An Unquiet Ghost

Mina Scarletti #3

by Linda Stratmann

Brighton, 1871

Mina Scarletti, writer of horror stories but supernatural sceptic at heart, is becoming well known for unmasking fraudulent psychics. So it is no surprise to her when a young couple write to her seeking advice.

George Fernwood and Mary Clifton, betrothed distant cousins, have a family secret which is preventing them from getting married. Twenty years ago, their alcoholic grandfather died in his bed and since then rumours have been circulating that someone in the family murdered him. If the murderer is one of their relations George and Mary are afraid they might pass on the ‘corrupted’ gene to their children. Desperate to find out the truth, they have decided to seek out a medium to communicate with their grandfather, and they want Mina to help them find one who is genuine.

Though not a believer in ghosts or psychics, Mina is intrigued by the family mystery and decides to help them in any way she can.

Could one of the new mediums advertising in Brighton really be genuine? Will they help George and Mary find the answers they are looking for?

Soon Mina finds herself caught up in a web of deception and intrigue that leads to her most fascinating discovery yet …

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Mystery, Victorian

359 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2018

About the author

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

Reviews

[Sandysbookaday (taking a step back for a while) · Rating 2 out of 5]

EXCERPT: The Coroner summed up the evidence. Judging by Thomas's dying statement, it did not appear that he had poisoned himself. There was no suggestion of insanity or thoughts of suicide, no reason for the healthy and successful man to take his own life. Since he took his tea without sugar, and did not use it for the administration of a medicine, it could not have been contaminated with arsenic by mistake. If suicide and accident were ruled out, then it followed that he had been murdered. The one question exercising the coroner's mind was how had Thomas Fernwood known who had poisoned him?

ABOUT THIS BOOK: A family is being torn apart by rumours of a murderer in their midst. Can Mina solve the mystery and lay the ghosts to rest?


Brighton, 1871 .

Mina Scarletti is becoming well known for unmasking fraudulent psychics. So it is no surprise to her when a young couple write to her seeking her advice.

George Fernwood and Mary Clifton, betrothed distant cousins, have a family secret that is preventing them from getting married. Twenty years ago, their alcoholic grandfather died in his bed and since then rumours have been circulating that someone in the family murdered him.

Desperate to find out the truth, they have decided to seek out a medium to communicate with their grandfather, and they want Mina to help them find one who is genuine.

Though she is not a believer in ghosts, Mina is intrigued by the family mystery and decides to help them in any way she can.

Could one of the new mediums advertising in Brighton really be genuine? Will they help George and Mary find the answers they are looking for?

Or will this Unquiet Ghost ruin the chance of happiness for future generations …?

AN UNQUIET GHOST is the third cosy mystery in Linda Stratmann’s intriguing historical series, the Mina Scarletti Mysteries, a traditional British detective series with a feisty woman sleuth set in Victorian Brighton.

MY THOUGHTS: I have read a couple of really good historical novels recently with female detectives as the lead character, so I was excited to receive An Unquiet Ghost by Linda Stratmann for review. The premise was interesting, the family patriarch murdered by arsenic in his tea, and who, with his dying breath, tries but fails to name his murderer.

But I struggled with this book. Nothing happens! Mina, the main character, drinks a lot of tea and cocoa, writes and receives letters, goes to Dr Hamid's spa, writes and receives letters, bosses her brother about, writes and receives letters, attends a few seances, and repeat.

I even found the murderer, once revealed, to be extremely unlikely.

All together, I found this to be an unsatisfying read. But, this is my personal opinion. Most reviews for this book are positive, so if you enjoyed the excerpt and like the summary of the plot, please go ahead and read An Unquiet Ghost by Linda Stratmann. You may be one of the many who enjoy this book.

Thank you to Sapere Books for providing a digital copy of An Unquiet Ghost by Linda Stratmann for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

[Joni · Rating 4 out of 5]

For all my reviews, visit my blog at http://ladyjbookishnook.blogspot.com

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An Unquiet Ghost is the third installment in the Mina Scarletti Mystery Series and my first read of author Linda Stratmann. Although I do want to go back and read the first two books in the series, I was able to pick up and read this one as a standalone. An Unquiet Ghost was a great read with a perplexing mystery that had me gripped right from the start.

This well-written story is set in Brighton, England in the year 1871. The author Linda Stratmann has come up with a clever, fresh, and interesting storyline. Early on readers are introduced to a simple crime of murder by poison with a short list of suspects. But things don’t end up being that simple and the mystery begins…

Mina Scarletti is the main character and my favorite. Mina has some physical health issues but she doesn’t let any of that stop her. What she may lack in physical ability she more than makes up for it with her mental attributes. She makes no excuses and proves to be a strong female protagonist. Mina is persistent and inquisitive in her investigation of the mystery. The interactions Mina has with the supporting characters are compelling and realistic. Being a nurse, I love reading about past medical ideas and practices. The interaction between Mina and Mr. Marriott, the oculist, was one example of this. They were discussing the idea regarding people that see apparitions may have a medical condition of the eye or brain.

The truth about the killer’s identity is cleverly concealed until the novel’s surprising conclusion. I suspected the actual killer about halfway through but then convinced myself that it wasn’t, then it was, then it wasn’t. I just couldn’t figure it out but the author does a good job of wrapping it all up in the end. I enjoyed every minute of this “new to me” mystery series. I will definitely read more from this entertaining author. Fans of the historical mystery genre will surely enjoy An Unquiet Ghost the third installment of the Mina Scarletti Mystery Series. I give this one 4 out of 5 stars!

Thank you Linda Stratmann and Caoimhe O’Brien of Sapere Books for providing me with a review copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...

I have a fondness for this series but do feel that now, my fourth book in, that this did not offer anything too different to the other stories. Once again, Mina is sleuthing in Brighton to de-bunk fraudsters claiming to communicate with spirits. Once again, Mina writes plenty of letters; has plenty of tea and cake; and makes plenty of enemies along the way!

[Rosemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a marvellous historical mystery with a strong plot, well-developed central character and great descriptions of the time and place.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly I would like to thank Caoimhe O’Brien at Sapere Books for asking me to review this 3rd book in a series written by Linda Stratmann.

Not having read any books by this author in the past, I agreed to read this book as I always like to find books by authors that I have not read before.

I found it a little slow to start of with, but soon got into it past the first chapter. The layout and description of the City and the characters is well written and draws you in to the intrigue and mystery that is woven within every page and sentence.

I loved the fact that at the end of the book the author also referred to facts about certain items she had alluded to during the story of the book.

I will admit that it does not often happen, but I did not realise until the veil was lifted towards the end of the book, who the murdered was.

I also liked immensely the story around the fake mediums and how the conjurers managed to fool their clients back in the day.

Would highly recommend to anyone who likes mystery and ghost stories.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brighton, 1871 and Mina Scarletti has been approached by a young couple who believe their grandfather was poisoned. Wishing to marry each other they hope to find who the poisoner was via a medium to determine if their blood is tainted. They ask Mina to try and find a genuine medium. Finding that she has become intrigued by the mystery she helps them in their search.
A well-written cozy historical mystery with some delightful characters.
Received an Advanced Reader Copy.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

I really enjoyed this story - it is a very well written historical mystery that keeps you fully engaged. It has a well planned out, strong plot, that is carried through by a well developed and personable main character.

My only minor criticism is that the plot was a tad slow at times and I do generally prefer more fast paced books, but it was still a very good read and I have given the book a solid four stars!

I really enjoyed the writing style and the descriptions made the writing come to life and you felt as though you were immersed in the story. I am a huge fan of historical fiction and have read an awful lot of books in that genre and for me - this is a great addition to that genre - it ticked a lot of the right boxes for me.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed it! It has all of the elements of interest: mundane characters are sparse, very twisty, red herrings abound, the truly evil villain is dead, some who seem good really are not, and a satisfactory conclusion is achieved. There are a number of characters inserted as a kind of backstory, but only some of them seem relevant. Most of the characters involved in the pursuit of the main goal are well developed and interesting, especially Mina, her brother, and Dr Hamid and his clinic which I assume was very unusual for the time, even in Bath. No spoilers here, the publisher's blurb gives enough hints, just go ahead and enjoy!
I was offered an advance copy from Sapere Books and am delighted to have received one!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cousins George Fernwood and Mary Clifton are engaged to be married but feel that they cannot go through with the wedding until an event from their past has finally been resolved. Twenty years previously, their grandfather died in his bed and it is thought that someone in the family poisoned him. Desperate to find out what really happened, the couple are keen to talk to a medium in order to communicate with their dead grandfather. Knowing that Mina Scarletti has a reputation for unmasking fraudulent psychics, they engage her in assisting in their quest for the truth.

Although I had read some of Linda Stratmann’s Frances Doughty series, I had not yet come across the books featuring Mina Scarletti. This is the third book in the series but I found it could be read as a standalone. Mina is a fascinating character, her scoliosis preventing her from participating in Brighton’s society. Despite her disability, however, she is the epitome of a modern Victorian woman, accepting that she will never marry and writing books published by her family’s publishing house. I admired her tenacity and her ability to use her brainpower to aid her investigations.

The search for a legitimate medium is a fascinating one and I enjoyed reading about the different methods undertaken by these charlatans in order to defraud the bereaved. Like Mina, I found myself searching for ways the ‘readings’ could have been fabricated and was intrigued by how these people were happy to play the ‘long game’ in order to achieve their aim.

Although beyond what Mina has been tasked, she nevertheless becomes interested in solving the murder of Thomas Fernwood. As she is unable to travel a lot due to her scoliosis, some of the research is done via letter. I enjoyed reading the letters that appeared throughout the book and, as well as giving an insight into Mina’s thoughts, it also provides the reader with an understanding of what went on behind Victorian closed doors. I was surprised when the poisoner was revealed although could understand why when the circumstances were explained.

An Unquiet Ghost is perfect for any fans of Victoriana who enjoy a gentle mystery.

With thanks to Caoimhe O’Brien and Sapere Books for my copy of the book.

[Mr Robin Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first encounter with Linda Stratmann’s tiny but exuberant amateur detective Mina Scarletti, although this is the third book in a series covering her Victoria era adventures, in Brighton, hunting down and exposing charlatans posing as mystics and mediums. The Unquiet Ghost starts with a suspicious death by poison some 20 years earlier, with Mina then being asked to help the descendants of the victim, who are convinced that a crime has been committed and, against Mina’s better judgement, believe that the guilty party may be uncovered with help from mediums. The justice seekers turn first to a Mother and her young daughter, newly arrived in Brighton, who have quickly gained a reputation for receipt of messages from the other side; they also seek help from another renowned Brighton medium who appears to be able to receive messages that appear in chalk on slates without human intervention. Mina’s efforts to help are very entertaining and the plot moves along at a good pace with many twists and turns before its somewhat surprising conclusion. This very enjoyable book also introduced me to Mina’s family, including her hapless brother Edward who appears at a loss in his attempts to secure himself a suitable career which could reward him handsomely for the least amount of effort on his part. In this book, woven well into the main plot, he takes up pencil drawing and becomes entangled with a fraudulent art dealer with a perhaps not unsurprising unhappy outcome. All in all, this was a very entertaining read and I thoroughly recommend it; I will now be seeking out the earlier adventures of Mina Scarletti.

[Jada · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, Caoimhe O’Brien at Sapere Books for giving me an opportunity to review this book.

Real review is more honestly 2.5, but I rounded up because I felt that some of my opinions were just that, my opinions.

Let's start with the good:

1. I am completely here for the Victorian mysteries, like all of them, just "GIVE ME MORE!"

2. How am I not supposed to be here for a protagonist who is a). female, b). independent--she writes ghost/horror stories, lives alone, and in many ways does as she pleases, and the thing that sets her apart is c). the fact that she is not an able-bodied character: she has scoliosis. Now who isn't here for authors representing diversity especially in time periods when persons who were different weren't usually accepted?

3. The actual mystery that Mina was asked to investigate is quite good, looking into a death that for twenty years has had rumors circulating that someone helped the old man along his 'peaceful' way via medium because who best to give them the answer they seek but the dead man himself.

4. I was actually surprised at the culprit, I somehow was not expecting that.

Then there's the bad:

1. Even Mina, our protagonist, falls flat as a character, much like the rest of the book's cast. In the latter half of the book, the relationships start to gain a little more traction and I found myself vaguely more interested. But otherwise, frankly I found them almost boring. Though I will admit that that could be the impression I got because I haven't read the first two books in the series and perhaps, the relationships between characters only fell flat for me because the author is working on the assumption that you already know and like these characters.

2. While I think the author was being more realistic in her approach to Mina's disability, her balance and her also compromised lung function and so forth, I couldn't help but feel that the lack of discrimination she experienced because of it rang false for its time period.

(Though that could be, I now think in retrospect, because Mina has the advantage of (modest) wealth to wield as a shield between herself and society). Also how accepting people were of the mixed race doctor (Dr. Hamid, English and Indian) was that accurate? Maybe, I'm not certain, but my opinion? The likelihood of people being that understanding then when they still go all to pieces overt people who are different today? Yeah I am not optimistic.

3. The overall pacing and plot was slow, especially the first half, and then there's what felt like a whole section dedicated to 'why ghosts do or don't exist' or whatever that was so boring and felt like a bad lecture from the stodgy professor who hasn't updated his textbook in twenty years.

(Though in all fairness, it did pick up somewhat in the second half).

Then just the thing that I didn't enjoy was the format. That is most likely due to the fact that there are differences in grammar rules and uses of "__" vs. ' __ ' around dialogue in the U.S. vs. the U.K., right? It didn't do anything but make my brain stutter to a halt every so often because I'm so used to things being one way not the other.

Overall, a decent(ish) book, and my first finished read of 2018.

[Graham McGhie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful who-dun-it:
This novel is a delight to read: set in nineteenth century Brighton it captures the atmosphere of the city, has intriguing and realistic characters and most importantly a first rate plot.
The third novel in the Mina Scarletti Series, it was the first that I'd read and it can easily be read as a standalone novel. The prose and observation are reminiscent of Conan Doyle, the heroine, Mina Scarletti, the most unusual of characters.
Mina has developed a reputation in Brighton of "outing" fraudulent psychics who take advantage of those unfortunate to have lost a loved one and are desperate to make contact with them in another mystic world. Two second cousins, George Fernwood and Mary Clifton ask Mina to help them resolve a family mystery: who murdered their Grandfather. Mina does not believe in the ghost world but agrees to help them find a genuine mystic (although in her own heart she doesn't believe genuine psychics exist). I found it intriguing as Mina would sit through a séance using logic to dismantle the mystery of the mediums. But Mina has a reputation and only the very best fraudster or indeed genuine psychic would allow her to see them at work.
A novel possessing Victorian propriety this is a who-dun-it which will keep you guessing till the end. It captures the essence of the period whilst airing certain issues which were omitted from Christie and Doyle: the plight of the disabled and inequality of women (Mina is secretly a successful author of adult novels but the sensibilities of the time demand that she present herself as a children's author).
This is a light, well plotted and enjoyable novel capturing the essence of the Victorian times it is written in. I am a fan of both Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes, so if you like those authors you will enjoy Linda Stratmann's book.
(My review was based on an eBook file provided to me by the publisher. My review is totally independent.)

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Sapere Books for an advance copy of An Unquiet Ghost, the third novel to feature Mina Scarletti, set in Brighton 1871.

After unmasking a fraudulent medium Mina is happy to settle back in to her routine of watching her health and writing her books but a letter from cousins Mr Fernwood and Miss Clifton has her intrigued. They want to marry but someone in their family murdered their grandfather 20 years earlier and doctors can't tell them that a murderous gene wouldn't be inherited by their children. They want Mina to help them find a reputable medium who can tell them what happened all those years ago.

I thoroughly enjoyed An Unquiet Ghost. I am new to this series although I have read a few of the Frances Doughty mysteries and had a good idea of what to expect. It is an excellent read with several plot strands, not just the hunt for a reputable psychic, interesting characters, a dash of humour, good period detail and a very readable style.

The plotting is deep enough to hold the reader's interest throughout without being difficult to keep up with. I admire Ms Stratmann's skill in weaving it all together. I particularly enjoyed her use of verbatim letters to bring some of the plot elements up to date and further others. They provide the necessary information in a concise manner without overly interrupting the main narrative. I began to look forward to their appearance.

Mina is an appealing protagonist. Disabled by a twisted spine and the attendant physical aches and complications she has an enquiring mind and a strong sense of practicality. I like her dry humour, can do attitude and imagination. The novel is peppered with plot synopses for her own writing, all very Victorian and amusing to the modern eye, and it's obvious Ms Stratmann has a lot of fun thinking them up. While the novel concentrates on Mina the other characters are not neglected. The letters give the reader a fair idea of her family's characteristics and while only her brother Richard makes a physical appearance they are brought to life through their writing.

I think Ms Stratmann does a brilliant job with the period setting and the depth of her research is obvious. The Victorians were obsessed with spiritualism and many believed it to be real, making it fertile ground for duping the gullible and desperate. Not only does Ms Stratmann expose the methods she expounds on some of the science surrounding it. It makes for fascinating reading. Again this sense of the growing importance of science is highlighted in the efforts of Mr Fernwood and Miss Clifton to make the right decision in regard to any future offspring. The cold November in Brighton really comes to life in Ms Stratmann's descriptions with her doctor and friend Dr Hamad keenly aware of their dangers.

An Unquiet Ghost is a lovely, cosy read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

[Katy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really struggled with this book- it starts well but it is so slow moving that I just couldn’t get into it.

Having looked through Linda Stratman’s writing list and realising it was a novel in a series, and written in an era that LS obviously knows a lot about I can’t fault the historical accuracy of the piece (although 1800s in Brighton is not my forte) or the correct style with the interspersed letters. I just feel like there is something missing from the book- maybe it is the amount of plots and subplots and the fact it’s number 3 in a series of which I haven’t read the predecessors.

It just seems to lack heart for me. There are no ghosts involved just fraudsters out to scam the public for their own end- where is Houdini when you need him?

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from Sapere Books in exchange for a review.

I had never heard of this author or series but was instantly hooked on this story which includes psychics, British life in the 1800's, and a mystery. It was a fun, entertaining story which likeable and intriguing characters and some historical information on the history or psychics and medium in England during that time period, which I knew nothing about previously.

The main character Mina is fun to read and I feel the need to read the previous books in the series, although this was able to be read and enjoyed without having read the other two books. I am hoping there are more books to come in this series.

It is by no means a thriller or anything gruesome and I would recommend this book to anyone interested in historical fiction with a good mystery tied in.

[Yvonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

In An Unquiet Ghost, the third of a series, Mina Scarletti, an author of children’s stories and also horror stories written under a pseudonym, has a reputation for unmasking fraudulent spirit mediums. Not having read the first two books in the series, I wasn't sure what prompted her to become involved with spiritualists, although reference is made to the mediums she did debunk and an enemy she made doing so. This wasn’t a problem as An Unquiet Ghost is written in such a way as to be enjoyed as a stand alone novel. It just means that I'm now very keen to read the previous two.

I expected a much darker book with spine-tingling séances and ghostly visitations but wasn't too disappointed when the story didn't go down that path. The two mediums that Mina investigates use other methods and I enjoyed how Mina tried to work out these methods while keeping an open mind. For answers, she reads scientific journals and seeks medical explanations from an oculist and also her physician, Dr. Hamid, an interesting character who forms part of Mina’s inner circle of friends. Another of her friends, a former conjuror's assistant, suggests a way of testing one of the mediums and Mina's brother, Richard, is also persuaded to help, despite becoming involved in a fraud of a different kind.

Most of the action unfolds through letters and lots of dialogue. Given that Mina has a deformity and other health problems which restrict her mobility and with the wintry weather keeping her housebound, it was totally believable that the story unfolded in this way.

