What a combination - historical romance and true crime!  The true crime is based on Nelly Bly's secret admission to an insane asylum in the late 1800s to reveal the truth behind the conditions and how women were treated.  Let's just say I'm glad I didn't live during that time frame because men really thought women were fragile and not sane.  Frightening is really the word.

When this book first starts, it is like most other romances.  Edyth is a woman of means despite the fact that her Uncle controls the pursestrings.  She is in love with her fencing instructor and has been for many years.  He doesn't see her as more than a friend until a party when her cousin helps her dress for a ball and is a sight to behold.  This is where the story gets interesting.  Edyth and Bane admit their attraction for one another and Bane has decided to court her.  Her Uncle has discovered a loophole in her parent's will and decides that Edyth needs to be diagnosed as insane.  What happens from there is where the story really gets interesting.  Edyth tries to escape the asylum with the help of a few friends.  Bane is trying to find her because she has just vanished and he doesn't believe the stories he is being told by her Uncle.

I found the story to be engaging and fascinating and I liked the tie to an actual event in history.  The author even discusses what she changed to make it fit the actual events.  I"m now intrigued to read the book about Nelly Bly's time in the asylum and what she encountered.  I can't believe women were treated this badly a century and more ago, but I know it did happen.  It makes me appreciate what I have now in this time and how far women have come in this world.

We give this 4 paws up.

I am really enjoying this True Colors series that this book is a part of. If you have not read any of the other books in the series, I highly suggest you check them out. In this book, you find out what life was like as a young woman who is banished to an asylum by a relative that has something to gain. One of the best things about this series, it has shown me other historical events that I did not know anything about. In this one, my heart broke when she was sent to the asylum. I was yelling at my book (my family just stared at me...) Edyth did not deserve to be committed. I felt like Edyth had been violated and I wanted justice for her. Edyth is a STRONG female character. She knew she had been done wrong and wanted to make sure that her name was cleared. I love when she meets Nellie, the undercover reporter. My heart leaped for joy when this happened. I wanted justice to be served and Edyth's uncle to pay. Follow this action packed, heart pounding non stop book to find out what happens.

I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit blogging program, all thoughts are my own.

Thank you, NetGalley, for a free copy of this book! This review reflects my personal opinion.

I have to admit that I wasn't sure what to expect. The synopsis sounded fantastic, but I wasn't sure how the Christian faith could be included in this one. However, I have to say that this was a fantastic book! The mystery/suspense was subtle in this one and so was the romance. But the story drew me in and kept me "hooked" until the last page. This novel reminded me a bit of Kerri Maniscalco's "Stalking Jack the Ripper." It wasn't a retelling, but a great suspenseful, authentic novel!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for an opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return or a review based upon my honest opinion.

I was really excited to read this book but it fell a little flat for me. I liked the story-line but just for some reason just could not get into the story. I did however like the ending of the book and that is the reason I am giving it three stars.

The Gray Chamber
by Grace Hitchcock
Taking the historical events that happened in the mental health industry at the turn of the century. Grace Hitchcock allows the reader to see the miss management of health care. She shows how Nellie Bly or Nellie Brown broke the New York Mental health system in her Ten days in a Mad house article. Her fictional characters show how the system was corrupted by power, and money. Nellie Bly showed that women were institutionalized for many nefarious reasons some of them the most basic of human nature. Grace places a young girl in this world of corruption, she is on verge of having her inheritance, her fathers brother turns on her in the worst of ways. Edyth Foster is a dynamic character with enough capability and capacity to bring admiration to the reader. Her struggle in the system is tragic and drastically detailed and remarkably degrading. Having one of her reoccurring characters appear in the book is a link between her stories.

This book is the third in the True Crimes series that I have read and it was one of those can't-stop-read-right-now type of books. I found myself pulled into the Edyth's character and dilemma as she fought for her independence from social restrictions for ladies at the time of 1887, including being "under guardianship" of her own future by a male relative. The depiction of the lunatic asylum featured in this story is heart-wrenching in both the descriptions and the knowledge that it is based on fact. I enjoyed the interjection of the real life Nellie Bly, who is undercover in the asylum in order to write an expose of the treatment of women in this type of facility. and does so in her real-life book: Ten Days in a Mad-House. The predicament of Edyth and the man she admires, Bane, takes on several twists as their new-found love is put the test while he searches for her and helps her to free herself from her Uncle's dire threats. The book is interspersed with Edyth's faith and the role it plays in keeping her alive during her trials at the asylum. I recommend this book for the content of historical events, suspense, romance and faith. Thank you to NetGalley, publisher and author for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review, which this has been. #NetGalley #BarbourBooks

This is the first book by Grace Hitchcock that I have read; honestly, her last name attracted my attention and had me investigating the synopsis. The idea of a young woman wrongly institutionalized for the sake of stealing her fortune intrigued me, and the intersection with historical undercover journalist Nellie Bly ensured I flipped back to the front and began reading.

