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WORK TITLE: House of Silence
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http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/author.aspx/31814 * http://goodbadandunread.com/2017/01/04/review-house-of-silence-by-sarah-barthel/ * https://seattlebookmamablog.org/2016/12/22/house-of-silence-by-sarah-barthel/
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Book description from Amazon.com (nothing at publisher Topaz site, except a note that the title is not available):
“In a land where even the Brotherhood of the Knights are becoming power hungry mongers, how can a young kitchen maid maintain her morals when tempted with all she’s never had? In the end, the truth is even more complicated than Mackenzie had ever imagined. Medieval Historical Fiction, Sweet, Christian, & Inspirational Romance. Sarah Barthel”
LC control no.: n 2017038141
LCCN Permalink: https://lccn.loc.gov/n2017038141
HEADING: Barthel, Sarah, 1981-
000 00532nz a2200145n 450
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005 20170627173108.0
008 170627n| azannaabn |n aaa
010 __ |a n 2017038141
040 __ |a DLC |b eng |e rda |c DLC
046 __ |f 1981 |2 edtf
053 _0 |a PS3602.A83894
100 1_ |a Barthel, Sarah, |d 1981-
670 __ |a House of silence, 2017: |b t.p. (Sarah Barthel)
670 __ |a Copyright catalog, June 27, 2017 |b (Title: House of silence ; Authorship on application: Sarah Barthel, 1981- ; Domicile: United States ; Citizenship: United States)
PERSONAL
Born 1981; married; children: two daughters.
EDUCATION:Attended American University.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer.
AVOCATIONS:Classic films, Broadway musicals.
MEMBER:Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Sarah Barthel studied literature and history at American University and then used her knowledge to launch a writing career. In an interview-style profile posted at her website, she stated she is “drawn to less popular time periods,” such as the years after the Civil War or the early years of World War I before the U.S. entry into the war. Her novels have been classified variously as historical suspense or historical romance.
Mackenzie's Cross
Barthel’s first novel bore the additional descriptor “Christian romance.” Mackenzie’s Cross is the story of a medieval kitchen maid whose morals and mettle are tested by murder, deceit, and danger. The setting is the castle of the Duke of Kensington, where Mackenzie works as apprentice to her friend, the head cook Adilla. The household is in a happy frenzy, preparing for a jousting tournament that will fill the grounds with the colorful entourages and retinues of the Brotherhood of the Knights. Then disaster strikes.
At the first feast, the duke dies of poison. Suspicion immediately falls upon Adilla, and she is thrown unceremoniously into the dungeon. Mackenzie knows that Adilla cannot be guilty of murder; she is also familiar with the networks of greed and malice that contaminate the entire assemblage from rich to poor. It is up to Mackenzie to defend her friend and unmask the murderer, but the humble kitchen maid cannot do it alone. It is a nobleman, the knight called Sir Patrick, who will come to her aid, but is he friend or foe? Mackenzie’s Cross did not attract the attention of professional critics, but readers enjoyed the story of medieval knights, Christian faith, and personal stamina.
House of Silence
Barthel jumps ahead several centuries for her second offering, House of Silence. The house of the title is the sanitarium called Bellevue Place, an actual mental institution located not far from Barthel’s hometown, an outlying suburb of Chicago. Bellevue Place’s historical claim to fame is that Mary Todd Lincoln, the widow of President Abraham Lincoln, was committed there by her son in 1875. Mrs. Lincoln also figures prominently in Barthel’s novel of historical suspense.
The story’s protagonist, Isabelle Larkin, is in a precarious position. She is happily engaged to marry Gregory Gallagher, an aspiring politician with a somewhat mysterious background. An anonymous woman contacts Isabelle with hints about Gregory’s unsavory past. Before they can meet, Isabelle is a witness to the woman’s murder by none other than her fiancé. No one believes her story except for Gregory, who knows the truth and has already killed one woman who tried to expose him.
