In 1887, New York City's glamorous social scene boasted many wealthy families. Unconventional heiress Edyth Foster, avid fencer and flouter of social norms, lived a sheltered, pampered life. Secretly in love with her fencing instructor, Edyth was ecstatic when he declared his love for her as well. Unaware of the sinister plot to strip her of her fortune, Edyth blissfully plans a future with her beloved Raoul. As the plot unfolds, Edyth is abducted and sent to a mental institution on notorious Blackwell's Island. Will Raoul find her in time to save her life? Filled with interesting period details and historical facts, this suspenseful work of historical fiction will keep readers turning the pages. This book would be a worthy addition to any historical fiction collection, especially for those interested in the history of mental institutions in the United States.

This is another in the True Colors True Crime series that kept me on the edge of my seat. An evil, overbearing uncle forces Edyth into a mental institution after he and his “charming” wife find a loophole in Edyth’s father’s will, whereby they can inherit his wealth if she is labeled mentally incompetent. So the formally free-willing, lovable Edyth is swept into horrific conditions. Edyth endures inhumane treatment, meant to break her, but remains strong throughout. The author has again done considerable research into the Blackwell Island Insane institution; it’s scary that women could be forced on that island for practically any reason.

I found the book to be very interesting, although disturbing.

I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley and was under no obligation to write a positive review, all opinions are my own.

The plot of the story was good. I had recently read about who Nellie Bly was, and the fact this was a historical fiction story which included her made me want to read it. I've always been drawn to stories about sane people being locked in insane asylums against their will. I enjoyed the beginning and middle parts of the story about the heroine's life and then when she was locked n the asylum. However, the ending was way too mushy for my liking. Do boyfriends and girlfriends and, husbands and wives actually talk to one another that way? I can't imagine that they actually talked to each other that way in the past, either. For that reason I gave it four stars instead of five.

I loved this book!! Great story!! 1st book I have read by this author!! Received this book from barbour publishing from netgally!!

I enjoyed reading this book—but I did not like the content of it. Who would? This is another book that shows the depravity of man. I couldn't believe an uncle who would lie and scheme and condemn his niece, whom he had raised, to such a horrible place and cruel treatment—to get her money. It shows what the love of money does, though. I also did not appreciate the fighting that happened in the story, but it was understandable. This was a well-written story that drew me in and kept me reading, and I did like the ending. It was also very interesting to learn more about the insane asylum and Nellie Bly's undercover investigation.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

The Gray Chamber is Grace Hitchcock's second contribution to Barbour Publishing's True Colors series. The fictional novels are based on true crimes in America's history. The Gray Chamber is based on the atrocities that took place in New York's Asylum for Women on Blackwell's Island. Nellie Bly's articles published first in the New York World's newspaper, and then in the book Ten Days in a Mad-House, were an integral part of Hitchcock's research.

Edyth Foster, a fictional character, was wrongly committed to the asylum on Blackwell's Island. Her eccentricities made passing her off as mad much easier. Will the perseverance of her long-time friend Raoul Banebridge be enough to gain Edyth her freedom? Readers will enjoy the thrill of the rise and fall of emotions as they follow Edyth's travail.

I am grateful to have received a copy of The Gray Chamber from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation. It is a five star read that I am happy to recommend.

I have really enjoyed the True Crime series and The Gray Chamber is a great addition! This story kept my rapt attention and I could not wait to read what was going to happen. I enjoyed the relationship between the hero and heroine. Their friendship turned romance was sweet and fun! I also enjoyed learning more about women's asylum's throughout the context of the storyline.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. A positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.

Before there were patient's rights laws, asylums could be used to warehouse anyone who didn't fit into society's definition of normal. Once admitted, commitment could be a life sentence with no chance for release. This is a true crime book. The Gray Chamber revolves around an heiress who is committed by her uncle so he can maintain control of her inheritance. A man of money and power, his word is enough to lock her up with no end to her commitment. Grace Hitchcock's descriptions of life in an asylum are so vivid you can see them. She tells the story in such detail, you can almost call this a biography. A really good read. I've read all of the titles in this series and so far this is the best.

I received this advanced copy of The Gray Chamber from Grace and also Netgalley so thank you.
I was worried on reading this one because I am not a big historical book fan and it was based on the time of the 1800's but you couldnt even tell it was based off in that time frame. Also it is about asylums and I love those types of books with that and this book had it written all over it.

Edyth Foster's parents died sometime ago and is left in the care of her Uncle Boris until she turns 25. He wants her fortune and puts her into a woman's lunatic asylum saying she has gone mad just a few weeks before her birthday. She has no idea how she is going to escape. Will her true love find her? She also meets another girl in the asylum who just wants to get out as much as her. Will they find a way out or will they be stuck forever?

This was my first book by Grace and it was a good one. Thank you again for the advance copies. Out 1/01/2020! Today!

This was a great read, but it did give me nightmares, and mainly because it is based on fact. This horrible place really existed, and was used to actually destroy people, sick and sad.
There are smiles to be found when we follow our daring Ms. Edyth as she goes about NY City, doing what we take for granted, but back in the late 1880’s was considered unladylike.
Then we have her Uncle, yes, he is her guardian, at least for a few more weeks, she will then be 25, and able to assume control over her fortune. She also seems to finally gotten the attention of the man she loves, but can it ever be?
What we have here, plain and simple greed, and how they go about stealing the money, is just plain horrible.
Make sure you read the author’s notes at the end of this book, sad but true!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Barbour. and was not required to give a positive review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The romance was done well, albeit a little quickly. The storyline was fascinating and frightening. Based on true history it was shockingly easy to have women committed even though they weren't truly mad. Not to mention that women weren't really allowed to be independent even if they were wealthy. Ms. Hitchcock did a brilliant job bringing the history to life and giving us really good characters. She also made them sympathetic without making them weak. All in all, a very good read.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher and voluntarily chose to review it.

This was another great addition to the True Colors series. Although Edyth was a fictional character, her story was based on real events and the unfortunate untold stories of many. With raw emotion and gut wrenching circumstances, this is a read I won't soon be forgetting.

While the name Nellie Bly is often associated with the exposing of the horrors that happened behind the walls of insane asylums, I actually liked to see that she was more of a supporting character in this instead of the leading role. It breathed life into some of the people she would have encountered and gave them their own story.

The further I got into this read the more my blood boiled over Edyth's predicament. What was more infuriating was knowing that what she went through was just a glimpse at what others truly experienced. My heart desperately sought for justice to be served and it kept the pages turning rapidly until I had finished the entire book.

This was such an easy read to get sucked into and it's one that I highly recommend. I know that this is one that's going to stay with me and I look forward to reading more from the series in the future.

*I received a copy of this book through CelebrateLit. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.

What a fascinating read!
This novel is an insight into the inhumane conditions of the asylum on Blackwell’s Island, NY in the late 1800’s. It was a hospital meant for patients to live out their lives who were either deemed “insane” or were just an “inconvenience” to be taken care of. Of those considered an inconvenience, some were in complete control of all of their faculties.
The fictional tale weaves a story with real life journalist, Nellie Bly. Nellie spent ten days inside the asylum undercover as a patient. What she discovered turned into a series of articles for the New World paper and eventually a non-fiction book based on her experience.
So while Nellie is real, much of the details provided in the novel about the conditions, treatments for patients and the facility itself are taken from Nellie’s first-hand account. I am floored and appalled at what these women went through and how cruel humanity can be to one another.
The fictional part of the story follows an heiress who is betrayed by a close family member in his quest to seize her sizeable inheritance. She has her quirks which make it easy to convince others she needs to be committed. What the family member didn’t count on is true love fighting for the one he loves.
I tended to be more interested in the facts of Blackwell Island while reading than the actual fictional romance and storyline going on. I wasn’t drawn to the heroine, but I couldn’t help but admire and respect the hero in the story. At one point I wanted to yell at the heroine for not hightailing it out of her house (but she did realize that was a foolish decision at the end of the novel). Of course there’s lots of drama, betrayals and back-stabbing for selfish gain by secondary characters which puts an interesting spin on the outcome of the story.
As in all romance novels, true love wins.
I received an ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

OVERALL - I loved this book.
This was my favorite book of the year by far. This book was excellent, a real page-turner. This book was fast-paced, engaging, sweetly romantic, and suspenseful. This book forced me to feel the characters' emotions.

Highly recommended to historical romantic suspense Christian fiction readers.

She lifted her lips to him. His brows shot up and he grinned, that tantalizing dimple appearing in his cheek. " What's this ? I suppose you're asking for a kiss ?"
" That would be most agreeable ,sir. "

Quote from The Gray Chamber by Grace Hitchcock.


I have been really enjoying this True Colors series Barbour has put out. It's a fictional crime series based on true historical crimes.
The majority of the story takes place on Blackwell Island, New York in an asylum built to prevent it's patients from ever leaving.
The lack of knowledge people had during the 1800's concerning treatment of mental illnesses is sad to see. People were kidnapped and put into asylums with no chance of release for normal human behavior like depression after having a baby. Mental illness has better treatment today but still misunderstood.
The plot really flowed, grabbing my attention with the suspense and the slow burning romance.
The writing style is well thought out and you will be cheering for our very relatable heroine, Edyth .
Highly recommend this book!

Pub Date 01 Jan 2020
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you!
All opinions expressed are my own.

Reminding me of the old Alfred Hitchcock or Twilight Zone TV shows, this is definitely a suspense filled novel that leaves you with chills. Edyth Foster is a quirky young woman. She loves riding her velocipede (think old fashioned spider bike - big wheel in front little wheel at the back) and is a accomplished woman fencer! Her best friend is Raoul Banebridge, her fencing instructor. Edythe is a extremely wealthy orphan who has been raised by her uncle who has now married a lady who has no use for Edythe except for her money. Her uncle uses her eccentricities to have her committed to the New York City Insane Asylum on Blackwell's Island.

Hitchock has obviously done extensive research on this mental institution as well as delving into the famous Nelly Bly's report on the 10 days she spent there undercover. This book is not for the faint of heart as it vividly describes the daily lives of the women assigned there and the absolutely horrid treatment they are given, but it is not the focus of the story. The focus is the continuing efforts of her friend "Bane" who is trying to locate the woman with whom he realizes he has fallen in love. The only thing that keeps Edyth sane is the growth of her faith during all of the tragedies that face her.

Based on true stories, this book is one that makes you realize that the idea of a "throw away" society can be traced back many years.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Books through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

The Horror of Being Committed to a Mad House in 1887

Edyth Foster was a lively young woman who preferred fencing and riding her velocipede to more feminine pursuits. She felt she was protected and able to indulge her choices because at twenty-five she was to inherit the large fortune bequeathed to her by her deceased parents. Unfortunately for Edyth, her uncle, who until her twenty-fifth birthday controlled her fortune, recently married. His new wife, loathe to give up the life afforded by Edyth’s money, finds a loophole in the will that allows the uncle to retain the fortune if Edyth is found insane and committed.

In 1887, some doctors were willing to certify a patient insane for money. This allowed husbands and other relatives to rid themselves of inconvenient female relatives. Edyth is committed to Blackwell Island an asylum on the East River between Manhattan and Queens. There Edyth meets Nellie Blye who is undercover doing a story for Pulitzer.

The description of conditions in the asylum is chilling. It’s even more so when you realize that women were actually subjected to these conditions. I thought the author did an excellent job showing the horrors of Blackwell Island. The scenes are based on the book written by Nellie Blye, Ten Days in a Mad-House.

The story is historically accurate, thrilling, and there’s even a delightful romance. If you enjoy historical mysteries, this is a good one.

I received this book from Barbour Books for this review.

I think I was expecting more out of this story than what was actually there. The cover looked very interesting to me, but it took a while for the action to happen. I was expecting more suspense/thrills/chills, etc., and I think that if I had known it was Christian fiction I wouldn't have picked it up. Everything is usually resolved pretty neatly in Christian fiction, which irritates me, because real life is not like that, and that was true with this story - a very sugary-sweet, almost too perfect ending. I suppose if you wanted something simple, Christian historical fiction, you would probably like this book. For me it was just "alright," nothing stellar. Thankfully it was a quick read.

I received an ARC of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. All opinions and thoughts expressed are my own.
This was a super historical, romance story. It is part of series, but I have not read any of the other books. However that is not a problem. This story stands well on its own. Edyth is an excellent leading lady, and shows a great deal of spunk and attitude. She is very relatable too, and you are quickly cheering for. The writing style is well done and the storyline is thought out well. I am looking forward to reading more in this series.

I think this was the best book I read all year. Full of suspense, drama and love. Completely clean and Christian based. Even though this book is fictional and the characters are fictional it is based on true historical facts and stories that did take place in the late 1800's. I love these types of books. It truly pained me to put the book down. I am sad it's over.