The Gray Chamber by Grace Hitchcock is historical fiction. Edyth Foster is an eccentric young woman living in New York. Her uncle is her guardian and has control of her inheritance until she is twenty-five years old. Edyth is not rushing to get married or bow to the conventions of society and is very trusting. However, when her uncle remarries things begin to unravel for Edyth. Edyth's fortune reverts to her uncle if she dies or is declared insane. There is an insane asylum on an island off the coast of New York. The story goes that once you are checked in you don't come out. Edyth hopes that her friends will wonder what has happened to her and somehow help her escape. Meanwhile, living conditions are deplorable. Edyth's roommate turns out to be Nellie Bly who is in the asylum to do an undercover expose on the institution. The big question is will they ever escape and be free women again. Very interesting reading. I would recommend it.