The romance is well-developed before Edyth and Bane are separated and gave a good background to both their actions throughout the novel. A rather unique aspect to this book is that the couple seem to get their happily ever after early on, only to have it ripped from their hands before they can enjoy their time together.

I did not expect to feel as uncomfortable as I did while reading this book. I knew very little about historical treatments for mental illness, but the details of abuse, lack of care, and barbaric “treatments” left me stunned and, frankly, thankful to live in this period of history instead.

The author does a great job of putting us in Edyth’s shoes and helping us see that she isn’t so strange, but there are enough obstacles in her path to freedom and twists as we go along, that nothing seems quite as cut and dried as we might have thought. And even though she was wrongly committed, her sanity is by no means guaranteed to last in this awful institution.

This is a well-written, often disturbing novel, made even more troubling by the historical truths behind it. I highly recommend it for those who enjoy historical fiction with some suspense, romance, or those with an interest in how mental health was treated historically or in female journalists of the past.

I received a review copy of this book through Celebrate Lit but was under no obligation to post a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.

When I read a book, I rarely read much of the description, because I like very much to be surprised by almost everything. But if you are the type who doesn’t mind certain details being given away, then go ahead and read this excerpt from the description of The Gray Chamber (SPOILER ALERT!!!!) ….

"At the asylum, she meets another inmate, who upon discovering Edyth’s plight, confesses that she is Nellie Bly, an undercover journalist for The World. Will either woman find a way to leave the terrifying island and reclaim her true self?"

The reason I’m glad I didn’t read the description, is because I enjoyed suddenly finding out that the poor soul in the asylum with Edyth was Nellie Bly. I don’t know a lot about her, but I do know that she was instrumental in revealing the horrors that people render to people who are unable to defend themselves.

And as long as we are messing with spoilers, I’ll say this: One thing I liked about this story is the resolution didn’t happen in the last two pages of the story. We got to see good resolution, people moving on and upward, being stronger than they were before.

SPOILER ALERT ENDS HERE:

Let’s start with what I didn’t like. I didn’t like that it was so good, I stayed up much too late to read until I could find a place where the story settled enough that I could stop reading and go to sleep. What I didn’t like was the horrible knowledge of being reminded of the cruel and awful way people treat their fellow human beings. But these are all things that we need to be reminded of fairly regularly, so we pray for the many unknown, faceless and helpless victims all around the world. O Lord, return quickly.

What I did like: I liked how the story was written, the attention to detail in the words and writing makes it stand out in my mind as true quality writing. I liked Edyth’s eccentricities, not willing to cram herself into the corset of the “upper crust”. Just because she inherited a large sum of money didn’t mean she had to meander in and out of boring social parties and marry some rich dandy.

I liked how she learned the importance of hiding the Word of God in her heart. And learned how precious it is in times of distress and need. I liked how she learned to rest in God, even in the worst experience of her life. It didn’t mean she sat and did nothing, but she allowed God to still her, calm her until the right time for her to take action.

It doesn't take me much thought to rate this a 5 star!!!

I received this book as a gift. I did not receive any compensation for reading and reviewing it other than a really great read!

As she did in her previous novel for the True Colors series, in The Gray Chamber Hitchcock has given readers a glimpse into a morbidly fascinating bit of criminal history. Women are held to an entirely different set of standards, and not only did this often disenfranchise them, it often put them in danger, as it does for main character Edyth Foster.

Edyth is forward-thinking; she fences when this is considered a man's sport; she pays no heed to what society dictates. This plays well into the schemes set into play by members of her family, and it also serves her well when she finds herself unfairly locked up in an asylum and her fortune removed from her. Her longtime friend, Bane, is an endearing character as well, though I was a bit put off at his change of heart when it came to Edyth - it comes off as a bit abrupt and somewhat superficial, as he couldn't see Edyth's good qualities without fancy trimmings. I did enjoy their interactions together, and there are some tension-filled moments when they are both trying to save her from the asylum on Blackwell's Island.

The details of the treatment of those in the asylum are hard to read about and a dark blot indeed on mental healthcare - thank goodness many strides have been made in that field, and kudos to Hitchcock for shedding light on this time in history.

Hitchcock is an author that I've come to expect good things from, after having read her debut novel and two novellas. Though I didn't enjoy The Gray Chamber quite as much as The White City, I'm glad that I read it, and recommend it for readers of romantic historical mysteries.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the author; I was not required to post a review, and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.

***Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Books for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Release date January 1, 2020.***

2.5 – 3 stars

The story itself was fine, but couldn’t connect with the characters in the story.

