writeramyshannon's review
5.0
Magnificently insane Mystery
I am a big fan of Musgrave's mysteries, and the imagination behind them. I've read the first two books in this series, both given 5 stars, and this one, I must say is my favorite. So, yeah, definitely 5 stars. The story takes place in the 1800s. I like that this fiction story is based on some true, historical facts. It's remarkable how Musgrave can put together a wonderful magnificent story. The plot has a great depth, behind the unfairly institutionalized women and children. I like that the story was based on the first mental health hospital in California, which gives the story a sense of realism. A real page-turner with intense and multi-dimensional characters.
I am a big fan of Musgrave's mysteries, and the imagination behind them. I've read the first two books in this series, both given 5 stars, and this one, I must say is my favorite. So, yeah, definitely 5 stars. The story takes place in the 1800s. I like that this fiction story is based on some true, historical facts. It's remarkable how Musgrave can put together a wonderful magnificent story. The plot has a great depth, behind the unfairly institutionalized women and children. I like that the story was based on the first mental health hospital in California, which gives the story a sense of realism. A real page-turner with intense and multi-dimensional characters.
shadowteabooks's review
3.0
I feel very honoured to review this book, Someone reached out to me and asked if I could review it for them.
The Stockton Insane Asylum Murders is not the type of book I would generally read, but I was willing to give it a go and see what I thought.
Overall I Didn't actually like this book. It just was not for me. But I'm glad I gave it a chance. It was an interesting read all the same to learn about a women's insane asylum from the 1800s and some of the reasons they were admitted. Some reasons completely unbelievable and completely unfair but I know that this is just how it happened back then.
The Stockton insane asylum is based on a women asylums in the 1800s where a lot of women were institutionalised for conditions of the mind ie menstural cramps and gynaecology reasons. A direct quote from the book stating that they "believe it the body is exercisers, cleanser and kept fit the mind will soon follow." As a nurse myself I know how this is not necessarily true - in my own opinion these things do help with mental health but won't cure it completely.
This book follows the investigation run by Detective and Lawyer Clara Foltz and her committee of friends/family who are her fellow investigators in the murder of a young girl Winnifred Cotton. Polly Bedford was admitted to Stockton asylum after 'becoming' insane after witnessing the murder.
Clara and her fellow investigators are infiltrating the asylum to try and prove that Polly is not insane. While at the same time trying to find any misdeeds that the asylum is hiding! Sir Francis Galton the cousin of Charles Darwin is experimenting on 5 of the patients of the asylum while Clara is there investing. Unbeknown to him that Adeline his newest hires staff is one of Clara's fellow investors!
While inside Stockton Clara and her staff find out many secrets. One being the truth behind the experiments of Sir Francis Galton! The ending was not what I expected it to be and a fantastic outcome for some of the patients in the asylum.
Over all the book is written fantastically and 5 of the characters are actually real people and not made up characters. These people were interviewed by the author and aspects of them made into characters. This makes the book a whole lot more interesting. It was Lisa (who was Melissa I the book) who asked me I would review the books. I loved the characters and everything about each of them. They are all very interesting.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that likes periodical fiction. There was some interesting facts in this book. Especially in how women were portrayed in the 1800s. We have come so far since then!
Thankyou again for the opportunity to review this book.
Overall I Didn't actually like this book. It just was not for me. But I'm glad I gave it a chance. It was an interesting read all the same to learn about a women's insane asylum from the 1800s and some of the reasons they were admitted. Some reasons completely unbelievable and completely unfair but I know that this is just how it happened back then.
The Stockton insane asylum is based on a women asylums in the 1800s where a lot of women were institutionalised for conditions of the mind ie menstural cramps and gynaecology reasons. A direct quote from the book stating that they "believe it the body is exercisers, cleanser and kept fit the mind will soon follow." As a nurse myself I know how this is not necessarily true - in my own opinion these things do help with mental health but won't cure it completely.
This book follows the investigation run by Detective and Lawyer Clara Foltz and her committee of friends/family who are her fellow investigators in the murder of a young girl Winnifred Cotton. Polly Bedford was admitted to Stockton asylum after 'becoming' insane after witnessing the murder.
Clara and her fellow investigators are infiltrating the asylum to try and prove that Polly is not insane. While at the same time trying to find any misdeeds that the asylum is hiding! Sir Francis Galton the cousin of Charles Darwin is experimenting on 5 of the patients of the asylum while Clara is there investing. Unbeknown to him that Adeline his newest hires staff is one of Clara's fellow investors!
While inside Stockton Clara and her staff find out many secrets. One being the truth behind the experiments of Sir Francis Galton! The ending was not what I expected it to be and a fantastic outcome for some of the patients in the asylum.
Over all the book is written fantastically and 5 of the characters are actually real people and not made up characters. These people were interviewed by the author and aspects of them made into characters. This makes the book a whole lot more interesting. It was Lisa (who was Melissa I the book) who asked me I would review the books. I loved the characters and everything about each of them. They are all very interesting.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that likes periodical fiction. There was some interesting facts in this book. Especially in how women were portrayed in the 1800s. We have come so far since then!
Thankyou again for the opportunity to review this book.
kari_marie's review
2.0
The Stockton Insane Asylum Murder is the 3rd book in the series by James Musgrave. The title pulled me and then I lost hope. I made myself get through 50% and then I gave up. There were some cool parts but I could not get past writing. I realize the artist was trying to make you feel like you were in the time but it just detracted from the story. Plus I was really turned off by the not really feminist aspects of this book masquerading as feminist, I give this a solid two stars because of concept.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for a free copy. This is an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for a free copy. This is an honest review.
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