Release: January 5, 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Pegasus Crime
Source: HFVirtual Book Tours
Find it at Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, IndieBound.
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A historical mystery in The Alienist’s vein, in which a young woman in Gilded Age New York must use a special talent to unravel a deadly conspiracy.
Amelia Matthew has done the all but impossible, especially for an orphan in Gilded Age New York City. Along with her foster brother Jonas, she has parlayed her modest psychic talent into a safe and comfortable life. But safety and comfort vanish when a head injury leaves Amelia with a dramatically expanded gift. After she publicly channels an angry spirit, she finds herself imprisoned in the notorious insane asylum on Blackwell’s Island. As Jonas searches for a way to free her, Amelia struggles to control her disturbing new abilities and survive a place where cruelty and despair threaten her sanity.
Andrew Cavanaugh is familiar with despair. In the wake of a devastating loss, he abandons a promising medical career to devote himself to studying and treating mental disease. Miss Amelia Matthew is just another patient until she channels a spirit in front of him and proves her gift is real.
When a distraught mother comes to Andrew searching for her missing daughter, a daughter she believes is being hidden at the asylum; he turns to Amelia. Together, they uncover evidence of a deadly conspiracy, and then it’s no longer just Amelia’s sanity and freedom at stake. Amelia must master her gift and use it to catch a killer or risk becoming the next victim.
About the Author:
Stacie Murphy grew up near Nashville, TN. She began writing A Deadly Fortune in 2017 to force herself to stay off Twitter in the evenings. Also, she lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, daughter, and the worst cat in the world.
A Deadly Fortune: A Novel Review:
“A Deadly Fortune” is a gripping thriller that had me at the edge of my seat for its entirety, and I loved it!
I finished this story in one sitting because I could not put it down! The author has a beautiful style of story-telling. She had me hooked to the storyline from the time Amelia finds herself in the asylum. From then on, the story is a roller-coaster ride as we see the patients and workers’ twisted lives. I cannot believe this is the author’s debut novel, because it is so good! The pacing is perfect, the dialogues are polished, and the storyline is fantastic.
Moreover, all the three main characters were fantastic! Frankly, I loved Amelia and Jonas because I felt Andrew was a bit weak compared to them. Although, Andrew did have his moments. For instance, I loved the scenes where Susannah appears to him through Amelia. Amelia is terrific in the role as she investigates the mistreatments using her powers. Let’s not forget Jonas! He was my favorite character in the whole story! I loved him and the lengths he went through to protect Amelia. On a side note, I also appreciate the author for putting an LGBTQ angle to his storyline.
Furthermore, the author also kept the mystery wrapped up very nicely with quite a few red herrings. I was honestly surprised when we found out what is happening, not what I expected. Even after finishing this book, I still get goosebumps remembering the moments when Amelia is in Harcourt’s room or when they help Elizabeth.
Overall, “A Deadly Fortune” is one of the best historical thrillers I have read in a while, and I found it thoroughly entertaining! I highly recommend you read it if you like the genre.
Giveaway:
Enter to win a copy of A Deadly Fortune by Stacie Murphy & a $50 Gift Card to Amazon or your favorite Indie store. Winner’s choice.
The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on February 5th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
Book Tour Schedule
I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on A Deadly Fortune: A Novel by Stacie Murphy Blog Tour hosted by HFVirtual Book Tours. Check out my post, and make sure to enter the giveaway!
Thank you so much for your fabulous review, Rejiv!