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A Cure for Madness
Clare Campbell has worked hard to create distance between herself and her troubled family. But when she receives news of her parents’ murder, she’s forced to return to the quiet town of Clarkeston, Maine, to arrange their funeral and take legal guardianship of her unpredictable and mentally ill brother, Wes.
While Clare struggles to come to grips with the death of her parents, a terrifying pathogen outbreak overtakes the town. She is all too familiar with the resulting symptoms, which resemble those of her brother’s schizophrenia: hallucinations, paranoia, and bizarre, even violent, behavior. Before long, the government steps in—and one agent takes a special interest in Wes. Clare must make a horrifying decision: save her brother or save the world.
While Clare struggles to come to grips with the death of her parents, a terrifying pathogen outbreak overtakes the town. She is all too familiar with the resulting symptoms, which resemble those of her brother’s schizophrenia: hallucinations, paranoia, and bizarre, even violent, behavior. Before long, the government steps in—and one agent takes a special interest in Wes. Clare must make a horrifying decision: save her brother or save the world.
299 pages, Paperback
First published January 19, 2016
359 people are currently reading
1606 people want to read
About the author
Jodi McIsaac
12 books344 followersJodi McIsaac is the author of the Irish contemporary fantasy series The Thin Veil (47North) the thriller A Cure for Madness (Thomas & Mercer) and the Revolutionary series (47North).
She grew up in New Brunswick, on Canada's east coast. After abandoning her Olympic speed skating dream, she wrote speeches for a politician, volunteered in a refugee camp, waited tables in Belfast, and earned a couple of university degrees. When not writing novels, she runs a boutique copywriting agency serving the non-profit sector.
She grew up in New Brunswick, on Canada's east coast. After abandoning her Olympic speed skating dream, she wrote speeches for a politician, volunteered in a refugee camp, waited tables in Belfast, and earned a couple of university degrees. When not writing novels, she runs a boutique copywriting agency serving the non-profit sector.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 216 reviews
February 13, 2017
Questionable ending.
This was a free book with audio, listed on and off while walking. It was interesting plot, government was trying to develop mind altering drug and got out. Named Gaspereau, infected Clarkestown, Maine. Some romance is thrown in to this madness too. Abruptly ended, many questions left unanswered.
2.5 stars.
This was a free book with audio, listed on and off while walking. It was interesting plot, government was trying to develop mind altering drug and got out. Named Gaspereau, infected Clarkestown, Maine. Some romance is thrown in to this madness too. Abruptly ended, many questions left unanswered.
2.5 stars.
January 19, 2018
A Cure for Madness is logically gripping. What I mean by that is this: it’s believable and scary all at once. I enjoyed the story, the cast of characters, and the way things played out. Honestly, it was really a five-star read for about three-fourths of the book, but the ending was just too sappy for me. I didn’t like how everything was tied up so tidily. Even so, the author knows what she’s doing...so I’ll certainly keep her in my wheelhouse for the foreseeable future!
June 11, 2016
There was only numbness, a strange acceptance that this was the way things were.
HOLY SHIT THAT ENDING.
this is a fast-paced thriller about a strange and terrifying pathogen outbreak in a small town. the symptoms resemble those of schizophrenia: hallucinations, paranoia, and bizarre, even violent, behavior. but it's also an intense story of brother and sister. clare has done all she could to remove herself from her mentally ill brother wes' life, and in doing so may have also sabotaged her own life. so it's also a story of redemption and forgiveness, because A Cure For Madness gets under your skin.
one thing i especially liked was how this was a post edward snowden apocalypse tale; there was even a character inspired by him: a girl working at the NSA providing vital information to people who deserved to know the truth.
i kept expecting this to go all Walking Dead on me, to get gory and horrifying and there is some of that, some startling and upsetting images being painted but it mostly focuses on survival. it's about being your own hero and saviour. it's a story about family, about losing and gaining and then losing again, and boy i did not see that loss coming. i'm going to mourn the ending for a while. SHE SAVED THE FUCKING WORLD.
btw FAVORITE COVER + TITLE COMBO OF 2016. i mean, just look at that!!! it's so darkly beautiful, i can't look away.
HOLY SHIT THAT ENDING.
this is a fast-paced thriller about a strange and terrifying pathogen outbreak in a small town. the symptoms resemble those of schizophrenia: hallucinations, paranoia, and bizarre, even violent, behavior. but it's also an intense story of brother and sister. clare has done all she could to remove herself from her mentally ill brother wes' life, and in doing so may have also sabotaged her own life. so it's also a story of redemption and forgiveness, because A Cure For Madness gets under your skin.
one thing i especially liked was how this was a post edward snowden apocalypse tale; there was even a character inspired by him: a girl working at the NSA providing vital information to people who deserved to know the truth.
i kept expecting this to go all Walking Dead on me, to get gory and horrifying and there is some of that, some startling and upsetting images being painted but it mostly focuses on survival. it's about being your own hero and saviour. it's a story about family, about losing and gaining and then losing again, and boy i did not see that loss coming. i'm going to mourn the ending for a while. SHE SAVED THE FUCKING WORLD.
btw FAVORITE COVER + TITLE COMBO OF 2016. i mean, just look at that!!! it's so darkly beautiful, i can't look away.
March 10, 2017
This was a book I picked up through KindleUnlimited w/narration & honestly didn't really know what to expect from it.
Happily surprised by the story, however!
A family breaking down quickly turns into a town breaking down, and maybe the world, thereafter. While it involves much more, this novel is ultimately about sacrifice & family, the greater good, doing one's best by their loved ones, and perhaps a dash of fate thrown in. :)
Happily surprised by the story, however!
A family breaking down quickly turns into a town breaking down, and maybe the world, thereafter. While it involves much more, this novel is ultimately about sacrifice & family, the greater good, doing one's best by their loved ones, and perhaps a dash of fate thrown in. :)
January 21, 2016
ARC kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Clare is a copywriter who lives in Seattle but one day she receives the terrible news that her parents have been murdered by a family friend who seemed to be suffering of some kind of mental illness. Now Clare needs to get back to the town of Clarkeston to prepare her parents' funeral and take care of her older brother Wes , who is suffering of schizophrenia.
Wes tells Clare all kind of conspiracy stories but of course that Clare doesn't take him seriously. Soon people start to act odd and Clarkeston gets into quarantine. A new pathogen takes over the town and people start acting like schizophrenics, only this virus is spreading like flu.The authorities are after Wes and they want him locked up back into the psychiatric hospital to conduct more tests on his brain. Wes might be the answer to end this madness . But this comes with drastic consequences .Is Clare able to sacrifice her only brother for the sake of saving countless other people?
Enjoyable read . It got me from the very first chapter and I could't put it down until I was done reading it..
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February 3, 2016This book may as well have been stapled to my fingers, I could not put it down. Its spiky heroine who reluctantly travels home for a funeral, her troubled brother, a plague of full on crazy sweeping her a small town. Underneath the medical thrills there’s a real tenderness that worms its way under your ribs and into your heart. — Rachel Weber
from The Best Books We Read In January: http://bookriot.com/2016/02/01/riot-r...
from The Best Books We Read In January: http://bookriot.com/2016/02/01/riot-r...
November 3, 2016
Great title and concept here, with a pathogen that spreads schizophrenic tendencies among those who come in contact with it. Unfortunately, this felt like it just skimmed the surface of what could have been an intense and immersive experience.
The biggest challenge I found with this novel was it's protagonist. Clare comes off like some spoiled child, whose ignorance and self-centeredness become painful to bear. Based on some of the experiences she's supposedly had growing up, you would think she'd have more to her personality but it never came across. I suppose an argument could be made that this is her "character arc," with the ending justifying "just how much she's changed." For me, not only did it not work, but it detracted from what might have been a more enjoyable reading experience.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm all about the unlikable protagonists. But even your worst and most despicable protags have quirky personality traits that are enviable -- you may hate them, but you can't discount certain things about them that make them so fascinating.
Such was not the case with Clare.
Add to the novel the convenient TV's that happen to capture press conferences with relevant and important plot information at just the right moment (multiple times), characters with jobs that allow them to disseminate much needed (apparently) exposition, a tired love-interest relationship that feels forced into the story, and a quite non-sympathetic treatment of mental illness in general and you'll understand why this just didn't connect with me on any level.
Would I read another work by this author? I would. There's a lot of potential buried within these pages, I would just hope for an experience that isn't trying to be something that it's not. A pass from me, but don't take my word on it.
The biggest challenge I found with this novel was it's protagonist. Clare comes off like some spoiled child, whose ignorance and self-centeredness become painful to bear. Based on some of the experiences she's supposedly had growing up, you would think she'd have more to her personality but it never came across. I suppose an argument could be made that this is her "character arc," with the ending justifying "just how much she's changed." For me, not only did it not work, but it detracted from what might have been a more enjoyable reading experience.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm all about the unlikable protagonists. But even your worst and most despicable protags have quirky personality traits that are enviable -- you may hate them, but you can't discount certain things about them that make them so fascinating.
Such was not the case with Clare.
Add to the novel the convenient TV's that happen to capture press conferences with relevant and important plot information at just the right moment (multiple times), characters with jobs that allow them to disseminate much needed (apparently) exposition, a tired love-interest relationship that feels forced into the story, and a quite non-sympathetic treatment of mental illness in general and you'll understand why this just didn't connect with me on any level.
Would I read another work by this author? I would. There's a lot of potential buried within these pages, I would just hope for an experience that isn't trying to be something that it's not. A pass from me, but don't take my word on it.
January 7, 2016
ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
"The secret to staying alive was to keep moving."
3.2 Stars
This book wasn't bad. It kept my interest long enough to close the book at the end feeling a little connection towards the characters. Although, it did feel rushed. It felt like the plot would have felt better if it was split between a second or a third book, as dystopian sci-fi books typically are.
Another thing, it felt like some of the aspects of this book were forced, which sort of felt like a let-down because when an author writes a book, they write it in a way that makes them attached to the story, the characters, and the plot. So, when you add aspects to the story that don't necessarily have any leverage over the story or make the story gain anything it feels fake to the reader. That was one aspect that was a complete turn-off because you cannot force a reader to be emotionally atached to any aspect of the story. If it's well-written, it will just work.
" It's not bravery when there's no choice."
Clare Campbell has sought distance from the small town she once called home. After an accident forced her to leave, she has only dreamed of finding the place furthest away from it. She's made life-long friends and countless experiences, but when a family tragedy calls her back to the place that she had longed to forget, she can't ignore it.
Wes Campbell, Clare's big brother, is in a psych ward. He's labelled a schizophrenic with aggressive and fantastical tendencies. He has a mop of golden hair on top of his head and is covered head to toe in tattoo's and piercings.
When their parents pass away suddenly and Clare is called back home to be her brother's legal guardian, she has no intent on staying. Just to get him set up and then take off back to her ignorant corner of the earth, but when a mysterious sickness plagues the town and a mandatory quarantine is in effect, that's the least of her worries. With a brother who is being hunted by the government and the whole town's population dropping like flies, she begins to wonder if she even made the right choice in returning, or if the choice will die with her.
"But there's something powerful about embracing the worst parts of yourself, the parts you hope no one ever finds out about. to admit that you are not all light and bravery, that you are both hero and villain in your life's story."
Like I said, some aspects of this story seemed forced and served no point to the plot, which is why I'm ranking this book a 3.2. It had no point to the story, but it's only point was to make you feel a connection the characters, it seemed. Other than that, the plot was promising! It felt rushed, like I said, it should have been expanded over multiple books.
"The secret to staying alive was to keep moving."
3.2 Stars
This book wasn't bad. It kept my interest long enough to close the book at the end feeling a little connection towards the characters. Although, it did feel rushed. It felt like the plot would have felt better if it was split between a second or a third book, as dystopian sci-fi books typically are.
Another thing, it felt like some of the aspects of this book were forced, which sort of felt like a let-down because when an author writes a book, they write it in a way that makes them attached to the story, the characters, and the plot. So, when you add aspects to the story that don't necessarily have any leverage over the story or make the story gain anything it feels fake to the reader. That was one aspect that was a complete turn-off because you cannot force a reader to be emotionally atached to any aspect of the story. If it's well-written, it will just work.
" It's not bravery when there's no choice."
Clare Campbell has sought distance from the small town she once called home. After an accident forced her to leave, she has only dreamed of finding the place furthest away from it. She's made life-long friends and countless experiences, but when a family tragedy calls her back to the place that she had longed to forget, she can't ignore it.
Wes Campbell, Clare's big brother, is in a psych ward. He's labelled a schizophrenic with aggressive and fantastical tendencies. He has a mop of golden hair on top of his head and is covered head to toe in tattoo's and piercings.
When their parents pass away suddenly and Clare is called back home to be her brother's legal guardian, she has no intent on staying. Just to get him set up and then take off back to her ignorant corner of the earth, but when a mysterious sickness plagues the town and a mandatory quarantine is in effect, that's the least of her worries. With a brother who is being hunted by the government and the whole town's population dropping like flies, she begins to wonder if she even made the right choice in returning, or if the choice will die with her.
"But there's something powerful about embracing the worst parts of yourself, the parts you hope no one ever finds out about. to admit that you are not all light and bravery, that you are both hero and villain in your life's story."
Like I said, some aspects of this story seemed forced and served no point to the plot, which is why I'm ranking this book a 3.2. It had no point to the story, but it's only point was to make you feel a connection the characters, it seemed. Other than that, the plot was promising! It felt rushed, like I said, it should have been expanded over multiple books.
December 24, 2015
I would give this book 3.5 stars if I could, but I'll round up to 4 instead of down to 3.
It took me a day to rate this book because I wanted to think about it for a minute before I rushed to judgement. Overrall, this was a captivating read about a girl and her mentally ill brother who eventually end up running from the government because his brain is the answer to a man made biological weapon. People are dying-- some at their own hands-- because of a highly contagious virus that is spreading like wildfire through small Clarkeston, Maine. When Claire returns home to bury her parents who've been killed by a deranged man, she falls squat in the middle of this ordeal.
