In the historical mystery novel "Things Half in Shadow" by Alan Finn, readers are transported to postbellum Philadelphia in 1869, where spiritualism is a popular trend. The story follows Edward Clark, a crime reporter tasked with exposing fraudulent mediums preying on the grieving families of Civil War casualties. When Edward encounters the charming but deceitful medium Lucy Collins, their initial becomes entangled in a web of murder, secrets, and intrigue. As the duo investigates the mysterious death of a renowned medium, Lenora Grimes Pastor, they find themselves uncovering a conspiracy that stretches back into Edward's own past. The narrative is rich in historical detail, blending elements of mystery, paranormal, and suspense to create a captivating tale that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
The writing style of "Things Half in Shadow" is described as engaging and immersive, with readers comparing it to sitting down with a close friend to hear a captivating story. The first-person narrative, presented as a kind of memoir by Edward recounting his adventures to his granddaughter, adds a personal touch to the storytelling. The book features a well-developed cast of characters, including the likable Edward and the brazen Lucy, whose dynamic and interactions drive the plot forward. With its atmospheric setting, intricate plot twists, and unexpected revelations, "Things Half in Shadow" offers a compelling blend of historical fiction, mystery, and supernatural elements that leave readers eagerly anticipating more.
From The Publisher:
Postbellum America makes for a haunting backdrop in this historical and supernatural tale of moonlit cemeteries, masked balls, cunning mediums, and terrifying secrets waiting to be unearthed by an intrepid crime reporter.
Edward Clark is a successful young crime reporter in comfortable circumstances with a lovely, well-connected fiancée. Then an assignment to write a series of exposés on the city's mediums places all that in jeopardy.
In the Philadelphia of 1869, photographs of Civil War dead adorn dim sitting rooms, and grieving families attempt to contact their lost loved ones. Edward's investigation of the beautiful young medium Lucy Collins has unintended consequences, however. He uncovers her tricks, but realizes to his dismay that Lucy is more talented at blackmail than she is at a medium's sleights of hand. And since Edward has a hidden past, he reluctantly agrees that they should collaborate in exposing only her rivals.
The mysterious murder of noted medium Lenora Grimes Pastor as Lucy and Edward attend her séance results in a plum story for Edward-and a great deal more. The pair want to clear themselves from suspicion, but a search spanning the houses of the wealthy to the underside of nineteenth-century Philadelphia unearths a buzzing beehive of past murder, current danger, and supernatural occurrences that cannot be explained…
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About the Author:
Alan Finn is the pen name of an acclaimed author of mysteries and thrillers. He has worked as an editor, journalist, and ghostwriter. He lives in Princeton, New Jersey.
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