This book was very well written but did take me a little bit to get into. I love a good female heroine, but sometimes my eyes get stuck as they roll. Still, it was a very good book and I do recommend it.

Intriguing, tension filled and appalling read. Even though I was aware of the historical horrible treatment of asylum patients, I was still shocked. Edyth, a young woman, is the victim of her uncle's greed and is committed for no good reason but the money paid by the uncle! You will not want to stop reading but you will hate reading this book at the same time. Hitchcock has done a great job of telling the story, stirring up tension and finally letting you breathe a sigh as you reach the conclusion.

It is 1887 in New York City. Miss Edyth Foster is an heiress, having lost her parents to an accident many years earlier. Refusing to follow convention, she cycles around the city on her velocipede, spends her time at the fencing club enhancing her fencing abilities, sketching and painting all the while refusing to dress in the style befitting her status.

In that time, it was all too easy to pay off doctors, etc. to have them diagnose a person as insane, who would then be sent to Blackwell’s Island where there was little likelihood that they would ever be released from. Read on to learn of one such atrocity which was well documented by a newspaper columnist who allowed herself to be committed in order to bring about real change. Would Edyth manage to escape or was she destined to remain moving between the Lodge and the Gray Chamber of horror? Can she learn to leave her future in God’s capable hands?

I received a copy of this book through Barbour Publishing, NetGalley and CelebrateLit. All impressions and comments are my own and were in no way solicited.

This extremely well written book unfortunately left me a bit cold and took awhile before actually engaging with the novel as a whole. Set in the 1880’s and dealing with a female heroine who does not work with the confines of polite society is one of the winning factors of the book.

Set against a true story dealing with insane asylums, Hitchcock delves deep into the world with plenty of flourishes. As I have not read the previous book in the series, the first third does feel like a catch up of what may or may not have happened before to establish characters probably established previously.

The characters are well written and give an interesting premise to the story. Edyth is an outstanding character that breathes life into the plot. The story is more about the injustices of what women faced as strong individual types in a world where women could not even vote. This is what propels Edyth’s character as she is found in horrible conditions and finding a way out of this with her dignity and brain intact.

The plot does tend to lull in places and there are times where you wish the story would get on with it. I am not sure if this is more to do with the gothic feeling Hitchcock tries to add to the written passages or more down to her writing style as a whole. It is a very interesting read but my mind did at times tend to wander but this maybe more down to this reviewer than to the text.

Overall, this is quite an amazing book that fills quite a detailed interest in the time and world that it is placed. As this is based on historical fact, Hitchcock did lovingly bring this to the page and accomplished something quite unique. Although this book will not be for everyone, the audience it does find will love this and cherish every written word. As stated, Edyth is a truly remarkable woman and one that finds strength in adversity and shining light in the injustice of women of the 1880’s. A winning combination. Four Stars.

This book was quite a ride, knowing it was based on some truth made it that much more intense for me! Basically a girl is kidnapped and admitted to an insane asylum by order of her uncle, who only has eyes for his niece's inheritance. He goes to crazy lengths to stage "her" death on the outside while she's stuck in this mad house (that really existed, you guys!) under a false identity. It's up to her and an undercover journalist (the great Nellie Bly! Wooohooo!!!) who is also a "patient" at this time to convince doctors of her plight before she's taken to the Gray Chamber and basically given a lobotomy/wiped of all her memories. The clock is ticking and I really think you guys should check it out. Id recommend it, yeah.

Thanks netgalley for giving me the opportunity to view the advanced PDF so that I can share my opinions with y'all

The Gray Chamber is the newest book in the True Colors series. I have really enjoyed this series. Each book is based on a true historical crime. This book tells of 1800s New York where a mental hospital was located on Blackwell's Island. Women were often falsely admitted to this hospital and were treated terribly. Journalist, Nellie Bly, went undercover as a patient and discovered the truth of this corrupt place. She was responsible for saving many women from unimaginable terror. Grace Hitchcock has added fictional characters and changed a few details, but the framework of this story is shockingly true. Grace weaves a tale about feisty Edyth Foster who is imprisoned on Blackwell's Island against her will. Her uncle has her committed to gain access to her inheritance. Edyth will not go down without a fight and her lifetime friend and love interest, Bane, will stop at nothing to save her.

This book is so well written and I have been very pleased with this author after reading this book as well as The White City. I loved reading Edyth's story and I thought the character development was excellent. The characters are instantly interesting and likeable. I look forward to reading the next book in this series! I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

I was given this book by Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Edyth is a 24 year old young woman, unmarried, orphaned as a teenager, and considered to be eccentric. She loves riding her velocipede, fencing, and her fencing master (although he is unaware). Her uncle is her guardian until either her 25th birthday or she is married, whichever comes first. At such time, her trust that was left by her parents, will be turned over to her.

Her Uncle Boris is married with a stepdaughter, Lavinia. When she comes to stay with them, they throw a party in her honor. Bane (Edyth's fencing master) takes an interest in Lavinia. That is until he sees how she has helped Edyth to transform. When Edyth doesn't show for her usual meeting with him, Bane starts to look for her.

