The premise of The Savage Instinct seemed promising. DeLuca captured beautifully the despair and helplessness of women from the Victorian era. However, the storyline moved at a painstakingly slow pace. I found myself skimping pages to try to find out what happened. If you like a slow burn, then this is the perfect book for you!

Thanks to publisher and NetGalley for ARC. I really enjoyed this beautifully written book. I’ve never read this author but I will be on look out for past and future book.

Pub date: 5/21

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found the story fascinating. So very hard being a woman in the late 19th century and this story illustrates those hardships and remarkable double standards. Intertwined with the story of Mary Ann Cotton, this book has to be my favourite of the year.

The Savage Instinct by Marjorie DeLuca is a historical thriller set in England 1873 , and tells the story of Clara Blackstone, a young woman who has just spent a year in a private asylum for the insane following the stillbirth of her baby. Unable to deal with her grief, her husband sent her there to recover, and now that she has been released he tells her that together they can build a new life in a new town, but in fact this is the last thing he wants. Clara is hopeful that she will be able to rebuild her life and reunite with her husband, but she soon finds his controlling behaviour as oppressive as anything she endured in the asylum , and sees her marriage as something of a trap. Unfortunately her husband also feels trapped, but he has come up with a cunning plan to rid himself of her , by having her committed to the asylum again, for good this time. Clara however has found the unlikeliest of allies , on a visit to the local prison she befriends Mary Ann Cotton, a woman accused of murdering more than twenty people, including her several husbands and children. Could her new friend help her to escape the confines of her marriage, even if it means resorting to a deadly solution?

I found this book genuinely disturbing, most notably because of the way Clara was treated by her husband but also because of the glimpse it gave into how easy it was for men to get rid of a wife for the most trivial of reasons by having her consigned to an asylum. I also found the characterisation of Mary Ann Cotton was wonderfully handled, I felt manipulated as a reader in much the same way that Clara was and I finished the book wanting to know more about the true story of Mary Ann so I was delighted to find a list of suggested reading in the author's notes at the back of the book .

If you want to curl up on a dark and stormy night with a book that will grip and disturb you in equal measure, you could do a lot worse than pick up this one.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the Publisher, all opinions are my own.

The writing was a little bumpy in the beginning but it smoothed itself out by the second half. The last couple chapters were intense with plot twists and that ending blew my mind! The book is fast paced and I loved the characters. Clara has some good developments over the course of her story. I especially loved seeing Mary Ann Cotton become unreliable as we see her through Clara’s eyes and never know what to believe.

Overall an enjoyable read and if you like Victorian era books, true crime based fiction, The Familiars by Stacey Hall, or books about women going against society’s expectations, you may enjoy this one!

Thanks to NetGalley and Inkshares for ARC in exchange an honest feedback.

The Savage Instinct is the story of Clara who recently released from asylum because of unable to accept her baby's death. She also unable to adapt social life after discharged from asylum. However, she finds peace with this murderess named Mary Ann Cotton. Mary Ann Cotton who killed her own family by poisoning them with arsenic. Clara herself also facing a very toxic marriage and wanting to find way out. Here is where Mary trying to convince her that society has been cruel to her and Mary herself. This will enable Mary to influence Clara to find way out.

Another historical fact that I learned where Mary Ann Cotton, the murderess who killed her own family. Mary Ann & Clara were the clear example of Victorian women who unable to get deserve justice for their rights. I favour how Clara fights for her freedom till the end. I almost thought she could never get away but then Henry deserved on what happened to him.

For Mary Ann, she deserve more page time so that we will able to understand her more. I legit understand how she was treated not more like a stock animal where her job is only to breed. Here where the author managed to balance Mary Ann's character, where not only letting her evil side prevail. I also loved how author letting reader did our own judgement in the end as Clara got her independence but end up failing again.

The Savage Instinct is perfect for those who enjoyed 'Burial Rites' by Hannah Kent. This story nicely displayed the depressing life of Victorian women and the perception of mental illness. Intense and grim atmospheric.

***will be reviewing in Goodreads separately due to technical issue***

In 1873, Mary Ann Cotton was executed for the murders of her husbands and several of her children by arsenic. The sheer number of Cotton’s victims and her seeming callousness toward all of the deaths in her life horrified Victorian Britons. She was all over the broadsheets. She is all over Marjorie DeLuca’s novel, The Savage Instinct, too, although it is narrated by the much less murderous Clara Blackstone. As Clara tells her story—and hears Cotton tell hers—we see how the label of madness gets slapped on any woman whose behavior takes her outside of the narrow confines of acceptable Victorian womanhood.

When we meet Clara Blackstone, she is in a very fragile state. She has just been released from a stint in an ostensibly genteel asylum for women (which was preceded by a turn in the much less civilized Bedlam). At first, all we know is that Clara has suffered at the hands of the doctors’ barbaric treatments and that her latest doctor does not believe she has any mental illness. It’s only after her release that we learn how Clara ended up in those asylums in the first place. Her husband, Henry, used the excuse of Clara’s “outburst” after the stillbirth of their child to lock her up. Now that she’s out, it seems like Clara will always bear the stigma of her time in the asylums; everything she does is labeled as a possible sign that her “madness” is returning.

At the urging of her husband’s new friends and to escape the suffocation of staying stuck in her room at home, Clara begins to visit the prison in Durham. Clara and other women of her class can talk to the prisoners under the guise of ministering to the women—although Clara uses it to sate her newfound fascination with Mary Ann Cotton. Clara’s return home happens under the cover (so to speak) of Cotton’s arrest and pre-trial imprisonment. Everyone is too busy gossiping and speculating about Cotton to be gossiping and speculating about Clara. Clara has her own ideas about Cotton, so she takes advantage of the prison visits to talk to a woman who appears to have the bravery to murder the men in her life who would use her. That bravery is incredibly attractive to Clara.

The Savage Instinct is not a relaxing read. I don’t think I unclenched after the first few pages. I knew a little bit about Cotton’s eventual fate from my interest in true crime, but I had no idea what would happen with Clara. Every time Clara seemed to get a leg up on her husband’s schemes, there’s a twist that turns everything around again. Would she be able to thwart her husband’s evil plans? Would she be able to get away? What price would she have to pay to break free? Underneath all of this wonderful dramatic tension is the frequently horrifying theme of pre-code of ethics psychology and a medical-legal system that was far too willing to certify inconvenient people insane to get them out of the way.

Thank you to Net Galley and Inkshares for this advanced readers copy.

What is the last book that you rage read?

Clara Blackstone isn’t crazy, but after spending a year in an insane asylum it is taking her a little bit of time to get back to “normal.” Upon her release everything in the world seems different. Her husband Henry is cold and mean, and she’s in a new city where she knows no-one. Greeting her in Durham is an angry mob, intent on catching a glimpse of the infamous Mary Ann Cotton, murderess.

Immediately Henry thrusts her into his social life. The expectations are extreme and she’s having difficulties socializing with the passive wives of his friends. She realizes that her time and experiences at the asylum set her apart from the other women around her. Every time she opens her mouth she’s berated and worn down. If she doesn’t open her mouth, she’s antisocial.

Like the city around her she is entranced by the myth around Mary Ann Cotton, so when she’s offered a chance to spend time talking and consoling the women in the jail, she leaps at the chance. A friendship is forged, and she realizes the only person who understands her is murderer. If she doesn’t want to go back to the asylum she may need to become one herself.
A story about psychological abuse, gaslighting, depictions of asylum treatments that made me visibly shudder, and the power of a desperate woman.

I was so angry, but I also couldn’t put it down. Don’t read this if you have high blood pressure. 4.5 stars!

This book was an interesting mix of historical fiction and suspense. Mary Ann Cotton, Victorian England’s serial killer, was accused of killing over twenty people including multiple husbands and her children. Clara has suffered a terrible miscarriage and has been forceably committed to a mental institution by her husband when she shows signs of grief and hysteria. Clara is released after a year and she tries to settle back into her marriage and society. Unfortunately, her husband has other plans which include getting Clara committed again. In an effort to conform, Clara begins charity work at the local prison where she meets Mary Ann Cotton who is awaiting trial. The two women form an unlikely friendship as Mary Ann coerces Clara to unburden herself and share personal information. This friendship creates a lot of tension in Clara’s life, as her husband doesn’t approve of her work. This book shares how horrible it was to be a woman during this time. Women had no rights to speak of, and husbands could easily commit their wives to an insane asylum for a myriad of reasons including wanting a younger woman.

I really enjoyed this story. It had a bit of a slow start, but the tension built and I couldn’t put it down. It was easy to root for Clara and we wanted her to find a successful path in her life. Her husband exemplified the dogmatic thinking of the time in believing that women weren’t capable of intelligent thought and needed a man’s protection to survive in life. He and his colleagues became the easy villains to hate. The dynamic between Clara, her husband and Mary Ann come to a satisfying conclusion. I recommend this book!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Clara Blackstone obsesses over – and befriends – the notorious female serial killer Mary Ann Cotton.

I absolutely loved this book! The author’s descriptions of the asylums and the treatment towards the women committed there reminded me of Greer Macallister’s “Woman 99”, which is another great book that critiques the oppression on women through medicine.

Marjorie DeLuca makes a great job with Henry and Buckley. Such insufferable men! But they are the representation of what was believed by “learned men” in 19th century London. I loved to hate them and often caught myself rolling my eyes every time I read what they had to say in certain situations.

I think that all the times Clara escaped should’ve been condensed, and I really wanted Clara to poison Henry. But other than that, a great book! Thank you for the ARC!

