Thank you, Blackstone Publishing for the copy of The Memory Ward by Jon Bassoff. Once I learned what was going on I appreciated this book, but it took so long I had already checked out because I had no idea what was going on. There were flashes of interesting events but not enough to hold my interest. If you love the destination more than the journey, you might love this, but it wasn’t the book for me. 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars.

The Memory Ward is a scary as hell, little acid trip of a novel. As the layers of this horror were peeled back I found myself saying “no, oh no” too many times to count.

I love an unreliable narrator, especially when they don’t know they are unreliable. Trying to navigate the perfect, little town of Bethlam, Nevada alongside Hank Davies felt like trying to complete a jigsaw puzzle with half of the pieces missing. I loved the writing and the pacing of this one was insane.

I would describe this book as Black Mirror meets The Yellow Wallpaper and if that doesn’t scare you away - preorder this one now!! I can’t wait to hear everyone’s thoughts on this one.

**Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the eARC of this trippy title!**

“It’s always beautiful in Bethlam. No place I’d rather be..” You can almost hear the birds chirping, smell the clean air, see the friendly waves from neighbors all the while feeling the undercurrent that something is just not right with this town. Hank, the mailman, feels the exact same way, Especially when he trips over a branch, spilling out his mail contents. One of the letters slips out of its envelope and he realizes it’s blank. This sets up the rest of the novel told through the POV of others who live Bethlam, who are also questioning their existence within this strange town.

This was a very quick read and definitely had you guessing what was going on. I liked the eerieness of the town as well as how all the characters intertwined . The book is divided into multiple parts and each part had a distinct feel, but yet a connecting quality to the other parts. The novel itself is rather short, and I felt it could’ve dug deeper into the town and more so into the characters as opposed to revealing it all at once at the end. But that’s just me. I have read similar plots prior, so I wasn’t wowed by the twist, but those who may not be familiar with the genre I can see really enjoying. I’ve never read the author before and I will certainly check out previous works as I did enjoy it and it was a super quick and hard to put down.

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

“I know who you are.”

Invasion of the Body Snatchers meets The Stepford Wives.

In Bethlam, Nevada, life is perfect. Each day, Hank Davies delivers the mail and returns home to his beautiful wife. What more could a guy ask for?

“That’s a good way of living, I think. Too much knowledge can be dangerous.”

When Hank realizes the letters he delivers are blank, he begins to question everything. Then, a neighbor instructs him to look behind the wallpaper in his room and he learns that Bethlam is not as perfect as it seems.

What really happened on October 23rd, 2011?

I became of fan of Bassoff after really enjoying his last thriller, Beneath Cruel Waters. After rereading my review of that book, I realize that I have similar things to say about The Memory Ward.

In The Memory Ward, the plot revolves around themes of identity and trauma. Split into five sections, the three different characters’ stories merge and evolve into an intricate plot, but leave the reader with an open ending. I enjoyed the fast-paced writing, but felt a little underwhelmed by the twists, as they lack originality. However, Bassoff’s characters are well-rounded and believable. Readers of Blake Crouch Will surely enjoy this thriller.

3.5/5 stars rounded up

Trigger Warning: Domestic abuse, talk of rape

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone publishing in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars

This is exactly the book high that I am always chasing. This is what I want from my books. Mind f*cks, twists, unsettling feelings. I could not put this one down, read it in a single setting. I cannot wait to read more by this Jon Bassoff!

This book was UNSETTLING in the best way. I don't want to give too much away, but I'm so excited to read more from this author!

I really enjoyed the majority of this trippy, mind-bending story. I liked the “POV” shifts and the formatting, but I feel that the ending left a lot to be desired. Like, now I feel like I’M crazy bc either the ending went over my head or was between the lines (or maybe behind the wallpaper), or the author purposely left the reader hanging on how this craziness continued. I would have preferred a more dramatic finish, but this one was just… vague. Not even a clear cliffhanger. Which is mind-boggling in itself since the author went to such lengths (and probably spent a ton of time) creating this crazy scenario.

Still, thanks very much to NetGalley for the ARC/early access to this loony tale.

Weird and unsettling, I could not put it down! I'm looking forward to reading more by this author. Thank you Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for this advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

Talk about a complete mind screw! Complete madness and insanity mashed all into one. What’s real? What’s not? There is no telling! Jon Bassoff really knows how to hook you, confuse you, and drag you through the mud in the most amazing way. I want to talk about this book so much, but I don’t want to give anything away at all. I want to say everything but can say nothing other than READ THIS! Join the insanity and ride down the road to complete and utter madness.

A psychological thriller delving into the unsettling experiences of Hank Davies, a postal worker in the seemingly perfect town of Bethlam, Nevada. Hank becomes suspicious of his surroundings when he notices that the letters he delivers are blank. His unease intensifies after a nocturnal visitor urges him to inspect his bedroom wall, leading to the discovery of hidden papers containing a narrative that blurs the line between insanity and reality. As Hank investigates further, he uncovers disturbing truths about his neighbors and the town, challenging his understanding of identity and reality. The atmosphere of the novel is tense and claustrophobic, enhanced by the setting's stark and clinical brutality, which underscores the protagonist's isolation and vulnerability. The story builds to a climax that questions the very nature of truth and the reliability of memory, leaving us to ponder the implications of altering one's memories and the potential consequences of such actions. Through its chilling narrative and complex characters, The Memory Ward provides a gripping exploration of the human psyche under extreme duress.







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4 stars
Publication date March 4, 2025

Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publication for sending this eARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Hank has a routine life, delivering the mail each day, before coming home to his wife. Wally has a routine life, delivering the mail each day, before coming home to his elderly father. They all live in a wonderful town full of wonderful people.... until cracks start to appear in the veneer of these perfect lives and there is no one to trust.

This was like if The Tuman Show met Shutter Island. It was a fast, enjoyable read, with the kind of chapter endings that made me want to read the next.

My mind is blown and bent and twisted in all the best ways after reading this. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Wow, what an insane roller coaster ride this book took me on. I had no idea what was going to happen. That ending definitely leaves you wanting more,

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Jon Bassoff’s The Memory Ward is a haunting and evocative novel that delves into the labyrinth of the human mind. This psychological thriller is a masterful exploration of identity, trauma, and the thin line between reality and madness.

Set in the eerie and isolated town of Bethlam, Nevada, The Memory Ward is an extremely engaging and haunting story that is guaranteed to make you reconsider reality, and the ease of which it might be altered. The hospital itself becomes a character, its oppressive atmosphere and mysterious staff adding to the sense of unease and suspense.

As the main character, Henry delves deeper into his memories, he must reconsider everything in his life and the lives of his seemingly innocuous neighbors.

Bassoff excels in creating complex and multi-dimensional characters. Henry is a deeply sympathetic protagonist, whose struggle to reclaim his identity is heartbreaking and compelling.The interactions between the characters are rich with psychological depth, making their journeys as compelling as Henry’s.

The Memory Ward explores themes of memory, identity, and the nature of reality. Bassoff’s writing is lyrical and evocative, capturing the disorienting and often nightmarish quality of Henry’s experiences. The prose is beautifully written yet unnerving as you are immediately drawn into the story.

The pacing is deliberate, allowing for a gradual build-up of suspense and a deeper immersion into the psychological landscape of the characters.

The Memory Ward is a disquieting, thought-provoking page-turner that is a testament to Bassoff’s skill as a storyteller.

Highly recommended for fans of psychological thrillers and literary fiction, horror, and anyone who appreciates a novel that challenges their perceptions. Truly a mind-opening read!

Shocking & Creepy

What's Real and what isn't?

This is my first time reading Jon Bassoff. He pulled off a wonderfully weird & creepy page-turner with The Memory Ward. If you enjoy Memory loss tropes you really need to read this one. It really did keep me hooked from beginning to end. The story gives off sort of a 50s Invasion of the Body Snatchers vibe. Think of a psychological thriller with some sci-fi ish aspects thrown in. Interesting and complex characters with a plot that keeps you guessing.

This was gearing up to be a 5 star for me except for the open ended conclusion disappointed me. Regardless, The Memory Ward is still absolutely worth the read. I'll definitely be checking for more of Jon Bassoff's previous work.
Thank you to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for my complimentary copy.

This was an okay read but I felt that couldn’t connect withe characters and felt that it was a little out there for me but it is a good read
Thanks to Netgalley for letting me review this book and the publisher

Imagine it’s the early 1960s and you’re watching The Twilight Zone in black and white on your living room RCA TV set. You’re traveling through another dimension; you’re journeying into a wondrous land of imagination. This episode takes place 50-60 years in the future. That’s the tone that’s set in this book. The language creates an atmosphere of the past, but the subject matter creates an atmosphere of the future.

This book has layers, like onions, like ogres. I couldn’t wait to have the next layer exposed, and the next, and the next. The town of Bethlam is peaceful and friendly, it’s the perfect place to live. It’s always a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Or is it? Maybe it’s more like Bedlam. Our main character Wally spends his days delivering mail in town. He starts to notice certain oddities and starts to have suspicions. As he digs deeper into these strange happenings and into his own past, he realizes he and others could be in danger.

I wish I could say more but this is a no spoiler review. Read the book if this intrigues you. Perfect for fans of Faith Gardner, Paul Indigo, Blake Crouch, John Marrs, and Octavia Butler.

Thank you thank you net galley and the publishers for this arc I had absolutely no clue I would love this one as much as I did. This was almost a 5 star and I didn’t give it 5 stars because there were a few different parts where it was a little repetitive i don’t think the book need to go on and on about certain things more then once but i loved how focused on mental health this book was absolutely loved that you really didn’t know what was going on for sure ..

"You're traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That's the signpost up ahead - your next stop, the Twilight Zone Memory Ward!

Or, rather, Bethlam, Nevada. Where every day the weather is beautiful, the people are kind, and every thing is always so perfectly perfect. There is no place one would rather be. Ever. Or so the story goes....

But behind the beautiful façade lies a sinister darkness.

I can't discuss this one too much because it's hard to even summarize this novel in words without spilling the novels secrets. My best description is that it's a trippy descent into madness. The writing evokes a 1950's vibe and setting though I'm not sure if the timeframe is ever mentioned. It's just the feeling it gave off. The novels one downfall is a bit of repetitiveness. Though, in hindsight, I see that it was instrumental in telling this story.

Bassoff has yet again flexed his literary muscle with this mind-bending tale and it will surely leave readers both baffled and delighted. 4 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for my complimentary copy.

There’s nothing quite so refreshing as sitting down with a hot cup of coffee, cracking open a new book, and following a protagonist into insanity. Sorry, did I say refreshing? I meant uncomfortably captivating. Reading this novel felt like watching the beginning of a horror movie. You know the type: a classic horror where it’s all sunshine and blue skies, white picket fences and smiling, normal faces. Until that soft lyrical background music starts speeding up, getting louder, more intense, and you’re forced to reconcile that something horrible is about to happen in this perfect, peaceful place. Except, in the horror movie where you’d expect a jump-scare and immediate resolution, you’ll instead have that sense of dread and unease throughout the entirety of The Memory Ward.

Bassoff crafted a psychological novel, while somehow expertly weaving in sci-fi and dystopic elements, and deftly interlacing multiple perspectives and storylines. To say I’m impressed with this novel would be an understatement.