The Mesmerist by Caroline Woods – I grabbed this on audio and what a wild ride it was. The year is 1894 and our story follows three women from the Bethany Home for Unwed Mothers – the real-life Bethany Home treasurer Abby Mendenhall, the naive resident May, and the mysterious and mesmerizing new inmate Faith. Abby, a staunch Quaker and lifelong supporter of progressive causes, thinks the rumors of dark mystical powers swirling around Faith are nonsense, but she recognizes the danger of a good story, so she asks May to see what she can find out about Faith before her arrival at Bethany House.

And from there comes a story revealing secrets hidden within plain view and exposes the vulnerability of women at this time. There’s murder and mysterious happenings throughout. I couldn’t stop listening. The writing is vivid and I honestly had no idea who to suspect, although I had my list of characters I disliked, and I found myself trusting no one. Stay for the story and for the author’s note because I know I learned things I never knew. Such a well done historical mystery/thriller.

dreary. slow. no magic. I really wanted to give up but thought I'd see it through. Maybe would have been ok to listen to as an audiobook while I was doing other tasks.

This book has a great plot, a great cover, and a great setting. The writing was a little too on-the-nose for my taste and I wish the book left a little more room for reader interpretation.

I tried three times to read this book but I could never get into it. The summary sounds precisely like something I would enjoy but after more than 100 pages nothing had happened. I had to set it aside.

I absolutely love reading novels set in the Victorian era. Add in a dash of the wealthy's obsession in this era with the supernatural, and you've got a great story. And then there's the cherry on top - a glimpse into a home for unwed mothers, a type of place that has its own secret history.

I enjoyed that the story brought together three facets of the period: the wealthy, the downtrodden female {both as prostitute and single mother}, and then the Quaker religion working to help those that needed it. It's not often you'll read about all three in one story, but Woods brings them together seamlessly.

I do feel that we have to read pretty far into the book to find out just who "The Mesmerist" is, and it's somewhat confusing once we do. However, we still discuss others influencing our actions, and imagine how foreign and possible the notion of someone controlling your mind could be over 100 years ago, when very little was understood about the human psyche.

I appreciated that Woods went pretty in-depth when telling us the historical background as well as the inspiration for her characters.

I'd definitely love to read what Woods writes next, especially if she writes a similar period piece.

Thank you to @doubledaybooks for the digital copy to review.

Ahhh this was a wonderful book! A historical thriller based on a true crime during the Golden Age was right up my alley. It focused on three women at the Bethany Home for Unwed Mothers, working to catch America’s first serial killer (unbeknownst to them) and all of the above elements combined made for a delightful and suspenseful read. I listened to this one and loved the audio, I finished in a couple sittings as I was captivated from the start and could not wait to see how it would end. Faith, Abby, and May are three women that I won’t soon forget, and I highly recommend you add this to your list.

This was a different kind of mystery novel with an interesting concept but I couldn’t get enough. When I found out it was based on a true story I enjoyed it even more.

I loved the mystery in this book and I couldn’t put it down. The book was full of some very strong and resilient women.

When Faith shows up at the Bethany Home, it's clear something happened even if she won't talk about it. Meanwhile her roommate May is trying to find her way out of the Home, which lands her in a dangerous situation that has ties to Faith's past. Abby is trying to keep the Bethany Home afloat and continue to provide a safe place for women. Overall, part historical fiction, part mystery, as these three women find themselves entangled and do their best to survive.

The following review was posted on my Goodreads page on 10.14.24:

I'm all about realistic fiction, but I do like those that play a little bit with the idea of magic/the supernatural, keeping the reader slightly wrongfooted throughout the story, wondering what is "real" and what isn't. I picked up THE MESMERIST because the plot summary indicated it might be that type of book. It isn't. The Mesmerism part gets hardly any play in the novel and it's dismissed as "hogwash" right from the start. Right away, the most unique aspect of the book flies out the door. What's left is a murder mystery that's not much of a mystery because it's pretty obvious who the killer is right from the start. It doesn't help that the plot of THE MESMERIST moves really slowly, without much happening until 3/4 of the way through. I almost abandoned the book at the halfway point, but I decided to keep pushing along. In the end, though, it was a meh read for me. The characters are sympathetic but not developed well enough to really snag my heart. The plotting is slow with uneven pacing and no real surprises. And the aspect of the novel I was most excited to read about isn't really delved into much. Bummer.

I loved the premise of this one but it moved so slowly and I didn’t connect to any of the characters.

I really enjoyed this book! I liked that it captured a snapshot of history and enjoyed the multiple POV that weaved the story together. I liked the mesmerism throughout the book and liked that I was left wondering what had been manipulated as a part of it and what was not. Overall, highly recommend if you like historical fiction with some mystery thrown in!

Rounding up from 2.5 - 2.75. I didn't hate this book by any means, but I didn't especially like it, either. I can't really pinpoint any particular thing that bothered me; I think there were just lots of little things that added up to a somewhat underwhelming read. Of the assorted small things that bugged me, I think the primary was that it didn't meet expectations -- there's a bit at the end of the description that claims "three bold, unforgettable women" as the main characters, but in my opinion only one of them (Abby) was 'bold' for the time/era/setting.

This story had a very unique concept. It was set in the past and revolved around a group of unmarried, pregnant women. I found this story interesting. It was easy to become engaged in the events that were occurring to these women. At this home, they were provided with an opportunity to make their current situation more positive. The author wrote this book in a way that makes it easy to become completely engrossed in what will happen next. I liked how unexpected this story was. I didn’t know what to expect when I started it, but it was definitely worth reading it!

