Insanitorium

by David Viergutz

Mason Blair, a down-on-his-luck contractor, grasps at a last chance for redemption by taking on a daunting restoring the notorious Daggermouth State Hospital, a forsaken relic with a twisted past. Haunted by personal demons and a relentless ambition to succeed, Mason’s journey takes an unexpected turn when he rekindles a fiery, tumultuous relationship with Cassandra Goldstein, a wealthy heiress with a mysterious connection to the asylum.

As Mason commits to the restoration, Daggermouth’s crumbling walls begin to mirror his own fracturing psyche. Unbeknownst to him, the asylum's dark history intertwines with Mason’s own lineage, linking him to its infamous past and the diabolical doctor who once roamed its halls.

But the empty corridors of Daggermouth hold more than just the echoes of its tormented residents. With his grip on reality slipping, Mason delves deeper into the asylum’s secrets, hoping to find the key to his unravelling identity, while Cassandra, battling her own solitude and ignoring the cryptic warnings of those around her, finds herself desperately seeking her place in a story she doesn't fully understand.

And as the flames of the past threaten to consume everyone and everything caught in their path, Daggermouth slips into further decline, the line between reality and delusion fading further still …

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 27, 2024

About the author

David Viergutz is a disabled Army veteran, a law enforcement veteran, a husband and a proud father. He's also a storyteller, an author of thrillers and horror novels that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
 
As a teenager, David would often be found dragging a backpack full of books to class, leaving his textbooks behind. He was always captivated by the worlds that authors like Nix, Tolkien, King and Patterson created, and he dreamed of one day creating his own.
 
Years went by and David found himself serving his country in the military, and later in law enforcement. The experiences he had during those years were both thrilling and terrifying, and they left a deep impression on him.
 
One day his wife sat him down and gave him the confidence he needed to start putting his imagination on paper. From then on, his creativity knew no bounds and he poured his heart and soul into his writing.
 
Now, David weaves tales of pulse-pounding realism and nightmare-inducing horror where his years in uniform have given him an unparalleled understanding of the criminal mind. Take the plunge and start reading David’s thrilling crime novels and terrifying horror adventures.

Reviews

[Josette Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anytime an old asylum is the object of a story I am going to read the book. This book was everything I love to read when hauntings are involved. There were estranged families, old superstitions and unexpected twists. The story started out simple enough two brothers taking on an unseemly hard task. When Mason finds out he will be a father he wants to better than his father before him. He has to convince the mother to be that he is going to be a good father and prove to himself that he can finish something instead of choosing the easy way out. He is a walking time bomb filled with many unresolved feelings, the perfect vessel for a haunted mansion to have enter the doors. There were many forces involved when Mason was given the job of restoration. He had no idea what was about to transpire once he cut the locks on the doors of Daggermouth Asylum.

This author has an incredible use of words to convey the terror that the characters feel during the book. I could sense how hard Mason struggled with the lock on the front doors to the asylum. I was waiting, like Cassie, to see what lurked around the corners of the halls. When Mason experienced his out of body situation, I could envision the uniforms of the nurses and the sounds of the hospital. I felt for Cassie with her familial issues. She just wanted to be part of something and she hoped she could get that with Mason. I loved the Easter Egg. When you read it you will know. I find myself leaving the lights on and background noise in order to not freak myself out. When the twist happened, I gasped out loud and then so many things clicked as I was able to answer some of the questions I had while reading this book. I love the idea of haunted asylums, have yet to visit one and am not sure how I would react when put in this situation. I was very entertained and scared while reading this book. Mr. Viergutz knocked it out of the park with this book.

[Tabitha Justice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insanitorium is a read that does not only make the characters feel like their sanity is in question, but will have the reader going on the ride into the psyche with them . The intricacy of both the emotional depth of the characters, along with their outward strife to get life figured out, is beautifully written. These characters don't have great lives; they aren't storybook characters that hit a few snags and are ready for their happily ever after. Mason and crew all are lost souls trying to understand how they fit in the grand scheme of things, and unfortunately for them, this is not one identity journey they should have taken. After all, finding yourself isn't always a good thing, much to the dismay of those involved with the Insanitorium.

I highly recommend this story to readers that enjoy a slow burn, full of foreshadowing that makes you go 'OH' in the second half. I am a fan of psychological-natured stories, and this one felt perfect with both a story of inner struggles alongside a world that wants history to stay just that. Internal turmoil and trauma, mixed with some spooks and survival, makes this book one to be remembered. David Viergutz is great at stories that stay with you long after you finish the last page, and it's true with Insanitorium.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW! What an eerie, creepy and intense story this was. Right from the very beginning I was pulled into this dark and dreary world and throughout not only were the minds of the characters in question, but mine was too.

The imagery, world building and overall atmosphere of the story was creative, descriptive and intricately written. You could feel the eeriness of the asylum with how creatively it was written.

The characters are unique. And each will captivate you in different ways, making it hard to like or hate them but hope that most make it to the end of the story in one piece.

This story was really well written. It is a slow building, spine tingling, dark and twisted story that will keep you on the edge of your seat and shock you at what transpires right before your eyes.

The perfect creepy/psychological thriller for all horror lovers.

[Doreen Fernandes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A harrowing ordeal 


Mason Blair is determined to complete the restoration of the Daggermouth State Hospital. His relationship with Cassandra Goldstein whom he has not seen in a long time, gets rekindled. Cassandra’s housekeeper, Sylvia advises her not to get entangled with Mason and his project as the place is accursed by some evil entity lurking within. Mason goes ahead with the project and Cassandra supports him in spite of protests from the whole town. Is there any truth to the rumours and what will they discover within the walls of Daggermouth? A spine tingler which describes the macabre events in horrifying detail. I like the well crafted plot and the chilling nailbiting suspense. A must read for horror buffs.

[Dawn Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a bit to get into the story but was sure glad I kept on going. Maybe my brain too old and slow but I didn't catch Mason and Corey's interaction till pretty late in the story. However I was sad to read the ending but know there couldn't be any other alternative. This was definitely an "out of the box" thriller and everyone played their part exceptionally well. As to the ending I say again that it really was the only way to go. I'm glad I wasn't there to share all that horror! 5+ stars and more,
David.

Dawn

[Cat B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very slow burn type of horror. Much like Peter Straub's style in the telling of "Ghost Story". Viergutz leads us slowly into the darkness where the reader needs to look beyond the shadows to find the terrible secrets of the Asylum down the road...
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kent Mattoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great psychological horror book! Takes me back to The Shining but with new twists and turns that keep me turning the pages to see what happens next. If you are a horror fan don’t miss this one!!

[Terry M · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent horror with unexpected twists. I liked the way the story unfolded and although I couldn't read it fast enough, I didn't want it to end. Highly recommended.  I received an ARC copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jennifer Loschiavo · Rating 5 out of 5]

NEVER disappoints. Creepy and scary and suspenseful. A ACTUAL HORROR book. Violent when needed and creepy as fuck. Don’t even need to turn the lights out! So glad i waited for this pre order. And i would do it again. Can this one be a movie?!?! Maybe?! PLEASE PLEASE!!!!!

[Kaysi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow. Dark and twisted with a little bit of light and hope. It took a little bit of time to connect the dots, but once I was able to, holy cow. What a ride. What a read.