I love asylums and gothic settings in the past. Female serial killers are rare in real life and in books! Sign me up! This is an excellent read and completely unique to anything I’ve read in a long time!

The Savage Instinct by M.M. DeLuca
Publication Date: March 16, 2021

England, 1873. Clara Blackstone has just been released after one year in an abusive asylum after having a breakdown due to the loss of her child during birth. The story goes into detail the atrocities she endured during her treatment and Clara is often pulled back there as her thoughts drift. Hoping to find comfort with her husband as she returns home she finds he has changed. He locks her in her room, forces her to injest a sleeping tincture and refuses to let her enjoy her favorite pastimes of painting and writing claiming they will drain her of the energy she needs to heal. Her husband Henry becomes increasingly volatile and intolerable as Clara tries to plan an escape.

Meanwhile, her only approved excursion to focus on the pursuit of charity, Clara visits a women's prison to offer company and God's word to the inmates. One in particular, Mary Ann Cotton (a real person) who has been accused of murdering 3 husband's and multiple children by poison. Clara and Mary Ann form an unlikely friendship. The author shows how gossip and rumors had played a huge role in Cotton's conviction.

The story focuses on a woman's place in Victorian times where marriage itself was a type of prison. Women must bend to their husbands, give up any interests for the benefit of his interests. Care for the home, bear children and keep quiet. Our girl Clara realizes this is not what she wants and she bravely faces against Henry and his colleagues even with the threat of returning to the asylum looming over her.

Overall, a dark historical mystery based on true events of the trial of Mary Ann Cotton, poisoner. Told from the point of view of Clara who was trying to escape a prison of her own. Well researched and well written intense read will have you glued until the last page!

Everybody Contemplates Murder At Some Time In Their Life!

We meet Clara Blackstone at the start of this book when she’s on her way to her grandmother in India who’s dying. Then, the story looks in a flashback to the events in the last 6 months that brought her here. After she suffered a breakdown following a stillbirth her husband locked her up in an asylum, first in the infamous Bedlam and later in a ‘modern’ private one. There, an enlightened doctor released her, much to her husband’s displeasure. He wants a meek and obedient wife that makes his will her own. In Durham she meets her husband’s new friends, the Buckley’s. The wife, Emma gets Clara interested in visiting female prisoners. She befriends the infamous child- and husband-killer Mary Ann Cotton and even becomes obsessed with her. It is a strange and unbalanced friendship where it’s questionable who’s helping and influencing who. In the same period, husband Henry makes it very clear that he wants to get rid of her and lock her up indefinitely.



This is a haunting, chilling and even disturbing story. And, apart from the (not all that) happy ending, all too realistic! So many women were locked up for such devious reasons as that their husbands or fathers were displeased with them. It is simply heart-breaking to know what our foremothers have endured and suffered.

Obviously, there are outdated opinions and social conventions mentioned that are simply infuriating and beyond belief. And we think that our men are paternalistic? Think again! Some of the opinions here are worse than an incel website, and those are gross! Wel, now I know where they originate! I pity every woman of that era. The false picture we get from TV series as ' the Murdock mysteries’ of clever, strong, articulate and even powerful women is so wrong! I’ m a big fan of that series, regardless.

From the first time that I met Henry, I disliked him for being condescending and belittling. Unfortunately, that was but the start of his disgusting antics. He turns out to be the real creep, his friend and tutor Buckley is just as bad. Even at that time, I can’t belief that his behaviour was considered appropriate or he would not try to hide it behind doctor talk and pseudo-science.

This book is very well researched and at the end there is a list of reading material for those who are interested in knowing more about Mary Ann and the evolution of psychiatric treatment in the last 150 years.

The descriptions are very vivid and not for the fainthearted; the inhuman treatment of patients (with or without disorders), the very scene of the hanging and the mindboggling outdated theories are all described very detailed.

