Innocent Minds

The Innocent Mystery Series #5

by C.A. Asbrey

After suffering a horrific loss, Nat and Abi must try to piece their lives together, build a future, and repair the past. But before they can figure out their own complicated relationship, they must unite to help Jake find his children—no easy task, since their mother has disappeared, and they’ve been left with a priest who is bent on giving them away! In a maelstrom of grief, anger, and legal complications, one of Abi’s friends, Dr. Vida Cadwallader, also a female Pinkerton, steps up to help. As Vida tries to help The Innocents make sense of what’s happening, she soon becomes embroiled in mysterious happenings within the brutal insane asylum where she consults part-time. When one of her colleagues is murdered, Vida quickly becomes a suspect. With no time to lose, Vida, Abi, Jake, and Nat band together to free one of the asylum’s unwilling patients who may hold the key to all their unanswered questions—if she only lives long enough to survive the escape. Now, with an unknown murderer on the loose as well, time is running short for them to find the children, solve the crime, and spirit the patient away to safety. Can they keep their necks out of the noose and buy enough time to solve the mystery shrouding their lives? Can anyone make sense of this world of shadows, darkness, and madness?

224 pages, Paperback

First published February 27, 2020

About the author

C.A. Asbrey is a writer of mysteries, and a fan of all things Victorian and obscure. A former member of law enforcement in Scotland, she developed a deep interest in early forensics and detection methods, particularly during the 19th Century, working in the field. This extensive research into early detectives and the tools available to them acted as the foundation for developing the characters in her The Innocents Mystery Series. She likes her mysteries twisty, complex, and intricate; through a fog of history and a touch of light humor.

Reviews

[Veronica Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartbreaking loss brings Abi and Nat’s relationship and sanity to the edge of oblivion in Author Asbrey’s fifth book in her The Innocents Mystery Series. A revenge fueled act inflicts horrific pain and sorrow beyond the imagination to those who dared to challenge their evil deeds. Abi is forced to make a decision that may change the future of her relationship with Nat forever.

Pinkerton agent Dr. Vida Cadwallader arrives on the scene to help her ailing friend, risking the wrath of Nat and Jake as she disappears with Abi to seek an unorthodox treatment in an asylum. Will these treatments work? Or will Abi succumb to her sorrow? Mysteries abound with the patients and doctors, revealing many secrets. In an unexpected twist, will these dark clues help Jake reunite him with his missing love and children?

Trust, collaboration and an undying love hold the human spirit together in this latest tale of heartbreak and mystery. I am a huge fan of Author Asbrey’s series, and this book did not disappoint. A great read, highly recommended!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to preface this with a warning: I'm an empathetic reader. And when I find myself connected to a story and invested in characters as I have with Abi, Nat, and Jake, I have a challenge on my hands to process all my emotions I feel with the story along with all the characters' emotions.

So when I tell you I had to (ahem) gently and purposely put my kindle down and walk away from this story for a bit, you know something dug deep. It's a mark of a skilled author to not only deliver those responses, but make it so as soon as I sorted through the myriad of emotions, I was ready and even a bit anxious (both with anticipation and trepidation) to see what happened next.

That being said, with this 5th installment of The Innocents series, we're treated to a journey of restoring family and healing which soothed some hurts, along with a new mystery that not only gave me ghostbumps several times, but threw some curve balls that I never picked up on. There's also another twist in here that once you get over the shock of it, it actually makes the story all the better. But you really gotta take a breather there too and logic it out, if you're like me.

Innocent Minds delivers a story filled with passion, vengeance, heartbreak, and healing. The mystery feels a bit low-key compared to the other stories, but I believe that's due to the depth of the emotional journey the characters face at this time in their lives and how it all fits together. The whodonit is still just as twisted and intricate as I've come to expect.

As always, when I come to the end of a new Innocents book, the anticipation for the next book is strong! One more to go, and I know the journey will be worth it all.

[Jeanette Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read all the other books in this series, it’s hard to know what to say that I haven’t already said! With the last book ending on a cliff-hanger, of course I was waiting with eager anticipation for this one. The beginning of it was indeed traumatic, but such is the skill of the author that one finds one doesn’t dwell too much on what happened, even though obviously it has great impact on the characters who we have come to love.

As always, the characters are well portrayed and, I feel that, even if the reader hadn’t read the other books, they would soon get into this one. It’s a story that will pull at the reader’s emotions as we follow the adventures of our three main characters, aided by Vida, a retired Pinkerton. The author has obviously researched well and is able to write convincingly about the time and how patients, particularly women, were treated in the asylums in those days.

I’m hoping there is another book after this one, as I know there are still some issues to be resolved.
Well done, Ms Asbrey.

[Celia Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Innocent Minds by CA Asbrey is another masterful tale in the Innocents series. Besides the mystery of men being suspiciously hanged, which our hero and heroine must solve to prove their friend's innocence, Asbrey shows us the horrors some women faced in a time period when they were considered their husband's property. Locked in Asylums and subjected to degrading and inhuman treatment, many slowly go mad even though they were sane when locked away. Asbrey also gives us a look at how people who were different thru no fault of their own were treated. And some still are today. And then there is the love between a man and a woman and parents for their children. A heart rending tale, but when it ends, you will long for the next book in the series.

[Catherine Siemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a fan of this series since book 1, and this penultimate installment was thoroughly enjoyable. We meet a delightful new character, Doctor Vida Cadwallader, a female physician and old friend of Abi's from her Pinkerton days. There's heartbreak, an insane asylum, a mythical Night Hag apparently committing a series of murders, and there are strong women and the handsome former outlaws who love them. It's difficult to say more without spoilers, but it's a quick-moving emotional roller coaster of a book, and it's highly recommended. Bring on Book #6!

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love following Abi, Jake and Nat's adventures in this series, and this book is my favourite so far. After the disastrous events of the previous book, it's hard to imagine how they can pick up the pieces of their lives and carry on. But carry on they do, and the author keeps the tension going throughout the pages. Dark, interspersed with dry wit and poignant moments, this series just keeps on getting better!

[Joni Martins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review

Basic Details:
Book Title: Innocent Minds
Subtitle: (The Innocent Mystery Series #5)
Author: C.A. Asbrey
Genre: Crime/Thriller/Mystery/Historic Fiction
Part of a series? Yes
Order in series: 5
Best read after earlier books in series? Yes, but can be read as stand-alone
Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Overall score:
I scored this book 5/5
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Short Summary of the book:
Abi and Nat need to piece their life back together after the developments at the end of the last book. Will they be able to build some semblance of normal? While the couple struggles, Jake also wants to take his future in hand. But will all go as he hopes it will?
What I liked about the book:
The many twists and turns, action-packed, humorous, fast-paced.
What I didn’t like about the book:
I loved the entire book.
My favourite bits in the book:
The combination of mystery and care for each other.
My least favourite bits in the book:
The tragedies the couple and Jake come across.
Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?
This is the fifth book in the series and I just couldn’t stop myself and had to read them all. Loved the entire series.
What books could this be compared to and why?
This is a great book and reminds me of stories from the Wild West.
Recommendation:
In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

Children No
Young Adult Yes
Adult Yes

If you like mysteries or historical fiction, this book may be the book for you.
I’m certainly looking forward to reading more by this author.
Book Description by Author:
After suffering a horrific loss, Nat and Abi must try to piece their lives together, build a future, and repair the past. But before they can figure out their own complicated relationship, they must unite to help Jake find his children—no easy task, since their mother has disappeared, and they’ve been left with a priest who is bent on giving them away!
In a maelstrom of grief, anger, and legal complications, one of Abi’s friends, Dr. Vida Cadwallader, also a female Pinkerton, steps up to help. As Vida tries to help The Innocents make sense of what’s happening, she soon becomes embroiled in mysterious happenings within the brutal insane asylum where she consults part-time. When one of her colleagues is murdered, Vida quickly becomes a suspect.
With no time to lose, Vida, Abi, Jake, and Nat band together to free one of the asylum’s unwilling patients who may hold the key to all their unanswered questions—if she only lives long enough to survive the escape. Now, with an unknown murderer on the loose as well, time is running short for them to find the children, solve the crime, and spirit the patient away to safety. Can they keep their necks out of the noose and buy enough time to solve the mystery shrouding their lives? Can anyone make sense of this world of shadows, darkness, and madness?
About the Author:
C.A. Asbrey is a writer of mysteries, and a fan of all things Victorian and obscure. A former member of law enforcement in Scotland, she developed a deep interest in early forensics and detection methods, particularly during the 19th Century, working in the field. This extensive research into early detectives and the tools available to them acted as the foundation for developing the characters in her The Innocents Mystery Series. She likes her mysteries twisty, complex, and intricate; through a fog of history and a touch of light humor.

[The Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grieving couple Nat and Abi must rebuild their future. They must help Jake to find his children after they were left with a priest who is ready to see them with another family.

One of Abi’s old friends, Dr. Vida Cadwallader, offers to help the trio of Abi, Nat and Jake. She is caught up in mysterious occurrences within the walls of the insane asylum where she works part-time, when a colleague is murdered.

Working together to free a desperately suffering female patient who may be able to answer all their questions—if she can survive long enough-they know time is not on their side. They must solve the crime and unmask the unknown murderer, as well as look after the patient, and find Jake’s children. Will they conquer all of these challenges?

The fifth book in the series is another exciting rollercoaster, with twists and turns. As usual, great storyline and dialogue between the very different characters. Sadly there are some editing issues but these can easily be addressed.

I award 4 stars.

[H.M. Holten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreak, Murder, and a Man Hunt

Innocent Minds, the fifth instalment in the Innocents series, starts with a bang that reverberates throughout the entire book. Heartbreak can make people withdraw from one another no matter how intimate their relationship is. Without the help of Dr Vida Cadwallader, it is questionable if Abi and Nat will find their feet again.

At the same time, there are two other problems to deal with. Jake’s children are lost, and their mother disappeared. Add a series of murders. Thus, Asbrey creates a heady mix to delight her readers.

The innocents are running against time, and the action pulls the readers into the murky world of asylums, grieving minds, and that of a homicidal maniac. It isn’t a small challenge to pull this together in a coherent plot, but Asbrey does so with excellent writing, immaculate research, and infectious humour.