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Possessed: A Lost Novel of the Occult
John Travers has been hanged for the murder of his mother-in-law, Helga. Yet to those who knew him, the verdict does not sit easily.Compelled by a desire for justice and troubled by the sense that darker forces were at play, John’s friend Doctor Toogood sets out to tell the true story. What unfolds is a haunting tale of love, jealousy, and the malign influence of a shadowy and implacable evil that reaches far beyond the ordinary motives of crime.First published in 1927, this unsettling novel by husband-and-wife writing duo Rosalie and Edward Synton, whose real surname was Corse-Scott, disappeared from view for nearly a century. Now restored from library collections, it returns to deliver its occult chills and atmospheric intrigue to a new generation of readers.
224 pages, Paperback
Published September 8, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy
Bought from the British Library Shop at Euston on 4th July 2026.
Written by husband and wife team Rosalie and Edward Synton ( real name Corse-Scott), and published originally in 1927. Largely set during Britain and the occasional scene abroad during the Great War, probably wouldn’t categorise the novel as World War 1 fiction. Edward Corse-Scott (1883-1943) served in The Royal Engineers for a few months, but was shot in both lungs at Givenchy on the Western Front on 15th January 1915,and returned home where he met and later married Rosalie Aimée Boyd-Given (1889-1939) . Johnny Mains presents a splendid in depth introduction.
In the early 1920’s Great War veteran John Travers is convicted for killing his mother in law. Helga Stourcross. He makes it clear that he acted consciously and not citing any ‘shellshock /War trauma’ defence, and also fully expects to be hanged.
His closet friend Dr Thomas Toogood narrates most of the tale, though Travers and finally Stourcross give their angle. This reader found it totally gripping, finished it in one afternoon. Dr Toogood fights a psychological and moral fight against Stourcross, who excerts a hypnotic stranglehold on her daughter Muriel until she can barely function whilst married to John Travers. As Travers is wounded on the Western Front, and recovering at home, he drifts in and out of Stourcross’ malign influence, eventually breaking free and turns on her ready for a showdown..
Stourcross appears to be born with mediumistic power,and taken over by some harmful influences, revelling in spreading as much misery as possible. Thriving as a parasite on the suffering of others. A stunning portrayal of some demonic power at work. Possibly Stourcross is some sort of psychic vampire, perhaps she is a victim being destroyed by forces she can’t comprehend. It’s not a straightforward good v. evil morality play and certainly no happy ending. But certainly a stunning piece of writing.
Written by husband and wife team Rosalie and Edward Synton ( real name Corse-Scott), and published originally in 1927. Largely set during Britain and the occasional scene abroad during the Great War, probably wouldn’t categorise the novel as World War 1 fiction. Edward Corse-Scott (1883-1943) served in The Royal Engineers for a few months, but was shot in both lungs at Givenchy on the Western Front on 15th January 1915,and returned home where he met and later married Rosalie Aimée Boyd-Given (1889-1939) . Johnny Mains presents a splendid in depth introduction.
In the early 1920’s Great War veteran John Travers is convicted for killing his mother in law. Helga Stourcross. He makes it clear that he acted consciously and not citing any ‘shellshock /War trauma’ defence, and also fully expects to be hanged.
His closet friend Dr Thomas Toogood narrates most of the tale, though Travers and finally Stourcross give their angle. This reader found it totally gripping, finished it in one afternoon. Dr Toogood fights a psychological and moral fight against Stourcross, who excerts a hypnotic stranglehold on her daughter Muriel until she can barely function whilst married to John Travers. As Travers is wounded on the Western Front, and recovering at home, he drifts in and out of Stourcross’ malign influence, eventually breaking free and turns on her ready for a showdown..
Stourcross appears to be born with mediumistic power,and taken over by some harmful influences, revelling in spreading as much misery as possible. Thriving as a parasite on the suffering of others. A stunning portrayal of some demonic power at work. Possibly Stourcross is some sort of psychic vampire, perhaps she is a victim being destroyed by forces she can’t comprehend. It’s not a straightforward good v. evil morality play and certainly no happy ending. But certainly a stunning piece of writing.
Review of advance copy
"Two fools in paradise.
And I, alone, in Hell."
And I, alone, in Hell."
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews