Things aren't quite right in Bethlam, Nevada. 
It’s a whiplash of a book. It captured me with the ‘so perfect, it must be sinister’ isolated community hook.

The Memory Ward builds quietly, chipping away at perception and building its unsettling effects. It's a strange, disturbing book. Things get freaky.

The final 30% hits a tender-bits-to-the-wall intensity that kept me reading non-stop. The ending left me all the more unsettled, yet in a way that fit and satisfied.

This is a brilliantly sneaky book that pushes on many fears in a masterful way. The exploration of expected male roles and relationships was one of my favorite aspects of the book--that and the stark horror.

Jon Bassoff is an unusual talent. I’ll be looking for more of his work. I recommend The Memory Ward for seasoned readers of dark fiction who aren't upset by intense content. Thank you, Blackstone Publishing, for the eARC for consideration. These are solely my own opinions.

The Memory Ward by Jon Bassoff is very highly recommended psychological suspense novel with a science fiction connection. This page-turner had me fully engaged and speculating right from the start.

Mailman Hank Davies knows it is always beautiful in Bethlam, Nevada. He is surprised one day when a letter he is delivering isn't sealed and he sees it is a blank page. He checks two others and realizes they are blank too. When he arrives home, he mentions the blank letters to his wife. Then he starts to notice people watching him. Finally, a woman knocks on his window late at night and tells him to trust no one and check out what is under the wallpaper in the bedroom.
Mailman Wallie Daley knows it is always beautiful in Bethlam, Nevada...

The eerie and mysterious atmosphere created in The Memory Ward immediately appealed to me as the plot explores identity, memory, trauma, observation and suspicion. The quick paced narrative is divided up into five parts and the story of three different characters is told. Gradually, the three story lines converge, and the truth about Bethlam is revealed. This mind-bending novel is short, so it can be read quickly and is best started only knowing the basic plot information.

There are strong Twilight Zone vibes with a snippet of the X Files in The Memory Ward and I loved it. Thanks to Blackstone Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Somewhat reminiscent of The Truman Show and very interesting. Very easy to visualize everything happening and it kept my attention the entire time. The only complaint that I could make is the ending, I felt like it wasn't "rewarding" enough but it wouldn't stop me from recommending it. Better than I expected actually. Not really a thriller but definitely a book that makes you think and has you guessing what's going to happen next.

Hank is a mailman in a perfect little town. Until when day he finds his letters are empty and notices the town is a little too perfect.

If you enjoy psychological and speculative novels, this will be a good one to read. It kind of has a Truman Show type vibe to it but much darker. While you are suspicious the entire story, you’ll learn at the end what seems to be the truth and it’ll really make you think.

“The whole world is an insane asylum.”

The Memory Ward comes out 3/4.

I loved the unique idea of this story and it played out well. To me, it was a Pleasantville-esque tale that created a feeling of inquisitive reading. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. There was a great build up to the climax when you are thinking you know what is going on, but I really didn't. I had fun with this one!

4.5/5 stars! This book was utterly mind boggling! I flew through it because the writing flowed together easily and the story was SUPER interesting. The ending wasn’t my favorite but I still was obsessed with this book! I don’t want to say too much without revealing anything but this is the perfect psychological thriller.

4.5 stars.
100% yes to this book. My brain was 😵‍💫 when I finished.
Hank Davies is a mailman in Bethlam, Nevada, a perfect little town where everyone know everyone. Every day is the same as the day before. Someone visits him in the middle of the night and tells him life isn’t exactly what it seems. He finds written notes about what is really going on in the town. What’s reality and what isn’t?
The twists in this book are *chefs kiss*. I truly appreciate how this one got me good. Highly recommend if you like Twilight Zone/ Wandavision vibes.
Thank you to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Memory Ward by Jon Bassoff will hit shelves on March 4, 2025.

This is a book that will have you wondering where it is going next. I finished this in one sitting. Looking forward to the next one.

Thank you @netgalley for my copy! I am a huge fan of Bassoff so I was so excited for something new. This is described as a “Russian doll of a novel”, and I feel like that is pretty accurate.

I can’t say too much without giving things away with this. Think “Truman Show” vibes. I loved the decent into madness and the claustrophobic and uncomfortable vibes you get while reading. You know things are not quite right, you just don’t know what is true or what that is. This is the way to write a “memory loss” trope people! I will be thinking about this for a long time. Another phenomenal story!

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.