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Bedlam

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Love hurts. Obsession kills.

Joe loves Kit. Everyone thinks she’s dead. Joe knows she’s not.

If you lost the love of your life, how far would you go to get them back?
Detective Joe McNeil would do absolutely anything.
When Joe breathes life into a killer’s victim, he discovers what anything really means.

Nell will use whatever is necessary to ensure she survives, including Joe. Is she really a victim or merely the weapon being wielded by a much more cunning foe?

As Joe struggles between his love for missing Kit and his growing obsession with the enigmatic Nell, he plunges headlong into a spiralling nightmare of kidnap, murder and betrayal. His relentless search for the truth jeopardises his career, his sanity and his life.

But for Nell, the risk is even greater.

A haunting tale of obsessive love, ultimate sacrifice and deadly consequences.

"Bold ... Different ... Scary."

257 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 22, 2013

37 people are currently reading
872 people want to read

About the author

B.A. Morton

12 books57 followers

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5 stars
75 (38%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
Profile Image for JaHy☝Hold the Fairy Dust.
345 reviews631 followers
July 27, 2014
**5 "BREATHLESS YING AND YANG" STARS**

"He loves me, he loves me not.”


"Step one, almost gone.
Step two, I still love you.
Step three, can’t catch me.
Step four, evermore.
Step five, still alive.
Step six, don't be late
Step seven, heaven or hell.
Step eight, full of hate.
Step nine, you are mine.
Step ten, begin again"

Love hurts. Obsession kills.......and boy did it fuck with my head. Wow, this story is brilliant. I had no idea where the story was leading and once I finally thought I pieced this puzzling mystery together the author jumbles everything in my head forcing me to start from square one. Its a complex story but I'll try to set the foundation, allowing you to build upon it......by reading the book of course.

The once impressive Detective Joe McNeil is now an alcoholic, barely existing glimmer of his former self, due to the mysterious disappearance of his girlfriend Kit. After 12 months of searching, everyone thinks she's dead........but him. Joe becomes obsessed with finding her, in doing so everyone believes he's become a danger to himself.

After another night of heavy drinking, Joe is late for work and awakened by a phone call from his colleague Dennis, who adamantly informs Joe that his presence is needed A.S.A.P.....There has been a gruesome discovery of 3 dead bodies. Joe arrives at the scene of the crime where 2 bodies are hanging from meat hooks and one lay covered by a white sheet on the ground. Joe decides to inspect underneath the cover and finds a dead women........whom suddenly opens her eyes.


"His breath within her.
Her breath within him.
Once dead and now alive .
Again. .."
....Yup, this is where you meet Nell and the real ying & yang fun filled confusion and numerous questions begins ....Enjoy!

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Profile Image for ✦❋Arianna✦❋.
790 reviews2,552 followers
December 27, 2014
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I heard of this book a long time ago, but for some reason I thought that it won’t be for me. Big mistake! Only recently I decided to give it a try and I’m glad I did, because “Bedlam” is that kind of story you are drawn to immediately. It was a very interesting read. But more than that it was captivating, suspenseful, with a unique premise. “Bedlam” is labeled as a dark read. For me it wasn’t dark at all. Also for me it wasn’t a romance. A story about love, yes. It’s more a mystery with many psychological aspects and maybe, I’m not sure, some horror elements. Even if is not a dark read, “Bedlam” is a good mind fuck. And like a good mind fuck it was mind blowing and unputdownable. You will certainly question everything you read and I'm sure you'll hate it and love it at the same time.

“Bedlam” is a story about love and obsession, good and evil, yin and yang. It the story about a man who is willing to do anything to get his lover back.

Joe is not living. He only exists. Since his girlfriend, Kit, disappeared a year ago, he’s just a shadow of a man. He drinks a lot to forget about Kit’s disappearance, to forget he lost the love of his life. Even if he knows he’s not to blame, he blames himself for not doing anything to prevent it. He doesn’t accept Kit is gone, dead. He feels it, he knows it, even if he can’t explain it. He’s the only one who thinks Kit is still alive somewhere. The police, his friends and not even Kit’s family believe him. All of them lost their hope. Except him.

Even if he wasn’t the best detective since Kit's disappearance he is grateful for his job. He’s investigate a crime when he practically brings back to life a woman. The woman is enigmatic and seems to know his name, even if Joe doesn’t know her. She has a Yin and Yang tattoo that fascinates Joe.

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The woman’s name is Nell. She’s mysterious, speaks in riddles and she pretends she knows Kit is alive. She fucks up with Joe’s head, confusing him and at the same time giving him hope. She pretends someone is after her and after him as well.

“I’m being evasive, for a very good reason - to protect us both. On this occasion, the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth would certainly bring about our downfall.”


Joe is more than intrigued by Nell, he’s attracted to her, he’s drawn to her. As the story progresses, Joe knows he needs to get as far away from Nell as he could, but he has no real idea why. He just fells it.

“...together whether he likes it or not, we are an 'us' in a chaotic world of 'them'.”


Joe will find everything he wants to know and more – details about his past and details about the two women who became his obsession.

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“Bedlam” is that story that confuses the crap out of you and you must, you have to read more to know what’s going on, how everything will end.

There are many interesting twist and turns. Some of them left me speechless, some of them not so much, since I figured them. However, I really enjoyed it. Almost from the beginning you will have some questions. First about Joe – is he sane? about Kit – is she really alive? about Nell - is she real or just a hallucination? Was she dead or not at the crime scene? Is she really sane? And of course about the plot. Most of them were captivating and I really enjoyed them, but the twist in the end, the big revelations left me...I don’t know...I was expecting something else I guess.

I must admit the story was a little frustrating because until some point I had a lot of questions and none of them were answered. All of them or most all of them are answered in the end.

I liked how Joe’s character is developed. I felt his struggles, his inner turmoil, his love, his confusion. He felt real to me and even relatable. Nell was a very engaging character. Her thoughts are meant to confuse the reader, to make the reader question everything she does and says and I think the author did a really great job.

The writing was very good, flawless and at times poetic. ( Nell’s thoughts) and it’s actually one of the reason I enjoyed this book so much.

All in all, “Bedlam” was a very good, solid story and I really recommend it to anyone who wants to read a captivating mystery.

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Profile Image for Brandi.
692 reviews1,475 followers
July 1, 2014
description

That about sums it up. This book drove me batshit crazy. It made my brain hurt, but I couldn't wait to see how it all played out, so I carried on. It was a complex story, well-written, entertaining and slightly infuriating.

Detective Joe McNeil has not been himself, not since his girlfriend, Kit's disappearance. He has spent the past year simply going through the motions and turning to alcohol to get through the day. Everyone believes her to be dead, everyone but Joe - he becomes obsessed with finding her.

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I'm not sure why, but throughout this read I kept picturing Sin City the way Bedlam is described, with it's dark undertone. Random. I know. Anyway...Joe arrives at a crime scene and he revives a young woman, thought to have been dead...and things just start spiraling.

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As this story progressed my mind was spinning. I felt like my sanity was in question. Then things start to fall into place, kind of. Be prepared for all kinds of riddles.

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I think the best way to go into this one is blind. It was a crazy ride.

"His breath within her.
Her breath within him.
Once dead and now alive.
Again..."
Profile Image for Shelby *trains flying monkeys*.
1,749 reviews6,577 followers
July 20, 2014
I had to go to bed last night after reading this book. I had to recover. I kept waking up throughout the night though thinking about it.

Sometimes I hate books that leave you with questions..they make you think. I'm a lazy reader though. At times.

This book.



Joey is a down and out cop. His girlfriend Kit went missing last year. Everyone believes she is dead. Except for Joe. He drinks too much, misses work..just doesn't really give a crap anymore.

Then he gets a call from his boss. There has been some murders. A couple of people hung from hooks and a girl. The girl is dead. Until Joe sees her eyes blink.



She has a Ying/yang tattoo..that will lead Joe to answers.
This book is hard to review without giving anything away. If you want a book that makes you think-which way could life go? This is your book.



Thank you Jahy for the copy of this book. I hate that it's not being published anymore..because this...it's how it's done.
Profile Image for Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen.
1,692 reviews634 followers
December 7, 2013
Book - Bedlam
Author - B. A. Morton
Publication Date - August 31, 2013
Type - Stand-Alone (Maybe a series?)
Genre - Dark Romance, Thriller, Horror
Rating - 5 out of 5 Stars



Review

WARNING: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO READ WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF NARCOTICS OR LSD

Please follow my advice and let this book seep into your mind and imagination before trying to get the overall feeling of the story. There are so many puzzles to this book that your brain is going to need time to digest it all and make sense of it.