The result of one lengthy discussion had Mina questioning the influence of her horror stories on her readers. Designed to entertain, were they furthering the cause of the spiritualists? This is not the only time she questions her beliefs. When her trust is betrayed, she faces the dilemma of revealing a deception or ignoring it due to the happiness it brings.

The murder mystery element was intriguing. There were a few clues, none of which I picked up on, so that when the murderer was revealed it came as a surprise.

Linda Stratmann has created a wonderful character in the diminutive Mina Scarletti. What Mina lacks in stature, she makes up with intelligence, courage and determination. The various secondary characters, taken from a cross section of Victorian society, added more colour to the narrative and rounded out a well plotted and very entertaining novel.

As mentioned previously, I am keen to read the first two books. It looks like I have found a new series to follow.

Thank you to Sapere Books for a free copy of the book to read and review.

[Waverly Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because it satisfied my craving for historical accuracy and featured a heroine, Mina Scarlatti, who operates within the restricted realm she occupies as a Victorian woman who is an invalid. That means she primarily uses her intellect plus interviews with people who she can access to solve the murder from the past that is at the heart of the novel. The premise is engaging: a couple of cousins who wish to marry come to her, wanting to get confirmation from their grandfather who was murdered, about who in the family murdered him in the hope that they will not be passing along some taint if they have children. Mina is known for exposing charlatans who pretend to be medium and so they hope she can direct them to an authentic medium. During the course of the novel, Mina and her clients attend seances with a male medium who uses slates to deliver messages and a rather mysterious young woman who sees visions. in the long run, alas, the communications from the dead are explained away (although Mina does consider the possibility that real mediums exist) and we learn a lot about the methods mediums used to fool their clients.
As someone who has written a Victorian novel featuring a medium, who herself is unsure if the messages she delivers are "real," I'm a bit annoyed by the modern trend to always explain away these messages. Obviously many people of good sense (including Arthur Conan Doyle) believed it was possible to communicate with the dead and I want to advocate for accepting that belief rather than proving how foolish they were. But I have to admit my research shows that most Victorian mediums were thoroughly investigated and discredited.
I would certainly read another book in this series, even though I sense that Mina will continue to use her intellect to ferret out deception and fraud. In this book, she also exposes a fraudulent art dealer. And the side characters are delightful and unusual, for instance, Dr Hamid who owns the Turkish bath where Mina goes for treatments. How fun to see the that Sake Dean Mahomed was celebrated in the Google Doodle on the day I posted this review as it seems clear he inspired Stratmann's similar character. Brighton really comes alive as well.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Unquiet Ghost can be described as a light amateur detective story in the cozy crime genre. This is the third book in Linda Stratmann’s Mina Scarletti Mystery series set in the English seaside town of Brighton in the 1870s. Stratmann’s previous work includes non-fiction forensic chemistry, true crime, and a fiction series featuring a lady sleuth, based in Bayswater in the 1880s.
The main character is 25-year old, Mina Scarletti, a 4-foot 8-inch semi-invalid who writes sensational horror stories under a male pseudonym. She occasionally publishes children’s stories to prevent her family from getting suspicious. Mina has developed a reputation (over the first two books) for unmasking fraudulent spiritualists. She is surprised when a young betrothed couple begs her to help them find a genuine psychic so they can communicate with a murdered uncle. Second cousins, they want to know if any murderous tendencies exist in their family, before committing to marriage and offspring. Despite her cynicism about spiritualists, she agrees to help them, fuelled by compassion and intrigued by the 20-year, unsolved poisoning case.
Along the way she recruits some unlikely helpers to investigate; the local doctor, her charming, but idle, brother and a retired magician’s assistant. Together they unearth layers of deception and intrigue, but is any of it relevant to the old murder case?
Whilst part of a series, An Unquiet Ghost can be read as a stand-alone novel. I hadn’t read the first two books in the series but was able to quickly follow what was going on. I found some of the passages about spiritualism a bit lengthy, but it didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment of the characters and plot. Stratmann has created a memorable protagonist in the physically frail, but mentally sharp, Mina. If you enjoy Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple stories, then Mina Scarletti will almost certainly become a new favorite.

[TheBookishFairy (Lauren) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I should preface this by saying that this is the 3rd book in the series, and whilst it can be read alone, it might be worth reading the first and second books first. The first book can be bought here.

This was a very gentle, cosy mystery book. It unravelled slowly and was the perfect read for the snowy days!

The main character is an author who also debunks mediums and helps to solve mysteries, she also has scoliosis which was nice to see in a main character. I shall be keeping my eyes peeled for an own voices review as they will be able to comment on the representation best.

This is set during the Victorian period and if you did want to read it on its own, it makes references to elements from previous books but the storyline stands alone. The mystery is introduced at the beginning, a family poisoning that no one has been able to solve for years which is where Mina steps in. As we travel through the story, more mysteries unfurl before our eyes and draw us in different directions.

I’d recommend this one for fans of cosy mysteries, and would recommend you read the first 2 books in the series first as there were times that I felt frustrated that I didn’t quite understand the references made (but that’s my own fault for not reading the first 2!)

So settle down, grab a cup of tea and your e-reader and curl up under a blanket with this mystery.
Originally posted at: https://thebookishfairyblog.wordpress...

[Lynn Coulter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mina Scarletti is a young woman living in 19th century Brighton, England, and an investigator with a sharp mind. When she’s asked to uncover the facts behind a death, she must enter the mysterious world of mediums. Did the deceased succumb to natural causes, or to a murderer?

If you’re a fan of historical novels (I am), Linda Stratmann’s new book, An Unquiet Ghost, will be right up your dark Victorian alley.

Mina is small and fragile, an author with a twisted spine who regularly soaks in medicated Indian herbal baths and visits a masseuse to find relief for her back.

In Mina’s era, mediums are making fortunes summoning spirits for grieving believers. When she receives a letter from a young man who fears his fiancée is about to fall victim to one such charlatan, she decides to act, and, as you’ll read in the excerpt from the book, below, “explore the dusty veil that lay between the living and the dead.”

You can almost smell the salty sea air and hear the hiss of gas lights along the road in this third book of the Mina Scarletti series. The twists and turns will keep you reading past your bedtime—I recommend it.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary e-copy from Sapere Books, but my opinions are my own.

[Carmela devito · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm normally not a fan of mysteries because I get frustrated in not being able to figure them out. This one captivated me from the beginning and I quite enjoyed it. Mina Scaletti,private investigator, was asked by grieving family members to ascertain the cause of their relatives death. To assist her in her investigation, Mina seeks out the services of mediums knowing.fully well she can spot a charlatan from the real thing. If murder mysteries with a spunky female lead intrigue you, I strongly urge you to read this.

[Brenda Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mina Scarletti May have scoliosis but it doesn’t stop her from revealing fake psychics. She is asked this time to go with a couple wanting to marry, but a past death in the family has them worried, to visit two new psychics to see if they are true psychics and can get the answer to their question. Another great mystery in this series.

[Colm Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable

Another excellent Mina Scarletti mystery and as well written as the previous stories in the series. I did have an idea around 80% of the way though as to who the 'killer' was, but more of an educated guess. Then it wasn't them. Then it was! A lot of twists and turns and connections to be made. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Delightful Read

This is the second Scarletti Brighton mystery I have read. The characters are individuals and well developed. They could he real people. Humor flows throughout the book along with several mysteries to be solved. Recommended as a quiet enjoyable rainy day read

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy Victorian read

While I was certainly expecting a few scares from ghosts, I wasn't expecting a ghost fraud detective story! It was an entertaining story but a lot of characters to keep track of!

[Neveah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this a while back. The whole series is a great look into spiritualism in Brighton and there are some frightful fiends and devious devils along the way. Dr Hamid’s baths always make me want a massage - they sound wonderful!!!

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. I read the previous two books of this series and this was the best of the three. The writing style and vocabulary was quite good and I enjoyed the story. I look forward to reading other works by Linda Stratmann.

[Linda · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the worst mystery I have ever read. Too many side stories. I was all I could do to continue to read in the hopes that it would get better. A total waste of time and energy!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book of the series!