The Memory Ward is a quick read that I think some people will love, while others (like me) would prefer a bit more subtlety. A solid 3 stars.

To be honest, I could see the vision, but the delivery… it was kind of boring and too repetitive for me. The writing made it easier to read; it was simple.

Like I said, the vision was really good! I think the story was great, the characters were likable, but not much else. Though the story felt like I was being gaslighted the whole time, which I kind of liked, not gonna lie.

Maybe it wasn’t my kind of thing, but I think it could be someone’s favorite! A 3-star rating isn’t bad!

Well, this was quite an unsettling read, reminiscent of The Stepford Wives , Invasion of the Body Snatchers, or even The Handmaid's Tale. The novel is set in a small Nevada town called Bethlam, which originally served as home for scientists and engineers who worked on nuclear weapons development and testing in the Nevada desert. Now, Bethlam is a sleepy town of only 500 people, but, as Hank tells a neighbor, it's "a place where it's always beautiful" and "there's no place residents would rather be."

Hank is a postman who appears to live a structured, boring life with his wife, Iris, who has her own quirks (she pretends to act in commercials or TV shows in her bedroom when she thinks no one is watching). Iris smotheringly dotes on her husband, and she constantly reminds him of memories they've shared.

Hank has been bothered lately by troubling thoughts that he can't explain. One day on his monotonous delivery route, an envelope falls out of his bag, and Hank is shocked to see that a blank sheet of paper fell out. Perplexed, he opens several other loosely-sealed envelopes, and they also contain blank sheets of paper. Later, when he relates the story to Iris, she is upset and chastises Hank for looking at the contents of the envelope. She is obviously not happy.

Hank begins to have strange and scary dreams, but he can't figure out why. One night, he awakens from a nightmare and is suprised -- but not scared -- to see a young woman's face pressed against the bedroom window. He opens the window and the woman gives him a cryptic message that he should trust no one, including his wife, because "they mean you harm."

I don't want to give away to much, because the reader should experience firsthand the crazy, twisted things that continue to happen. It's a psychological thrill ride, and the idyllic, peaceful world that Hank, Victoria (the woman in the window), and others were used to may not be all that peaceful after all.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Blackstone Publishing for the eARC and the opportunity to read and review this novel.

This was an insane story. You will read it and have no idea what to believe.

I enjoyed the fast pace writing, and the split plot merging together the way it did. The blank letters and what was behind the wallpaper were such a unique plot, and then the themes in the story were very relatable. I don’t want to say too much to give anything away, but this is definitely a thriller that everyone should read.

The Memory Ward by Jon Bassoff is an absolutely mesmerizing and haunting novel that will grip you from the very first page. A dark, atmospheric thriller with psychological depth, this book is an exploration of memory, trauma, and the haunting nature of the past. Bassoff’s writing is raw, immersive, and poetic, perfectly capturing the eerie tension and surreal quality of the story. This is a book that lingers long after you’ve turned the final page.

The plot follows the main character, Alex, as he navigates a mysterious and unnerving psychiatric ward, where he’s been committed after a series of troubling events. As he delves deeper into the ward's secrets and the disturbing nature of his own memories, the lines between reality and delusion begin to blur. Bassoff expertly balances suspense, psychological tension, and a sense of surreal dread, making every page feel like it’s brimming with danger and uncertainty.

What truly elevates The Memory Ward is its complex character development. Alex’s journey is one of self-discovery, as he struggles to reconcile the fragmented pieces of his life and mind. His emotional turmoil and internal conflict are portrayed with great depth and sensitivity, making his struggles feel painfully real. The supporting characters in the ward are equally intriguing, each adding layers of mystery and intrigue to the plot. As Alex unravels the secrets of the ward and his own past, you’ll find yourself questioning who to trust and what’s truly real.

The novel’s pacing is spot-on, with each chapter adding to the mounting tension and mystery. The suspense is relentless, and while Bassoff takes his time with the narrative, it never feels slow or drawn-out. The atmosphere is thick with dread and uncertainty, and the eerie, almost nightmarish quality of the setting adds to the feeling of unease that permeates the story. The ending is shocking and thought-provoking, providing a satisfying conclusion that ties everything together in a way that’s both unexpected and emotionally impactful.

The Memory Ward is a five-star triumph. Jon Bassoff has crafted a dark, psychological thriller that is both unsettling and beautifully written. It’s a gripping, atmospheric journey into the mind, one that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about memory, perception, and reality. If you’re a fan of psychological suspense and novels that challenge the boundaries of the mind, this is a must-read. It’s an unforgettable experience that will stay with you long after you’ve finished. I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my review.

First book by this author!
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 enjoyed this book, finding it reminiscent of The Stepford Wives and Wayward Pines combined. Fans of books set in perfect seeming towns hiding something darker will enjoy this one.

I received an ARC copy of the Memory Ward by Jon Bassoff from Netgalley!

This was definitely an interesting an unique read. I was a little confused at first, but once you see where the story is going, it all makes sense! I really enjoyed reading this book and it had my mind racing on thoughts and ideas of what was really going on! Nothing is as perfect as it seems!

I will definitely recommend this book to a friend! Thank you!

I was introduced to the author’s work when I read the very unique “Beneath Cruel Waters, in 2023, so I was excited to see that he had a new book coming out in March, and this one sounded equally as fascinating.

Life is GOOD in the idyllic small town of Bethlam, Nevada.-population around 500.

The neighbors are friendly, the weather always beautiful and crime is nonexistent.

It’s a life of routine for postal worker Hank Davies until one day something different happens when he trips over a tree branch and some letters fall out of his mailbag. One becomes unsealed and he is shocked, and confused by what he finds-the letters he’s been delivering are just blank pages.

His curiosity is piqued so he opens a couple more.

Three envelopes-three different senders-three different recipients-all blank.

What could it possibly mean? What is going on?

Well, I was INTRIGUED right along with Hank, BUT I CANNOT say that I actually ENJOYED this dark story, and I didn’t find the big reveal to be surprising.

It’s the kind of story that you can’t say much about or you risk spoilers, so I will keep this brief.

What I can say is that although it wasn’t a book for ME-you will PROBABLY enjoy it if you enjoyed the 2022 thriller “Don’t Worry Darling” or Jim Carrey’s “The Truman Show”. Proof of that is the many 4 and 5 star reviews that have been written for this book, so be sure to seek out other opinions as well as mine.

Available March 4, 2025

Thank You to Blackstone Publishing for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!

I have no idea how to describe this. Hank is a mailman in Bethlam, Nevada, an idyllic town with no crime and friendly neighbors. But a small mishap leaves Hank questioning reality and the more he pays attention, the more things he notices that are not quite right. This was not bad, but I felt the ending was ambiguous and that's never a good thing for me. 3 stars.

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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