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Mina Scarletti #4
The Ghost of Hollow House
Mina Scarletti returns in her most thrilling mystery yet! Perfect for fans of Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie and Antonia Hodgson…
A peaceful country retreat has become the scene of relentless terror…
Sussex, 1872 .
Mina Scarletti is invited to ancient Hollow House to investigate reports of ghostly occurrences.
The current occupants – newlyweds Mr Honeyacre and his wife, Kitty – have been plagued by unexplained noises and strange visions since moving into the property.
And now most of their servants refuse to stay at the house after dark for fear of encountering the ghostly presence of ‘the woman in white’.
A determined sceptic, Mina’s main concern is for Kitty, whose health appears to be dramatically sinking under the strain of all that is going on.
With the help of her trusted adviser, Dr Hamid, and her lively friend, Nell, Mina must get to the heart of the mystery.
Have the maids merely been frightening themselves with tales of the macabre? Is there a rational explanation for what is being reported?
Or will Mina be forced to admit to the presence of a ghost in Hollow House?
THE GHOST OF HOLLOW HOUSE is the fourth cosy mystery in Linda Stratmann’s intriguing historical series, the Mina Scarletti investigations, a traditional British detective series with a feisty woman sleuth set in Victorian Brighton.
A peaceful country retreat has become the scene of relentless terror…
Sussex, 1872 .
Mina Scarletti is invited to ancient Hollow House to investigate reports of ghostly occurrences.
The current occupants – newlyweds Mr Honeyacre and his wife, Kitty – have been plagued by unexplained noises and strange visions since moving into the property.
And now most of their servants refuse to stay at the house after dark for fear of encountering the ghostly presence of ‘the woman in white’.
A determined sceptic, Mina’s main concern is for Kitty, whose health appears to be dramatically sinking under the strain of all that is going on.
With the help of her trusted adviser, Dr Hamid, and her lively friend, Nell, Mina must get to the heart of the mystery.
Have the maids merely been frightening themselves with tales of the macabre? Is there a rational explanation for what is being reported?
Or will Mina be forced to admit to the presence of a ghost in Hollow House?
THE GHOST OF HOLLOW HOUSE is the fourth cosy mystery in Linda Stratmann’s intriguing historical series, the Mina Scarletti investigations, a traditional British detective series with a feisty woman sleuth set in Victorian Brighton.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 24, 2019
25 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Linda Stratmann
45 books66 followersLinda Stratmann is a British writer of historical true crime, biography and crime fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
June 26, 2019
A cosy mystery featuring an isolated mansion that is rumoured to be haunted. This is an ideal book to read for those seeking a spooky, chilling atmosphere. One to read at night, I found myself carried away with the gothic descriptions and often felt chilled and spooked by the narrative.
Although the fourth in the series, this is not noticeable and I quickly settled into the plot. The writer provides ample information about the protagonist, Mina, that I did not feel that anything was lacking. I imagine that the first book of the series allows readers a more detailed perspective into Mina’s background. This definitely appeals to me and opens up the probability of seeking out the rest of the series.
What I liked about this spooky mystery is the chilling atmosphere that the writer creates. This book gave me goosebumps and the pathetic fallacy employed doubles the creepiness of the setting further. An isolated mansion in the countryside that is in the process of being refurbished, it is surrounded by rumours of ghosts and hauntings. I wasn’t sure what direction the writer would take this supernatural angle, especially as sometimes the ghosts are considered as real (sorry to any believers out there!). That being said, I felt the treatment of the supernatural was justly done and the plot progression was enough to keep my spine tingling and my interest piqued; the narrative is not prolonged so as not to impact the pace.
Several moments in the novel really touched me, particularly as I read them before falling asleep! Images of a rocking horse with no rider, a violent seance and a groaning sleepwalker were all described in a manner that intensified the tension within the scenes. I loved Mina’s detached and logical treatment of the circumstances – it was the complete opposite to how I was feeling!
Having said all of this, I still could not give this book the full five stars. Mina’s secondary career is being, quite literally, a ghost writer. She creates scary stories under a false name (so as not to upset her mother!) and, at the end of the novel, is Mina’s adaptation of the events of the story. In other words, it is a repeat of the book in a far smaller story and the characters names have changed. For me, this was too much and I believe Stratmann could have approached this idea completely differently to avoid such repetition. In my opinion, the pace of the novel considerably lessened and I found myself slightly bored by the closing chapter. Surely there was a different way to show how Mina created her story based on the events at a Hollow House?
I know I have said this many a time now about discovering new authors, but I feel like I have to say it again: my first read by Stratmann and I am so pleased to have encountered her writing. I am certainly going to look to read the rest of the series as I enjoyed the Victorian, cosy mystery theme.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Although the fourth in the series, this is not noticeable and I quickly settled into the plot. The writer provides ample information about the protagonist, Mina, that I did not feel that anything was lacking. I imagine that the first book of the series allows readers a more detailed perspective into Mina’s background. This definitely appeals to me and opens up the probability of seeking out the rest of the series.
What I liked about this spooky mystery is the chilling atmosphere that the writer creates. This book gave me goosebumps and the pathetic fallacy employed doubles the creepiness of the setting further. An isolated mansion in the countryside that is in the process of being refurbished, it is surrounded by rumours of ghosts and hauntings. I wasn’t sure what direction the writer would take this supernatural angle, especially as sometimes the ghosts are considered as real (sorry to any believers out there!). That being said, I felt the treatment of the supernatural was justly done and the plot progression was enough to keep my spine tingling and my interest piqued; the narrative is not prolonged so as not to impact the pace.
Several moments in the novel really touched me, particularly as I read them before falling asleep! Images of a rocking horse with no rider, a violent seance and a groaning sleepwalker were all described in a manner that intensified the tension within the scenes. I loved Mina’s detached and logical treatment of the circumstances – it was the complete opposite to how I was feeling!
Having said all of this, I still could not give this book the full five stars. Mina’s secondary career is being, quite literally, a ghost writer. She creates scary stories under a false name (so as not to upset her mother!) and, at the end of the novel, is Mina’s adaptation of the events of the story. In other words, it is a repeat of the book in a far smaller story and the characters names have changed. For me, this was too much and I believe Stratmann could have approached this idea completely differently to avoid such repetition. In my opinion, the pace of the novel considerably lessened and I found myself slightly bored by the closing chapter. Surely there was a different way to show how Mina created her story based on the events at a Hollow House?
I know I have said this many a time now about discovering new authors, but I feel like I have to say it again: my first read by Stratmann and I am so pleased to have encountered her writing. I am certainly going to look to read the rest of the series as I enjoyed the Victorian, cosy mystery theme.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 30, 2019
Victorian era setting, village inhabited by the supersticious, local legends. What is not to like? I did not realize it was part of a series , but that didnt get in the way of the story's enjoyment at all. It was such a cozy and sometimes creepy read at the same time. I absolutely loved it. The victorian setting where spiritualism became a popular phenomenon is so fascinating. The author clearly researched this era very well. I felt like i lived in the world of 1872. I certainly would have enjoyed a good séance in the company of Mina, the main character. Readers will find it easy to engage with this intelligent and feisty heroïne. A spooky fun read! I recommend this book to all lovers of this genre.
May 10, 2019
Linda Stratmann’s The Ghost of Hollow House is an enthralling Victorian mystery with a smart and witty heroine. The setting is perfect, the plot is intriguing, and the characters are well-written and interesting. But, I had some trouble connecting with the characters and I wish that certain aspects of the plot were more fleshed out. This book is the fourth in the series but it works perfectly as a standalone.
In 1872 Sussex, Mina Scarletti is invited to investigate strange happenings at ancient country retreat Hollow House. The new owners are experiencing ghostly phenomena and unexplained noises. The servants are afraid to spend the night in the house. There are whispers about a woman in white, mysterious deaths, and a devilish child. Is there a rational explanation for the occurrences? Or is Hollow House truly haunted? Sceptical Mina must unravel this mystery with the help of her friends, trustworthy Dr. Hamid and former conjuror’s assistant Nellie.
This is a great read with an interesting plot. Stratmann kept me hooked till the end. I couldn’t tell whether the mysterious happenings were supernatural or man-made and I really love that. I also love the inclusion of Mina’s horror story.
The atmosphere and setting are fantastic and immersive. Stratmann creates a wonderful scene with the spooky Hollow House, isolated countryside, superstitious villagers, mysterious ghostly occurrences, and a convenient natural disaster.
The characters are well-written and memorable. Mina is a smart and witty protagonist. The novel is fairly diverse: reliable and responsible Dr. Hamid is Indian and Stratmann does not shy away from Mina’s scoliosis. I also love fun and feisty Nellie! I wish there was more of her because I loved reading about her adventures as a conjuror’s assistant.
However, certain aspects of the mystery could have been more explained. I also had trouble understanding several of the characters’ intentions. Moreover, while I like the characters, I sometimes struggled to connect with them.
The Ghost of Hollow House is a well-written and interesting mystery with great characters and a fantastic setting. I had some trouble connecting with the characters and I wish parts of the mystery were better explained but I really liked this book. If you love the Victorian era, spooky settings, and interesting characters, you should definitely check this book out. I can’t wait to read more in this series!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sapere Books for this book in exchange for an honest review.
👻👻👻👻 ghosts out of 5!
In 1872 Sussex, Mina Scarletti is invited to investigate strange happenings at ancient country retreat Hollow House. The new owners are experiencing ghostly phenomena and unexplained noises. The servants are afraid to spend the night in the house. There are whispers about a woman in white, mysterious deaths, and a devilish child. Is there a rational explanation for the occurrences? Or is Hollow House truly haunted? Sceptical Mina must unravel this mystery with the help of her friends, trustworthy Dr. Hamid and former conjuror’s assistant Nellie.
This is a great read with an interesting plot. Stratmann kept me hooked till the end. I couldn’t tell whether the mysterious happenings were supernatural or man-made and I really love that. I also love the inclusion of Mina’s horror story.
The atmosphere and setting are fantastic and immersive. Stratmann creates a wonderful scene with the spooky Hollow House, isolated countryside, superstitious villagers, mysterious ghostly occurrences, and a convenient natural disaster.
The characters are well-written and memorable. Mina is a smart and witty protagonist. The novel is fairly diverse: reliable and responsible Dr. Hamid is Indian and Stratmann does not shy away from Mina’s scoliosis. I also love fun and feisty Nellie! I wish there was more of her because I loved reading about her adventures as a conjuror’s assistant.
However, certain aspects of the mystery could have been more explained. I also had trouble understanding several of the characters’ intentions. Moreover, while I like the characters, I sometimes struggled to connect with them.
The Ghost of Hollow House is a well-written and interesting mystery with great characters and a fantastic setting. I had some trouble connecting with the characters and I wish parts of the mystery were better explained but I really liked this book. If you love the Victorian era, spooky settings, and interesting characters, you should definitely check this book out. I can’t wait to read more in this series!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sapere Books for this book in exchange for an honest review.
👻👻👻👻 ghosts out of 5!
May 11, 2019
This was an interesting book. I did not realize it was part of a series, but that didn't get in the way of the story's enjoyment. I rather liked that the main character was someone unexpected by society's standards. Mina is shorter than most and twisted by scoliosis but mentally sharp as a whip and is quick with a sarcastic retort, which I think is a means of self-defence. She's a brilliant character! I rather enjoyed the time period the story was set in, and the house sounded amazing. The characters (and there was a fair handful of them) were all distinct and memorable, even Little Scrap.
The story seems to go slowly at first, but when I thought about it, the pacing was just right, given the social norms of the time.
All in all, any fan of historical mysteries will be pleased with this book. Well done to the author!
The story seems to go slowly at first, but when I thought about it, the pacing was just right, given the social norms of the time.
All in all, any fan of historical mysteries will be pleased with this book. Well done to the author!
September 22, 2019
Everyone knows that I am a sucker for Victorian gothic novels. I just can’t get enough of that genre and the ghost element of this book totally appealed to me.
An isolated mansion with a ghost—how was I supposed to say no to that? Especially going into fall?
The answer is, I couldn’t.
The premise sounded too intriguing and like something that was right up my alley. I don’t know that the cover was doing a whole lot for me—to me it seemed more like the cover for an adventure novel, rather than a novel with a haunted mansion, but I was open to reading it either way. Though this book is the fourth in a series, I was hoping I hadn’t missed too much by picking it up so late in the game.
So truth be told, I thought this was going to be a lot more of a gothic ghost story rather than the cozy mystery that it was—but I can’t complain because it was good either way!
While I was worried that I would be lost in the series, I was pleasantly surprised that I wasn’t lost in the least! I was able to enjoy the story and the author did a nice job keeping new readers apprised of the events and history in past books without giving away details if readers wanted to go back and read the other books.
Mina was an unexpected surprise. I loved her wit and sarcasm. She isn’t your conventional heroine as she has some physical deformities, but she is exceedingly intelligent and I loved her! All you see is her intelligence and wit.
I loved how well the author incorporated the occult and supernatural angles in this book. I thought it fit very well within the historical period and I loved all the ideas about conjuring and ghosts. It was authentic and believable. This is definitely a quirky book but one that I enjoyed diving into. The historical period was well researched and fascinating and the use of the occult and ghosts was seamlessly incorporated into the story.
Mina was an absolute delight and I rather enjoyed getting to know her and solving the mystery right along side her! If you like off the beaten track historical mysteries, this is a fun one not to be missed!
See my full review here
An isolated mansion with a ghost—how was I supposed to say no to that? Especially going into fall?
The answer is, I couldn’t.
The premise sounded too intriguing and like something that was right up my alley. I don’t know that the cover was doing a whole lot for me—to me it seemed more like the cover for an adventure novel, rather than a novel with a haunted mansion, but I was open to reading it either way. Though this book is the fourth in a series, I was hoping I hadn’t missed too much by picking it up so late in the game.
So truth be told, I thought this was going to be a lot more of a gothic ghost story rather than the cozy mystery that it was—but I can’t complain because it was good either way!
While I was worried that I would be lost in the series, I was pleasantly surprised that I wasn’t lost in the least! I was able to enjoy the story and the author did a nice job keeping new readers apprised of the events and history in past books without giving away details if readers wanted to go back and read the other books.
Mina was an unexpected surprise. I loved her wit and sarcasm. She isn’t your conventional heroine as she has some physical deformities, but she is exceedingly intelligent and I loved her! All you see is her intelligence and wit.
I loved how well the author incorporated the occult and supernatural angles in this book. I thought it fit very well within the historical period and I loved all the ideas about conjuring and ghosts. It was authentic and believable. This is definitely a quirky book but one that I enjoyed diving into. The historical period was well researched and fascinating and the use of the occult and ghosts was seamlessly incorporated into the story.
Mina was an absolute delight and I rather enjoyed getting to know her and solving the mystery right along side her! If you like off the beaten track historical mysteries, this is a fun one not to be missed!
See my full review here
May 10, 2019
A friend in need of company living with her new husband in a reportedly haunted house asks a mutual friend and Mina Scarletti (ghost debunker) to join them for a weekend. Mina has a physical condition which means that she is physically frail despite her determination and good sense. But first all are stranded by the weather, then Mina's ditzy brother shows up, the next pair of guests are unwelcome and odious and unavoidable. No spoilers here! An excellent read that proves that almost anyone can be fooled by carefully crafted illusions fueled by gossip.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Sapere Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Sapere Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
August 9, 2019
You can find this review and all of my others over at www.readbookrepeat.wordpress.com
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Sapere Books, and the author via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Mina Scarletti has been invited to Hollow House, the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Honeyacre - newlyweds looking forward to starting their life together in the big, beautiful mansion. Mina's visit isn't just for tea and crumpets however, it's for a much darker reason. Mrs. Honeyacre has been having unsettling feelings since being in the house, along with the fear from their maids, who refuse to stay in the house after dark, things are getting serious. Mr. Honeyacre wants nothing more than to settle into a nice, quiet life with his beloved, but the ghosts must be taken care of first. Mina is a sceptic and is not afraid to say so, if anyone can get to the bottom of what's really going on, it's her. But what if it is a spirit? Is she prepared to believe it?
This story is number 4 in Stratmann's Mina Scarletti cosy mystery series, however, it's the first one that I've had the pleasure of reading. I'm a sucker for a good, cosy mystery, and if it has supernatural elements involved, it's even better. So this one was a no brainer for me when I first came across it on Netgalley. Sometimes you just need a good haunted house story to make you feel comfortable, hahaha.
The story was a slow burn historical fiction mystery, it's setting is Sussex 1872. Mina is a sceptic and has had past success with putting mediums and clairvoyants who were nothing but charlatans and money hungry monsters, behind bars where they belong and can no longer prey on the weak and grief stricken. Her close friend Mrs. Jordan comes calling one day with news that she has been invited up to her friend, Kitty's, house where she is now residing with her new husband, Mr. Honeyacre. After Mrs. Jordan explains to Mina what's been happening at Hollow House, and how Kitty has asked if she would mind accompanying Mrs. Jordan on her trip so that maybe she can put an end to all of the awfulness that has befallen her. Mina is reluctant as the weather is cold and she has trouble with her scoliosis, after much discussion, it is decided that Mina will attend the house with Mrs. Jordan only if her physician Dr. Hamid agrees to come with them. The trio soon find themselves travelling to the elusive Hollow House, and it's possible ghostly inhabitants.
I found the story to be a very slow burn, but it wasn't too bad, sometimes it's nice to slow down. I did find that it felt like it took me ages to get through the book, which, when it only has 325 pages, I begin to worry a bit. I do find that historical fiction can take a bit longer for me to read as the dialogue and narration is obviously a bit different to that of the modern day. I still enjoyed the story though, so it wasn't that bad, I just wish I'd gotten through it a little quicker.
The characters were likeable and each had their own distinctive personality and voice which I enjoy. The character of Mina was interesting and I love that Stratmann has written Mina's character in such a distinctive way, it's not often that you come across a character that has something like scoliosis. I myself have Scheuermann's kyphosis, so it was kinda nice to have a character with similar issues to myself, though Mina's is much, much worse than my own ailment which causes tightness in the muscles and discomfit and pain. I just thought it was cool to have a representation of a medical issue that generally isn't thought about. I also enjoyed the character of Mrs. Jordan, I thought her personality was so big it just about jumped off the page, she was very enjoyable.
Halfway through the story (or there abouts, it was probably earlier if I'm honest), we encounter a couple of characters, one of which Mina has had a run in with before. He's big into the spiritual side of life and is all about those mediums, clairvoyants, and ghosts. There were a couple of instances that past cases of Mina's were alluded to, but I didn't feel like I really lost out on anything having not read them before this one. I would be interested to see what actually happened though, especially with the character that is introduced in this story that Mina already knew. It was clear from the get go that they were going to butt heads and have large differences of opinion on the matter of the haunting.
I thought it was fantastic that Stratmann actually did proper research into the time period and area that she was writing, there's a bit at the back of the book that explains the reality of things that were included in the story and I thought that was absolutely fantastic. Something else I also enjoyed was that Mina is an author, she uses what happened at Hollow House as inspiration for her next story, we actually get to read this story, though not the ending as she hadn't finished that before she was due to attend the big ball that was happening. I thought it was a great little added extra to have that there and see what Mina did with the inspiration. To be honest though, I was tempted to stop reading at that point because the big reveal had already happened, and the loose ends were tied up, so I didn't see the point in continuing if it was just Mina's story that we had left to read, however, I discovered that there is a bit more of the actual story after this, so do keep reading if you're thinking about finishing up before you get there.
The mystery was a good one, and I enjoyed that we also got answers for what had happened in previous times in the house. I love a story that ties everything up, without being rushed.
All in all, it was an okay story that I did end up enjoying, I just wish the pacing was a bit better because it did feel like it was dragging at times. It was a nice historical cosy mystery, and I look forward to seeing what the rest of the series has to offer.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Sapere Books, and the author via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Mina Scarletti has been invited to Hollow House, the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Honeyacre - newlyweds looking forward to starting their life together in the big, beautiful mansion. Mina's visit isn't just for tea and crumpets however, it's for a much darker reason. Mrs. Honeyacre has been having unsettling feelings since being in the house, along with the fear from their maids, who refuse to stay in the house after dark, things are getting serious. Mr. Honeyacre wants nothing more than to settle into a nice, quiet life with his beloved, but the ghosts must be taken care of first. Mina is a sceptic and is not afraid to say so, if anyone can get to the bottom of what's really going on, it's her. But what if it is a spirit? Is she prepared to believe it?
This story is number 4 in Stratmann's Mina Scarletti cosy mystery series, however, it's the first one that I've had the pleasure of reading. I'm a sucker for a good, cosy mystery, and if it has supernatural elements involved, it's even better. So this one was a no brainer for me when I first came across it on Netgalley. Sometimes you just need a good haunted house story to make you feel comfortable, hahaha.
The story was a slow burn historical fiction mystery, it's setting is Sussex 1872. Mina is a sceptic and has had past success with putting mediums and clairvoyants who were nothing but charlatans and money hungry monsters, behind bars where they belong and can no longer prey on the weak and grief stricken. Her close friend Mrs. Jordan comes calling one day with news that she has been invited up to her friend, Kitty's, house where she is now residing with her new husband, Mr. Honeyacre. After Mrs. Jordan explains to Mina what's been happening at Hollow House, and how Kitty has asked if she would mind accompanying Mrs. Jordan on her trip so that maybe she can put an end to all of the awfulness that has befallen her. Mina is reluctant as the weather is cold and she has trouble with her scoliosis, after much discussion, it is decided that Mina will attend the house with Mrs. Jordan only if her physician Dr. Hamid agrees to come with them. The trio soon find themselves travelling to the elusive Hollow House, and it's possible ghostly inhabitants.
I found the story to be a very slow burn, but it wasn't too bad, sometimes it's nice to slow down. I did find that it felt like it took me ages to get through the book, which, when it only has 325 pages, I begin to worry a bit. I do find that historical fiction can take a bit longer for me to read as the dialogue and narration is obviously a bit different to that of the modern day. I still enjoyed the story though, so it wasn't that bad, I just wish I'd gotten through it a little quicker.
The characters were likeable and each had their own distinctive personality and voice which I enjoy. The character of Mina was interesting and I love that Stratmann has written Mina's character in such a distinctive way, it's not often that you come across a character that has something like scoliosis. I myself have Scheuermann's kyphosis, so it was kinda nice to have a character with similar issues to myself, though Mina's is much, much worse than my own ailment which causes tightness in the muscles and discomfit and pain. I just thought it was cool to have a representation of a medical issue that generally isn't thought about. I also enjoyed the character of Mrs. Jordan, I thought her personality was so big it just about jumped off the page, she was very enjoyable.
Halfway through the story (or there abouts, it was probably earlier if I'm honest), we encounter a couple of characters, one of which Mina has had a run in with before. He's big into the spiritual side of life and is all about those mediums, clairvoyants, and ghosts. There were a couple of instances that past cases of Mina's were alluded to, but I didn't feel like I really lost out on anything having not read them before this one. I would be interested to see what actually happened though, especially with the character that is introduced in this story that Mina already knew. It was clear from the get go that they were going to butt heads and have large differences of opinion on the matter of the haunting.
I thought it was fantastic that Stratmann actually did proper research into the time period and area that she was writing, there's a bit at the back of the book that explains the reality of things that were included in the story and I thought that was absolutely fantastic. Something else I also enjoyed was that Mina is an author, she uses what happened at Hollow House as inspiration for her next story, we actually get to read this story, though not the ending as she hadn't finished that before she was due to attend the big ball that was happening. I thought it was a great little added extra to have that there and see what Mina did with the inspiration. To be honest though, I was tempted to stop reading at that point because the big reveal had already happened, and the loose ends were tied up, so I didn't see the point in continuing if it was just Mina's story that we had left to read, however, I discovered that there is a bit more of the actual story after this, so do keep reading if you're thinking about finishing up before you get there.
The mystery was a good one, and I enjoyed that we also got answers for what had happened in previous times in the house. I love a story that ties everything up, without being rushed.
All in all, it was an okay story that I did end up enjoying, I just wish the pacing was a bit better because it did feel like it was dragging at times. It was a nice historical cosy mystery, and I look forward to seeing what the rest of the series has to offer.
May 18, 2019
I would like to thank Netgalley and Sapere Books for an advance copy of The Ghost of Hollow House, the fourth historical novel to feature Mina Scarletti, the scourge of fake mediums in Victorian England.
Newlyweds Mr and Mrs Honeyacre have recently moved in to their new home in rural Sussex but all is not well with strange noises and ghostly goings-on. Mina Scarletti and her friends, Dr Hamid and Nell Jordan, are invited for the weekend to investigate and allay the fears of an increasingly hysterical Mrs Honeyacre.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Ghost of Hollow House which is an intriguing tale of ghosts and and healthy scepticism which gently pokes fun at the Victorian preoccupation with spiritualism. It is told from Mina’s point of view and as she has a history of uncovering fraudulent practitioners the reader just knows that there is a more mundane explanation for the ghosts and poltergeist type activity. I was fascinated by trying to work out how it was done and couldn’t manage to as it is so cleverly done. The clues are all there but I wasn’t smart enough to put them together although I had fun trying and it held my attention from start to finish.
The novel isn’t only concerned with the supernatural as there is a fair amount personal friction between the characters. Due to adverse weather conditions, a staple in Ghost stories and a nice touch, the group are marooned in Hollow House. Tensions are running high with the hysterical Mrs Honeyacre and are exacerbated by the arrival of Mina’s nemesis and fervent spiritualist Arthur Wallace Hope. He is a wonderful study of faith over logic and epitomises the beliefs of the time but just in case the reader is tempted to accept his beliefs he has some rather unsavoury predilections to blacken his character.
I enjoyed the theme of the novel about how facts get twisted in the retelling and evolve into myths and legends. This is at the heart of the novel with Mina trying to sort fact from the lurid local stories. I particularly liked Mina’s fictional take on the events at Hollow House which she writes at the end of the novel, neatly encapsulating what has gone before.
I always like reading this series. It has a warm, inviting tone and intricate plotting but the main attraction is the character of Mina Scarletti, a woman of many talents. She has scoliosis which she believes (probably truthfully for the era) makes her unmarriageable. Instead she writes ghost stories under a pseudonym, cultivates her friendships and investigates fraudulent mediums. She is smart, logical and very likeable with a curious nature and an endearing zest for life.
The Ghost of Hollow House is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
Newlyweds Mr and Mrs Honeyacre have recently moved in to their new home in rural Sussex but all is not well with strange noises and ghostly goings-on. Mina Scarletti and her friends, Dr Hamid and Nell Jordan, are invited for the weekend to investigate and allay the fears of an increasingly hysterical Mrs Honeyacre.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Ghost of Hollow House which is an intriguing tale of ghosts and and healthy scepticism which gently pokes fun at the Victorian preoccupation with spiritualism. It is told from Mina’s point of view and as she has a history of uncovering fraudulent practitioners the reader just knows that there is a more mundane explanation for the ghosts and poltergeist type activity. I was fascinated by trying to work out how it was done and couldn’t manage to as it is so cleverly done. The clues are all there but I wasn’t smart enough to put them together although I had fun trying and it held my attention from start to finish.
The novel isn’t only concerned with the supernatural as there is a fair amount personal friction between the characters. Due to adverse weather conditions, a staple in Ghost stories and a nice touch, the group are marooned in Hollow House. Tensions are running high with the hysterical Mrs Honeyacre and are exacerbated by the arrival of Mina’s nemesis and fervent spiritualist Arthur Wallace Hope. He is a wonderful study of faith over logic and epitomises the beliefs of the time but just in case the reader is tempted to accept his beliefs he has some rather unsavoury predilections to blacken his character.
I enjoyed the theme of the novel about how facts get twisted in the retelling and evolve into myths and legends. This is at the heart of the novel with Mina trying to sort fact from the lurid local stories. I particularly liked Mina’s fictional take on the events at Hollow House which she writes at the end of the novel, neatly encapsulating what has gone before.
I always like reading this series. It has a warm, inviting tone and intricate plotting but the main attraction is the character of Mina Scarletti, a woman of many talents. She has scoliosis which she believes (probably truthfully for the era) makes her unmarriageable. Instead she writes ghost stories under a pseudonym, cultivates her friendships and investigates fraudulent mediums. She is smart, logical and very likeable with a curious nature and an endearing zest for life.
The Ghost of Hollow House is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
May 26, 2019
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ‘The Ghost Of Hollow House’ is the fourth book in the Mina Scarletti mystery series by Linda Stratman. I have not read the previous books in this series, but found that it was not necessary and did it did not affect my interpretation of the story.
The book is about Hollow House, a property bought to renovate by Mr Honeyacre and his first wife. After being widowed and remarried, Honeyacre decides to reside in the property with his new wife Kitty.
It is from a letter Kitty pens to her dear friend Nellie that you learn of the strange goings on of the property. Kitty is spooked, certain that the house is haunted by unexplainable things, and it has the residents and servants of the house frightened. Nellie and Mina are formally invited to stay for a weekend to help try and get to the bottom of the mystery that is the history of the house.
Mina suffering from an illness, is excited to embark upon the adventure, lying to her mother of her whereabouts in order to settle her curiosity in what Kitty has alleged.
Once at the house, Mina is certain she too has witnessed unusual activity in the form of a lady completely dressed in white. She makes it her business to interview the residents and scrutinise the history of the bottom in the hopes of finding the truth.
I loved how the story contemplates the notion of some people conjuring ghosts due to being unsettled, or being more spiritually susceptible to paranormal activity, but it also toys with the idea of the idea of people potentially making up stories.
The book was well written and very realistic to the Victorian era. I found it refreshing to find Mina had an illness and I loved the drama and the little intricacies of Nellie and the Honeyacre’s. The town itself is creepy, and it was interesting unravelling the twists and turns of the story.
Ideal for lovers of the mystery genre and people who love exploring historical fiction.
The book is about Hollow House, a property bought to renovate by Mr Honeyacre and his first wife. After being widowed and remarried, Honeyacre decides to reside in the property with his new wife Kitty.
It is from a letter Kitty pens to her dear friend Nellie that you learn of the strange goings on of the property. Kitty is spooked, certain that the house is haunted by unexplainable things, and it has the residents and servants of the house frightened. Nellie and Mina are formally invited to stay for a weekend to help try and get to the bottom of the mystery that is the history of the house.
Mina suffering from an illness, is excited to embark upon the adventure, lying to her mother of her whereabouts in order to settle her curiosity in what Kitty has alleged.
Once at the house, Mina is certain she too has witnessed unusual activity in the form of a lady completely dressed in white. She makes it her business to interview the residents and scrutinise the history of the bottom in the hopes of finding the truth.
I loved how the story contemplates the notion of some people conjuring ghosts due to being unsettled, or being more spiritually susceptible to paranormal activity, but it also toys with the idea of the idea of people potentially making up stories.
The book was well written and very realistic to the Victorian era. I found it refreshing to find Mina had an illness and I loved the drama and the little intricacies of Nellie and the Honeyacre’s. The town itself is creepy, and it was interesting unravelling the twists and turns of the story.
Ideal for lovers of the mystery genre and people who love exploring historical fiction.
April 18, 2021
Mini Scarletti has a reputation for solving mysteries of the unexplained. She is asked by her friend Nellie for help for her friend Kitty both having been in the theatre together. They are to visit Kitty for the weekend at her new house Hollow House who’s past is shrouded in mystery . Upon arrival Mini see’s what appears to be a ghost of a lady. A writer of horror mysteries under the pseudonym Robert Neil Mini is determined to uncover if the house is indeed haunted. Mini is a strong women who has had to overcome her own personal misshapen body. She proves that the sharpness of the mind can overcome her start in life and give her a quality of life with friends surrounding her. This is a Victorian mystery that will keep you well entertained for an afternoon.
I was given an arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I was given an arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 24, 2019
This is the fourth in the Mina Scarletti Mystery series. I haven’t read the previous three books but The Ghost of Hollow House works very well as a stand alone. It’s a haunted house story and has all the ingredients you would expect - things that go bump in the night, ghostly apparitions, objects which move by themselves and even a hidden skeleton! 👻
It’s a quirky, fun and entertaining book. Mina Scarletti is an unusual and determined lady, an author and amateur detective who investigates fraudulent mediums and spiritualists. I liked her! There is also a whole host of other fascinating characters. I liked the writing style, I thought it was atmospheric and in keeping with the Victorian era in which the story is set. It has a slightly madcap plot which kept me engaged and amused.
There’s a nice little touch at the end with Mina’s version of the preceding tale being rewritten and refashioned under her pseudonym of Robert Neil.
An enjoyable read which is sure to appeal to those cosy mystery lovers who also like a little spookiness in their reading material. 👻👻
Many thanks to Sapere Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
It’s a quirky, fun and entertaining book. Mina Scarletti is an unusual and determined lady, an author and amateur detective who investigates fraudulent mediums and spiritualists. I liked her! There is also a whole host of other fascinating characters. I liked the writing style, I thought it was atmospheric and in keeping with the Victorian era in which the story is set. It has a slightly madcap plot which kept me engaged and amused.
There’s a nice little touch at the end with Mina’s version of the preceding tale being rewritten and refashioned under her pseudonym of Robert Neil.
An enjoyable read which is sure to appeal to those cosy mystery lovers who also like a little spookiness in their reading material. 👻👻
Many thanks to Sapere Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
May 1, 2019
Newly married Mrs Kitty Honeyacre believes that her house may be haunted and so she invites sceptic Mina Scarletti to her home, Hollow House, to investigate the various reports of ghostly happenings. Mina is accompanied by her friends Nellie Jordan and Dr. Hamid.
Another enjoyable mystery in this well-written Victorian series. Which includes a cast of likeable characters and some you may despair of, namely Mina brother Richard.
A NetGalley Book
Another enjoyable mystery in this well-written Victorian series. Which includes a cast of likeable characters and some you may despair of, namely Mina brother Richard.
A NetGalley Book
September 14, 2019
Another intriguing tale of ghosts and scepticism centred around the Victorian preoccupation with Spiritualism. Written from the point of view of Mina Scarletti who has a history of uncovering fraudulent practitioners, this is a cleverly written mystery that keeps you guessing till the end. A welcome addition to a thoroughly enjoyable series.
May 14, 2019
I received this book via Netgalley. Opinions shared are mine.
Yesterday was Mother's Day and my family knew just what to do for me -- Give me a haunted house story and leave me alone for a few hours. The Ghost of Hollow House was like reading a BBC special. It had all the elements of a Victorian ghost story with a twist of Jane Austen-like humor thrown in.
I didn't read the previous books in this series, but it was easy to get caught up on the characters' past shenanigans. My favorite character was Mina, a spunky young author who knows her own mind.
My only complaint about this book was its tendency to repeat details and "clues" over and over. That got old, and I found myself skimming a lot near the middle of the book. I loved the book-within-a-book feature.
This is a good option for those who enjoy clean cozy mysteries with a paranormal twist.
Yesterday was Mother's Day and my family knew just what to do for me -- Give me a haunted house story and leave me alone for a few hours. The Ghost of Hollow House was like reading a BBC special. It had all the elements of a Victorian ghost story with a twist of Jane Austen-like humor thrown in.
I didn't read the previous books in this series, but it was easy to get caught up on the characters' past shenanigans. My favorite character was Mina, a spunky young author who knows her own mind.
My only complaint about this book was its tendency to repeat details and "clues" over and over. That got old, and I found myself skimming a lot near the middle of the book. I loved the book-within-a-book feature.
This is a good option for those who enjoy clean cozy mysteries with a paranormal twist.
May 24, 2019
This is the fourth book in a series unfamiliar to me – the Nina Scarletti mysteries. Nina is a young woman whose body is twisted and painful due to scoliosis. Having been warned that for medical reasons, marriage and childbirth will never be safe for her, she has established for herself a career as a writer of horror stories, published under a pseudonym so that her friends and family think she writes children’s stories. She also has an interest in finding practical explanations for the supernatural, and in following this interest she has exposed several fakes and charlatans.
It is this interest that becomes the reason her friend Nellie, a former conjuror’s assistant and now a respectable married woman, invites Mina to travel with her to a Sussex village to visit her friend Kitty, newly wed and very disturbed by apparently ghostly goings on in the marital home. They travel to Hollow House accompanied by Mina’s friend and colleague Dr Hamid, who they hope will be able to prescribe medication to calm the nerves of the distressed members of the household while Mina sniffs out a logical explanation for the occurrences.
From here the plot becomes pure Victorian style melodrama, complete with creaking floorboards and ghostly figures at windows, mysterious locked rooms, and tall tales of murders, hangings and curses from various local characters. Unexpected visitors start to arrive – Mina’s brother Richard, who is in love with Nellie, Viscount Hope and his colleague Mr Beckler, who are profound believers in the spirit world and determined to prove that the house really is haunted, and a rather incompetent naturalist called Mr Stevenson, who is in reality a detective employed by Nellie’s husband to find out whether she is being unfaithful.
With the cast assembled, naturally the weather becomes so bad, with torrential rain and landslips, that all the roads out of the village are closed due to floods so the entire party is forced to stay in Hollow House, where the ghostly manifestations reach a dramatic crescendo…
I found this book very slow to start with, as the style was true to the Victorian way of thoroughly setting the scene and the background to each character, but once everyone was assembled at Hollow House the pace picked up and I turned the pages faster and faster. I was convinced that Mina was going to expose SOMEBODY as a fraud – but who? The story kept me guessing right up until the denouement.
Despite the slow start, I found this book fun, witty, gripping and totally enthralling and I’m going to be looking out for the earlier stories in the series now.
It is this interest that becomes the reason her friend Nellie, a former conjuror’s assistant and now a respectable married woman, invites Mina to travel with her to a Sussex village to visit her friend Kitty, newly wed and very disturbed by apparently ghostly goings on in the marital home. They travel to Hollow House accompanied by Mina’s friend and colleague Dr Hamid, who they hope will be able to prescribe medication to calm the nerves of the distressed members of the household while Mina sniffs out a logical explanation for the occurrences.
From here the plot becomes pure Victorian style melodrama, complete with creaking floorboards and ghostly figures at windows, mysterious locked rooms, and tall tales of murders, hangings and curses from various local characters. Unexpected visitors start to arrive – Mina’s brother Richard, who is in love with Nellie, Viscount Hope and his colleague Mr Beckler, who are profound believers in the spirit world and determined to prove that the house really is haunted, and a rather incompetent naturalist called Mr Stevenson, who is in reality a detective employed by Nellie’s husband to find out whether she is being unfaithful.
With the cast assembled, naturally the weather becomes so bad, with torrential rain and landslips, that all the roads out of the village are closed due to floods so the entire party is forced to stay in Hollow House, where the ghostly manifestations reach a dramatic crescendo…
I found this book very slow to start with, as the style was true to the Victorian way of thoroughly setting the scene and the background to each character, but once everyone was assembled at Hollow House the pace picked up and I turned the pages faster and faster. I was convinced that Mina was going to expose SOMEBODY as a fraud – but who? The story kept me guessing right up until the denouement.
Despite the slow start, I found this book fun, witty, gripping and totally enthralling and I’m going to be looking out for the earlier stories in the series now.
May 20, 2019
Early in the year 1872, Miss Mina Scarletti, accompanied by a former-stage-artist-now-respectably-married-woman friend and by her faithful doctor, travels to rural Sussex to investigate ghost sightings at the home of an acquaintance. Appalling weather renders them virtual prisoners of Hollow House, along with several uninvited guests — including Miss Scarletti's nemesis, whose presence only exacerbates the already tense atmosphere. Despite the mistress of the house's delicate situation, a séance is organised in an attempt to communicate with any spirits that may be about, with shocking results. Mina must untangle truth from trickery before full-blown panic sets in... or tragedy strikes.
This novel possesses all the beloved elements of a classic haunting tale: an ancient house, tragic past events, an isolated group of people, enigmatic servants, a locked room, unexplained sounds, and even a hidden skeleton! Its great originality rests in its central character, a young woman with scoliosis who secretly writes horror and ghost stories under a male pseudonym. As someone with a physical disability, I highly appreciated that Mina is portrayed as very able and independent, without downplaying her limitations, the opportunities denied to her, or the impact her diminishing physical health may have on her future quality of life (a concern with which I'm all too familiar).
Despite its slightly rushed conclusion, I found this novel smart, entertaining, well written and absolutely delightful — and the bonus ultra-Gothicized version of this experience that Mina writes as "Robert Neil" had me in stitches! I'll definitely have to get my hands on Miss Scarletti's other adventures.
I was provided with a free electronic copy of this book through NetGalley by the publisher, Sapere Books, in exchange for an honest review.
This novel possesses all the beloved elements of a classic haunting tale: an ancient house, tragic past events, an isolated group of people, enigmatic servants, a locked room, unexplained sounds, and even a hidden skeleton! Its great originality rests in its central character, a young woman with scoliosis who secretly writes horror and ghost stories under a male pseudonym. As someone with a physical disability, I highly appreciated that Mina is portrayed as very able and independent, without downplaying her limitations, the opportunities denied to her, or the impact her diminishing physical health may have on her future quality of life (a concern with which I'm all too familiar).
Despite its slightly rushed conclusion, I found this novel smart, entertaining, well written and absolutely delightful — and the bonus ultra-Gothicized version of this experience that Mina writes as "Robert Neil" had me in stitches! I'll definitely have to get my hands on Miss Scarletti's other adventures.
I was provided with a free electronic copy of this book through NetGalley by the publisher, Sapere Books, in exchange for an honest review.
May 11, 2019
I requested The Ghost of Hollow House from NetGalley, then realized it was the fourth in a series. I read a little of the first chapter, and decided to go back and read the previous books before reading this most recent in the series.
This is the quote from The Ghost of Hollow House that was in the first few pages and convinced me to put it aside and read the earlier books:
"Mrs. Honeyacre, the second of that name, was the former Miss Kitty Betts, aged thirty but admitting to twenty-five. She had once enjoyed a glittering careeron the popular stage as Princes Kirabampu the oriental contortionist, but had been looking for something a little more permanent. Although Kitty lacked great beauty, she more than compensated for this with her cheerful and engaging personality, coquettish charm and a remarkably supple spine."
That quote amused me, perhaps more than reasonably, and I expected the earlier books to have much the same humor. In that I was a little disappointed, but I did fall in love with Mina Scarletti, who never lets her disability determine her life. The influence of spiritualism provided another reason to continue the series.
Known as a skeptic, Mina is invited to Hollow House to determine whether or not the house is haunted. Accompanied by Nell and Dr. Hamid, Mina sets out to discover what is causing the disturbances in the Honeyacre home. Complications: her incorrigible brother Richard shows up, Nell's husband has a detective spying on her, a flood that cuts off the road into Hollow House, and the arrival of a character from a past investigation.
Having saved The Ghost of Hollow House until last, I am now caught up with the series.
NetGalley/Sapere Books
Historical Mystery/Spiritualism. May 24, 2019. Print length: 320 pages.
This is the quote from The Ghost of Hollow House that was in the first few pages and convinced me to put it aside and read the earlier books:
"Mrs. Honeyacre, the second of that name, was the former Miss Kitty Betts, aged thirty but admitting to twenty-five. She had once enjoyed a glittering careeron the popular stage as Princes Kirabampu the oriental contortionist, but had been looking for something a little more permanent. Although Kitty lacked great beauty, she more than compensated for this with her cheerful and engaging personality, coquettish charm and a remarkably supple spine."
That quote amused me, perhaps more than reasonably, and I expected the earlier books to have much the same humor. In that I was a little disappointed, but I did fall in love with Mina Scarletti, who never lets her disability determine her life. The influence of spiritualism provided another reason to continue the series.
Known as a skeptic, Mina is invited to Hollow House to determine whether or not the house is haunted. Accompanied by Nell and Dr. Hamid, Mina sets out to discover what is causing the disturbances in the Honeyacre home. Complications: her incorrigible brother Richard shows up, Nell's husband has a detective spying on her, a flood that cuts off the road into Hollow House, and the arrival of a character from a past investigation.
Having saved The Ghost of Hollow House until last, I am now caught up with the series.
NetGalley/Sapere Books
Historical Mystery/Spiritualism. May 24, 2019. Print length: 320 pages.
June 9, 2019
This is a mystery set in Victorian England (1872), a time when women were the weaker sex and unable to tolerate anything vaguely ‘upsetting’. Mina Scarletti clearly hasn’t seen the memo about this. She’s intelligent, witty and brave - she’s also 4 feet 8 inches tall, and she has what appears to be a severe scoliosis. So those who don’t know her are surprised by her outlook on life and her independence. Mina is a great character, as are Dr Hamid, who is her physician and travels with her, and Nellie, her friend.
Nellie is invited to stay with an old friend, Kitty, from her stage days, and her wealthy husband. They have a large house in the country and it appears to be haunted. The maids won’t stay overnight, and Mrs Honeyacre (Kitty) is beside herself. Her husband is a big follower of spiritualism and the occult(it was very fashionable at this time), but just not in his house.
It’s a slow burner, but when the action gets going, it really does go for it. I’m no expert on Victorians, but the attitudes and daily routines rang true, and the characters were all interesting and on the whole, likeable - especially Mina. I loved how she consistently surprised the male characters: they expected a meek and mild, sickly girl, and got an outspoken and independent woman instead.
I hadn’t realised when I began to read this, that it was the fourth in a series. I didn’t feel that I missed anything by not reading the first three, and it definitely could be read as a stand-alone. However, based on this novel, I would think that books 1-3 will be going on to my ‘to read’ pile!
If you like Victorians, mysteries and possibly ghosts, mathematician this is a book that you’ll enjoy. I did!
Many thanks to Sapere books for my copy of this to read and honestly review.
Nellie is invited to stay with an old friend, Kitty, from her stage days, and her wealthy husband. They have a large house in the country and it appears to be haunted. The maids won’t stay overnight, and Mrs Honeyacre (Kitty) is beside herself. Her husband is a big follower of spiritualism and the occult(it was very fashionable at this time), but just not in his house.
It’s a slow burner, but when the action gets going, it really does go for it. I’m no expert on Victorians, but the attitudes and daily routines rang true, and the characters were all interesting and on the whole, likeable - especially Mina. I loved how she consistently surprised the male characters: they expected a meek and mild, sickly girl, and got an outspoken and independent woman instead.
I hadn’t realised when I began to read this, that it was the fourth in a series. I didn’t feel that I missed anything by not reading the first three, and it definitely could be read as a stand-alone. However, based on this novel, I would think that books 1-3 will be going on to my ‘to read’ pile!
If you like Victorians, mysteries and possibly ghosts, mathematician this is a book that you’ll enjoy. I did!
Many thanks to Sapere books for my copy of this to read and honestly review.
July 27, 2019
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
The Ghost of Hollow House is the fourth mystery in the series featuring Victorian paranormal realist/investigator Mina Scarletti. Released 24th May 2019 by Sapere, it's 324 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats. Although this is part of a series, it worked perfectly well as a standalone.
Author Linda Stratmann is prolific and adept at characterization and narrative description. She has several series including this one, set in the Victorian period.The dialogue is very well done and very much in period character. Whether the mysterious elements are actually real or imagined is not clearly explained throughout much of the book and it added a lot of atmosphere and tension. Definitely a nice touch. She also uses the 'story within a story' element here to good effect.
The language is clean and there's not much gore or violence (there's a gory throat slashing murder in the 'story in a story' at the end, but it's not too graphic).
All in all, a recommended read for fans of the period, who enjoy strong female lead characters. This one could make a good book club selection because there are a number of interesting literary devices which make this book stand out.
Worth noting for Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book (and the others in this series) are included in the KU subscription.
Four stars. Very well written and enjoyable.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Ghost of Hollow House is the fourth mystery in the series featuring Victorian paranormal realist/investigator Mina Scarletti. Released 24th May 2019 by Sapere, it's 324 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats. Although this is part of a series, it worked perfectly well as a standalone.
Author Linda Stratmann is prolific and adept at characterization and narrative description. She has several series including this one, set in the Victorian period.The dialogue is very well done and very much in period character. Whether the mysterious elements are actually real or imagined is not clearly explained throughout much of the book and it added a lot of atmosphere and tension. Definitely a nice touch. She also uses the 'story within a story' element here to good effect.
The language is clean and there's not much gore or violence (there's a gory throat slashing murder in the 'story in a story' at the end, but it's not too graphic).
All in all, a recommended read for fans of the period, who enjoy strong female lead characters. This one could make a good book club selection because there are a number of interesting literary devices which make this book stand out.
Worth noting for Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book (and the others in this series) are included in the KU subscription.
Four stars. Very well written and enjoyable.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
May 30, 2019
This book is part of the Mina Scarletti Mystery Series, one that I wish I’d discovered earlier since this novel is absolutely delightful. It works as a standalone but I’ve no doubt there will be added richness if you follow the series from the start.
The book is set in the Victorian era and that’s obvious at once from the clever use of language. Both the way the characters speak and the author’s own narrative reflect this, but never overdo it! An air of genteelness comes over well, and there’s also a hint of frustration on the part of the female characters who are rather constrained by their times. Our heroine Mina is also constrained physically by her scoliosis, but, as with the social mores of the time, this doesn’t affect her sharp mind and intelligence.
Kitty, a friend of a friend of Mina’s, has recently married and gone to live in Hollow House with her new, much older husband Mr Honeyacre. However, there are strange goings-on and whilst Kitty is largely sceptical, her servants are becoming worked up over the presence of ghosts. Mina has a track record in routing out fake spiritual mediums, and so she’s the ideal person to visit and work out what’s actually happening.
And she does, and it’s all thoroughly entertaining! Mina is also a novelist writing under the male pseudonym of Robert Neil, so we get to see not only Mina but also Robert at work. His version of events is a little different from what Mina experiences. This clever touch adds even more sparkle to this lively, interesting and very enjoyable cosy mystery. Definitely one to read.
I received a free copy of this book and have read and reviewed it voluntarily.
The book is set in the Victorian era and that’s obvious at once from the clever use of language. Both the way the characters speak and the author’s own narrative reflect this, but never overdo it! An air of genteelness comes over well, and there’s also a hint of frustration on the part of the female characters who are rather constrained by their times. Our heroine Mina is also constrained physically by her scoliosis, but, as with the social mores of the time, this doesn’t affect her sharp mind and intelligence.
Kitty, a friend of a friend of Mina’s, has recently married and gone to live in Hollow House with her new, much older husband Mr Honeyacre. However, there are strange goings-on and whilst Kitty is largely sceptical, her servants are becoming worked up over the presence of ghosts. Mina has a track record in routing out fake spiritual mediums, and so she’s the ideal person to visit and work out what’s actually happening.
And she does, and it’s all thoroughly entertaining! Mina is also a novelist writing under the male pseudonym of Robert Neil, so we get to see not only Mina but also Robert at work. His version of events is a little different from what Mina experiences. This clever touch adds even more sparkle to this lively, interesting and very enjoyable cosy mystery. Definitely one to read.
I received a free copy of this book and have read and reviewed it voluntarily.
May 2, 2019
Well, we certainly have here all the components that lovers (myself included) of such country house mysteries will immediately recognise . There is the Victorian era setting, the aforementioned country house, a nearby village inhabited by the superstitious, sightings and hearings of other worldly phenomena, local legends and deep hidden secrets, an eclectic cast of characters from all sections of society and of course that great perennial, the natural event (normally a violent storm but in this case incessant rain) which cuts off all communication and means of escape thus trapping the inhabitants of the house. Against this backdrop we have making I believe her fourth outing in print the inestimable Mina Scarletti who believes in the rational and is a confirmed sceptic when it comes to all things that go bump in the night.
Now invited to Hollow House by Mr Honeyacre who since acquiring this ancient Sussex property has been tormented by ghostly happenings including sightings of ‘the woman in white’, Miss Scarletti with the assistance of her friends Dr Hamid, and Nell must investigate and determine what is at the root of the mystery. I read this over the course of two days for once started it became quite difficult to put down as the writing created an appealing mixture of unease and suspense mingled throughout with elements of humour. It was clear that much research went into creating what it would have been like to have lived in the world of 1872 where spiritualism became a popular phenomenon. A spooky fun read that will appeal and delight lovers of this genre.
Now invited to Hollow House by Mr Honeyacre who since acquiring this ancient Sussex property has been tormented by ghostly happenings including sightings of ‘the woman in white’, Miss Scarletti with the assistance of her friends Dr Hamid, and Nell must investigate and determine what is at the root of the mystery. I read this over the course of two days for once started it became quite difficult to put down as the writing created an appealing mixture of unease and suspense mingled throughout with elements of humour. It was clear that much research went into creating what it would have been like to have lived in the world of 1872 where spiritualism became a popular phenomenon. A spooky fun read that will appeal and delight lovers of this genre.
May 24, 2019
The Ghost of Hollow House is a fun read by Linda Stratmann and the fourth in her Mina Scarletti Mystery Series.
I have not read the other three books in the series but was able to follow along and be brought up to speed with the main character, Mina.
Mina Scarletti gets invited to the remote Hollow House to investigate a supposed haunting. As a logical woman who depends on evidence and not emotion, Mina is certain she will find the real reason for any disturbances so that she can bring peace of mind to the anxious homeowners or will this be the first time she realizes ghosts are real?
With the story taking place in the 1800's, I admit I had to make an adjustment to the flow of the language and understanding the customs at the time. That said I loved Mina's courage and intelligence. The author manages to weave a fun ghost story mystery that kept me entertained and interested. The main character is strong, determined, and respected for her opinions and I love her friendship with Nellie. They are two resourceful and bright women who support each other to find the solution to this particular mystery.
Take a step into the past and enjoy ghost hunting with Mina Scarletti!
Thank you Net Galley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
I have not read the other three books in the series but was able to follow along and be brought up to speed with the main character, Mina.
Mina Scarletti gets invited to the remote Hollow House to investigate a supposed haunting. As a logical woman who depends on evidence and not emotion, Mina is certain she will find the real reason for any disturbances so that she can bring peace of mind to the anxious homeowners or will this be the first time she realizes ghosts are real?
With the story taking place in the 1800's, I admit I had to make an adjustment to the flow of the language and understanding the customs at the time. That said I loved Mina's courage and intelligence. The author manages to weave a fun ghost story mystery that kept me entertained and interested. The main character is strong, determined, and respected for her opinions and I love her friendship with Nellie. They are two resourceful and bright women who support each other to find the solution to this particular mystery.
Take a step into the past and enjoy ghost hunting with Mina Scarletti!
Thank you Net Galley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
May 28, 2019
It seems like the Ghost of Hollow House may have been Agatha Christie as this tale fits right in her wheelhouse.
In Victorian England, Mina uncovers fraudulent mediums. She also writes fictional mysteries that include spiritual elements. When she is asked to uncover the reason for the haunting of a newly married friend’s mansion, she is skeptical. But when she sees a mysterious lady in white in the window when first arriving at Hollow House, she becomes intrigued. Perhaps this haunting will bring her real evidence from the other side.
Mina is a great character. Her ability to press past her disabilities and the oppression of females prevalent in Victorian times is empowering.
The mystery was challenging as well. Though I didn’t figure out whodunit or why until after the intrepid Mina, I clearly saw the clues in hindsight.
Ghost of Hollow House did resemble Agatha Christie’s mysteries in both its complexity and portrayal of English village life. I would have liked slightly more backstory for the main characters. I’ll be looking for the previous three books in this series, as well as any future entries, when I feel like reading a jolly good mystery. 4 stars!
Thanks to Sapere Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
In Victorian England, Mina uncovers fraudulent mediums. She also writes fictional mysteries that include spiritual elements. When she is asked to uncover the reason for the haunting of a newly married friend’s mansion, she is skeptical. But when she sees a mysterious lady in white in the window when first arriving at Hollow House, she becomes intrigued. Perhaps this haunting will bring her real evidence from the other side.
Mina is a great character. Her ability to press past her disabilities and the oppression of females prevalent in Victorian times is empowering.
The mystery was challenging as well. Though I didn’t figure out whodunit or why until after the intrepid Mina, I clearly saw the clues in hindsight.
Ghost of Hollow House did resemble Agatha Christie’s mysteries in both its complexity and portrayal of English village life. I would have liked slightly more backstory for the main characters. I’ll be looking for the previous three books in this series, as well as any future entries, when I feel like reading a jolly good mystery. 4 stars!
Thanks to Sapere Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
May 23, 2019
This Victorian ghost story is thought-provoking and makes you wonder about the preoccupation with ghostly phenomena and the holding sceances in the 1870s. It has a wonderful plot with an interesting and antagonistic relationship between the believers of the supernatural and those who choose to believe that there is a human cause for everything. As is true even today, the book shows how myths, legends, and gossip tend to develop lives of their own over time and that the truth may never really be known, except to those who actually lived it.
I was very entertained by this book and would love to read more of the Mina Scarletti novels. The cast of characters is well-developed and each has his/her own strengths and faults. The vivid descriptions of the sights and sounds bring you to place and time to enjoy the mystery as Mina and her friends try to find the truth.
Mina, a strong, sensible woman, is a skeptic as well as a writer of horror novels, something that was definitely not fashionable in the day. We are able to enjoy Mina's novel as she writes a fictional account of her encounters near the end of this story.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
I was very entertained by this book and would love to read more of the Mina Scarletti novels. The cast of characters is well-developed and each has his/her own strengths and faults. The vivid descriptions of the sights and sounds bring you to place and time to enjoy the mystery as Mina and her friends try to find the truth.
Mina, a strong, sensible woman, is a skeptic as well as a writer of horror novels, something that was definitely not fashionable in the day. We are able to enjoy Mina's novel as she writes a fictional account of her encounters near the end of this story.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
June 6, 2019
In the format of an Agatha Christie this is a slightly old fashioned mystery thriller. Set in the peaceful Sussex countryside we know that appearances are deceptive and the Hollow House a very nicely turned out manor is no different. Bought by the affable Mr. Honeyacre for his bride he has refurbished and repaired it to the utmost comfort with staff to match. There is however one catch. Mina Scarletti is invited to suss it out and find out why supernatural occurrences are hindering the happiness and future of the owners.
There are a number of interesting characters. Mina herself a victim of scoliosis, a disease not understood in England of the 1860s, there is Nellie formerly of the stage, Mrs. Honeyacre herself formerly of the stage and then we have lovers and spies for ex husbands, an occultist and a photographer plus the usual staff of a countryside manor.
Unraveling slowly but surely the story is rather complicated but it devolves and the ultimate revelation is timely.
Very nicely told in an older fashioned tradition of Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot and their ilk.
There are a number of interesting characters. Mina herself a victim of scoliosis, a disease not understood in England of the 1860s, there is Nellie formerly of the stage, Mrs. Honeyacre herself formerly of the stage and then we have lovers and spies for ex husbands, an occultist and a photographer plus the usual staff of a countryside manor.
Unraveling slowly but surely the story is rather complicated but it devolves and the ultimate revelation is timely.
Very nicely told in an older fashioned tradition of Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot and their ilk.
May 10, 2019
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.
This is the fourth book in the Mina Scarletti series but can easily be read as a stand-alone book, as I did not read the previous three books but highly enjoyed this one. It's a great historical mystery that takes place in a victorian manor in the small isolated town of Ditchling Hollow. Mina has been asked by the lady of the house to attend and help dispel that rumour of ghostly sightings and strange goings on in the manor. Mina is not your typical heroine. She suffers from scoliosis, de-bunker of ghostly things and is an adept horror writer (unbeknownst to most). The goings on at the house are eerily discovered and were quite surprising. We are then, at the end of the novel, treated to Mina's next short story.
All in all, quite enjoyable. I will most likely be reading more of this series.
This is the fourth book in the Mina Scarletti series but can easily be read as a stand-alone book, as I did not read the previous three books but highly enjoyed this one. It's a great historical mystery that takes place in a victorian manor in the small isolated town of Ditchling Hollow. Mina has been asked by the lady of the house to attend and help dispel that rumour of ghostly sightings and strange goings on in the manor. Mina is not your typical heroine. She suffers from scoliosis, de-bunker of ghostly things and is an adept horror writer (unbeknownst to most). The goings on at the house are eerily discovered and were quite surprising. We are then, at the end of the novel, treated to Mina's next short story.
All in all, quite enjoyable. I will most likely be reading more of this series.
May 28, 2019
This is the fourth book in the series, and having not read any of the previous ones I wasnt sure what to expect however I was pleasantly surprised (as I do prefer to read books in order!) I liked the main character Mina from the beginning, who although she has a slight physical disability is mentally sharp as a needle. The book is set in Victoria times and plays on their obsession at times with the occult and contacting the dead. You are never quite sure whether there actually is a ghost and what's happening although as the reader you sway towards a bit of scepticism.
The one bit I personally didn't enjoy, was the story within a story which for me was a retelling of the novel I had just read with twists on characters and plot. Overall though I did enjoy the book
Thanks to Sapere Books for the ARC to review
The one bit I personally didn't enjoy, was the story within a story which for me was a retelling of the novel I had just read with twists on characters and plot. Overall though I did enjoy the book
Thanks to Sapere Books for the ARC to review
October 19, 2021
This is an absolute cracker of a read. With all the traits of an Agatha Christie mystery, the characters are larger than life & expertly described. As the mystery of the ghostly goings-on at Hollow House unfold, with Miss Mina Scarletti brought in to help solve the disturbances, unexpected visitors arrive & find themselves the victims of a freak storm. Everyone is forced to stay within the haunted mansion, where both nerves & tempers are frayed. Amidst the confusion, there are scenes of sumptuous dinners & a lot of retiring to the drawing room, exactly what you would expect of the era. Perfect in every way.
May 26, 2019
Mina Scarletti has been invited to Hollow House, an ancient estate to investigate what is going on. Is it a ghost of is there some other explanation? Mr Honeyacre and his wife, Kitty are presently living there. Noises, visions and other strange things are happening. Mina doesn't believe in ghosts, will she be proven right? Or does a woman in white walk the halls? Great book that will keep you mesmerized until the end. I really loved it . Mina is a spirited woman who is not afraid to be herself. I received this book from Net Galley and Sapere Publishing for a honest review.
July 17, 2019
Not sure why the other two weren’t showing as read. This is fairly by the book locked room mystery, which is set in Ditchling. This meant I confirmed who the bad guys (sort of) were fairly early on because there’s a technical detail about the village that isn’t accurate (to do with drainage!), and the authors does not make that sort of mistake! Fairly easy to read and guess, a bonus is a book by Mina at the end (although I skipped most of it - Sorry!), and comfortable reading for dark rainy nights. It was blazing hot when I read it, but that didn’t matter too much.
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