Author: Mindy McGinnis
Publication: October 6th 2015 by Katherine Tegen Books
Genre: Young Adult ~ Historical Thriller
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo
Rating: 4/5
Grace Mae knows madness.
She keeps it locked away, along with her voice, trapped deep inside a brilliant mind that cannot forget horrific family secrets. Those secrets, along with the bulge in her belly, land her in a Boston insane asylum.
When her voice returns in a burst of violence, Grace is banished to the dark cellars, where her mind is discovered by a visiting doctor who dabbles in the new study of criminal psychology. With her keen eyes and sharp memory, Grace will make the perfect assistant at crime scenes. Escaping from Boston to the safety of an ethical Ohio asylum, Grace finds friendship and hope, hints of a life she should have had. But gruesome nights bring Grace and the doctor into the circle of a killer who stalks young women. Grace, continuing to operate under the cloak of madness, must hunt a murderer while she confronts the demons in her own past.
In this beautifully twisted historical thriller, Mindy McGinnis, acclaimed author of Not a Drop to Drink and In a Handful of Dust, explores the fine line between sanity and insanity, good and evil—and the madness that exists in all of us.
I'm not sure what to say about the book because it was so different from anything else I've read. I really liked the main character, Grace. She was so strong, especially towards the end. She wasn't totally sane and herself at times, but who can blame her?
The start of the book was rather confusing to me, starting with Grace being pregnant and stuck in an insane asylum so it took me a few chapters to really get into the story.
This book had some tough and mature subjects, making this book a bit heavy and dark. I happen to love books that are like that so obviously I loved this aspect of it.
Doctor Thornhollow was probably my favorite character in the book. I just loved the relationship between him and Grace so much and how they connected.
Overall, A Madness So Disctreet was a really well-written story that I couldn't help but be fascinated by. I loved the characters and even their darkness within. I'd love to read more by this author!
About the Author:
Mindy McGinnis is an assistant YA librarian who lives in Ohio and cans her own food. She graduated from Otterbein University magna cum laude with a BA in English Literature and Religion. Mindy has a pond in her back yard but has never shot anyone, as her morals tend to cloud her vision.
It's not in my usual wheelhouse, but I am curious about it! :) I'll give it a shot some time! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Stephanie! I have this on my TBR list, although I wasn't sure if I'd like it or not ... but you seemed to enjoy it and therefore I'll give it a try! It's probably really diffrerent to everything else I usually read, so I'm pretty excited, haha. :D
ReplyDeleteYvonne @ A World Between Folded Pages
I can't wait to read this book! I've got a hold in with my local library. I love books having to do with mental illness and especially when the author took the time to do the research and get it right. The line in your review, Grace is pregnant and stuck in an insane asylum, has hooked me. That sounds awesome and I can't wait to read!! Thanks for the awesome review!
ReplyDeleteYAY Good "unique!" I usually can't handle the tough situations but I like Mindy so I'll give it a go.
ReplyDeleteWe gave this one exactly the same rating! I did enjoy it quite a bit and the beginning brought across the creepiness factor perfectly with this one. The historical fiction was done so well and I learned from this book as well. Great review x
ReplyDelete