The
Plot:
Oak
Park, Illinois, 1875. Isabelle Larkin’s future—like that of every young
woman—hinges upon her choice of husband. She delights her mother by becoming
engaged to Gregory Gallagher, who is charismatic, politically ambitious, and
publicly devoted. But Isabelle’s visions of a happy, profitable match come to a
halt when she witnesses her fiancé commit a horrific crime—and no one believes
her.
Gregory
denies all, and Isabelle’s mother insists she marry as planned rather than drag
them into scandal. Fearing for her life, Isabelle can think of only one escape:
she feigns a mental breakdown that renders her mute, and is brought to Bellevue
sanitarium. There she finds a friend in fellow patient Mary Todd Lincoln,
committed after her husband’s assassination.
In
this unlikely refuge, the women become allies, even as Isabelle maintains a
veneer of madness for her own protection. But sooner or later, she must reclaim
her voice. And if she uses it to expose the truth, Isabelle risks far more than
she could ever imagine.
Weaving
together a thread of finely-tuned suspense with a fascinating setting and
real-life figures, Sarah Barthel’s debut is historical fiction at its most
evocative and compelling.
About the Author:
Sarah Barthel
is an historical fiction author, specializing in untold stories in America’s
past.
Review:
Having
been born, raised, and spent most of my life in Illinois, I’m fascinated by
Abraham Lincoln and his family, so I jumped on House of Silence when I saw it on Net Galley. However, I was mildly
disappointed in the first chapter when Isabelle Larkin, the heroine, was proud
of the way her dress “popped.” Dresses did not “pop” in 1875. That expression
wasn’t coined until this century, or maybe the end of the last one. Such
anomalies are the reason I shy away from historical fiction.
Fortunately,
Ms. Barthel managed to stay in the era through the rest of the book without too
many more glitches, and her dilemma pulled me in and kept me reading. Even
before Gregory Gallagher commits the crime that causes Isabelle to seek refuge
in an insane asylum (and considering the state of mental health treatment in
1875, you know she has to be desperate!), he’s controlling and abusive toward
her—definitely not the kind of man I’d want my daughter to marry. But Isabelle’s
mother is equally desperate to acquire the money and stature she thinks
marriage to the up-and-coming politician will bring. How can Isabelle accuse
him of such heinous behavior? He’s their savior from poverty—their ability to
remain in society and even climb higher. But Isabelle knows he has a secret.
One he’s willing to kill to keep buried. And she’s afraid he’ll kill her.
House of Silence held my attention, and
I do recommend reading it.
Author Website: http://www.sarahebarthel.com/
Warnings: Violence
Length: 300 Pages
Prices:
Print: $15.00
Digital: $9.99
Buy Link: https://amazon.com//dp/B01DRXCGJY
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for visiting.
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