Description

Book Synopsis
To marry is madness.To escape is impossible.The Darlings of the Asylum by Noel O'Reilly grips like a vice' Nicola CornickIn 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 TimesThe narrative rattles along irresistibly all the way to its suitably gothic climax' Readers' DigestThis darkly atmospheric psychological thriller oozes menace' Women's OwnWow!

Trade Review

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. I was totally invested in Violet's struggle in this chilling Gothic novel’ Nicola Cornick, author of The Winter Garden

‘Gripping’ Alison Stockham, author of The Cuckoo Sister

Praise for Noel O’Reilly:

‘Written with a blazing energy and a Gothic edge’ Daily Mail

‘Full of secrets, suspicions and rumour’ Woman & Home

‘Perfect prose, a fast-paced, intricate plot’ My Weekly

‘A gripping historical tale … I loved it’ Liz Fenwick, author of The River Between Us

‘Noel O’Reilly’s lyrical writing brilliantly evokes the struggles of life in such a dramatic setting, as well as the hypocrisy and jealousy of society’ Sunday Express

‘With echoes of Du Maurier… a tangled web of fallen faiths, of sins, seductions and deceits’ Essie Fox, author of The Last Days of Leda Grey

The Darlings of the Asylum

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£9.49

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Order before 4pm today for delivery by Sat 20 Dec 2025.

A Paperback / softback by Noel O’Reilly

2 in stock


    View other formats and editions of The Darlings of the Asylum by Noel O’Reilly

    Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
    Publication Date: 26/10/2023
    ISBN13: 9780008275303, 978-0008275303
    ISBN10: 0008275300

    Description

    Book Synopsis
    To marry is madness.To escape is impossible.The Darlings of the Asylum by Noel O'Reilly grips like a vice' Nicola CornickIn 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 TimesThe narrative rattles along irresistibly all the way to its suitably gothic climax' Readers' DigestThis darkly atmospheric psychological thriller oozes menace' Women's OwnWow!

    Trade Review

    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. I was totally invested in Violet's struggle in this chilling Gothic novel’ Nicola Cornick, author of The Winter Garden

    ‘Gripping’ Alison Stockham, author of The Cuckoo Sister

    Praise for Noel O’Reilly:

    ‘Written with a blazing energy and a Gothic edge’ Daily Mail

    ‘Full of secrets, suspicions and rumour’ Woman & Home

    ‘Perfect prose, a fast-paced, intricate plot’ My Weekly

    ‘A gripping historical tale … I loved it’ Liz Fenwick, author of The River Between Us

    ‘Noel O’Reilly’s lyrical writing brilliantly evokes the struggles of life in such a dramatic setting, as well as the hypocrisy and jealousy of society’ Sunday Express

    ‘With echoes of Du Maurier… a tangled web of fallen faiths, of sins, seductions and deceits’ Essie Fox, author of The Last Days of Leda Grey

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