When a body leads to a crown affair …

I do not usually read stories set on the course of many books except for mysteries, I also do not read fantasy but I had the feeling this book was as much a paranormal tale than a fantasy, the fantasy being more the background setting than faeries or witches. Thus this book is a sort of mix of everything, all the more for the entertainment of the readers, a cross between mystery, paranormal, verging on the steampunk world with a dash of romance and humor.

The story is narrated in the first person from Elinor’s point of view.
She is sassy, mouthy, feisty and witty (thus the first sentence of the book : “ Dead bodies interrupted my dessert course. “), to summarize she made herself the woman she is now.
Her past is briefly explored, as I suppose she will get new clues along her future investigations.
She is a fun character to follow, letting no one demean her, with quips and a quick mind she disarms her adversaries, yet her heart is sweet to those in need, why she is fair and nice, befriending people from different upbringing or status. Her curious and good nature leads her to help anyone in need of a little push from her side.

I can not wait to read more of her adventures and how crossing path again with the duke will turn into a romance.

Archambeau is also a mystery to explore, did he truly kill his wife, what of all these secrets around her passing. Yet it looks like to be an investigation left for later.

So even if it is not a classical historical mystery, this spunky heroine will make you want to read more about her.
After all, only two months until her next affair.
5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 none

I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

4.2 Stars
One Liner: Entertaining

Madame Elinor Chalamet is a trained Ghost Talker, a medium belonging to the Morpheus Society. She helps the police using her skills and also takes up private clients. Elinor is also searching for her father’s killer and the missing details of his death.
A dead body puts her in the path of Tristan Fontaine, Duke de Archambeau, who needs to solve the case and keep things in wraps. However, issues get complicated (in the case and in their personal lives). Can Elinor and Tristan find the killer on time?
The story comes from Elinor’s first-person POV.

My Thoughts:
The blurb gave me Amanda Quick vibes, and I grabbed the book right away when I saw the author’s name. I read A Spell of Rowans by the author and enjoyed it.
The novella starts with a bang and progresses at a steady pace. The writing is easy and entertaining. I like the bits of humor sprinkled throughout.
Elinor is smart, intelligent, capable, and determined. She deals with people in her style and knows how to get information.
The ‘ghost’ scenes blend with the main narrative, which is an advantage and a disadvantage. The shift is seamless, but if readers want something heavily atmospheric, it can be a wee bit disappointing.
The hints about her father are just enough to keep the readers interested for the next installment. Of course, the interactions between Elinor and Tristan are just as promising.
Ann-Marie is an excellent side character. I hope she has a meatier role in the coming books. The series has loads of potential, and I hope to read them all.
The climax is good and rightly sized, but it wasn’t mind-blowing or wow. The follow-through is smooth and ends well, but I wanted a little more from the climax.
To summarize, Ghost Talker is an evenly-paced paranormal novella with a feisty heroine and a grumbling hero. It’s an entertaining read for those who enjoy the genre.
Thank you, Net Galley, Rook and Castle Press, and IBPA Members’ Titles, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#GhostTalker #NetGalley
**
P.S: I wish the cover was better. It caught my attention only because of the title and the author’s name. I can see it fits the story, but it doesn’t have the magic factor.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this intriguing book

ohhh madame chalament is a gifted ghost talker or medium and is in high demand for her services so when she is called upon by the duke to she has no option but to get involved with his case

this is the beginning of a 6 part story and i for one cant wait after reading this one

DISLAIMER: some spoilers and quotes! Tropes: Gothic Historical fiction thriller, gaslamp fantasy (potions/magic), hate to love, slow burn romance
Ft. Feminist from the old times, who knows how to put people in their place and dishes back exactly what’s she’s been served with her sharp mouth (ie my favorite), Almost all the characters were sarcastic crusty Bishes and I am here for it! I was hooked from the first sentence “Dead bodies interrupted my dessert course.”
Beautiful writing style and great world-building, I am HOOKED and would love to get more books from this series on NetGalley and I have subscribed to the newsletter!!
Moving on to the romance 😏😏Sarcastic 👏🏽witty 🤌🏾banter👏🏽 , she met her match in Tristan and I loveee. <spoiler> I Love the scene when the ghost first possessed him😏And I believe Tristan when he said he was in control with the ghost , especially after the kiss, when his remark was “why did you slap me” and when he complimented her after her friend did “as the ghost”
Some favorite quotes:
“Do you wish to look down my throat, your Grace, and make sure I haven’t stuffed it full of cotton?”

“He gave me a long puzzled look, asking abruptly, “why do you wear black? It doesn’t suit your pale coloring. When I first saw you, I took you for much older.”
“Too kind, sir! And what color do you recommend for a trip to the morgue?” I asked sarcastically.
“A dark satin blue, with perhaps a black velvet jacket. That would go well with your sandy blond hair and pale complexion.”
Man’s knows fashion

“…be sure to look pleasurably shocked, yet thrilled, when we get inside."
"I shall try my best."
The carriage slowed to a stop. I looked out the window and cried out so loudly that heads turned our way, "Oh, look at the funny people!
Why is that man sleeping in the gutter? He'd better get up before he catches cold."
When mysir de duke handed me down, I stumbled against him, giggling. Pressed against him, he whispered in my ear, “is that a weapon I feel in your pocket Madame?” </spoiler>

"Madame Elinor Chalamet battles a ghost in the Beyond.

Trained as a medium by the elite Morpheus Society, Elinor Chalamet uses her skills to aid the police while she hunts for her father's killer in the coastal city of Alenbonne.

But a dead body found in the canal puts her in deep with royal matters. And she might even succeed in solving the mystery if Tristan Fontaine, duke de Archambeau, would stop getting in her way.

The first of a six part gaslamp fantasy ghost mystery series featuring a strong female character in a slow burn romance."

Gaslamp fantasy with a medium, hell yes!

“The Ghost Talker,” by Byrd Nash, is a lively, well-imagined trip through an alternate realty that is very similar to France in the late 19th century.

Our heroine, Elinor Chalemet, is a Ghost Talker who literally can communicate with the dead—fraudulent mediums exist in her world, but she’s not one of them. She’s been trained by the Morpheus Society and knows her business.

Set in a world that is well-imagined (no info dumps, thank goodness), Elinor gets caught up in investigating a murder that brings her to the arrogant, yet likable Duke de Archembeau. Together, they face spirits, possession and danger. Along the way we meet plenty of fascinating characters, from snobs to street urchins.

I enjoyed this book. Elinor isn’t just a trained Ghost Talker, she has strong deductive reasoning skills, and at moments, is positively Sherlockian. The world she inhabits is a fun visit, and I hope this is the first of a mystery series worth following.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book for review.

Ghost Talker by Byrd Nash, is the first in a series of fantasy ghost mysteries. It centres on Madame Elinor Chalamet, a trained medium, who becomes involved in a murder investigation while hunting for her father’s murderer.
~

I loved this novel! It had everything I needed. Witty female characters, a murder mystery and the paranormal. The plot is fast paced which makes this a perfect read if you’re heading into a reading slump.

The dynamic between Elinor and the duke was great as they’re both stubborn and confident. I especially love how Elinor proved him wrong many times.

I loved Elinor’s character! She’s a strong and independent medium, with confident in her abilities and her mind. I think Elinor so compelling to read about, and I can’t wait to see how her character develops in the next book.

This is a really well written novel, and I can’t wait for rest of the series!

Thank you NetGalley and Rook and Castle Press for this advanced copy, all opinions are my own.