In Asylum Hotel, Juliet Blackwell delivers a masterclass in atmospheric storytelling, deftly weaving together mystery, history, and the supernatural within the hauntingly beautiful ruins of a once-grand Art Deco seaside hotel. Set against the rugged Northern California coastline, the narrative unfurls with the elegance and intrigue of old Hollywood, as whispers of curses and ghostly presences echo through cobwebbed corridors and overgrown grounds. Blackwell’s meticulous attention to detail breathes life into the decaying glamour of the setting, rendering it as much a character in the story as the people who inhabit it.

At the heart of the novel is Aubrey, a photographer tasked with documenting the Seabrink Hotel ahead of its restoration. Her arrival marks the beginning of a journey that deftly straddles the boundary between past and present, reality and myth. The narrative takes a sharp turn when she encounters the enigmatic Dimitri—an apparent kindred spirit—only to discover his lifeless body the following day. From this moment, Blackwell propels the reader into a gripping mystery marked by eerie coincidences and unsettling revelations.

Blackwell’s talent lies not only in constructing an engaging plot but in her ability to sustain a tone of suspense that is both intellectually compelling and emotionally resonant. Her prose is richly descriptive, imbuing each scene with a cinematic quality that invites the reader to inhabit the novel’s eerie, shadowed world. Characters are drawn with psychological depth and nuance, particularly Aubrey, whose inner conflict mirrors the novel’s central tension: the pull between rationality and the inexplicable.

With a narrative that continuously teases the line between logical deduction and supernatural possibility, The Asylum Hotel challenges readers to question the nature of truth and perception. It is a story that rewards careful reading, rich in folklore and layered with meaning, all while maintaining a taut pace and a sense of unease that lingers long after the final page. In this work, Blackwell proves herself a masterful storyteller whose command of tone, setting, and character elevates the novel beyond mere genre fiction into something truly memorable.

The premise is fantastic. A glamorous old hotel mired in mysterious deaths, ghost sightings and curses. Add in potential illegitimate heirs, missing jewels, and rich land developers and it's like a modern day Scooby Doo episode!

The world building and setting descriptions are beautifully done. The little towns sound so charming you'll want to visit. The hotel is described in loving detail, creating a creepy, atmospheric backdrop.

Unfortunately the execution got mired in far too many side plots, most of which ultimately didn't matter. Chapters are devoted to leads that never go anywhere, and serve no purpose in furthering the story. Several aspects are barely explained or wrapped up. The villain reveal comes out of nowhere, souring the ending. And the clunky dialogue didn't help any of these matters. There were a lot of very unnatural and unrealistic conversations that took me out of the action.

Ultimately this book is like the Seabrink Hotel itself...great bones, intricately detailed, but with grand ambitions that didn't quite pan out.

I really wanted to love this book but it felt so slow, there were too many characters, the plot twists were boring, and I wasn’t a fan of the writing.

characters weren't super great but the plot was great and the ominous intensity was pretty good. 3.5 stars. tysm for the arc.

It was just ok to me! Not a big fan of ghost stories!!! Thanks to NetGalley for letting me try this!

Blackwell is one of my favorite mystery writers, and I was thrilled to see she’s started a new series set in a small town in northern California. Aubry Spencer is an architect and a photographer of abandoned building. When she learns about the Seabrink Hotel, the former grand resort and spa for the glittering stars of Hollywood in the 1930s, she has to take a peek. Without giving too much away, let’s just say she picks up a lover, a few ghosts and killers, a lot of enemies, and some misplaced jewels along the way. Plus, we get to enjoy the wonderful scenery of the Pacific coast. Blackwell’s books are always original, with entertaining, well-developed characters, and a mystery with more than enough clues to keep the puzzle lively.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The beginning starts out wild. Aubrey finds out about the Seabrink from a book. Aubrey visits Seabrink Hotel to take pictures which is abandoned and it’s a difficult place to even finding, You have to get directions from a local and information is just wiped out online about Seabrink. As she’s taking pictures she meets Dimitri who’s taking videos and pictures of Seabrink Hotel for a possible YouTube episode. The idea to see abandoned hotels and make a YouTube video about its historical history was intriguing. Have to look up it up some day. They join up in exploring the hotel together and the hotel gets creepy. They get spooked but still decide to.spend the rest of the day and night together. Aubrey then wakes up Dimitri isn’t there and is found at the base of the cliff dead. Of Aubrey is stunned and wants to find out what happened. Her friend Nikki comes to the hotel to accompany her with investigating. Nikki was my favorite character her dark humor had me laughing a few times. As the book progresses it’s filled with rich even dark history of Seabrink Hotel, beautiful scenery of coastal California, and town people. You start to wonder is the curse at the hotel real? Is there really a ghost at hotel? Is the hotel dangerous? The reason it go a three star from me is the ending becuase I didn’t like who the bad guy was. It felt anticlimactic at the end for me with who the bad guy was.

Asylum Hotel was atmospheric. My favorite scenes took place on the grounds of The Hotel Seabrink. I felt fully immersed with the vivid descriptions. The author did a good job at making you fall for Dimitri immediately and making you go through the same heartache as Aubrey. However, I didn’t think it was very suspenseful except for a few moments and the overall murder plot was anticlimactic. Some characters and conversations felt unnecessary. Also, “I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding” was used at least five times, which is too many.

I have to say whoever did the research for this book deserves an A It is loaded with history and scenic descriptions that seriously got me to the finish line. What happens in the beginning was a little shocking. Dimitri was here and gone, poof, just like that. BUT then wait.. he isnt' who is said he was, there is a ghost in a picture and for a deserted hotel, there are a few people who show up there. It was creepy, a little scary and gothic I guess.

Overall a decent read with a lot to offer.

my hi-lights
"Everything that would scare you has in fact happened! The Dimitri thing right around 29% was sort of shocking even though we just met him"
April 3, 2025 –
0% "Had to look up Dadaists And the anti establishment anti art movement Weird"
April 3, 2025 –
0% "Rookery is a group of rocks breeds of bird breed in WTH am I reading now Thus turned weird and disjointed real fast"
April 3, 2025 – Finished Reading

I really enjoyed this spooky book, and I honestly couldn’t read it fast enough. It’s atmospheric and immersive – and the tension is palpable.

I love it when the story makes me question what’s real and what’s supernatural – and this one has that in spades. So much fun.

If you love an eerie read that keeps you guessing, this is the one.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Aubrey Spencer is a former architect that has taken to photographing interesting things, including old buildings. The crumbling remains of Seabrink hotel, in the north most part of California fit the bill and Aubrey sets off to capture the beautiful edifices and interesting interior when she runs into Dmitri Petroff, a YouTuber famous for roaming old buildings. The two hit it off.

After spending the night together, Dmitiri is found dead leading to a host of questions. Who did it and why is there a mysterious note in his backpack warning him to stay away? Aubrey is quickly joined by her friend Nikki and the two roam the area trying to figure out why Dmitiri was murdered and what questions still live in the Sebrink and have popped up around its renovation. Is Aubrey's life in danger too?

Asylum Hotel was one of those books that I just couldn't put down--I absolutely inhaled it. With plenty of twists and turns that aren't easy to guess and a stellar cast of well depicted characters that are immensely believable, Asulum Hotel is the perfect blend of entertaining, exciting and fun that you want your thrillers to embody. 5 well deserved stars.

I received this advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Asylum Hotel is a hauntingly beautiful blend of mystery, history, and the supernatural. From the very first page, I was drawn into the eerie yet mesmerizing world of the old hotel, where whispers of the past linger in the shadows.

The atmospheric setting is so vividly described that I felt like I was walking through the grand yet decaying halls myself, uncovering secrets alongside the compelling characters. The protagonist is both relatable and determined, making her journey of discovery all the more engaging. And, of course, Blackwell’s signature mix of suspense, emotion, and a touch of the paranormal keeps the pages turning late into the night.

If you love gothic mysteries with a richly woven history and a few well-placed chills, Asylum Hotel is a must-read. Highly recommend!

Asylum Hotel by Juliet Blackwell is a gripping and atmospheric mystery that blends historical intrigue with a touch of the paranormal. Set in a grand, albeit eerie, hotel housed in a former asylum, the novel follows the protagonist, who becomes entangled in a complex case of missing persons, ghostly occurrences, and long-buried secrets. Blackwell’s writing is immersive, creating a chilling yet captivating atmosphere. The plot is well-paced with unexpected twists, keeping readers engaged from start to finish. The characters are well-developed, with strong emotional arcs that deepen the mystery. Overall, Asylum Hotel is an engaging read for fans of historical fiction, suspense, and supernatural elements.

Thank you Netgalley for the e-arc of this book. Unfortunately, I just don't think this one was for me. The writing felt all over the place, and I couldn't stay focused. It has potential, but just fell flat.

This was an eerie and atmospheric read, the storyline keep me guessing! I binged the entire book in an evening because I had to know what was going to happen next.

During the pandemic I started watching videos of explorers visiting abandoned places. I loved hearing the history and imagining the places in the original state before time and neglect transformed the locations. While this book is fiction and tells a tale uniquely it's own, it gave me the same kind of enjoyment that the videos did. The author's writing is very descriptive and atmospheric, it made the story more immersive, I could visualize parts of it as it played out on the page and I loved that aspect of it.

I'm also a huge fan of Thrillers that leave me in a mental tug-of-war between trying to find a rational explanation of the events or accepting the fantastical one and this story definitely did that.

Overall this was definitely an enjoyable read and I will be recommending it!

Thank you Juliet Blackwell, Net Galley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

Asylum hotel is such a great book! I stayed up well past the time I should have been asleep. Just because I couldn't bare to put it down. Five stars no doubt. Can't wait to see what else this author has to offer.

📖 Book Review 📖 In Northern California, an abandoned seaside hotel stands full of cobwebs and curious Greek marble statues, robust rumors swirling of curses and ghosts lurking in the shadows. Juliet Blackwell whisks the reader away to a far away place, the lore and glam of art deco and old Hollywood shine mysteriously in this richly atmospheric read. But the tragedy that has disfigured the beauty of Seabrink Hotel remains eerily alive when photographer Aubrey arrives to document the dilapidated structure before renovations. She meets Dimitri, an adventurer, with whom she explores the vast grounds. An instant connection is made - but then all is questioned when she discovers dead Dimitri's body at the bottom of the cliff the very next day. Blackwell pens an enthralling murder mystery rife with calamities and misfortunes so strange they must be otherworldly. Past and present collide as Aubrey weaves together the stories of Seabrink Hotel, creating a tapestry of legends and folklore so intriguing that this book is impossible to put down!

The following review was posted on Goodreads on 3.26.25:

I had high hopes for this Gothic mystery/thriller, so maybe I went into it expecting too much. Everything about the setup appeals to me: the isolated, abandoned hotel that was once an asylum; rumors of ghostly activities inside the crumbling building; the suspicious, baffling death of an enigmatic man; a family history filled with dark secrets; eerie Gothic vibes; etc. The setting did not disappoint as the Seabrink came alive in my mind (I kept picturing an abandoned Hearst Castle), with the creepy flute music, elevator noise, and more sending delicious shivers up my spine. Blackwell's prose is at its best when describing the Seabrink, which is why I enjoyed that aspect of the story most, I'm sure.

Unfortunately, the rest of the novel's execution didn't work super well for me. The characters are pretty humdrum. None of them are particularly complex or memorable. Aubrey got on my nerves a bit and I could never really get a handle on who she was supposed to be. She just seemed kind of...amorphous. Not to mention fickle, immature, and melodramatic. I didn't feel a lot of connection with her. As far as plot goes, the story moves along at a steady enough pace. There's a lot of sinister action going on throughout the book, which means it's never dull even if it's also not edge-of-your-seat exciting. The finale is definitely rushed, with the identity of the killer seeming to come out of nowhere. It didn't feel very convincing or satisfying to me. Blackwell's prose is pretty lackluster too. It seemed clunky and tell-y, and just not dynamic or immersive enough to allow me to really sink into the story. For all of these reasons, ASYLUM HOTEL was just an average read for me, which is disappointing because I wanted to love it. Bummer.

If this were a movie, it would be rated PG-13 for language (1 F-bomb, plus milder invectives), violence, blood/gore, and disturbing subject matter.

Juliet Blackwell delivers a haunting psychological thriller in Hotel Asylum, where reality and delusion blur within the eerie walls of a mysterious hotel. The protagonist, grappling with a fractured past, navigates a shifting, surreal environment that feels like a character itself.

Blackwell’s vivid descriptions and deliberate pacing create a tense, immersive experience, drawing readers into a labyrinth of uncertainty. While its ambiguity may leave some craving answers, the novel’s psychological depth and supernatural elements make for an engrossing read. Fans of eerie, thought-provoking thrillers will find Hotel Asylum both unsettling and unforgettable.

Aubrey is staying on the coast of Northern California and loves to photograph abandoned places. She is told about a old haunted hotel and cannot resist. This visit leads to murder, kidnapping, and plenty of spooky happenings. I am not a lover of ghost stories but was pulled into this one from page one.