Stevie‘s review of House of Silence by Sarah Barthel
Historical Suspense published by Kensington 27 Dec 16

I don’t know a great deal about life for the upper echelons of society in the US during the decades immediately following the Civil War, although I’ve gathered bits and pieces from reading about those heiresses who travelled to Britain and elsewhere in search of Old World, usually titled, husbands. This book’s blurb, therefore, caught my attention, particularly with its setting of a sanitarium – of the type reserved for those with diseases of the mind more than the body. The involvement of real historical figures playing secondary roles in the plot only really came to my notice after I started reading, and then got to know them through the book’s heroine.

Isabelle Larkin is excited to be getting engaged to the eligible bachelor, and rising political star, Gregory Gallagher, although she is saddened that her best friend will not be sharing her happy day – since she plans to elope with a man both girls’ mothers disapprove of due to his father’s actions during the war. During the party, Isabelle witnesses Gregory arguing with an unknown servant woman, and later the same woman approaches Isabelle, claiming to have information about Gregory’s past. Before the women can meet up, however, Isabelle sees Gregory kill his nemesis. She tries to get help, but is overcome by the exertion; when she comes to, everyone around her believes Gregory to be the hero who saved Isabelle from assault by a stranger but was unable to save that same villain’s first victim.

No one gives any credit to Isabelle’s alternative version of events, and her mother insists she go ahead with the wedding. Isabelle’s only way of escape, it seems, is to pretend to be so mad that Gregory will never want to marry her. Isabelle’s mother, horrified by her daughter’s behaviour, ships her quietly off to a highly recommended sanitarium, whose doctors have dealt with far more challenging cases successfully in the past. There Isabelle is befriended by a number of the staff as well as several of her fellow inmates, including the widow of the assassinated President, sent to the institution by her one surviving son.

Mary Lincoln enjoys a number of privileges denied to more ordinary patients and is able to take Isabelle out on excursions with her, leading to Isabelle’s discovery that Gregory is searching for her: with the aim, she thinks, of silencing her for good, but also enabling her to dig out more information regarding the past Gregory is trying to conceal.

I loved the various intertwining plots: the mystery of Gregory’s past, the suspense of whether he will find Isabelle and how she will ever convince others to believe her story, the parallel stories concerning Isabelle’s best friend and the backgrounds of the other patients. Isabelle even finds herself a more deserving suitor, albeit one unlikely to win her mother’s approval. All in all, a most excellent book by an author I’d love to read more from.

Grade: A

The reason I requested this book was its setting in Oak Park, IL. I am a Chicago girl and Oak Park has always been one of those suburban towns that was picturesque and timeless to me. I was really looking forward to reading more about it and about the society that resided within it. I must say this was one of those stories that fulfilled all of my expectations and then some.

What I loved the most about it was the seamless thread of historical and fictional which made this story ever more fascinated than it already was.

If you’ve ever wondered about how women lived and coped within the restrictions of the society of the 1800’s, get this story and you’ll be fascinated as you find out.

This novel is well written and plotted, with complex characters that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Melanie for b2b

I have not read a historic romance for a long time and, despite the cover image suggesting that House of Silence might be one, it is not straightforwardly of that genre. Set in 1875 Illinois, a young woman's future is determined by the marriage that she makes, and this is the course that Isabelle Larkin is set upon, with her mother eager to confirm her match with Gregory Gallagher, a charismatic political aspirant. Isabelle is excited by the prospect of a marriage to Gregory, until she is the unwitting witness to him committing a violent crime.

Isabelle is revolted by Gregory's actions and appalled that no-one, not even her mother, will believe her when she tells them what happened. Her mother is determined that Isabelle should honour her promise to marry Gregory, but Isabelle is equally adamant that this will not be her fate, even if it means that she will be committed to a sanatarium to avoid scandal and to persuade her to see the error of her ways. Shocked and fearful for her life, she encourages this by becoming mute and feigning a breakdown.

Her time in the asylum brings her into contact with Mary Todd Lincoln, widow of the assassinated President, who is suffering problems of her own. A fragile friendship grows up in the face of their common situation, but Isabelle is still not safe and must reclaim her voice to save herself.

The historical context is fascinating and there is plenty of suspense as we are caught up in Isabelle's quest to save herself. She is a feisty character caught up in a situation of her time and status and interesting to read of in the context of the present. An enjoyable book.

Truly interesting! This is my first read by this author and i can wait to see whats next.

House of silence is historical fiction with a touch of gothic . Isabella is about to be married to her influential fiance until she sees him commit an unspeakable, What she does to get out of her dilemma is intriguing. This book has engaging characters and the pot keeps you turning the pages. .Mary Todd Lincoln makes an appearance. However I did not feel her character was absolutely necessary for the story. I really enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading more of Ms. Barthel

The premise of the book sounded really good and the way the historical aspect was woven into the story was also great. It feels more young adult than gothic suspense/thriller in execution however which would make it a bit disappointing for those who truly love gothic romantic suspense. Still it was entertaining enough to pass the time.

3.5 stars

This was light, romantic suspense with a historical setting. Gothic-ish. A mystery of sorts. Quick reading and entertaining. I'm always interested in books related to mental health and how it was treated historically, so I enjoyed this one. Having Mrs Lincoln as a side character/storyline was fun too. During this time period "keeping up appearances" was key, and often took precedence when it shouldn't, as we see here.

My critique would be that it felt a little incomplete. Maybe it will be the first of a series? It seems like it would be plausible for this or for a sequel for sure.

**Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishers for a digital ARC to read and review**

House of Silence is an historical fiction novel, but what makes it interesting are some factual events that occured in the setting of 1875 Illinois. A young Isabelle is betrothed to Gregory Callagher, a man with the right ambitions and the perfect son in law material to her equally widowed mother. Isabelle's life is thrown into turmoil after the shock of seeing Gregory commit murder, no one, including her mother believe her, and expect her to go ahead with the wedding, fearing for her life she pretends to have a breakdown , resulting in her mother having her sent to Bellevue Sanitorium thinking it will bring her to her senses. I found it so interesting reading about Bellevue, that and the story of Mary Todd and her life based on actual events being a patient was an added bonus and had me wanting to find out how her story would be woven into that of Isabelle's , fact and fiction perfectly written to bring an added depth to the characters and made the story so much more exciting. A good solid debut from Sarah Barthel .

I was not able to finish this book, but based on what I did read it is a great story of you are into the historical genre. Thank you for the opportunity to read for a fair review.