The Madness was a modern retelling/reimagining of Dracula. You can the feel of the original story but this one has a twist and is a bit darker, which I liked. It was like gothic horror vibes with psychological elements. I like when they include audio recording snippets, patient info, etc., that kind of stuff is intriguing to me. I may be the odd one out and say that this wasn't really my vibe. It was an alright read, I wasn't that hooked though.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a free e-ACR copy, my own thoughts.

A European setting is always an automatic draw for me, I love the culture and the edge it brings to an eery suspenseful story. This one is well crafted and carefully crafter to build suspense in all the right places. The strong female roles in the story help the reader connect and imagine themselves in a world where there are more questions than answers. The mental illness is debilitating at times and the reader feels for the women in the story. This was an excellent read and one that will sit with the reader far after the book is actually complete.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me digital ARC of The Madness. The minute I read the synopsis I knew I had to read this book. Although I have not read Dracula in its entirety (I know SHAME SHAME SHAME) I absolutely adore the film adaptions and gothic vampire novels in general so I knew this retelling/inspired by tale would be right up my dark alley.

(left, left, spiral down, right, right, spiral down, left, left, right, straight).

However, there was a word plaguing me the entire time I was reading—MORE.

I loved all the elements of horror, folklore and paranormal in the story, but I wanted there to be more of them. It felt like the murder mystery and thriller parts of the book made up the bulk of the story until the last act, so by the time they arrived, it made the story a little disjointed for me. I also selfishly would have loved more time with Johnathon and Mina together because I just loved how broody he was! The scene in Pride and Prejudice when it’s raining and Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth are having their intense exchange—that was their vibe to me the entire book and I ate it up!

The second chapter was sensational, the psychiatric tape session bone chilling, and the setting so gritty and furlong—⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️‘s.

A story that starts in full force turned into something I truly wasn’t expecting.

I went into this totally blind so I didn’t know what to expect aside from my assumptions I made from the title and cover. This was incredibly well paced, so utterly compelling and definitely had me on the edge of my seat.

Mina doesn’t let her inability to function at her full capacity to limit her when it comes to caring for her patients. Not even her worst phobias hinder her, which is a huge feat considering the work she does.

When a blast from the past reaches out to Mina, she drops everything to go home to the place she left behind without a single lifeline. Lucy, her childhood best friend needs her help and she finds that Lucy is suffering from some of the same issues that a patient in her current home of London is exhibiting. Strange and alarming, the commonalities are vivid, but how are they so connected being so far apart?

What follows is a terrifying chain of events that bring past and present together, shining light on some dark truths that Mina has always tried so hard to ignore.

This was riveting and super gross, but I loved every minute of it. The end was perfection!

@htpbooks is truly the undisputed champion and prized publisher of my heart! So happy to be part of the @htp_hive and have access to some of THE best books that I’ve ever read (this one included)❤️🐝

Thank you to @graydonhousebooks for access to this review copy of The Madness by @dawnkurtagich ! It’s deliciously creepy (trypophobia warning…iykyk), slightly alarming, heart rate rising, and oh so entertaining…the way a true horror should be! Special shout out to the author for the oh so relatable OCD/intrusive thought rep!

I was totally sucked in and read it in under 48hrs and still I wanted it to be 5000 pages longer…the vibes were just righttt👌🏾

5.0⭐️

⭐️THE MADNESS out AUGUST 27TH⭐️(I’ll have a more in depth review closer to pub day!)

#themadness #dawnkurtagich #graydonhousebooks #htppartner #htphive

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this book ahead of time in exchange for a review. You should read it!

This was a pretty good Gothic horror with a lot of psychological elements. A twist on Bram Stoker's Dracula with a modern, almost feminist touch. Enjoyed that the main character, MIna, was a psychiatrist, which gave an interesting layer to the tale as it unfolded. Her character was interesting and well written. Some of the supporting characters were not, and felt a little bit thrown together. (Ex: Jonathan) The climax was great, if even a bit rushed to truly comprehend, but still held interest. Good pick for Halloween or monster lovers! #themadness #dawnkurtagich #netgalley #goodreads

3.75 stars

I loved this. It’s been a while since I’ve read Dracula but I’m familiar enough.
I loved the way the writing flowed and was easy to follow. Overall this was a good retelling.

A very cool modern twist on a classic. The writing was easy to follow and the developments of the story leave you wanting more.

I did not see the ending coming on this one. I loved this book, and all of its supernatural and witchy elements. Would definitely recommend.

