Bitter Ground: A Northern Michigan Asylum Novel

By: J.R. Erickson

Narrated by: Caroline McLaughlin

Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

More than a decade ago, six kids witnessed unspeakable horror. Not all of them lived to tell.

Riza is no longer that kid - troubled, angry, and filled with secrets. She’s grown up, and when she stumbles upon an on-line forum about the shuttered Northern Michigan Asylum, she tries to pretend it never happened - not the years of experimentation, nor the strange midnight writings, and most of all, not the murders.

But someone wants her to remember.

Deaths shockingly similar to those that occurred in 1989 are happening again.

As the killings get closer to home, Riza is forced to face her past one last time.

Get lost in a chilling story of childhood secrets, unsolved murder, and a malevolent asylum for the insane.

Bitter Ground is the final installment in the Northern Michigan Asylum Series.

©2020 J.R. Erickson (P)2021 J.R. Erickson

Ending

I totally enjoy this series as each one can be standalones and a paranormal thriller but should listen to the previous 7 as some characters are mentioned thru out. In this book loved the 2 main characters of Casey and Riza older now from the original six that were tortured and experimented by the asylum doctors and wants to end the brotherhood. Felt sorry about Ice (Phil) and Noah just listen it was good and loved the ending. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you

Narrator sounds like a Tiktok voice over

Speeding up or slowing down didn't help the narration. Her candance was robotic, and the pauses distracting. Shame. The story was a good end to the series. Read it rather than listen. You'll get so much more from the story.

great wrap up for an incredible series!

this was bittersweet to read, knowing this was rhe last book in the series, but I thought it was fantastic! I love the grittiness of the main characters. it added realism to their history as abused captive children, and explained a lot of adult behaviors.
l LOVE a surprise ending! hair-raising to the last few minutes!! I didn't guess the ending, I had hopes, but I was wrong!!! I actually love that! lol! lots of fun.. this whole series was a blast to read. I love the Michigan setting, and the references! Great work!!! narrator did a great job as well!!

Great end to a series

Really enjoyed this one and how the whole series tied together. Sad for this series to end. Definitely an author I’ll follow 

A horror story with paranomal elements and romance

*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.*

Six children experience abuse in an asylum, in the hands of "doctors" in charge of taking care of the patients just for showing naughty behaviours. Years later, somebody starts searching for and killing them.

CW for physical, sexual and mental abuse of minors and adults.

The story is a sample of thousands that have taken and are still taking place throughout the world. Its structure was perfect for me; it allows the reader to get to know the characters properly and I felt it was a bit more character than plot driven, which is not negative whatsoever.

At some point you suspect everyone and trust nobody. Although I had my suspicions, I could not be sure on who and why they were being haunted. A horror story with some romance and a story of recovery.

I found it quite logical and intriguing.

The writing style made the story even more engaging. Not repetitive, easy to follow but not too simple, relatable characters and a fairly good narrator made this audiobook more enjoyable.

If the CW don't trigger you, I'd highly recommend this one.

Love the Northern Michigan Asylum Books!

I really love all of JR Erickson's books but I couldn't finish this one because the narrator is so terrible! Please don't use this narrator again.

Amazing book-if you can get passed the narrator

I have loved all of JR’s books. That’s why I held on the the storyline here despite the terrible narrator. I felt like I was listening to a digital voice reading. It was distracting. But the book and storyline was amazing. I definitely want to take a trip to check out the Northern Michigan asylum someday!

A perfect ending

What an ending! Such a perfect finale to this great series... I really loved it!

The story is, as always, really well written, with a perfect pace. It's thrilling, emotional and very, very gripping. The main characters, Riza and Casey, are not only interesting, they feel real. Their motivations and emotions are easy to understand so you can't help it: you feel their fear, their pain, their confusion and hopelessness, but also their rage, their defiance and their need to stop the Brotherhood, forever.

The structure worked really well for me because it allows us to get to know the characters and sympathize with them, so pretty soon we are really invested in their fate.

And although I hate that this is the last book, is such a satisfactory ending that I can't get mad. And I'll live in the hope that the author won't make us wait too much for a new story in a new series :P

Oh, and Caroline McLaughlin's narration is simply wonderful ♥

Worst narrator EVER! Was this red by an A.I.?

So this was the last book that wraps up everything and it was sooooo hard to get into because I swear the book was read by an a.i. and not a real person… the book itself was ok i guess but it’s hard to say because as I said, it was hard to get into… just ruined the book

Wow! Such amazing spooky Stories!

I will definitely read More from this Author. I Enjoyed All in this Series. I can't wait to see what's Next on The List