Cover image for A dreadful splendour.
TITLE:
A dreadful splendour.
Publication Date:
2022
Summary:
In this addictive and deliciously spine-tingling adult debut, a fake spiritualist is summoned to hold a sÔeance for a bride who died on the eve before her wedding, but as nefarious secrets are revealed, the line between hoax and haunting blurs-a spectacularly imaginative and ghoulishly fun Gothic murder mystery brimming with romance, betrayals, and chills. Every House Has Its Secrets... The bridge: The dearly departed. Who could have killed her? The groom: Is there no love lost for his would-be wife? The medium: She speaks to the dead. She's a fake-isn't she? The doctor: He swore to do no harm. Did he? The ward: He lives in the house, but will never be family. The lawyer: He's served the family for decades. If there were secrets, he would know. The housekeeper: She runs the house. What has she seen? The maid: She knows all the gossip. What does she have to hide? London, 1852. Genevieve Timmons has made her living posing as a spiritualist to swindle wealthy believers, until one fatal misstep lands her in a jail cell awaiting the noose. Then a stranger, Mr. Lockhart, arrives to make her a peculiar offer. The Lord he serves, Mr. Pemberton, has been grieving the mysterious death of his beautiful bride-to-be for six months. Although no foul play was ever uncovered, the young Lord has convinced himself a murderer is lurking within the estate's walls. If Genevieve can hold a s?ʼance to persuade him that his betrothed's spirit is at peace, Mr. Lockhart promises to have the charges against her dismissed and reward her with enough money to start a new life. But when Genevieve arrives at the grand Somerset Park estate, she is surprised to discover that the handsome Mr. Pemberton is anything but the grieving lover she expected. Then Mr. Pemberton approaches Genevieve with an offer of his own: together, they can stage a s?ʼance so convincing it will coax the killer out of the shadows. Attempting to play both sides until she can determine which plan holds the key to her freedom, Genevieve prepares to stage a haunting. But when ghoulish and unexplainable incidents begin to occur, she will discover that Somerset is hiding many deadly secrets, and its ghosts may be all too real.
Language:
English
ISBN:
9781443466349