Most of this book is completely believable and realistically frightening. I could see all of it happening in real life... I could also see it unfolding on the small screen as a mini series.
Only two issues really lie between an okay and an excellent rating. The superfluous love scene (ya'll know I hate that 'we're in extreme danger, hiding from the government, hey you're cute, let's have sex' story twist) and the ending.
Like... what? It was short and stunted and explained nothing. I didn't get it. At all. How much time had passe? Why does Wes seem so... not mentally ill? What happened to Latasha? Just... so many questions. I'm... I was confused. Perhaps I need things spelled out to me but the final chapter was too short and didn't tie off anything for me.
It took me a day to rate this book because I wanted to think about it for a minute before I rushed to judgement. Overrall, this was a captivating read about a girl and her mentally ill brother who eventually end up running from the government because his brain is the answer to a man made biological weapon. People are dying-- some at their own hands-- because of a highly contagious virus that is spreading like wildfire through small Clarkeston, Maine. When Claire returns home to bury her parents who've been killed by a deranged man, she falls squat in the middle of this ordeal.
Most of this book is completely believable and realistically frightening. I could see all of it happening in real life... I could also see it unfolding on the small screen as a mini series.
Only two issues really lie between an okay and an excellent rating. The superfluous love scene (ya'll know I hate that 'we're in extreme danger, hiding from the government, hey you're cute, let's have sex' story twist) and the ending.
Like... what? It was short and stunted and explained nothing. I didn't get it. At all. How much time had passe? Why does Wes seem so... not mentally ill? What happened to Latasha? Just... so many questions. I'm... I was confused. Perhaps I need things spelled out to me but the final chapter was too short and didn't tie off anything for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2022
A Cure For Madness' is a hard to label book because it refuses to follow along the well-worn path of thrillers about pandemics. There is a pandemic and a very scary one at that: extremely contagious, incurable and vaccine-proof, it destroys the minds of the infected but doesn't kill them. There are also threatening government authority figures who appear to have something to hide and who are ruthless in the pursuit of the mentally ill brother of our heroine, Clare Campbell. Yet the primary focus isn't on the end of the world as we know it or even on the salient efforts of scientists to save everyone, it's on the moral dilemma faced by Clare Campbell, who is presented with a choice of protecting her brother or saving the world.
What I liked most about the book was that it didn't try to make things easy for Clare or for the reader. The bad guys were trying to do the right thing. The good guys were unstable, anti-social and sometimes violent. None of the choices was good. No magic bullets were available.
In addition to the usual challenges of trying to decide whether the greatest good of the greatest number over-rides personal and familial loyalty, 'A Cure For Madness' added in significant personal challenges for Clare. Her older brother, Wes, the man she has to decide whether to save, suffers from schizophrenia. Jodi McIsaac takes an unflinching look at what that means: the delusions, the paranoia, the sudden violence and then the reversion to 'normal' and all the associated apologies. I like that Wes comes across as a person and not just as the disease that sometimes drives his actions. Given that a form of schizophrenia now seems to have become highly contagious, seeing Wes as a person provides a context for what is happening to everyone else.
Claire isn't one of those kick-ass heroines with experience of working in war zones and a handy PhD in epidemiology. She's a woman who, as a teen, suffered a severe trauma in her home town and left it determined never to come back. She's intelligent and well-travelled but she's spent more than a decade running away from her hometown and her mentally ill big brother. This background means is bright enough to work out what's going on, attached enough / guilty enough about her big brother to feel both obligated and resentful at being obligated and her experience has taught her that running away doesn't banish the problem you ran from.
I loved the rigorous way challenges in this book were set up and I was impressed and surprised by the solution that Claire finally arrived at.
There were some things in the book that didn't work so well for me. I thought the pace was a little uneven. The romance/sex scene seemed not to fit easily into the flow of the story or the development of the characters.
But I found most of the book very engaging albeit in quite a grim way.
I can see that some people might find the ending, especially the last chapter, a little difficult. Personally, i liked it It needs to be read with care. Like the rest of the book, it's told from Clare's point of view but, in this chapter at least, Clare is not necessarily a reliable narrator.
October 24, 2025
Added 10/24/2025: If you haven't read the book, please don't read the comments. There are major spoilers there.
For the most part, this reads pretty much like a standard thriller/zombie novel, although the zombies are not "walking dead." It also has the standard (although this is hardly a spoiler, every single book of this type uses this trope) I should have seen the end coming. I saw the clues, knew they were significant, but still didn't tumble until it actually happened. That's why this gets 3 stars instead of 2.
For the most part, this reads pretty much like a standard thriller/zombie novel, although the zombies are not "walking dead." It also has the standard (although this is hardly a spoiler, every single book of this type uses this trope) I should have seen the end coming. I saw the clues, knew they were significant, but still didn't tumble until it actually happened. That's why this gets 3 stars instead of 2.
December 11, 2025
This really missed the mark for me, could be that this just isn’t my usual content and because of that I didn’t enjoy it like I could’ve.
I also don’t know if I liked the writing style or the overall plot.
Unfortunately for me I pick reads in advance and then get to them when I do and this was one of those. I probably wouldn’t have given it a second look.
I also don’t know if I liked the writing style or the overall plot.
Unfortunately for me I pick reads in advance and then get to them when I do and this was one of those. I probably wouldn’t have given it a second look.
June 12, 2016
Please check out all of my reviews at http://ultraviolentlit.blogspot.ca!
Clare always had an unsettled relationship with her family, and she moved far away from them as soon as she was able to. When her parents are killed suddenly, she is forced to return home to Clarkeston, Maine and become guardian to her mentally ill brother Wes. Upon her return, something seems off in the sleepy little town. When she goes to pick up Wes at the psych ward, it is overflowing with patients and everyone is filled with unexplained violent emotions.
Before she has a chance to plan her parents’ funeral, the residents of Clarkeston start to go crazy. A contagious mutation, nicknamed “Gaspereau” after the lab where it was discovered, is on the loose. Spreading through cold-like symptoms, Gaspereau causes people to display symptoms of schizophrenia – the illness that Wes happens to be afflicted with. While the infection is not fatal on its own, it causes hallucinations, paranoia, and violent behaviour, leading to many fatalities – and it is spreading rapidly. In fact, Clare’s parents were likely two of Gaspereau’s first victims, as they were randomly attacked by a man with whom they attended church for many years.
Clare feels unequipped to deal with her brother’s symptoms, not to mention an entire town exhibiting schizophrenic-like behaviour – but before she can leave town, Clarkeston is quarantined. An unknown government agency uses the lockdown to capture Wes, as they believe he could be part of the cure for madness. Clare manages to help him make a daring escape from the hospital, but then the two are on a run for their lives. As Wes’ guardian, Clare must decide whether she is able – or indeed if she has a moral obligation – to sacrifice her brother in order to save millions of other people.