This is the perfect fall read! Caroline Woods has created a world so engrossing, I was sad to see the book end.

The Mesmerist opens in Minneapolis in 1894 at Bethany House, a home for unwed mothers. A mysterious young woman shows up on their doorstep and sends Bethany House into quite a spin. Caroline Woods peels back the layers, bringing the reader slowly along until the very last page. This story is old school murder mystery meets historical fiction and it was a delight to read.

The Mesmerist is an eerily haunting combination of historical fiction and true crime drama. Caroline Woods has created a fascinating, well researched novel, based on the Bethany House in Minneapolis. In 1894, it was a home for unwed mothers, and provided both refuge and training for their future lives. When the mysterious, bedraggled, and mute Faith arrives on their doorstep, the atmosphere within Bethany House begins to shift as rumors swirl around her. Was she truly mute or was her prior life one of a mesmerist? She is assigned to room with May, who is enchanted by her new beau, Hal. As the past of both women is slowly revealed, past dangers converge with a frightening present. The characters that Caroline Woods has created as part of Bethany House are ones that I truly cared about, and she brought both the real and fictional women that are part of this story vividly to life. Her portrayal of the villain at the center of the crime is chilling, frightening and all too real. This book kept me “mesmerized” from beginning to end. It is a brilliant combination of the two genres of historical fiction and true crime. The author’s notes at the end are a must-read part of this book. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy. The opinions of this review are my own.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Caroline Woods’ The Mesmerist is a captivating historical thriller that masterfully intertwines real-life events with a richly atmospheric narrative. Set in 19th-century Minneapolis, this novel delves into the lives of women at the Bethany Home for Unwed Mothers, exploring themes of autonomy, survival, and the societal constraints of the era.

The story centers around Faith Johnson, a mysterious new arrival at the Bethany Home, who is found with bruises and a haunting silence. As rumors swirl about her being a mesmerist—someone capable of hypnotizing others—Faith’s presence stirs unease among the residents. Abby Mendenhall, the board treasurer, enlists May, Faith’s roommate, to uncover the truth behind Faith’s arrival. As May and Faith grow closer, they unravel a web of secrets that link the home to a series of local murders.

Woods excels in creating complex, relatable characters. Faith’s enigmatic nature and May’s determination to seek the truth drive the narrative forward. The dynamic between the women at Bethany Home is portrayed with sensitivity, highlighting their struggles and resilience. Abby Mendenhall’s character adds a layer of moral complexity, as she navigates the fine line between doing what is right and what is necessary.

The author’s prose is evocative, painting a vivid picture of Victorian-era Minneapolis. Woods’ attention to historical detail enriches the story, immersing readers in the period’s social and cultural milieu. The suspense builds steadily, with each revelation adding to the intrigue and tension.

The Mesmerist explores the plight of women in a patriarchal society, the power dynamics within institutions meant to protect them, and the lengths to which individuals will go to secure their freedom. The novel also touches on the spiritualism movement of the time, adding a delightful layer of mystique to the narrative.

The Mesmerist is an addictive read which combines historical fiction with a gripping mystery, coupled by the boundless friendship and a "chosen" family. Caroline Woods’ ability to weave together historical facts with a fictional plot results in a story that is enlightening and entertaining.

This book is a must-read for fans of historical thrillers and those interested in the complexities of women’s lives in the 19th century, and basically, ANYONE who enjoys being wrapped up in the warmth of wonderfully written book which transports the reader to another place and time as only the very BEST novels can.

5 stars from this grateful reader; this book DESERVES a highly ranked place on the bestseller list (it would also make a wonderful movie).

I eagerly anticipate reading MUCH MORE from this supremely talented author. If you enjoy well-crafted stories full of mysteries revealed, excellent character development, a captivating plot, and that magical essential ingredient of rare and treasured talent, you will find this book as addictively compelling as I have.

This mash up of historical fiction and murder mystery/true crime, with a touch of spookiness is a perfect fall read. Based on real historical events, The Mesmerist follows several girls at
The Bethany House, a home for unwed mothers who are dealing with traumatic pasts. When a mute, mysterious woman arrives at the House and a couple of women are found murdered, the hunt is on to figure out what secrets she is hiding.
I loved learning more about this time period and the Bethany House. The book does have a slow start and several characters are mentioned by two different names which makes it difficult at the beginning to keep track of the characters. Otherwise, I enjoyed this one and recommend it to fans of slow burn mysteries and historical fiction.

In 1894 Minneapolis spiritualism inexplicably became part of that day’s zeitgeist—a fact that intrigued me. Why then? Why there? Why did hundreds of people become consumed with mesmerists, who were the precursors to hypnotists?

The Mesmerist tells the story of how three particular women connected by Bethany Home for Unwed Mothers were affected by the fad of the day. It won’t spoil a thing to tell you how at first I thought one of the characters was “the” mesmerist but by the end of the book I saw that the title fit another. And along the way, I was mesmerized.

A fascinating subject and interesting, complex characters earned the book its stars. Tension and speculation added that “gotta-read-one-more-page” factor. But the tie to a true historical story clinched the win.

Thank you to Random House, and NetGalley for an advance reader copy.

The Mesmerist by Caroline Woods is an amazing gothic mystery with a Midwestern vibe. Loved the three POVs of the women at this home for mothers. The writing was smart and relatable! Highly recommend!

I was drawn into this one instantly. I love well researched historical novels. And this book was incredibly well researched! I actually am considering buying this in the audiobook format. I want to experience that.