'Perfect fare for a standard dark and stormy night.' 'Wilkie Collins would be proud: this is a Victorian world of mesmerism and spirits, vapours and delirium, doomed inheritances, shivery maids and spooky visitations in the night.' Saddled with this questionable bequest, she must find the truth at the heart of the disappearances, apparitions, betrayal, blackmail, and villainy that mark its legacy, even at the cost of her life. But tragic consequences left her alone in the world alone with Wraxford Hall. In a desperate attempt to coax her mother back from perpetual mourning, Constance once took her to a seance, seeking comfort from beyond the grave.

And now Constance Langton has inherited this dark place as well as the mysteries surrounding it.Ĭonstance grew up in a house marked by the death of her sister she is no stranger to mystery, secrets, and dark magic. Wraxford Hall, a decaying mansion in the English countryside, has a sinister reputation. 'Harwood has written a true gothic, and invented a supremely creepy house to stage it in.' Superbly realised.From the International Horror Guild Award-winning author of The Ghost Writer comes another mesmerizing gothic tale John Harwood's brilliant second novel, a gripping, dark, mystery set in late Victorian England Next Read Collins and Braddon would be proud Lesley McDowell, The Herald Harwood hops between narratives and time to give us a full history of the hall and its occupants, and his research, while impressive, never overwhelms the plot or his characters.

Seamlessly plotted, it is utterly compelling and full of suspense Mail on Sunday

Harwood again proves himself a gifted storyteller. Try this if you like being scared out of your wits Daily MailĮverything you could possibly ask for from a novel in this genre Financial Times Harwood's writing adds a layer of ironic distance to fog effects, black-hearted villains and other old chestnuts The Timesīrilliantly atmospheric dark mystery. A brilliant, post-modern Gothic tale Philip Womack, Daily TelegraphĪn elegant, original and exciting mystery story Literary ReviewĪtmospheric.

The Seance by John Harwood