I have what some would consider to be an unhealthy obsession with asylums, personally I think it’s more to do with having spent many years working in psychiatric hospitals. I spotted the cover of Asylum by Jack Adams on NetGalley and then I read the book description, immediately I knew it was a book I had to read come hell or high water (despite the self-enforced NetGalley ban I might add). Normally I’m one of those readers who likes a book to have an immediate impact on me, whether it be a gory crime scene, or a shocking opening I need something to grab my attention from the start. Unusual for me but this book had neither, what grabbed my attention was the promise of a mystery, and the need to know one patients backstory and his experiences of living within the walls of the asylum.

The book opens with the introduction of Nathan and Adam two young boys who befriend one of the asylum’s inmates Joe, but then one day he just disappeared. Fast forward twenty years and the boys are all grown up, Nat’s just started up his own business as a PI and Adam’s a well respected Psychologist. When the men receive an inheritance from Joe, they find themselves investigating Joe’s disappearance. Adam and Nathan are well developed characters who I couldn’t help but warm to, each has an interesting and very different backstory. The author's depiction of their close friendship is spot on, as the reader you get a sense of how deep their friendship is from their dialogue which captures the humour and banter only life-long friends can have.

Asylum is narrated in now and then chapters, the ‘then’ chapters were the ones I found the most unsetting as the boys memories of Joe are innocent, they take him at face value, unaware of the subtle signs that suggest Joe is being mistreated by the very institution that should have been there to protect him. This book is one that centres on the mystery of joe’s disappearance, so the pace felt slower to my usual type of read. I really enjoyed Asylum it made for a quick read, but unfortunately when all was revealed I wasn’t surprised, which was a shame. Definitely worth a read if you are looking for a mystery that isn’t too complex

First up, I have to say that the cover of this book is quite misleading, I was expecting some sort of gothic, horror story. I was pleasantly surprised that this was not the case, it was a book that did not portray 'mental health' as a threatening, frightful monster, it was in fact respectful of people who have been unfortunate enough to have been suffered a mental illness.
The story is about Nate and Adam who as young boys live near an asylum and who befriend a patient at the asylum called Joe. He is an artist and talks to the boys through the fence encouraging them to do great things with their lives. He then disappears and they wonder what has become of him.
In the present day Nate is a private investigator and Adam a psychologist, they are surprised to find themselves the recipients of a trust set up by Joe in their names. As they try to discover who Joe was the past cover ups of the asylum start to come to light.
A very intriguing and well told story about mental health institutions in the 80's and 90's in Australia. If you are interested in finding how much of this story is true then read 'Inside Madness' by Melissa Sweet.
Thank you Atlas Productions and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

As children, Nate and Adam meet and befriend Joe through the fence of a "lunatic asylum." As adults, they find that he has left them money. Working as a private detective and psychologist, they investigate what happened to Joe in the years since he disappeared. It was not bad, but I felt underwhelmed by the ending. Three stars.

Nathan and Adam are two 10 year old boys that are best friends. They stay together, play together and explore the area they live in completely together. Near their homes there is a huge facility that is known as the Lunatic Asylum. And that in spite of its non politically correct designation it was. It was a hospital dedicated to the care and treatment of mentally disabled individuals. One day when coming near to the fence surrounding the institution the boys spotted a man sitting on the other side and ventured over to talk to him. He sounded quite lucid, told them his name was Joe and the three struck up a relationship that continued for quite a while. They visited the spot where Joe was at and among other things found that he was an artist before he was sent to the asylum. Even while there he drew many things including the happenings occurring in and the people residing in the institution.
One day Joe did not meet them and they didn't see him again. The meetings were forgotten and the boys grew up, forgetting Joe and eventually opening an office together. One had become a private investigator due to several years of employment as a police officer and the other a psychologist after university training. They hired a secretary and began doing business when out of the blue a letter from a solicitor was received asking to meet with both boys, now men. Meeting with him they had the most pleasant surprise of learning that Joe, the man they had talked with at the asylum had remembered them. Not only remembered them but left them each a large sum of money. It seemed that Joe had been a successful artist and made money selling his paintings. His memories of the boys were very pleasant
One favor was asked in return - to investigate happenings at the asylum and about Joe. This favor throws them into discovery of the most heinous breach of ethics and normal behavior possible. How they go about this and where it leads, how is Joe involved form the real meat and bones of the novel. This book is Mr Adams' first published one and showcases the entrance of a gifted author allowing his readers to pick up and enjoy his forthcoming novels. Very well done.

Scary, atmospheric, creepy and enjoyable. Great book that was a real page turner. Good story and relatable characters

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for the advanced copy.

Good story and I liked they way it went from past to present.

I actually think this may be the first novel I've read that's set in Australia, which makes a nice change from UK or USA!

I really enjoyed this one... how could I not, the title is Asylum!! The story revolves around Joe, an inmate at the asylum, who befriends two young boys that visit him through the fence surrounding the asylum. Twenty years later, the two young men have remained friends and are now faced with the mystery of what happened to Joe and what really happened at the asylum.
What I enjoyed most about this, besides the creepy setting and plot, was the dialogue. So often the words an author chooses for characters to say are unnatural, cringy or trite. The voice Adams gave to each of his characters was perfect. I could have actually been in a room with them listening to their flirty, sarcastic, or familial banter.
The only problem I had with this one was how the story lines were wrapped up at the end. It almost felt like a Scooby Doo episode when masks are ripped off to reveal who committed which crimes. It was all a little too rushed and succinct for me. Overall, I am excited to read more from this author and am thankful to Weapenry Co-Op and Netgalley for this advanced copy.

4/5
A fantastic read that kept my interest throughout. Just enough mystery and intrigue to keep me guessing at where the story would go next.
I loved the strength of relationships in the book, how the story arcs wove together seamlessly.
I would recommend this book to fans of mysterys with a touch of thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jack Adams, and Atlas Productions for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Atlas Productions, for an advanced electronic copy of this book in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I would have to say that this book is curious. I liked the synopsis and the cover as this is the type of book I go for. I enjoyed how easy the book was to read and it did hold my attention. However, I did find there to be cliches and sometimes the characters annoyed me but my curiosity came when I wasn't reading it. During these times it began to keep popping up in my mind and I am sad now that i've had to say goodbye. For all its faults this book has made an impact on me and will stay with me. I think that the reason for this is the sometimes annoying characters. They are so human and are going through their own life shattering problems, whether it be divorce, loneliness or abandonment issues etc. They seek company with each other, this little band of misfits who I find myself caring about. I would read this book again and I would recommend it to others, but be warned this book has a power that grows when not reading it.

** spoiler alert ** Always love a story that has a madhouse/asylum in it,and especially so when it's now old,abandoned and creepy.
In this one there are ghost tours and strange noises.
The cast of characters are amusing,the banter light hearted ,they fit well together.
The subject matter,is one of abuse,medical experiments,cruelty to patients with mental health issues.
The story itself was good,but there were a few occasions where I just felt the whole tone too flippant and light hearted.
All tied up nicely at the end,and sure the cast will be back for a second outing.

This story focuses on a woman that investigates the occult. She is looking in on a patient that claims he didn't murder the teenagers that broke into his home. Henry claims that his imaginary friends committed the murder. Henry has made up an imaginary world and characters that have managed to come into our world on their own, and they are determined to stay permanently. During the investigation, inmates are being murdered even though they are in their locked rooms alone. Eventually a battle ensues, and Henry must make a choice between his imaginary friends or the safely of the world. It is a page turner, and I had a hard time putting it down.

A good, gripping read, enjoyable and a host of likeable characters I could relate too. I finished reading it in two days, I couldn't put it down and look forward to reading more from this author.

I loved this book! The title and cover of the book pulled me in the minute I saw them. Adams did such an amazing job really immersing the reader into the story with such vivid descriptions that you felt like you were in the book yourself. I loved the characters and thought that they were well developed and compelling. The plot was original, mysterious, suspenseful, and very intriguing. Overall, a very fast enjoyable read. I can't wait to see what comes next from Adams.

Maybe I'm just missing Daredevil on Netflix but I really got a Murdoch, Nelson and Page vibe from this book. There's good banter and camaraderie between the characters which I really enjoyed. Although it wasn't a frantic page turner of a mystery I did find myself wrapped up in the story of gentle Joe, as well as the painful allegations of abuse in the asylum. From my perspective things did seem to break down a bit in the final act- I didn't feel that the motive nor resolution made much sense in Dave's case and I was left dissatisfied. There is also a sudden love interest that comes out of nowhere, which for me was a bit unrealistic. For the most part though I really liked this book and I'd be very happy to read about further adventures in Australia.

Firstly, I love the cover! I am a big cover fan and believe it is an extension of the novel! This is a really well written, self assurednovel that delivers in a big way. It does not descend into cliche or typical tropes and the characters are well drawn. I don't tend to read too many books like this as they often fall short of the mark. This one defintely does not! Read it now!

Asylum is a book and engrossing book. I had to finish it in one sitting. I enjoyed the characters and storyline.

I was intrigued with the description of this book. The idea of a mystery/thriller story that takes place in/near and Asylum was too much not to pass up. With moody story telling this is the story of two boys and their friendship with a patient at the asylum. They create this friendship over time and through fences and then nothing. The patient disappears.

Years later, life has gone on and their friends in nearly forgotten. One day the boys, now men receive notice that they have inherited something from him. This begins the journey down memory lane and the mystery of what actually happened to their friend in the asylum.

I liked that this story was both a coming to terms with life’s dark side, a mystery, and a fight for justice all in one. The story was laid out nicely, the characters well developed and I really enjoyed the answers that the reader was given. I hope Nate and Adam continue to find work in their chosen field of mystery and I think that they have many stories left to share with readers. This is a full length story and I would recommend it for all readers, middle school and up. I received an ARC via NetGallery and I am leaving and honest review. #NetGallery #Asylum

Thank you to NetGalley and Atlas Productions for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

WOW! There is so much that I loved about this book. It was exciting, mysterious, and I finished it in a day. (I love books that suck me in like that.)

The one thing I noticed when I began to read was that it felt like a movie (and this would make a good one). There was something about the way in which it was written that helped me better visualize two curious and rambunctious boys playing in the woods and spying on the patients in the asylum. I felt unsure about the dialogue at first—did I like it, did I not? It grew on me, however, and I personally loved the quips between Nate and Jess, Nate and Adam, Nate and Dan… Basically, Nate was a fun character, even during the flashback scenes to when he was a kid. But it wasn’t just Nate who I found exciting. Each of the characters were fleshed out beautifully. I knew back stories, personalities, descriptions—and they were all likable, as well. I did feel that a character like Nate would not work without Adam and vice versa, and if you’re lucky enough to have a close friend like that in your life, it’s completely relatable.

I have realized that I don’t read enough books about psychology and asylums. It’s an interesting topic and I certainly want to explore more of the atrocities that have occurred behind asylum doors throughout history. I liked the fact that the core of the team’s mission was to seek justice for Nate and Adam’s friend, Joe, and the other asylum “victims” of the story. The Australia setting was also refreshing and not something I come across often in the books I read.

Overall, a fantastic story that was fast-paced and interesting. I look forward to it being published because I know a few people who will enjoy it, as well.