Have you ever read a book that made you really angry with the world? If not, then look no further than The Savage Instinct by M. M. DeLuca. There were times during reading that I had to put the book down and take a break. The way women are treated within these pages is utterly disgusting. They are lied to, mistreated and made into mindless arm candy for influential men. I applaud the author for making me feel this way, as we all know this used to be reality for many women. And it might not be too far fetched for our modern times either.

I adore the way DeLuca writes. Her writing flows and teleports the reader to another time. Her characters are either someone you will love or hate. Some of them I hated so much, I had to remind myself it was just a book. I truly felt for poor Clara and often wanted to reach through the pages and help the woman. I’ve seldom felt this invested in a book.

Remember how I was talking about a lucky streak with ARC? Well, it keeps going!

Meet The Savage Instinct, by M. M. DeLuca.

Another good cover, I’m really pleased with the contrast between the drawing and the font. While the plot is the only part I care about when it comes to picking books, covers help me through the very first screening process. Kudos to the artist!

The story itself is a cool one, too. I’m not gonna lie, the beginning feels a little slow, but then the pace picks up and it all starts flowing in a very satisfying way.

Yay!

- You know, Clara is a very interesting character. Even if she’s trapped between her past and her husband (oh my god, Henry), she doesn’t just give up. It would be so easy for her to just say okay, whatever, and become a soulless wife – she has every incentive to do so, after all – but she doesn’t. She navigates through social expectations, her trauma(s), and her self-discovery without losing herself, while some hit and miss here and there help her grow.

- Henry. He’s the antagonist, he’s unlikeable and he makes my eye twitch something fierce. A 100% villain, you say? Not really. Throughout the whole story, he rather proves to be a coward, moved by greed and his mother’s ambitions, but he’s not unidimensional. He doesn’t cackle or twirl his mustache, villain-style, he’s just an asshole. A very human one, and it takes skills to write characters like him.

- Clara’s journey is worth mentioning per se. As I already said, she goes from point A, the asylum, from point B, her freedom, and it’s very interesting to get into her head, see the discoveries she makes (‘oh, hey, dear husband is a creeper and also into my money, uh’) and her plans to get away. I ended up rooting for her, always a good sign.

- The style. It gives much away, true, but it pays off in the end. Speaking of-

- The ending. Trust me on this, the twist at the ending is de-light-ful.

A special mention must go to Mary Ann Cotton. Is she guilty? Is she innocent? I don’t know. Clara doesn’t know either, and while I did some research on her (hello, history nerd here) I found out that her trial and conviction were somehow biased. Maybe she is both, guilty and innocent at the same time?

Again, it takes skills to write ambiguous characters. Well done, Marjorie.

Nay!

- The only issue I have with TSI is how I needed a robust suspension of disbelief in a couple of places. First thing first, the inn. Henry is hot on her heels, on lookout, and… Clara just hides at the inn? And Henry doesn’t think to go looking there? We’re talking 1800 Durham, England, not 2021 New York, USA. How many inns are there going to be, one? Two? Five? I have no idea, but given the particular location, that should be the very first place Henry checks. Same goes with the prison and the day of the execution.

All in all, TSI is a good story, well-written (it’s first pov, so it really *is* well-written to pass the bar) and – you’ll find out. 4 GR stars, 8/10 here,

WoW! I don't know what I was expecting but this wasn't it!
This was such a wonderful story! I was glued to the pages. The writing is just wonderful. And flows beautifully. A historical fiction with psychological thrillers sign me up!
A killer accused of poisoning twenty people, including her husbands and children. What's not to enjoy?.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Savage Instinct.

I enjoy historical fiction based on historical events and people and I've heard and read about Mary Ann Cotton, from a book based on female serial killers, so I was pleased my request was approved.

Based on the real life historical event of the trial and hanging of Mary Ann Cotton, this tumultuous event serves as the background for the main character, Clara Blackstone, a young wife and mother suffering from PTSD after the loss of her child in stillbirth.

Stuck in a loveless marriage, trapped in a patriarchal society where women are seen as nothing more than breeders, and ill founded facts about women and anatomy, Clara is recently discharged from an institution and told to carry on with her life, despite the tragedy she has endured with the loss of her children.

When she meets the famous Mary Ann Cotton in prison and awaiting trial, Clara discovers she and Mary Ann may come from a different social class, but the travails of women remain the name, whether you are high society or working class.

I enjoyed the author's depiction and development of Mary Ann Cotton, portraying her as proud and strong, despite all she had to endure and overcome, shedding light on how history has mistreated her.

Her interactions with Clara were the best parts of the book.

Toward the end the narrative began to drag as Clara escapes from her husband, is found, then escapes again; it began to sound almost comical, though I'm sure that's not what the author had in mind.

