A Madness So Discreet[1] is a mystery novel written by Mindy McGinnis,[2] published by Katherine Tegen Books (a subsidiary of HarperCollins[3]) on 6 October 2016.

[4] Set in Boston, and later Ohio, the novel is told from the point of view of Grace Mae, a young woman from a prominent family forced into an insane asylum to cover up her out of wedlock pregnancy.

After befriending a fellow inmate who notices the sharpness of her mind Grace manages to escape and moves to Ohio where she takes up a life solving crime.

At the asylum Grace befriends two fellow patients, Nelly, an Irish born working girl suffering from late stage syphilis, and Lizzie, who seems normal aside from the fact that she speaks to String, an imaginary creature who sits on her shoulder and seems able to read people's inner thoughts and predict the future.

Grace also begins to enjoy her work with Thornhollow and the two eventually discover that there is a serial killer on the loose who appears to be raping and murdering women.

By complete coincidence Grace sneaks into town to buy perfume for Lizzie only to meet Mr. Beaton, a chemist who fits every clue they have for their suspected killer.

While some of the time shifts are rather abrupt and a few plot twists could use fleshing out, overall, this frank historical thriller features flawed, yet sympathetic, characters and a unique setting."