I cannot decide whether Mrs. Cotton was guilty or not. Maybe for some of the crimes, but not for all of them. There was a lot of infant mortality at the period and many, if not most, children never reached the age of 5. Even in the 1960’s people still died from arsenic and lead poisoning brought on by wallpaper and lead piping. So, I agree with the author that she did not get a fair trial and was convicted by the media before her trial even started.

The friendship between both women can only exist because Clara feels a connection with her because of her own bad experiences in the asylum. When comparing prison and asylum in this story, I’s choose prison because there you’re released eventually (well most are) while those in an asylum where simply forgotten. There is a big class division between the 2 women and most often it is Mary Ann that gives the better advice. Most of her opinions are more like those we now support. What doesn’t mean that I can agree with murdering children, not even with murdering a bad husband. Although I can understand the murder of some of the latter, it is not for an individual to decide who can live and who not. But if you’re a captive, is it tolerated to kill your jailer?

This is as much a social study of the period as a criticism and I’m certain that the author does not support the nasty onions he writes about.

I received a free ARC from Netgalley and Inkshares and this is my honest, unbiased review of it.

Did you know that in the Victorian era women had absolutely no rights? Whenever men had a problem with women, they claimed they had hysteria and locked them up in asylums. Women were considered weak, temperamental and easily triggered. They were expected to be docile and homely. Once they were married, they relinquished their body, mind and money to their husband. If they wanted to get a divorce, they needed substantial proof that their husband was physical being cruel to them. Whereas, it was so easy for the husband to get a divorce.

One such woman stuck in a really bad marraige is the main character of this story. Clara gives birth to a still born child and the nurse just throws her child into a bin without letting her hold the baby. She loses herself and ends up injuring the nurse. She is subsequently sent off to live in an asylum for the next year. She goes through unspeakable horrors in the name of treatment. Until one new kind doctor releases her.

She comes back and her husband Henry is not the same. She senses a change in him. She also starts visiting the women' s prison to guide their Christian souls and repent for their sins. Here, she meets one of the most notorious women serial killers of England, Mary Ann Cotton. They both form a weird bond and she learns that in this world women have no power unless they take charge. Will she succumb to her husband's tortures? Or will she find a way out? Read to find out!

I found the book very interesting but i was not a fan of the writing style. It was too descriptive and lengthy. There were too many unnecessary paragraphs. I would definitely recommend the book to thriller and women's fiction lovers.

Clara Blackstone comes home one year in a private asylum for the insane. Clara has two goals: to reunite with her husband, Henry, and to not return to the asylum. As she enters Durham, Clara finds her carriage surrounded by a mob gathered to witness the imprisonment of Mary Ann Cotton England’s first female serial killer. In this great mystery and thriller book. It was a book I couldn’t put down.

I'm not usually into historical fiction. But this book caught my attention. Being about a serial killer yes please. Was a great written book and had me wanting to pick it up. The writing was superb. Great overall book.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release if this book.

If you're into domestic suspense and historical fiction, then The Savage Instinct by Marjorie DeLuca should be your next read! (Readers should be aware that the novel has themes involving miscarriage, stillbirth, and violence against the incapacitated.) Set in Victorian England, the story follows Clara, a young wife who is released from an asylum for experiencing a violent display of emotion after delivering a stillborn baby. Her husband is more concerned with Clara's inheritance than her well-being and having her committed is the easiest solution to his money woes. Clara has to tread carefully as her husband and his companions plot and scheme to have her declared insane and locked away forever.

One of Clara's hobbies is to read scriptures to women at the local prison. She is especially attached to Mary Ann Cotton, a real historical person who has been hailed as England's first female serial killer. Mary Ann is being tried for the murders of her husbands and many children via arsenic poisoning. Mary Ann's impending trial and sentencing are the backdrop for the tumultuous events in Clara's life. The novel has a slow build and there's plenty of infuriating "man talk" about how fragile and pathetic the female sex is, but there is plenty of suspense at the end to make this a worthwhile read. The ironic ending was unexpected. I'm interested to learn a bit more about the real Mary Ann Cotton after reading this book. I think fans of suspenseful historical fiction will enjoy this one!

