It's 1885. The civil war has been fought and the slaves freed. Now, Dr. James, a professor at Harvard, has decided to take on a new challenge he feels the country needs help with: finding the truth to the supernatural. To do so he has assembled a team called The Eidola Project made up of former slave turned scholar Dr. Edgar Gilpin, graduate student Annabelle, carnival 'freak' medium Sarah Bradbury, and former Confederate Civil War Lieutenant Nigel Pickford. Though just assembled they already have a daunting task: to travel to Hutchison Manor to help Ms. Lenore to rid her house of ghosts. What they find may be a true testament to just how much the world needs this group.
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This book has long been on my TBR of books to eventually buy so when the author approached me asking for a honest review in exchange for a copy I was delighted and immediately accepted. I didn't even read the synopsis as I recognized the title from a excel spreadsheet I have on my computer. I also have book 2 and an ARC of book 3, both of which I can't wait to start.
Initially, I wanted to like Nigel. He was a war vet and in Sarah's dream he saved her. Seemed a trustworthy enough character, but I have lost my high opinion of him. I know it is the time this took place and the fact he fought for the confederates, but his racism is extreme and he sees no fault in it. I hope as the books continue this character develops and he treats others with deserved respect.
I have to admit I was a bit amused at one point during Nigel's introduction. Annabelle told the hotel desk clerk that he was the poet Edgar Allan Poe who had fallen on hard times and they were bringing him back. Edgar even pointed out that had Poe been alive he would have been in his 70s. I adore Poe and his works so this little aside comment thrilled me.
Back to the main story. When the team received the task of the Hutchison Manor and we seen someone murdered there, but not who did it, I immediately had a suspect. I was proved right on all accounts and was content to be so. How we reached the end was interesting, especially the mirror scene, and I loved every second of it.
The author does a great job of drawing you into the story and making you feel as if you are watching the events play out in front of your eyes. You forget that you are reading words on a page or screen and are instead visualizing each instance. The outwardly ramshackle manor that inwardly screams opulence, the dirty streets of Georgia, the carnival 'freak' show. All are easily visualized and remain with you long after the story has come to a close.
As you can tell I truly enjoyed this book and highly suggest it, just as I'm sure I will with the other two books I have yet to read.
This book is available on Amazon for $4.99 by clicking here.
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