An acute psychiatric ward, Fleet ward, Shackleton Unit, Hendon Community Hospital to be precise, is the deep rabbit hole Alice Armitage has tumbled down due to an incident in her professional career triggering PTSD. Attempting to break up a fight on the ward is where we first meet her, using her former occupation as a police officer to restore calm and order but will anyone take her seriously? Maybe not in this instance but when a murder occurs on the ward a few days later all eyes are on Alice as she takes matters into her own hands in an attempt to solve the crime.

What a brilliant setting in which to base a locked room murder mystery, a place where no one, bar perhaps the staff, are of sound mind. Automatically you’re presented with a room full of potential suspects with countless possibilities for motive so in that sense the reader is spoilt for choice. Sifting out fact from fiction will be immensely difficult. Told solely in the voice of Alice who is a lively, entertaining unreliable narrator, it’s hard to imagine why anyone should feel obliged to listen to this woman suffering from severe symptoms of PTSD however her voice is so commanding, you cannot help but listen. But do you dismiss her ramblings as drug induced nonsense, attention seeking gibberish or do you give credence to her theories, parts of which are formed in rare moments of lucidity? Are her memory lapses key to this murder mystery or are they a convenient way to distract the reader and detract from the truth? Mark Billingham cleverly keeps you guessing!

I have to give full credit to the author for giving a voice to a group of people who ordinarily would be ignored by the majority, other than their nearest and dearest and the mental health professionals tasked with their care and to do so in such a way that enables you to catch glimpses of the real person beneath the paranoia, delusions, psychosis and memory loss. Seen through Alice’s eyes and her unbalanced mind, Fleet ward and the characters detained within its walls spring to life which is often an uncomfortable, unsettling,eye opening, darkly humorous experience but helps the reader build a bigger picture of life on a psychiatric ward, turning the abstract into reality. This especially resonated with me as someone who dishes out medication to patients like Alice on a daily basis but is far removed from the coal face; all the thoughts, emotions and behaviour these characters display here humanises them beyond just a name and hospital number. Squeezing in a few brief asides relating to the revolving door syndrome of patients in and out of psychiatric facilities, bed and staff shortages, Mark Billingham keeps any political commentary to an absolute bare minimum. Any reference to the pandemic is given the same treatment; blink and you’ll miss them. Hallelujah!

Alice introduces an enormous amount of levity to a situation that realistically is far from funny. I love that she hasn’t totally lost her sense of humour despite her predicament, with the unfortunate incidents that occur on the ward validating her own behaviour and belief that she’s still on the Job!! Her interactions with the staff and other patients are rich in the black humour that gives this crime novel a refreshing edge. She treats the reader to a wholly immersive experience of life under the watchful eye of Marcus and the rest of his staff, where boredom is rife and the routine is stifling and tension and conflict are part of daily life. Confined in this space with little chance to escape (apart from the odd fag break) no wonder on occasion tempers flare and voices and fists are raised but it’s the individual idiosyncratic behaviour of Alice’s fellow ‘inmates’ who unintentionally make you laugh whilst also filling you with pity and sadness at their plight. Every single one of these characters is portrayed in a sympathetic, compassionate light by the author although I admit to taking pleasure in Alice’s sometimes brutal and scathing comments concerning her ward mates and her fondness for stirring the pot which I couldn’t decide were actions borne out of malice or plain mischievousness. She’s a conundrum for sure! Ultimately Alice is the linchpin upon which this novel rests. Her voice carries the narrative from beginning to end (which is no mean feat from a writing point of view) with her misguided belief she’s the woman to bring the murderer to justice thanks to her previous occupation and notwithstanding her delusions she’s a cracking narrator. All in all Alice is a stroke of creative genius and Mark Billingham deserves a pat on the back for penning such a memorable character.

The crime element is well written with the ongoing police investigation and Alice’s own role in offering the boys in blue a helping hand. Mark Billingham steers you in a haphazard direction building up so much doubt in your mind as to who and what to believe it’s really anybody’s guess as to which madman/woman, hospital staff member or outsider is the guilty party. As the ward fills with apprehension amongst the staff and patients alike, in particular Alice, I thought I had it all sewn up but no, turns out I was completely wrong! Well done to the author for taking me by surprise; I wasn’t expecting it to be the ‘rabbit’ that he eventually pulls from the hat and there are other revelations that equally astounded me.

