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Asylum
'The Shining' meets Mike Flanagan's 'Midnight Mass' in this thrilling debut novel from your new favourite horror author!
Life as a guard within an asylum for the criminally insane is hard enough. But for James McCartney, it’s hell. Whilst coming to terms with the recent murder of his wife, James is left to raise his young daughter alone. Struggling to survive, he begins to feel increasingly trapped within the secluded town of Loveridge Falls.
Hundreds of miles away from the nearest city and surrounded by nothing but trees, precious few are willing to make the journey. Only the offer of exclusive access to the asylum is enough to entice journalist Quinn Parker, following word of the unusual treatments offered to the facility’s residents. As she discovers the gruesome stories that led to their incarceration, impossible connections force her to question just how genuine her reality is.
With the imminent arrival of a new inmate threatening to overthrow the asylum’s status quo, James and Quinn must determine how far his influence spreads and find the truth hidden in the fiction of those declared clinically insane.
"This book grabbed hold and refused to let me go until the very end. It does not go where you expect it to and for that I loved it!" - ARC Reader
Life as a guard within an asylum for the criminally insane is hard enough. But for James McCartney, it’s hell. Whilst coming to terms with the recent murder of his wife, James is left to raise his young daughter alone. Struggling to survive, he begins to feel increasingly trapped within the secluded town of Loveridge Falls.
Hundreds of miles away from the nearest city and surrounded by nothing but trees, precious few are willing to make the journey. Only the offer of exclusive access to the asylum is enough to entice journalist Quinn Parker, following word of the unusual treatments offered to the facility’s residents. As she discovers the gruesome stories that led to their incarceration, impossible connections force her to question just how genuine her reality is.
With the imminent arrival of a new inmate threatening to overthrow the asylum’s status quo, James and Quinn must determine how far his influence spreads and find the truth hidden in the fiction of those declared clinically insane.
"This book grabbed hold and refused to let me go until the very end. It does not go where you expect it to and for that I loved it!" - ARC Reader
- GenresHorror
480 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 29, 2025
3 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 4, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Billed as The Shining meets Midnight Mass, I can see a faint resemblance to both, but only if you squint really hard. This is set in a remote setting, sure. It contains the arrival of a mysterious stranger, who brings with him chaos, intrigue, and folkloric heretics. But that’s pretty much where comparisons should end.
I thought this book was good, but difficult to consume. The multi-modal use of play and movie manuscripts felt superfluous to me. I found myself skimming through large sections because I found them to be unnecessary to the story at hand. It’s one thing to mention or make use of these devices. It’s another to delve deep into their onerous specifics.
The author did a good job at establishing an ominous setting, and ratcheting up a sense of building dread throughout.
Overall, this book was good, but could have been at least 100 pages shorter. This might be a me thing, but books over 350 pages must present me with a very good reason for existing. I’m not sure this convinced me.
Billed as The Shining meets Midnight Mass, I can see a faint resemblance to both, but only if you squint really hard. This is set in a remote setting, sure. It contains the arrival of a mysterious stranger, who brings with him chaos, intrigue, and folkloric heretics. But that’s pretty much where comparisons should end.
I thought this book was good, but difficult to consume. The multi-modal use of play and movie manuscripts felt superfluous to me. I found myself skimming through large sections because I found them to be unnecessary to the story at hand. It’s one thing to mention or make use of these devices. It’s another to delve deep into their onerous specifics.
The author did a good job at establishing an ominous setting, and ratcheting up a sense of building dread throughout.
Overall, this book was good, but could have been at least 100 pages shorter. This might be a me thing, but books over 350 pages must present me with a very good reason for existing. I’m not sure this convinced me.
October 25, 2025
I don’t often find myself this satisfied with a book. Although I’ve never considered myself a huge fan of horror, this story has truly burrowed into my mind and lingered. The writing is captivating, the world-building immersive, and the plot and characters are exceptionally well crafted. Every element fits together seamlessly. Dark, gruesome, and vividly gory, the narrative had me completely engrossed from start to finish. I could easily picture it unfolding as a movie in my mind.
October 19, 2025
So I can't tell you what I said after Part One because its a spoiler. But in non-spoiler paraphrasing, it would be WHAT? I did NOT expect that!
And that folks, is pretty much how the story continued.
Asylums is an independently published novel that Thomas has taken great pains to produce and hired an artist to design this great cover. Please support indie authors and artists, small things you do really make a difference in the indie world. Posting reviews on the Zon and other booksellers online is so important, not just goodreads etc.
The time this is set is not clearly defined but I felt either way in the town of Loveridge Falls you are entering a place that never modernised, keeping its small town persona. Where everyone knows everyone else's business and life circulates a run down diner where the food is overcooked and the coffee barely drinkable.
On the outskirts lies the Asylum, where James works as an orderly. He is a recent widower and has a daughter he loves fiercely. Through him we get to see the inner workings and running of the asylum as well as life as a local.
We also have Quinn, a newspaper reporter, a stranger, who has been hired to do an article on the head doctor and her open-minded treatment methods. Quinn has little knowledge of mental health treatment and does not know what to expect. We follow her as she learns about the individual criminally insane patients and as she starts to question her own sanity.
Then there is the new inmate, the town and the asylum staff are all on edge about this arrival and we have to wait and find out why everyone is so terrified. What is the history there and how dangerous are they?
I also enjoyed the side characters, many of them felt fleshed out and like whole people that I could visualise in the scene. Especially the rather odd landlady, the staff at the diner and the individual inmates.
Asylums has so many different styles and formats throughout which made it really engaging, including songs, scenes from plays and radio/tv shows.
It becomes difficult to talk about some of the bits I found fun without giving too much away. But suffice to say, if you pick this up, you are in for a wild ride
And that folks, is pretty much how the story continued.
Asylums is an independently published novel that Thomas has taken great pains to produce and hired an artist to design this great cover. Please support indie authors and artists, small things you do really make a difference in the indie world. Posting reviews on the Zon and other booksellers online is so important, not just goodreads etc.
The time this is set is not clearly defined but I felt either way in the town of Loveridge Falls you are entering a place that never modernised, keeping its small town persona. Where everyone knows everyone else's business and life circulates a run down diner where the food is overcooked and the coffee barely drinkable.
On the outskirts lies the Asylum, where James works as an orderly. He is a recent widower and has a daughter he loves fiercely. Through him we get to see the inner workings and running of the asylum as well as life as a local.
We also have Quinn, a newspaper reporter, a stranger, who has been hired to do an article on the head doctor and her open-minded treatment methods. Quinn has little knowledge of mental health treatment and does not know what to expect. We follow her as she learns about the individual criminally insane patients and as she starts to question her own sanity.
Then there is the new inmate, the town and the asylum staff are all on edge about this arrival and we have to wait and find out why everyone is so terrified. What is the history there and how dangerous are they?
I also enjoyed the side characters, many of them felt fleshed out and like whole people that I could visualise in the scene. Especially the rather odd landlady, the staff at the diner and the individual inmates.
Asylums has so many different styles and formats throughout which made it really engaging, including songs, scenes from plays and radio/tv shows.
It becomes difficult to talk about some of the bits I found fun without giving too much away. But suffice to say, if you pick this up, you are in for a wild ride
January 16, 2026
Asylum(s) opens by introducing James McCartney, an orderly at Loveridge Falls Asylum. His job is demanding enough, but James also carries the weight of being a single father after the murder of his wife. As he struggles to raise his young daughter alone while working in such a harrowing environment, it is impossible not to feel sympathy for both of them. From the outset, Goodyear grounds the horror in strong emotional stakes, making James a compelling and relatable character.
The second part of the novel introduces journalist Quinn Parker, who arrives at the asylum to document the work of Dr. Madeline Montgomery. The doctor’s methods are highly controversial, aimed at rehabilitating the most dangerous and disturbed offenders housed within the facility. As Quinn begins interacting with both staff and residents, it quickly becomes clear that Loveridge Falls is not what it seems. Questions arise about Quinn’s presence there and whether she is part of something far more calculated—and far more dangerous—than she realizes.
What follows is a tense, unsettling descent into madness. Goodyear’s imagination truly shines as the story unfolds, delivering plenty of twists and an increasingly sinister atmosphere. The residents are deeply disturbing, and the author does an excellent job of pulling the reader into their fractured and horrifying mindsets. Each character feels carefully crafted and multilayered, adding depth to the growing sense of dread.
As Quinn spends more time at the asylum, the danger escalates—not just to her physical safety, but to her sanity as well. When even darker and more unsettling characters are introduced, the connection between Quinn and James becomes clear, revealing how essential each character is to the overall story.
Asylum(s) is sinister, shocking, and relentlessly suspenseful. With a tone reminiscent of Stephen King, it blends psychological horror with mystery in a way that constantly blurs the line between reality and madness. This is a terrifying, imaginative read that horror fans will not want to miss.
The second part of the novel introduces journalist Quinn Parker, who arrives at the asylum to document the work of Dr. Madeline Montgomery. The doctor’s methods are highly controversial, aimed at rehabilitating the most dangerous and disturbed offenders housed within the facility. As Quinn begins interacting with both staff and residents, it quickly becomes clear that Loveridge Falls is not what it seems. Questions arise about Quinn’s presence there and whether she is part of something far more calculated—and far more dangerous—than she realizes.
What follows is a tense, unsettling descent into madness. Goodyear’s imagination truly shines as the story unfolds, delivering plenty of twists and an increasingly sinister atmosphere. The residents are deeply disturbing, and the author does an excellent job of pulling the reader into their fractured and horrifying mindsets. Each character feels carefully crafted and multilayered, adding depth to the growing sense of dread.
As Quinn spends more time at the asylum, the danger escalates—not just to her physical safety, but to her sanity as well. When even darker and more unsettling characters are introduced, the connection between Quinn and James becomes clear, revealing how essential each character is to the overall story.
Asylum(s) is sinister, shocking, and relentlessly suspenseful. With a tone reminiscent of Stephen King, it blends psychological horror with mystery in a way that constantly blurs the line between reality and madness. This is a terrifying, imaginative read that horror fans will not want to miss.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was drawn to this book on the simple basis that I love anything to do with asylums. The cover was eye-catching and the summary sounded decent, so I decided to give it a shot even though I don't often read books of such length.
I have... really mixed feelings on this book. So, let's do pros and cons.
Pros: The writing was really well done. Most of the characters were very interesting. The story flowed well. The Prudence twist, whilst I had a *feeling* would turn out to be what it was, was still different enough that it caught me off guard and I love when books do that. I never felt like I was reading an almost 500 page book because I was so engrossed and the writing was so easy and engaging. I loved the different formats. The ending of the book in regards to two characters made me feel happy.
Cons: I... did not sign up for a muti/parallel universe, demon dealing, bringing back the dead kind of thing. That's really not my kind of jam. I felt completely in the dark about WHY Valentine had to have those exact people do the exact things they did at the exact time they did them and etc. Did Teddy just throw in some wild goose chases on top of the asylum for funsies? I understand that this was probably another twist and couldn't be spoiled in the summary, but I also felt a little misled, as I wouldn't have picked up the book if I had known about demons and universes and all that. I also felt irritated and let down because the summary made it seem like James, a character I liked IMMENSELY, was an active main character throughout the entire book, only to have him killed off early and then reappear for a few scenes at the end.
Now, which one wins? Pros or cons? Well, at the end of the day, I don't *regret* that I read this book and I would certainly suggest it to someone who was more into this flavour of horror. And, like I said, I enjoyed the writing a LOT, so I am definitely looking forward to what the author has to offer next.
I have... really mixed feelings on this book. So, let's do pros and cons.
Pros: The writing was really well done. Most of the characters were very interesting. The story flowed well. The Prudence twist, whilst I had a *feeling* would turn out to be what it was, was still different enough that it caught me off guard and I love when books do that. I never felt like I was reading an almost 500 page book because I was so engrossed and the writing was so easy and engaging. I loved the different formats. The ending of the book in regards to two characters made me feel happy.
Cons: I... did not sign up for a muti/parallel universe, demon dealing, bringing back the dead kind of thing. That's really not my kind of jam. I felt completely in the dark about WHY Valentine had to have those exact people do the exact things they did at the exact time they did them and etc. Did Teddy just throw in some wild goose chases on top of the asylum for funsies? I understand that this was probably another twist and couldn't be spoiled in the summary, but I also felt a little misled, as I wouldn't have picked up the book if I had known about demons and universes and all that. I also felt irritated and let down because the summary made it seem like James, a character I liked IMMENSELY, was an active main character throughout the entire book, only to have him killed off early and then reappear for a few scenes at the end.
Now, which one wins? Pros or cons? Well, at the end of the day, I don't *regret* that I read this book and I would certainly suggest it to someone who was more into this flavour of horror. And, like I said, I enjoyed the writing a LOT, so I am definitely looking forward to what the author has to offer next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2025
Oh god, I feel like I need a good week to take all of this in!!! An absolutely amazing, catching, and brain-wrenching book! 🫠
I would like to start with saying that Asylum(s) does not really fit into my go-to genre while reading. But oh boy, did I have a blast reading this anyway! Thomas does an excellent job with describing the situations and locations, that I’ve felt fully immersed since chapter one.
I really enjoyed the different formats and inserts in the book as well. It was refreshing, interesting, and a brilliant idea to include. All the side characters felt very fleshed-out and affected the plot and main characters in a great way.
Let me not even talk about the twists and turns this book took, oh my gods. I was on the verge of throwing my book across the room (i did not, it is safe and sound) screaming in surprise at more than one occasion.
I simply wish someone would make this into a movie or a TV show immediately.
I definitely recommend this to everyone, especially if you like a good gritty, psychological nerve-wrecking novel. I am very excited to see what Thomas Goodyear brings next, and you can bet that I will read it. 🫶🏻
I would like to start with saying that Asylum(s) does not really fit into my go-to genre while reading. But oh boy, did I have a blast reading this anyway! Thomas does an excellent job with describing the situations and locations, that I’ve felt fully immersed since chapter one.
I really enjoyed the different formats and inserts in the book as well. It was refreshing, interesting, and a brilliant idea to include. All the side characters felt very fleshed-out and affected the plot and main characters in a great way.
Let me not even talk about the twists and turns this book took, oh my gods. I was on the verge of throwing my book across the room (i did not, it is safe and sound) screaming in surprise at more than one occasion.
I simply wish someone would make this into a movie or a TV show immediately.
I definitely recommend this to everyone, especially if you like a good gritty, psychological nerve-wrecking novel. I am very excited to see what Thomas Goodyear brings next, and you can bet that I will read it. 🫶🏻
November 27, 2025
⭐️⭐️.5
I really wanted to enjoy this one. The premise is strong and by the time the ending rolled around, I actually did find myself invested in the underlying plot. There’s a compelling story here, and the atmosphere had all the ingredients for the kind of psychological horror I usually love.
Where it fell apart for me was in the structure. The constant shifts in format.. radio broadcasts, script-style sections, disembodied narrative fragments dropped into character POVs, even mid-sentence scene changes. All this made it really difficult to stay grounded in the story. I can appreciate the intention behind these experimental choices, and I can absolutely see the value of these tools in horror, but the way they were put together here just didn’t work for me personally.
Instead of feeling immersed, I often felt disconnected and pulled out of the narrative. Readers who enjoy unconventional storytelling may find this more effective, but personally, the fragmented structure overshadowed the emotional impact the plot could have had.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really wanted to enjoy this one. The premise is strong and by the time the ending rolled around, I actually did find myself invested in the underlying plot. There’s a compelling story here, and the atmosphere had all the ingredients for the kind of psychological horror I usually love.
Where it fell apart for me was in the structure. The constant shifts in format.. radio broadcasts, script-style sections, disembodied narrative fragments dropped into character POVs, even mid-sentence scene changes. All this made it really difficult to stay grounded in the story. I can appreciate the intention behind these experimental choices, and I can absolutely see the value of these tools in horror, but the way they were put together here just didn’t work for me personally.
