About the Book
Book: Voices in the Sanitorium
Author: Amy Lynn Walsh
Genre: Historical Mystery, Women’s Fiction
(This is not horror or paranormal. Readers will have no trouble falling asleep after reading this!)
Release Date: October, 2022
Relocating from Manhattan, teenage Aislyn must adjust to life near the abandoned West Mountain Sanitarium. One night, Aislyn joins new friends in the old ruins — and seems to return home with a different personality. Not long after Aislyn purchases a diary written almost a century ago by Bridget, a young patient recovering from tuberculosis on the sanitorium grounds, strange things begin to happen.
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Book Review
I wanted to read this book because it sounded interesting and different from what I usually read. I wanted a change of pace, and I am happy to say that this novel delivered that. However, after finishing it, I’m left with mixed feelings.
I really enjoyed the historical aspect of the story. I knew very little about the history of tuberculosis, so learning about that was incredibly interesting. Reading Bridget’s diary was my favorite part, and I honestly wish there was even more to it. I struggled staying in the story when it switched over to present day and we read the book from either Aislyn’s or her mom, Katherine’s, point of view. I genuinely felt like I couldn’t connect with the characters, no matter how hard I tried. I also felt that the climax itself was anti-climactic and ended rather abruptly, the falling action and resolution feeling rather rushed.
Amy Walsh’s writing offers much potential, and she definitely has a wonderful imagination and seems to be an expert with research and history. I would still recommend this book, especially if you find the history of tuberculosis interesting.
I had received a copy of the book as part of the Celebrate Lit Blogging Team and was required to give an honest review.
About the Author
Amy Walsh writes historical and contemporary romance, mysteries, speculative fiction, and women’s fiction. She is a 5th-grade writing teacher in an urban public school. Amy and her husband, Patrick, have three children. Amy considers herself greatly blessed in the roles God has given her as an earthling, including aspiring wordsmith, teacher of youngsters, nature appreciator, tea aficionado, avid dessert fan, book fanatic, lover of family and friends, and Christ follower.
More from Amy
Mam’s Apple Cinnamon Scones with Maple Cinnamon Glaze
These are the scones Katherine’s mother makes the morning their new friend Cadence comes for an Irish tea. This time of fellowship marks a turning point in the plot of Voices in the Sanitorium.
The dough:
2 3/4 cups flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 stick of softened butter
1 diced small apple
3/4 cup cinnamon chips (optional)
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup applesauce
For best results, follow the steps below. However, if you are as busy as Katherine is with four children and a thriving Irish textile business, you can just melt the butter in the microwave and throw all the ingredients together at once, and these scones will still be delicious.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon.
- Mix in the butter just until the mixture is crumbly
- Stir in the chopped apple and cinnamon chips.
- Mix the eggs, vanilla, and applesauce in another bowl, then add these to the dry ingredients.
- Make sure you have parchment paper or have floured your baking sheet.
- Drop scoops of the dough onto the baking sheet. (about ¼ cup scoops)
- Bake for 20 minutes at 425 degrees or until golden brown
Notes:
If pressed for time, Mam just makes drop scones. When guests are coming, she forms the dough into a circle about ¾ inch high, cuts the dough into pie pieces on the parchment paper, then gently pulls the pieces apart and uses her fingers to form them into perfect isosceles triangles.
Sometimes Mam puts the dough into the freezer after forming it on the baking pan. She says freezing dough for a half hour makes them softer. Katherine has never noticed a difference.
Glaze:
- 1 ½ cup powdered sugar,
- 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 4 ½ Tablespoons maple syrup
If the glaze needs to be thickened, add more powdered sugar. If it is too thick, add more syrup, cream, or milk. You can put it in the microwave for about fifteen seconds if it starts to get firm while you wait for the scones to come out of the oven.
Blog Stops
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 17
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 18
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, October 19 (Author Interview)
Avid Reader Nurse, October 19
Texas Book-aholic, October 20
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 21
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 22
Connie’s History Classroom, October 23
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 24
Denise L. Barela, October 25
Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, October 26
Blogging With Carol, October 27
For Him and My Family, October 28
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 29 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, October 29
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 30
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Amy is giving away the grand prize package of $40 Amazon card, a hardcover copy of the book, and historical memorabilia related to the West Mountain Sanitarium in 1931!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
This looks like an interesting novel. Thanks for hosting this giveaway today.
This sounds like an enjoyable book that would be difficult to put down.
It was interesting especially about the history of tuberculosis.