SHORTLISTED FOR THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE 2020
The extraordinary story of a 1930s ghost hunt, and the woman who confounded the world, from the bestselling, award-winning author of The Suspicions of Mr Whicher

FROM BRITAIN’S TOP-SELLING TRUE CRIME WRITER

'A wonderful book' HILARY MANTEL

'Gothic, dark and scandalous' SUNDAY TIMES

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2020 BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE
LONGLISTED FOR THE CWA GOLD DAGGER FOR NON-FICTION

It is 1938. As the shadow of fascism darkens over Europe, strange things are happening in Alma Fielding’s suburban home in Croydon. Crockery flies off the shelves; stolen rings appear on Alma’s fingers; and white mice scuttle out of her handbag.

Nandor Fodor – chief ghost hunter for the International Institute for Psychical Research – arrives on the scene, determined to crack the case. As Fodor’s obsession deepens, and Alma becomes ever more disturbed, the pair find themselves in a treacherous battle of wills .

'Prepare not to see much broad daylight, literal or metaphorical, for days if you read this’ THE TIMES

'Nobody is better at unpicking stories of ghosts and murder than Kate Summerscale … Will stay with you for weeks’ DOMINIC SANDBROOK, SUNDAY TIMES BOOKS OF THE YEAR

'As gripping as a novel. An engaging, unsettling, deeply satisfying read’ SARAH WATERS

‘A detective novel, a ghost yarn and a historical record rolled into one . Electrifying’ i-PAPER

‘It would be impossible to read this dry-eyed’ SPECTATOR

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