The Institution by Helen Fields

A wonderful , full on , thriller . It grabs you from the very first chapter and keeps you glued to it right up to the last page.
Just when you have it all nearly sorted in your head - Bam ! Another twist to blow your mind. Full on suspense and a psychological thriller to boot.
Once you pick up this book , clear your diary because you just want to keep reading.
A worthy 5 stars.

Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books for an absolutely amazing read and Helen you’ve done it again.

I was totally gripped from the very beginning and as the story went on became more and more hooked.

This was an excellent thriller, murder mystery, tense psychological novel full or more twists and turns than you can ever expect - whatever you want to call it, this novel was everything rolled into one.

Set in a high security psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane during a terrible storm, running to a timescale to find a baby, this was so full of twists and turns and with a great pace you just had to keep up.

I only hope there is going to be a follow up, as the way it was left there certainly needs to be one, no spoilers, but someone is missing!!!

Helen’s novels just get better and better and she is not afraid to go where others fear to tread, yes at times you do wonder if things are believable but in the context of this story they certainly were.

It’s great to have Connie back in another book and I hope we have more of her and Brodie Baarda – I can see this going far. Maybe a book with Connie, Brodie, Ava and Luc?!!

I have now read all of Helen’s books and none of them have disappointed. I need more already.
Thank you so much and a huge 5 stars from me.

Helen Fields has blown my mind AGAIN!
An absolute heart pounding read from beginning to end.
Dr Connie & her partner Baarda have to go undercover into The Institution, a remote asylum. There has been a gruesome crime and time is ticking for them to find the baby pulled out of her still breathing mother. This book really got all senses heightened and it was a rip racing read until the end. Who pulled off this most heinous stunt? Was it one of the incarcerated serial killers with nothing to loose and everything to gain?
Five stars for this from me even though some of it made for uncomfortable reading, an author that isn’t scared to go deep into uncomfortable subjects without turning it into a horror. If you want to be up all night don’t start this at bedtime.
I do not give 5 star reviews lightly, they have to be worthy & this was.
Thank you Netgalley & Helen Fields for an advanced copy of this book.

Another interesting read from Fields, who always brings something new to the writers’ table. This one features Dr Connie again (Shadow Man). This time she’s trapped in a psychiatric asylum/prison for the criminally insane. .Very dark. I did have an idea early on as to the perpetrator but that didn’t spoil the read.

This book is an amazing thriller; fast paced, an abundance of twists and turns and full of action! This was my first book, that I've read by this author and i will certainly be reading more!

I was absolutely gripped from the beginning and even more so during the second part, where I could not put this book down.

The story centres around Dr Connie Woolwine who goes undercover within a psychiatric institution in order to find the murderer of a recent staff member, whose child was abducted from her whilst pregnant. The race is on to find the baby. The question centres around was it the inmates who were guilty or one of the staff members.

Thank you to Netgally and the publisher for an ARC.

So great! I can't recommend this book enough. I wish every thriller was this well written and engaging.

Did I read this in one sitting one rainy afternoon?
Yes, yes I did.
It has a shocking opener that grips you and doesn't really let go .
You never really know who you can trust, though probably not the five serial killers you're hanging out on a ward with, and possibly not the staff.
I enjoyed the stories within a story of the killers, which is told in a way I felt I was getting more books for my money.
Some quite graphic moments, plus plenty of edge of your seat moments.
Excellent stuff.

I have read other books by Helen Fields and have loved them so was looking forward to this one. It didn’t disappoint. Engaging from the get go. Interesting characters. Lots of twist and turns and all together a great thriller.
ARC copy

Rollercoaster ride of a book
I've not read the first in the series of these books, but I didn't feel that hindered the enjoyment of The Institution. Set in a remote location, The Institute is a hospital prison housing some of the most dangerous criminals. When Connie and Brodie are sent to investigate the kidnapping of a new born baby stolen from the womb of its mother, they get swept into a claustrophobic world of power play and manipulation.
Lots of characters I loved to hate and a tense, rapid writing style made this a great overall read.

With thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review.

