The Institution

By: Helen Fields

Narrated by: Genevieve Swallow

‘Deliciously dark and utterly compelling – I couldn’t put it down.’ – CLARE MACKINTOSH

They’re locked up for your safety. Now, you’re locked in with them.

How do you find a murderer in a prison full of killers?

On a locked ward in the world’s highest-security prison hospital, a scream shatters the night.

A nurse has been murdered and her daughter has been taken.

And with only five days to find the girl, the clock is ticking for Dr Connie Woolwine to find a killer hiding in plain sight…

Welcome to The Institution. The locked room thriller readers don't want to leave.

©2023 Helen Fields (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

"Brilliant! The Institution is a harrowing, nonstop story that will grab you from the first page and not let go. You’ll consume it in one sitting." (Bestselling sensation Jeffery Deaver)

"Quite simply, wow! One of the best high concept thrillers I've read in forever. I can't decide which is my favourite character, Dr. Connie Woolwine, or the Institution itself."( New York Times bestseller Lisa Gardner)

"Dark and atmospheric with some brilliantly horrific characters and some excellent twists. Compelling and unputdownable." (Catherine Cooper)

Just ok

Tired story line and way too drawn out. I liked narrator more than I liked the story..

So many Twists!!

This was SO FUN & Exciting to listen too!! The reader was perfect & the whole story kept me on the edge of my swat. Loved all the Twists & turns in it as well, very Good & FUN!!!

Ok story; poor performance

The reader kept confusing her accents, which was distracting. The storyline was ok but not great.

Loved it!

The whole book kept me wondering who did it. I don’t see the twist coming and loved it! Definitely worth reading.

Enjoyed!

This story keeps you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well developed. I really enjoyed this.

Wonderful Author

I greatly enjoy everything Helen Fields writes. Her work is just the right combo of formula and form. The author is fantastic at crafting an engaging story with just enough darkness to make it exciting without delving into trauma triggering places.
This was a fun read for me because it took well known tropes and made them delightfully believable. I love the way Fields writes supporting characters-they are so rich and vivid, I’m always casting them in my mind.
For those who are coming here from the Perfect Series-I’m still waiting for Connie’s personality to shine the way Ava Turner’s does-Connie is way more of a slow burn but I also like that she is buttoned up and more internal where Ava is a bit emotional messy and external. Give yourself a moment to transition from the chaos of Ava and Luc’s team to the solitude of Connie’s profiling.

On the narration-I don’t think the voice the narrator chose for Connie is exactly right, but I still think the narration is very well done. If people listen to the Perfect series first (with Robin Laing)-just don’t compare because there is simply is no comparison.
Appreciate this narrator for their own talents and allow your mind to adapt to a different tone and cast. If you weren’t sure the first listen, listen again and you will like it even more. I think it’s harder to adjust if you are a fan of Fields’ previous work.

If you want to get to know Connie Woolwine (the main character) better, listen to or read The Shadow Man prior to reading The Institution.

The Institution is strong story and an entertaining read/listen. Especially on a stormy night. Definitely worth the credit.

Solid story with new characters

I've been a fan of Helen Fields and her other novels. This one takes a break from her other, well established characters to introduce us to a new set.

The characters are interesting and generally well-rounded, with a solid plot with a couple of small points that I found to be distracting, but overall, quite the story.

I enjoyed the characters who were very flawed, but each given their own unique balance of good vs. evil.

Interviews

SLOOOWWW BURN!! Wish it would’ve been faster past. I feel like all this could have been summed up differently and way better!

Good story

There were lots of twists that I didn't see coming! I enjoyed this author and will seek out more of her books!

Twists & turns

Loved how it kept me wanting to hear more! Definitely didn’t see the killer be who it was!