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ASYLUM
As Managing Director of the Montreal Hospital for the Criminally Insane, Doctor Matthew Russell has always put his professional responsibilities ahead of all else. That is, until he one day realizes that he is losing his wife, Cassidy, and his two children, Stuart and Jennifer.
With only his family in mind, Russell takes an adventure-filled, impromptu vacation of indefinite duration, leaving all else behind and stopping at nothing to show how much he cares for his loved ones in an effort to win them back. But, will he succeed… Or, will it prove to be all too late in the end?
With only his family in mind, Russell takes an adventure-filled, impromptu vacation of indefinite duration, leaving all else behind and stopping at nothing to show how much he cares for his loved ones in an effort to win them back. But, will he succeed… Or, will it prove to be all too late in the end?
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Published July 12, 2011
24 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
About the author
Claude Bouchard
91 books2,113 followers*USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR*
I was born in Montreal, Canada, at a very young age, where I still live with my spouse, Joanne, under the watchful eye of Krystalle and Midnight, two black females of the feline persuasion. In a former life, I completed my studies at McGill University and worked in various management capacities for a handful of firms for countless years. From there, considering my extensive background in human resources and finance, it was a logical leap in my career path to stay home and write crime thrillers.
My first stab at writing was actually in 1995, the result being my first novel, "Vigilante". Two others of the same series followed by 1997 but all three remained dormant until publication in 2009. Since, besides writing a stand-alone, five other thrillers have joined the VIGILANTE series. I also penned "Something's Cooking", a faux-erotica parody and cookbook under the pseudonyms Réal E. Hotte and Dasha Sugah. I'm currently working on "See You in Saigon" and "The First Sixteen", two further installments of my series. I have to say, I'm enjoying this writing gig.
Other interests besides writing and subtly persuading people to buy my books include reading, making noise with my six guitars, painting (oil and watercolour), cooking (year round though I love the grill in the summer), traveling and planning to work out soon. I've also been known to sleep on occasion.
You can visit my website at claudebouchardbooks.com which is almost as fun as DisneyLand and absolutely free.
I was born in Montreal, Canada, at a very young age, where I still live with my spouse, Joanne, under the watchful eye of Krystalle and Midnight, two black females of the feline persuasion. In a former life, I completed my studies at McGill University and worked in various management capacities for a handful of firms for countless years. From there, considering my extensive background in human resources and finance, it was a logical leap in my career path to stay home and write crime thrillers.
My first stab at writing was actually in 1995, the result being my first novel, "Vigilante". Two others of the same series followed by 1997 but all three remained dormant until publication in 2009. Since, besides writing a stand-alone, five other thrillers have joined the VIGILANTE series. I also penned "Something's Cooking", a faux-erotica parody and cookbook under the pseudonyms Réal E. Hotte and Dasha Sugah. I'm currently working on "See You in Saigon" and "The First Sixteen", two further installments of my series. I have to say, I'm enjoying this writing gig.
Other interests besides writing and subtly persuading people to buy my books include reading, making noise with my six guitars, painting (oil and watercolour), cooking (year round though I love the grill in the summer), traveling and planning to work out soon. I've also been known to sleep on occasion.
You can visit my website at claudebouchardbooks.com which is almost as fun as DisneyLand and absolutely free.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 16, 2011
I've been reading Claude Bouchard's work, daily - 140 characters at a time, for months on twitter. His banter with another author (to be reviewed soon) led me to reading excerpts at his website, www.claudebouchardbooks.com and his blog. I have all of his books in my possession. I let this one be the first novel to read completely because of a unique quality: the characters are named after some of the people he interacts with on twitter. My name is in there. Who doesn't want to share their name with a character in a published book?
I already knew that Claude was a good writer that I enjoyed. This book did not change my impression but rather enhanced my perception of his skill as a writer. As I read the story, I was most impressed with how well he crafted the story to create the emotional tension I felt. It was not forced or obvious, but it was palpable to me. This made it a 'page-turner' for me. I couldn't put it down. I just had to see what would happen next.
Although I will say this with while not trying to give a 'spoiler': Because I can be cynical, I never fully trust the main character when the story seems to be mostly from his perspective and I started to consider him suspect mid-way through. The events were too pendular. This did not dampen my enjoyment of the story, even though the ending was what I came to expect.
I already knew that Claude was a good writer that I enjoyed. This book did not change my impression but rather enhanced my perception of his skill as a writer. As I read the story, I was most impressed with how well he crafted the story to create the emotional tension I felt. It was not forced or obvious, but it was palpable to me. This made it a 'page-turner' for me. I couldn't put it down. I just had to see what would happen next.
Although I will say this with while not trying to give a 'spoiler': Because I can be cynical, I never fully trust the main character when the story seems to be mostly from his perspective and I started to consider him suspect mid-way through. The events were too pendular. This did not dampen my enjoyment of the story, even though the ending was what I came to expect.
March 3, 2012
With this book it's simple to figure out the ending after the first few pages. I don't necessarily mind that, especially if the events leading to the ending explain how the ending happened. This book does not.
This book is a travelogue -- and not a very good one at that. It's more of a brag book than anything else. It's not scary, or a psychological thriller. Not by a long shot. So the author knows his wines, has been to a lot of the same tourist traps millions of others have been to.
I kept trying to figure out why I kept reading after I realized how stupid it was and I concluded that it was just a way of relaxing after a couple of stress-filled weeks: no thinking required and it didn't take too long for the story to make me able to drop off to sleep. Better than a sleeping pill. That's why it got two stars.
This book is a travelogue -- and not a very good one at that. It's more of a brag book than anything else. It's not scary, or a psychological thriller. Not by a long shot. So the author knows his wines, has been to a lot of the same tourist traps millions of others have been to.
I kept trying to figure out why I kept reading after I realized how stupid it was and I concluded that it was just a way of relaxing after a couple of stress-filled weeks: no thinking required and it didn't take too long for the story to make me able to drop off to sleep. Better than a sleeping pill. That's why it got two stars.
September 30, 2011
This was a very interesting, well written book with a really "different" plot. Often plots have been told over and over again all by different authors. But Claude Bourchard has delivered a really interesting twist that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is captivating, holding my interest all the way through. I recommend you read it.
July 9, 2013
Forgive me for writing a review so long after I finished this book--shame on me because I loved it!
I was already a fan of Claude Bouchard and this little "Vacation" of a book turned out to be thrill right that started out so...family oriented. But, just like Claude is on Twitter, something is always just a little amiss... And then things happen.
I read Asylum in one sitting. So will you.
I was already a fan of Claude Bouchard and this little "Vacation" of a book turned out to be thrill right that started out so...family oriented. But, just like Claude is on Twitter, something is always just a little amiss... And then things happen.
I read Asylum in one sitting. So will you.
February 29, 2012
It wasn't terrible but wasn't the best either. The detail of the trip got to be a little much and I figured something was up when the family just kept going and going and going on their trip. The ending was a little expected but worked.
February 25, 2012
bored,bored,bored. kept waiting for obvious conclusion. was not a shocker ending. surprised by the high ratings. did not give up on this story.
August 3, 2020
Just couldn’t get into it so in the end gave up ☹️
Read
September 15, 2024I have no idea how this ended up on my reviewed books, never heard of it before, let alone read it
February 16, 2012
This is not a children’s book but is clean, family oriented and intriguing. Dr Russell suddenly decides to solve his family troubles by taking indefinite, unplanned leave from his job, and takes his wife and two kids on the holiday of a lifetime.
What a holiday! Just imagine the most enjoyable tour of the West Coast of North America, staying in the best hotels, doing all the outdoor sports and sight-seeing trips (they missed out Mount Rainier but maybe it’s changed since I went there). Every now and then danger strikes but Dad handles it all. What is he? Ex Special Forces or something? What is the secret? When he asks what they should do next, the son says “Grand Canyon”. So they drop everything and go off on the spur of the moment via Las Vegas… and of course it doesn’t stop there. By now I’m thinking, has he embezzled his workplace? Is it all a fraud? Stolen some credit cards?
