A Dreadful Splendor: A Novel

To escape from Miss Crane’s ‘boardinghouse,’ Jenny is doing one last seance. When the police catch her in the act of stealing jewelry from the participants, she is sent to jail. Lucky for her, Mr. Lockhart is seeking someone with her exact qualifications. He’s hoping that her performance will help his master, Mr. Pemberton, be at peace with the death of his fiance. Mr. Lockhart wants her emphatic assurances of eternal rest so Mr. Pemberton will let go of his search for a murderer, and the household can get back to normal. However, Mr. Lockhart doesn’t factor in Mr. Pemberton’s own agenda, the previous claim laid on the land, or the ambition found elsewhere in the house. Jenny has to solve the death of the lady of the house if she is to be free before she is the next victim.

Letters from the deceased and inexplicable occurrences create a gothic 19th-century story laced with mystery and romance. Many will guess the outcome; few will be correct. There are as many twists and turns in this one as there are in a dungeon under a castle. Wordy but well worth the time.