I’m worn out. This novel was one of the most intense novels I’ve ever read.

Set in a very isolated, maximum security prison hospital, the novel was so claustrophobic that I longed to leave there… but not before I found out what happened of course. The place was so very remote that staff had to live in, making it a prison for the people who worked there as well. We don’t know where the Institution was, only that it was a mountainous region, maybe Austria? Switzerland?

The protagonist, Dr. Connie Woolwine was very believable and admirable, yet she wasn’t without her own personal demons.

An incredibly brutal and grotesque crime has been carried out. Everyone who resides at the Institution is suspect, both inmates, and staff. Dr. Connie and her partner Baarda (an investigator and retired policeman) have entered the Institution under cover. She as a visiting psychologist, and he as an inmate.

Their time under the Institution’s roof is gut-wrenchingly tense, fraught with peril and suspicion. No one can be trusted.

A book of manipulative, psychotic minds, of brutal and graphic descriptions of crime, and of the altruistic and brave people who are willing to risk their own personal safety to solve a barbaric crime and save the life of an innocent.

As if things weren’t disturbing and nerve-shattering enough, a vicious storm comes and makes all who reside at the Institution at the mercy of nature, and even more isolated than they were before…

Nerve-jarring suspense ratchets up to almost unbearable tension as plot twists reveal some very real monsters.

Though this is the second novel to feature Dr. Connie Woolwine and investigator Baarda, it reads excellently as a stand-alone. That being said, I would at some point like to read “The Shadow Man”, the first novel in which they appear.

Highly recommended to those who enjoy very intense thrillers who are not in any way squeamish. The story was compelling and kept me riveted from first page to last.

Another great read by Helen Fields! This time it starts off with the brutal murder of Tara, a pregnant nurse at The Institution- a psychiatric facility housing some of the world’s worst serial killers. Dr. Connie, a profilier, is brought in to go undercover and gather information to determine who killed Tara inside the facility and to try to locate her newborn baby before it’s too late.

This book was really great. It’s the kind of read I didn’t want to put down because I just had to know what would happen next. I liked the way Dr. Connie was written and how she was able to interact with the patients to get them to tell their stories. I will say it was quite descriptive at times and definitely has a creepy feeling throughout like she’s being watched. The whole time I was reading this I kept thinking this could be made into a movie. The story is full of suspense and action. I would highly recommend this awesome read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for access to this ARC.

BOOK REVIEW🔒
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

#TheInstitution by #HelenFields

⏩for synopsis and more of the great book cover!

If you need a story that’s a breath of fresh air, then this is it albeit being a bit dark and creepy!

Connie is a very interesting character - I loved meeting her again and going on this journey with her. She was a great narrator, very relatable and knowledgeable. I found the plot an interesting one that definitely kept me on my toes and turning the page.

The author did a great job of casting the net of suspicion far and wide which had you questioning everything and everyone. While some bits were a little obvious, I didn’t guess who-done-it which is always a major plus in my book, I love a good surprise. So the psychology can get a little preachy at times, but it soon becomes obvious it’s needed for the plot so overall it’s a minor thing.

I love everything this author writes! More please! Oh and how good is this special edition!

With thanks to the author, @avonbooksuk and @netgalley for allowing us to read this one early (sorry it’s late!)

OUT NOW!

-EMILY

@the_book_girls_1

An isolated hospital, cut off from the world that houses criminally insane serial killers! The perfect setting for a serial killer thriller. I couldn't predict this one at all.

A keep you on the edge of your seat book . The tension just keeps on building and you are never sure just quite who to trust . Locked up with a selection of dangerous murderers in a locked room drama to find who committed the murder , a rough caesarean and kidnapped the baby and why?
Frightening, gripping and disturbing

I'm a big fan of Helen Fields' books, and it's been a great year with One For Sorrow and The Last Girl To Die.

The Institution is the second novel starring Dr Connie Woolwine, the eccentric expert forensic profiler. This time she's sent undercover posing as a psychiatrist at a high security prison hospital, a horrific crime has been committed and Connie is the only hope in gathering the clues that could save a life.

Connie is a great creation which a unique backstory. There's a lot of good stuff in here, a very original premise, a unique setting, a barbaric bloody murder, and plenty of psychotic characters.

