Historical fiction
Spitting Gold
Debut
We love supporting debut authors. Congrats, Carmella Lowkis, on your first book!
by Carmella Lowkis
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Quick take
Vengeful spirits, spunky frauds, and all manner of queer affairs lurk in the shadows of this gothic Parisian fable.
Good to know
Multiple viewpoints
LGBTQ+ themes
International
Siblings
Synopsis
Paris, 1866. When Baroness Sylvie Devereux receives a house call from Charlotte Mothe, the sister she disowned, she fears her shady past as a spirit medium has caught up with her. But with their father ill and Charlotte unable to pay his bills, Sylvie is persuaded into one last con.
Their marks are the de Jacquinots: dysfunctional aristocrats who believe they are haunted by their great aunt, brutally murdered during the French Revolution.
The scheme underway, the sisters deploy every trick to terrify the family out of their gold. But when inexplicable horrors start to happen to them too, the duo question whether they really are at the mercy of a vengeful spirit. And what other deep, dark secrets may come to light?
Free sample
Get an early look from the first pages of Spitting Gold.
Why I love it
Rachael Burlette
BOTM Editorial Team
Let’s set the scene. You’re in Paris. It’s 1866 and your estranged sister has come to you asking for your help…one last con and then she’s out of your life forever. Would you say yes? This one question sets the stage for a captivating story about two sisters who are in the business of conning people and have trouble following each choice they make. It’s easy to get swept up in Spitting Gold, a world rife with deceptions and secrets around every corner.
Baroness Sylvie Devereux has put her sister and her past as a spirit medium—where she and her sister would swindle clients out of money—behind her. So, when Charlotte asks for help on one last job, her immediate answer is no. But after some cajoling, Sylvie finally agrees: one last job and then she can go back to her new life. Upon meeting her clients, Sylvie learns that they believe they’re being haunted by their great aunt who was brutally murdered. As the sisters get to work trying to convince their clients that their home is haunted, strange things begin happening. Soon enough the sisters start to question if there really is a vengeful spirit in the house.
Spitting Gold is the perfect gothic mystery for anyone looking to find an immersive historical read with a few surprises along the way. Make sure to add this one to your box and enjoy the journey.