A History of Madness

by A.D. Childers

When Didion Dumont wakes up in the hospital after a failed suicide attempt, she finds she was successful in one aspect: she will not be returning to the tatters of her former life.

While in a state psychiatric facility, she receives surprising news: she will be moved to Riverside Rehabilitation, a private psychiatric hospital in rural Iowa that takes on special cases like hers.

Didion can’t believe the doctor at Riverside will find anything ‘special’ about the hallucinations she has suffered since childhood. But when she meets the other patients in the Green Ward, it is clear that something strange is happening at Riverside.

As she learns about the peculiar history that connects the Green Ward patients, she discovers there is much more behind her mysterious condition than she ever imagined. Didion finds herself asking who she can trust... starting with herself.

374 pages, Paperback

Published July 18, 2025

Reviews

[Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time you think you've got it figured out the book throws you a curve ball and keeps you questioning reality. 5/5 stars!

A.D. Childers has this knack for keeping suspense as she keeps you guessing about what's really going on.

[Gage Church · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clever and unusual story with well-rounded characters I can actually care about! The plot twists are genuinely surprising. Overall, a fun, tense and sweet read.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twists and turns! Kept me guessing and engaged.

[aspeccharactersoftheday]

Didion Dumont from A History of Madness is asexual!

https://www.tumblr.com/aspeccharacter...