiment. And as we meet more people in Bethlam, we see how many of them are actors—being paid to reinforce Hank’s implanted memories. Or maybe their other patients
Book/ Story Overall: 3.75/5
What a ride from start to finish! A little bit of Black Mirror mashed up with The Truman Show! This book had me feeling all the eerie vibes right from the start. After reading a lot of slower-paced books, this was refreshing and held my attention all the way through. I will definitely be recommending it to all my suspense and horror friends out there. I’d even suggest it to readers who want to start—or have just started—reading horror as well. Especially because this isn’t your typical horror book; it leans more into suspense and thriller territory with horror elements.
Everyone in Bethlam knows Hank Davies is a good man. He’s a good son, a loving husband, and a hard worker. He has a great job with the Postal Service and takes each day as it comes—no matter how routine. He is good, life is good, and Bethlam, Nevada is amazing. Because nothing goes wrong in Bethlam…
Until one day isn’t like the others.
Part of the reason I really enjoyed this book is because the author acknowledges that there's an element of predictability in the story. There's a consistent undertone of suspense and something lingering that starts right at the beginning. We get this gradual buildup for both our main character, Hank Davies, the people in Bethlam, and the reader. The author doesn't try to hide the fact that something’s off about Bethlam. It’s described as idyllic and perfect in a way that feels programmed and unsettling. It’s obvious to the reader that not everything is as it seems. Your mind immediately starts going in a million different directions with all the possibilities of what the secret of Bethlam is. As the story progresses, you can pretty much guess where it’s going—but I think many readers won’t expect how far it actually goes.
Now, this isn’t just a story about a creepy town. It’s a story about finding the truth at all costs—and wondering whether that truth is even worth it. It's also largely about memories: the power they have to control us, keep us in a trance, and sometimes trap us in the past, unable to move forward. We kind of see this theme throughout the book. That’s why I found it to be really interesting that every time Hank started to feel out of place, someone was always there to help him "remember" and bring him back down. But brewing underneath it all is the Hank that never left. Which is why by the end of the book it’s interesting to see the changes Hank experiences while trying to escape a routine and cycle that’s beyond his control. He ends up becoming part of that cycle in a different way. And I think many readers, like myself, will get to the end and wonder if Hank made the right decision—or if he ever really had a choice at all.
Funny enough, I don’t usually enjoy stories that leave me guessing too much or have you wondering what’s real and what isn’t. But I actually enjoyed those elements here, because they supported the larger structure and premise: watching someone unravel while also creating a cyclic experience. I know some readers might find the beginning a little slower, but I personally thought the pacing was perfect for the story’s progression. It’s intentional that we see Hank’s days repeat, with just enough variation and strange occurrences each time to build tension and keep both Hank and the reader in a growing sense of unease. The author really succeeded in making the reader feel just as confused and off-balance as Hank.
I listened to the audiobook for this read and was fully engaged the entire time. I never once felt lost, and I think the narrator did a fantastic job capturing the tone and fear in the characters, especially as we meet people with secrets of their own—like Veronica, who helps Hank realize Bethlam isn’t what it seems. I really enjoyed hearing Hank’s father and witnessing the realizations unfold between them. But the most powerful part was hearing Hank at the beginning versus Hank at the end—there’s a little more darkness in his voice, a sharper edge. The audiobook made it easy to be immersed in the world and atmosphere of the story.
And speaking of atmosphere, I found the 1950s/60s elements in Bethlam really entertaining. I’ve seen some readers express confusion about the timeline or when exactly the story takes place, but I thought that was a clever choice on the author’s part—it draws readers deeper into the unraveling of Hank’s reality and descent into madness. There’s both a sense of comfort and creepiness. The furniture Hank once didn’t notice is suddenly so out of date. This reminded me of WandaVision and its 1950s suburban aesthetic—this facade of safety: the working husband, the loving housewife, the perfect neighborhood. But it’s all fake.
While I really enjoyed this read, I’m not surprised it has mixed reviews. Like any thriller, some readers will find one element boring and another fascinating. Something will feel too slow for one reader, too fast for another. It really comes down to individual interpretation. I know some readers might feel the predictability ruined it, but others—like me—were happy to be along for the ride. I’ve also seen reviews saying the truth reveal was jarring, and I definitely understand that perspective. Hank’s truth is dark, and I questioned whether the level of detail was necessary. But considering how Hank is being used, I understood why the author included that information. I think the intent was to make the reader feel just as uncomfortable and disoriented as Hank. You're seeing someone who’s both unfamiliar and somehow still him. I completely understand why some readers might be turned off by that, but for me, it was a welcome shift from my recent reads, and the audiobook energy hooked me. I hope more people check it out!
