What do you think?
Rate this book
Asylum
Scandal, greed and betrayal—all the intrigues of the Gilded Age gone wrong in this modern Gothic thriller.
In 1899 while her father travels abroad, twelve-year-old Maggie Delito, daughter of the wealthy Northeast industrialist, unwittingly witnesses a shocking scandal. The next day, she’s dragged from her family’s estate and locked in an asylum to ensure her silence. Beneath the noted asylum’s polish of respectability, a wicked villainy hides in dank shadows—and Maggie fears she will be its next victim.
Seventy-five years later, Laura Delito inherits more than assets when her prestigious family’s mysterious past comes knocking. After sacrificing an independent career on the brink of success, she assumes control of Delito’s failing jewelry business while daring to expose its ghosts—a strange old woman, cryptic messages, backroom betrayals, and a rare antique key that might unlock the truth. As she pursues clues from the Northeast to North Africa, she fails to see the danger looming close to home.
In 1899 while her father travels abroad, twelve-year-old Maggie Delito, daughter of the wealthy Northeast industrialist, unwittingly witnesses a shocking scandal. The next day, she’s dragged from her family’s estate and locked in an asylum to ensure her silence. Beneath the noted asylum’s polish of respectability, a wicked villainy hides in dank shadows—and Maggie fears she will be its next victim.
Seventy-five years later, Laura Delito inherits more than assets when her prestigious family’s mysterious past comes knocking. After sacrificing an independent career on the brink of success, she assumes control of Delito’s failing jewelry business while daring to expose its ghosts—a strange old woman, cryptic messages, backroom betrayals, and a rare antique key that might unlock the truth. As she pursues clues from the Northeast to North Africa, she fails to see the danger looming close to home.
- GenresSuspense
332 pages, Paperback
First published April 16, 2014
9 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Orzech
2 books11 followersKathryn Orzech—film fan, news nerd, traveler—writes mystery, suspense, and thrillers set in New England "and other exotic locations" with women lead characters who confront danger, flirt with romance, and brush with the supernatural.
Working on a new project in her Connecticut home often begins or ends before dawn. Other interests include history and geopolitics, society and culture, psychology and science, and parapsychology, leaving few subjects off her literary table. When she's not writing, you'll catch her binge-watching a favorite TV drama.
Her website, DreamWatch.com, true paranormal experiences of everyday people, has been online since the 1990s with visitors from every state and more than 50 countries.
DreamWatch.com inspired her psychic thriller Premonition of Terror when she wondered, What if premonitions from around the world predicted the same catastrophic event? What if no one believed?
Asylum, a dark suspense saga set in 1899 and 1974 in central Connecticut, draws on the author's career history in advertising, graphics, and jewelry design.
Working on a new project in her Connecticut home often begins or ends before dawn. Other interests include history and geopolitics, society and culture, psychology and science, and parapsychology, leaving few subjects off her literary table. When she's not writing, you'll catch her binge-watching a favorite TV drama.
Her website, DreamWatch.com, true paranormal experiences of everyday people, has been online since the 1990s with visitors from every state and more than 50 countries.
DreamWatch.com inspired her psychic thriller Premonition of Terror when she wondered, What if premonitions from around the world predicted the same catastrophic event? What if no one believed?
Asylum, a dark suspense saga set in 1899 and 1974 in central Connecticut, draws on the author's career history in advertising, graphics, and jewelry design.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 23, 2014
Margaret Rosa Delito reigns supreme over Delito, Inc, a family jewelry business that has spanned generations. But lately the company has hemorrhaged cash at an alarming rate to the point where the business is facing collapse. Before Margaret can discover the culprit or bring her beloved granddaughter in on the crisis, tragedy strikes.
Laura Delito feels like the proverbial fifth wheel when it comes to the family business. After her father died when she was young and her mother remarried, Laura became the de facto heir apparent to a multimillion dollar business and family estate. But until her grandmother's death, no one in the company took her or her designs seriously, neither her stepfather nor her boyfriend who together wield tight control in order to maintain their secret. With the company's future on the line, Laura is left little time to grieve - especially after a strange, elderly woman shows up at her grandmother's funeral with the hint of a story and an ancient key holding a secret message. But what the key opens no one knows - except one who will stop at nothing to ensure she never finds out.
Wonderful little mystery here, and I found it to be the perfect length at approximately 279 pages. We open with the 1970's, what I will refer to here as the present day, and follow along with the events of the initial stages of the mysterious secret and into Laura's induction as owner and CEO of Delito, Inc. As the story gets underway and we follow Laura's efforts to figure out what happened in the past and how that affects what is unfolding in her present, we are then whisked back to 1899 when young Maggie Delito's life takes sudden and tragic turns.
Throughout the story we move back and forth between the present and the past quite seamlessly, with proper delineation between Laura and Maggie's lives (and POV) so that it never feels jarring. You sense Laura's struggle as she goes from a rather menial employee to controlling every aspect of an empire, making the tough decisions as she attempts to cement her position in both her own mind and the mind of the global staff. You feel her frustration as she fights those who attempt to undermine her tenuous hold on the company as she seeks to unravel the problems and cut a new path. You want all to be made right in young Maggie's childhood past when she is unjustly locked away because of something she was not supposed to witness, which places her in a position to witness even further devastation as she tries to unravel the mysteries of her new home. The story is like multiple mysteries all wrapped up into one, and it was interesting to see how they all ended up tying together.
And yes, I'm purposely being vague here so as not to spoil any of said mysteries.
Good POV usage, as I mentioned before. Showing is handled well, which keeps the reader moving along in both time periods as the mysteries unfold into solving the ultimate mystery. Most of our main characters were fully fleshed out.
However, there were some murky motivations scattered throughout the story that left me feeling a bit muddled, probably part of the attempts at throwing in some red herrings (though the bad guys are easy to spot right away). Some of Laura's supposed friends and people who were supposed to care about her did some pretty pathetic things to mess with her and were not held accountable, nor were their reasons for their actions enough to hold merit. The whole ex-boyfriend thing seemed quite unnecessary and some actions were never explained or resolved. The will reading was one of those that left me wondering why. Again, I'm really trying not to give anything away. Read the book to figure out what I'm trying to say and not say. :-)
I also thought it strange that young Maggie in the flashbacks, being a twelve-year-old from a well-known and highly respected family, acted a little too young in some ways, never questioning or trying to escape or even correct the false name when confronted with it. At times, I had to remind myself that she was supposed to be twelve and not six. The fact that she developed friends there who obviously knew she was there unnecessarily and yet never questioned or tried to help her in any way just kept me feeling unsettled. But then we'd never have had the fullness of the mystery, I suppose - or the tragedy that marked the remainder of Maggie's years.
Overall, I enjoyed reading and discovering the truth surrounding the mysteries in Asylum and recommend it with four and a half stars.
I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for review and was not financially compensated for my opinion.
Laura Delito feels like the proverbial fifth wheel when it comes to the family business. After her father died when she was young and her mother remarried, Laura became the de facto heir apparent to a multimillion dollar business and family estate. But until her grandmother's death, no one in the company took her or her designs seriously, neither her stepfather nor her boyfriend who together wield tight control in order to maintain their secret. With the company's future on the line, Laura is left little time to grieve - especially after a strange, elderly woman shows up at her grandmother's funeral with the hint of a story and an ancient key holding a secret message. But what the key opens no one knows - except one who will stop at nothing to ensure she never finds out.
Wonderful little mystery here, and I found it to be the perfect length at approximately 279 pages. We open with the 1970's, what I will refer to here as the present day, and follow along with the events of the initial stages of the mysterious secret and into Laura's induction as owner and CEO of Delito, Inc. As the story gets underway and we follow Laura's efforts to figure out what happened in the past and how that affects what is unfolding in her present, we are then whisked back to 1899 when young Maggie Delito's life takes sudden and tragic turns.
Throughout the story we move back and forth between the present and the past quite seamlessly, with proper delineation between Laura and Maggie's lives (and POV) so that it never feels jarring. You sense Laura's struggle as she goes from a rather menial employee to controlling every aspect of an empire, making the tough decisions as she attempts to cement her position in both her own mind and the mind of the global staff. You feel her frustration as she fights those who attempt to undermine her tenuous hold on the company as she seeks to unravel the problems and cut a new path. You want all to be made right in young Maggie's childhood past when she is unjustly locked away because of something she was not supposed to witness, which places her in a position to witness even further devastation as she tries to unravel the mysteries of her new home. The story is like multiple mysteries all wrapped up into one, and it was interesting to see how they all ended up tying together.
And yes, I'm purposely being vague here so as not to spoil any of said mysteries.
Good POV usage, as I mentioned before. Showing is handled well, which keeps the reader moving along in both time periods as the mysteries unfold into solving the ultimate mystery. Most of our main characters were fully fleshed out.
However, there were some murky motivations scattered throughout the story that left me feeling a bit muddled, probably part of the attempts at throwing in some red herrings (though the bad guys are easy to spot right away). Some of Laura's supposed friends and people who were supposed to care about her did some pretty pathetic things to mess with her and were not held accountable, nor were their reasons for their actions enough to hold merit. The whole ex-boyfriend thing seemed quite unnecessary and some actions were never explained or resolved. The will reading was one of those that left me wondering why. Again, I'm really trying not to give anything away. Read the book to figure out what I'm trying to say and not say. :-)
I also thought it strange that young Maggie in the flashbacks, being a twelve-year-old from a well-known and highly respected family, acted a little too young in some ways, never questioning or trying to escape or even correct the false name when confronted with it. At times, I had to remind myself that she was supposed to be twelve and not six. The fact that she developed friends there who obviously knew she was there unnecessarily and yet never questioned or tried to help her in any way just kept me feeling unsettled. But then we'd never have had the fullness of the mystery, I suppose - or the tragedy that marked the remainder of Maggie's years.
Overall, I enjoyed reading and discovering the truth surrounding the mysteries in Asylum and recommend it with four and a half stars.
I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for review and was not financially compensated for my opinion.
July 17, 2020
Scandals and secrets from 1899 send shockwaves through time until they erupt in 1974. The grand dame CEO of a family-owned Connecticut costume jewelry company dies and leaves her property to her grand-daughter Laura. Already a businesswoman, Laura’s mourning is also distracted by haunting nightmares while she works to make sense of what's happening with the company, on the rocks as it comes into her hands. Could there be a traitor from within her family business? And who was the elderly woman who showed up at the funeral with a mysterious gift from the past? A pageturner!
The Maggie story takes place in a time when no one meddled in "family matters," plus, if enough money changed hands and power hovered, then what was done was done. I think it's interesting that Laura's story is told during the days of the ERA and those powerful days of the women's movement.
The Maggie story takes place in a time when no one meddled in "family matters," plus, if enough money changed hands and power hovered, then what was done was done. I think it's interesting that Laura's story is told during the days of the ERA and those powerful days of the women's movement.
August 27, 2016
Though I liked this story well enough, the 1899 part of the story was much more interesting to me than the modern part of the story. However, both parts of the story were woven together very well. I liked most of the characters, but some of them could have been a little more developed. All in all, it's a pretty good read, and I would probably read more by this author.
March 3, 2015
Asylum for me was like walking the path of genealogists dream. The path that this family tree takes the reader is absolutely fantastic. Getting to see the story through both Maggie and Laura's eyes was so fabulous for me. I loved the darker twists and turns that this book held as well as the secrets that unfolded before my very eyes. I was completely pulled into this story and was sad to have it end. I so enjoyed this book and am excited to read more from Kathryn Orzech as she did a fabulous job with Asylum and in totally capturing my attention and keeping it.
July 13, 2017
Family secrets abound in this amazing thriller that keeps you engaged from page one.
When Emma's Grandmother Rosa dies and she is on the receiving end of the family company, Emma gains a lot more than just the title of CEO. In fact, her entire world turns upside down as family secrets begin to make their way to the surface. Of course Emma knows that there is something incredibly important that she needs to uncover, something her Grandmother hadn't told her, but she has to stay alive long enough to figure it out. It is a step back in time that the reader takes to see exactly what happened to those living in a place where people went when loved ones didn't want to deal with them anymore. A corrupt system that many ignore, and Grandma Rosa survived, taking the stories to her grave... that is until Emma decides to unearth the truth.
In this thrilling tale of secrets and hidden pasts, there is everything a great story needs to keep the reader interested from page one. After beginning Asylum, I wasn't able to put it down. Following along as Emma searched and dug into the past to learn more about her family, and also as we flashed back in time to Maggie's stay at the asylum, there was a sense of hope among the sadness that it would all work out in the end. There was a love story entangled with lies, family quarrels, murder, disappearances, and almost anything you could imagine in just this one story. Kathryn Orzech is a very talented writer and I truly enjoyed every part of this book. I highly recommend Asylum to the more mature reader, it is not suitable for a younger reader due to some of the sexual content and graphic descriptions that come from the asylum.
Happy Reading!
When Emma's Grandmother Rosa dies and she is on the receiving end of the family company, Emma gains a lot more than just the title of CEO. In fact, her entire world turns upside down as family secrets begin to make their way to the surface. Of course Emma knows that there is something incredibly important that she needs to uncover, something her Grandmother hadn't told her, but she has to stay alive long enough to figure it out. It is a step back in time that the reader takes to see exactly what happened to those living in a place where people went when loved ones didn't want to deal with them anymore. A corrupt system that many ignore, and Grandma Rosa survived, taking the stories to her grave... that is until Emma decides to unearth the truth.
In this thrilling tale of secrets and hidden pasts, there is everything a great story needs to keep the reader interested from page one. After beginning Asylum, I wasn't able to put it down. Following along as Emma searched and dug into the past to learn more about her family, and also as we flashed back in time to Maggie's stay at the asylum, there was a sense of hope among the sadness that it would all work out in the end. There was a love story entangled with lies, family quarrels, murder, disappearances, and almost anything you could imagine in just this one story. Kathryn Orzech is a very talented writer and I truly enjoyed every part of this book. I highly recommend Asylum to the more mature reader, it is not suitable for a younger reader due to some of the sexual content and graphic descriptions that come from the asylum.
Happy Reading!
August 6, 2017
When you think dark suspense, you might think scary. Yet, I would say for me, it was not so much scary as it was intriguing and suspenseful. Although, when I say this I am referring more to the past involving Maggie. The present was alright but it did not stick with me and I was not as in the moments with the present as much as I was in the past. However, the transfer from the present to the past and visa versa was smooth. Maggie may have been a naïve young girl when she was sent to the asylum but by the end, she was a strong woman.
It is scary to think of the abuse that people in power take advantage of the people that they are suppose to help. As I got further into the story, it picked up more speed and got darker with some twists. The location of Connecticut was the perfect backdrop for this story.
There are some questions in the back of the book. One of the questions is:
Discuss similarities between asylums of the past and today's prisons?
Luckily, having never been a guest at either facility, I would have to say that they are similar in the fact that they both house people, who might not ben able to leave of their own accord. I say this because I know that people can willingly admit themselves into an asylum. Unlike a prison where people can't just leave as they desire. Also, they are similar in that there are people in charge who watch over those who are living at these facilities. Yet, when you read this book or think of the past, you probably could think of an asylum as a prison.
It is scary to think of the abuse that people in power take advantage of the people that they are suppose to help. As I got further into the story, it picked up more speed and got darker with some twists. The location of Connecticut was the perfect backdrop for this story.
There are some questions in the back of the book. One of the questions is:
Discuss similarities between asylums of the past and today's prisons?
Luckily, having never been a guest at either facility, I would have to say that they are similar in the fact that they both house people, who might not ben able to leave of their own accord. I say this because I know that people can willingly admit themselves into an asylum. Unlike a prison where people can't just leave as they desire. Also, they are similar in that there are people in charge who watch over those who are living at these facilities. Yet, when you read this book or think of the past, you probably could think of an asylum as a prison.
September 5, 2017
The book does a past and present POV SO we go between the late 1800's in young Maggie Delito's childhood. She is exposed to a scandal. I really dont know how much Maggie actually understood. The time when this occurred she was like 13 so how much did she really understand or comprehend? Apparently enough WOW Back in this time period people who were troubled were essentially committed. Maggie was one.
Present time brings us to Laura Delito. Laura is timid and somewhat troubled while she inherits her family's jewelry business. This part of the story I really enjoyed. There is talk of marketing, other brands of jewelry and stores where they are sold. The business is in trouble, Laura is a semi-reclusive person and the family has secrets!
What I liked was the business part. What I wasn't a fan of was the character's naive attitude towards friends and business. I DO understand that her upbringing was what caused her to have a small backbone, but there were times that I was yelling at her. Some of her so called friends joined in with business associates and family to make sure she did not succeed, so for me that was overkill.
Present time brings us to Laura Delito. Laura is timid and somewhat troubled while she inherits her family's jewelry business. This part of the story I really enjoyed. There is talk of marketing, other brands of jewelry and stores where they are sold. The business is in trouble, Laura is a semi-reclusive person and the family has secrets!
What I liked was the business part. What I wasn't a fan of was the character's naive attitude towards friends and business. I DO understand that her upbringing was what caused her to have a small backbone, but there were times that I was yelling at her. Some of her so called friends joined in with business associates and family to make sure she did not succeed, so for me that was overkill.
July 10, 2017
I wasn't too sure if i would like this story with it bouncing between past and present, but I thought i would give it a go anyway. I'm glad i did! I couldn't put it down once i started reading it. Great storyline, that was well written. Loved the characters. Lots of drama and suspense that keeps you gripped and turning the pages. Romance and twists. Looking forward to reading more books by Kathryn. Would certainly recommend.
December 6, 2018
Got a special signed copy from the author at a book signing that had some punctuation errors. I didn't notice any of the so-called errors because I was swept up in the story - a great Connecticut mystery with all the things I love, from underground tunnels to juicy family secrets. A pleasure to read. Loved moving back and forth between the 1899 timeline and the present day. A great read and so glad I happened to walk into the book signing that day.
February 16, 2018
A fun and suspenseful read where the author seamlessly tells two family tales, one that reflects the other but are set 75 years apart. Included are secret maps, an old key, an antique box, and hiding spaces that give clues to a dramatic family secret covered up long ago. The book is well-paced and interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
February 4, 2022
3/5 I thought a bit stretched in plot unnecessarily but raises interesting and frightening picture of some of the uses of asylums historically and the innocence and vulnerability of children and the people who will take advantage of that. It is frightening to think of the "lost" children in the system then and in similarly vulnerable positions today and without a voice.
October 16, 2015
Reviewed by Michelle Stanley for Readers' Favorite
Asylum is an absorbing dark suspense by Kathryn Orzech. In 1899, twelve-year-old Margaret Rosa Delito is committed to an asylum after witnessing a shameful incident that changes her life forever. She secretly writes about sinister activities at the institution that include missing inmates, while living in hope that her father will rescue her. Seventy-five years later, Rosa dies before telling her granddaughter, Laura, a haunting secret. While grieving and puzzled by an old newspaper clipping in her grandmother’s possession, Laura meets an elderly woman who knew Rosa from the asylum and receives an antique key from her to unlock Rosa’s mysterious secret. She attempts to research Rosa’s past while contemplating her own insecure future. This quest proves difficult since persons close to her suddenly become untrustworthy, especially after she inherits most of Rosa’s assets, where the secret remains hidden.
Kathryn Orzech has created a fascinating mystery that grabs you with its unique plot. Asylum is a poignant dark story that reverts to 1899, describing Rosa’s past in one chapter, then current events associated with Laura in another. It is interesting and the touching drama of Rosa’s past could make a short story by itself. It also gives an insightful account of previous asylum conditions. There is a lot of suspense that begins in the first chapter and continues to the conclusion. I like the smooth continuity of the author’s writing as she switched from one relevant era to the other, and her mixed characters. Asylum by Kathryn Orzech is worth reading.
Asylum is an absorbing dark suspense by Kathryn Orzech. In 1899, twelve-year-old Margaret Rosa Delito is committed to an asylum after witnessing a shameful incident that changes her life forever. She secretly writes about sinister activities at the institution that include missing inmates, while living in hope that her father will rescue her. Seventy-five years later, Rosa dies before telling her granddaughter, Laura, a haunting secret. While grieving and puzzled by an old newspaper clipping in her grandmother’s possession, Laura meets an elderly woman who knew Rosa from the asylum and receives an antique key from her to unlock Rosa’s mysterious secret. She attempts to research Rosa’s past while contemplating her own insecure future. This quest proves difficult since persons close to her suddenly become untrustworthy, especially after she inherits most of Rosa’s assets, where the secret remains hidden.
Kathryn Orzech has created a fascinating mystery that grabs you with its unique plot. Asylum is a poignant dark story that reverts to 1899, describing Rosa’s past in one chapter, then current events associated with Laura in another. It is interesting and the touching drama of Rosa’s past could make a short story by itself. It also gives an insightful account of previous asylum conditions. There is a lot of suspense that begins in the first chapter and continues to the conclusion. I like the smooth continuity of the author’s writing as she switched from one relevant era to the other, and her mixed characters. Asylum by Kathryn Orzech is worth reading.
December 6, 2014
I received this book for an honest review through my reading group on goodreads: LOP (Lovers of Paranormal).
I came into reading this book with preconceived ideas. It is like I had a Pepsi bottle, but when I drank it, it tasted like Dr. Pepper.
First of all, I believe the setting could have taken place within any 75 year gap. Granted the chapters had the dates on there; the chapters could have been named Maggie and Laura, respectfully. With the 1974, the only things that brought me back to that time period would be the rare conversational pieces between the characters about the events of the 1970s. With the 1899/1900 time period, it was really the mode of transportation that would remind me of the past.
Second of all, I did anticipate some paranormal twists and turns. I read it more alas a historical fiction account (1899/1900) and realistic fiction (1974). Hence the Pepsi/Dr. Pepper simile at the beginning. I did not find the book terrifying. It wasn't a straightforward account either. It had its own twists and turns.
Lastly, I did find the book to be entertaining. It made me wonder what secrets are hidden within my own family's history. I really believed the story and the events of the two main characters. I was right there with each main character as she uncovered the truth around her as well as she overcame the obstacles.
Overall, it wasn't what I was expecting; yet it was an entertaining story.
I came into reading this book with preconceived ideas. It is like I had a Pepsi bottle, but when I drank it, it tasted like Dr. Pepper.
First of all, I believe the setting could have taken place within any 75 year gap. Granted the chapters had the dates on there; the chapters could have been named Maggie and Laura, respectfully. With the 1974, the only things that brought me back to that time period would be the rare conversational pieces between the characters about the events of the 1970s. With the 1899/1900 time period, it was really the mode of transportation that would remind me of the past.
Second of all, I did anticipate some paranormal twists and turns. I read it more alas a historical fiction account (1899/1900) and realistic fiction (1974). Hence the Pepsi/Dr. Pepper simile at the beginning. I did not find the book terrifying. It wasn't a straightforward account either. It had its own twists and turns.
Lastly, I did find the book to be entertaining. It made me wonder what secrets are hidden within my own family's history. I really believed the story and the events of the two main characters. I was right there with each main character as she uncovered the truth around her as well as she overcame the obstacles.
Overall, it wasn't what I was expecting; yet it was an entertaining story.
December 4, 2014
Now this is a roller coaster that won't end. Kathryn is an incredible author. Her style is very fluid and reads well. The book itself has a great pace to it. I never felt like she was holding out on me to rush me through the story, nor did she drag it on, just perfect really and very important to me. I could barely put this book down once I started it.
The plot is incredible. There are quite a few well developed twists and you get them when the author wants you to. I am usually very good in guessing twists but this one was very well done and didn't give me a lot of advance notice for any of them. They were like "wow here you go" but as I said very well developed. Her web is tight and she releases it slowly on you.
The story itself is split up into showing the perspective of Maggie and what the whole story is all about paralleled by telling Laura's story. I really liked it a lot, because it was very well done and weaves nicely together.
Laura is quite the character. I am not sure if I love her but I definitely was hoping things work out for her. Maggie on the other hand was absolutely adorable and a true heroin in my eyes. Incredibly brave even when a young child.
There is not a ton of paranormal in this, mostly mystery with a hint of paranormal. But it is in incredible story and a definite must read.
I have received this book from the author for an honest review. (LoP, Lovers of Paranormal)
The plot is incredible. There are quite a few well developed twists and you get them when the author wants you to. I am usually very good in guessing twists but this one was very well done and didn't give me a lot of advance notice for any of them. They were like "wow here you go" but as I said very well developed. Her web is tight and she releases it slowly on you.
The story itself is split up into showing the perspective of Maggie and what the whole story is all about paralleled by telling Laura's story. I really liked it a lot, because it was very well done and weaves nicely together.
Laura is quite the character. I am not sure if I love her but I definitely was hoping things work out for her. Maggie on the other hand was absolutely adorable and a true heroin in my eyes. Incredibly brave even when a young child.
There is not a ton of paranormal in this, mostly mystery with a hint of paranormal. But it is in incredible story and a definite must read.
I have received this book from the author for an honest review. (LoP, Lovers of Paranormal)
October 26, 2014
Kathryn Orzech presents as a storyteller of old in her dark family saga, Asylum. Just as the cover displays a young girl walking by lantern light, one could imagine sitting in a damp room, by lantern light, listening to the suspenseful tale of Maggie Delito, circa 1899 and her granddaughter, Laura Delito, circa 1974. On page one we learn about the aging Maggie Delito. "She lived a deliberate life centered on one purpose--to erase the memories of her dark days." Erase she does until her death when Laura finds an antique key that unlocks the secrets and mystery that spanned 75 years. Little does Laura know that the darkness that followed her grandmother is lurking in her own shadows.
Asylum is a page turner, well written, filled with intriguing twists and leaving you wanting to hear more from this author.
Asylum is a page turner, well written, filled with intriguing twists and leaving you wanting to hear more from this author.
December 8, 2014
I received a free copy of this story for my honest review thru Lovers of Paranormal.
This is an awesome mystery story. It was very well written, Kathryn knows how to make you feel like your there. You got to know her characters and you go thru the motions with them. There was Twists & Turns that had me hooked to find out what happened next! Ok so Margaret Rosa Delito has a family secret that no one knows. Laura Delito her granddaughter who visits her at the hospital starts to learn the secret but Rosa passed away before she could know everything. Now Laura has to figure it out with only a piece of paper with a symbol & key on it. Do you want to know the secret? You will love this book so go find out for yourself! Trust me you wont regret it. I loved how the story switches back & forth between 1899 & 1974. Loved it! Thanks again for letting me read & review :)
This is an awesome mystery story. It was very well written, Kathryn knows how to make you feel like your there. You got to know her characters and you go thru the motions with them. There was Twists & Turns that had me hooked to find out what happened next! Ok so Margaret Rosa Delito has a family secret that no one knows. Laura Delito her granddaughter who visits her at the hospital starts to learn the secret but Rosa passed away before she could know everything. Now Laura has to figure it out with only a piece of paper with a symbol & key on it. Do you want to know the secret? You will love this book so go find out for yourself! Trust me you wont regret it. I loved how the story switches back & forth between 1899 & 1974. Loved it! Thanks again for letting me read & review :)
December 3, 2014
I received a copy of "Asylum" in exchange for an honest review.
Margaret Rosa Delito has a family secret from 1899 that no one knows about. Her granddaughter,Laura Delito, goes to visit Rosa at the hospital. Rosa starts to tell her but she passes away. Laura is left with a piece of paper that has a symbol on it and a key. The story switches between 1899 and 1974.
I couldn't put the book down. Each chapter left me hanging and I wanted to know more. There were twists and turns to keep me captivated. I got to know the characters and I could feel what they went through. A well written mystery story.
Margaret Rosa Delito has a family secret from 1899 that no one knows about. Her granddaughter,Laura Delito, goes to visit Rosa at the hospital. Rosa starts to tell her but she passes away. Laura is left with a piece of paper that has a symbol on it and a key. The story switches between 1899 and 1974.
I couldn't put the book down. Each chapter left me hanging and I wanted to know more. There were twists and turns to keep me captivated. I got to know the characters and I could feel what they went through. A well written mystery story.
October 30, 2014
A great read from a very talented story-teller! This tale weaves a mysterious thread between a grandmother in her youth and her grand daughter, Laura. Laura is a young woman on the brink of discovering who she is and who she wants to be by retracing the mysterious events that forever shaped the legacy of her family name.
The story captivates the reader within the first few pages, adds twists and turns, throws in a tough of romance, stirs in some action and suspense... and gives you... Asylum!
The story captivates the reader within the first few pages, adds twists and turns, throws in a tough of romance, stirs in some action and suspense... and gives you... Asylum!
March 1, 2019
Fabulous Read!
ASYLUM by Kathryn Orzech is a beautifully woven mystery with well-developed characters and twists and turns right up to the last chapter. A real page turner, it’s fast paced and pulls you into the story very quickly. Ms. Orzech, a clever storyteller, utilizes the technique of unfolding the story along two separate timelines. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ASYLUM and look forward to her next book!
ASYLUM by Kathryn Orzech is a beautifully woven mystery with well-developed characters and twists and turns right up to the last chapter. A real page turner, it’s fast paced and pulls you into the story very quickly. Ms. Orzech, a clever storyteller, utilizes the technique of unfolding the story along two separate timelines. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ASYLUM and look forward to her next book!
November 18, 2015
This story grabbed my attention from the very start, weaving back and forth from modern times, to times long past,. The author proves talented in tastefully painting the details that make reading this tale like watching a movie. Loved it!
March 25, 2015
Great storyline...full of intrigue, emotion, & adventure! Set in CT which made it more fun for me.
Read
October 25, 2015I loved this page turner set in Connecticut! story of a young girl sent to an Asylum and her adventures to get back to her family. loved the writing style! could not put it down! !
Read
July 14, 2017This is the perfect thriller book. This Author knows how to pull a reader into her woods. the
writing style is easy to read and I can understand it perfectly. Being in the Asylum is a very scary
place to be at it's like being locked away from the outside world and not see no one that you care about for so long. It seems that Annie is scared to sleep alone after what she went through so she slept near Maggie for a short time then Annie was moved into her own room.
writing style is easy to read and I can understand it perfectly. Being in the Asylum is a very scary
place to be at it's like being locked away from the outside world and not see no one that you care about for so long. It seems that Annie is scared to sleep alone after what she went through so she slept near Maggie for a short time then Annie was moved into her own room.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews