Calista
By Laura Rahme
Publication Date: 25 May 2021
Publisher: Amazon KDP
Page Length: 215Pages
Genre: Historical Mystery, Gothic Mystery, Victorian Mystery
The mysterious death of a Greek-born woman sparks eerie happenings in this nightmarish detective novel where the uncanny meets with science.
England, 1848.
When French Inspector, Maurice Leroux, arrives at Alexandra Hall to investigate two grisly murders, he finds superstition and fear rife among the servants and the new master of the house.
And what of the mysterious man who once owned this isolated Berkshire mansion? A decade ago, Aaron Nightingale returned from the Greek islands with his bride-to-be — the gifted village girl, Calista. Now husband and wife lie dead and two other occupants of the house have since been murdered.
Faced with a series of chilling and unexplained events, Maurice becomes convinced that a supernatural presence, perhaps Calista’s vengeful spirit, haunts Alexandra Hall.
But the Nightingales harboured dark secrets and Alexandra Hall has witnessed more horror than Maurice Leroux can imagine. As the French Inspector methodically unearths an inhuman evil, it will edge him closer to the terrors of his past and lead to an unforgettable discovery.
A Victorian gothic mystery at the frontier of the fantastique, CALISTA is a novel for lovers of the unknown.
Trigger warnings:
Horror and supernatural themes.
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Laura Rahme is a French-Australian novelist based in France. Born in Senegal, and deeply inspired by her rich family heritage (Lebanese, French and Vietnamese), she finds joy in writing novels informed by historical and cultural research.
With Bachelor degrees in Psychology and Engineering, she balances a 20 year career in Tech with her great love of telling stories.
She has written,
The Ming Storytellers (2012) - a historical novel set in China's early Ming Dynasty.
The Mascherari (2014) - a historical mystery with supernatural themes set in 15th century Venice.
Julien’s Terror (2017) - a French Revolution psychological thriller/mystery that pays homage to her Breton origins.
Calista (2021) - a Victorian gothic horror mystery set in 19th century England and Greece.
The Secret of Chantilly (2021) — a real life 19th century fairy tale set in France, featuring first celebrity chef, Antonin Carême (1784 - 1833) and one of France's most mysterious figures, Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord. This novel was also written and published in the French language as Le Secret de Chantilly.
In 2020, Laura announced that she is working on a historical crime novel set in her birth country, Senegal. The Silence of the Pirogue will explore 70s and 80s Senegal, a world she has lived.
Connect with Laura:
This book sounds fabulous. I have added it to me to-read list. Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds really good. Happy Reading!
DeleteThank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! I hope you enjoy Calista.
DeleteThat is one stunning cover!
ReplyDeleteIt is a really beautiful cover.
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