I had a hard time getting into this book. I found it disjointed. I think adding the year to the chapters when it changed between characters would help. It was entertaining, but lacked the depth to hold my interest or scare me.

Thanks to NetGalleyfor providing this book to me. It is a really good ghost story, following Connor and Robbie and their curse to see ghosts. basically read the las 150 pg. in one sitting. In the beginning it was a little confusing, following a few points of view, but after that, absolute page turner. I also really appreciate, Boyan being presented as one of the good once, usually Bulgarians, don't have a very good role in movies and books (me being a Bulgarian), that was really nice! The one thing I could've go without is the same stories being explained or introduced twice.

This book is so engaging, compelling, and utterly horrifically accurate as to what was going on in insane asylums back in the days, not too long ago. . . that I can believe that this story is something that would have actually happened. It swings back and forth between the 1800s and present time, and how it all converges is simply amazing. I didn't see part of it coming. You think you know it all and have it all figured out. Nope, you don't. This book was unputdownable and a must-read for anyone interested in insane asylums and/or the extreme inhumane treatment of people, whether sane or insane. This story hit close to home with me because I had an ancestor who was placed in an insane asylum because he had a broken arm that wasn't set properly. He begged his family to send him clothes so he could get out. But he died there. Thank you to the author for writing this intensely believable book. You must read it.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

An interesting premise, with some truly gruesome horror elements, this is an asylum based story with ghosts, and a dual POV of past and present.

Sadly, this did not work for me, and was a chore to finish. While I appreciate that the trigger warnings are listed, the excessive use of homophobia and racism felt very outdated and unnecessary. Also poorly written, in my opinion.

The book has portrayed the real horror in life. I am sure you haven’t read more terrifying book than this. The characters were intriguing. The book also has true villains. It has been narrated in past and present timeline. Kelly family has lived in Fairhaven Falls for 100 years. But it has experienced a real horror. In the town of Fairhaven Falls, an asylum was built in a neo-gothic architectural style. It was more like prison as the Irish immigrants were brought in there and the Indians were called Heathen Indians.

In 1895, when a young immigrant Connor Kelly was brought in Fairhaven Falls Lunatic Asylum due to famine in Ireland. He has nowhere to go. He witness and experiences the true horror and brutality but when he tries to bring the light upon the asylum’s crimes and evil practices being carried on by people over there, his journey becomes perilous. While in the present day, Robbie Kelly can see and speak with dead people just like his brother Joe but he don’t know the town’s history. He gets caught in the web of myths, rumour, supernatural power and ancestral curse. He must get to the bottom of the gruesome history and horror to unveil the truth.

•Multiple POV
•Gruesome History
•Past and Present POV
•Non-linear timelines

Thank you Author. publisher and Netgalley

Very interesting plot but the author could have laid off the use of such derogatory language. It’s 2023 and most everyone is aware of the horrible behavior inflicted on people of color and sexual orientation. The “current” storyline is very choppy and needs to be smoothed. It doesn’t flow well at all. However, there are definitely some jump scares which the author delivers with great timing.

This book is an absolute masterpiece of the Gothic horror genre. As a devoted fan of all things Gothic, I was drawn to it, even though I don't typically delve into horror. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this novel offered an atmospheric and immersive experience that was perfect for evening reading.

The descriptions in this book are nothing short of brilliant. They create an atmosphere that is both chilling and captivating. The author's ability to transport the reader into this nightmarish world is truly exceptional.

One of the standout features of this book is the remarkable character development. The characters are incredibly well-rounded, each with their own depths and complexities. This added a layer of realism to the story that I found deeply engaging.

The use of multiple perspectives and non-linear timelines, which I often shy away from, was expertly executed here. It added an element of mystery and suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat.

What struck me most about this book, however, was its exploration of the very real horrors that can stem from human nature. While we often associate fear with supernatural creatures like vampires or ghosts, the most terrifying horrors can emerge from the depths of our own humanity. This novel delves into these dark corners of the human psyche in a way that is both thought-provoking and spine-tingling.

In summary, this book is a tour de force in the world of horror literature. It's a must-read for anyone who appreciates atmospheric storytelling, rich character development, and a narrative that lingers in your mind long after you've turned the final page.

I'm a massive fan of anything gothic but don't read much horror - and nothing says horror to me more than an asylum run by evil monsters. This was HORROR at its best - I had to stop reading this book before bed and save it for daytime reading. I generally don't like multiple POVs in combination with moving backwards and forwards in time, but it worked well here. This book was more than I was expecting, perhaps due to the very real horror that is human nature - when we think of fear, we tend to think of fictional monsters such as vampires, werewolves, and ghosts, but the most terrifying thing is often the horror that humans are able and willing to unleash on other humans.