This is a fictional account of Blackwell's Island, exposed for its horrific practices by Nellie Bly. In this account, Edith Foster is a wonderfully unique girl who by the treachery of her family ends up wrongfully committed to the island. Through her work inside (with the undercover Bly) and her friends outside the asylum, she escapes in a daring rescue. This book was a page-turner throughout and extremely interesting.

I love this series and this installment was very good. The time period is one of my favorites to read about and the characters were very well defined. It was horrible what these women had to go through. I was captivated until the last page.
Many thanks to Barbour Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book started out well for me but I slowly lost interest. Not sure why. Perhaps a bit too slow moving for me.

Thank you Netgalley and Barbour Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest review.

The Gray Chamber by Grace Hitchcock initially drew my interest due to the true historical aspects, but the characters the author created made the story real to me. Blackwell Island Asylum was the first lunatic asylum in New York in the late 1800s, and plays a huge role in this story. Nelly Bly, the famed journalist who exposed the deplorable conditions at the asylum even plays a part in the book. Without a doubt, Grace Hitchcock blended research and storytelling. I loved every page she penned.

Though The Gray Chamber is fictional, the author incorporated many true historical facts. I enjoyed the characters she created, especially Edyth Foster. She’s quirky, and doesn’t care to follow social norms for a young woman of the times. Her passion is fencing, and her heart is hopelessly in love with her long time instructor, Bane. He’s clueless to her admiration, but I still adored Bane. He’s kind, and a true friend to Edyth. I wanted to shake the man and force him to see the beauty in Edyth, despite her unconventional persona.

I found Edyth simply charming! She’s kind to everyone, generous to a fault, and has a buried brokenness that pulls at ones heartstrings. Naivety is her downfall, and she isn't aware of her guardian’s betrayal until she’s locked away in the lunatic asylum on Blackwell Island ... and no one will believe she’s sane.

The events throughout this book are vivid, brutal, heartfelt and touching. Yes, a true rollercoaster of emotions. This story held me in an atmosphere of dampened spirit, and darkness through Edyth’s plight once she is committed. Her belief in redemption, faith, friendship with other sane women in the asylum helps her to hold on to sanity. That, and her undying love for Bane.

The emotional journey I experienced while reading this book will stay with me for a long time. Read The Gray Chamber, and delve into the world that really existed. It’s the best book I’ve read in a long time.

Title: The Gray Chamber

Author: Grace Hitchcock

Series: True Colors

Chapters: 25

Pages:256

Genre: Christian Historical fiction

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Publisher: Barbour Books

The Gray Chamber by Grace Hitchcock is the newest Installment in the True Colors. I’ve been finding this series hit or miss for me. I either love the book or I don’t. This one was a mix for me. I enjoyed the story and learning about this point in history. And what would get a woman sent to an asylum and in researching my own family genealogy I’ve actually discovered how easy it was for a husband to get rid of a wife or any other “problem female” in the family.

However, even though I loved the story and secondary characters I didn’t really care for either of the main characters, but to me that didn’t take away from the story and think most readers will be fine with it.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

This was an excellent historical fiction book. I was completely engrossed with the plot and the characters. I stayed up past my bedtime as I had to know how it ended. With a medical background, I found the descriptions of the women’s hospital spot on. I want to read more books in this series.

Great story! I had no idea that these things went on in our history. Loved the author’s notes at the end concerning the true stories in this book.

I picked this book because an online book club is discussing it for February. Unfortunately, I can't get into late 1800's high society stories with evil aunts and hopeless romantics.
I will say the author's writing style flows very well and another genre I would probably enjoy her.

Reviews on Amazon 93% gave it 4 or 5 stars. It comes down to your taste, this one wasn't for me.

Disclaimer: I received this copy from the Publisher via netgalley.com all opinions are my own.

The Gray Chamber by Grace Hitchcock that's not what I expected. From the description I assumed this would be a dark book and probably difficult to read. After all, it did deal with committing someone to an insane asylum who was not insane. This was a very common occurrence during the era. I was surprised when the book started out feeling like a Regency Romance. But as the story progressed I started to get a sense of doom. Of course I knew where the story was headed but to actually see how easily someone could be committed was frightening. The book quickly turned into an engrossing, historically accurate tale of one woman's fight for survival and freedom. I was exhausted when I finally finished the book. The Gray Chamber may not be for everyone but it truly is a riveting story.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

The title and cover immediately intrigued me and caught my attention. The book did not disappoint. It was an addicting read that was difficult to put down when it was time to go to work. I really loved the character development of Edyth and getting to know her. She was a rebel and I loved it! She was also such a strong, courageous woman who wouldn't be stopped by being told what to do. Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Books for an ARC copy.