Despite the travelogue becoming almost relentless with its impeccably researched hotels, cafes and rest stops, not to mention the tourist attractions (I’ve been on a lot of those trips – over a 25 year period!) the slick writing compels you to continue. A most enjoyable read with a persistent twitch in the telling to remind you that somewhere, sometime, reality will bite.
And it does, in a beautifully constructed solution.
What a holiday! Just imagine the most enjoyable tour of the West Coast of North America, staying in the best hotels, doing all the outdoor sports and sight-seeing trips (they missed out Mount Rainier but maybe it’s changed since I went there). Every now and then danger strikes but Dad handles it all. What is he? Ex Special Forces or something? What is the secret? When he asks what they should do next, the son says “Grand Canyon”. So they drop everything and go off on the spur of the moment via Las Vegas… and of course it doesn’t stop there. By now I’m thinking, has he embezzled his workplace? Is it all a fraud? Stolen some credit cards?
Despite the travelogue becoming almost relentless with its impeccably researched hotels, cafes and rest stops, not to mention the tourist attractions (I’ve been on a lot of those trips – over a 25 year period!) the slick writing compels you to continue. A most enjoyable read with a persistent twitch in the telling to remind you that somewhere, sometime, reality will bite.
And it does, in a beautifully constructed solution.
July 10, 2012
The main character, Doctor Matthew Russell, is a workaholic. Pushing his family further and further away with each broken promise, Matthew decides something must change and nothing is the ever the same again.
If you love to travel then you will love this book. At every stop along the Russel family vacation is danger. Every member of the family has a near death experience. Luckily, Matthew is there to save his family and keep them safe. Every heroic deed allows Matthew to prove his newly found devotion to his family. It is all wonderful and beautiful and perfect.
It's too perfect and that bugged me. Mostly the children bugged me. If there is any clue that something isn't right. it's the children. If you've been on a road trip with kids you will know that even the most well behaved children have a limit. These children do not. Weird.
You know from the title of the book and from where Matthew works (an insane asylum) that there is a twist to this story and there is. It's not a shocker. It's inevitable. When you get on the crazy train it's rare to jump the tracks, you know where this train is headed.
That being said, I liked it. I had fun searching for clues to confirm my hypothesis. It was a fun read.
If you love to travel then you will love this book. At every stop along the Russel family vacation is danger. Every member of the family has a near death experience. Luckily, Matthew is there to save his family and keep them safe. Every heroic deed allows Matthew to prove his newly found devotion to his family. It is all wonderful and beautiful and perfect.
It's too perfect and that bugged me. Mostly the children bugged me. If there is any clue that something isn't right. it's the children. If you've been on a road trip with kids you will know that even the most well behaved children have a limit. These children do not. Weird.
You know from the title of the book and from where Matthew works (an insane asylum) that there is a twist to this story and there is. It's not a shocker. It's inevitable. When you get on the crazy train it's rare to jump the tracks, you know where this train is headed.
That being said, I liked it. I had fun searching for clues to confirm my hypothesis. It was a fun read.
May 5, 2012
After reading about 30 percent of this book, the pace slowed with detailed descriptions of the Russell family vacation. The vacation starts in Canada, down the California coast, eastward to Las Vegas, and on to Florida. They board a plane for Rio de Janeiro. I took time to go to Amazon.com and checked the reviews of this book, and there were many. It appeared the reviewers were split between loving this novel, highly praising the author, or they were very critical and found the story boring. I decided to continue on since the author writes very well and is very descriptive of vacation sites. I soon was 95 percent through the book, and the Russell's are still on vacation in Rio. Before the vacation ends, I too, had surmised the reality of this story. It was unique, but... the vacation was just too much repetitive detail.
May 14, 2013
This wasn't my favorite book by this author. I think it would have made a wonderful short story. I felt like it rambled quite a bit. He describes, in detail, each ride the family took, each hotel room, each restruant, and even details about the food they ate. There was way too much filler without substance. It was as if Claude had this wonderful idea for a plot but had to fill in most of the book with mundane details before getting to the surprising ending. I don't know if it was because it rambled for so long it gave me plenty of time to think, but I had already guessed the ending when it came.
