Possessed: A Lost Novel of the Occult

by Rosalie Synton, Edward Synton, Johnny Mains (Introduction)

John Travers has been hanged for the murder of his mother-in-law Helga, but to those who knew him something is amiss. Driven by justice and a sense of uncanny forces at work, John’s friend Doctor Toogood recounts a haunting tale of love and jealousy under the fell influence of a shadowy and implacable evil. First published in 1927, this novel by husband-and-wife writing duo Rosalie and Edward Synton (real surname Corse-Scott) has been lost for nearly a century and returns now from the Library collections to deliver its occult thrills anew.

Genres: Horror

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1927

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25⭐️

[p. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent pull from the archives and what this series truly is about!

The story is nearly 100 years old now and still reads very contemporary. It is riveting but also much more layered than you would expect at first glance (and so are its characters). It's rare for me to say this but I would love to see it adapted to a visual medium to help truly bring it out of obscurity.

[Michael John Paul McManus · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book by Rosalie and Edward Synton. Told in three parts, it tells the story of a mother possessed by evil, all in the name of love. All she wanted in life was love, but never got it. I won't ruin it for anyone, but it is a great read indeed. Another excellent book from the British Library of the Weird. 10/10.

[Kayleigh (Hedwigsbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting, and quite dark book at times! I feel like it's less Occult than implied in the title but still has an excellent voice and interesting structure.

[Lee Bridges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly horrible in the end, but a great read.