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The Madness She Knew
245 pages, Hardcover
Published January 29, 2026
2 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
D.J. Adamson
9 books261 followersAdmit to Mayhem, Midwest Book Festival Award, Nominated for a Clue Award in Suspense.
Suppose, 2018 Mystery & Mayhem Award.
D. J. Adamson is the author of the Lillian Dove Mystery series and the Deviation science fiction-suspense trilogy. She teaches writing and literature at Los Angeles colleges.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 16, 2026
Thank you to the Author, Publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed the story this book told. The character Willow has to face her past when she is called back to her hometown after learning that her aunt has died. The story was definitely what I would consider a slow-burn, building and building, and then the ending was disappointing. The resolution was abrupt. Leaving us with more questions that won't get answers.
The author did a wonderful job capturing different voices for each of the characters, as the story was told from multiple POVs. However, a few chapters in, I realized that each "paragraph" was really just a single sentence, even when discussing the same idea. I can see this being used as a style choice when something needs to make an impact, but when nearly the entire book is like this, it seems odd.
I also feel like everything we learned about the characters was superficial, their surroundings, etc. and while I could still picture what was happening, I would have liked more details, more descriptions of the area, what the characters were thinking, doing, and feeling, to really immerse myself in the story. We were told, rather than shown.
The blurb mentions "ghostly voices" and personifies the house itself, suggesting a paranormal element in this story, but there was nothing paranormal about the story.
There were also a lot of spelling errors or typos scattered throughout the book. More proofreading should be done before it goes to publication. I originally intended to read this one via Kindle, but the file seems to have been corrupted or formatting failed, as it was entirely unreadable. The text appeared as though someone had just smashed their fingers on a keyboard. I advise the author/publisher to look into that. It was still readable through the NetGalley app.
I enjoyed the story this book told. The character Willow has to face her past when she is called back to her hometown after learning that her aunt has died. The story was definitely what I would consider a slow-burn, building and building, and then the ending was disappointing. The resolution was abrupt. Leaving us with more questions that won't get answers.
The author did a wonderful job capturing different voices for each of the characters, as the story was told from multiple POVs. However, a few chapters in, I realized that each "paragraph" was really just a single sentence, even when discussing the same idea. I can see this being used as a style choice when something needs to make an impact, but when nearly the entire book is like this, it seems odd.
I also feel like everything we learned about the characters was superficial, their surroundings, etc. and while I could still picture what was happening, I would have liked more details, more descriptions of the area, what the characters were thinking, doing, and feeling, to really immerse myself in the story. We were told, rather than shown.
The blurb mentions "ghostly voices" and personifies the house itself, suggesting a paranormal element in this story, but there was nothing paranormal about the story.
There were also a lot of spelling errors or typos scattered throughout the book. More proofreading should be done before it goes to publication. I originally intended to read this one via Kindle, but the file seems to have been corrupted or formatting failed, as it was entirely unreadable. The text appeared as though someone had just smashed their fingers on a keyboard. I advise the author/publisher to look into that. It was still readable through the NetGalley app.
February 2, 2026
Thank you to DJ Adamson, publisher BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for this free advanced copy of The Madness She Knew. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all opinions are my own.
I found this book intriguing from the very first chapter. There were lots of shadowy references to past events and hints as to what was going on but things didn’t become clear until much further into the story.
I would classify it as a slow-burn read but I was still dragged in by a tale of family secrets and whether you can really outrun your past.
The tone was creepy and unsettling throughout. Although not filled with the crazy twists you sometimes get in thriller reads, it was engaging enough that I wanted to keep reading to the end and wasn't willing to put it down until I found out what was really going on.
Paradise is the setting for the book, but the town is anything but for Willow, the intriguing protagonist with some serious demons. She is far from the only character with a secret.
The use of multiple POVs helped move the story along and gives the reader insight into the motivations and emotional frailties of the character we hear from.
Although I enjoyed reading this book, I would say I was disappointed at the end. From the description, I was expecting more paranormal/supernatural elements, but they never emerged. The ending itself lacked the X-factor that would allow me to rate it any higher.