I have known from reading other books about this subject t hat women were frequently sent to asylums for ridiculous reasons in earlier times. We have sometimes too many laws now that keep that from happening. I remembered that Nelly Bly wrote an expose about this but and they know this is fiction but it was interesting to read about the things that possibly gave Nelly her tales of abuse. Loved this book.

This story was so well done. I couldn't put it down. I was outraged to think that people could so easily be committed to an asylum, that doctors would willingly conspire with family to do so, and that those patients would then be treated so horribly. But the story wasn't told in a heavy way that left me feeling hopeless. There were characters determined to stand up for what was right and change things. There was also some lighthearted moments that endeared the characters to me right from the start. This book does an excellent job of educating as well as entertaining the reader.

Step into True Colors—a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime



On Blackwell’s Island, New York, a hospital was built to keep its patients from ever leaving.



With her late parents’ fortune under her uncle’s care until her twenty-fifth birthday in the year 1887, Edyth Foster does not feel pressured to marry or to bow to society’s demands. She freely indulges in eccentric hobbies like fencing and riding her velocipede in her cycling costume about the city for all to see. Finding a loophole in the will, though, her uncle whisks Edyth off to the women’s lunatic asylum just weeks before her birthday. And Edyth fears she will never be found.



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?



My Thoughts: This book certainly holds the readers' attention. Well written with many twists in the plot it is hard to put down. Grace Hitchcock writes stories based on true facts. This novel will educate the reader what it was like back in 1887 when women could be "disposed" of by putting them away in an asylum. The treatment of the women in hair raising and will shock the reader. The author has done an excellent job with the characters in this story, all of them very believable and easy to relate to. Honestly, this book had me on pins and needles until the very end, I felt empathy for Edyth and the plight that she had to go through. I was cheering her on throughout the story. If you love history you will like this novel based on true facts. This is a novel about a strong young woman who fully puts her faith in God. It's a story that shows even though people can turn on you or be untrustworthy, you can always rely on God. This is a book that comes highly recommended and I look forward to the next book in the series.

Edyth is such a spunky character. Her freedom to express her true nature without caring about society added levity while also enhancing the plot. Bane is committed to his course of action, and I loved how Grace Hitchcock brought a bit of her first novel into The Gray Chamber.

Nellie Bly’s story has always fascinated me, so I was anxious to see how her story would work together with Edyth. I thought there was a nice balance. Nellie was present, but did not take center stage or overshadow Edyth.

I can’t believe how easy it was to have a woman committed to an insane asylum, and seeing what happened there through Nellie and Edyth’s perceptions was equal parts chilling and informative.

The romance between Bane and Edyth created a strong plot point throughout the novel, and I love that Edyth was no shrinking violet. She refused to sit idly by and wait for someone to rescue her.

In the same vein, Edyth’s religious journey proved as harrowing as her time at Blackwell. Grace Hitchcock was able to masterfully use secondary characters to show Edyth that God has not forgotten her and He does love her.

If you enjoy crime novels with a romantic tilt, you’ll like this novel.

I requested a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit and was provided with a copy via NetGalley. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This chilling story is based on actual happenings, or should I say the manner of treatment of women. It’s hard to imagine how horribly women were treated in the insane asylums in the 1800s, where they suffered such abuse with no penalty to those inflicting it. In this historical (true crimes) novel, heiress Edyth Foster loves to fence and her instructor, Bane, but her uncle thinks such activities are unladylike and even crazy. How will Edyth ever escape if she’s imprisoned on Blackwell’s Island? It’s a wonder the inmates even survive. The characters in this book seemed quite real and believable (unfortunately, in some cases), and the setting also appeared authentic. It’s hard to read about such awful events, but it does provide a compelling tale. The author did a good job crafting this sort of horror romance. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

The Gray Chamber is the fourth book in the True Colors series by Barbour Publishing. It’s important to note that these stories are based on crimes that have happened in the past, not specific crimes necessarily but in general.
The main character Edyth will win your heart the moment she steps on page. She’s funny, spunky, and totally eccentric. She hates to follow social rules and does whatever she wants. Unfortunately, her attitude towards social standards comes back to haunt her as her aunt and uncle use it as a jumping off point in their plan to have her committed to an insane asylum.
Blackwell’s Island was creepy and heart-breaking. First, for those who needed to be there. There are some who are unstable to the point they require a warm place to care for them where they can’t harm others or themselves… this was not it.
Secondly, for those who didn’t belong there, but with the right amount of money anyone could be declared insane and tucked away out of sight… as is Edyth’s case.
I loved the inclusion of real-life Nellie Bly, a reporter who risked life and limb to go undercover and expose the atrocities taking place behind those walls.
The character, Bane, will make you laugh and face-palm as he goes from clueless to contender, to save the girl who’s loved him for years without him ever realizing it.
The story is intense in places especially in the ways that the nurses treat the patients. It can be a difficult read for anyone with a high-level of empathy. It’s still an enjoyable book and worth the read.
I recommend this book for those who love stories based on historical romances mixed with suspense.