I’m on a roll at the moment when it comes to dishing out 5 ⭐️reviews. I don’t think I’ve ever managed to read so many fabulous books one after the other and Rabbit Hole is definitely worthy of all the stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this murder mystery told from the perspective of a disturbed and deluded mind and highly recommend you check out this title ASAP!

My thanks as always to the publisher Little Brown and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

The FA Cup final Saturday 14th May 2011
Tour dates

A stand-alone novel and one that is different from Mark Billingham’s Thorne series and other stand-alone books, in that it involves a murder but in a different setting and not a police procedural.

This one follows a patien, Alice, in a secure ward as she tries to solve a murder that happens in the ward she is in. She is a former police officer (or is she?) and uses her past experience to try and solve the murder case. As the book unfolds the reader is introduced to the characters on the ward, both patients and staff, with some genuine laugh out loud moments as Alice describes people.

Mark Billingham adds more of his dark humour into this one, along with an insight to the daily life of a mental health ward. The daily life and challenges the patients face are handled with care and form the basis of the book, showing the effects of the murder on everyone in the ward.

An intriguing mix of crime writing and a wider general fiction which shows what a talented and creative writer he is. Recommended.

This is not your usual Mark Billingham. Yes, there are a few murders. Yes, there is a mystery to solve. And yet the setting (a mental health institution) gives this book a totally different flavour and feel. Very realistic, very well done. Oh, and PS: I really like Tom Thorne makes an appearance in person, even if his name isn't mentioned.

Who do you believe when the detective (albeit a self-appointed one) of a murder case is a patient in the same psychiatric ward where the body was found? Rabbit Hole by Mark Billingham takes the readers on this unbelievable yet fascinating journey. Alice Frances Armitage, aka Al, is a medically retired detective constable, who has been diagnosed with PTSD. After being sectioned, she is undergoing treatment in the acute psychiatric ward of Hendon Community Hospital. However, she believes herself to be a cop still. So, when Kevin, one of the patients, is found murdered in his room, Al takes it upon herself to investigate the case. Soon, she gets the feeling that her own life is in danger.

Much like The Woman in The Window by A.J. Finn, the narrator of Rabbit Hole is unreliable. But, that's where the similarity ends. Our narrator in Rabbit Hole is witty, charismatic, and confident. Despite being in a psychiatric ward, surrounded by patients with all sorts of issues, she doesn't lose her identity. Her comebacks are chucklesome and her thoughts are coherent. Even when she starts having memory gaps, she believes she is the right person to find the killer. Mark Billingham, the author, has chosen his storyteller very wisely. The murder mystery in itself was gripping, but the added suspicion on the credibility of our source of information brought out a whole new level of thrill. In addition, the tidbits about drugs, patients' diagnoses, and the psychiatrist's conversations show the level of research the author has done. These aspects further add to the overall entertainment and credibility quotients of the book. With just enough twists and interesting characters, Rabbit Hole by Mark Billingham is a thriller worth spending time and money on. Highly recommended!

Alice Armitage is a police officer. Or she was. Or perhaps she just imagines she was. Whatever the truth is, following a debilitating bout of PTSD, self-medication with drink and drugs, and a psychotic breakdown, Alice is now a long-term patient in an acute psychiatric ward. When one of her fellow patients is murdered, Alice becomes convinced that she has identified the killer and that she can catch them. Ignored by the police, she begins her own investigation.

Oh the sheer delight of discovering a new author and moreover one who's written a multitude of books! This was superb and I was gripped from start to finish. Although the setting is dark Alice's voice is sardonic and humorous and her word sketches of her fellow patients are incredibly amusing but never cruel, I was always laughing with them not at them.

You know from the start that Alice is an unreliable narrator but that just adds to the intrigue as you try to work out if she's actually onto something that the police are missing or if she's completely paranoid. There are loads of twists and turns mixed up with the all too human stories of the patients and of Alice herself. Highly recommended!

My thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

I noticed that several other Goodreads reviewers have mentioned how different this is from his previous books, but his was my first book by Mark Billingham, so I didn't read it with any influence or expectations.

On one hand, it's a standard locked-room murder mystery -- who is killing people on the psych ward? -- but to me, it reads more as a character study of our deeply flawed, troubled protagonist Alice. She is very earnest, and very focused on playing her part to solve the mystery. A psych ward is a great setting for a cast of characters; I had trouble keeping them all straight at times, but Alice's feelings about each of them came through clearly.

I was surprised when the baddies were revealed, although I wasn't so focused on that, as I sometimes am when reading thrillers. This isn't a story that is packed with "twists" and "surprises," although the ones that are there, they absolutely add to the story.

Looking forward to reading more by this author. Will easily recommend, 4/5 stars

I generally listen to audiobooks because I don’t have time usually but I decided to request a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review because it sounded like it had potential. I had no idea it was going to be as good as it was.

I won’t waste time copying the description of the book or giving a synopsis, if you are reading this then you likely have already read what the book is about. Alice is such a relatable character. Her wit and self deprecating humor made her immediately likable regardless of her current situation. Her character was also believable and because of this you are blindsighted at the ending. I love when a book isn’t predictable and this book was not predictable.

The author is a really talented writer. The character development of the main character as well as the secondary characters was excellent. I also could really envision the hospital and the smells and the daily routine. I was totally immersed in this book. I really enjoyed it. I can’t wait to read other titles by this author.

Thanks to netgalley for letting me review this book, i have loved all of mark billinghams books, so was eager to start it, its quite different from previous books i have read of his, thoroughly enjoyed it, its quite dark and eerie in some places, edge of the seat stuff..

Thank you Netgalley and Grove Atlantic for the eARC.
What a great book! I've been a fan of Mr. Billingham for years and this standalone had me spellbound.
Alice is in an acute psych ward with PTSD, worsened by drugs and alcohol. As an ex-police woman she is fascinated by the murder of one of the patients and decides she wants to help the police with this case. The police are not at all impressed, so she goes it alone. When her main suspect is also killed, she's thrown off kilter...now what?
The description of life on the psych ward is compelling, alternately creepy, funny and sad. The patients are odd, to say the least, but many are actually quite interesting and some even lovable. You can't help but laugh at times, plus I was impressed with the delicate and sympathetic way the author described the various implosions of the patients. Having suffered from panic attacks and still on medication, I couldn't help thinking: there but for the grace of God go I.
This whole story is told from Alice's perspective, which means you're never really sure of the perspipacity of events, but that just adds to the
mystery. The ending was quite a surprise, as well as a happy one. A compelling read which I highly recommend!

As usual, Mark Billingham delivers a compelling read with amazing characters, a fast paced plot and always, always such a tight and clear writing style. A world within a world, this presents the worst fears of many as we see what happens to a person not able to trust their own mind. Somehow the author brings humour to the story, making it all the more engaging. A really great mystery, too.

Oh wow! I hope it doesn't count as a spoiler, but I have just been floored by the epilogue of this book.. If it isn't too contentious, based on the setting and context of the book, it messed with my head a bit.....
The majority of the book is set in a psychiatric ward, seen from the perspective of DC Alice Armitage, a police officer and inmate of the ward. The circumstances behind why she was sectioned and ended up in the ward are covered and we learn about the other inmates and staff - and then what happens when one of the inmates is discovered dead. It is clearly a murder - who did it, an inmate or staff? As the investigation continues, Alice believes that as a police officer and in the thick of it, she is ideally placed to solve the murders. She gets frustrated that the police are not listening to her, even though she thinks she knows who is responsible, and begins to fear for her own safety.
The book is absorbing and gripping. It covers a very difficult subject, mental health, sensitively but with humour, Highly recommended.

Thank you, Edelweiss, NetGalley, and the publisher for my e-ARC.

I chose to read this because I enjoyed the two books I've read in his Tom Thorne series (Their Little Secret and Crybaby).
However, this book, a stand-alone, is about and narrated by Alice Frances Armitage("Al"), a detective constable in the metropolitan police.

Currently imprisoned (for all practical purposes) in an insane asylum due to her PTSD. Hardly a typical treatment plan. But it didn't help that she chose to self-treat with alcohol and drugs.

Then a fellow patient on her ward, Kevin, dies from unknown causes. The commotion and excitement is a welcome change from the mundane...for the other patients anyway. In contrast, the staff, in addition to attempting as much normalcy as possible, have some explaining to do.

Meanwhile, Al is in her element. This is who she is. This is what she does. Well...did anyway. Not any more. She was on medical retirement from the police, deemed unfit to return to duty. Undeterred, she conducts her own investigation from the inside and comes up with a prime suspect. Until she finds her prime suspect discharged...permanently.

Overall, this book was a dud. It dragged. Although it was interesting and amusing to read about Al's fellow patients, it could not make up for the slow pace of the plot. The end was a long time coming and anticlimactic.

Mark Billingham's stand-alone novel is so much more than I expected. Written about a subject that's difficult for me to read about, I was moved by how well the author handled it. With kindness and respect. Well done.

An ex police officer Alice Armitage is in hospital. She’s being treated among other patients when a murder is committed so can she help to find a murderer or will her psychological problems get in the way.
I found this book quite a difficult read. I usually love Mark Billingham and perhaps I was expecting something in the usual vein of his Tom Thorne novels but I did appreciate how difficult this subject must have been.
The descriptions of a psychiatric hospital and the characters within where most certainly brought to life in a really amazing way and perhaps my unease says more about me than the author.

Excellent, original and quirky, written from the perspective of Alice, an ex Police officer who has PTSD and is in a psychiatric ward of a hospital as an inpatient. She introduces us to all the other patients brilliantly and with a wry sense of humour and i really warmed to her.
Things then start to get sinister as there is a murder on the ward and Alice, with her police background, goes into overdrive and tries to investigate the death herself, interrogating everyone and questioning everything. I loved the vulnerability of Alice and the vivid and heartfelt descriptions of the other patients and the staff and the way the book was written was seriously engaging. The ending was really good with a twist that I didn’t see coming. Definitely recommend!

A stand alone thriller by Mark Billingham.
Alice is an ex police woman who witnessed a traumatic event in which her partner was killed.
Following this she had a relapse in her mental health and ends up sectioned on a psychiatric ward.
This story tells the tale of Alice attempting to solve the crime of murder that occurs on the ward when one of the patients is murdered.
The characters are so rich in this book and you can visualise them all.
It is literally a book that you can't put down and I had to stay up till the early hours of the morning to finish it.
Well plotted with so many twists and turns.
Recommended to thriller fans and definitely one of the best thriller I have read this year.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley in allowing me to read in return for a review.

Mark Billingham never disappoints! Although I love the Tom Thorne series, this was a good stand alone novel. Alice is a patient in a mental hospital and a murder occurs in her ward. She is a cop recovering from PTSD from the death of her partner. Overuse of drugs and alcohol lead to her stay in the ward. Her detective senses are on high alert and she is determined to find the killer.

Alice is hilarious. Her thoughts and dialogue are witty, acerbic, and spot on. She describes her fellow inmates and the daily life in the ward along with the staff. Honestly I wanted to meet them all it was so great. But is what Alice tells the reader the truth or is she imagining things? Either way, I was rooting for her the whole time.

Mr Billingham handles mental health issues with kindness. He describes how difficult this book was for him to write in the epilogue. Kudos for tackling this subject so well. Ok, although I really enjoyed this book, can we get back to Tom Thorne? I am ready!!

Thank you so much to Net Galley, Grove Atlantic, and the author for an advance copy of the book In exchange for my honest review.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

A very different style of novel from Mark Billingham, and I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book.

The main protagonist, Alice, has been sectioned and is currently living on a mental health ward. Having suffered a debilitating PTSD breakdown due to a tragic incident when working for the Met Police, Alice is finding it hard to let her previous life go.

We hear her take on the other residents on the psych ward, and fall out following two murders.

Having been a huge fan of Billingham’s work, especially the Tom Thorne books, I was curious about this book and definitely was not disappointed. I also enjoyed seeing the nod to Thorne and Brigstocke.

Newcomers to Billigham will enjoy this book, as will fans of his previous work.

I enjoyed this book. It was kind of chaotic, as it takes place in a mental health facility, but that made it interesting. It was different trying to determining what was real and what was in the mind. But that was a good thing. Characters that you cared for, and great pacing. #RabbitHole #NetGalley