This was so much better than I expected! That 'true ghost story' in the subtitle had slightly put me off but actually Summerscale uses this story of poltergeists (or are they?) and a 'ghost hunter' to ask probing questions about suffering, trauma and the supernatural.

Moving away from her Victorian period, this is set in the 1930s, that crucial between-the-wars period when there was a huge interest in spiritualism and the occult, partly as a result of the national trauma of WW1.

There are places where Summerscale is too meticulous in documenting every seance and encounter: it's important that her research should trace each event, but it's not necessary that she should recount each one in what is a crossover title.

That aside, this is a fascinating investigation that gives a historicised context for phenomena, activities and practices that are far deeper than might first appear.

To my mind, Kate Summerscale is one of our most fascinating, and most thorough, researchers. Her topics are always fantastically readable and go to places where other writers do not. I've enjoyed all of her books.

This one is another fascinating premise - in 1938, Alma Fielding, a south London housewife, begins to manifest poltergeist activity in her home. Objects fly through the air, wardrobes tumble over and her relations are baffled.

News of her abilities catches the eye of Nandor Fodor – a Jewish-Hungarian refugee and chief ghost hunter for the International Institute for Psychical research. Fodor commences a full investigation into Alma and her manifestations, with often shocking results.

But is she all she seems?

For the most part, the book is enjoyable. Again, the research is top notch. But one had a feeling towards the end of the book that the story gets tired. Everything is tied up well enough, but I very much felt like a 'big reveal' never happened.

I would encourage readers to pick this book up - especially those interested in supernatural matters. It's carefully researched and nicely paced, and I loved the little historical snippets weaved into the narrative. They very much give a sense of time and place. Alma was a troubled lady in troubled times. And I'm sure many of us in the current environment can relate to that.

The Haunting of Alma Fielding: A True Ghost Story by Kate Summerscale will be in good bookstores from October 2020.

I was excited to receive this ARC as I have enjoyed Kate's previous books. However I felt I was reading a book that was not portrayed correctly. Although this book is sold as a ghost story it was very clear from the start that is not an account of a scary ghost story, in fact it is an account of whether the main character is a fraud or not, and all of the investigations that surrounded it at the time. That is not to say I did not enjoy the book, I did but I really wanted more suspense and scary undertones, even though I am now more informed of the rationale behind the increase after WW1 in seances and poltergeist activity.

When I first saw this book, I jumped at the chance of reading it. I love a good ghost story but its even better when its based on true events. Although, when I got into it, it wasn't at all what I was expecting.

The book is set in London in 1938. Alma is being tormented by poltergeist activity in her house, she is terrified. Fodor is a 'ghost hunter', he has an interest in Alma's claims and goes to investigate. As time goes on, Fodor discovers not all is as it seems.

This was definitely an interesting read. There were parts of the story I got a little bored with but I admire the research that has gone into this book. I really enjoyed it and if like me, you have an interest in the paranormal then I recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for the advanced copy.

Perfectly timed in terms of publication, October is the month of spookiness and being scared by Halloween, this details a 1930s ghost hunt – with a difference. Reading every bit as gripping as a novel, Kate – whose Suspicions of Mr Whicher I gobbled up – has written a compelling and intriguing read. Alma Fielding is experiencing inexplicable events at her London home. She meets Nandor Fodor, ghost hunter who wants to give explanation to what’s happening. By investigating he discovers something far darker and much scarier on a human level (I won’t spoil it for you). Kate’s skill of research is without question, as to is her ability to craft a non fictional tale that reads as beautifully and lyrically as fiction.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) for the arc of The Haunting of Alma Fielding by Kate Summerscale.

This is set within London in the year 1938. Within the suburbs of London there is a young housewife who has chaos around her..., In Alma's home, china ends up flying off shelves to eggs flying through thin air to stolen jewelry appearing upon on her fingers to white mice crawling out of her own handbag itself and even, beetles appearing from under her own gloves... and much more.....

Fodor is a guy who ends up starting to investigate as he is a ghost and spirit hunter... he ends up discovering in that the case is even stranger than it actually is . By him going over Alma’s history and as it unravels he ends up discovering something much much than just a haunting this includes types of trauma, alienation and even losses Fodor's obsession with the case deepens and widens, Alma becomes ever more disturbed than ever....

This was such an interesting and new type of book for me about a true ghost story if you loved the Suspicions of Mr Whicher by Kate you will love this.

definitely recommend
4 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kate Summerscale presents the strange case of Alma Fielding, a young housewife, who appears to be either source or focus of poltergeist activity in 1930s London. Nandor Fodor, Jewish-Hungarian journalist and chief ghost-hunter for the International Institute for Psychical Research seizes on the chance to gain publicity and quash rumours that he is too sceptical of mediums and 'supernormal' occurrences.

There were moments on the first half of the book where I felt the meticulous detail of each meeting and seance Fodor held with Alma became a little monotonous. I was frustrated that Alma's deceptions were picked up fairly early on and allowed to rumble on for months without her being confronted. However, that said, once it was clear that Alma was source of the manifestations rather than a blameless victim I found the narrative grabbed my attention, with Fodor, and Summerscale, considering what past trauma had acted as the catalyst for Alma's trickery.

Summerscale allows the reader to empathise with her subjects. Fodor makes some questionable decisions. Initially his suggestions and encouragement lead to him becoming complicit with Alma's deception and a ramping up of the phenomena, then by switching tack and placing her under intense scrutiny Fodor has a negative effect on her health. Yet Summerscale shows how Fodor feels both his own reputation and career are on the line, along with the Institute he has invested so much time and energy in. He seeks a way through that will not result in Alma being vilified.

Alma herself is portrayed against the background of a nation deeply scarred by the Great War and experiencing a reminder of that trauma now that fascism and Hitler appear to herald imminent conflict, and an example of the typical life of a woman of the period: marriage, housework, loss of children, limited emotional support.

I didnt enjoy this quite as much as some of Summerscale's other works but it was meticulously researched and raised interesting questions about trauma, women's lives in the 30s and 40s, the popularity of spiritualism, the rise of psychoanalysis, and the desire for knowledge about the human condition.