There's plenty of detail in the setup, and a strong atmosphere.

It felt quite long with a moderate pace. There's plenty to enjoy, but I would've like more pace and tension.

If you like expansive murder mystery thrillers with a weird and wonderful cast of the criminally insane then this might be one for you.

Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of The Institution by Helen Fields in return for my honest review.
Helen Fields has done it again another brilliantly written thriller, this one is set in a remote high security prison for the criminally insane, Forensic Profiler Doctor Connie Woolwine and her partner go undercover to investigate the murder of Nurse Cameron and the disappearance of her baby Aurora. This is a fast paced thriller with lots of twists and turns which had me hooked from the beginning to the end. I defiantly recommend reading you will not be disappointed.

Wow! Helen Fields is an author I haven’t read previously, but this one was on my radar instantly. Intrigued by the synopsis and setting it this one.

This is a book that has delivered. The Institution has been everything I had hoped for and so much more. I was very quickly pulled into this one and have been unwilling to put it down.

I devoured this book in just one sitting. It is absolutely incredible from beginning to end and I would love to see this on screen. Dr Connie is a brilliant character, realistic and likeable.

This starts with a gruesome opening which opens up the events that take place throughout this one. There are a variety of characters that fill this book and I can safely say, I have been questioning many of them at one time or another.

Fields is genius in the way she has you fully suspicious of each and every individual. The plot is completely unique and impossible to predict how this will unfold and play out.

The Institution is completely gripping and addictive. Fields has written a mind blowing read guaranteed to keep the reader on the edge of their seat from the very first chapter.

This is the book that has converted me as a fan of Fields. I absolutely cannot wait to read more. This is just brilliant. I will be recommending this book to everyone.

WOW!
This had my heart racing and going through all the emotions! It's tense, dark, gritty, gory, heart pounding stuff. Some really well written characters with a story that will hook you in, keep you gripped and have you guessing constantly. I absolutely loved this one and am hoping there's more to come featuring the leads. Highly recommend so long as your nerves can take it!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc ebook.

If you like to exercise while you read, this is the book for you. Seriously.

The grisly crime that Connie Woolwine and her partner are called in to investigate had me leaping out of my chair. The tension created as the pair have to go undercover to discover the culprit had me pacing the room. I mean who would willingly enter a remote high security prison for the criminally insane? WHO??? The claustrophobic setting set not only my nerves jangling, but poor Connie also has to confront her own past trauma. As a teenager she was misdiagnosed as being mentally unwell, and her treatment at the time has led to PTSD.

The twists and tension ramp up incredibly quickly and as well as that pacing and leaping out of my chair, I spent a restless night tossing and turning as my brain tried to get to the bottom of what was going on and who was responsible. I wasn't sure if Connie was becoming delusional, who could be trusted and whether some of the incidents were coincidental or deliberate attempts to sabotage the investigation. Certainly someone knows more than they should.

The revelation was both shocking and sad, but did mean that my heart rate could get back to a healthy resting pace! Although, there were a few lose ends that could be picked up in the next book *crosses fingers*

It's an amazing read, and I would like to thank the publishers and NetGalley for the advance copy in return for ah honest review.

This author writes one of my all time favourite police procedural and this one did not disappoint, set in a tower with serial killers a plenty, Connie has to find out who the murder is before its too late...

We were first introduced to Connie in the Shadow Man which I loved (I also love that its in the same universe as the perfect series because then I can geek out when characters cross-over). In this one we get a much closer look at her background and the trauma she has suffered and how it affects her day to day. This definitely isn't for the faint hearted but it was that you wont be able to turn away from!

3.5-3.75⭐️

This author is a go to for me, so I was excited to read this one. Dr Connie Woolwine previously appeared in The Shadowman which I loved.

I really liked the premise of the story which is unusual in both the crime and setting. It kind of takes on an action thriller spin, I can see that it would make a good tv drama. It’s quite dark and gritty.

A nurse has been murdered her newborn baby kidnapped with a ransom demand. Forensic profiler Dr Connie Woolwine is going under cover amongst the most dangerous and deranged men to try and find answers before the time runs out for the baby.

