To marry is madness. To escape is impossible. 'The Darlings of the Asylum by Noel O'Reilly grips like a vice' Nicola Cornick To marry is madness. To escape is impossible. In 1886, a respectable young woman must acquire a husband. But Violet Pring longs to be a professional artist and live on her own terms. When she turns down a desirable marriage proposal from an eligible Brighton gentleman, her family have had enough of her independent streak. Against her wishes, they lock her away in Hillwood Grange Lunatic Asylum.

Now at the mercy of the sinister Dr Rastrick, she must keep her wits about her if she has any hope of escaping. This tantalizing Gothic novel from Noel O'Reilly tells a thrilling story of duty and desire, madness and sanity, truth and delusion from within a Victorian asylum. Praise for The Darlings of the Asylum: 'Always engaging and readable' Sunday Times 'The narrative rattles along irresistibly all the way to its suitably gothic climax' Readers' Digest 'This darkly atmospheric psychological thriller oozes menace' Women's Own 'Wow! I have been on the edge of my seat with this one! The Darlings of the Asylum. grips like a vice' Nicola Cornick, author of The Winter Garden 'Gripping' Alison Stockham, author of The Cuckoo Sister Gold title * For readers who love the dark and uncanny * THE DARLINGS OF THE ASYLUM is a mesmerising gothic historical novel about duty vs. desire and truth vs. delusion told from within a Victorian asylum * A gripping tale of a strong woman who refuses to conform * Perfect for fans of Elizabeth Macneal, Beth Underdown, and Anna Mazzola * A creepy, edgy, but utterly gorgeous novel, perfect for Waterstones and indies * Brilliantly reviewed in hardback, with The Times describing it as 'Always engaging and readable' * Apple Book of the Month in December 2022 Competition: The;Mrs England;Doll Factory;Daughters of Night;Clockwork Girl;Key in the Lock;Birdcage;Mad Women's Ball;Spirited;Strange Adventures of H;Shape of Darkness;Asylum;Sanatorium. by;Elizabeth Macneal;Beth Underdown;Anna Mazzola;Stacey Halls;Eve Chase;Laura;Shepherd-Robinson;Purcell;Emma Stonex;Anita Frank.