The Seance

John Harwood

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In 'The Seance' by John Harwood, Constance Langton inherits the haunted Wraxford Hall and delves into the dark history of the house, uncovering mysteries of disappearances and deaths. The story is narrated from multiple perspectives, intertwining tales of fraudulent mediums, broken families, and eerie occurrences. As Constance seeks to uncover the truth behind the sinister events, she is drawn into a web of secrets and dangers, leading to a chilling climax that ties together the threads of the story.

The book combines elements of a gothic mystery with themes of family heritage, the supernatural, and curses set in Victorian England. Through intricate storytelling and atmospheric descriptions, the author creates a compelling narrative that keeps readers engaged as they unravel the haunting secrets of Wraxford Hall and its inhabitants.

Characters:

The characters are well-crafted, each embodying unique conflicts and motivations that enrich the story and reflect Victorian societal norms.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is immersive and evocative of Victorian literature, with multiple narratives and rich descriptions that create a captivating atmosphere.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative follows Constance's journey from personal tragedy to uncovering secrets tied to her heritage, all within a backdrop of supernatural intrigue and gothic motifs.

Setting:

The story unfolds in a richly detailed Victorian setting, particularly focused on the haunted Wraxford Hall, which is central to the unfolding mystery.

Pacing:

The pacing is carefully constructed, balancing character development with suspenseful action, though it may vary, with a rushed conclusion noted by some readers.

If my sister Alma had lived, I should never have begun the séances. She died of scarlatina, soon after her second birthday, when I was five years old. I remember only fragments from the time before sh...

Notes:

Constance Langton's childhood is marked by loss and neglect as her younger sister Alma dies and her parents become distant.

To cheer her grieving mother, Constance pretends to channel Alma's spirit during séances.

Constance inherits Wraxford Hall, a dilapidated estate with a dark and mysterious history, from a distant relative.

Wraxford Hall is known for its sinister reputation, including unexplained disappearances and deaths.

The story combines elements of spiritualism, mysteries, and family heritage set in Victorian England.

Multiple narrators tell the story, switching perspectives among Constance, John Montague (the solicitor), and Eleanor Unwin (a previous owner of the Hall).

The novel pays homage to classic Victorian literature and ghost stories, evoking the styles of Wilkie Collins and Arthur Conan Doyle.

Themes explored in the book include isolation, familial bonds, and the search for identity.

The protagonist becomes increasingly convinced she is a foundling, which drives her investigation into her family’s past and Wraxford Hall's history.

John Montague warns Constance to sell Wraxford Hall immediately due to its cursed history.

The atmospheric setting and the use of ghostly elements create a compelling Gothic tale.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of grief, mental illness, mentions of suicide, as well as dark themes involving supernatural elements and mysterious deaths.

From The Publisher:

A haunting tale of apparitions, a cursed manor house, and two generations of women determined to discover the truth, by the author of The Ghost Writer Sell the Hall unseen; burn it to the ground and plow the earth with salt, if you will; but never live there . . ." Constance Langton grows up in a household marked by death, her father distant, her mother in perpetual mourning for Constance's sister, the child she lost.Desperate to coax her mother back to health, Constance takes her to a séance: perhaps she will find comfort from beyond the grave. But the meeting has tragic consequences. Constance is left alone, her only legacy a mysterious bequest that will blight her life.So begins The Séance, John Harwood's brilliant second novel, a gripping, dark mystery set in late-Victorian England.It is a world of apparitions, of disappearances and unnatural phenomena, of betrayal and blackmail and black-hearted villains-and murder. For Constance's bequest comes in two parts: a house and a mystery. Years before, a family disappeared atWraxford Hall, a decaying mansion in the English countryside with a sinister reputation.Now the Hall belongs to Constance. And she must descend into the darkness at the heart of theWraxford Mystery to find the truth, even at the cost of her life.

Ratings (6)

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Reader Stats (15):

Read It (6)
Want To Read (8)
Not Interested (1)

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About the Author:

John Harwood is the author of two previous novels of Victorian Gothic suspense. Aside from fiction, his published work includes biography, poetry, political journalism and literary history. His acclaimed first novel, The Ghost Writer, won the International Horror Guild's First Novel Award. He lives in Hobart, Australia.

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