A gothic chiller.
Mina is a psychiatrist practicing in London. By helping women with deep rooted trauma, she avoids dealing with her own trauma. When she receives an email from an estranged childhood friend, Lucy, who tells her she is ill and needs her, she returns to Wales, her childhood home, and her estranged mother who is a practitioner of the old ways. Mina soon discovers a connection between Lucy's sickness and a patient she was treating back in London. She also realises there may be a connection to many missing young women.

This story is a gothic chiller. I really thought Mina was a well developed character. I could almost feel her personal trauma. I was definitely rooting for her. I loved how the author used character names that were a nod to a classic novel! However, I didn't find Mina's relationship with an old flame to be very believable. I also felt that the ending was rushed and could have been more fleshed-out.
I recommend to anyone who enjoys gothic type horror novels.

I received an ARC from Netgalley. The review is my own opinion.

A well done modern retelling of Dracula. Set mostly in Wales, and a little bit London, Dr. Mina Murray is trying to help these missing girls after coming across Renee who is displaying disconcerting symptoms at her job as a doctor helping women mentally who have been in bad situations. She, herself had an unusually bad experience and this rash of illness and disappearances is bringing those memories back. When her estranged best friend, Lucy also fall sicks and reaches out to her for help, Mina head back to Wales to discover the truth.

This story is nicely dark and has a fresh feel while still feeling a lot like the original tale. I liked that it took place in Wales as well and it drew upon the lore of that area to explain the strange and awful things that were happening to all the girls. I enjoyed it a lot as it was very easy to see with great descriptions. Plus I liked how Mina could break out of her self imposed cage, gather allies, and rise to the challenge of stopping this menace that has its fingers everywhere. She is super brave!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this to read and review.

This book is being considered by many a “remix” of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, with “familiar characters”. Considering I have not yet gotten around to reading Dracula—I know, I know!—I cannot speak to that. I find that I am not usually a fan of modern retellings on classics anyway so I think that that is for the best as I was able to read this story wholly on its own without drawing any comparisons.

Mina Murray lives a safe life, a predictable life. It’s the only way that she can tame the chaos and the fear. Working as a psychiatrist in a government-funded facility, she feels that she has the best of both worlds: she can support not only her bank account but her passion. Mina works with women suffering from extreme trauma which is where we met her peculiar new patient, Renee.
Shortly after, a new character is introduced to us… After twelve years of silence, Mina receives an email from her estranged best friend, Lucy, practically begging Mina for her “professional help”. It is with severe hesitation that Mina returns to her hometown of Tylluan to help her old friend but when she arrives, she is forced to face her past along with whatever strange illness her friend is currently suffering from which has odd similarities to her new patient.

Some epistolary parts—audio recordings, patient file reports, emails, etc—which I always find intriguing when done well in a story. The synopsis of this sounded quite fascinating but there were plot holes and conveniences that took away from the story for me. I had a difficult time getting in to this one and I had a difficult time finishing it. This one didn’t do it for me but it might just be the perfect spooky season read for you.

Dawn Kurtagich’s adult debut felt so different than her other books, and I lapped up every second of it!

We’re introduced to Mina, who is a psychiatrist with a clear case of PTSD and OCD brought on by a trauma she endured as a teenager that caused her to flee her small Welsh hometown. Mina’s habits are spot-on for anyone that suffers from OCD or knows someone who does. Very well written and described.

On the day Mina examines a strange new patient who was found naked on the docks who is anemic, light-sensitive, and has an appetite for flies, Mina also gets an email from her estranged childhood friend Lucy begging for help.

Mina hurries back to Wales – a cold homecoming for her from her witchy mother, the grown up version of the boy whose heart she broke, and the insular townsfolk she once knew. At first, the reunion with Lucy seems normal. Then her health begins to deteriorate rapidly – at the same time Mina is needed back in London for a downward turn of events with her patient.

As Mina begins to see similarities between her patient and Lucy she falls down the rabbit hole of the dark side of the web, conspiracies, and underground clubs with sinister motives as the list of missing and dead young women begins to multiply.

Mina must join together with her mother, Lucy’s ex-girlfriend Quincy, and a sharp as nails hacker named Helen Singer with a tragic link to the missing and dead – if she wants to bring down an ancient evil that is all too real.

This book was fantastic! It had mystery, a beautiful yet eerie setting, complex characters, romance, and the fierce bond of friendship and among women who couldn’t be more different brought together to defeat something bigger than they could imagine. I loved the folklore aspects that Mina’s mom believed in – it felt so right in the setting.

I’d read anything this author wrote. I love how she blends mental health and illnesses into the horror she writes, I always feel that it’s so well done. This is the feminist Dracula reimagining I didn’t know I needed. I can definitely see myself rereading this on a chilly, atmospheric October evening.

I am utterly obsessed with this book! Super fast paced and kept my attention from the beginning! Must read and must have a physical copy!

