Spitting Gold

Starred review from March 4, 2024
In Lowkis’s magnificent debut, a spooky scam hatched by a pair of spiritist sisters in 1866 Paris causes them to reexamine their beliefs. As young girls, sisters Charlotte and Sylvie helped to support their family by staging séances for the gullible and bereaved. Sylvie, now in her mid-20s, is the reputable wife of a baron when Charlotte, six years her junior, cajoles her into fulfilling a request from the noble de Jacquinot family to make contact with an ancestor killed during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. The de Jacquinots’ frail and sheltered daughter, Florence, is the only one in the family who claims to have seen the ghost, which the others are intent on contacting in hopes it will lead them to a family treasure. As the sisters become involved, they’re surprised to witness actual evidence of paranormal activity. Lowkis skillfully orchestrates the contentious relationship between Sylvie and Charlotte, each of whom resort to subterfuges and schemes, and pulls off a series of surprising twists that completely change the shape of the story. It’s an auspicious first outing from a writer to watch. Agent: Ginger Clark, Ginger Clark Literary.

September 1, 2024

Baroness Sylvie Devereux disowned her sister when she married, hoping to distance herself from her family's shady past as spirit mediums. Then, in 1866 Paris, Sylvie is contacted by her estranged sister, Charlotte Mothe. Overwhelmed by bills and contending with her father's illness, Charlotte persuades Sylvie to help out with one last lucrative con. They set their sights on the de Jacquinots, a dysfunctional yet wealthy family who believes they are haunted by their aunt, who was murdered during the French Revolution. As the scheme continues, the sisters realize that supernatural forces may actually be at work. What will the horrors bring to light? Lowkis's gothic fiction debut is a captivating tale of betrayal, secrets, and the enduring bonds of family. Katherine Press narrates the sisters' complicated feelings for each other, perfectly capturing each woman's personality and inner thoughts. The first half of the book is told from Sylvie's perspective, and the second from Charlotte's, giving listeners a well-rounded view of both characters. Though the pacing in the second half drags a bit, this creepy gothic story still provides plenty of thrills. VERDICT S�ances, sisters, and secrets make for a deliciously twisty listen.--Elyssa Everling

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