I genuinely enjoyed this book! I really did!!! I gave this book 3 stars because when it started, I was very very confused and it took longer than I would have liked to be able to figure out what was going on. While the plot was there and it kept me interested, it was difficult to get into because I was so lost. I felt it went back and forth with little to no explanation at the time. Again tho! I did enjoy the story and the plot and the characters!!! It just could have been a bit more put together at the start in my opinion. I will try this author again tho!

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley. I am providing an honest review.

The basics:
Mina Murray is a psychiatrist living in London. Obsessed with order and routine, Mina’s life is turned upside down when her estranged childhood best friend reaches out. Lucy has come down with a mysterious illness—and the confusing symptoms are the same as Mina’s current patient. Determined to save Lucy’s life, Mina is drawn into a dangerous web of secrets and missing girls.

My thoughts:
This novel was not what I expected at all—in the best way possible. From the first few chapters, I wasn’t honestly sure if I’d enjoy this novel. Mina was a very erratic and compulsive character. However, as the novel unfolded, Mina evolved. She became selfless, inquisitive, determined, poised, and open minded. Mina’s strained communication with her mother developed into a compassionate and loving relationship. She even reconciled with characters from her past. Mina’s development throughout this novel was such a joy to experience. In addition, as the novel progressed, The Madness went in a very different direction than I anticipated. I was expecting a much more classic thriller, but I was pleasantly surprised by the supernatural aspect to this plot. I thought this novel has much more interesting supernatural angle than other novels I’ve read in this genre. I finishers this book in one day and I would read another book by this author in a heartbeat.

Overall, I rated this novel four stars. I don’t have any particular criticism to explain the four stars, just that I’ve read other thriller novels that stood out and stuck with me more than this novel.

I highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for a unique supernatural thriller!

A creepy horror story starring a psychiatrist with a past that she'd like to keep hidden. When Mina hears from her estranged best childhood friend she knows she needs to return home. What she finds is nothing short of a disaster - Lucy is very ill and no one can seem to determine the cause nor the solution. With young women disappearing in the area, Mina is sure that there is more at play.

To save her friend she will have to face the secrets from many years ago as well as the horror hiding in her childhood town, is she brave enough? This was a fun tale, a bit chaotic in the beginning and I had a hard time following but quickly fell in love with Mina's story and enjoyed it greatly!
#harlequin #themadness #dwankurtagich

Wow! "Madness" is an absolutely chilling and gripping read that seamlessly blends elements of paranormal and psychological mystery, offering a fresh and intriguing perspective on the modern retelling of Dracula infused with Welsh mythology, folklore, and feminist themes. The narrative is filled with kickass, tough, and powerful heroines, adding layers of depth and complexity to the story.

From the moment I started reading, I was completely hooked on the journey of the main character, Mina Murray. As an empathic and intelligent psychiatrist, Mina chose her profession as a means to heal her own pierced and broken soul, grappling with her own obsessions and nightmares that led her to flee her hometown. Leaving behind her best friend Lucy, her first and only love Jonathan, and her eccentric mother—who is rumored to be a witch with her vast knowledge of Welsh folklore and powerful herb concoctions—Mina embarks on a journey of self-discovery and redemption.

When Mina receives an email from her estranged friend Lucy, who may still harbor resentment towards her for leaving town without saying goodbye, her carefully constructed daily routine is disrupted. As she reconnects with Lucy, now married to a wealthy husband in the transportation business, Mina is shocked to discover that Lucy exhibits the same troubling symptoms as her latest patient, Renee. Both women are experiencing sleepwalking episodes, delirium, hallucinations, anemia, and worsening rashes, with no clear explanation for their ailments.

As Mina delves deeper into the mystery, she uncovers a disturbing pattern: several young girls, presumed missing, have been found dead, all of whom were lured by a mysterious job opportunity at a prestigious nightclub frequented by the rich and powerful. Is there a secret organization preying on innocent girls from lower-class families?

As Mina's investigation leads her to the dark web, she encounters a group of conspirators whose motives remain unclear. In order to help her friend Lucy, Mina must confront her own dark past and risk everything—including the safety of her loved ones. Will she find the courage to face her own demons and uncover the truth?

Overall, "Madness" is a brilliant horror read that will shake you to the core and leave you on the edge of your seat. It's a gripping and spine-tingling tale that will keep you guessing until the very end. I highly recommend it, and I eagerly anticipate reading more works by the author!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me with a digital review copy of this heart-throbbing book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

As a huge Dracula fan, I absolutely loved this book! Mina finally has her chance in the spotlight. All the mini cliffhangers made it impossible to put the book down. I can’t wait for release day when I can tell everyone to buy it. Thanks so much for the opportunity to read!