Bitter Ground: A Northern Michigan Asylum Novel

By: J.R. Erickson

Narrated by: Caroline McLaughlin

More than a decade ago, six kids witnessed unspeakable horror. Not all of them lived to tell.

Riza is no longer that kid - troubled, angry, and filled with secrets. She’s grown up, and when she stumbles upon an on-line forum about the shuttered Northern Michigan Asylum, she tries to pretend it never happened - not the years of experimentation, nor the strange midnight writings, and most of all, not the murders.

But someone wants her to remember.

Deaths shockingly similar to those that occurred in 1989 are happening again.

As the killings get closer to home, Riza is forced to face her past one last time.

Get lost in a chilling story of childhood secrets, unsolved murder, and a malevolent asylum for the insane.

Bitter Ground is the final installment in the Northern Michigan Asylum Series.

©2020 J.R. Erickson (P)2021 J.R. Erickson

Highly Recommend

This is the 2nd full series I have simply DEVOURED by JR Erickson, and am already a book and a half into another series written by her as well. Love the independent storylines of each book, and the seamless interweaving of the storylines throughout the series as well. As a northeast Wisconsin native, I appreciate how true the story settings are for lake Michigan adjacent climate, weather, and flora/fauna. Very obvious she writes her stories in locations she knows, and it transports you right into the book. Highly Recommend anything written by this author!

Ending

I totally enjoy this series as each one can be standalones and a paranormal thriller but should listen to the previous 7 as some characters are mentioned thru out. In this book loved the 2 main characters of Casey and Riza older now from the original six that were tortured and experimented by the asylum doctors and wants to end the brotherhood. Felt sorry about Ice (Phil) and Noah just listen it was good and loved the ending. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you

A horror story with paranomal elements and romance

*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.*

Six children experience abuse in an asylum, in the hands of "doctors" in charge of taking care of the patients just for showing naughty behaviours. Years later, somebody starts searching for and killing them.

CW for physical, sexual and mental abuse of minors and adults.

The story is a sample of thousands that have taken and are still taking place throughout the world. Its structure was perfect for me; it allows the reader to get to know the characters properly and I felt it was a bit more character than plot driven, which is not negative whatsoever.

At some point you suspect everyone and trust nobody. Although I had my suspicions, I could not be sure on who and why they were being haunted. A horror story with some romance and a story of recovery.

I found it quite logical and intriguing.

The writing style made the story even more engaging. Not repetitive, easy to follow but not too simple, relatable characters and a fairly good narrator made this audiobook more enjoyable.

If the CW don't trigger you, I'd highly recommend this one.

Love the Northern Michigan Asylum Books!

I really love all of JR Erickson's books but I couldn't finish this one because the narrator is so terrible! Please don't use this narrator again.

A perfect ending

What an ending! Such a perfect finale to this great series... I really loved it!

The story is, as always, really well written, with a perfect pace. It's thrilling, emotional and very, very gripping. The main characters, Riza and Casey, are not only interesting, they feel real. Their motivations and emotions are easy to understand so you can't help it: you feel their fear, their pain, their confusion and hopelessness, but also their rage, their defiance and their need to stop the Brotherhood, forever.

The structure worked really well for me because it allows us to get to know the characters and sympathize with them, so pretty soon we are really invested in their fate.

And although I hate that this is the last book, is such a satisfactory ending that I can't get mad. And I'll live in the hope that the author won't make us wait too much for a new story in a new series :P

Oh, and Caroline McLaughlin's narration is simply wonderful ♥