Roberta Writes – Book review: A Peril in Ectoplasm: Just Once More by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

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Despite October being an upside down month with Michael being ill and have major surgery, as well as work and two book tours, I have managed to squeeze in two Halloween reads.

This is the first and, true to Teagan Riordain Geneviene’s magical writing style, was simply terrific.

Teagan Riordain Geneviene has shared an excellent extract from this book on her blog: https://teagansbooks.com/2022/10/29/spook-tober-snippet-a-peril-in-ectoplasm-halloween/

What Amazon says

n 1920s Florida, Spiritualism enjoys renewed interest. Daphne Moultrie, the most powerful medium of her time, receives a warning from the other side, “Find her, and keep her with you. Or you will die.” All Daphne knows about this girl is what her crystal ball showed her — a four-leaf clover, and each leaf had a human eye.

Meanwhile, Daphne’s fiancé has designs of his own. He pressures her to continue séances for a strange and very demanding woman. With each of those séances, Daphne becomes weaker and closer to death.

This novella captures the Roaring Twenties, as only acclaimed author, Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene can. Settings, descriptions, and language all come to vibrant life. The ensemble cast has a number of characters, including one you will love to hate. It’s a genre mash-up, part mystery, part suspense, with a dash of light horror.

My review

Teagan Geneviene has created the perfect Halloween tale, full of rich descriptions, interesting characters, and with a fast paced plot involving a frightening demon.

Daphne Moultrie is a gifted medium with a lot of empathy and a kind nature. Daphne was born to wealth and lives in a beautiful mansion with her aging housekeeper, Maisy, who has cared for her since the death of her parents many years before.

Recently engaged to the outwardly charming Crespo Irigoyen, a Cuban Count, Daphne has everything to be joyous about, but she is not thriving. Fatigued and wan, she is finding giving seances overwhelming, especially those for the demanding and selfish Mrs Smith. Daphne senses something evil in this foreboding woman and does not want to see her. Her determined fiancé is, however, determined that the relationship with, and seances for Mrs Smith, should continue.

Maisie is concerned and does not trust Crespo. She doesn’t know what to do until the spirit of a dead soldier manifests and gives Daphne a warning.

Is the dead soldier good or evil? Can the outcome he warns of be avoided? Does Crespo really love Daphne or is he a charlatan? Read the book to find out!

A few samples of Ms. Geneviene’s vivid writing:

“A gust of wind caused the tall palm trees to sway. The vivid sunrise faded to clear blue and the sky was dotted with fluffy white clouds. Yet there was something to the air that hinted of a storm in the distance.”

“Regardless, there were dark circles under Daphne’s eyes, and her complexion was ashen. The roses were gone from her cheeks. There was no bounce in her step. That morning the poor thing looked so fragile that Maisy wanted to telephone the doctor.”

“Her murky black aura extends to make a huge sphere around her. I’ve never seen an aura so large or so … revolting. I can feel an oil texture just looking at it,’ Daphne whispered with a shudder, but collected herself quickly.”

A fabulous and entertaining Halloween read.

Universal purchase links for Peril in Ectoplasm: Just Once More

Kindle: relinks.me/B0BJ9N1GBX

Paperback:  relinks.me/B0BJBXGJ7L

Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

Published

79 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – Book review: A Peril in Ectoplasm: Just Once More by Teagan Riordain Geneviene”

  7. Gasp! Robbie, I’m speechless after reading your review. Considering the emotional and stressful things life has dealt you in the past two weeks, that makes it mean even more to me. Thank you, Robbie. I especially appreciate your feedback about the pace, because that was my biggest concern. I was afraid I let the development of Clover’s character slow it down too much. Heartfelt thanks for doing this so quickly, particularly since I didn’t do a launch for the book. Hugs on the wing. And a very happy Halloween to you and everyone at your house. ❤

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  8. What a great review and tease, Robbie. I’m finally digging out of my reading pile enough to have this one in my sights. Thanks for the nudge and huge congrats to Teagan. I hope Michael is doing well and on the mend. Take good care of yourself too. ❤

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  9. Thanks, Robbie. Teagan never fails, and I have this one coming up soon as well. Thanks for the recommendation, congratulations to Teagan, and I hope things are getting back to normal for you all. Take care.

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      1. I always listen to your recommendations, Robbie! I loved Teagan’s creativity in Dead of Winter and am looking forward to reading more from her. ❤

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    2. Thank you kindly, Jacqui. It was fun researching the different items they used in the séances. I let the story be about a medium who was genuine, but made mention of the ones who were exposed as frauds, without letting that aspect become a focus of the story. It’s paranormal fiction rather than truly historic, but I added a notes section at the end, with brief explanations of some of the things I included. Thanks for reading and commenting. Big hugs.

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      1. HI Teagan, I enjoyed the notes at the end. I don’t know if you know Mae Clair from Story Empire. She also wrote a book about a medium, which was really my first encounter with the concept from the era you have written about. She had a fraudulent one and it was interesting for me to read your book with that background knowledge.

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        1. Hi, Robbie. Yes, I’m familiar with Mae’s wonderful writing from around 2012 or so, but I haven’t read the one about a medium. I’ve seen the book she and Staci did together making the rounds. I fell out of touch with them several years ago.
          It’s interesting to read accounts about spiritualism from Harry Houdini and Arthur Connan Doyle — and compare the two men’s vastly different reactions.
          Thanks for your valuable feedback on my notes section. Happy November.

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  20. You are an amazing woman, Robbie. Your book review is compelling, even though horror is not my preferred genre. I hope you and Michael are both doing better. Did you have surgery or did he? Hope you have a wonderful week next week. 🙂

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    1. HI Marsha, it is Michael who had the surgery. It was his 19th operation on his sinuses. He is likely to need a follow up procedure on 15 November so it’s been a bit rough. Teagan’s book is soft horror or paranormal. It is very entertaining and I’m glad you enjoyed the review.

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      1. Poor Michael. That’s a lot of surgeries on one little nose and surrounding area. I had my deviated septum straightened when I was 13 or so. I remember pulling out the bandages was very painful. I can’t imagine doing tha 19 times. I’m so sorry. I’ll remember him in my prayers and thoughts.

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