I don't think I have EVER read a book that fucked with your mind as much as this one did. I wanted so many times to give up ---- LITERALLY my brain hurt and I couldn't make heads or tails of what the fuck was going on! I persisted though and HOLY FUCK I am so ever happy that I did.

WARNING: DO NOT GIVE UP ON THIS BOOK UNTIL YOU HAVE ALL THE CORRECT ANSWERS.



I hated this book - yes, people....I HATED IT - I HATED IT so much that I ended up LOVING IT!!

Why you ask?

I had to take a Xanax to get my anxiety levels down before going to bed.



WARNING: IT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND.

I have to tell you that Jahy (my buddy on GR) recommended this book to me and during the first 50% of the book, I kept wondering why the hell she rated it a "5 Star" book.....even up to about 75% I was enjoying the story line but I still so confused - it wasn't until I got to the last 5% of the book that things started to snap into place and the anxiety level increased a hundred fold.

WARNING: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RATE THIS BOOK UNTIL AT LEAST 24 HOURS AFTER READING.

It wasn't until I shut my e-reader down, signed on GR, messaged Jahy, conversed over the scenarios with her and got the answers that I was searching for that I was able to take a deep breath and put everything into perspective.



WARNING: BEST READ WITH FRIENDS OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS ALREADY READ THE BOOK AND REFUSES TO GIVE OUT SPOILERS.

I compare this book to a "fine silken spider's web" This book is full of deceit, lies, mystery, and so much more that pull the story in so many different ways that when it reaches its climax, the story finally interconnects to produce a masterpiece.

I can't think of any pictures I can use without giving the story/spoilers away - I can't think of any summary I can type without giving any spoilers away - so I'm going to leave you with this......



WARNING:  READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

Wrap Up
Total MIND FUCK of a book.....keep guessing and guessing but you will NEVER figure it out!

When you get the answers - you will shake your head, smack your palm against your forehead and say to yourself, "Now why didn't I think of that?"
Profile Image for Beverly.
1,005 reviews788 followers
May 3, 2014
* * * * *5 Wowing Stars* * * * *


Confession…I am so nervous to write this review because I could never do this book justice. I am going to try because this book deserves a review, even if it is a shitty one from me.

Bedlam is about Joe, a drunken, down on his luck police officer and his hunt to find his missing girlfriend Kit.

See that is isn’t right, this book is about so much more…but when this book was recommended to me and I read the synopsis that is exactly what I thought. Then I read the first chapter or so and the questions started, and they didn’t end. I am still thinking about Joe, Kit, Nell, and Jacob.

This story had me questioning my intelligence…Shocker…

Then I was questioning the characters…Are they dreaming?...Do they see dead people?...Is this guy strung out on drugs?...Is this paranormal? Believe it or not these are just some of the questions I sent to Jahy…who btw refused to give me any clues or answers - for which I am so thankful!

In the end…

I felt so many emotions…I had my WTF moment…Did I miss something moment…Relief - thank the lawrd this mind fuck is over…the disappointment - wait this mind fuck is over and I need more...then I thought about the characters and my biggest emotion was heart break. I loved these characters, my heart broke for them! Unfortunately, I cannot explain why without giving away so much of the story and I refuse to spoil because this is the type of story you need to go into blind. You need to think what I thought…Joe is searching for Kit…

My hope is that this shitty review will give you just enough interest to read this for yourself…Once you start DON’T GIVE UP!! Trust me you will want to, and you will think everyone who loved this book is effing crazy, and I am not crazy enough for this…but trust me you are!!

It’s a marathon not a sprint…when you are done you can put one of those obnoxious 26.2 stickers on your car <— Okay, my lazy ass might be a little jealous of those people...

Lastly…


Gif and recommended by funniest person on GR - Jahy...thanks again BW!
Profile Image for Barbara.
433 reviews82 followers
July 7, 2014

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Thanks so much Jahy for the rec... and thanks my dear Barbara for reading it with me! <3<3

Now for the review...

B.A. Morton baited the trap, loaded the dart and sweetened the pill, into the darkest reaches of the mind, which burned a hole in my gut and brain… I felt like I was in a fast merry-go-round, a very very disturbing, confusing, puzzling and dark one…
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I felt like I was always on the edge of the abyss…
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what a brilliant fuck up book.

I will not write about any of the MC´s or the story; you have to “experience” it with any spoilers!
But I do advice to take a leap with a clear head…
because at the end you will think... WHAT!!!!
Suspense until the end, this one will blow your mind!

Profile Image for Jennifer Kyle.
2,614 reviews5,407 followers
June 30, 2014
3.75 Riddle Stars

"He does not understand. Ultimately he will. He seeks his lost love as I seek him. Eventually he must choose."

This story is a page turning frustrating mystery about Detective Joe McNeil's quest to find his missing girlfriend, Kit.

The book will have readers second guessing everyone's sanity at one point or another.

"...she was crazy, or he was crazy, or both."

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Bedlam is well written and the author ties up all questions in a grand way.

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The connections and ending for me were over the top and very far fetched, but still made for a good ride.
Profile Image for Elaine.
505 reviews72 followers
December 6, 2013
4 Haunting Stars

Bedlam is one of those stories that you don't really know what's really happening, but slowly by slowly it then sucks you in until you are totally consumed by the story...
It has a very atmospheric almost Gothic feel haunting but.. brilliantly written.

Where is Kit? is she alive, Joe thinks she is..

Who is Nell? what is her interest in Joe..

Who is real?....

Kit has been missing now for a year. Everybody tells Joe her Policeman boyfriend that's shes dead.. gone... but Joe feels he can't give up, shes alive hes sure of it..
He is called to a murder scene and there starts his quest to discover the truth...finally





My Thoughts..

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This story intrigue me.. confused me but in the end.....

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Profile Image for Silvana.
192 reviews25 followers
May 29, 2014
I've been sitting for ages stumped on how to review this book- Not because I don't have the words, on the contrary I have too many but unfortunately they may spoil the book for any that have not read it yet.

This novel captivated me, completely consumed my thoughts during and hours after I finished it. In the beginning I was reading and trying to guess what's going on which left me confused and frustrated. At the 40% mark, I decided to stop trying to outsmart the book and just let it reveal all to me.

This was such an enthralling, well written read. You just have to relax and let the book guide you, I had many outlandish theories flying around in my head!


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But let me tell you the ending was genius, though I was able to connect a few pieces of the puzzle correctly and get a gist of what's going on, most of the revelations were astounding and pure brilliance.


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At the end I have to add to hell with Gentle and sweet, I want devious, cunning, broken and selfless!

I hear you
I love you
Always



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(This pic is for Jahy whom I have to thank for keeping me sane while reading as well as Bev, you rock! :D)...
Profile Image for Kelli C .
1,053 reviews358 followers
October 28, 2014
I know there is no way I can do justice to this read as I sit here hours after the last written word and I am still pondering the entire mindf*** that B.A. Morton laid on me!

In the darkness known as Bedlam...

This is a tale of lost love, maybe. Or is it a tale of madness stemming from despair and grief, maybe? Could it be a tale of manipulation and control, maybe? I am not 100% sure I can adequately say what the main gist of the tale is...perhaps it is all of the above that made Joe McNeil's story so symbolic and captivating.

Joe is a man of the law. He is man whose love has been gone for a year as she was the victim of an unsolved crime. As the world moves on he cannot back down. His gut tells him the case isn't closed, his Kit is alive. Whether drunk or in complete disregard for structure, he passes each day in a blur only to be guided by hearing the absent voice of his past...

A new gruesome crime brings about the dead that literally "waken" his drive. The mysterious Nell brings chaos and hope into his life all while beguiling the reader.

"He does not understand. Ultimately he will. He seeks his lost love as I seek him. Eventually he must choose."

Speaking in riddles, offering clues to his heart's desire, Nell had me questioning my sanity. From deep thoughts, vivid imagery, and hallucinogenic passages I too was under the "spell."

I cannot really explain much without giving anything away. All I can say is that this is so amazingly written...pure literary genius that makes the reader question the genre, the story, and hell even author!

Grab this book...grab a friend...and begin!

Profile Image for Menna.
229 reviews8 followers
June 30, 2014


HOLLY SHIT!! What a creepy confusing as hell mind fuck ride!!

that was a totally dark mind fuck read.....and it's way more than just a man looking for his girlfriend who has disappeared!
this is a kind of book that you can't say anything about in order not give any of the plot away, it's better to go in blind to have all your senses challenged and provoked!!

