Stacie Murphy

A historical mystery in the vein of The Alienist, in which a young woman in Gilded Age New York must use a special talent to unravel a deadly conspiracy.
Amelia Matthew has done the all-but-impossible, especially for an orphan in Gilded Age New York City. Along with her foster brother Jonas, she has parleyed her modest psychic talent into a safe and comfortable life. But safety and comfort vanish when a head injury leaves Amelia with a dramatically-expanded gift. After she publicly channels an angry spirit, she finds herself imprisoned in the notorious insane asylum on Blackwell's Island. As Jonas searches for a way to free her, Amelia struggles to control her disturbing new abilities and survive a place where cruelty and despair threaten her sanity.

Andrew Cavanaugh is familiar with despair. In the wake of a devastating loss, he abandons a promising medical career—and his place in Philadelphia society—to devote himself to the study and treatment of...… (altro)

After a head injury Amelia Matthew's minimal psychic ability manifests into being able to see the dead as well as see a person's possible future death upon contact with them. Before Amelia can figure out what is happening, she has an incident in public and is taken to the asylum on Blackwell Island. Dr. Andrew Cavanaugh has had a falling out with society and has taken an upon position on Blackwell Island. He wants to know more about mental illness and women after a personal tragedy. When Amelia and Dr. Cavanaugh meet, a touch channels a spirit through Amelia that forces Dr. Cavanaugh to reexamine what he knows. Meanwhile, Amelia's friend Jonas is desperately trying to locate her and Dr. Cavanaugh's friend believes his sister has been taken against her will to Blackwell Island.

A Deadly Fortune is a riveting historical mystery set in New York's Gilded Age. With magic, suspense and historical detail, I was pulled onto Blackwell Island. The book jumps right into the action and at first, I had trouble placing when and where the story took place; however, once Amelia was taken to the infamous Blackwell Island, the setting fell into place. The treatment of Blackwell's patients was researched well and there was a lot of time given to life inside of the asylum and the condition of the women who were there. The mystery picked up halfway through the story as the characters realize even darker proceedings on the island. In addition, the characters were all very well developed. From Amelia, Jonas and Dr. Cavanaugh to the ladies on the island, each character was thought out. At first, I thought I was missing something with Amelia and Jonas' backstory, but it was revealed later in the story. I was also glad that Amelia and Dr. Cavanaugh's relationship did not take the forefront of the story, but there is definitely more to develop there. Overall, an engrossing historical mystery.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.… (altro)