Enough positives for me to read more from this author though.
I found this book intriguing from the very first chapter. There were lots of shadowy references to past events and hints as to what was going on but things didn’t become clear until much further into the story.
I would classify it as a slow-burn read but I was still dragged in by a tale of family secrets and whether you can really outrun your past.
The tone was creepy and unsettling throughout. Although not filled with the crazy twists you sometimes get in thriller reads, it was engaging enough that I wanted to keep reading to the end and wasn't willing to put it down until I found out what was really going on.
Paradise is the setting for the book, but the town is anything but for Willow, the intriguing protagonist with some serious demons. She is far from the only character with a secret.
The use of multiple POVs helped move the story along and gives the reader insight into the motivations and emotional frailties of the character we hear from.
Although I enjoyed reading this book, I would say I was disappointed at the end. From the description, I was expecting more paranormal/supernatural elements, but they never emerged. The ending itself lacked the X-factor that would allow me to rate it any higher.
Enough positives for me to read more from this author though.
February 19, 2026
TW: Sexual assault, rape, alcohol, drugs, mental illness, blood, violence, death of a parent, murder, vomit.
I found this book on NetGalley, and I must admit, I thought the cover and the blurb looked very promising. Unfortunately, this the last time I trust my gut with a book. I read ‘The Madness She Knew’ by D.J. Adamson. It’s a paranormal thriller, and I rated it 1 star.
We follow a lot of POVs in this book. We have Violet, who has run away from her two aunts, Bly and Zelda, who have been looking after her since her mum’s passing. We have Archer, a policeman, who took over from his father. We also have Willy Small (funny), who is one of our villains of the series. I would say it’s a spoiler, but it’s pretty obvious from the beginning that it’s him. When Bly’s found dead at their home, Archer calls for Violet to come back to ask her about her aunts. Zelda has a mental illness, and as she’s gone missing, a lot of people think that she is the culprit of the murder. Violet doesn’t want to step foot back in that house again, but does so, at great risk. When more bodies found in the garden, more questions are asked, as they try to figure out why their house has more dead bodies than alive ones.
The best thing about this book is the name Willy Small, and that is me being generous. I did get a chuckle out of it. I suppose the length of the chapters made the book more digestable, but in the end, I think it did more harm than good.
One word that I could use to describe my reaction to this book is detached. Meaning, I did not feel much towards it at all, apart from some vague annoyance sometimes. There are so many POVs, so it’s really hard to like any character. I’m not really sure who we, as readers, should be rooting for. The chapters are short, meaning that by the time we are getting to know a character, it’s already over. The sentences are short, which means I am constantly on edge, yet there’s little tension in the story because the author is so obvious about who the antagonist is. I don’t like how we knew who the villain was all the way through the book, and I don’t like the fact that there was a second villain, and by the end, we still don’t really know who or why he was there. I know he kidnapped Zelda for money reasons, but why? I didn’t know enough about him and his reasons at the end of the book, and it left me a bit confused. The ending didn’t clarify anything for me.
This book is incorrectly labelled as a paranormal thriller book, because it wasn’t paranormal, or thrilling. There were a few mentions of the house having a voice, but other than that, it didn’t really have a paranormal vibe, which is a bit disappointing. It felt a bit misleading, and we know how I feel about misleading books. Also, I think a lot of the book is unrealistic, especially with how quickly the stray dog became Willy’s friend. That was my biggest bug bare of the book - there was no time to earn his trust, it just happened. Unbelievable!
One thing that I hate, and I’m going to generalise and say it happens more with male writers, but I hate when writers add in SA scenes that just aren’t needed. We already knew the antagonist was an awful person. It didn’t add anything to the story, it didn’t add anything to any characters; if anything, it made the book worse. That might sound a bit harsh, but I’m sick of SA being a plot point that isn’t necessary! It’s a horrible thing, and it feels like a lot of writers just throw it in there to pack a punch. It wasn’t needed for this book, and I think it’s a big part of the reason I rated it so poorly.