This story totally captivated and consumed me from the first page.....i couldn't stop thinking about it during and after reading it,it even haunted my dreams..... It incited a lot of questions,some won't even make sense, my mind were all over the place....
I started the roller coaster of guessing from the first page,, i made up so many theories and guessing trying to understand and figure things out,some of them was wired and illogical even to my own ears!!
I've reached a point where i couldn't even tell what's true or not?! What's real or not?! Is this craziness paranormal or supper natural stuff or something?!


I was so confessed and my mind literally hurt i couldn't make any sense of what was happening....i had a lot of WHAT-THE-FUCK-IS-HAPPENINING moments most of the time until the last 5% of the book when everything started to click together and i was anxiously setting on the edge of my seat holding my breath!


Although i put some pieces together and some of my guessing were right,most of the revelation was Shocking and unexpected!!
So,no matter how much you try,you will never guess it right!!
just relax and let yourself be sucked and consumed by this clustra-fuck read and let your mind be fucked willingly (for your own benefits :D)
Be patient and don't give up early everything will make sense eventually! (Hopefully).

And even after i finished the book and i -supposedly- got all the answers,i couldn't digest or understand what's exactly am i feeling?!! ....how am gonna rate this book?!!....what the hell does that mean?!! I was all over the place!!


I couldn't rate this book or write any thing except after i discussed a lot of questions and got some clarifications from jahy!

Heads up: people it's totally ok to not feel satisfied or to feel confused even if you got all the answers.....just sleep on it and do not try to rate this book in this state of mind!

All i have to say is,be warned of what you are going into....it will screw with your mind....drain you mentally and exhaust you physically...it will creep the living light out of you.....it's scary,creepy,thrilling,mysterious and most importantly DARK MIND FUCKING.....my brain still hurts after 24 hours of finishing it....when you finish it you won't even know what hit you,!


Thanks jahy for the rec.....i can always count on you twinny for an amazing mind fuck read! Xo
i was....
Profile Image for Olga.
54 reviews60 followers
November 21, 2014
"Love hurts. Obsession kills."


Once an accomplished detective and a loving husband, today Joe McNeil is drowning his sorrows while trying to solve a case long forgotten by everyone else. He is tormented by the past and unable to let go.



It’s been a year since his beloved Kit disappeared. Even though all the evidence suggest otherwise, Joe refuses to believe in her death. He knows she is still alive. He knows she is waiting for him to save her. His relentless search for the truth jeopardizes his career, his sanity and his life. And he is ready to make that sacrifice. He is ready to lose everything just to get her back.



When a murder investigation entwines his path with an enigmatic Nell, Joe finally feels the answers he craves are within his reach. Nell will use whatever is necessary to ensure she survives, including Joe. Is she really a victim or merely the weapon being wielded by a much more cunning foe?



"He does not understand.
Ultimately he will.
He seeks his lost love as I seek him.
Eventually he must choose."


When you first dive into this story, the best way to describe what you’re experiencing is utter confusion.

Few chapters in, you find yourself wondering if you’re reading a paranormal or if the characters are simply crazy.

Every few chapters your brain tries to come up with a brilliant new theory to explain what’s happening.

Then comes more confusion.

Unfortunately, somewhere along the way my confusion and curiosity started to transform into frustration. Not so much with the story or lack of answers as with the characters. Joe’s obsession became tiresome to watch and being in Nell’s head was painfully exhausting.
By the time I got the answers,I didn't feel connected to the characters. Sadly, my lack of emotional investment in the story lessened the impact of the ending.


Profile Image for Beth.
205 reviews7 followers
December 7, 2013
Wow how do you review this cluster-fcuk? I'll review it with something that kept coming into my head while reading this book

How can you see into my eyes like open doors?
Leading you down into my core where I’ve become so numb
Without a soul my spirit's sleeping somewhere cold
Until you find it there and lead it back home

(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can’t wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
Call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
Bid my blood to run
(I can’t wake up)
Before I come undone
(Save me)
Save me from the nothing I’ve become

Now that I know what I’m without
You can't just leave me
Breathe into me and make me real
Bring me to life

(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can’t wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
Call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
Bid my blood to run
(I can’t wake up)
Before I come undone
(Save me)
Save me from the nothing I’ve become

Bring me to life
(I've been living a lie, there's nothing inside)
Bring me to life

Frozen inside without your touch
Without your love, darling
Only you are the life among the dead

All this time I can't believe I couldn't see
Kept in the dark but you were there in front of me
I’ve been sleeping a thousand years it seems
Got to open my eyes to everything
Without a thought, without a voice, without a soul
Don't let me die here
There must be something more
Bring me to life

(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can’t wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
Call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
Bid my blood to run
(I can’t wake up)
Before I come undone
(Save me)
Save me from the nothing I’ve become

(Bring me to life)
I’ve been living a lie, there’s nothing inside
(Bring me to life)
- Evanescence
Profile Image for Miriam Smith (A Mother’s Musings).
1,798 reviews308 followers
November 3, 2016
"Bedlam" by B.A.Morton is a creepy and haunting tale of obsession, love, kidnap and betrayal that i found so suspenseful I could not put it down. This is a new author to me but I am confident that this will not be the last book I read by her, I loved every page picturing every scene with clarity as it unfolded. The writing flows like poetry at times with descriptions vivid and mind blowing. The plot centres around a down on his luck, drunken detective Joe McNeil and his obsession to find his missing girlfriend Kit believed murdered whilst trying to solve a murder in Bedlam. He encounters Nell in the most unusual way in the process, which will turn his life upside down and contradict everything he believes to be true about his childhood. This is a creepy, chilling and very dark story which I highly recommend.
Thank you to The Book Club on Facebook and Babs Morton for the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Taintedskyee (Books Books&More Books).
538 reviews64 followers
October 2, 2015
One of those books which everyone liked but Me!

Yin and Yang my ass.
For me, Yin and Yang have to be together at the end to make it a happy ending.Not apart and claiming love.
Ranting:

All that explaining of what really happened was very unsatisfying for me.
The urge to feed my curiosity made me finish the story but then I was disappointed by the outcome.

I just couldn't digest.

Author is a very talented writer,only if you like intricated phrases defining the feelings of the protagonist, and the things happening all around them.
The Suspense created was good.
Profile Image for Andbme.
287 reviews
December 8, 2013

My brain needs to reboot after that one...
Profile Image for Angel Gelique.
Author 19 books476 followers
February 16, 2014
I really enjoyed reading this book about a law enforcement officer whose life has been on a downward spiral for nearly a full year after the love of his life mysteriously vanishes. Despite everyone's insistence to the contrary, Joe McNeil knows in his heart that his lover, Kit, is still alive somewhere and waiting to be found. Then he meets Nell, a young, frail woman believed to be dead at a horrific crime scene. McNeil rescues her and soon learns that she is the key to not only finding the woman he loves, but unlocking the secrets of his past.

This story is beautifully written and compelling. The plot is original and will keep you guessing. I look forward to reading more books by this talented author.
Profile Image for Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Candice.
33 reviews2 followers
June 3, 2014
OHHHHHH-TTAYYYY...where oh where to being ???

Definitely a
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This story had so many twists I felt like this most of the time
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I felt like I was on a JJ Abrams ride.
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Confusion rang forth...
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This story was spooky scary...
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I seriously had NO fucking idea what the hell was going on most of the story...but then the last 10% of the book.....OHHH MYYYY FFFUUCCKK!!!!
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B.A. Morton is Da... description

The story is exceptional - I felt like I was in a movie...details were so graphically on point you felt like you were there.

I so did not see what happened coming and I'm pretty good at guessing what the deal-o is...I had no freaking idea which was AWESOME!!

Now, here's the real deal - - this book is a challenge to read...you'll like...description pretty much the entire book... BUT HANG ON KITTY !!! It is so damn worth it!!

Not many writers can keep you knotted up in suspense for an entire freaking book...I'm telling you, this one will!

There is even a HEA (well, as best as there could be....) You're just going to have to read this gem.

Peace out!
Candice






Profile Image for Raquel.
414 reviews
July 25, 2016
3.5

Whew! What a crazy and exhausting ride!

This story centers around detective Joe McNeil and his obsession to find his missing girlfriend as he tries to solve a murder mystery. Don't think there isn’t much else that can be said about the plot without giving much away.

This was a suspenseful story that for the majority of the book I wasn’t really sure what was going on. What was real and what was not. It was confusing and frustrating at times. Just when I thought something was being given away, I would get even more confused. At the same time I was really engaged to the point that I was glued to my kindle and just wanted to keep on reading to see how it would make sense at the end.

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By the time I finally got some answers and clarity I was exhausted and really anxious and anticipating to know the truth of it all. None of of my crazy theories were correct, part of it I got it right, but the main of it was very different and unexpected so I give it to the author for being able to create and surprise us with something different and unexpected. The writing was engaging, some parts poetic, symbolic and felt like a riddle.

My main complaint though is that despite being totally surprised with the actual answer to the big mystery, how it all actually connected together and the ending felt a bit too rushed that it left me a bit underwhelmed once I finished. I actually re-read the last few chapters to make sure I wasn't missing something or skipped a page. I wish that maybe a bit less time would have been spent in the anticipation which was like 80-90% of the book and a bit more time in the end. Still, overall I liked it, was a good crazy ride that had me on suspense and guessing from the start.

Thanks to the awesome girls I BR with. This was the perfect book for it. You girls helped me keep my sanity. =)







Profile Image for Linda Strong.
3,878 reviews1,709 followers
December 9, 2020
Detective Joe McNeil has spent a year looking for the love of his life. People tell him she's dead ...but he's not buying it. What he is buying is alcohol. Drink at least lets him sleep until the nightmares begin.

His partner has had enough of covering his backside. His superior is ready to throw him off the team.

Bu then he does something amazing ..... at a crime scene ...which he was late for again ... he and his partner find three dead people. Two were homeless and are hanging by their necks. The other is a young woman, who is bloodied. The EMTs have already pronounced her dead. When Joe bends down to take a closer look, he is horrified to see her eyes open. He begins CPR immediately, and while some are trying to pull him off her, he's screaming at them that she is still alive.

Nell is very much alive and thus begins Joe's obsession with her. Is she really a victim? Joe struggles between his obsession for Nell, his love for missing Kit, and is relentless search for the truth. They say that the truth will set you free .... but this time his career is jeopardized....as well as his sanity and his life.

Although this one drew me in immediately, I was also puzzled from the first. It didn't read like any crime fiction I've ever read. It was spooky, kind of depressing, with a hint of maybe ghosts or hallucinations. I felt really lost for a while. I am so glad I stuck to it ... it turned into a fabulous story. I'm glad I didn't miss this one.

Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this psychological thriller/crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Profile Image for T.D..
Author 10 books9 followers
February 7, 2014
Bedlam is a gripping story of love, obsession and betrayal. It is beautifully written with descriptive prose that give you a rich vision of the scenes. This description is not heavy handed though and much of the time, Morton gives the reader only a taste of what is happening, allowing the reader to use their own imagination to fill in the blanks. I thoroughly enjoy this kind of writing as I hate to be spoon fed.

The main character, McNeil, is an intriguing one. His love for his missing girlfriend certainly edges towards the obsessive but his constant insistence that she is not dead seems to keep him alive as well. He is a well developed character with interesting looks into his past and present.

The story gets off to a strong start and I found myself unable to put the book down. The relationship between McNeil and Nell, an attack victim left for dead, is at times confusing, but always compelling.

Morton drip feeds us little clues and nuggets of information that help us begin to build a picture and try to uncover the truth of this twisted story. By the climax, the reader is spent.

A fabulous, intricate and dark thriller. I cannot recommend this story enough.
Profile Image for Sue Wallace .
7,401 reviews139 followers
December 19, 2020
Bedlam By B A Morton is a mystery and thriller read.
Joe loves Kit. Everyone thinks she’s dead. Joe knows she’s not.
If you lost the love of your life, how far would you go to get them back?
Detective Joe McNeil would do absolutely anything.
Absolutely fantastic read with brilliant characters. Loved the story and the characters. Couldn't put it down. Highly recommended. 5*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from tbc on fb.
Profile Image for Didi.
865 reviews283 followers
December 13, 2018
3.5 STARS

Very suspenseful, dark and at times confusing. It was good for the most part but I wasn’t happy with the ending... I figured it would end differently with what was shared in the last few chapters.
Profile Image for Jane.
Author 27 books48 followers
February 22, 2014
Bedlam is a book I had to have two goes at reading. The first time, I put it down after the first chapter. I had just finished an extremely harrowing story and couldn’t face more blood, death and spooks.
The second time, feeling stronger, I let it grip me in its nasty talons and read it through to the end. This is a strange story, a nightmare of a story where reality and illusion are blurred. Everything about it is blurred, the landscapes hidden under snow, the half-drunk perceptions of McNeill the main character, night and day, life and death. It’s how I imagine Limbo.
Bedlam gave me the horrors, made my flesh creep, invaded my dreams. The writing is tremendous, the tension is sustained, the characters are real and complex. The only (very minor) niggle I had was with McNeill’s fuzzy brain. I know he had to have only one foot in reality, but I felt on occasion that it would have been interesting to have his reactions as a fully compos mentis policeman, but circumstances always seemed to conspire to have him fuddled by alcohol, drugs, or blows to the head.
I don’t pretend to understand everything that was going on—I’m particularly useless at following the plots of thrillers—and the ending left me a little perplexed. But it didn’t matter. In this book atmosphere is all. I didn’t really care who was alive or dead, what was true, what was a lie, and what was complete make-believe. If you enjoy the paranormal, police thrillers, mysteries, or horror; if you like your reading to put up its fists and refuse to give up its meaning without a fight; if you don’t want the predictable, Bedlam is a novel made for you.
Profile Image for Valerie Sparkle.
208 reviews12 followers
November 13, 2014
The first thing I did after reading this book was read it again. From the very first paragraph I was certain I would like this book.

Fear is subjective. I know this to be true. In my time I have faced them all. The scuttling arachnid, the hissing serpent, even the scaring heat of the pyre has left me unbowed. But, when I stand toe-to-toe with the wide open space, the plummeting depths, the void at the edge of my world, the panoramic vista draws me, seduces me, entices me to take that final step back into Bedlam.

The writing alone is just beautiful and lyrical. It drew me in right away. These beautiful words are written from the POV of Nell. She is such a dark and mesmerizing character.
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The other POV is written from Joe. He is struggling with losing the woman he loves, Kit. Everyone says that she's dead but he refuses to believe it, even though an entire year has passed since the day she disappeared. Then Nell appears in his life. That's when things get complicated. I don't want to say more because it truly is better to go in blind and just discover everything for yourself. This story is complicated and doesn't completely make sense unless you read it all the way to the end. Then it all falls into place, well sort of. Just read it! It's by far one of my favorite books of all time and I've read it twice and can't wait to read it again.
Profile Image for Serena.
101 reviews13 followers
March 15, 2014
Here is me reading this book:  photo tumblr_lpji5jcZft1qjqqq7_zpsb14796a4.gif

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And in the end:

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Profile Image for Darren Sant.
Author 26 books65 followers
October 10, 2013
Bedlam held me in thrall from the very first line. The prose was deliciously descriptive, without being overdone. At times Morton's descriptive prowess gave a magical fairy tale feel to the story, yet Bedlam is a dark story. It creeps up on you, and pulls you in.

Joe McNeil's life is on the rocks. He's one drink away from being an alcoholic. The love of his life, Kit, has disappeared, nearly a year ago and under mysterious circumstances. His colleagues in the police believe she is dead, but Joe can't accept this and his obsession with finding her is destroying his career and life.

B.A. Morton teases the reader, never quite giving up her secrets. This makes for an utterly compelling read that I just couldn't put down. The run down suburb of Bedlam has a mystical feel to it and Morton is so sparse on detail this is clearly deliberate.

Bedlam is quite unlike anything else I have read in recent years. However, one thing I can say with assurance is that it is a brilliant creation. Part fable, fairy tale, and cautionary tale - make up your own mind. A brilliant read.
Profile Image for Fiona.
696 reviews34 followers
November 14, 2016
I wasn't sure that I was going to stick with this book but I'm glad I did. It's quite confusing at times, you don't know what is real and what isn't, but from about halfway through I began to understand some of what was going on and for me that made it far more compelling.
It is a very well written book and Joey is a very attractive character, albeit very flawed. I really was cheering him on and hoping that there would be a happy ending.
This is a dark, gripping, psychological thriller which plays on some very real fears many of us have but I can't say more without spoilers.
Thank you to TBC on FB and the author for this copy in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Jackie Roche.
538 reviews19 followers
December 13, 2016
I would like to thank Helen at TBC and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book which I voluntarily reviewed.
This book has got a bit of everything. It's a tale of lost love, obsession and mystery.
I immediately felt sorry for Joe whose life has been destroyed by the disappearance of his lover. He won't accept the police's opinion that she's dead.
The author keeps the suspense going throughout the book, with plenty of twists and turns.
It's hard to say too much about the story without giving too much away.
What I will say is this, if you're looking for something different this is for you.
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