“Before hypnotism, there was mesmerism. In 1894 Minneapolis, in the wake of a national financial crisis, spiritualism of every stripe is all the rage, and women are dying under mysterious circumstances.”
The Mesmerist, Caroline Woods
I don’t read a ton of historical fiction, but this pulled me in from the very first pages! As a kid, I went through a Harry Houdini phase, which means I went through a brief “spirituality in the late 1890s” phase. This book was definitely the adult version of that, and I loved every moment of it. Add in the concept of an unwed mother’s home, and I was fully invested.
But this is not just a historical fiction about an unwed mothers’ home. There’s also a murder investigation in process. As the book progresses, it’s revealed that a few unsolved murders may all be connected to a serial killer. What follows is an incredibly high-stakes race to uncover the serial killer before it’s too late.
By choosing women on the outskirts of society as the main characters, Woods opens up end-of-the-century Minneapolis as a brand-new place to explore. Following the women, we go to brothels, dinner parties, taverns, bachelor pads, and even jail. The women have compelling back stories with heart-wrenching twists, and are all captivatingly interesting. Their places in society allow them to act more independently, which is always more fun to read than a woman who just stays in her fancy mansion all day.
I’d recommend this to anyone looking for something a little out of the ordinary for their next read! It’s also got several elements that make it a perfect candidate for a spooky October read, if you like to build up a list!
Thanks to Doubleday Books for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
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