The Lobotomist's Wife by Samantha Greene Woodruff

Release Date: February 1, 2022

About The Book:

An enthralling historical novel of a compassionate and relentless woman, a cutting-edge breakthrough in psychiatry, and a nightmare in the making.

Since her brother took his life after WWI, Ruth Emeraldine has had one goal: to help those suffering from mental illness. Then she falls in love with charismatic Robert Apter—a brilliant doctor championing a radical new treatment, the lobotomy. Ruth believes in it as a miracle treatment and in Robert as its genius pioneer. But as her husband spirals into deluded megalomania, Ruth can’t ignore her growing suspicions. Robert is operating on patients recklessly, often with horrific results. And a vulnerable young mother, Margaret Baxter, is poised to be his next victim.

Margaret can barely get out of bed, let alone care for her infant. When Dr. Apter diagnoses her with the baby blues and proposes a lobotomy, she believes the procedure is her only hope. Only Ruth can save her—and scores of others—from the harrowing consequences of Robert’s ambitions.

Inspired by a shocking chapter in medical history, The Lobotomist’s Wife is a galvanizing novel of a woman fighting against the most grievous odds, of ego, and of the best intentions gone horribly awry.

MY THOUGHTS 

 This book was sooo good! This is seriously one of the most interesting books I have read. It was absolutely fascinating. Can you even imagine being married to a man that performs lobotomies?? Yeah me neither!

Let's just put this out there first...we all know that HF is based around real historical events. However, after reading the author's notes...I was shocked at the amount of this book that was based on real events.

Ruth comes from a prestigious family in NYC. Her family has created a hospital to help treat patients with psychological issues. A caring family hoping to help others.

When Ruth hires on an ambitious psychiatrist named Robert...things change drastically ...first she marries him...next he created the "ice pick procedure." This was a quickie lobotomy that he could do with an ice pick anywhere...in 10 minutes...in through your eye socket and done!

Does nobody think this is a bad idea?! Well this went on for DECADES...with people from all over...letting it happen...Rose Kennedy being one.

The most alarming thing is...this is based on Walter Freeman - creator of the transorbital lobotomy...traveling in his stationwagon on " Operation Ice Pick"...only 10 minutes out of your day and you can be fixed with an ice pick to your brain.

I can't even tell you how many times I gasped while reading the author's notes at the end! The writing is absolutely wonderful. The research that she put into this is so impressive. I loved it and I can't recommend it enough!

About The Author:

Samantha Greene Woodruff has a BA in history from Wesleyan University and an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business. She spent most of her career telling stories to executives at MTV Networks as the senior vice president of strategy and business development and, subsequently, audience research for the Nickelodeon Kids & Family Group. After leaving corporate life, she pursued her varied passions, teaching yoga, cooking, and taking classes at the Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College. It was here that she combined her multifaceted background with her wild imagination and passion for history, reading, and writing. The Lobotomist’s Wife is her first historical fiction novel, and she is already at work on her next book. Sam lives in southern Connecticut with her husband, two children, and two dogs.

Social Media: 

Website: https://www.samanthawoodruff.com/

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samantha.woodruff.129

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American Girl by Wendy Walker

 

About The Book:

A pulse-pounding novel about a small-town business owner found dead and the teenage girl caught in the crosshairs, American Girl is the latest thriller from international best-selling author Wendy Walker. 

Charlie Hudson, an autistic 17-year-old, is determined to leave Sawyer, PA, as soon as she graduates high school - in the meantime, she works as many hours as she can at a sandwich shop called The Triple S to save money for college. But when shop owner Clay Cooper - a man who is both respected and feared by many in this economically depressed community - is found dead, each member of his staff becomes a suspect in the perplexing case. Charlie must work to protect herself and her friends and uncover the danger that may still be at large in their tightknit community.

Best-selling author Wendy Walker returns with another riveting thriller, told through the eyes of an unforgettable protagonist. 

Please note: This audio contains strong language, distressing situations, and descriptions of violence that some listeners may find upsetting. Discretion is advised.

Wendy Walker recently curated a “Chapter and Verse” playlist for Pandora. 

My Thoughts

Oh yeah....all right...take it easy baby- make it last all night...she was an American Girl....I mean how great is this title? Good thing I love Tom Petty because I can't get this song out of my head now!

I am so excited today to be on tour for this fantastic audiobook! Guys...it was so good. First off- the title is perfection. Charlie is...an American girl...she is a small town girl...working at the sandwich shop...saving up money for college....because she wants out. 

Lettuce, tomatoes, onions and pickles...that is her mantra....that is what she chants in her head, to calm herself. Charlie is a normal girl- that just happens to be autistic. We can all relate to Charlie- well except maybe for the night she came home smelling of bleach, sandwiches and fear...at 4am...the night...her boss died...

The audio is amazing for this book! Wow! Not only did Paige Layle knock this out of the park...I really felt she was Charlie. She was the 17 year old girl telling us her story. We were in Charlie's mind. Another remarkable thing that made this audio stand out from the rest was.............the sound effects! I have never heard an audiobook that had sound effects like this - footsteps, cars. It really added to the atmosphere. 

In typical Wendy Walker fashion, she kept me guessing all the way until the end! Loved it! 

Thank you so much to Suzy Approved Tours and Wendy Walker for having me along on this tour! 

About the Creator: 

Wendy Walker is the bestselling author of All is Not Forgotten, Emma In the Night, The Night Before, Don’t Look for Me, and the Audible Originals Hold Your Breath and American Girl, with rights sold in twenty-three foreign languages as well as options in film and television.https://www.wendywalkerbooks.com/

Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WendyWalkerAuthor/

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Twitter: @Wendy_Walker 

TikTok: @wendywalkkerbooks

About the Performer:

Paige Layle is a 21 year old actor born and raised in a small town in southern Ontario, Canada (she/they). They have been acting for 15 years, taking part in local plays, musical theatre productions and professional commercials all throughout her life—with favourite roles including Timon in The Lion King, Sarah from Company and now, Charlie from American Girl! Aside from acting, Layle also runs her own business being a lash and eyebrow technician, and has a large social media presence educating others about autism, Layle being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at 15. Layle has massed 3 million followers across social media platforms with her engaging and entertaining ways of portraying how autism affects her life. She captures others with her honest and raw portrayal of autism, while also being educational, factual and helpful to the 3 million people interested in learning more about autism and issues surrounding ableism.

Layle is thankful that American Girl features an actually autistic actor portraying an autistic character, as they believe accurate autism portrayal in the media is important for autistic people everywhere, and for the general public to understand what autism can really look like.

As an avid routine-lover, Layle enjoys journaling and scheduling in their spare time. She also likes training and spending personal time with her 2 year old service dog, a German Shepherd named Macey.

Social Media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/paigelayle

Twitter: @paigelayle

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@paigelayle

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The Dead Season by Tessa Wegert

 

Release Date: December 8, 2020 

About The Book:

Senior Investigator Shana Merchant has spent years running from her past. But she never imagined a murder case would drive her to the most dangerous place of all—home. 

After leaving the NYPD following her abduction by serial killer Blake Bram, Shana Merchant hoped for a fresh start in the Thousand Islands of Upstate New York. Her former tormentor has other plans. Shana and Bram share more than just a hometown, and he won’t let her forget it. When the decades-old skeleton of Shana’s estranged uncle is uncovered, Bram issues a challenge: Return home to Vermont and solve the cold case, or the blood he spills next will be on her hands.

As Shana interviews members of her family and the community, mining for secrets that could help her solve her uncle’s murder, she begins to realize how little she remembers of her childhood. And when Bram grows impatient and kidnaps again, leaving a trail of clues Shana alone can understand, she knows his new victim will only survive if she wins the psychopath’s twisted game. In order to solve one mystery, Shana must wade into her murky past to unravel another.

My thoughts

Guys...if you have not read this book...OMG you need to! I finished it the last part of December and guess what? It flew to the top of my 2021 top 10 list! Right?!

I loved Death in the Family..but I loved this one even more. My favorite thing about Death in the Family was Shana's story...I wanted more...and we get it in this story!

Shana goes back to her small town after her missing uncle's body is found...the thing is...home is also home to serial killer Blake Bram...the one that has taunted her that they have a past...the one that held her captive in his basement...the one that is in her thoughts...ever single day....We not only find out more about Shana...we get the scoop on Bram!!

I am not usually one to pick up a series...but now I am! This could be read as a stand alone...but it is even better if you have  read the first book...and why wouldn't you?! It was fantastic!

Wait...what?! Tessa Wegert you can't do this to me!!! That ending!!! Now I can't wait to get my hands on Dead Wind!!

About The Author: 

Tessa Wegert is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, The Huffington Post, Adweek, and The Economist. She grew up in Quebec near the border of Vermont and now lives with her family in Connecticut. Tessa writes mysteries set in Upstate New York while studying martial arts and dance. 

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