The Royal Ghost

Mina Scarletti #2

by Linda Stratmann

Brighton, 1871: a book by two respectable spinsters claiming to have seen the ghost of the Prince Regent in Brighton Pavilion shocks the town and attracts the attention of spiritualist Arthur Wallace Hope. Young Mina Scarletti, a writer of horror stories and investigator of psychic phenomena, suspects fraud. As the summer heat rises and hearts flutter dangerously, Mina and her associates delve into the mystery and, in doing so, they soon discover that nothing is as it seems.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal, Victorian

320 pages, Paperback

First published August 4, 2016

About the author

Linda Stratmann is a British writer of historical true crime, biography and crime fiction.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whilst the first book of the series did not grab me like the fourth one did, this offering from Stratmann gripped my interest very early on. Although some may find the writing style quite heavy-going, I thought the story moved pretty quickly.

I’m in two minds whether this book can be read as a stand-alone. On the one hand, the writer gives plenty of the backstory that is established in the opening novel. This was a massive help as, for me, a great many pages have been read between each instalment! However, while this background information helps to give a feel for Mina and some supporting characters, I don’t think you can truly get an appreciation of them unless you have read the first book. Overcome the denser, slower first book with the promise that the next one to follow is better!

From the beginning it is clear that Mina’s logic and intellect are required to prove or disprove the haunting of the Pavilion. Some familiar faces return as Mina seeks their support – especially as she is threatened to be blackmailed in order to support a fraudulent psychic. When a publication emerges that details the ghost of King George IV, Mina is determined to disprove this increasingly popular story. Fixed that this cannot be true but scandal, Mina finds herself up against seemingly intelligent people who are utterly convinced of the book’s tale and the haunting. Once again, the final scenes of the novel show Mina creatively proving the truth to an audience and I really enjoyed the drama and flair that Stratmann creates. In my opinion, it epitomises the Brighton mystery theme that I identify with this series.

I would have liked to have seen more ghostly scenes in this story. Despite the title, we don’t really get a first-hand experience of any ghostly occurrences at the Pavilion. I thought this was disappointing and wanted to see Mina get spooked. I think this would have added to the atmosphere of the story and emphasised the focus of plot. With a title featuring ghost, it would have been nice to see this more in the plot, rather than just Mina’s investigations. (Ironically, this is referred to in the novel when Mina is discussing the title of an upcoming short story that she has written!)

I do like the charm of this series. Set in Victorian Brighton, I think Stratmann successfully captures the thinking and behaviour of the time. I like Mina’s determination for the truth and have come to anticipate a dramatic reveal at the closing. There’s still a couple of books left in the series that I have yet to read, so I’m looking forward to seeing what is in store next for our heroine.

With thanks to Sapere books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Damaskcat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mina Scarletti is once again involved with some dubious mediums. Brighton is talking about a pamphlet which has just been published and it has taken the town by storm. It has been written by two young women who apparently saw the ghosts of the Prince Regent and Mrs Fitzherbert in a compromising situation during a visit to the Royal Pavilion at Brighton.

Mina is visited by a Mr Hope who is keen to get her to withdraw her evidence against false medium Miss Eustace who is awaiting trial. Mina instinctively distrusts Mr Hope even though he is very popular in Brighton society but she doesn't like the way he is trying to blackmail her into retracting her evidence. Can she outwit him and also find out the truth behind the publication of the pamphlet?

This is a well written mystery set in Brighton in the 1870s. The historical background is evocative and really brings Victorian Brighton to life. I like Mina as a character - she is determined not to let her physical disabilities stop her doing the things she wants to do. If you enjoy this author's Frances Doughty series then you may enjoy this second book in the Mina Scarletti series.

[Mystereity Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

See my full review at Mystereity Reviews

It's 1871 in Brighton and a scandalous account by 2 sisters claiming to have seen Prince George IV and his paramour in flagrante delecto at The Pavilion has shocked and upset many of the town's citizens. Mina becomes aware that the account may be plagiarized, and begins to look into the matter. When Arthur Wallace Hope, comes to town ostensibly to promote a fund to find Dr. Livingstone in Africa, many of the townspeople are enamored by the charismatic Viscount. Mina suspects Hope's intentions are not as benign as he would like her to believe. As she investigates both matters further, Mina finds that nothing is as it seems.

I haven't read the first book in this series, but I have read one of the author's other books (The Secret Poisoner, and I definitely recommend it!) and I really liked the writing style. I think what I enjoyed most about the book was the Victorian world the author has created, it's evident how thoroughly the book was researched and the actions and reactions of the characters felt very realistic and vivid. I loved all the descriptions of the conjurors' tricks, I would've loved to have seen that through Mina's eyes. I had a real giggle at all the women who were scandalized by the thought of a dirty book and yet most of them had already read it, it was a testament to the hypocrisy of the Victorians and their attitudes towards sex, some of which still pervade today. There's a lot about the topic of Spiritualism, and how the Victorian fascination with death and the afterlife led to charlatans and con artists taking advantage of those beliefs.

The Royal Ghost had a great plot that kept me guessing. I enjoyed watching Mina unravel the mystery behind An Encounter, and I was really surprised at the reveal at the end. While the riveting plot kept me turning pages, the great characters made it truly enjoyable. Mina is an intriguing heroine, with a body crippled by scoliosis that belies her sharp mind, quick wit and iron will. It's no surprise that she is underestimated, and it's satisfying when she rises to the challenge. Arthur Wallace Hope makes an interesting foe; wholly fallible, it's not difficult to understand his misguided enthusiasm in defending Spiritualism, and his zeal makes it easy to love-to-hate him. Mina's tight-knit group of collaborators -brother Richard, Richard's paramour, Nellie, and Dr. Hamid and his sister Anna - round out a great cast of characters.

