The Seance by John Harwood
Rating: A-
Genre: Gothic, Thriller, Ghost Story
Quick Summary: A young woman, alone in the world in Victorian England, inherits a run down English estate with a mysterious past and a sinister reputation. She must unlock its mysteries.
Why I chose this book: I am in my Victorian reading mode for the 'Our Mutual Read' Challenge. I had read another of the authors books - The Ghost Writer - and I had found that many of the short stories embedded in that novel had a distinct Gothic flair. So when I saw that his next book was actually set in Victorian England I thought it would be perfect.
My Review: There is no doubt that Harwood knows what makes a cracking good old fashioned ghost story. The novel is full of atmosphere. The beginning of the novel, and the tone reminds me a little of Jane Eyre as we are introduced to our heroine Constance and observe as she endures a cold and loveless childhood, growing up in a household that never recovered from the death of her younger sister. Eventually Constance tries to do something to heal her family by attending seances, hoping it will comfort her mother. At this point I was expecting things to get into ESP, Seances, etc - but the story zooms in another direction.
Constance inherits Wraxford Hall. Desolate and remote the Hall is surrounded by ghost stories and real life scandals. The family solicitor hesitantly shares these details with Constance and a whole second story opens up within the book. The history of the Hall, the strange goings on, and another heroine (Eleanor) emerges, menaced by ghostly visitations and earthly threats. You can't help but feel on the edge of your seat as you wait to see what will happen next to Eleanor, and as you worry about her welfare. And you can not help but wonder what REALLY is going on at Wraxford. Well, when the story returns to Constance, she is determined to find out. Soon you are worrying about her too, and wondering if she is doomed to repeat Eleanor's fate.
Basically the book is part mystery, part ghost story, good old fashioned Victorian thriller. I pictured Eleanor a little like Inrgid Bergman in the film 'Gaslight'. There are elements of Wilkie Collins' Women in White, and Susan Hill's The Woman in Black (Talk about coordination!) Toward the end I took a 2.5 hour lunch break today racing to the finish. I have to say - the solutions to the mystery and the twists and turns at the end were well done. Although I had a few things figured out - I did not have the whole picture - and I liked the way the final details were revealed.
What I liked : Lots of Gothic goodness - remote house, chilling rains and fogs, mesmerism, seances, weird Victorian science and doctors, damsels in distress, page turner
Not so much: I felt that the thread of the early seances kind of got dropped once we got to Wraxford hall. I also felt like we were introduced to one interesting character early on who never got developed.
Overall: Thoroughly enjoyed this ghostly old fashioned thriller!
If you like this book try:
- The Woman in White
- The Woman in Black
- Ghost Writer
- Thirteenth Tale
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