Boris has supposedly found a loophole in Edyth's parents' will. If she were to perish or be diagnosed as mentally ill, her trust would fall back to him as her only living relative. He pays doctors at Blackwell's Island, a lunatic's asylum for women, to diagnose Edyth as mentally ill. She is kidnapped and taken to the asylum, registered under a false name, and told that no one will ever find her. Meanwhile, he pays an actress to play the part of Edyth in New Orleans, where she supposedly dies after falling from a steamboat. An article is written and appears on the front page of the newspaper. Bane is shown the article and, thankfully, refuses to believe that she has died. He hires a Pinkerton detective to find her.

Will Bane get to Edyth before she is taken to the Gray Chamber, wiped of her memories, and changed forever?

The characters in The Gray Chamber are so well developed that it is easy to picture every scene happening right in front of you. Sadly, in the 1800s (the era in which this story takes place) it was not uncommon for women to be admitted into asylums for eccentricities, depression, and other characteristics and/or illnesses that we wouldn't blink at today. These things still have a certain stigma, however, we've came along way in treatment. The abuses that were suffered in these asylums were horrific. Those issues are also brought to attention in this story. The fact that it was historically accurate made this very realistic.

I am very thankful to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. It is one that I would definitely purchase and have already recommended to friends.

The authors name is appropriate for this novel. This is a romantic, historical, detective, and definitely horror story all rolled into one. This is one of those books that if it was a movie, you would be yelling at the screen. Don’t believe him, or shush, keep quiet and dude follow your instincts. And in certain scenes you’d want to keep yours eyes shut, but you look anyway, because you know that part of the horror was historically true. That’s how I was reading this book. I wish to thank #netgalley for giving me an advanced ebook copy-so I could recommend (or not) this book to you.

This is a historical romance about American crimes that were committed in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Hitchcock has based her fiction on strange but true crimes committed in 1887. This one deals with an insane asylum on Blackwell Island in New York. Thus it insured that none could escape as the only way was a ferry to ride and of course they couldn’t do that. There was a lighthouse with a beacon if they attempted to swim…..The story deals with a young heiress who is in the care of her uncle until her 25th birthday, which is only a few months away. Through devious means and much money he successfully has her committed to the asylum with the promise of the doctors that they can do a treatment that will erase her memory forever, thus insuring that she will always be held there. Hitchcock has done much research about the asylum on Blackwell island and has written a most interesting novel with very believable characters. There is danger, intrigue and a delightful romance also to warm the heart. She describes the horrid conditions and abuse these poor souls faced daily with no hope of ever leaving. You will not want to put this book down. ……. I received a complimentary copy of this book free from Barbour Publishing, Inc., and was under no obligation to write a review.

Ms. Hitchcock shines a light on a part of history that absolutely appalls me every time I read about it. In an unfortunate and enlightening tale that looks at how women were considered no more than a disposable possession, the author tackles the disgusting conditions of historical lunatic asylums and how money could pave the way for anyone to be incarcerated for their eccentricities, non-conformity, or for being considered problematic. The inclusion of undercover reporter Nelly Bly in the plot was an added bonus. I quite enjoy the True Colors: Historical Stories of American Crime series and enjoy them even more for illuminating strange but true fact-based history in a well-developed fictional work. Enjoyable, yet atrocious - not in how it's written, but in the topics dissected. Thankfully, each fictional encounter results in a happy ending that often wasn't the case in the actual events, and The Grey Chamber was no different. Well done, well rounded historical true-crime fiction.

I was provided with a complimentary copy of this title. All opinions are my own.

I could not put this book down. I felt like I was right there with Edyth and Bane, cheering them on, gashing when things went wrong and urging them to figure everything out. I am very excited to read the rest of the books in the True Colors series and I will be keeping an eye out for more books by Grace Hitchcock!

Thanks to Net Galley for providing the digital ARC for this book. I love books like this. Great read!

A chilling look at how far greed can blind and drive selfish, depraved, loved-ones. I loved Edyth’s free spirit and eccentricities as she lives her life to the fullest. Edyth knows she is different than others and she has embraced this fact, until she decides to accept the help of her cousin to help win the heart of her dear friend, Bane. As she draws near to her birthday, where she is set to receive the fullness of her inheritance, her eccentricities are exploited and used against her to trap her in her uncle’s nefarious plan: disappearance and admittance to Blackwell’s Island.
Edyth is determined to escape and Bane is just as determined to find his missing friend. This story captivated my attention and refused to be put down until finished. There were some twists that surprised me and kept me hooked all the way through. I thoroughly enjoyed this next installment in the True Colors series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and all expressed opinions are solely my own.

This story is one that will stay with you for many years. The details are very terrifying at times and it brought me to tears. I can’t begin to imagine the horror these women faced every day in a place that abused patients and caused deaths that were painful and inhumane.

Edyth is a wonderful character who does things other women disapprove of. I loved learning about fencing and how there were women who were gifted in this area. Greed is the main theme in this book as Edyth falls victim to her Uncles’ treacherous scheme to put her away and steal her fortune.