This book can be read as a standalone -but- some of the plot threads in this book are a continuation of the previous book. Although the many references did not hamper my understanding of this book, I do feel that I would've gotten more out of this book if I had the context that the first book would've provided.

Overall, The Royal Ghost is an outstanding historical mystery, true to the era and a fascinating tour through Victorian times. This will appeal to mystery fans who enjoy a gas-light atmosphere, and an intriguing Victorian plot.

Thank you to The History Press and Netgalley for an advance copy of The Royal Ghost. This review is my honest opinion.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading Mr. Scarletti's Ghost, I decided to try the second in this series by Linda Stratmann.

Brighton is once again a hotbed of spiritual and psychic chicanery in The Royal Ghost. Tiny Mina Scarletti, twisted by scoliosis, once again takes up the banner of rational thought and investigates a pamphlet in which two sisters claim to have seen the ghost of King George IV. Actually, not the fat and unpopular king, but the man he was when he was the young and attractive Prince Regent.

The two pseudonymous sisters say they witnessed the prince and his mistress in flagrante--and the details are such that the women of Brighton are surreptitiously buying and reading the scandalous pamphlet! Ahh, the titillation of the Victorian era.

Mina finds herself in an awkward situation when a famous person tries to convince her to retract her earlier statements about the medium Miss Eustace and to accept that the pamphlet by the two sisters is genuine. When she refuses, she is threatened with blackmail.

While I find it difficult to imagine intelligent people being so determined to believe in mediums and psychic phenomena, spiritualism was surprisingly accepted from the 1840's through the 1920's, and Linda Stratmann has certainly done her research--including documentation of events and real people in her historical notes.

Historical Mystery. 2017. Print length: 350 pages.

[Fruitbat44 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good historical detective story. Not a blood & guts murder story, but a gentle study of the intrigues surrounding Victorian spiritualism. I say gentle, but the cruelty involved in deception and the passions of faith make for some tension within the story. Well written and well researched. Manages, what for me is, an important element of historical fiction in that the characters convince as a people of their time, rather than modern day people in costume. But, they are still interesting and likable characters. There are also nice touches of humour throughout the book. Highly recommended.

This is a sequel to 'Mr Scarletti's Ghost,' which I would also highly recommend, and I would advise reading before this one. Although 'The Royal Ghost' can be read as a standalone.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book in this series very much. The characters, setting, and plot were excellent. I still love the characters, setting, and writing, but I was very disappointed to see the villainess from the first book recycled as an important part (albeit in absentia) of this story. It definitely lessened my enjoyment of this book.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. I thought the writing in this book was better than the first book of the series, it did not feel stretched out but unfortunately the conclusion did seem to be contrived. If it was not for this the book would have been a solid 4 stars. The writing is actually quite good.

[Jae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable historical mystery.

[Brenda Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable series.

[Haydn Pope · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good novel

Another really good novel, involving Mina Scarletti. As usual the flavour of Victorian Brighton can almost be tasted,especially around the Brighton pavilion.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of the same and plot a bit convoluted . I’m in no rush to read another.

[Colm Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed

A very entertaining read. Conjurers and séances, con artists and dupes all woven into a well written mystery with a tenacious heroine on the trail!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, not only for its well written narrative, subject matter, and well researched historical content, but also for the writers insight into how Victorian society, treated someone like Mina with Scoliosis. Not that far from the way anyone with a disability is treated today really, apart from they openly stared, made comments and naturally assumed that if your body was malformed, so was your brain... All of which happens today, but, not quite as openly... That aside, the story was entertaining, the characters well fleshed out and the sleuthing was intriguing and well plotted... My only complaint (minor one at that) was some of the story could have been a little less drawn out. On the whole, an very enjoyable read...

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

good heavens I'm glad that's over. This book was a struggle for me. It is written in an EXTREMELY passive manner. Too much of the story just told instead of shown.. Instead of letting the characters motivations be shown through their actions, and revealed with a little suspense along the way, the characters would just talk to each other and say, I bet this is why that character is acting this way, or I bet this is going to happen next.... then it did.
The plot was very rambling at times. About a third of the way through the book, one character reveals a strong romantic interest in another character to the reader, but there has been no hint in the characters' actions for the first part of the book that either party has feelings for the other, and then there is no further development of the interest, or even mention of it for the rest of the book.
Characters also seem very naive throughout. They seem to say very obvious things, or show extreme shock at things that are not really that shocking. A doctor in the book repeatedly expresses concern for his professional reputation if he were to be found investigating someone by doing things like following them down the street (gasp!)... his concern seems a little extreme. But even the other characters seem to take the attitude that they hate to even ask him to do these things because they know the risk it poses to his career. Even for the time period it doesn't make sense.
The passiveness of the writing just made the book very tedious. The historical elements are good, the characters are unique - the heroine is a lady with extreme scoliosis - I just didn't find myself caring about any of them.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brighton, 1871 and the story of seances and mediums continues as two ladie sproduce a book which details their tale of seeing the Prince Regent in the Brighton Pavilion which invokes the interest of spiritualist Arthur Wallace Hope.
Mina Scarletti, a writer and investigator suspects all is not true and decides to investigate.
I enjoyed this story, found it easy to read and liked the characters. I didn't feel that I had to have read the first in the series to read this one.
A NetGalley Book

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice historical mystery. The book portrayed the historical elements very well. The mystery was also done well and I found it interesting. Overall, it was a well written book and I will be checking out other books by this author.