I genuinely enjoyed this book! I really did!!! I gave this book 3 stars because when it started, I was very very confused and it took longer than I would have liked to be able to figure out what was going on. While the plot was there and it kept me interested, it was difficult to get into because I was so lost. I felt it went back and forth with little to no explanation at the time. Again tho! I did enjoy the story and the plot and the characters!!! It just could have been a bit more put together at the start in my opinion. I will try this author again tho!

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley. I am providing an honest review.

The basics:
Mina Murray is a psychiatrist living in London. Obsessed with order and routine, Mina’s life is turned upside down when her estranged childhood best friend reaches out. Lucy has come down with a mysterious illness—and the confusing symptoms are the same as Mina’s current patient. Determined to save Lucy’s life, Mina is drawn into a dangerous web of secrets and missing girls.

My thoughts:
This novel was not what I expected at all—in the best way possible. From the first few chapters, I wasn’t honestly sure if I’d enjoy this novel. Mina was a very erratic and compulsive character. However, as the novel unfolded, Mina evolved. She became selfless, inquisitive, determined, poised, and open minded. Mina’s strained communication with her mother developed into a compassionate and loving relationship. She even reconciled with characters from her past. Mina’s development throughout this novel was such a joy to experience. In addition, as the novel progressed, The Madness went in a very different direction than I anticipated. I was expecting a much more classic thriller, but I was pleasantly surprised by the supernatural aspect to this plot. I thought this novel has much more interesting supernatural angle than other novels I’ve read in this genre. I finishers this book in one day and I would read another book by this author in a heartbeat.

Overall, I rated this novel four stars. I don’t have any particular criticism to explain the four stars, just that I’ve read other thriller novels that stood out and stuck with me more than this novel.

I highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for a unique supernatural thriller!

A creepy horror story starring a psychiatrist with a past that she'd like to keep hidden. When Mina hears from her estranged best childhood friend she knows she needs to return home. What she finds is nothing short of a disaster - Lucy is very ill and no one can seem to determine the cause nor the solution. With young women disappearing in the area, Mina is sure that there is more at play.

To save her friend she will have to face the secrets from many years ago as well as the horror hiding in her childhood town, is she brave enough? This was a fun tale, a bit chaotic in the beginning and I had a hard time following but quickly fell in love with Mina's story and enjoyed it greatly!
#harlequin #themadness #dwankurtagich

Wow! "Madness" is an absolutely chilling and gripping read that seamlessly blends elements of paranormal and psychological mystery, offering a fresh and intriguing perspective on the modern retelling of Dracula infused with Welsh mythology, folklore, and feminist themes. The narrative is filled with kickass, tough, and powerful heroines, adding layers of depth and complexity to the story.

From the moment I started reading, I was completely hooked on the journey of the main character, Mina Murray. As an empathic and intelligent psychiatrist, Mina chose her profession as a means to heal her own pierced and broken soul, grappling with her own obsessions and nightmares that led her to flee her hometown. Leaving behind her best friend Lucy, her first and only love Jonathan, and her eccentric mother—who is rumored to be a witch with her vast knowledge of Welsh folklore and powerful herb concoctions—Mina embarks on a journey of self-discovery and redemption.

When Mina receives an email from her estranged friend Lucy, who may still harbor resentment towards her for leaving town without saying goodbye, her carefully constructed daily routine is disrupted. As she reconnects with Lucy, now married to a wealthy husband in the transportation business, Mina is shocked to discover that Lucy exhibits the same troubling symptoms as her latest patient, Renee. Both women are experiencing sleepwalking episodes, delirium, hallucinations, anemia, and worsening rashes, with no clear explanation for their ailments.

As Mina delves deeper into the mystery, she uncovers a disturbing pattern: several young girls, presumed missing, have been found dead, all of whom were lured by a mysterious job opportunity at a prestigious nightclub frequented by the rich and powerful. Is there a secret organization preying on innocent girls from lower-class families?

As Mina's investigation leads her to the dark web, she encounters a group of conspirators whose motives remain unclear. In order to help her friend Lucy, Mina must confront her own dark past and risk everything—including the safety of her loved ones. Will she find the courage to face her own demons and uncover the truth?

Overall, "Madness" is a brilliant horror read that will shake you to the core and leave you on the edge of your seat. It's a gripping and spine-tingling tale that will keep you guessing until the very end. I highly recommend it, and I eagerly anticipate reading more works by the author!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me with a digital review copy of this heart-throbbing book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

As a huge Dracula fan, I absolutely loved this book! Mina finally has her chance in the spotlight. All the mini cliffhangers made it impossible to put the book down. I can’t wait for release day when I can tell everyone to buy it. Thanks so much for the opportunity to read!