The opening was a bit woolly and made me twitchy as a crime reader. I know the first chapter is about creating impact, but while missing information I felt I wanted as a reader, it was padded with extraneous material that didn’t add anything. If you want totally believable scenarios I don’t think this one is for you. If you want full on entertainment value this is right up your street.

The covert nature of the operation gave it a strange vibe to get my head around.

Connie has a complex history making her undercover work even more difficult worked well in the storyline and added suspense. At times I felt the writing style felt a bit forced, trying inject a sense of urgency, which it had generated without the additional bits of that over emphasised the point being made.

I didn’t really gel with most of the characters, including the protagonist, but took to Boy, his positive open manner was endearing. I also really liked one of the patients.

The ending was emotional, I would have liked it to end a little differently at the very end, but perhaps that’s just not Connie’s character.
It’s a long book at over 400 pages, i would prefer it more condensed.

It sets the scene for the next Connie story and I can see potential for another Connie Woolwine book, but I’m torn as to whether I would read more. I prefer more believable less action packed scenarios, s to whether I would read more. I prefer more believable less action packed scenarios, it’s not one of my favourites, but assess to see if it meets your needs from my review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for this read. Right from start, this book was quite heart pounding. I found this to be one the best starts in a novel and it held strong to that throughout. I do not have much to say other than it was quite good.

What a brilliant dark crime psychological thriller. I enjoyed every minute, couldn’t put it down.
Dr Connie Woolwine, a forensic profiler and her partner Baarda go undercover at a high security prison, with five days to find the killer of a murdered nurse and find her missing baby.
So many unexpected twists and turns. The setting is well described with in-depth descriptions of all the characters. Love the relationship between Connie and Baarda and would enjoy reading more from this duo. The fast paced storylines pull you in and keep you reading.
A edge of your seat, pulse pounding read. Definitely recommend.
Thanks to #NetGallery #AvonBooksUK for an arc of #TheInstitution by #HelenFields in exchange for an honest review.

I am realising quickly, that, with Helen Fields, you are guaranteed a tense, gritty, fast-paced read. The Institution is no exception!

The subject matter of this book is tough indeed, along with a daunting, closed setting and a race to reach a result and you are on the roller-coaster!

Whilst reading, I was not aware of reading descriptive text, and yet the images the author put in my head were quite clearly depicted.

Life in ‘The Institution’ on Heaven ward, was at all times, fraught with danger and the minds of those ‘guests’ highly intelligent, manipulative men, were quite terrifying,.

The crime itself was quite brutal and gruesome and the way Dr. Connie gets acquainted with the ‘feelings’ of the dead is quirky and unusual and yet oddly relatable.

So much of the story is living on the edge of danger that I found myself both anxious and yet glued to the book!

Another fully-charged, emotive psychological thriller, delivered brilliantly!

Wow wow wow 🤩🤩🤩 best book I’ve read so far this year and in a very long time. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would!

Tara worked as a nurse on a high security prison ward. One night she was brutally murdered and her baby was taken from her womb and then held to ransom.

Dr Connie Woolwind is appointed to work alongside the police, to work with all the other prisons anti help find out who was behind one of the most horrific murders ever. Connie is also aware that time is of the essence with the chances of Tara’s baby surviving becoming less and less by the hour.

As Connie interviewed all the inmates I found myself trying to work out who was behind such a hideous crime, and I honestly had no idea until all was revealed right at the very end.

What I loved so much about The institution was the originality of it. I have never read a book quite like this one. It caught my attention right from the start and I enjoyed every single word I read, it had me guessing right the way through, I chopped and changed my mind so many times I lost count and when all was revealed the people behind the crimes were probably the only ones I hadn’t suspected.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an advance copy of this book in exchange for this review. The institution is definitely a book that will stay with me for a long time and one I won’t get in a hurry. I think I need to read more books by Helen Fields 🙂

This was very slow going and the first half of the book really dragged on for me. It suddenly ramped up and I raced to the end. It was a very dark read in places which fit with the setting. Parts of the story were very unrealistic but again fit the setting. Anyone who likes a slow and steady dark read will really enjoy this book but I prefer something more fast paced from the start.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.

This book kept me awake in more ways than one. First I couldn't stop reading it for all of made me want to hide behind the sofa and secondly it was so scary. The setting and atmosphere are terrifying and believable. The tension is right all the way through the book. I loved it.

Holy flying fudge-balls! WOW!

Helen Fields always manages to shake me right to the core. She is also an author who isn’t afraid to tackle the truly gruesome side of crime fiction, to lead readers into places so dark you’re almost left to wonder if there is a way back. But somehow, ‘The Institution‘ is even darker than her previous books. I don’t know what it says about me that I loved every minute of it. Possibly also food for psychologists.

First things first. You may remember Dr Connie Woolwine from ‘The Shadow Man‘. If you haven’t yet read that one, honestly, shame on you but it’s not necessary to be able to keep up with ‘The Institution‘ as it reads just fine as a stand-alone. Connie is a forensic profiler, renowned for her ability to get inside the mind of murderers. This time, she must go deep undercover in an institution full of deranged and dangerous men to find one depraved enough to kill a pregnant nurse and kidnap her baby. There isn’t much time.

The evil in this story … gah! It often made my skin crawl something bad. ‘The Institution‘ is probably not quite for the faint-hearted amongst us. There were times where I thought I’d need to take a break, go for a walk, get some fresh air and try to get rid of all this vile brutality in my head. But another part of me, the immersed and enthralled part, wanted to keep going, to hold on to the feelings and the tension that were building up.

The institution has an effect on Connie too. Not just due to the residents on the ward, but due to other events you’ll have to read about yourself. What that meant was that I got to know Connie a bit better, but I also wasn’t always entirely sure if her opinion could be trusted. Was she reliable? Was the pressure of finding this baby getting to her? When a storm hits, I felt just as isolated as everyone else. It was so easy to imagine how frightening that scenario could be. Secure facility or not, someone still managed to make a baby disappear. It didn’t even bother me that the whole storm thing has been done a multitude of times before. Sometime a locked room thriller just works, other times it doesn’t. But here, everything just fitted together perfectly. The masterfully put together plot, the incredibly intriguing characters, the spot-on pace and knowing that the clock was mercilessly ticking in the background all made this one of the most compelling books I’ve read.

Every time I thought I knew who was behind this ghastly murder, something would make me change my mind. Just like Connie, the reader gets background information about the killers on this ward. It allows us to try our hand at Psychology 101, see if we can figure out who could have been capable of killing this nurse and taking her baby. And boy, there was clearly no holding back from the author here either. Aside from the chilling accounts leaving me desperate for something fluffy to cuddle, the psychological insight into these minds was both equally harrowing and fascinating.

I’ve been a long time fan of Helen Fields and have loved all her crime fiction books. However, ‘The Institution‘, in my most humble opinion, just has that little bit extra that makes me want to say it’s her best book yet. Days later, I find I still think of what drives people to act out in the most despicable ways. ‘The Institution” is thought-provoking, sometimes emotional to the point of me having a lump in my throat, definitely disturbing and absolutely stupendously brilliant. Recommended!

A forensic profiler? A secluded hospital for the criminally insane? A storm which leads to the ultimate locked-room thriller? I’m literally drooling over here! Especially when it comes from one of my favourite thriller writers!

The Institution is a brilliantly tense, cleverly developed, satisfyingly grim and immensely exciting edge-of-your-seat thriller that is an easy five-star read for any serial killer fan.

We’ve met Dr Connie Woolwine before in The Shadow Man, although this isn’t classed as a sequel (I would be cautious if you haven’t read The Shadow Man, though, as this book does give away some of the details of the killer). And like most of Field’s books, there are more great connections to some of her other books, and I loved seeing other characters get a mention.

I loved meeting Connie the first time around, so it was amazing to have her back, taking the lead. As a forensic profiler, it’s always fascinating to have a character who can get inside a killer’s head, and she has many killers to get inside the heads of here.

With focused chapters on each “guest” of this high-security prison hospital, the format of this book is brilliant as it gives Fields the opportunity to tell stories inside a story, allowing us to get to know these killers as part of Connie’s main investigation. It reads like a Netflix documentary, picking apart the evil minds of these ruthless serial killers so that we can question whether they are a threat to her safety or, potentially, her defence when things go wrong.

I loved so much about this book, from the setting to the atmosphere, to the characters and the unpredictability of everything going on. It had everything I wanted from it, and I can’t recommend it enough!