A Cure for Madness makes reference to other apocalyptic literature, including The Passage, Fahrenheit 451 and The Walking Dead. Usually, when the end of the world strikes in a novel, it happens outside the literary canon of other such novels – in this case, Clare’s awareness of this literature acts as foreshadowing and increases her fear level. The disease itself is believable, and the author’s explanations of the science behind it are short and sweet – just enough information to make it seem plausible, without getting bogged down in details.
Some of the timing of events was too convenient, as things didn’t seem to happen organically – many scenes were written only to justify the next situation, and it doesn’t flow naturally. It was also extremely coincidental that Clare’s best friend is a TSA agent and her newly reunited ex-boyfriend is a doctor on the front lines of the outbreak – so between the two of them, Clare has all the access she needs to information about Gaspereau and about the agency that is hunting her brother Wes. I also found that some of Clare’s backstory was unnecessarily manipulative, and it didn’t really add to the plot.
The ending was rushed, and I wished for more character development – this could have either been a longer novel, or it could have been followed with a sequel. Regardless, I couldn’t help but be swept away in the adventures of Clare and Wes, and it was definitely a fun read. The ending was easy to guess, but it was still a great ride getting there. Most of all, Clare realized that nobody’s perfect, and she learned to be a hero in her own way, without submitting to any of the romantic tropes that would usually define the female hero in an apocalyptic novel. A fun, surface-level summer read that still makes you think.
I received this novel from Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Clare always had an unsettled relationship with her family, and she moved far away from them as soon as she was able to. When her parents are killed suddenly, she is forced to return home to Clarkeston, Maine and become guardian to her mentally ill brother Wes. Upon her return, something seems off in the sleepy little town. When she goes to pick up Wes at the psych ward, it is overflowing with patients and everyone is filled with unexplained violent emotions.
Before she has a chance to plan her parents’ funeral, the residents of Clarkeston start to go crazy. A contagious mutation, nicknamed “Gaspereau” after the lab where it was discovered, is on the loose. Spreading through cold-like symptoms, Gaspereau causes people to display symptoms of schizophrenia – the illness that Wes happens to be afflicted with. While the infection is not fatal on its own, it causes hallucinations, paranoia, and violent behaviour, leading to many fatalities – and it is spreading rapidly. In fact, Clare’s parents were likely two of Gaspereau’s first victims, as they were randomly attacked by a man with whom they attended church for many years.
Clare feels unequipped to deal with her brother’s symptoms, not to mention an entire town exhibiting schizophrenic-like behaviour – but before she can leave town, Clarkeston is quarantined. An unknown government agency uses the lockdown to capture Wes, as they believe he could be part of the cure for madness. Clare manages to help him make a daring escape from the hospital, but then the two are on a run for their lives. As Wes’ guardian, Clare must decide whether she is able – or indeed if she has a moral obligation – to sacrifice her brother in order to save millions of other people.
A Cure for Madness makes reference to other apocalyptic literature, including The Passage, Fahrenheit 451 and The Walking Dead. Usually, when the end of the world strikes in a novel, it happens outside the literary canon of other such novels – in this case, Clare’s awareness of this literature acts as foreshadowing and increases her fear level. The disease itself is believable, and the author’s explanations of the science behind it are short and sweet – just enough information to make it seem plausible, without getting bogged down in details.
Some of the timing of events was too convenient, as things didn’t seem to happen organically – many scenes were written only to justify the next situation, and it doesn’t flow naturally. It was also extremely coincidental that Clare’s best friend is a TSA agent and her newly reunited ex-boyfriend is a doctor on the front lines of the outbreak – so between the two of them, Clare has all the access she needs to information about Gaspereau and about the agency that is hunting her brother Wes. I also found that some of Clare’s backstory was unnecessarily manipulative, and it didn’t really add to the plot.
The ending was rushed, and I wished for more character development – this could have either been a longer novel, or it could have been followed with a sequel. Regardless, I couldn’t help but be swept away in the adventures of Clare and Wes, and it was definitely a fun read. The ending was easy to guess, but it was still a great ride getting there. Most of all, Clare realized that nobody’s perfect, and she learned to be a hero in her own way, without submitting to any of the romantic tropes that would usually define the female hero in an apocalyptic novel. A fun, surface-level summer read that still makes you think.
I received this novel from Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 23, 2025
Although published in 2016, this book feels like it was written during the COVID-19pandemic after the author read the stand. I found the concept to be the perfect blend of unique and trope-y. Clare returns to her home to care for her mentally ill brother, Wes, after their parents are murdered. There is speculation as to how this disease was created, and how it infected the population, and I do feel that part of the story was very well written. When we discover that Wes is immune due to his schizophrenia, we, as readers put ourselves in Clare’s shoes as to what she would do to save the world or save her brother. When she has the idea that it is not his schizophrenia, but his genetic makeup that makes him immune. She volunteers herself to be the subject of the risky procedure that might lead to a cure. This includes an invasive brain surgery that could leave her in a vegetative state, without her memories, or completely fine. She goes through with the procedure and when she wakes up, she’s told it worked. And basically the book ends there. We are left to wonder, did it work? Did she die? Did it fail, and she suffered the complete memory loss that was one of the risks of the surgery? I know a lot of people enjoy the open ended story telling, but I personally do not. I don’t want my own interpretation, I come to books for the author to tell me a story, and it’s ending. Have you read this book? How did you interpret the ending? Do you think she died? Or do you think she wakes up every morning thinking she’s just waking up from surgery? And do you think the surgery was successful and the illness was contained? Why did Wes run out of the room when she asked questions?
I have so many questions.
I have so many questions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2015
Format: Electronic
Tissue warning: No.
HEA: TBD, cliffhanger
Triggers: mental disease
My reviewer rating: rounding up to a 4.
Clare lives with her best friend Latasha in Seattle, which is as far away from her hometown in Maine as she could have moved, within the United States. Problem is, Clare's parents are murdered, and she has to come home to claim her older brother from the pysch ward of the hospital back home. This does not make Clare happy. Naturally, she's upset about her parents, but she's super torn about returning home and caring for her schizophrenic brother.
What Wes is basically thinking
When Clare makes it back to her hometown and checks in with her uncle Rob, she goes straight to see her brother, Wes, in the hospital. While he's happy to see her, he is worried about the hospital's delay in releasing him. See, there's been an unusual amount of incoming patients experiencing psychotic symptoms. This raises Wes's paranoia drastically.
His paranoia grows even worse once the doctors claim to need to run additional tests on him before they can release him. Clare is naive here, thinking that it's necessary precautions. She doesn't begin to start questioning anything, really, until the hospital swamps with bizarre patients and witnessing violence by people she knew and grew up with. Only now, does she start tying things together.
Did the family friend that murdered her parents have the same Gaspereau disease that the CDC is now bringing to the attention of the masses and why they are quarantining the town?
We follow Clare in her attempts to get her brother out of danger of the doctors and government. She does not want him to undergo any procedures or tests. After all, he is not a guinea pig. Add to the fact that he is adamant that he will not see anymore doctors, and she knows she has to do something.
But is Wes the cure? Does his brain work differently?
The situation begins to take an even bigger nose dive when the infection rate of the disease becomes so rapid that the government orders executions of the infected.
I give props to Ms. McIsaac for the really effective cliffhanger at the end. It's not one of those, "Oh my God, no, you can't do this to me" types, either. It's very well placed. I'm not frustrated at all with this type of cliffhanger.
And I never thought I'd say I was not bothered by a cliffhanger.
This story surprised me. I was actually suspecting to be disappointed. But there is no cheese. Everything that Ms. McIsaac wrote is believable, down to the paranoid tendencies of Wes and his schizophrenic ideals of God speaking directly to him.
I would liked to feel more chemistry between Clare and Kenneth. Hopefully, more can be built upon in the followup (if there's a followup). I get that everything was crazy (literally) and hectic between the two meeting up again and any type of romance would not have really fit with the story line, but I'm a sucker. Therefore, I'm actually glad that there wasn't more as long as there's some in the next.
Tissue warning: No.
HEA: TBD, cliffhanger
Triggers: mental disease
My reviewer rating: rounding up to a 4.
Clare lives with her best friend Latasha in Seattle, which is as far away from her hometown in Maine as she could have moved, within the United States. Problem is, Clare's parents are murdered, and she has to come home to claim her older brother from the pysch ward of the hospital back home. This does not make Clare happy. Naturally, she's upset about her parents, but she's super torn about returning home and caring for her schizophrenic brother.
What Wes is basically thinking
When Clare makes it back to her hometown and checks in with her uncle Rob, she goes straight to see her brother, Wes, in the hospital. While he's happy to see her, he is worried about the hospital's delay in releasing him. See, there's been an unusual amount of incoming patients experiencing psychotic symptoms. This raises Wes's paranoia drastically.
His paranoia grows even worse once the doctors claim to need to run additional tests on him before they can release him. Clare is naive here, thinking that it's necessary precautions. She doesn't begin to start questioning anything, really, until the hospital swamps with bizarre patients and witnessing violence by people she knew and grew up with. Only now, does she start tying things together.
Did the family friend that murdered her parents have the same Gaspereau disease that the CDC is now bringing to the attention of the masses and why they are quarantining the town?
We follow Clare in her attempts to get her brother out of danger of the doctors and government. She does not want him to undergo any procedures or tests. After all, he is not a guinea pig. Add to the fact that he is adamant that he will not see anymore doctors, and she knows she has to do something.
But is Wes the cure? Does his brain work differently?
The situation begins to take an even bigger nose dive when the infection rate of the disease becomes so rapid that the government orders executions of the infected.
I give props to Ms. McIsaac for the really effective cliffhanger at the end. It's not one of those, "Oh my God, no, you can't do this to me" types, either. It's very well placed. I'm not frustrated at all with this type of cliffhanger.
And I never thought I'd say I was not bothered by a cliffhanger.
This story surprised me. I was actually suspecting to be disappointed. But there is no cheese. Everything that Ms. McIsaac wrote is believable, down to the paranoid tendencies of Wes and his schizophrenic ideals of God speaking directly to him.
I would liked to feel more chemistry between Clare and Kenneth. Hopefully, more can be built upon in the followup (if there's a followup). I get that everything was crazy (literally) and hectic between the two meeting up again and any type of romance would not have really fit with the story line, but I'm a sucker. Therefore, I'm actually glad that there wasn't more as long as there's some in the next.
January 18, 2016
After receiving the news that her parents are dead, Clare returns to her home town to care for her schizophrenic brother, Wes. Clare is warned by her uncle before picking Wes up at the psych ward that something is going on at the hospital. Once Clare is finally able to get through the chaos and confusion, Wes is released. With more of the town showing usual symptoms similar to schizophrenia the Centers for Disease Control is brought in to assist. Clare and Wes are back at their childhood home when Dr. Hansen from the CDC knocks on the door asking for Wes. Wes is taken from the home for "more testing" and Clare starts asking questions. Those questions slowly become answered, but are they the answers Clare was hoping for?
#COVERLOVE
Hooked from the prologue. The writing was great and everything flowed so well. Perfect amount of back story to understand why the characters acted or felt the way they did. A lot of action and things I didn't expect to happen. I liked both Clare and Wes equally, they were the perfect dysfunctional siblings. Realistic dialogue and reactions to situations from the characters which I found important with this type of book.
This is my first book by Jodi McIsaac and I am a happy reader! Also thank you Amazon/Thomas & Mercer for sending me a copy! I will defiantly check out more books by Jodi.
#COVERLOVE
Hooked from the prologue. The writing was great and everything flowed so well. Perfect amount of back story to understand why the characters acted or felt the way they did. A lot of action and things I didn't expect to happen. I liked both Clare and Wes equally, they were the perfect dysfunctional siblings. Realistic dialogue and reactions to situations from the characters which I found important with this type of book.
This is my first book by Jodi McIsaac and I am a happy reader! Also thank you Amazon/Thomas & Mercer for sending me a copy! I will defiantly check out more books by Jodi.
February 5, 2016
Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
31 year old Clare Campbell has a brother, Wes, who is a paranoid schizophrenic back home in Clarkeston, Main. Family issues has caused Clare to move across the country to distance herself from her family. The evening before Wes is to be released from the psychiatric hospital, Clare finds out that her parents were murdered by a member of their church for some, unknown reason. After arriving home, Clare discovers that a pathogen outbreak, one with symptoms that are eerily similar to her brother's schizophrenia, is taking over many of the townspeople. Clare has a choice to make: do what is best for Wes or what is best for them all.
This fast paced novel has a unique concept and a well developed plot. It definitely read like a movie and I could easily see it ending up on the silver screen. Clare is a great main character, as her strength and persistence are coupled with a good sense of morality. There were a couple of moments where belief goes out the window, so I would give A Cure for Madness three and a half stars if the rating system would allow. I would recommend this book, although my advice to readers is to read the ending carefully, as you might miss the subtlety.
31 year old Clare Campbell has a brother, Wes, who is a paranoid schizophrenic back home in Clarkeston, Main. Family issues has caused Clare to move across the country to distance herself from her family. The evening before Wes is to be released from the psychiatric hospital, Clare finds out that her parents were murdered by a member of their church for some, unknown reason. After arriving home, Clare discovers that a pathogen outbreak, one with symptoms that are eerily similar to her brother's schizophrenia, is taking over many of the townspeople. Clare has a choice to make: do what is best for Wes or what is best for them all.
This fast paced novel has a unique concept and a well developed plot. It definitely read like a movie and I could easily see it ending up on the silver screen. Clare is a great main character, as her strength and persistence are coupled with a good sense of morality. There were a couple of moments where belief goes out the window, so I would give A Cure for Madness three and a half stars if the rating system would allow. I would recommend this book, although my advice to readers is to read the ending carefully, as you might miss the subtlety.
January 5, 2016
Keep an eye out for this author. You are going to be hearing a lot about her.
Meet this girl. She has issues. Mom and pop loved bro better. Cause he was sick. He is sick, as a matter of fact. But she runs. Away. As far as she can. Only to get a call. She is now her brothers keeper and his insanity promises to keep her life interesting.
However his insanity is not all that insane. She did not run purely because she is a brat. She has a past, one her brother tried to help her with.
But now her town is going mad. And her brother may hold the cure. So she does it again. Takes the road which will give her a chance to run. But she cant. This time she needs to take a stand.
I loved this book. Every time you figure you have a handle on one of the main protagonists a new element comes to the fore, adding to them. Giving them a new breath of life, a new dimension.
Read this. It is escapism at it's best.
Meet this girl. She has issues. Mom and pop loved bro better. Cause he was sick. He is sick, as a matter of fact. But she runs. Away. As far as she can. Only to get a call. She is now her brothers keeper and his insanity promises to keep her life interesting.
However his insanity is not all that insane. She did not run purely because she is a brat. She has a past, one her brother tried to help her with.
But now her town is going mad. And her brother may hold the cure. So she does it again. Takes the road which will give her a chance to run. But she cant. This time she needs to take a stand.
I loved this book. Every time you figure you have a handle on one of the main protagonists a new element comes to the fore, adding to them. Giving them a new breath of life, a new dimension.
Read this. It is escapism at it's best.
November 1, 2016
I just finished reading A Cure for Madness by Jodi McIsaac and…wow! What a thriller. From the very first page, I was in and I just wanted to keep reading. (I was sorry I had to stop for things like sleep and work.)
Now, I’ll admit that I don’t know much about mental illness and, I was surprised that a man in Wes’ condition would be released or sent to live on his own. It seemed like he still had major issues at the time they wanted to release him from the facility, but once I got over that little hiccup, I just concentrated on the suspense. You’ve got a unique pandemic, some shady government types, and some very likable characters. Even an occasional misting of tears.
Fast, fun, and a thrill a minute. I’ll definitely read the author again!
• ARC provided by Netgalley for review purposes.
Now, I’ll admit that I don’t know much about mental illness and, I was surprised that a man in Wes’ condition would be released or sent to live on his own. It seemed like he still had major issues at the time they wanted to release him from the facility, but once I got over that little hiccup, I just concentrated on the suspense. You’ve got a unique pandemic, some shady government types, and some very likable characters. Even an occasional misting of tears.
Fast, fun, and a thrill a minute. I’ll definitely read the author again!
• ARC provided by Netgalley for review purposes.
January 22, 2016
ARC provided by Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review.
After her parents are murdered Clare has to return to her hometown to take care of her mentally ill brother Wes. But just after she gets back, a kind of "The walking dead" situation occurs in which people start to show schizophrenia-like symptoms at an alarming rate. This will make Clare have to make some hard choices about herself and her brother.
This is a fast-paced medical thriller that got from the very first sentence. The writing was good and it hold my interest throughout the book, but some situations and actions could've been explained better or in greater detail. The only other criticism I have is that the ending felt too rushed and, in my opinion, it would've been much stronger without the last chapter.
All in all, a fun quick read. Rating: 3.5
After her parents are murdered Clare has to return to her hometown to take care of her mentally ill brother Wes. But just after she gets back, a kind of "The walking dead" situation occurs in which people start to show schizophrenia-like symptoms at an alarming rate. This will make Clare have to make some hard choices about herself and her brother.
This is a fast-paced medical thriller that got from the very first sentence. The writing was good and it hold my interest throughout the book, but some situations and actions could've been explained better or in greater detail. The only other criticism I have is that the ending felt too rushed and, in my opinion, it would've been much stronger without the last chapter.
All in all, a fun quick read. Rating: 3.5
January 19, 2016
A CURE FOR MADNESS is a riveting, page turning thriller. This is not my usual genre but I was sucked right in and couldn't put it down. I love how the relationship between Clare and her brother Wes is portrayed, and how Clare's character develops throughout the book. It was a good mix of suspense, romance and family tension that never had me bored. It ends with a great twist and I love how she subtly explains the conclusion, especially given the circumstances of the end of the book. Highly recommended.
Read
October 20, 2016My goodness, this ending. (!!)
December 19, 2025
Really enjoyed this read
December 20, 2025
A well-written book with a nice enough premise.
January 25, 2016
Initial Thoughts
I requested this book as an ARC from Thomas and Mercer on Netgalley, intrigued by the mystery of a new, unknown disease, plus the choice that the main character, Clare Campbell, would have to go through with.
The Premise Intrigued The Doctor In Me
The premise of the novel really interested me. I mean "a terrifying pathogen outbreak overtakes the town"?? Who could resist that? As a hopeful doctor, I'm really drawn into this concept. However, I don't think that this concept played out well in the novel.
The Plot Was A Little Too Convenient
Suddenly meeting an old flame at the hospital? This old flame willing to help Clare? Just finding out about having been exposed to the infection right before Clare leaves? A sudden roadblock preventing Clare and her brother from travelling out of town?
I don't know how much research Jodi McIsaac has done, but it really seems like very little, because I think that lots of the plot events are unrealistic and consequently unbelievable. For one, at one point, McIsaac reveals that the CDC hasn't been wearing protective suits until recently, and personally, that sounds a little off to me - wouldn't they rather take precautions rather than risks with an unknown disease?
Add to that the convenient nature of some problems and resolutions, this makes for a really unrealistic plot. I mean. suddenly meeting an old flame at the hospital? This old flame willing to help Clare? Just finding out about having been exposed to the infection right before Clare leaves? A sudden roadblock preventing Clare and her brother from travelling out of town?
The whole plot is sustained with convenient, coincidental plot events like these, which I don't think would happen in real life.
The Writing Made It Easy To Read
It was really easy to understand what was going on, everything was clear-cut and not overly descriptive. Some parts were also really dramatic and sounded great, adding to the pressure of the moment.
"Under the law, your cooperation is appreciated but not required."
Despite this, there are some moments where Jodi McIsaac focuses her writing on Christianity. Not being a Christian, I found it to be a bit overbearing, and sometimes difficult to handle. However, it
The Characters Grated On My Nerves
I can't really pin down why almost all the characters got on my nerves. To be specific, Clare, the main character got on my nerves the most. Clare's lack of compassion for her brother and her self-serving nature got to me, and her past couldn't excuse her current actions for me. Kenneth also irritated me, because I felt he was a filler character, someone to fill in as Clare's partner, and someone to fill in so that certain plot events could happen. Uncle Rob was non-existent throughout the book, and I could hardly believe it when he appeared at the end again - I'd forgotten all about him because he wasn't mentioned in a large capacity throughout most of the book. The only person I could actually put up with was Wes, and even then, I didn't like him at the start of the book. He only grew on me as I kept reading, after hearing his backstory and why he was arrested.
The Ending Was Ridiculous
So I can't spoil too much here...but the ending was too perfect, and wasn't consistent with the story. There were facts that were laid out about a specific part of the ending, that were blatantly ignored, and that ruined the ending for me.
Final Thoughts
I feel like this review has just been a huge rant. A Cure for Madness isn't a bad book to read if you want a quick read. However, if you critically read through this book, you're sure to find a lot of plot holes, which can ruin the book and the suspense for you. I'd rate it 2 stars, just because the premise hooked me in, and the writing style was easy enough to keep me reading. That being said, if anyone likes to just read without thinking about the logistics of the world that Jodi McIsaac has created, then this book would be a great read for them.
I requested this book as an ARC from Thomas and Mercer on Netgalley, intrigued by the mystery of a new, unknown disease, plus the choice that the main character, Clare Campbell, would have to go through with.
The Premise Intrigued The Doctor In Me
The premise of the novel really interested me. I mean "a terrifying pathogen outbreak overtakes the town"?? Who could resist that? As a hopeful doctor, I'm really drawn into this concept. However, I don't think that this concept played out well in the novel.
The Plot Was A Little Too Convenient
Suddenly meeting an old flame at the hospital? This old flame willing to help Clare? Just finding out about having been exposed to the infection right before Clare leaves? A sudden roadblock preventing Clare and her brother from travelling out of town?
I don't know how much research Jodi McIsaac has done, but it really seems like very little, because I think that lots of the plot events are unrealistic and consequently unbelievable. For one, at one point, McIsaac reveals that the CDC hasn't been wearing protective suits until recently, and personally, that sounds a little off to me - wouldn't they rather take precautions rather than risks with an unknown disease?
Add to that the convenient nature of some problems and resolutions, this makes for a really unrealistic plot. I mean. suddenly meeting an old flame at the hospital? This old flame willing to help Clare? Just finding out about having been exposed to the infection right before Clare leaves? A sudden roadblock preventing Clare and her brother from travelling out of town?
The whole plot is sustained with convenient, coincidental plot events like these, which I don't think would happen in real life.
The Writing Made It Easy To Read
It was really easy to understand what was going on, everything was clear-cut and not overly descriptive. Some parts were also really dramatic and sounded great, adding to the pressure of the moment.
"Under the law, your cooperation is appreciated but not required."
Despite this, there are some moments where Jodi McIsaac focuses her writing on Christianity. Not being a Christian, I found it to be a bit overbearing, and sometimes difficult to handle. However, it
The Characters Grated On My Nerves
I can't really pin down why almost all the characters got on my nerves. To be specific, Clare, the main character got on my nerves the most. Clare's lack of compassion for her brother and her self-serving nature got to me, and her past couldn't excuse her current actions for me. Kenneth also irritated me, because I felt he was a filler character, someone to fill in as Clare's partner, and someone to fill in so that certain plot events could happen. Uncle Rob was non-existent throughout the book, and I could hardly believe it when he appeared at the end again - I'd forgotten all about him because he wasn't mentioned in a large capacity throughout most of the book. The only person I could actually put up with was Wes, and even then, I didn't like him at the start of the book. He only grew on me as I kept reading, after hearing his backstory and why he was arrested.
The Ending Was Ridiculous
So I can't spoil too much here...but the ending was too perfect, and wasn't consistent with the story. There were facts that were laid out about a specific part of the ending, that were blatantly ignored, and that ruined the ending for me.
Final Thoughts
I feel like this review has just been a huge rant. A Cure for Madness isn't a bad book to read if you want a quick read. However, if you critically read through this book, you're sure to find a lot of plot holes, which can ruin the book and the suspense for you. I'd rate it 2 stars, just because the premise hooked me in, and the writing style was easy enough to keep me reading. That being said, if anyone likes to just read without thinking about the logistics of the world that Jodi McIsaac has created, then this book would be a great read for them.
March 8, 2017
I loved this book! The storyline is fascinating and something new. I felt connected to Clare and her struggles to be a good sister but deal with her own issues at the same time. How do you serve everyone - in this case, even the world? Major dilemma! Great ending; leaves me wanting more!
July 18, 2016
Claire Campbell is making a life for herself on the West Coast, as far removed from her family in Maine as possible. She maintains phone contact with her parents and brother, but hardly ever goes back to Maine to visit. Claire’s life will never be the same after receiving a phone call telling her that her parents have been murdered and she's now the legal guardian for her older brother in A Cure for Madness by Jodi McIsaac.
Claire left Maine shortly after her graduation from college. The exact reasons for her departure aren't clear, but she's kept herself apart from her family for years, maintaining contact via phone calls only. With the murder of her parents, she has no choice but to return to Maine and straighten out her brother's care, as well as make arrangements for her parent's bodies. All Claire knows about her parents' murder is that the act was committed by a fellow church member before the murderer killed himself. Little does she know, but that one reportedly random act of violence is the beginning of a health care crisis for the town of Clarkeston, Maine. When the CDC, USAMRID, and the National Guard arrive, the town becomes quarantined and it appears that Claire's brother may hold the key to a cure. Claire is forced to choose between her brother's health and welfare and that of her hometown and possibly the society as a whole.
I found A Cure for Madness to be a fast-paced, engaging, and enjoyable read. Ms. McIsaac has crafted a nightmare scenario that sounds slightly absurd but isn't too farfetched to be unbelievable. Added into the mix of a bizarre healthcare crisis, a family with conservative Christian values, mental health issues, public safety versus personal freedoms, government surveillance, man-made diseases, conspiracies, and more. Claire has to deal with the notion that Wes has been in-and-out of mental institutions for most of his adult life, but he is her beloved older brother and his decline began with an incident involving Wes avenging her virtue (I know it sounds old-fashioned, but trust me and read the book to find out more). A Cure for Madness provides a lot of thrills and chills, as well as a touch of romance. I wish I could tell you more about this amazing story, but you'll just have to read it for yourself. Seriously, you need to add A Cure for Madness to your TBR list and set aside a weekend to read this book. I'm looking forward to reading more from Ms. McIsaac in the future.
Original Review posted on The Book Diva's Reads (www.thebookdivasreads.com), February 2, 2016
Claire left Maine shortly after her graduation from college. The exact reasons for her departure aren't clear, but she's kept herself apart from her family for years, maintaining contact via phone calls only. With the murder of her parents, she has no choice but to return to Maine and straighten out her brother's care, as well as make arrangements for her parent's bodies. All Claire knows about her parents' murder is that the act was committed by a fellow church member before the murderer killed himself. Little does she know, but that one reportedly random act of violence is the beginning of a health care crisis for the town of Clarkeston, Maine. When the CDC, USAMRID, and the National Guard arrive, the town becomes quarantined and it appears that Claire's brother may hold the key to a cure. Claire is forced to choose between her brother's health and welfare and that of her hometown and possibly the society as a whole.
I found A Cure for Madness to be a fast-paced, engaging, and enjoyable read. Ms. McIsaac has crafted a nightmare scenario that sounds slightly absurd but isn't too farfetched to be unbelievable. Added into the mix of a bizarre healthcare crisis, a family with conservative Christian values, mental health issues, public safety versus personal freedoms, government surveillance, man-made diseases, conspiracies, and more. Claire has to deal with the notion that Wes has been in-and-out of mental institutions for most of his adult life, but he is her beloved older brother and his decline began with an incident involving Wes avenging her virtue (I know it sounds old-fashioned, but trust me and read the book to find out more). A Cure for Madness provides a lot of thrills and chills, as well as a touch of romance. I wish I could tell you more about this amazing story, but you'll just have to read it for yourself. Seriously, you need to add A Cure for Madness to your TBR list and set aside a weekend to read this book. I'm looking forward to reading more from Ms. McIsaac in the future.
Original Review posted on The Book Diva's Reads (www.thebookdivasreads.com), February 2, 2016
March 12, 2016
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer, via NetGalley, for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Those of you who have been friends with me for awhile know that I love to dissect books about mental illness, especially when the author has done a terrible job at the research involved in the book (for examples, see this review of The Asylum Prophecies or this review of Switching Time).
There was none of that nonsense in A Cure for Madness.
(Can I tell you how much I adore authors who present a realistic picture of mental illness??)
Anyway. I think what really caught me up in A Cure for Madness was not so much the fact that there was a pathogen that created an extremely contagious and incurable disease that was very similar to schizophrenia... but was more the relationships. I loved seeing how Clare slowly realized that her brother, Wes, was right in a lot of what he said, regarding her running away from Clarkeston. I loved seeing her character growth throughout the novel. And I loved Wes' brotherly jabs at her ("my friends aren't dickheads... unlike yours").
I would've liked to see more romance between her and Kenneth, but given the hectic and tense situations that they continuously faced, it makes sense why there wasn't (and honestly, given the setting of this book, it would've been more of a distraction had there been more of a spark between them). That being said, the book ended on such an amazing cliffhanger-but-not-quite-cliffhanger so if there is a follow-up/sequel to A Cure for Madness, I definitely want to see more Clare-and-Kenneth interaction in there (even if it's not super romantic).
My honest opinion - Jodi McIsaac has a lot of talent. And I'm very interested to see where she will go from here. I'm definitely going to be putting some of her others books on my TBR pile (which is about the size of Mt. Everest now... and growing!).
Those of you who have been friends with me for awhile know that I love to dissect books about mental illness, especially when the author has done a terrible job at the research involved in the book (for examples, see this review of The Asylum Prophecies or this review of Switching Time).
There was none of that nonsense in A Cure for Madness.
(Can I tell you how much I adore authors who present a realistic picture of mental illness??)
Anyway. I think what really caught me up in A Cure for Madness was not so much the fact that there was a pathogen that created an extremely contagious and incurable disease that was very similar to schizophrenia... but was more the relationships. I loved seeing how Clare slowly realized that her brother, Wes, was right in a lot of what he said, regarding her running away from Clarkeston. I loved seeing her character growth throughout the novel. And I loved Wes' brotherly jabs at her ("my friends aren't dickheads... unlike yours").
I would've liked to see more romance between her and Kenneth, but given the hectic and tense situations that they continuously faced, it makes sense why there wasn't (and honestly, given the setting of this book, it would've been more of a distraction had there been more of a spark between them). That being said, the book ended on such an amazing cliffhanger-but-not-quite-cliffhanger so if there is a follow-up/sequel to A Cure for Madness, I definitely want to see more Clare-and-Kenneth interaction in there (even if it's not super romantic).
My honest opinion - Jodi McIsaac has a lot of talent. And I'm very interested to see where she will go from here. I'm definitely going to be putting some of her others books on my TBR pile (which is about the size of Mt. Everest now... and growing!).
January 19, 2016
Thank you to netgalley for the copy of the E-Arc.
Where to start, I mean right from the very beginning this book seems to just jump right into the fray. Peggy always thought her son Wes would be the one to kill her, but what happens to her and her husband isn't what they thought would happen at all. When Claire gets the call about her parents murder, she hurries home to Maine, in order to help get things straight and to get her brother Wes out of the hospital. He has schizophrenia and has been hospitalized for years.
Not long after her arrival she finds out that something strange is happening in her home. Perfectly normal people are becoming violent, and it almost appears to be some kind of infectious disease. As more and more information comes to light and the CDC appears to need Wes, will Claire be able to do right by her brother and help figure out what is going on?
I must admit that this was a total cover pick and title, I requested this right away because I was just drawn in by the cover. When I started reading it, I new by the end of of the prologue that this book had me! I read it from start to finish in one setting. Could not put it down. In fact I am mildly disappointed in the ending as in the fact that it ended.
I wanted more, like a series or a longer book. I really felt like this book and the story could really benefit from a trilogy or a much longer book! I have things I still want to know... okay but seriously I like Claire, she struggled to do the right thing through the majority of the book. She struggled to figure out what that right thing was and when she committed, she committed. A Cure for Madness is a total thriller, it made me think of that move The Crazies... in a very good way!
I do admit that I started to figure some things out before the author unveiled them, but it didn't make me dislike the story. I just had to know and to keep reading. So if you are looking for a great thriller and easy read look no further.
Where to start, I mean right from the very beginning this book seems to just jump right into the fray. Peggy always thought her son Wes would be the one to kill her, but what happens to her and her husband isn't what they thought would happen at all. When Claire gets the call about her parents murder, she hurries home to Maine, in order to help get things straight and to get her brother Wes out of the hospital. He has schizophrenia and has been hospitalized for years.
Not long after her arrival she finds out that something strange is happening in her home. Perfectly normal people are becoming violent, and it almost appears to be some kind of infectious disease. As more and more information comes to light and the CDC appears to need Wes, will Claire be able to do right by her brother and help figure out what is going on?
I must admit that this was a total cover pick and title, I requested this right away because I was just drawn in by the cover. When I started reading it, I new by the end of of the prologue that this book had me! I read it from start to finish in one setting. Could not put it down. In fact I am mildly disappointed in the ending as in the fact that it ended.
I wanted more, like a series or a longer book. I really felt like this book and the story could really benefit from a trilogy or a much longer book! I have things I still want to know... okay but seriously I like Claire, she struggled to do the right thing through the majority of the book. She struggled to figure out what that right thing was and when she committed, she committed. A Cure for Madness is a total thriller, it made me think of that move The Crazies... in a very good way!
I do admit that I started to figure some things out before the author unveiled them, but it didn't make me dislike the story. I just had to know and to keep reading. So if you are looking for a great thriller and easy read look no further.
January 11, 2016
Wow. I really liked this book. This book had me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. This is the story of Clare Campbell who has left her family back in Maine and made a new life for herself in Seattle until she gets the call that changes everything. Her parents have been murdered and she has been made legal guardian to her older brother Wes who suffers from Schizophrenia. When she reluctantly returns home to bury her parents and collect her brother from the mental hospital, a frightening outbreak of an unknown pathogen starts affecting the mental state of everyone who comes in contact with it. The infected are losing their minds and becoming violent. Everyone is scared. The town has gone to hell. When the CDC gets involved and takes an interest in her brother, Wes, she will have to make a decision that could change the lives of everyone in town including her own brother.
This book was a fantastic dark and suspenseful medical tale with even a little romance in the mix. I recommend.
This book was a fantastic dark and suspenseful medical tale with even a little romance in the mix. I recommend.
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