Instead of feeling immersed, I often felt disconnected and pulled out of the narrative. Readers who enjoy unconventional storytelling may find this more effective, but personally, the fragmented structure overshadowed the emotional impact the plot could have had.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 16, 2025
The description sold this book to me, but the book stands alone without needing any comparisons to other books by notable authors. It’s creepy, it’s suspenseful mystery unfolding as you go, it’s gory and it gives uncanny valley the whole way through which for me, is truly scary stuff. The book is told in the POV of different characters, James a widowed single dad, Quinn a young and naive journalist, and several patients of the local asylum where the methods of care are creative and bizarre. I loved this book, I inhaled it all weekend. I cannot wait to see what else this author produced in the future.
Thank you Net Galley and Thomas Goodyear for the opportunity to read this book as an arc.
Thank you Net Galley and Thomas Goodyear for the opportunity to read this book as an arc.
November 25, 2025
I got a copy of this book from a TikTokker named Steph's Creepy Reads. This was the longest of the 3 books, but it was definitely one that intrigued me the most. I loved the many different formats used to tell the story. It definitely felt like a fever dream. I would highly recommend it for people who love unconventional horror and fans of psychological thrillers. If you loved House of Leaves, 2666, or The Library at Mount Char, give this one a read. I will be purchasing a physical copy soon. Thanks to the author and Steph's Creepy Reads!
December 29, 2025
I’m not even sure how to start. This may be one of my favorites of all time. It is THAT good! It’s twisty and weird and chaotic but so, so much fun. I was captivated from the start and the whole story lead me on such a fantastic and odd journey. At no point did I fully expect what was coming next and each new discovery was delightful. I will definitely be keeping an eye and ear out for more from this author!!
October 6, 2025
Can't recommend enough! This book is begging to be a TV Series! Uncanny with a surprise ending. High stakes occasionally funny. You basically feel every emotion while reading this book. Sad, WTF LOL, unease, intrigued. Kept me on the edge of my seat for sure! i dont think ive ever read a 480 pg book and still wanted more!
October 19, 2025
This was absolutely fantastic!
A perfect spooky season read. There are so many threads to this story and the way Thomas weaves them together and takes you as a reader on that journey is exceptional. There are clues seeded throughout, but you will still never guess the climax!
The unhappy happy ending was also just perfection
A perfect spooky season read. There are so many threads to this story and the way Thomas weaves them together and takes you as a reader on that journey is exceptional. There are clues seeded throughout, but you will still never guess the climax!
The unhappy happy ending was also just perfection
October 26, 2025
Dark gruesome, gory, vivid horror. First book by this author, I absolutely loved this book i could not put it down i found the story of the widower utterly intriguing and was turning pages well into the night. Perfect spooky season read
October 5, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, it’s not often I can say that I cannot think of a single thing I would change to a book but with this one I can in fact say that.
This is one of the rare books that takes hold of your brain and refuses to let go - every moment it wasn’t in my hands I was thinking about it.
Thomas Goodyear’s writing is sharp and endlessly inventive, despite following the characters into their decent to madness every single detail made complete sense.
What stood out most to me was the structure, it perfectly flits between past and present to weave an intricate plot however my absolute favourite structural part was the scripts. The inclusion of these play like scripts adds an eerie theatrical tone to the book which I adored.
This is not a light read, it’s layered and dark and gets even more unhinged to the end as it throws a plot twist you could never guess but if you like a gripping compelling horror book this is a must for your tbr.
This is one of the rare books that takes hold of your brain and refuses to let go - every moment it wasn’t in my hands I was thinking about it.
Thomas Goodyear’s writing is sharp and endlessly inventive, despite following the characters into their decent to madness every single detail made complete sense.
What stood out most to me was the structure, it perfectly flits between past and present to weave an intricate plot however my absolute favourite structural part was the scripts. The inclusion of these play like scripts adds an eerie theatrical tone to the book which I adored.
This is not a light read, it’s layered and dark and gets even more unhinged to the end as it throws a plot twist you could never guess but if you like a gripping compelling horror book this is a must for your tbr.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews