When confronted with an otherworldly spirit while trying to escape the ghosts of his own very real past, a fake medium must use the tools of his shady trade to trick the specter and his former partner—all while falling in love with an Egyptologist.
Description
Can you flimflam a ghost?
It’s 1934. Former medium Dashiel Quicke travels the country debunking spiritualism and false mediums while struggling to stay ahead of his ex-business partner and lover who wants him back at any cost. During a demonstration at a college campus, Dashiel meets Hermann Goschalk, an Egyptologist who’s convinced that he has a genuine haunted artifact on his hands. Certain there is a rational explanation for whatever is going on with Hermann’s relics, Dashiel would rather skip town, but soon finds himself falling for Hermann. He agrees to take a look after all and learns that something is haunting Hermann’s office indeed.
Faced with a real ghost Dashiel is terrified, but when the haunting takes a dangerous turn, he must use the tools of the shady trade he left behind to communicate with this otherworldly spirit before his past closes in.
For readers who enjoy A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske, The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, and Malice by Heather Walter
Reviews
“Enormously enjoyable, atmospheric, satisfyingly informed with real knowledge, and a pleasure to read: I gulped it down in two sittings.” —K. J. Charles, author of The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen
“With her beautifully nuanced main characters, and secondary characters who fill the stage around them with wry humor and calibrated malevolence, Megaera Lorenz has created a rich and textured novel that, in the end, is greatly satisfying.” —Ulysses Grant Dietz, author of Cliffhanger
“I adored this book! Dashiel is a fascinating, complicated character and his romance with Hermann is simply lovely. Romance, intrigue, and excitement—The Shabti has it all.” —Jordan L. Hawk, author of Widdershins
“Lorenz’s debut novel is completely original and utterly marvelous. A mix of horror, suspense, romance, and humor, informed by the author’s knowledge of Egyptology, makes for a story you won’t want to have end.” —Elisa DeCarlo, award-winning author of The Devil You Say and Strong Spirits
“Megaera Lorenz’s delightful tale of a spiritualist debunker who faces his own worst nightmare takes readers on a chilling journey filled with all the vivid imagery and thrills of classic horror stories. I couldn't put it down! The Shabti is a must for fans of Egyptology and archaeology.” —M. A. Monnin, Agatha Award nominated author of the Intrepid Traveler Mystery series
“[T]he novel is distinguished by its characterizations. Hermann is endearing—quiet, unassuming, and wholesome. . . . Even so, it’s Dashiel who steals the show.” —Foreword Reviews
“This diverse period piece will appeal to a wide array . . . as it pulls from genres ranging from historical fiction and thriller to romance and fantasy; a fine selection for its genre-crossing interest.” —Booklist