I think it still deserves four stars because of the way this author writes and the plot idea. If you skim through all the detailed descriptions it is an easy and fast read, which is what I want sometimes. I enjoyed it, like I always enjoy all his books.
I think it still deserves four stars because of the way this author writes and the plot idea. If you skim through all the detailed descriptions it is an easy and fast read, which is what I want sometimes. I enjoyed it, like I always enjoy all his books.
March 27, 2012
I downloaded "Asylum" during a free promotion on Kindle because I was intrigued by the title and description. As a fan of psychological thrillers, I felt like I would enjoy the book and it did not disappoint. About halfway in, I did figure out the plot, but was still surprised at the extent of the twist at the end.
The heavy detail in the book slows the pace down a bit and as a fan of psych. thrillers and horror, I would have liked to have gone deeper into the psychology of the main character. However, "Asylum" is a solid read that kept me coming back until the last page. I will definitely be trying other titles by this author again.
The heavy detail in the book slows the pace down a bit and as a fan of psych. thrillers and horror, I would have liked to have gone deeper into the psychology of the main character. However, "Asylum" is a solid read that kept me coming back until the last page. I will definitely be trying other titles by this author again.
March 14, 2012
Wow... talk about a let down. It started off great! You could feel the twist building and then nothing. It turned into a travel brochure for the most unrealistic vacation EVER! I have never seen one family more plagued with troubles than this one. Then the absolutely unrealistic activities and places they went... you knew it had to be all in his head. But the way he took it all the way to the last 2 pages before revealing the twist was ridiculous. I got so tired of the "vacation" it made me feel sick. It was horrible the amount of name drops he did for companies and restaurants. What could've been an absolutely gripping story became blah. Huge, huge, huge letdown.
September 12, 2013
This book was free on the kindle and definitely worth what I paid for it. After a few pages it was clear what was happening and the book devolved into a very long travelogue (complete with hotel names and locations) wherein the family gets in trouble and super dad saves the day. Over, and over and over again. And really, he pee'd on a man? The ending was expected and abrupt. Not satisfying, but at least it was such a quick read that little time was wasted.
July 10, 2012
This book was quite the interesting roller coaster with psychological thrill, mixed feelings and fantasy. It took me way by surprise and that's what earned it the five stars I gave it. I like it when an author is very knowledgable of his/her surroundings, foods, wines, etc. It makes the story more tantalizing for me because these are areas of interest for me.
And, I'm still reeling.
And, I'm still reeling.
December 26, 2020
This book drug on , only to end with a predictable ending.. But, I give him a lot of credit for the geographic tours & description's of all the places they stayed in.
And this is also a fast one day read for most.
Going to give one more of his book a try sometime to see if perhaps I will enjoy more.
And this is also a fast one day read for most.
Going to give one more of his book a try sometime to see if perhaps I will enjoy more.
March 2, 2012
I have to admit I skimmed through a majority of this book.... I liked the concept of the book but the characters were way too irritating & the traveling was monotonous and tedious. You have the ending figured out from the beginning - getting to the end was a chore.
May 24, 2012
This could potentially be the worst book I've ever read: completely implausible, a twist seen coming a mile away, stilted dialogue, and a long, overblown travelogue. Could potentially have been a decent short story.
February 24, 2012
Though this book has great ratings, I don't get it. To me it was just a guy on vacation with his family and then the end which I won't get into here for obvious reasons. What was so great about it?
April 18, 2012
WOW!! This book was definatly NOT what I thought!! You are so drawn in by the story, you get to the
end and you wonder what the hell just happened!! Loved it!!!
end and you wonder what the hell just happened!! Loved it!!!
March 2, 2015
Crazy book but a good read!!!
September 7, 2012
So boring I couldn't finish it.
September 27, 2012
a little different....but fairly enjoyable read
October 17, 2012
Knew what was coming, just carried on reading to find out when it would be......
March 8, 2016
Unexpected ending. Good read.
January 14, 2017
For every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction.
Read
July 24, 2015Yuck!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews