I received a copy of this book via NetGalley for an honest review. All that follows is my opinion from what I've read. There has been no compensation for the reveiw.

I was first drawn to the cover of The House of Silence. I love the turn of the century and of course, bustles. Add in a mystery, Mary Todd Lincoln, and an asylum . . . needless to say, I was hooked to read.

Let me start off that I felt the blurb was just a little bit misleading. Just a tad. Mrs. Lincoln is in the book, there is the case of the fiance' and his crime, and Isabelle does go to an asylum. However, the book blurb made me feel like I was going to read something that was more in the Historical Fiction and mystery genre. But, really, the book is more of a Historical Romance. That isn't to say it was a bad book . . . just that I was misled for a moment there.

I was beginning to wonder how I was able to go through the book. Historical Fictions tend to keep me grounded in reality and I'm not able to connect with the character or story. In the case of House of Silence, I was able to read the book fast and be pulled into the story.

The romance was decent, the mystery was lacking a tad (though there were some awesome action parts with Isabelle going against the female grain of the time period), and the friendship between Mary Todd and Isabelle was nice. Isabelle really grew independent because of it.

For a debut, it wasn't bad. I would have liked more action or suspense and I would have liked it if the villain was just a bit more villainous, but all in all the book was good.

Well written story that takes you back to that era when wealthy women just needed to look good and say the "right things. Meaning, say just what their husband's or father's wanted them to say.. Many women were institutionalized when they did not think or act how they were "supposed" to act. Case in point, Mary Todd Lincoln, the former first lady and wife of much loved President Abraham Lincoln was even institutionalized by her son when she was acting up as she got older. She suffered many, many losses throughout her life but did not handle her grief in a way that was acceptable--so her son wanted to keep her out of the public eye. That is a very sad testament to the way women were viewed in society.. This book portrays the times in a very poignant in real way.. I enjoyed the way the story unfolded and I would recommend the book to anyone who wants to read a unique story that features Mary Todd Lincoln in a cameo of sorts.
Thank you to Net Galley for the chance to read and give an honest review of this book.

I haven't read historical fiction for a while, but I'm glad I read this one. It was very well written and I enjoyed meeting the characters. It was quite an eye opener into the lives of young women in 1875. It held my interest and kept me quickly turning pages. I enjoyed the book alot. I received this ebook from NetGalley for an honest review.

Sorry, I didn't get to read this one before it was archived.

Historical romances are usually not my thing but I had to read this because of the setting. Part of the book takes place in Oak Park, Il. And I was raised in Chicago, and part takes place at Bellevue Sanitarium, which is in the town I live now. Very familiar with the place, though now the apartments are condos, still Mary Lincoln stayed here and if fact is in part of this book.

An easy read, womanly expectations in the late 1800's, few choices available, marriage the most sought after especially when the potential groom is very well off. So Isabelle believes, but her engaged groom is not all he appears to be and Isabelle, whom no one will believe is sent packing for a restful stay at Bellevue.

Much lighter than my usual fare but it had its moments, wished more had been included about the sanatorium, but the lead character was a feisty little thing and it was interesting enough to finish and find out how it turns out for her.

ARC from netgalley.

As a general rule, I don't read a lot of historical fiction, but this book was very interesting indeed.

Isabelle is a young woman from a good family who is engaged to a man called Gregory. When she discovers something rather shocking about him, she ends up in a Sanitarium. Now, a Sanitarium in the late 19th century is a place where well-bred women with money go for various reasons. Some of them do have mental health issues and this book goes into some of the conditions that some of the other patients have, but others just need a break from society and its restrictive and quite often ridiculous rules.

Interestingly enough, there WAS such a place as Bellevue Sanitarium and women such as Isabelle and her fellow patients did live there for the reasons as described. It made me very glad that I live in the 21st century and I can live my life as I wish, without having to think about how my clothing, posture, actions and basically my entire life would be under scrutiny at all times and I might be forced to marry someone for reasons that have nothing to do with love.

I really enjoyed reading this book, I liked Isabelle as well as the other characters in the book, and I could picture her living her life in 19th century Illinois. I also liked her friend Lucy, who had character and determination, and together they put some things to rights.

Highly recommended read from me.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishers.

I made a mistake with this book. I began reading it close to bedtime and became so engrossed in the story that I didn’t want to put the book down and go to bed. And then the next day all I could think about was getting back to reading the book after work. Ever read a book that has you wondering what the characters are up to while you are going about life? That’s how this book was for me.

This book has a good solid storyline and a main character I could easily sympathize with. Isabelle had a hard time with a mother she couldn’t confide in and rely on. I thought it was horrible that she had no other choice to protect herself than to fake a breakdown to be put away in a sanitarium. But as horrible as it was for Isabelle to have to do this it was also smart of her to realize what she needed to do. Isabelle wasn’t a weak character but one who found herself in a bad situation with nobody to go to for help. Even her friend, Lucy, was fighting a battle with her mother about who she would marry. Women during this time were very limited as to what they could do and really had no rights of their own as they went from their parent’s control to their husband’s. I instantly liked Dr. Deston (Samuel) and thought he would be an ally for Isabelle.

The author did a wonderful job of writing in the character of Mary Todd Lincoln and doing it in a most respectful way. I know this is historical fiction but I feel like I have a better understanding of Mrs. Lincoln and at the same time want to read more about her. She seemed like a kind person and she had a unique friendship with Isabelle.

This is an interesting and fast-paced read. I like the author’s way of telling a story and including a real historical figure that makes the story seem authentic. I especially liked the romance that blossoms between two of the characters. It happened so slowly and naturally and left a smile on my face at the end of the book. A great story with a wonderful ending made this book a perfect read. This was my first book by this author but it definitely won’t be the last.

I received a free copy of this book through Netgalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are mine.

I enjoyed reading this story. Isabelle is engaged to a good looking man who is aspiring to go into politics. Her and her mother are very excited. She doesn't know the man very well, but his reputation is well known and it appears to be a good one. However, Isabelle witnesses her fiancee committing a crime and she is determined that she will not marry this man. Her mother is determined that she will marry this man. Isabelle feigns a mental breakdown that renders her mute and she is brought to Bellevue Sanitarium.

While there, she becomes friends with the workers and a new patient, Mary Todd Lincoln. The story of this relationship and her stay at Bellevue is written so well. It seems as though it really happened and that you are there.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was very entertaining, suspenseful and like I said, it felt so real.

Thanks to Kensington Books for approving my request to read this book and to Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Combining historical fiction, romance, and suspense as it explores the social and societal mores of an era following the Civil War, author Sarah Barthel takes us into the intertwined lives of Isabelle Larkin and Mary Todd Lincoln, both residents of the Bellevue Sanitarium in Batavia Illinois.

The year is 1875 and circumstances surrounding the incarceration of Larkin at the sanitarium are rooted in her efforts at self -preservation as she attempts to forestall marriage to a murderer masquerading as an aspiring politician. Occupying the heart of HOUSE OF SILENCE is the examination of an era where women’s acceptable place in society was predetermined and one either “toed the line” or face the consequences - - most of which were not very pleasant.

The author has cast Mary Todd Lincoln in a secondary role in this tale of two women whose attitudes and personal actions constituted an embarrassment to their respective families.

In the end, HOUSE OF SILENCE evolves from social commentary to sentimental tale of love and forgiveness as we learn that even the most distasteful characters have some redeeming qualities in this somewhat melodramatic narrative.

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*

I love historical fiction and the fact that this story included Mary Todd Lincoln was enough to convince me this book was right up my alley! I'm always fascinated by stories of sanitariums and the treatment of patients for various "disorders" too unseemly for polite society. The fact that you could be sent there by an ex - husband for little to no real reason for the rest of your life is appalling to me!!

In the matter of history, this book did not disappoint. In the storytelling, I was a little disappointed. I feel as though the woman trying so hard to live life on her terms and defy society did not need to be engaged by the end of the book to wrap it up into a neat bow. Don't get me wrong, I adore a good love story!! However, does the woman who faced life in an asylum, death, and the loss of her society reputation because SHE WOULD NOT CONFORM OR STRAY FROM WHAT SHE KNEW TO BE THE TRUTH have to get engaged simply because of the time period and the idea that the reader expects that? I was hoping for better.

Overall, 3 stars. Entertaining, but a bit dull in some spots and too predictable for my taste.

I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

If we could give half stars, I would have rated this book 3.5. "House of Silence" by Sarah Barthel has a great cover and interesting synopsis. Set in Oak Park, Illinois in 1875, Isabelle Larkin is the daughter of a wealthy family whose mother is more concerned with social status than the fate of her daughter. Isabelle's best friend Lucy is in a similar situation as her family believes her beau, that she intends to marry, is beneath her.

Isabelle is engaged to Gregory Gallagher who appears to be the "perfect" man. He is handsome, from a prominent family and has lofty political ambitions. However, he is not who he appears to be as Isabelle hears him arguing with a servant at their engagement party and then sees him commit a terrible crime.

She attempts to convince her mother of his duplicity, but when her efforts at honesty don't work, she fakes a mental breakdown in which she cannot speak. She is shortly sent to Bellevue sanitarium where she befriends Mary Todd Lincoln. The setting and introduction of Mary Todd Lincoln are two of the things that intrigued me enough to read this book.
While at the sanitarium, she investigates Gregory and she and her best friend finally find out the truth.

"House of Silence" would be a great beach/car read. The first part of the book drags a bit. The book would have been more interesting if there were more details of daily life in the sanitarium at that time and more of Mrs. Lincoln, her condition and background.

What a beautifully written book about a strong female character who goes to the extreme length of getting herself admitted to an asylum to avoid a marriage..
A marriage where the mum believes it is a good match and don't hear anything negative about the prospective groom.
Friendships were made including the widow of the previous president.
The determination this young lady shows is cleverly written resulting in a great read.

Historical romance at its best! Loved the rich details that helped transport me to Oak Park, Ill in 1875. Such great storytelling!

I received this ARC from netgalley.com in exchange for a review.

1875, Isabelle had all she wanted, a great life and wonderful fiance Gregory. Then she witnessed him murder. With no other option, Isabelle faked insanity so her mother was forced to commit her to Bellevue Sanitarium where Isabelle met fellow 'inmate' Mary Lincoln and then was able to prove Gregory's guilt.

With some real Illinois historical structures and background information, this story was a quick, easy read . Appropriate reading for young teens.

3 stars

Set in 1875 in Oak Park, Illinois, House of Silence is a mixture of historical fiction, romance, and suspense. The protagonist, Isabelle, is engaged to Gregory. A match of convenience, as Gregory has political aspirations and Isabelle is from a society family and believes the marriage to Gregory will provide her with the life she seeks. But then Isabelle witnesses Gregory committing a violent crime and in the aftermath, nobody believes her. Her mother insists that Isabelle goes ahead with the marriage leaving Isabelle with the only escape she can think of: she pretends to have a mental breakdown, becomes mute, and is admitted to Bellevue Sanitarium where she meets Abraham Lincoln's widow, Mary Todd Lincoln.
I found it interesting that the author combined a fictional crime story with actual historical facts. Bellevue was a sanitarium for upper-class women and did indeed house Mary Todd Lincoln in 1875.
I had hoped the book's focus would be on the staff and patients and their lives at Bellevue, but it is mainly Isabelle's coming-of-age story dealing with her caustic relationship with her mother and the mystery surrounding her fiancé Gregory. It's a short book and it was an enjoyable enough read, but I had hoped for a bit more substance. The characters and the plot remained a bit superficial to really get my teeth into this. But I think anybody who likes light historical romances with a dash of suspense would enjoy this.

House of Silence
Sarah Barthel
Kensington Books, January 2017
ISBN 978-1-4967-0608-9
Trade Paperback
From the publisher—

Oak Park, Illinois, 1875. Isabelle Larkin’s future—like that of every young woman—hinges upon her choice of husband. She delights her mother by becoming engaged to Gregory Gallagher, who is charismatic, politically ambitious, and publicly devoted. But Isabelle’s visions of a happy, profitable match come to a halt when she witnesses her fiancé commit a horrific crime—and no one believes her.

Gregory denies all, and Isabelle’s mother insists she marry as planned rather than drag them into scandal. Fearing for her life, Isabelle can think of only one escape: she feigns a mental breakdown that renders her mute, and is brought to Bellevue sanitarium. There she finds a friend in fellow patient Mary Todd Lincoln, committed after her husband’s assassination.

In this unlikely refuge, the women become allies, even as Isabelle maintains a veneer of madness for her own protection. But sooner or later, she must reclaim her voice. And if she uses it to expose the truth, Isabelle risks far more than she could ever imagine.

Desperation sometimes leads to dire measures and none is more dire than pretending mental illness and landing in an asylum. In the days when treatment of mental patients was something close to horrific, such an escape would have been even riskier but Isabelle certainly couldn’t have expected to find friendship with such a woman. That in itself leads to some interesting conversations and behaviors but the overall tone wasn’t as ominous as it should have been considering the setting and the times. The appeal of the story was further lessened for me by somewhat stilted language that could have been “softened” just a little to make it more amenable to the modern reader and yet there were also occasional anachronisms that simply didn’t work. Overall, while I don’t really consider this to be one of the better historical fiction novels I’ve read, I do see potential for future works from Ms. Barthel.

Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, January 2017.

I really enjoyed this book . It is not a genre, historical romantic fiction, that I would normally read but I was lucky to receive an ARC from NetGallery.

The story is set in 1875 in America and follows the life of Isabelle Larkin who is to be married to a suitable partner of her social standing, Gregory Gallagher. Isabelle witnesses a criminal event that Gregory is involved in and this changes the course of her life.

Without giving too much away Isabelle stops speaking with the thought that the only way to escape marriage is to commit herself to an psychiatric sanitarium.

There is real adventure and mystery to the book . The research by the author is to be commended. There are characters in the book that were actually involved with the sanitarium in the 1800s.

Highly recommend this if you like historical romance fiction.

A look at the past. The way of the folks circa. 1875, mostly a look at the young ladies of the times. There is a bit of history presented regarding Mary Todd Lincoln, the wife of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. The focus is upon a young lady, engaged to a young gentleman who turns out to be a less than honorable man. After witnessing her fiancé commit an act of murder the young lady turns to desperate measures to get out of her impending marriage. Apparently in those times it was something scandalous to break an engagement. How she, with the help of a friend resolves her predicament is the basis for most of the story. More of a woman’s book, a woman with an interest in history but all in all a decent read if somewhat frivolous at times.

This is a pleasant read, more historical romance than historical fiction, with a little mystery thrown in. I wanted to read it because it is set at Bellevue Place located in Batavia, IL, now on the list of National Historic Places. It was built in 1853 in the Greek Revival style from local limestone and was originally a private academy. In 1867, the building and grounds were sold to Dr. Richard Patterson who then operated it as a private rest home and sanitarium for women. His most famous patient was Mary Todd Lincoln who was committed in the summer of 1875, the time of this story.

But this is not really a story about Mrs. Lincoln, although she does make an appearance. It is about Isabelle Larkin, a young woman from a well-to-do Oak Park, IL, family who claims she has witnessed her fiancé, Gregory Gallagher, commit a terrible crime. Neither her mother nor her doctor believe her story so she decides her only recourse is to pretend to be mad so they will commit her to Bellevue where she believes she will be safe and they cannot force her to marry Gregory. She no longer feels she can trust anyone and pretends she cannot speak.

She is treated kindly by Dr. Patterson and the staff but this life cannot go on forever and if word should get out that she is insane, she and her family will be ruined socially. Her only hope is to prove Gregory is guilty of the crime she saw him commit. But who can she trust to help her? Will it be Mrs. Lincoln who is staying in the room across the hall and has befriended her, but is often laid low by debilitating headaches? Will it be the young doctor who is Dr. Patterson's assistant? Will it her childhood friend, Lucy, who wants to run off to marry the man she loves against her family's wishes?

This story illustrates what little power women had in the late 1800s, where this girl seemed to have just two choices--marry the man of her mother's choice or be committed. Her only value lay in her ability to attract a worthy husband. To be disgraced, then shunned by society, would be the worst possible fate.

The main reason this book did not receive a higher rating from me is that I couldn't help but compare it to The Ballroom which is another book set in an asylum and was one of my favorite reads from last year. That one had much more depth of feeling.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an arc copy of this new book.

Isabelle Larkin seemed to have everything necessary to assure her future– a prominent family, loving friends, a devoted fiancé – what more did a young woman need in 1875? Her suspicions that her fiancé Gregory is not all that he seemed to be were first aroused by a servant girl’s desperate attempts to contact him. Isabelle goes to the girl’s house in an attempt to learn more, and witnesses Gregory strangle the girl to death. Terrified, Isabelle tells her mother what she saw, but her mother is more concerned with public opinion and refuses to listen, and punishes her for her wild stories by sending her to an asylum.

While I enjoyed the story, I would have liked to see more depth in the characters. The other women in the asylum were only background, and when a character like Mary Todd Lincoln is part of the story, I think a bit more history would be in order. This was an easy read with an interesting premise, and I appreciated Isabelle’s determination to discover the truth.