The Gray Chamber is part of the True Colors series. I thought it was a pretty good read that is based on true events. I was really sad for Edyth Foster and what she had to endure. I have never heard Blackwell Island. It truly is amazing what people had to go through back in the nineteenth century in America. I rooting for Edyth from the start and admired her bravery, courage and her fight to live. I was amazed to see the addition of the character of Nelly Bly. The two become quite the team.

I am giving The Gray Chamber five plus stars. My favorite part was the author’s notes at the end of the book. Grace Hitchcock has shown that she is a talented writer and one that writes historical suspense. I loved this one and hope she will have another addition to the True Colors series.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Spoilers may follow....

Honestly, this one was a real struggle to get through. The author did an excellent job studying the conditions in the madhouse and expressing that (~30% of the book) and did some good work on fencing lingo. Beyond that, though, the research seems to have been left behind for modern tropes and misconceptions. Velocipede/bike: first, this isn’t interchangeable and these are two different contraptions, not synonyms. Second, it wasn’t all that scandalous for a lady to use one. Corset: it’s like a modern woman going without a bra to be without one in public. This is such a common thing for a modern author to show a woman being independent that it’s becoming a huge stereotype and it’s a pet peeve. Next, if her cousin had a larger bosom and a smaller waist than her, there’s no way they would share a corset. Corsets are 100% custom items and took several weeks to be ordered to suit. Not to mention the necessary “training” period a woman went through with loose lacing. And the powder puff fake bosom which explodes? Ugh. It couldn’t work for me.

As far as the fencing angle, I’d have liked that just fine. She wasn’t all that scandalous to do that either. However, when she grabs a rapier at a party and forces a duel on a guy she dislikes...she’d have been arrested instantly for attempted murder and illegal duelling. If it was going to be a joke, and something she’d done before, it would have been done with foils (unsharpened or protected blades), not rapiers (sharp). This was a criminal act and then to hear that wasn’t her first quarrel??

The instalove didn’t work for me either. The guy goes from suddenly noticing her as a woman when she fixes up (eye roll) to being ready to die for her within the week. We were told he loved her but were never shown why. After all, she spends the first third of the book defiant, the second third helpless, and the final third haunted and weak.

She found out the meaning of the three hands but we never got told what.

Basically it’s high drama and romance and that really isn’t my genre. Throwing in over 50% of the book with glaring historical inaccuracy was a deal breaker for me. I’d be glad to try this author again with a contemporary setting.

Thanks to the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.

Oh boy. Hang on for a ride! This book is intense. It’s so hard to believe these things really went on. That a woman could be institutionalized on the whim of her guardian is incredible. And the horrible way they were treated made me furious. Yet God used this time to bring about some necessary changes both in Edyth and in the system.

Fictional character Edyth Foster really irritated me sometimes. Way too trusting, and too willing to openly flaunt societal norms, she made a lot of trouble for herself. Yet with such a warm heart that you can’t help but love her. And her fencing master was a true, swoonworthy hero.

This is a compelling read with a romance that will leave you breathless. It also left me with a desire for honest journalism once again. I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

The Gray Chamber is the second novel I have read by Grace Hitchcock. Her debut, The White City, was a treat, but this novel exceeded my expectations. Hitchcock has grown as a writer, and I am so very pleased because now I have another must-read author of historical mystery/suspense to add to my list! The Gray Chamber is part of the True Colors series which draws inspiration from true life crimes in our nation’s history. In this installment, the book centers on the horrific conditions of the mental health industry of the late 19th century. Nellie Bly exposed the abuses in her newspaper expose’ and subsequent book. Hitchcock took those experiences (and used Bly as a secondary character) to create a very personal portrayal of the arbitrary, and sometimes sinister, nature of commitment to the notorious Blackwell’s Island in NYC. Main character Edyth Foster is delightful in her eccentricities and independence, but those traits land her in the mad house. The abuses she faces and the peril she seeks to escape kept my attention riveted. This book was unputdownable. Her love interest was also especially swoony and a true hero as he seeks to free her. The historical details were spot on, and I found myself googling to find out more. The Gray Chamber was intense at times, and to counter that Hitchcock added a bit of levity at just the right moments. Edyth’s spunk and perseverance won my heart. As Edyth’s situation became more and more desperate, her reliance on God became more pronounced. Trust at the darkest of moments was difficult, but the truth that God fights for us when we cannot shines through.

I highly recommend The Gray Chamber for those interested in true crime, historical fiction, or just a really good story. I look forward to more from this talented author.