The Institution is book two in the Dr. Connie Woolwine series, with Connie, a psychological profiler and Brodie Bardaa,
When a pregnant nurse is murdered while working at the "world’s highest-security prison hospital for the criminally insane", Connie and Brodie are called in to investigate as her baby her been kidnapped. Their assignment? Investigate undercover the staff and imprisoners to find the baby and uncover the killer.
In fiction, profilers always seem to be slightly unusual characters and 'Dr. Connie' is no different. She talks to the deceased and even mimics their behaviour. We do learn more of Connie's background in this novel. and have the opportunity to delve into the psychologists' own mind and understand why she reacts and thinks in such an unusual manner. Her struggles with PTSD were well documented, though at times, I feel that her reactions seemed a little naive considering her experiences and knowledge. Of course, this served to heighten the tension of the story for the reader,
I particularly liked how the author allowed Connie to interview the various suspects (inmates) and to learn about their crimes as this added an extra dimension of fear to the story and also made the reader increasingly curious about the suspects and where they fitted into the suspect pool - they they fit the criteria? How easily could they be manipulated? Were they manipulating Connie?
This novel works perfectly well as a stand alone and there is no knowledge of the previous story required.
For fans of the Ava Turner/Luc Callanach series (and if you haven't read this series, then I recommend that you do so asap), there is a brief reference to this fan favourite, felony-fighting team. I do enjoy when writers include references across their books - or I guess you could say 'Easter eggs' from one series to another.

Dr Connie Woodwine and her colleague Brodie Baarda are recruited to work under cover at a high security hospital for the criminally insane, the Institution. Their mission is to discover the whereabouts of a tiny, premature baby, taken via Caesarian Section from her mother who was left to die. The mother, Tara, was a nurse within the facility and the onus to find the culprit, plus where the baby is being held is put onto Dr Connie who is aware that the timescale is vital, not measured in days and weeks, but hours due to the fragility of the baby’s health.

Well, what a roller coaster of a ride this was! Twists and turns and the pace! As always Fields builds the suspense until you can’t breathe and then adds more. The plot is excellent and the storytelling superb. A master of her craft , this author has the skills and imagination that take your breath away. Never afraid to write the unthinkable (ok, I’m still not over the ending of Last Girl To Die!), and yes, at times the reader has to suspend belief, but that is no bad thing and makes the read all that more exciting.

More of this duo please.

Another brilliant book from a brilliant author.

Thank you NetGalley.

I'm a big time fan of Fields work and I've enjoyed her previous books in the past!
This book was no different.
I can't thank Avon Books enough for the opportunity to read and review this title.

The Institution by Helen Fields is an absolutely addictive and mind-blowing thriller.
Fields' writing is excellent and the main character, she is well developed and believable.
This was a twisted, compelling book that seems like you know where its headed but you really have no idea.
The suspense was so palpable and I found myself unable to go to bed… I had to keep reading.
And when I find a book that has a hold of me like that, I know I have found a five star read.
An engrossing psychological thriller filled with twists and turns. I couldn’t put it down.
Helen Fields has done it again. Bringing us another remarkable story.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Avon,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this eARC!

This is a detailed book of murder, mystery, and intrigue. The author is talented at writing a cannot put down story. Red herrings abound…secrets…characters who come alive on the pages…a plot that twists so many times it is difficult to discern the ending…a mental institution for the criminally insane…isolation…fear…impersonations…don’t read this book at night…sleeping won’t be possible…this would make a fantastic movie, but I am not sure I could get through the scary scenes. That being said, this is an unusual book…this book was sent to me by Netgalley electronically for review. Thanks also to the publisher and the author.

4.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK, and Harper Collins UK for the much-appreciated ARC for The Institution by Helen Fields. The author has become one of my favourites for her dark crime thrillers/ psychological suspense novels that she takes in intense, shocking directions. A couple of scenarios were nerve-wracking and disturbing but kept me riveted to my seat with suspense. I thought there were some implausible situations, but I was never distracted from the powerful storytelling. The deaths of victims and perpetrators were uncomfortable to read, but I could not put the book aside. This was a haunting, terrifying and immersive rad.

