Synopses & Reviews
Inspired by real-life events, this chilling and atmospheric debut novel marks the arrival of a young writer with tremendous promise. It is the 1920s, and Spiritualism is all the rage. With seances taking place in parlors across the country and Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle arguing metaphysics in the papers, the media embraces the feverish obsession with the paranormal. Twenty-three-year-old Harvard graduate Martin Finch is sent by Scientific American on the investigative opportunity of a lifetime: an examination of the powers of Philadelphia society psychic Mina Crawley. But Finch, prepared to debunk a fraud, instead finds himself falling under the spell of the beguiling Mrs. Crawleyand uncovering a truth darker than any he could have imagined.
Review
Wonderful... I stayed up very late reading this, and the characters got into my dreams. (Audrey Niffenegger, author of The Time Travelers Wife) Gangemi is an extremely adept writer... an undeniably clever concept and an enjoyable read. (Publishers Weekly) Truly wicked... an historical thriller on a par with The Alienist. (Steven Katz, screenwriter of Shadow of the Vampire)
Synopsis
When a young Harvard grad is sent to examine the powers of Philadelphia "society psychic" Mina Crawley, he finds himself falling under her spell and uncovering a dark truth. This atmospheric debut novel is inspired by real-life events during America's spiritualism rage in the 1920s.
About the Author
Joseph Gangemi was born in Wilmington, Delaware, in 1970.