Isabelle’s options are limited in 1875. She decides that the most plausible solution is to invent a mental breakdown that leaves her unable to speak and, she hopes, will end any possibility of a high-profile marriage. Isabelle is quietly committed to the Bellevue sanitarium, where she feels safe and is befriended by her fellow patient, Mary Todd Lincoln, and eventually a sympathetic young doctor. The doctor offers a slim chance for romance, and Lincoln’s connections enable Isabelle to enjoy excursions beyond the gates of Bellevue. She pursues the truth about Gregory’s secret past and tries to gather evidence of the murder she witnessed with her own eyes. When she learns that Gregory is actively looking for her, Isabelle’s investigation takes on greater urgency.
The critical reception of House of Silence was mixed. A Publishers Weekly contributor thought that the story contained too many “anachronisms and implausibilities,” along with “plenty of melodrama but only minimal suspense.” The author of Seattle Book Mama noted similar flaws, along with the need for an extensive editorial intervention, but she also felt that “Barthel’s story has some nice moments.” Other reviews were more positive. According to a reviewer at the Historical Novel Society, “the story is still enjoyable, and Isabelle is a sympathetic character.” At Fresh Fiction, Kristen Donnelly pointed out the message of how far so many women of that era had to go in order to control their own lives. She recommended House of Silence as an exploration of “gendered expectations, mental health, and friendship, with a touch of romance thrown in.”
Ziegfeld Girls
Ziegfeld Girls is the story of two talented women seeking fame and fortune in New York City in 1914. The lavish Ziegfeld Follies lured a host of famous entertainers, from humorists like W.C. Fields and Will Rogers to exotic dancer-singer Josephine Baker to comedian-singer Sophie Tucker–the so-called “last of the red hot Mamas.” The Follies also showcased chorus lines of beautiful women in elaborate costumes.
Suzanne is the shining star of the hour, and Jada is her talented maid. The Follies are no place for a woman of color, but Jada’s dancing and vocal talent are a perfect fit for a nightclub act in the earliest years of the Harlem Renaissance. It is not long before Jada’s and Suzanne’s paths diverge.
Jada finds success in Harlem, along with economic security and romantic possibilities. On her own now, Suzanne does not fare so well, but her forays into the party scene do offer tantalizing connections to the rich and famous. Then both young women acquire a stalker of sorts, who harasses them with threatening notes. Suzanne becomes the victim of increasingly frightening accidents. Faced with racism on one hand and sinister obsession on the other, Suzanne and Jada find themselves reunited in their quest to unmask their tormentor(s) before they lose their hard-won careers–and their lives.
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Publishers Weekly, November 21, 2016, review of House of Silence, p. 92.
ONLINE
Good, Bad, and Unread, http://goodbadandunread.com/ (January 4, 2017), review of House of Silence.
Fresh Fiction, http://freshfiction.com/ (January 4, 2017), review of House of Silence.
Historical Novel Society Website, https://historicalnovelsociety.org (September 5, 2017), review of House of Silence.
Kensington Books Website, http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/ (September 5, 2017), short profile.
Melissa Firman Website, http://melissafirman.com/ (January 13, 2017), review of House of Silence.
Sarah Barthel Website, http://www.sarahebarthel.com (September 5, 2017).
Seattle Book Mama, https://seattlebookmamablog.org/ (December 22, 2016), review of House of Silence.
Sarah Barthel was raised on a steady diet of old Hollywood musicals and classic literature. Nurturing her love of language, she learned French, Latin and Japanese. This led her to study in Paris and host a Japanese exchange student. She followed her passion to American University in Washington DC, where she studied British literature and history. Since then she has thrown herself into writing. She loves to find unique, and unexplored ideas in familiar settings. A member of the Society of Children's Writers and Illustrators, she currently lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, daughter and two crazy dogs.
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ABOUT:
Being raised on classic films and old time musicals, it isn’t surprising that Sarah Barthel found her passion in writing historical fiction. She often says she was born out of time, but appreciates modern toothpaste and chocolate! Her hometown, just outside Chicago, is full of old-fashioned charm and serves as inspiration for much of her work. Before writing House of Silence, she drove past Bellevue Sanitarium often and wondered what life was like there for women like Mary Lincoln. After many years of wondering, Isabelle’s story was born. She lives with her two beautiful daughters and loving husband. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter or Sarahebarthel.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where do you find your stories?
A. I like to think that I am <
Q. Were you always interested in history?
A. I have always found history interesting. I grew up watching old movie musicals and have always longed to live in another decade. Of course, being without cell phones or working plumbing makes the reality a bit less romantic. The best I can do is live through my characters.
Q. What is your best writing tip?
A. At my first conference another writer told me that the best piece of advice she received was to 'put her butt in the chair.' Just write. Don't give up. Don't second guess yourself or try to make the first draft perfect. Just Write.
Q.Who has influenced you the most as a writer?
A. This is a hard question for me. My gut answer is that good writing influences me. However, that also sounds rather snobbish. So here it goes...my family influence me by always telling me to keep pushing forward and keep writing. My fellow authors influence me by the level of passion they have for their work and the talent they pocess. And my characters influence me. Their story has yet to be told and they are clamoring to have their words on the page.
Q. What are your favorite authors?
A. I think this is the question that authors hate most. There are so many authors to choose from, but there are a few stand-outs. My favorite fantasy author is Robin Hobb. I love the detail she puts into her characters. They are like close friends of mine. Other authors I follow are Jay Asher, Ann Tyler, Jane Austin, Shannon Hale, Leon Uris,
Q. What are you working on now?
A. I am currently working on my next novel, Ziegfeld Girls. It follows two girls, one of color the other not, through the process to finding their voice on Broadway in 1914, just before WWI began. I am really excited about this novel as Broadway has been such a huge part of my life (viewing and listening to it, not performing.)
Q. Where can we contact you?
A. I love hearing from my readers. You can follow me on Facebook (Sarah Barthel Author) or follow my blog!
House of Silence
Publishers Weekly.
263.47 (Nov. 21, 2016): p92.
COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
House of Silence
Sarah Barthel. Kensington, $15 trade paper (300p) ISBN 978-1-4967-0608-9
At the start of Barthel's unconvincing first novel, set in 1875, 20-year-old Isabelle Larkin is celebrating her
engagement in Oak Park, Ill., to aspiring politician Gregory Gallagher, a match that satisfies her ambitious
widowed mother and her own hopes for political prominence. A few days after the engagement party,
Isabelle happens to pass by a house, where through a window she spots Gregory committing a terrible
crime. When those closest to her don't believe her, Isabelle feigns a breakdown, which leads to her removal
to the Bellevue Sanitarium in Batavia for treatment. There Isabelle strikes up a friendship with Mary Todd
Lincoln, whose son Robert has committed her to the same facility. Mrs. Lincoln--who nursed Isabelle's late
father during the Civil War--believes her story; with support from her and an adoring young doctor, Isabelle
tries to discover enough about Gregory's background to make her claims convincing even as his actions
threaten her. Marred by<< anachronisms and implausibilities>>, this historical delivers<< plenty of melodrama but
only minimal suspense>>. Agent: Steven Chudney, Chudney Agency. (Jan.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"House of Silence." Publishers Weekly, 21 Nov. 2016, p. 92. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA471273960&it=r&asid=4f94c3e52a0bdc575ad525501086c1e7.
Accessed 13 Aug. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A471273960
REVIEW: House of Silence by Sarah Barthel
by Stevie | Jan 4, 2017 | Review |
Book CoverStevie‘s review of House of Silence by Sarah Barthel
Historical Suspense published by Kensington 27 Dec 16
I don’t know a great deal about life for the upper echelons of society in the US during the decades immediately following the Civil War, although I’ve gathered bits and pieces from reading about those heiresses who travelled to Britain and elsewhere in search of Old World, usually titled, husbands. This book’s blurb, therefore, caught my attention, particularly with its setting of a sanitarium – of the type reserved for those with diseases of the mind more than the body. The involvement of real historical figures playing secondary roles in the plot only really came to my notice after I started reading, and then got to know them through the book’s heroine.
Isabelle Larkin is excited to be getting engaged to the eligible bachelor, and rising political star, Gregory Gallagher, although she is saddened that her best friend will not be sharing her happy day – since she plans to elope with a man both girls’ mothers disapprove of due to his father’s actions during the war. During the party, Isabelle witnesses Gregory arguing with an unknown servant woman, and later the same woman approaches Isabelle, claiming to have information about Gregory’s past. Before the women can meet up, however, Isabelle sees Gregory kill his nemesis. She tries to get help, but is overcome by the exertion; when she comes to, everyone around her believes Gregory to be the hero who saved Isabelle from assault by a stranger but was unable to save that same villain’s first victim.
No one gives any credit to Isabelle’s alternative version of events, and her mother insists she go ahead with the wedding. Isabelle’s only way of escape, it seems, is to pretend to be so mad that Gregory will never want to marry her. Isabelle’s mother, horrified by her daughter’s behaviour, ships her quietly off to a highly recommended sanitarium, whose doctors have dealt with far more challenging cases successfully in the past. There Isabelle is befriended by a number of the staff as well as several of her fellow inmates, including the widow of the assassinated President, sent to the institution by her one surviving son.
Mary Lincoln enjoys a number of privileges denied to more ordinary patients and is able to take Isabelle out on excursions with her, leading to Isabelle’s discovery that Gregory is searching for her: with the aim, she thinks, of silencing her for good, but also enabling her to dig out more information regarding the past Gregory is trying to conceal.
I loved the various intertwining plots: the mystery of Gregory’s past, the suspense of whether he will find Isabelle and how she will ever convince others to believe her story, the parallel stories concerning Isabelle’s best friend and the backgrounds of the other patients. Isabelle even finds herself a more deserving suitor, albeit one unlikely to win her mother’s approval. All in all, a most excellent book by an author I’d love to read more from.
Stevies CatGrade: A
Summary [from Kensington Books Website]:
Oak Park, Illinois, 1875. Isabelle Larkin’s future—like that of every young woman—hinges upon her choice of husband. She delights her mother by becoming engaged to Gregory Gallagher, who is charismatic, politically ambitious, and publicly devoted. But Isabelle’s visions of a happy, profitable match come to a halt when she witnesses her fiancé commit a horrific crime—and no one believes her.
Gregory denies all, and Isabelle’s mother insists she marry as planned rather than drag them into scandal. Fearing for her life, Isabelle can think of only one escape: she feigns a mental breakdown that renders her mute, and is brought to Bellevue sanitarium. There she finds a friend in fellow patient Mary Todd Lincoln, committed after her husband’s assassination.
In this unlikely refuge, the women become allies, even as Isabelle maintains a veneer of madness for her own protection. But sooner or later, she must reclaim her voice. And if she uses it to expose the truth, Isabelle risks far more than she could ever imagine.
Weaving together a thread of finely tuned suspense with <>
House of Silence, by Sarah Barthel**
Posted on December 22, 2016
houseofsilenceThe premise of this historical romance had me at the get-go: Isabelle Larkin is engaged to marry wealthy, powerful Gregory Gallagher, but she calls it off after she sees him commit murder. Her family doesn’t believe her, and embarrassed, they have her trucked off to a sanitarium, where she meets Mary Todd Lincoln. I thank Net Galley and Kensington Publishing for the invitation to read and review. This book becomes available for purchase December 27, 2016.
<
However, there are also moments when the narrative hiccups in a way that startles me. Ultimately, this happens so frequently that the spell is broken, and instead of being transported to a different time and place in the way one is with strong literature, I am reminded all too often that this is a galley, and it’s one that needs a hands-on editor before it should see daylight.
Every writer of historical fiction has to make a choice. Are we going to use exactly the same forms of language and speech that were common to the time, or are we going to ease up just a little and use the book’s note to the reader to explain that this has been done intentionally for the purpose of creating a more accessible novel? This of course doesn’t even include the extremely risky, though occasionally very successful choice to move an historical tale to the present setting; modern Romeo and Juliet stories immediately come to mind.
Barthel has chosen to play it straight and use the speech of the time, but every now and then, a phrase or sentence of twenty-first century casual speech flies in and lands mid-chapter, a bit like a flying saucer. Suddenly I see “As if I cared about sex at a time like this”, and “I hope you are all right with that.” There are a lot of these moments inserted into a page here or there of otherwise-Victorian prose, and they keep me from buying into the premise.
I hope that this story will be re-released somewhere up the road, and if so, I would be happy to reread it and possibly recommend it to the reader. It’s a shame to see such an excellent premise spoiled with what is essentially sloppy editing. But in its present form, I can’t recommend it to you.
Two new books to share with you, via my reviews in the 1/13/2017 issue of Shelf Awareness.
House of Silence by Sarah Barthel is “an engaging, fast-paced blend of historical fiction and suspense.” Before reading this, I didn’t know much about Mary Todd Lincoln’s stay at Bellevue Place, a sanitarium where her son Robert had her committed 10 years after President Lincoln’s assassination. This novel weaves Mary Todd Lincoln’s story with the fictional Isabelle Larkin, a socialite whose fiancé Gregory is a political hopeful and one of Chicago’s most eligible and attractive bachelors. When Isabelle catches Gregory committing a crime, she’s trapped … until being sent to Bellevue where she befriends — you guessed it, Mary Todd Lincoln. You can read more under the Fiction section in the Shelf Awareness issue.
Nowhere Else I Want to Be is Carol D. Marsh’s memoir of her 14 years as executive director of Miriam’s House, a community of women who are addicted to drugs and dying of AIDS. She lived on the premises with her husband Tim and together with their staff, provided the women with a home and cared for those forgotten by their families and society. Along with the many heartbreaking stories of the women she came to know at Miriam’s House, Marsh shares her own story of growth in this role as she learned to confront her naiveté and false assumptions.
Although I didn’t work in a direct service capacity, a lot of this reminded me of my time working at a domestic violence shelter. More of my review in the Shelf Awareness issue, under the Social Science heading, as well as a review with Carol Marsh by my writing colleague Katie Noah Gibson, who blogs at Cakes, Tea and Dreams.
House of Silence
BY SARAH BARTHEL
Find & buy on
Isabelle Larkin has her future planned out in 1875 Illinois. She’s to marry the dashing Gregory and embark on a political life through her family’s influence. After she witnesses her fiancé commit a horrible crime, she’s now frightened of him, yet no one will believe her. Her ambitious mother insists she still marry the “charming” young man. Isabelle begs for her freedom to no avail. Her only option, as she sees it, is to feign a nervous breakdown and pretend she’s mute. Certainly, Gregory won’t want a mute partner and he’ll end their engagement. Isabelle is sent for “rest” to Bellevue sanitarium, where one of the residents is Mary Todd Lincoln. Faking her illness isn’t easy, but Isabelle tries to adjust to the restrictive routine with the help of a young doctor and the unpredictable Mrs. Lincoln. Gregory may be searching for her, and Isabelle fears for her life.
This novel is a quick read with slight depth in places. Isabelle’s discovery of Gregory’s crime seemed contrived, and it’s never explained why a man with a vague background would be a sought-after political candidate. Isabelle is very naïve, and her mother is overly ambitious to the point of being cruel. Mrs. Lincoln is interesting; she was an actual patient at Bellevue during this time, though she adds little to the plot. That said, <
House of Silence
Sarah Barthel
Reviewed by Kristen Donnelly
Posted January 4, 2017
Mystery Historical
I grew up loving historical fiction and it was one of my go-to subgenres. I've strayed from it a bit in recent years but am trying to add more of it to my TBR. I especially like storylines or time periods I haven't already read about seven thousand pages about, so when this book, set in 1875 in suburban Chicago popped up as a review option, I decided to take the plunge.
I am delighted that I did! HOUSE OF SILENCE examines <
Overwhelmingly, what this book argues is that in this era the lives of women were often so far out of their own control, and their voices were so rarely trusted over those of men, that women would go to extreme measures to regain control. Of course, I say "in that era" as that is when the story is set, but let's be honest: not much has changed. Thankfully politically arranged marriages with partners who churn stomachs are less common place, but several other elements of this story felt upsettingly contemporary.
Beyond the disturbing crime at the beginning and the reality that Isabelle has to resort to such methods to feel safe, this book has a gentle way about it. The story is carefully revealed and the characters vibrant. HOUSE OF SILENCE would be the perfect companion to an afternoon curled under a fuzzy blanket with a warm beverage in hand.