A popular nurse's mutilated body has been discovered, and her daughter has been taken. There are only five days to save the baby. Ransom is demanded and to be paid in crypto-currency.

Connie Woolwine, a forensic profiler, has a unique ability to get inside the minds of killers and suspects and speak to the victims. She has powerful skills, invaluable in crime solving and works with a former officer Baarda. She suffers from PTSD flashbacks. Connie was locked up as a teenager when misdiagnosed as mentally ill. Her problems were physical due to a blood clot in the brain. Her present mood swings and erratic behaviour give the impression that she is mentally unstable, even paranoid.

Connie and Baarda are sent undercover to where the nurse was murdered. They have been assigned to locate and rescue the missing baby. Baarda is posing as a former army serial killer, and Connie is a therapist accompanying him to assess the suitability of his placement. The location is an old house in a remote, sprawling fortress compound. It gives off Gothic vibes and gives the story a locked-room aspect and a claustrophobic atmosphere. During their time there, a fire breaks out in one wing. There is a raging storm, and the basement begins to flood. The power goes off, leaving the place in darkness. What more could go wrong? Plenty!!

Connie and Baarda have been ordered to be placed in restraints, sedated, administered shock treatment and probably murdered. Their assignment is carried out in a mental institution, and they are working on the floor designated the highest security prison holding the five most vicious, deranged serial killers in the country. Connie and her partner are locked in among them. Someone knows they are using assumed identities, adding to the danger in this terrifying thriller. It seems that staff members are not to be trusted..

The staff are suspects, having motives of revenge, jealousy, or the money from the ransom. The prisoners could be involved in the crime through extra privileges or merely because they enjoy killing. With time running out and their lives in jeopardy, can Connie and Baarda solve the crime and rescue the baby? A very haunting and gripping story. There are hints of a sequel that I certainly would read.

Thank you for the ARC! Overall, I would rate this book 3/5. I liked the premise of the book. The book follows protagonist, Connie Wilson, who is a forensic psychologist going undercover to discover who carved out and murdered her premature baby. The book kept my interest, and there were many twist and turns. I think some concerns I had about the book was the residents of the Institute. I didn't think that their characters were developed fully. Additionally, I enjoyed some of the twist and turns towards the end of the book. However, I felt that some parts were not realistic and were there just for another twist. Overall, I did enjoy the book.

4.5 stars

Buckle up, buddies! This book is full throttle from start to finish. You might remember Dr Connie from the 7th installment of the DI Callanch series. I was hoping we’d see more of her so I was glad to get a whole book! I love a good locked-in mystery and this one has it all in spades. Dr Connie and her partner go undercover at a remote psychiatric prison facility to investigate a horrible crime. Along the way, everyone is a suspect and you never know who to believe. Even Dr Connie herself is not always the most reliable narrator. This book goes into overdrive at the end and the twists keep coming. Be prepared for non-stop action and reveals! Now I don’t know if I want to see more of Dr Connie with Luc and Ava or on her own investigating with Baarda. Either way, bring it on!

*Thanks to Avon Publishing UK for sending me a copy for review. I was sad to have my US NetGalley request turned down & happy to have a second chance!

Just wow.
I started reading this at night but i had to stop and read it throughout the day. I know it is your own imagination and can make it less suspenseful but this was written so well that it felt so real like i was there.
It is not very often that happens to me but i really had to finish it, i am glad i did because it was just so good!

Wow Helen Fields never fails to keep me on the edge of my seat.This is a dark chilling wild ride of a read .Could not put down read late into the night,#netgalley#avonbooksuk

Well this started off very different and I thought, I am not going to like this but it soon got really good so suspenseful. Now I am thinking I would even love it even better as an audio book.

The main characters are so different along with the premise and the plot. It was just so unusual. I just devoured it

I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.

Wow this is my first Helen Fields book but definitely won’t be my last! This was super intense and huge on the creep factor. Great character development that kept the story moving right along. So many secrets, lies and total deception. Gives a whole new meaning to the term psyche ward.
Highly recommend
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book