Minnie's Fiction Addiction

👀 First impressions:
Ward D promises a dark and claustrophobic thriller, set in a psychiatric ward over the course of one night. The premise immediately caught my attention, an unsettling locked-in setting, a sense of mystery, and the possibility of exploring the hidden corners of the human mind. Unfortunately, while the pacing was quick and the tension occasionally effective, my initial excitement was quickly dampened by how the book chose to handle its subject matter.

✅ What I Liked:
McFadden knows how to keep a story moving. The short chapters and constant twists made this a fast read, and there were a few genuinely creepy moments that delivered on atmosphere. If you’re only looking for a quick, popcorn-style thriller, there’s some entertainment value in the ride.

❎ What I didn’t Like:
The representation of mental illness was the biggest disappointment. Rather than nuanced, human portrayals, the patients are presented in broad, exaggerated strokes—frightening, unstable, and dangerous. The ward itself feels less like a medical setting and more like a horror-movie backdrop, leaning on outdated stereotypes of psychiatric care. This left the story feeling shallow and, at times, offensive. It wasn’t just unrealistic, it risked reinforcing stigma around mental health.

📚 Why You Should Read This Book:
If you enjoy fast-paced thrillers that don’t require much suspension of disbelief and you’re not too concerned with accuracy or sensitive representation, Ward D might still deliver the kind of escapist drama you’re after.

💭 Final Thoughts:
While I appreciate McFadden’s ability to build suspense, Ward D ultimately fell flat for me because of its treatment of mental illness. Instead of adding depth, the psychiatric setting became a stereotype-laden stage that undermined the story’s potential. This could have been a chilling, thought-provoking thriller, but instead it left me feeling uncomfortable for all the wrong reasons.

🛍️ Where to buy
To buy your own copy click HERE

Final Rating ★★ – A fast-paced thriller weighed down by harmful stereotypes about mental illness.