LoveReading Says
From the wordplay of its title, to its riveting revelations, Lucy Barker’s The Other Side of Mrs Wood whisks readers into the enthralling world of rival spirit mediums, a realm that throngs with secrets, duplicitous chancers, ambition, falls from grace, and revenge. And all this is underpinned by a truism that has resonance beyond the world of mediums: “Illusion is everything. Once the belief in you has gone, there’s nothing anyone can do.”
The setting is Notting Hill, 1873, and widowed Mrs Wood is a medium of considerable repute who prides herself on having fine-tuned powers of perception. Currently experiencing some cash-flow issues, she discerns notable potential in a certain Miss Finch, who becomes her protégé. Though talented, Mrs Wood notes that Miss Finch is naïve to the conventions of high society, somewhat “loose-lipped”, and lacking in crucial discretion.
Nonetheless, Miss Finch charms Magnus Clore, editor of the Spiritual Times. When he hails Miss Finch to be a “pretty face with a true gift”, Mrs Wood is inundated with requests from patrons, acquaintances and fellow mediums seeking a slice of the pie just as she needs more income. Huzzah! And so Mrs Wood plans a spectacular - and potentially lucrative - gathering for a client’s birthday.
But balancing respectability, showwomanship and believability is no mean feat, and then there’s the haunting question: how has Miss Finch come by certain knowledge that might threaten Mrs Wood’s reputation?
Suspicions lead to an almighty showdown, a fall from grace, humiliating slices of humble pie and revenge, all of which adds up to a wryly funny, sharply observed, entertaining novel that runs readers through a gamut of human follies, among them greed, pride, wanton ambition and duplicity.
Joanne Owen
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The Other Side of Mrs Wood Synopsis
Mrs Wood is London’s most celebrated medium. She’s managed to survive decades in the competitive world of contacting the Other Side, has avoided the dreaded slips that revealed others as frauds and is still hosting packed-out séances for Victorian high society.
Yet, some of her patrons have recently cancelled their appointments. There are reports of American mediums nearly materialising full spirits and audiences are no longer satisfied with the knocking on tables and candle theatrics of years gone by. And then, at one of Mrs Wood’s routine gatherings, she hears something terrifying – faint, but unmistakable: a yawn.
Mrs Wood needs to spice up her brand. She decides to take on Emmie, a young protégé, to join her show. But is Emmie Finch the naïve ingenue she seems to be? Or does she pose more of a threat to Mrs Wood’s reign and, more horrifyingly, her reputation than Mrs Wood could ever have imagined?
About This Edition
ISBN: |
9780008597207 |
Publication date: |
22nd June 2023 |
Author: |
Lucy Barker |
Publisher: |
Fourth Estate Ltd an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers |
Format: |
Hardback |
Pagination: |
387 pages |
Primary Genre |
Historical Fiction
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Other Genres: |
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Recommendations: |
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Lucy Barker Press Reviews
'I absolutely ADORED it. Such a juicy read and written so beautifully. Charming, gorgeous, an utter delight.' Marian Keyes
'Engaging and wonderfully original' Katie Fforde
'Intriguing, witty and unique. A must read!' Sophie Irwin, author of A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting
'A joy to read, completely fresh and original with a wonderful cast of characters. The ending is absolutely perfect - so satisfying! The Other Side of Mrs Wood is an exhilarating gallop through the seances of Victorian London, featuring rival mediums, dark secrets and some truly delicious double-crossing. Witty, evocative writing and wonderfully drawn characters add up to a huge treat of a novel. I loved it!' Lucy Diamond
'Think All About Eve, but set in the spellbinding world of Victorian mediums - a brilliantly witty twist on the rivalry between an ageing star and a wide-eyed ingenue who isn't all she seems.' Frances Quinn, author of That Bonesetter Woman
'Crackles with wit and mischief, a delicious read.' Louise Dean
'Storytelling at its finest' Stylist
'An excellent debut. Vivid and witty with an incredible cast of characters.' The Bookseller 'I absolutely ADORED it. Such a juicy read and written so beautifully. Charming, gorgeous, an utter delight.' Marian Keyes
'Engaging and wonderfully original' Katie Fforde
'Intriguing, witty and unique. A must read!' Sophie Irwin, author of A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting
'A joy to read, completely fresh and original with a wonderful cast of characters. The ending is absolutely perfect - so satisfying! The Other Side of Mrs Wood is an exhilarating gallop through the seances of Victorian London, featuring rival mediums, dark secrets and some truly delicious double-crossing. Witty, evocative writing and wonderfully drawn characters add up to a huge treat of a novel. I loved it!' Lucy Diamond
'Think All About Eve, but set in the spellbinding world of Victorian mediums - a brilliantly witty twist on the rivalry between an ageing star and a wide-eyed ingenue who isn't all she seems.' Frances Quinn, author of That Bonesetter Woman
'Crackles with wit and mischief, a delicious read.' Louise Dean
'Storytelling at its finest' Stylist
'An excellent debut. Vivid and witty with an incredible cast of characters.' The Bookseller