Reviews

The Institution by Helen Sarah Fields

emchase13's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book had “Emily” written all over it. I didn’t want to put it down. The last 100 pages had me in a chokehold. I loved the twists, I didn’t predict any of the plot and the characters were deeply disturbing and creepy. I wish this existed as a movie too. A female lead, a murder, psychopaths, a locked door crime—I have no complaints. Looking forward to reading more by this author.

maccallum23's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

jess_lovesreading's review against another edition

Not interested in the story, it’s slow paced and the audio isn’t grabbing my attention enough. 

agnes_vh's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

4.0

charlotte112's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I really loves how tense this book felt throughout. Some plot points felt predictable but the setting of a psychiatric facility for criminals worked really well for this story. The pace was good throughout and I enjoyed the background we got for all of the criminals. Overall I liked Connie's character and her strengths and weaknesses felt like they leant themselves well to what developed without it feeling too corny. Some parts did read like a script for a TV show or film but it kept me hooked and I didn't guess the ending at all. Would definitely read another book with Connie and B as the main characters again. 

ilse1980's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

stock_bow's review

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

hanna7's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

5.0

This thriller is tense, scarry and dark. The premise is nothing like anything I've read before and the author is portraing the dark and eary setting very well. You have no idea who is trustworthy the whole time.

robertod2004's review against another edition

5.0

With thanks to the author, publishers HarperCollins UK Audio, and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. Some of the subject matter and crimes discussed were gruesome, but not obscenely so. The psychological elements of the story were handled brilliantly, and really put the reader in the minds of both the forensic profiler Dr. Connie Woolwine and the different characters being analysed.

The various psychological evaluations of the institution’s “guests” and certain action scenes later in the book once the institution was in lockdown had me on the edge of my seat, more than any other book has done in quite some time. Also, a special mention must go to the narrator Genevieve Swallow, who did one of the best narration jobs I have heard. Her portrayal of the different characters, both male and female, with their different accents and personalities, really brought the story to life.

I had no idea this was the second in a series, but this didn’t adversely affect my enjoyment of the story in the least and the book can easily be enjoyed as a standalone. Having said that, I will be actively seeking out the first installment "The Shadow Man" now, based on how much I enjoyed this one!

sasha1009's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25