Bedlam

Alexander Gregory, Book 3

By: LJ Ross

Narrated by: Richard Armitage

From the international best-selling author of the DCI Ryan mysteries.

In a world gone mad, who can you trust?

Fresh from a high-profile case in the Paris fashion world, elite forensic psychologist and criminal profiler Dr Alexander Gregory receives a call from the New York State Homicide Squad. The wife of a notorious criminal has been admitted to a private psychiatric hospital and can no longer testify in his upcoming trial. Without her, their case will collapse, but amid reports that the staff are as unpredictable as their patients, who can the police trust?

In desperation, they turn to an outsider, and now Gregory must find the courage to step inside the fortified walls of Buchanan Hospital to uncover the truth. The question is, will he ever be the same again?

Murder and mystery are peppered with dark humour in this fast-paced thriller set amidst the spectacular Catskill Forest.

©2020 LJ Ross (P)2020 W. F. Howes

Critic reviews

"LJ Ross keeps company with the best mystery writers." (The Times)

Not a Bad Story

This story reminded me of some of the Godfather in certain ways. It was a nice story with a few twists and turns that took me by surprise.

Richard Armitage did a good job as narrator, even if I felt he rushed through the story a bit. Not a long listen, just under 6 hours, but a good plot.

Mob, demons and cannoli

One of L J Ross' best thrillers to date. The doctor turned patient revealing the doctors fears and how hard it is to convey the truth when you're considered disturbed.

A riveting story with perfect narration

Wow, this is an exciting novel with riveting plot. Love the narration by Richard Armitage.

Bonkers plot & characterizations

I really liked the first couple of books in this series, but there were so many crazy beats in this one that I found myself alternating between cringing and cracking up. The premise of going “undercover” in a mental health facility is wacky to start with, but throw in the mob and an inexplicable love-at-first sight plot point, and I’m really losing respect for the lead character and the author. Hopefully the next one will get back on track - and at least Richard Armitage will be narrating again! Hugh Dancy was great too, but RA does a better job with female voices and just general tone IMO.

Plot is my nightmare scenario

Being trapped in a situation where I'm not believed and I can't escape made this a hard novel not to scream my way through. Even being read by my favorite narrator didn't lessen my tension. My dentist will not be happy to see I've been grinding my teeth again.
What if certain things hadn't happened? This story could've ended up like an Edgar Allen Poe tale.

So interesting and surprises

Fantastic story and book listening full of twists and insights ! Understanding psychiatric doctors and therapists and patients going throufgh healing.

Bedlam

I am an avid fan of LJ Ross DC Ryan's books, have read all of them, so when I started reading her new character Alexander Gregory books, I was not convinced if I would like him. Bedlam has changed that, what a book and story, a bit short, but you are kept on the edge of your seat through the whole book and I just want the next one to come out. Never to replace DC Ryan, enjoy him too much, but Dr Gregory will come next. Thank you for your books, I have loved reading them all. The narration is excellent and already brings out his character.

American Crime Story with a British Accent

Entertaining story by LJ Ross. The Alexander Gregory character is complex and endearing. His and the other characters' troubled souls are well-developed along with an American Crime Story. It's interesting how much mind reading occurs when trying to decide a person's intention. All fall in that trap at times, it is getting out of it that counts. Richard Armitage as usual does a fantastic job with the voices. He voiced Alexander Gregory and I can imagine him as the character, and loved his colleague's accent as well. The voices of several American characters are well done.

Engaging psychology and characters

I’ve enjoyed the Dr Gregory series with greater emphasis on psychology and relationships, in addition to the crime thread.

Wonderful story and narration..

This was a very good story! It showed how Gregory Alexander was a “real” person and had “real” psychological problems, because of his murderous insane mother. AND he came out a better person after being in Bedlam, as a pretend patient. I liked Dr. Naomi Palmer and I think it would be nice to see her in Alex’s life. Harry, Marco, Kitty Steenberg, Lorena Moreno, etc, were all wonderful characters, and made it a more believable storyline. Oh, and it’s always nice to see Alex’s BFF Bill Douglas.

There was almost some romance and no swearing.

As to the narration: Richard Armitage did a fantastic job on the voices of the male and the female voices as well as their emotions.