So, would I recommend this book? I would not. I think there is a lot that doesn’t make sense, and the ending didn’t fill me with satisfaction. I didn’t bond with the characters or the book itself, and I don’t think the plot compensated for everything that I found wrong with it. I’m glad I got through it in the end, but it was not worth it.
I found this book on NetGalley, and I must admit, I thought the cover and the blurb looked very promising. Unfortunately, this the last time I trust my gut with a book. I read ‘The Madness She Knew’ by D.J. Adamson. It’s a paranormal thriller, and I rated it 1 star.
We follow a lot of POVs in this book. We have Violet, who has run away from her two aunts, Bly and Zelda, who have been looking after her since her mum’s passing. We have Archer, a policeman, who took over from his father. We also have Willy Small (funny), who is one of our villains of the series. I would say it’s a spoiler, but it’s pretty obvious from the beginning that it’s him. When Bly’s found dead at their home, Archer calls for Violet to come back to ask her about her aunts. Zelda has a mental illness, and as she’s gone missing, a lot of people think that she is the culprit of the murder. Violet doesn’t want to step foot back in that house again, but does so, at great risk. When more bodies found in the garden, more questions are asked, as they try to figure out why their house has more dead bodies than alive ones.
The best thing about this book is the name Willy Small, and that is me being generous. I did get a chuckle out of it. I suppose the length of the chapters made the book more digestable, but in the end, I think it did more harm than good.
One word that I could use to describe my reaction to this book is detached. Meaning, I did not feel much towards it at all, apart from some vague annoyance sometimes. There are so many POVs, so it’s really hard to like any character. I’m not really sure who we, as readers, should be rooting for. The chapters are short, meaning that by the time we are getting to know a character, it’s already over. The sentences are short, which means I am constantly on edge, yet there’s little tension in the story because the author is so obvious about who the antagonist is. I don’t like how we knew who the villain was all the way through the book, and I don’t like the fact that there was a second villain, and by the end, we still don’t really know who or why he was there. I know he kidnapped Zelda for money reasons, but why? I didn’t know enough about him and his reasons at the end of the book, and it left me a bit confused. The ending didn’t clarify anything for me.
This book is incorrectly labelled as a paranormal thriller book, because it wasn’t paranormal, or thrilling. There were a few mentions of the house having a voice, but other than that, it didn’t really have a paranormal vibe, which is a bit disappointing. It felt a bit misleading, and we know how I feel about misleading books. Also, I think a lot of the book is unrealistic, especially with how quickly the stray dog became Willy’s friend. That was my biggest bug bare of the book - there was no time to earn his trust, it just happened. Unbelievable!
One thing that I hate, and I’m going to generalise and say it happens more with male writers, but I hate when writers add in SA scenes that just aren’t needed. We already knew the antagonist was an awful person. It didn’t add anything to the story, it didn’t add anything to any characters; if anything, it made the book worse. That might sound a bit harsh, but I’m sick of SA being a plot point that isn’t necessary! It’s a horrible thing, and it feels like a lot of writers just throw it in there to pack a punch. It wasn’t needed for this book, and I think it’s a big part of the reason I rated it so poorly.
So, would I recommend this book? I would not. I think there is a lot that doesn’t make sense, and the ending didn’t fill me with satisfaction. I didn’t bond with the characters or the book itself, and I don’t think the plot compensated for everything that I found wrong with it. I’m glad I got through it in the end, but it was not worth it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2026
The Madness She Knew is an atmospheric, unsettling, and deeply emotional thriller that grips you from the moment Willow Harris returns to Paradise, Oregon—a place she hoped never to see again. DJ Adamson weaves a story that feels both intimate and gothic, full of whispered memories, buried sins, and the kind of small‑town secrets that cling like fog.