*Thanks to the author, Inkshares, and Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A journey into the dark and desperate mind of a woman with nothing left to lose.

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
DeLuca’s writing is poetic and captivating. I was pulled into this story from the beginning. I enjoyed the parallels and differences between the two women and their struggles. I loved the dark depths the author crawled into to properly portray this tale. This book dives deep into the troubled and desperate minds of women left with little to no options or resources.

It was truly appalling how little rights women had. They were not even permitted to have their own thoughts and opinions. DeLuca intimately captures the struggle and hopelessness Clara felt with absolutely nowhere to turn to escape his cruelty.

This book has made me really appreciate how far the world has come with women’s rights, although I know there is still quite a distance to cover. It has opened my mind to just how strong and resilient women had to be just to survive in a world like that. This is a haunting and dark tale that will not appeal to everyone but if you like to explore the darker sides of human nature then this book is for you!

It's 1873 in England and Clara Blackstone has just been released from an insane asylum into the care of her husband Henry. At the same time, the world is abuzz with the infamous Mary Ann Cotton who is supposedly a serial killer which Cotton denies but is nevertheless imprisoned.

Clara is encouraged to spend her time doing charitable deeds with the vicar's wife and finds herself drawn to Mary Ann Cotton and her story. They form a friendship in which each confides in the other. Despite being from different classes, these two women find they have quite a lot in common and that Clara is just as much imprisoned in her marriage as Mary Ann is.

For the most part I really enjoyed this novel but found the ending quite disappointing which always seems to cast a cloud over the whole book for me which is probably not fair to the writer. Bounds of credibility were stretched a little too far for my sensibilities.

Based on the real-life story of Victorian England's serial killer, Mary Ann Cotton, this book drips with chilling atmosphere, agonizing turmoil and utter despair. The dark intensity is so sharp, so close and so stifling that I FELT it. My goodness, the descriptions, the detail, the goosebumps...talk about mind blowing.

Clara Blackstone and her husband, though fictional characters, seem every bit as realistic as the true story. Henry had committed his wife to two insane asylums for a year as an emotionally unstable female for nefarious reasons. After dire humiliation, mental and physical torture, a doctor finally suggests she is better off at home. What Clara has seen and lived is unspeakable. She is desperate to escape but goes from one prison to another. Henry's insidious treachery and Clara's resultant hopelessness were infuriating! Interestingly, for something to do Clara begins to visit Mary Ann Cotton in prison which results in all sorts of consequences.

The author winds evil thread through evil thread, layer after layer as the story grows and festers. Ignoring dinner, I just couldn't put the book down. It was THAT arresting. I really like stories based on real characters and events with historical fictional twists...when done well, they are extraordinary, as this one is!

If you enjoy mental rollercoasters which will make you hold your breath and put you on edge, this book is for you. It's just...wow. Though I had read about Cotton before, this book prompted me to do more recent research into her story.

My sincere thank you to Inkshares and NetGalley for allowing me the privilege to read this mind blowing book. Am I ever glad to have discovered it!

Set in the 1800s, The Savage Instinct follows Clara Blackstone, a recent returnee from an asylum to which she was admitted after giving birth to a stillborn child. She moves to Durham with her husband, Henry, during the imprisonment and trial of Mary Ann Cotton, one of the most well-known female serial killers. The novel discusses Clara’s stifling marriage, Henry’s gaslighting by portraying her grief as a mental illness for his own gains and Clara’s growing cynicism, fuelled by an unlikely friendship with Mary Ann.

There is a heavy sense of unease that pervades the book as Clara gradually becomes disillusioned about her marriage and the asylum system in her conversations with Mary Ann Cotton. It’s a tricky line to tread when you write a fictionalised tale about a real-life serial killer, but the author does a fantastic job in weaving a balanced narrative that sows seeds of doubt regarding Mary Ann’s guilt while also portraying it as a very real possibility in light of the evidence.

