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A review by melissasbookshelf
The Gray Chamber by Grace Hitchcock
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Wow! Miss Blaire in Blackwell’s Island is a thrilling friends to more romantic suspense based on the real-life experiences written about in Nellie Bly’s Ten Days in a Mad-House. This story had me quickly turning the pages as heiress Edyth Blaire is forced into an asylum on Blackwell’s Island by a greedy uncle who wants to steal her inheritance. Her only hope is her best friend Bane. But can he figure out where she’s disappeared to before it’s too late?
I thoroughly enjoyed this harrowing story! Edyth is considered a little eccentric because she loves to fence & ride her velocipede. She’s also a bit outspoken. She’s secretly been in love with her fencing teacher Raoul “Bane” Bainbridge since she was a girl. When her uncle, aunt, & cousin come to stay, they bring a team of doctors. As her 25th birthday approaches when she’ll finally be in charge of her inheritance, her uncle has other plans. Right as she discovers Bane may have feelings for her, she’s whisked away in the cover of night to the Blackwell Island asylum where she experiences unspeakable horrors as she tries to plan her escape & hope Bane will search for her.
I loved the friends to more romance. Once Bane realizes his feelings, he’s a goner & does everything to find out where Edyth is. I also enjoyed meeting some of the patients in the asylum who have a profound effect on Edith. The “treatments” were horrific & it was chilling to realize they were based on actual experiences. Edyth’s faith journey was inspiring as she relies more & more on God to get her through.
This book had me on pins the whole time! Highly recommend this fast paced romantic suspense & can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
I thoroughly enjoyed this harrowing story! Edyth is considered a little eccentric because she loves to fence & ride her velocipede. She’s also a bit outspoken. She’s secretly been in love with her fencing teacher Raoul “Bane” Bainbridge since she was a girl. When her uncle, aunt, & cousin come to stay, they bring a team of doctors. As her 25th birthday approaches when she’ll finally be in charge of her inheritance, her uncle has other plans. Right as she discovers Bane may have feelings for her, she’s whisked away in the cover of night to the Blackwell Island asylum where she experiences unspeakable horrors as she tries to plan her escape & hope Bane will search for her.
I loved the friends to more romance. Once Bane realizes his feelings, he’s a goner & does everything to find out where Edyth is. I also enjoyed meeting some of the patients in the asylum who have a profound effect on Edith. The “treatments” were horrific & it was chilling to realize they were based on actual experiences. Edyth’s faith journey was inspiring as she relies more & more on God to get her through.
This book had me on pins the whole time! Highly recommend this fast paced romantic suspense & can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Content Warnings
Minor: Confinement, Mental illness, Violence, and Forced institutionalization