It's 1887 in New York. In her uncle's care, 24-year-old Edyth Foster has only a few months until she inherits her father's fortune. But her eccentric hobbies of fencing and riding velocipede affect her standing in society. And a loophole in her father's will allows her uncle to admit her to Blackwell Island, a hospital/women's lunatic asylum that was built to keep its patients from leaving.
"The Gray Chamber" describes life on Birdwell Island and Edyth's harrowing plight. No worries, though. She has undercover journalist Nellie Bly and young Poppy to keep her company. And her fencing instructor and new love Bane will do everything he can to rescue her.
Author Grace Hitchcock is a good writer - I would definitely read more of her books! This novel flows well, she builds anticipation and she introduces backstory organically. I didn't care for all the romance in this book. And Edyth only escapes because of her fortune, although she does put her money to good use at the end.
The descriptions of life in Blackwell Island was interesting and horrifying. I finished the book curious to read Nellie Bly's book "Ten Days in a Mad-House." Thanks to her, the asylum was reformed and women were no longer allowed to be admitted for petty reasons.
This book gives me hope that one woman can indeed make a difference.

I really wanted to like this book, but I couldn't like the protagonist or any of the supporting characters.

This was a very interesting book. The characters were fully developed and the historical background was amazing. The myths and history of mental institutions has not been fully comprehended and all of it has not come to light yet. This book after reading it wants you to find out more about the history of these institutions. The greed and false impressions are truly mind boggling. This was a very well written and researched book. I cannot wait to read the next one by Grace Hitchcock and her fellow writers in this series of books True Colors. Truly a book that should be read.

The Gray Chamber is part of the True Colors historical fiction series. I read one other book by a different author in that series and hoped this one would be as good. I was not disappointed! Inspired by a true story, Ms. Hitchcock skillfully blends real-life characters and events with the fictional ones. This book set in 1887 chronicles the story of a fictional heiress Edyth Foster who is unjustly committed to the Women’s Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell’s Island by her Uncle in an attempt to gain control of her fortune and Raoul “Bane” Banebridge her long- time friend and fencing instructor who comes to realize his true feelings for Edyth just before she suddenly disappears.
The suspenseful plot twists and turns with deception and betrayal along side perseverance, faith, and love and flows at a suitable pace. The events at the asylum are depressing and disturbing but are handled in a tasteful manner. The characters are well-developed and memorable and vivid descriptions add life to the story. The faith element permeates the story with scripture and prayers as Edyth’s confinement grows her faith despite the circumstances. Edyth says, “This place has stripped away the layers of thick skin, and I am raw, for I have had no one or nothing to lean on here but the Lord.”
This was a page-turning, can’t-put-down, finished -in-one-day read for me, and I highly recommend it.
Ms. Hitchcock is a new author for me, and I look forward to reading her other book in this series The White City and her novellas.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via netgalley but am under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I started to read this book and could not get into it. I turned off by the thought that the main character might end up in a mental hospital. I did not finish the book and maybe if I had I might have thought better of it. But it was not interesting enough to keep me interested once I started to guess what would happen.

This book reads a bit like a romance novel, which is fine if that’s your thing. It also could be very loosely considered historical fiction. The romance portion is all fiction, the asylum in the story, along with the imbedded reporter character actually existed. I found myself skimming quite a bit, I really didn’t connect much with the characters.

Edyth Foster is committed to a terrifying asylum on Blackwell Island in 1887. This story is fictional yet based upon a true story. Oh my, for a wonderful, exciting life to.. committed... Her Uncle found a Dr. that would commit her and he then would inherit what was to be hers. The asylum was horrible and the author takes you into the darkness Edyth has to endure. This is not a story I will soon forget. I was delighted at the ending! I was gifted a copy, no review was required, my review is voluntary.

This book is the latest in the True Colors: Historical Stories of American Crime, I really identified with Edyth and her free spirit and hated to see how it was used against her. I am also appalled at what people will do for money. I had to keep reminding myself that this was a true story and that there were really places like the lunatic asylum where Edyth was sent. I don't really think enjoy is the appropriate word for how I felt about the book but I am very glad that I read it.

I love this series so much! Based upon events that happened in the past, each book can easily be read as a standalone. This book revolves around the infamous Blackwell Island, an asylum for the insane.
When a young woman is committed there, she has to fight to prove that she isn't insane.During her stay she meets another patient, Nellie Bly, who eventually exposes the horrific treatment endured by all those unfortunate enough to find themselves lodging there.
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own. @barbourpublishing #bookstagram

The Gray Chamber was stunning. I was in shock as I read about the treatment of those committed to the Blackwell Island Women’s Lunatic Asylum back in 1887. The author did a great job of weaving in romance, suspense, and a lot of historical fiction into her storyline. The book and history involved was so heartbreaking. Because of that it is hard to classify this as a book I “loved”. But it was well written and worth reading especially for the reader who likes historical fiction or romance.
I am not completely sure why this was labeled Christian other than a few scattered Bible verses and the publisher. It didn’t have a very strong Christian theme and was more centered around the power of love. But nevertheless, I enjoyed The Gray Chamber and would recommend it. I can’t wait to read other books written by Grace Hitchcock. I received a complementary copy of this book from Net Galley. The opinions expressed are my own.