The Savage Instinct tackles themes of grief, sexism in mental health practice and emotional abuse in a gripping manner. In fact, I read the whole book in one sitting. The most interesting theme, in my opinion, was the use of mental illness and “hysteria” to suppress women during those times. Henry’s constant gaslighting and abuse is written in a visceral manner and really helps the reader empathise with Clara and the women she represents.

I found Mary Ann’s character very intriguing and enigmatic. She was an amazing foil to Clara and was characterised to give us an insight into what lower-class women faced during the time. Reading the book sent me into a spiral of crime documentaries, and I cannot say that I regret it!

My only criticism would be that Henry, Clara’s husband and his mother fell flat for me. They weren’t characterised quite as deeply as Clara and Mary Ann were; this made them feel one-dimensional and almost caricature-ish. I would have enjoyed a deeper exploration of the mental abuse aspect.

In conclusion, this was quite the interesting read! It deals with very interesting themes and is written beautifully, I had a great time reading it.

RATING: 3.75 / 5 (rounded up to 4 stars)

3 STARS

This is the story of Mary Ann Cotton who is the first British female serial killer in Victorian England in the 1800s.

This book is based on Mary Ann Cotton, who was later convicted of and hanged for, murdering three of her four husband, apparently in order to collect on their insurance policies. It’s assumed that her total number of victims were around 21, as her crimes also included 12 children.

However, in this book, loosely based on Mary Ann Cotton, the horrific character is presented not as the villain of the story. It appears the author wanted to leave it up to the readers to decided so it was strange (to me) how it she presented in the book.

This was dark, tense, and psychological, but overall I enjoyed it.

Fans of historical fiction with dark themes may enjoy this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Inkshares for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This book publishes March 15, 2021.

This book had me hooked from the very beginning! The unlikely friendship between two seemingly quite different women that had in common the unfairness of being a female in a world that viewed them as mere breeding stock.

This was a bit outside the box for me. The synopsis really intrigued me and I’m glad I got to read a copy. I liked the setting, the time period and gloomy feel of the book. I imagined Durham with grey skies, a lot of old, cathedral like buildings, and sinister characters. I couldn’t help but feel everyone had an agenda back then. I wouldn’t have trusted anyone. Clara’s past was devastating to read about. All of the character’s stories from the asylum were. It was most interesting though, the connection that she and Mary Ann Cotton formed. You could almost sympathize with what made her do the evil things she had done- or did she? The sensationalism of her case and the reactions of the people, the hunger with which they seek revenge even if it wasn’t personal, isn’t so different from today, unfortunately. The scheming had me on the edge of my seat and the horrific things that happened in asylums and within marriages back then turned my stomach. Barbaric. This was well written and I would read more from the author. I thank Netgalley and Inkshares publishing for an ARC copy of the book.

Actual rating, 3.5 to 4 stars.

I love historical fiction and true crime, so a book inspired by Mary Ann Cotton immediately caught my interest. I had heard of Mary Ann Cotton but wasn't too familiar with her case. But while Mary Ann is defintiely an important figure in this story the majority of it lies on Clara's shoulders.

Clara is a great protagonist and I really enjoyed reading from her perspective while also getting angrier and angrier with each page. And that had nothing to do with the writing or the story but simply the fact how cruelly and barbaric women were treated during that time.

There are many instances when we learn about women's destinies, not just Clara's and Mary Ann's but those of countless other women, who each represent the countless women who suffered by being labeled hysteric, insane or mad. Still, just thinking about some of the scenes described in the book makes me angry and axious.

There were very few male characters in this book that I liked, most of them I've come to completely despise, which just shows how common this misogynistic worldview was during that time, for men and women alike. Since we also see a lot of female characters that support it, even if it's unintentionally.

Despite all that, I really enjoyed the book even if it started out a bit slow in the beginning.

Book Review for The Savage Instinct by Marjorie DeLuca
Full review for this title can be found at: @fyebooks on Instagram!

CW: Clara is abused, drugged and raped by her husband. There are some suggestion to and descriptions of self harm and child abuse. There is a very descriptive miscarriage. The ‘treatments’ Clara is subjected to in the asylum can definitely been seen as torture.

I wanted to request less books through Netgalley, but I couldn’t let this one go. And I am so glad I didn’t, because I loved it. So much so that I read its 380 pages in a single sitting.

We follow Clara who after having a stillbirth is put into an asylum by her husband. We start the story a year later when she is released (against her husband’s wishes), and moves to Durham to let the fresh air restore her. At the same time Mary Ann Cotton is admitted to prison awaiting her trial, pregnant. Clara is fascinated by this woman. Why can she not have children, but is Mary Ann blessed with another pregnancy even though she is said to have poisoned her children. Clara joins a charity to visit the women in prison to get closer to Mary Ann. What develops is a strange friendship as they give each other strength to deal with the unfair trail of Mary Ann, and the abusive husband of Clara.

The writing in this book is absolutely stunning. It isn’t overly flowery or poetic, but still beautiful and very capable of painting the picture. It completely sucks you in and makes you feel all the feels. The way the ending has been interwoven into the story in the form of interludes is done very cleverly. We know how it is going to end, yet don’t know why. In this way the author has managed to keep the intrigue going to the very last page, yet also still manages to put in a surprising and very satisfying twist. Yes, I did finish this book at 3 in the morning…

You form a very strong connection to Clara early on in the book. I definitely felt her frustration, loneliness and desperation. I wanted to kill her husband myself, or at least give him a good kick in the nuts. He is such a despicable person, yet far from alone in his views. He genuinely believed that what he did was his right as a man, and society keeps confirming this for him. It is saddening that this book reads like a thriller, yet these things did happen.

Mary Ann isn’t the villain we think she will be at the start of the book. She does stay an intimidating person that keeps you slightly uncomfortable, but the author does also show other sides of her, and her past, making the reader at least understand some of her motivation. It is left to the reader to decide for themselves if she was guilty or not, so be aware of that if that is something you find annoying.

So yeah, I loved this book. It gives a nice commentary on what ‘evil’ is, whilst dragging you into an utterly compelling story that makes you feel all the feels. Highly recommend!

YES. What an excellent story to base a historical fiction on - as someone who just binged Bridgerton, I was frequently shocked by how much women had to put up with during the 1800s. Honestly, I'm surprised there weren't more female serial killers (I know, I know, socialization and gender roles, but still). Anyways, both Clara and Mary Ann are fascinating, compelling figures, and are very much so the product of their time. This book was hard for me to put down and I'd highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys strong women leads and historical fiction.

This novel melds the best of historical fiction with the insight and pacing of top-tier psychological thrillers. Intriguing characters, The exploration of Victorian understandings of "mental health" and the inhumane treatment of institutionalized women is fascinating and resonates to this day. Novels about abuse often can tip heavily into what I think of as misery porn, and this novel avoids that pitfall deftly. It doesn't pull punches about the severity of what the women are enduring, but it doesn't wallow in it either.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy provided in exchange for an unbiased review.

I was prepared to really love this book, especially when I saw it compared favorably to Margaret Atwood's Alias Grace. Unfortunately, it fell somewhat flat for me. The characters of the husband and mother-in-law were just too cartoonishly evil and lacked depth. Also, the theme of genteel middle-class ladies imprisoned by marriage is a little stale. I appreciate the historical basis of these stories, but here it was presented very one-dimensionally and not much new was added to the portrayal. The final twist was not all that suprising, but it was one of the books more original moments. I did like the author's writing style. The pacing was good, and overall the plot works. 2.5 stars -- somewhere between "It was okay" and "I liked it."