For fans of The Lost Apothecary or the Mermaid and Mrs Hancock, a deliciously atmospheric historical novel about the rivalry between two female mediums during Victorian Londonâs obsession with Spiritualism.
Mrs. Violet Wood is Londonâs premier medium, a woman of supreme ambition whose unique abilities have earned her the admiration and trust of Londonâs elite. Mrs. Wood is indeed a clever and gifted seerâher skill is unmatched in predicting exactly what her wealthy patrons want to hear from the beyond.
But times are changing. First, a nosey newspaperman has begun working to expose false mediums across London. Many of Mrs. Woodâs friendsâand, yes, some of her foesâhave fallen to his merciless accusations. Worse yet, though Mrs. Woodâs monthly sĂ©ance tables are still packed, sheâs noticed that itâs been harder to snare coveted new patrons. There are rumors from America of mediums materializing full spirits. . . . How long will her audiences be content with quivering tables and candle theatrics?
Then, at one of Mrs Woodâs routine gatherings, she hears that most horrifying of soundsâa yawn. When a sweet girl with an uncanny talent for the craft turns up at her door, Mrs. Wood decides that a protĂ©gĂ© will be just the thing to spice up her brand. But is Emmie Finch indeed the naĂŻve ingenue she appears? Or has Mrs. Woodâs own downfall come knocking at last?