Willow is a compelling anchor for the novel. Her grief, her confusion, and her long‑suppressed fear make her journey feel raw and believable. Returning to her aunts’ isolated home—one dead, one vanished—forces her to confront a childhood shaped by emotional cruelty and a faith twisted into something far darker. The house itself feels alive with menace, a character in its own right, breathing with the weight of everything left unsaid.
The multiple points of view add richness and tension, each chapter tightening the emotional noose as past and present collide. Adamson handles the themes of fanaticism, loyalty, and generational trauma with a deft, elegant touch. The whispers of missing bodies, the long‑buried crimes, and the slow unravelling of truth create a steady, chilling momentum.
What makes the novel truly shine is its exploration of the lies families tell—and the damage they justify in the name of love, faith, or control. Willow’s reckoning is painful, courageous, and ultimately transformative.
Dark, atmospheric, and beautifully written, The Madness She Knew is a gripping psychological drama perfect for readers who love small‑town secrets, gothic tension, and stories where the past refuses to stay buried.
With thanks to DJ Adamson, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Willow is a compelling anchor for the novel. Her grief, her confusion, and her long‑suppressed fear make her journey feel raw and believable. Returning to her aunts’ isolated home—one dead, one vanished—forces her to confront a childhood shaped by emotional cruelty and a faith twisted into something far darker. The house itself feels alive with menace, a character in its own right, breathing with the weight of everything left unsaid.
The multiple points of view add richness and tension, each chapter tightening the emotional noose as past and present collide. Adamson handles the themes of fanaticism, loyalty, and generational trauma with a deft, elegant touch. The whispers of missing bodies, the long‑buried crimes, and the slow unravelling of truth create a steady, chilling momentum.
What makes the novel truly shine is its exploration of the lies families tell—and the damage they justify in the name of love, faith, or control. Willow’s reckoning is painful, courageous, and ultimately transformative.
Dark, atmospheric, and beautifully written, The Madness She Knew is a gripping psychological drama perfect for readers who love small‑town secrets, gothic tension, and stories where the past refuses to stay buried.
With thanks to DJ Adamson, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
February 18, 2026
The Madness She Knew by D.J. Adamson follows the main character Willow who has been called back to her hometown after the death of her aunt now has to face a past she has wanted to avoid. Who doesn’t enjoy a story that involves family secrets? I know I do. This book drew me in right from the start. There are a lot of breadcrumbs throughout that allude to past events and secrets. This book was absolutely a slow burn, but if you enjoy putting the pieces together you will enjoy this read. The setting has a creepy feeling throughout, which I really enjoyed. I am always a fan of multiple POVs, so I was very excited to see this book had that element and the characters were enjoyable.
I did enjoy reading this book, but the ending left me feeling a little disappointment. I was expecting a little more, but that being said, I still enjoyed this read and would read more from this author. Thank you, D.J. Adamson, BooksGoSocial, and NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
I did enjoy reading this book, but the ending left me feeling a little disappointment. I was expecting a little more, but that being said, I still enjoyed this read and would read more from this author. Thank you, D.J. Adamson, BooksGoSocial, and NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
February 8, 2026
I liked this book a lot. The multiple perspectives slowly revealed what was going on without giving too much away, which kept me guessing in a really good way. It had just enough twists to stay interesting without feeling overdone.
The writing style really worked for me. Short chapters made it easy to read in small chunks, and I liked that it wasn’t overly descriptive. It let my imagination fill in the gaps, which I actually preferred.
Overall, a solid and engaging read that kept my attention throughout.
The writing style really worked for me. Short chapters made it easy to read in small chunks, and I liked that it wasn’t overly descriptive. It let my imagination fill in the gaps, which I actually preferred.
Overall, a solid and engaging read that kept my attention throughout.
February 18, 2026
good reading
As usual an excellent read, full of twists and turns hard to put down. I eagerly await each new release from D.J.Adamson and am never disappointed! This book is as good as the first one and that’s saying a lot!
As usual an excellent read, full of twists and turns hard to put down. I eagerly await each new release from D.J.Adamson and am never disappointed! This book is as good as the first one and that’s saying a lot!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews