Should you be watching the stage, or watching your back? That’s the question Tessa confronts in IN JUDGEMENT OF OTHERS by Eleanor Anstruther’s latest darkly comedic novel.

When Tessa decides that she wants to play Elvira in the local drama club’s production of Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirits, she isn’t prepared for the spirits she harbours within herself. When she suffers a psychotic break and is hospitalised, her best friend, Ros, a C-list celebrity steps in to take her place in more ways than one. As Tessa is locked away dealing with issues from her past, her husband Scott is caring for their 11 year-old son Freddy and milking it for all it is worth. Oh, the poor man, etc. Tessa’s other best friend, Clare is also on hand to lend a helping hand where needed. But Clare has a secret crush of her own. As rehearsals for the play turn into a practice of another manner, Ros and Scott become closer. When Tessa is released from the hospital, she begins to question some of the motives of those closest to her and wonders what everyone is hiding. Is the acting being saved for the stage or is it happening right in her own living room and life?

This one was full of characters I wish I could have met. Claire is not the only one in this group who should be seeing a psychiatrist. While mental health is a major part of the story, it was dealt with in a compassionate and loving manner, The patients on Mercury Ward made me chuckle at times and I was rooting for Tessa to be released to see what was going on. While each of the characters struggled with their own issues, at times Tessa seemed to be the most enlightened of the bunch. I enjoyed this one. The writing was clear and concise which led to an enjoyable read. The drama wasn’t confined to the stage.

Thank you to NetGalley and Troubador Books for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.

Wow, just wow! There's so much to say about this book and yet a bit shell shocked from reading it. This novel is such a concise and real examination if bipolar mania and mental illness in general. I loved Tessa because I saw myself in her. I laughed and cried and went through all the emotions during the 24 hours it took me to finish this book. This is a beautiful portrait of what it means to suffer from mental illness and how the people around you cope (or don't), as well. It's so authentic, it's almost scary to read. As a therapist and someone who suffers with mental health issues this story hit me straight in the heart. A must read! Be brave if choose to read this because it's not for the faint of heart.

In Judgement of Others opens with Tess in the height of a psychotic episode; her carefully arranged plans for a quiet family day shopping quickly escalates into hours of manic shopping and consuming, her family far from her mind. When she arrives home, she realises that she can't stand her kitchen layout and knows exactly what needs to change. She starts knocking down walls, ripping off cupboards, with a clear vision in mind. When her husband Scott comes home, he can't help but realise what's happening with her mental health, and GPs arrange for her to be sectioned while she is treated. The story follows Tess in the in-patient unit and through the days where everything feels like groundhog day, one day the same as the next.

Alongside this story, there's another storyline where the local am dram group are putting on a performance of 'Blithe Spirit'. There are lots of big personalities in the group including ex-professional actor Ros, who is the most glamorous woman seen in Mid-Sussex. Tess had begged to be part of the group but is obviously no longer able to take part so various excuses are made about where she is.

When Ros visits Tess and brings her a copy of the script, the other inpatients are thrilled to have something to take their attention and form their own am dram group, often with greater insight than the 'real' actors.

This is a hard hitting book about society's treatment of mental illness, the impact on the person, their families and wider circles and how we all shy away from the truth. It isn't always an easy read and challenges the reader to face some preconceptions but it is well worth the journey.

I don't know who would find this comical (dark or otherwise) but it is a sensitive portrayal of mental illness. Tessa's break down and subsequent hospitalization will make you think about others. It helps, btw, to be familiar with Blithe Spirit- a quick google will give you enough plot points to see why Anstruther chose it for the play. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

My thoughts on this book are conflicted. The writing is absolutely breathtaking and the subject of mental illness is approached sensitively yet with a gut wrenching rawness that pulls hard. Conversely, this book is far different from my expectations. That is not necessarily a bad thing but I found no dark comic elements at all. It is disturbing and troubling which is the reality many do live with. Spouses and others also go through associated nightmarish situations which is portrayed here as well.

The writing kept me engaged but I did not love the story itself. Some bits are a bit crass which doesn't appeal to me. But I did learn more about the inner workings of the mind in episodes. So terribly sad and crushing.

My sincere thank you to Troubador and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this poignant book.

"In Judgement of Others" has been described as "darkly comic" and "social satire," but I didn't find in the way of humor or wit in it. You wouldn't want to be stuck in a waiting room with most of the characters, let alone have to spend time with them over the period of weeks during which this book takes place, so at times reading this was a bit of a chore. Eleanor Anstruther depicts the mental states of the protagonists with precision, however, which makes up for the predictability of certain plot twists and an overall sense of distance, as if the characters were floating above their middle-class town rather than truly living in it.

Thank you, NetGalley and Troubador, for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Troubadour for the eARC.
This is such a good book, it's painful, harrowing and so sad, but beautiful at the same time.
The description of Tessa's breakdown is very real. I was blown away with the way it was handled. The other characters had problems too, but didn't end up in a psych ward. It was a portrait of lives that clung on to sanity by a hair and how some of us can teeter on the cliff of life without being put away.

Three women in an affluent West Sussex community are each experiencing a crisis while they prepare to put on an am-dram production of Blithe Spirit. (I've never managed to get through Coward's play so it's not essential to be familiar with it, but a quick Google allowed me to see the resonances.)

A great page-turner which is entertaining and engaging while also tackling some serious themes around relationships and mental health.

Well, this book was definitely way more different from what I expected. lol
But in a good way!!!
The art cover is stunning, but the content is heavy and full of pertinent discussions on mental illnesses.
It's quite a short book, but it has a lot to say and to make us, the readers, thinking about and digesting it.
Certainly a very pleasant surprise.

This is the first book that I have read by this author, and I was not disappointed. It was a really good book. I did have moments where it seem slow, but overall it was written well. It was written about mental illness, and the way that it is treated. The way the author chose to write about such a hard topic was well done. I enjoyed this book immensely. I look forward to more books by this author. Thank you Net Galley ARC!

This is such a good book! It is about mental illness and we have our main character in a mental institution. We can't tell as readers if we have a reliable narrator or not. It is so intriguing and keeps you wondering throughout the book. It is a bit eye opening learning about the treatment of people, how so many people scam others, etc. I think there a couple slow parts and confusing parts, but other than that it was great!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and especially the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review of the book!!