I sympathized with Clara, but I found her ingratiating. I understand she's suffered terrible losses and continued abuse and violence from her husband, and though Mary Ann's advice rings in her ears, she does not pay heed to them.

The descriptions of Clara's dreams were also tedious and repetitive; perhaps it was for the reader to understand Clara's state of mind but I found it unnecessary.

I was hoping Clara would heed the advice of Mary Ann Cotton so, to me, Henry's demise was anti-climatic. though I understood why the author chose this particular path.

The fate of Clara's grandmother, Izzie, was a twist I felt coming, though I was hoping for a more positive ending for Clara after how much she had suffered.

It reminds me of old Twilight Zone episodes where the very thing the main character fears ends up coming true anyway.

I enjoyed The Savage Instinct, two different yet similar women who needed each other when no one else offered hope or comfort.

This is a historical fiction story, based in the 1800's. It is about two women. One, Clara is highborn married to a man that she met at a cousins recital. The other woman is Mary Ann Cotton, based on an actual person. Mary Ann is in prison due to her murder of her children and husband s with arsenic .Clara herself, has been released from an asylum following the birth of a stillborn child. She is also curious about the murderess. Two women from different ends of the spectrum come together in an awesome read of deception, murder,and freedom. Two women so different. Yet, so alike.
I was given this book to read and review by the publisher. Excellent!

I love asylums and gothic settings in the past. Female serial killers are rare in real life and in books! Sign me up! This is an excellent read and completely unique to anything I’ve read in a long time!

The Savage Instinct by M.M. DeLuca
Publication Date: March 16, 2021

England, 1873. Clara Blackstone has just been released after one year in an abusive asylum after having a breakdown due to the loss of her child during birth. The story goes into detail the atrocities she endured during her treatment and Clara is often pulled back there as her thoughts drift. Hoping to find comfort with her husband as she returns home she finds he has changed. He locks her in her room, forces her to injest a sleeping tincture and refuses to let her enjoy her favorite pastimes of painting and writing claiming they will drain her of the energy she needs to heal. Her husband Henry becomes increasingly volatile and intolerable as Clara tries to plan an escape.

Meanwhile, her only approved excursion to focus on the pursuit of charity, Clara visits a women's prison to offer company and God's word to the inmates. One in particular, Mary Ann Cotton (a real person) who has been accused of murdering 3 husband's and multiple children by poison. Clara and Mary Ann form an unlikely friendship. The author shows how gossip and rumors had played a huge role in Cotton's conviction.

The story focuses on a woman's place in Victorian times where marriage itself was a type of prison. Women must bend to their husbands, give up any interests for the benefit of his interests. Care for the home, bear children and keep quiet. Our girl Clara realizes this is not what she wants and she bravely faces against Henry and his colleagues even with the threat of returning to the asylum looming over her.

Overall, a dark historical mystery based on true events of the trial of Mary Ann Cotton, poisoner. Told from the point of view of Clara who was trying to escape a prison of her own. Well researched and well written intense read will have you glued until the last page!

Did you know that in the Victorian era women had absolutely no rights? Whenever men had a problem with women, they claimed they had hysteria and locked them up in asylums. Women were considered weak, temperamental and easily triggered. They were expected to be docile and homely. Once they were married, they relinquished their body, mind and money to their husband. If they wanted to get a divorce, they needed substantial proof that their husband was physical being cruel to them. Whereas, it was so easy for the husband to get a divorce.

One such woman stuck in a really bad marraige is the main character of this story. Clara gives birth to a still born child and the nurse just throws her child into a bin without letting her hold the baby. She loses herself and ends up injuring the nurse. She is subsequently sent off to live in an asylum for the next year. She goes through unspeakable horrors in the name of treatment. Until one new kind doctor releases her.

She comes back and her husband Henry is not the same. She senses a change in him. She also starts visiting the women' s prison to guide their Christian souls and repent for their sins. Here, she meets one of the most notorious women serial killers of England, Mary Ann Cotton. They both form a weird bond and she learns that in this world women have no power unless they take charge. Will she succumb to her husband's tortures? Or will she find a way out? Read to find out!

I found the book very interesting but i was not a fan of the writing style. It was too descriptive and lengthy. There were too many unnecessary paragraphs. I would definitely recommend the book to thriller and women's fiction lovers.

Clara Blackstone comes home one year in a private asylum for the insane. Clara has two goals: to reunite with her husband, Henry, and to not return to the asylum. As she enters Durham, Clara finds her carriage surrounded by a mob gathered to witness the imprisonment of Mary Ann Cotton England’s first female serial killer. In this great mystery and thriller book. It was a book I couldn’t put down.

I'm not usually into historical fiction. But this book caught my attention. Being about a serial killer yes please. Was a great written book and had me wanting to pick it up. The writing was superb. Great overall book.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release if this book.