Asylum Hotel by Juliet Blackwell is a gripping and atmospheric mystery that blends historical intrigue with a touch of the paranormal. Set in a grand, albeit eerie, hotel housed in a former asylum, the novel follows the protagonist, who becomes entangled in a complex case of missing persons, ghostly occurrences, and long-buried secrets. Blackwell’s writing is immersive, creating a chilling yet captivating atmosphere. The plot is well-paced with unexpected twists, keeping readers engaged from start to finish. The characters are well-developed, with strong emotional arcs that deepen the mystery. Overall, Asylum Hotel is an engaging read for fans of historical fiction, suspense, and supernatural elements.

Thank you Netgalley for the e-arc of this book. Unfortunately, I just don't think this one was for me. The writing felt all over the place, and I couldn't stay focused. It has potential, but just fell flat.

This was an eerie and atmospheric read, the storyline keep me guessing! I binged the entire book in an evening because I had to know what was going to happen next.

During the pandemic I started watching videos of explorers visiting abandoned places. I loved hearing the history and imagining the places in the original state before time and neglect transformed the locations. While this book is fiction and tells a tale uniquely it's own, it gave me the same kind of enjoyment that the videos did. The author's writing is very descriptive and atmospheric, it made the story more immersive, I could visualize parts of it as it played out on the page and I loved that aspect of it.

I'm also a huge fan of Thrillers that leave me in a mental tug-of-war between trying to find a rational explanation of the events or accepting the fantastical one and this story definitely did that.

Overall this was definitely an enjoyable read and I will be recommending it!

Thank you Juliet Blackwell, Net Galley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

Asylum hotel is such a great book! I stayed up well past the time I should have been asleep. Just because I couldn't bare to put it down. Five stars no doubt. Can't wait to see what else this author has to offer.

📖 Book Review 📖 In Northern California, an abandoned seaside hotel stands full of cobwebs and curious Greek marble statues, robust rumors swirling of curses and ghosts lurking in the shadows. Juliet Blackwell whisks the reader away to a far away place, the lore and glam of art deco and old Hollywood shine mysteriously in this richly atmospheric read. But the tragedy that has disfigured the beauty of Seabrink Hotel remains eerily alive when photographer Aubrey arrives to document the dilapidated structure before renovations. She meets Dimitri, an adventurer, with whom she explores the vast grounds. An instant connection is made - but then all is questioned when she discovers dead Dimitri's body at the bottom of the cliff the very next day. Blackwell pens an enthralling murder mystery rife with calamities and misfortunes so strange they must be otherworldly. Past and present collide as Aubrey weaves together the stories of Seabrink Hotel, creating a tapestry of legends and folklore so intriguing that this book is impossible to put down!

The following review was posted on Goodreads on 3.26.25:

I had high hopes for this Gothic mystery/thriller, so maybe I went into it expecting too much. Everything about the setup appeals to me: the isolated, abandoned hotel that was once an asylum; rumors of ghostly activities inside the crumbling building; the suspicious, baffling death of an enigmatic man; a family history filled with dark secrets; eerie Gothic vibes; etc. The setting did not disappoint as the Seabrink came alive in my mind (I kept picturing an abandoned Hearst Castle), with the creepy flute music, elevator noise, and more sending delicious shivers up my spine. Blackwell's prose is at its best when describing the Seabrink, which is why I enjoyed that aspect of the story most, I'm sure.

Unfortunately, the rest of the novel's execution didn't work super well for me. The characters are pretty humdrum. None of them are particularly complex or memorable. Aubrey got on my nerves a bit and I could never really get a handle on who she was supposed to be. She just seemed kind of...amorphous. Not to mention fickle, immature, and melodramatic. I didn't feel a lot of connection with her. As far as plot goes, the story moves along at a steady enough pace. There's a lot of sinister action going on throughout the book, which means it's never dull even if it's also not edge-of-your-seat exciting. The finale is definitely rushed, with the identity of the killer seeming to come out of nowhere. It didn't feel very convincing or satisfying to me. Blackwell's prose is pretty lackluster too. It seemed clunky and tell-y, and just not dynamic or immersive enough to allow me to really sink into the story. For all of these reasons, ASYLUM HOTEL was just an average read for me, which is disappointing because I wanted to love it. Bummer.

If this were a movie, it would be rated PG-13 for language (1 F-bomb, plus milder invectives), violence, blood/gore, and disturbing subject matter.

Juliet Blackwell delivers a haunting psychological thriller in Hotel Asylum, where reality and delusion blur within the eerie walls of a mysterious hotel. The protagonist, grappling with a fractured past, navigates a shifting, surreal environment that feels like a character itself.

Blackwell’s vivid descriptions and deliberate pacing create a tense, immersive experience, drawing readers into a labyrinth of uncertainty. While its ambiguity may leave some craving answers, the novel’s psychological depth and supernatural elements make for an engrossing read. Fans of eerie, thought-provoking thrillers will find Hotel Asylum both unsettling and unforgettable.

Aubrey is staying on the coast of Northern California and loves to photograph abandoned places. She is told about a old haunted hotel and cannot resist. This visit leads to murder, kidnapping, and plenty of spooky happenings. I am not a lover of ghost stories but was pulled into this one from page one.

I’m Hotel Seabrink is an abandoned Hollywood Hotel from the 1920’s. Aubrey goes on an adventure to photograph the empty hotel before it gets renovated and runs into Dimitri, the famous YouTuber who also finds interest in abandoned places. But Aubrey’s whole world turns upside down when she has a passionate night with Dimitri, only to wake the next morning to find him dead.

This book was a TRIP. Spooky, mysterious, scary at moments. It had elements of thriller, as well as elements of horror. But overall it was EXTREMELY bingeable and I really enjoyed the experience. It had me guessing the entire way through.

It’s so hard to review thrillers without giving away major spoilers so I will say that I loved the way the story was woven together and the fact that I never guessed who “did” it.

I definitely recommend this one when it comes out!

I was hoping for so much more from this book, but it was just all over the place. It felt really juvenile, and I wish that it had focused on more of the historical aspects of the story.