No Women Were Harmed – set in an asylum

Submitted: 25th September 2025

No Women Were Harmed

Ever wondered what it would have been like to have been trapped inside a Victorian asylum? Oh you are going to want to read this, just out:

No Women Were Harmed Heather Mottershead

This book might be short on locations as such, but what it makes up for in evoking the ins and outs of asylum life:

“It is Sunday, our day of rest, although it is a day of regimented as the rest of the week, otherwise the devil will no doubt take particular interest in the idle hands of the weak -minded.”

The asylum

“The grounds are much smaller now…only about twenty acres, but enough to keep all of us lunatics of every type fenced in and hidden for fear that our madness might offend the sensibilities of decent, normal folk.”

The writing is very evocative and immersive. I really felt I was inside this asylum witnessing all of the cruelty and trauma that goes on there.

The inmates

“My previous cellmate, a tiny red-haired girl from Eccles with impeccable sleeping manners, has been carted off to the seclusion cells and shackled for whittling a knife from laundry tongs…”

The atmosphere was the best part of this novel for me. Interesting to spend time in those boarding houses, experience the various situations she gets into and a wider view of society at the time in general.

There are a few places such as Manchester, Leeds, London and other places but the real setting is the asylum and any asylum that existed at the time.

POSTCARD-1

Review

A very interesting story with a unique view of an asylum. Loved the characters and the language used. You could really tell the care and attention the author has taken in writing this. This is one immersive story with the details of the smells, sights and sounds very well done. It is a little slow but stick with it. This is a novel that creeps onto you and seeps inside your mind.