Spoilers It’s hard to review this book without diving into what it’s really about, so I’ll touch on some spoilers here. If you don’t want to know them, stop reading now.
I’ll start by saying that this is definitely one of those books where your enjoyment will depend a lot on personal preferences. If you’re not into government conspiracy theories, this might not be the book for you. If you dislike ambiguous endings or the whole “is it real or is it a dream?” thing, again, this might not be your cup of tea. And if you need a main character to connect with or root for deeply, this book may also fall short for you.
Hank is our main character, but he’s not really someone you’re supposed to connect with emotionally. I felt like the real connection here was with the eerie tone of the story, the lingering fear, and the question of whether something like this could actually happen. You do occasionally root for Hank—but more so because you want to uncover the truth, not necessarily because you care about him personally. Once you realize that Bethlam is a government-owned city used for memory-based experiments, it becomes clear that none of the characters are who they seem, including Hank.
The idea of implanting memories is especially compelling because people do this every day—they misremember or reframe events, and eventually those become their truths. Some people lie to themselves so much that they start to believe the lie. That concept worked really well here, especially since the memory tampering is presented as a form of therapy—to help traumatized people forget. Early on, it becomes pretty clear that Hank has done something he wants to forget. Readers may suspect that Hank has a dark or traumatic past, as opposed to the idea that the government randomly selected people for this experiment. And as we meet more people in Bethlam, we see how many of them are actors—being paid to reinforce Hank’s implanted memories. Or maybe their other patients
Thank you NetGalley for providing an ARC.
3.5
I really enjoyed listening to this, I sped through it pretty quickly. The premise is trippy.. very 1950s perfect town with perfect neighbors…. You know something is off but it’s not exactly clear. It’s a little too idealistic . I don’t want to give too much away on the trope or comparisons however I highly suggest the audio, the narrator did a great job capturing the cadence of the characters which imo played a big part. A little eerie, a little speculative. I feel like this book was enjoyable but the speculative nerd in me would have liked more of a backstory. However I love the genre and enjoyed the premise - sometimes short and sweet is just as effective, I highly suggest giving this a go
3.5
I really enjoyed listening to this, I sped through it pretty quickly. The premise is trippy.. very 1950s perfect town with perfect neighbors…. You know something is off but it’s not exactly clear. It’s a little too idealistic . I don’t want to give too much away on the trope or comparisons however I highly suggest the audio, the narrator did a great job capturing the cadence of the characters which imo played a big part. A little eerie, a little speculative. I feel like this book was enjoyable but the speculative nerd in me would have liked more of a backstory. However I love the genre and enjoyed the premise - sometimes short and sweet is just as effective, I highly suggest giving this a go
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, Medical trauma
Minor: Self harm
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Bethlam, Nevada is a wonderful place to live. The people are friendly and there’s no crime. Life is perfect. That is, until, a few residents begin to realise that not everything is as it seems and there might be something deeper behind the picture-perfect town.
I won’t lie. After the first couple of chapters, I believed that I wasn’t going to make it through the entire book. I thought this was going to be a read that fell flat for me and wouldn’t hold my attention.
However, I was happily wrong. I soon felt sucked into the mystery and I couldn’t help but want to stay tuned so I could unravel it all. There was truly so much to unpack.
This book gave me Don’t Worry Darling vibes and while it didn’t end up being the same, I loved that it had a similar atmosphere.
I think it’s fantastic that there were multiple narrators to help convey the story.
I would check out more works by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing me with this audiobook. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Hank is working one day when something strange happens, a letter falls out of his bag and it's blank. Digging a little more he finds more blank mail. He begins to notice other strange things around him and question what's reality and what's fiction.
This book was very reminiscent of The Truman Show at first. There was clearly something going on that everyone new about except Hank. Is he crazy or is something amiss in the town.
The book did leave many questions unanswered. How was any of the things that happened possible? As always in the case with huge conspiracies I wonder who is paying for all of this? It has to be extremely expensive.
This book was very reminiscent of The Truman Show at first. There was clearly something going on that everyone new about except Hank. Is he crazy or is something amiss in the town.
The book did leave many questions unanswered. How was any of the things that happened possible? As always in the case with huge conspiracies I wonder who is paying for all of this? It has to be extremely expensive.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
medium-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
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Medical trauma, Gaslighting
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Infidelity, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes