Sarah Barthel

Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the free Kindle e-book [b: House of Silence|10974100|House of Silence|Linda Gillard|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327967023s/10974100.jpg|15892189] by [a: Sarah Barthel|7095022|Sarah Barthel|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/f_50x66-6a03a5c12233c941481992b82eea8d23.png]. The following is my honest review.

"House of Silence" was a pleasure to read. This novel is an enjoyable experience that is set in the late 1800's in America.

The main protagonist Isabelle Larkin witnesses an unspeakable act of violence and murder. When she goes for help, she cannot get her mother or physician to believe her. The individual reasons they have for refusing to hear what she is telling them put her life in danger.

1875 did not present many opportunities for a single woman.

Miss Larkin is admitted into a sanitarium for refusing to cooperate with her mother. There she sees the world experienced by those with less choice and privilege than she has. Isabell also finds out who her true friends are. Awareness leads to her personal freedom.

[a: Sarah Barthel|7095022|Sarah Barthel|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/f_50x66-6a03a5c12233c941481992b82eea8d23.png] weaves Abraham Lincoln's widow into the novel, telling a part of Mary Todd Lincoln's story that few people know.

I will recommend "House of Silence" by [a: Sarah Barthel|7095022|Sarah Barthel|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/f_50x66-6a03a5c12233c941481992b82eea8d23.png] for our library collection, and recommend it to other readers.

The writing and research are top notch. Thank you.… (altro)

Not too bad as a historical romance since there was very little romance to speak of. But not quite as detailed as some HR that I have read in the past. The author could do with a little more research into the era. Interesting part is that is was set in my home town and the surrounding Chicago suburbs. I didn't realize this when I picked it up. My interest was in that it was set in an asylum and included Mary Todd Lincoln in the story. I have read other books about her and wanted to see a different, though fictional, view. Overall decent plot and character development.… (altro)

1875, March, in Oak Park Illinois Isabelle Larkin is living a contented life as a newly engaged lady. Until by chance she sees her fiance commit a crime. As she fears for her life as no one believes her story she is convinced her only solution is to have herself committed to a sanitarium by faking a breakdown. But can this really solve her problems, and what will be consequences of her actions.
Soon of the characters in the book are based on real people, which added to the historical side of this captivating story. I also like the characters of this easy to read historical thriller.
A NetGalley Book… (altro)