The Seance Society: A Mystery (O’Nelligan and Plunkett)

The Séance Society is a book that promises much in the setup but loses its way as it gets into the telling. Set in 1956, we’re into what’s politely called the historical mystery genre. Done well, this gives us a chance to explore what life was like back then. Done not so well and we’re left with a mystery in an unconvincing setting which adds little to the enjoyment of the book.

The murder victim is a rich eccentric who’s now using his inventor skills to show what the application of science can do for the supernatural. His “Spectricator” is going to establish a hotline between our mortal coil and the spirit world, bringing a guaranteed means of communication with the dead. Unfortunately, the moment he’s hooked up to the machine, he seems to be electrocuted. The county coroner who happens to be present pronounces him dead. While we wait for the “Spectricator” to ask the victim whodunnit, the young Plunkett and the wiser Mr O’Nelligan begin their own investigation and find little is as it first appears. It proves to be a good plot, but the failure to extract humor from the situations and eccentric characters makes the read slightly heavy going.