There is one character that I absolutely loved in the book. Bane is a brilliant fence instructor who happens to take a shining to Edyth. His love for Edyth is evident as he never gives up trying to find her. Yes to me he is a knight in shining armor. It was intriguing to read how their relationship developed. Bane knows something is wrong when Edyth doesn’t show up to meet him one day. Edyth’s Uncle is callous and makes up lies as to where Edyth is. While Bane searches for her , Edyth ,is locked away in an asylum under false pretenses. The description of The Gray Chamber is unnerving and I had a hard time reading about it. The author does an amazing job of vividly recounting what went on at the asylum and I was very interested in reading about an undercover journalist in the midst of patients.

The story is based on a true crime with fictional liberties that enhance the story. Once I started reading the book, I couldn’t put it down. I had to find out if Bane would save Edyth before it was too late. The thought of Edyth never being rescued had my heart pumping. After reading this book I will be exploring more about this asylum and the treatment that women were forced to endure. The faith element is good in the story and gives hope to Edyth. Even though this is just the beginning of the new year, this book will be placed on my list for favorite 2020 books .

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

This is such a well researched story and true,there was really a place like this! Thankfully we didn't live back in this time they could put you away just on a word! This woman endure so much heartache torture that was not called for! You have so many emotions going on in this book her life and you feel like you are right there with her! Very well in the description of the people ,places and emotions! Have tissues ready you will need them I never heard of this place but there has been more places like this that people want to admit and the treatment of human beings!! Hopefully we have learned and will be no more!The romance,the crime you tell me!!

Edyth is a quirky, orphaned socialite in New York during the late 1800s. She lives in her ancestral home with her Uncle Boris who has recently remarried. She’s as sane as they come, if not a little different. Edyth wears garish clothing and fences for fun.

Suddenly Edyth finds herself being scrutinized by a group of doctors hired by her uncle and new aunt. They don’t approve of her activities, nor her desire to stay single in a world where women are supposed to marry by twenty-five. Though she is warned about what is happening, she refuses to believe that her uncle could be so devious. Until the worst happens and she finds herself institutionalized.

This was the first of the True Colors series that I’ve read, but I enjoyed it immensely. Fiction based on actual historical events, Blackwell Island was a real mental institution that catered to putting women away for absolutely the vaguest of reasons. With the investigative journalism of one brave Nellie Bly, the horrors came to light. While Edyth’s story is fictionalized, these events really did occur.

Hitchcock has written a fabulous fictional account of these events. Her ability to make Edyth and her world very real led me to believe that this might have been a real accounting of a woman. I was completely wrapped up in this story from the start and could not put it down. I would look forward to reading another of these books.

4 stars


This review will be posted at BookwormishMe.com on 6 January 2020 .

What a chilling account of how things were for women during the 1800's! I was amazed and astonished to learn so many things about women's' rights (or lack thereof). While this book is a fictionalized account of Edyth Foster, it contains true aspects of how life was for women. There is also the storyline of Nellie Bly, a real-life journalist who managed to get herself committed to an insane asylum in order to uncover how women were being abused. I absolutely couldn't put this book down.

I'll definitely be looking for another book in this series True Colors: Historical Stories of American Crime

This story is full of page-turning suspense. I fairly inhaled this story as I couldn’t put it down and didn’t want to look away! There were several twists and turns I wasn’t expecting and that really made for an exciting story.

Right from the beginning, I was pulled into the story and felt like I was right there walking through the events hand-in-hand with Edyth. I was part of the story, every high and low. I often found myself holding my breath and trying to not skip lines to see what would unfold next.

If you enjoy suspenseful stories that keep you glued to the book as you live it with the characters, then do yourself a favor and snag a copy of this book!

Note: Each of the books in the True Colors Collection is a stand-alone story.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I am not required to write a positive review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.)

A chilling fictional account based on true happenings at the Blackwell Lunatic Asylum in NYC back in the late 1800's. Women were forcibly committed for any reason, and not expected to ever leave.

Edyth Foster, a woman of 24, was under the guardianship of her uncle after her parents died in an accident. She was a likable, unconventional young woman who rode her bicycle around town, wore different clothing, and took fencing lessons from Raoul Banebridge, whom she fell in love with.

Her uncle, wishing to collect her large inheritance before she turned 25, had her committed to the asylum. Conditions were so deplorable, it was hard to read knowing that these things really happened back then! The scenes of the mistreatment were real, having been documented by Nellie Bly who went undercover as a patient for 10 days there and wrote about it.

Edyth's faith was displayed in her prayers and reading Bible verses while an inmate. I hesitate to call this Christian fiction, as so little was mentioned until much later in the book, but it was an excellent read. You will be glued to the pages! It is quite dark, suspenseful, and it does have a bit of romance.

I could not put this book down and finished it in one day! (less)

The Gray Chamber by Grace Hitchcock is part of the True Colors series, a series of historical true crime novels. Edyth is an independent young woman, living free of societal constraints. But a relative is after her money and she finds herself in an isolated asylum with undercover reporter Nellie Bly. Based on Nellie's true story, this novel brings the story to life. I love Edyth's character and the way the author used her story as well. I highly recommend it. I received a digital copy of this book from the author with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.