A Whisper and a Curse
Reviewed By Janet Mawdesley March 28, 2025
Author Darcy Burke
Distributor: Darcy Burke
ISBN: 978-1648398285
Publisher: Oliver Heber Books
Release Date: March 2025
Website: https://darcyburke.com/books/raven-wren/a-whisper-and-a-curse/excerpt-a-whisper-and-a-curse/
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Book three in the Raven and Wren series, A Whisper and a Curse continues the association of the Earl of Ravenswood, Hadrian Becket and Matilda Wren, private investigator as Hadrian’s mother has acquired Tilda’s services, to discover whether the medium she has hired to connect with her deceased son is legitimate.
Hadrian, who is less than impressed by this, even though he has acquired ‘special powers’ after a head injury, is concerned this mother will be badly distressed if she discovers the medium, Mrs Frost, is a charlatan.
The séance is conducted to strict rules, and even though she failed to contact her dead son, remaining somewhat sceptical, the Countess is willing to keep trying. After the séance, Hadrian is absolutely convinced trickery is involved and Tilda is simply gathering information.
When Mrs Frost is found dead in a most dramatic fashion, Tilda and Hadrian find themselves becoming involved in a very dangerous situation and one which will lead them to investigating the recently formed London Spiritualist Society and their charismatic leader.
Another medium is murdered and then another in the same fashion, leading the papers to coin the phrase the Levitation Killer. As Tilda and Hadrian try to find the link to lead them to the killer, Hadrian is also learning a lot more about his gift or curse and beginning to understand that is may not be as fearful as he first thought.
But there is one issue that keeps troubling both Hadrian and Tilda, and that is the kiss shared at the end of their last case. While they eventually become easy with one another once again, Tilda realises she needs to decide what she wants in their relationship; Hadrian already knows what he wants and that is Tilda.
After a successful completion to the case, all-be-it a slightly sad one, Hadrian and Tilda are enjoying a delightful afternoon tea when the door is flung open and a man from Scotland Yard appears with a request for Tilda which will make a very exciting book four in the series.
Once again Darcy Burke has done her research into the world of Victorian Spiritualism and Mediums which developed into a subculture during the 1850’s, catching many innocent people with their trickery.
The Research notes at the conclusion of the book are very well worth the read as they flesh out what was a most lucrative business of spiritualism for many years. not just in England, but the USA and Europe.