The Entirely True Story of the Fantastical Mesmerist Nora Grey by Kathleen Kaufman is the story of Nora Grey, née Nairna Liath, who traveled the countryside of Scotland with her father, Tavish, who used her natural skill and some tricks and effects, to scrape by doing readings and seances at carnivals and fairs.
Soon, her true skill becomes apparent, and she and her father are taken in by a benefactor who introduces her to a new world of mesmerist societies - and people, mostly men, who want to use her abilities for various self-serving reasons.
Told primarily from two points of view, Nora’s and her grandmother Lottie’s, with interstitial segments of newspaper clips and other reports to provide context and some foreshadowing, Nora Grey is an engaging mix of historical fiction and magical realism, about women in the late 19th and early 20th centuries trying to live free lives outside the control of others, and about the importance of family.
The Entirely True Story may not be “entirely true”, but it is entirely entertaining, especially for those with any interest in the history of mesmerism or spiritualists such as the Fox Sisters, or even Harry Houdini and Arthur Conan Doyle or in the feminist struggles of women at that time (or now).
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Entirely True Story of the Fantastical is Mesmerist Nora Grey the story of the young Scottish girl Nairna - stage name Nora Grey -  during the height of the early 1900's spiritualist craze. She and her father, like so many others during this time period, make a living scamming the grief-stricken and desperate through card readings and elaborate seances. However, what seemingly starts out as a rouse becomes something more when it becomes clear that Nairna can actually see the spirits. 

The book is split between Nairna's life and that of Lottie, who is pregnant and recently widowed following a mining accident. Lottie fights for her rights and those of the other widowed wives in a male-dominated world, but her behavior is considered "irrational." She finds herself committed to an asylum, where she exhibits similar traits to those seen in Nairna. The doctor, seeing Lottie's spiritual abilities, proceeds to experiment on the pregnant woman.
 
As the tales of the two women unfold, a unique connection between them becomes clear. But I don't want to spoil that for you here. 

I loved the dark and moody vibes of the book. It is a nice blend of magical realism and gothic horror. The backdrop of a turn of the century asylum helps set the stage for the dark and fantastical tale. It's definitely more of an atmospheric read than anything. Plot doesn't push this novel forward so much as emotional investment in the characters. 

Because the novel is mostly character driven, I did find the overall length of the book a little too long. It gets repetitive in places. The beginning grabbed my attention. I wanted to know how things would end for Nairna and Lottie, and that kept me going, but the pace does lag towards the end. Overall, though, I did enjoy the read. It is a perfect story for a spooky autumn day.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for providing a free ARC. All thoughts in this review are my own.

This book was absolutely wonderful—an enchanting blend of rich storytelling, unforgettable characters, and a world that feels both grounded and magical. Kathleen Kaufman’s writing is phenomenal, full of whimsical charm and emotional depth. From the very first page, I was drawn in by her lyrical prose and the subtle but captivating sense of magic that runs through the story.

The magical elements in this book were particularly fascinating—quiet, mysterious, and unlike anything I’ve encountered before. It wasn’t the kind of flashy, over-the-top magic you often see in fantasy, but something older and stranger, something that felt like it belonged to a forgotten corner of history. Kaufman weaves this sense of wonder seamlessly into Nora’s world, making it feel completely natural yet still full of intrigue.

Nora Grey herself is such a compelling protagonist. Watching her learn to navigate the complexities of fame, her relationship with her distant and demanding father, and the uncertainty of growing up was incredibly rewarding. She’s curious, brave, and flawed in the best way. And then there’s Lottie—easily one of my favorite characters in recent memory. She’s strong, steadfast, and so much more than a secondary character; she anchors the story in a powerful way, offering quiet strength and fierce loyalty.

The pacing was another standout. Every chapter felt purposeful and well-timed, with just the right balance of tension, mystery, and character development. And the ending—rarely do I feel so satisfied at the close of a novel, but this one landed perfectly. It wrapped up the story while still leaving space for thought and reflection.

If I had one small critique, it’s that the title is a bit long and easy to forget. While it fits the whimsical tone of the story, it’s not the most memorable or easy to recommend offhand. But that’s a tiny quibble in an otherwise stunning novel. I’ll definitely be thinking about Nora and Lottie for a long time, and recommending this book to anyone who loves a bit of quiet magic woven into a deeply human story.

Thanks the Kensington Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this eARC.

I absolutely loved The Entirely True Story of the Fantastic Mesmerist Nora Grey.

I didn't know what to expect, as I only skimmed the blurb when it was sent to me. I'm glad I didn't pass it up.

I liked the way the chapters were set up. We get the name of the character whose point of view we will be reading, as well as a location and a year. This made it easy to keep up with the different points of view.

It starts from Nairna Liath's POV when she is a young adult and is living on the streets with her father, basically scamming people into believing she's a fortune teller and can speak with the dead.

Then we get Lottie Liath's POV, which leads to how the two characters end up connecting, proving that Nairna actually isn't a total sham.

It was a beautiful story that traversed time, intertwining two young women's lives in a way that couldn't be explained.

There's feminine rage, generational trauma to be broken, found family, and a little bit of retribution in the end.

I couldn’t resist a book with this title and cover. I love historical fiction and add in a paranormal element and I’m hooked!

This is my first book by the author and I’m definitely going to add her other books to my list. I think she did a great job of weaving historical events with fiction. I was immediately intrigued by little Nairna. I ended up reading it all in a few hours.

Both main characters are beautifully written and the way time blends together is really interesting. I think the books speaks well on the injustices of women during this time period.

I definitely recommend if you enjoy books by Alice Hoffman or if you loved My Darling Dreadful Thing by Johanna Van Veen.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kathleen Kaufman, and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read it. I have written this review voluntarily and honestly.

The Entirely True Story of the Fantastical Mesmerist Nora Grey is told from two different points of view- Nairna and Lottie.

Nairna is a girl, on the cusp of womanhood, traveling with her con man father. They scrape together money through the supernatural- her tarot card readings and encounters with the dead, performances her father plans to trick people to part with their coin. While they rarely earn enough to buy dinner each night, there is more truth behind Nairna's readings than even her father realizes. But, it doesn't take long for the Spiritualist circle in Edinburgh to discover Nairna's powers and whisk her away from her old life.

Years before Nairna, Lottie is months into her pregnancy when her husband dies in a work-related incident. She pushes down her grief to rally the other widows to demand that the company pays the women their husbands' life insurance and last month's pay. Little does she know that this reasonable request will have dire repercussions for her and her unborn child.

I was tearing through this book until the last quarter of it, then I found it to be a bit sluggish. While I did need to push to finish it, I would still recommend this story, especially if you like historical fiction, magical realism, and feminine rage.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this advanced copy!

Unfortunately I did not finish at about 10 percent.

Writing style and characters were well written. The concept was just not as I expected.

This novel initially held strong appeal, drawing on themes I’m particularly drawn to—female rage, Victorian-era spiritualism, and the supernatural. On the surface, it seemed poised to deliver a compelling and resonant narrative. While the book does remain faithful to these thematic promises, it ultimately falls short of offering anything new to the genre. The prose is accessible but lacks depth, and the narrative connection between the two female protagonists feels tenuous. Given the freedom afforded by the supernatural framework, it was disappointing that the author provided little explanation or rationale for how the characters’ paths intersect. Character development also felt underwhelming. One protagonist’s arc is reduced to a search for independence, while the other is defined largely by grief—with little exploration beyond those surface traits. More historical detail and nuance could have enriched the Victorian setting and anchored the characters more convincingly within it. That said, the highlight of the novel was Nora’s evolving relationship with her father. While subtle, this dynamic offered one of the few areas of emotional depth and growth in the story, particularly in light of a key revelation later in the plot.

In summary, while the book is an enjoyable read for those interested in its themes, it lacks the originality and complexity that might make it stand out in an already rich genre.

This is a dual-POV historical fantasy set in the late 1800s/early 1900s. Between Lottie and Nairna (Nora), we see two sides of the same coin. Feminine rage, poverty, the need to belong, feminine rage, spooky spiritualism, FEMININE RAGE.

The whole book has a dark, gothic atmosphere that makes it hard to stay away from, though the book does feel a little slow at times. The story is enough to pull you through though, especially with the dual POVS and the news articles sprinkled through.

I really liked this book and would recommend it!

Disclaimer: Thank you to Netgalley, Kensington Publishing, and Kathleen Kaufman for this e-ARC. I was provided this ARC for review only, I was not paid for this review. All opinions are my own.

I am usually not the biggest fan of historical fiction, but this one just blew me away. The magical realism was done so well and the book made mw feel like I went back in time which is what I usually struggle with as I often find I can't relate to or imagine the era and so I struggle to get fully into historical fiction, but not this book.

The Entirely True Story of the Fantastical Mesmerist Nora Grey beautifully reveals the stories of two women, Lottie and Nairna, who share a deep connection while being separated by time (no spoilers).

This book beautifully, and hauntingly explores the fascination with spiritualism that took hold across the continents during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It also vividly depicts the absolute misogyny, arrogance, and injustice, that many women of the time endured in the name of 'concern' for their 'mental health' and/or well-being. I think many readers will find this to be infuriating. I did.

This is a slow-burn type of read that is worth sticking with.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the advanced digital copy of this book. My review will be posted to my socials on July 27, 2025, (Fable and Goodreads)

The Entirely True Story of the Fantastical Mesmerist Nora Grey is a richly atmospheric and emotionally resonant tale that blends gothic mystery, historical fiction, and feminist themes with a touch of the supernatural. Nairna’s journey from a rootless life of deception to a powerful reckoning with her own mystical legacy is both thrilling and poignant, steeped in eerie séances, societal intrigue, and the echoing voices of forgotten women. The dual timelines and lyrical prose give the novel a haunting elegance, though the pacing occasionally drags in the middle. Still, this is a rewarding and evocative read that lingers like a whisper from beyond.

I listened to the audiobook of this one and I really liked the narration a lot. It took me a little bit to get into this story, but once it had its hooks in me I could not put it down. This book is historical fiction that enters into the faked and perhaps not so faked fad of memerists. Nora Grey has always had a talent with reading the cards, but her father had them faking seances to make a thin living until she runs into some people who study skills like hers and she discovers she can do more than read the cards. The other perspective from this book is Lottie, a poor woman widowed and cheated and then thrown into an asylum for standing up for herself. This book is beautifully written and tragically sad and also somehow hopeful. I will definitely be looking out for more by this author.

The Entirely True Story of the Fantastical Mesmerist Nora Grey
by Kathleen Kaufman
Pub Date: Jul 29 2025

As spiritualism reaches its fevered pitch at the dawn of the 20th century, a Scottish girl crosses the veil to unlock a powerful connection within an infamous asylum in this thrillingly atmospheric, exquisitely evocative exploration of feminine rage and agency for readers of Sarah Penner, Alice Hoffman, and Hester Fox.

Leaving behind a quiet life of simple comforts, Nairna Liath traverses the Scottish countryside with her charlatan father, Tavish. From remote cottages to rural fairs, the duo scrapes by on paltry coins as Tavish orchestrates “encounters” with the departed, while Nairna interprets tarot cards for those willing to pay for what they wish to hear.

But beyond her father’s trickery, Nairna possesses a genuine gift for communicating with the spirit world, one that could get an impoverished country girl branded a witch. A talent inherited from her grandmother, Lottie Liath, widow of a Welsh coalminer, whose story of imprisonment and exploitation in a notorious asylum is calling out to Nairna from four decades past—a warning to break free from the manipulations, greed, and betrayals of others.

What do the cards hold for Nairna’s future?

Rescued from homelessness by a well-connected stranger, Nairna is whisked into a new life among Edinburgh’s elite Spiritualist circle, including visiting American star Dorothy Kellings. Researchers, doctors, psychics, and thrill-seekers clamor for the rising young medium. But after a séance with blood-chilling results, a shocking scandal ensues, and Nairna flees to a secluded community near Boston, where she assumes a new identity: Nora Grey.

But Nora can’t stay hidden when Dorothy Kellings offers her the chance to face all comers and silence skeptics at a spectacular séance at Boston’s Old South Meeting Hall, where Nora will come face to face at last with her spiritual guide: the courageous Lottie Liath, whose heart-wrenching story and profound messages are indelibly tied to Nora’s destiny.

This was a really lovely read. Take the characters are extremely well written and very complex. The story follows a young woman who is discovering her own powers and also finding her way forward in a life where she has had too little control. There are all sorts of lessons about trust and friendship and family woven into this sometimes spooky story and I enjoyed every page.

Historical fiction and magical realism with a sprinkling of Gothic themes for flavor made for an enjoyable ride. I enjoyed the dual timelines (although Lottie's story unfortunately dragged in the middle and sometimes felt repetitive) and the themes of family, finding your way in the world, and women's rights. I loved watching Nora grow and push back against the expectations of others, even her own father. The mysticism & powers are not ever well explained, but I didn't really think they needed to be.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This is such an autumnal, moody read, and I loved every minute of it. I loved the two point of views and thought they really helped to explain what was happening. Also the characters were brilliantly written.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC of this book!

5 stars!!

This book was just what I needed for the melancholy that always hits me at the height of summer - It had a great balance of unsettling, spooky, Victorian ambience and investment into Nora and Lottie's lives, success, and happiness. The generational link between Lottie and Nora was a bright spot, something that really resonates with me as a professional genealogist. Beyond that, there was a truly fabulous undertone of feminine rage and power in both anger and kindness that just REALLY hits the spot right now. It managed to maintain a realistic feel with the historical aspects, while broadening our imaginations with the magical realism.

Overall, I really found the resolution of book really endearing - it wasn't fully happy and it wasn't fully heartbreaking. It held the theme of found family, healing, self determination, and the power of an angry woman throughout, and I loved every moment of it. I especially loved the resolution between Nora and Tavish, with forgiveness and understanding, but also with distance.

Kauffman did such a great job of threading the supernatural through an all-to-common tale. This was everything that I wanted Weyward to be, and it was so much more.

Bravo! I anticipate that I will be picking this up again in October for Halloween!

Thank you to Kensington Publishing for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The True Story of the Fantasitical Mesmerist Nora Grey by Kathleen Kaufman is a historical fiction/magical realism story about a young woman who’s been using her tarot reading and faux spiritual seances to get by. When she’s found to have much more spiritual ability, she’s thrust into a life of fame and renown while simultaneously uncovering the truth about her family’s past.

This book is a tickles a lot of the different preferred tropes of magical realism AND historical fiction. There’s fake Victorian era spiritualism, real Victorian era spiritualism, asylums, and several different flavors of strong female characters. I think that there is a lot that makes this book relatively compelling, including to people who may not usually prefer historical fiction (in the sense that this is really just such a small sliver of history.)

What I think makes this story so effective is that it has a lot of mass appeal. The story moves at a fast but not breakneck pace. The characters are interesting and have some depth to them. The writing is both polished and accessible. This is not by any means a piece of experimental or very innovative magical realism. While the themes are dark at times, there’s no feeling of being punishingly dark or transgressive. The best thing about this book is its mass appeal with a very compelling and immersive story.

I could easily recommend this title to a book club or a broad group of readers. For me this is a 4.5/5.

The Entirely True Story of the Fantastical Mesmerist Nora Grey
Kathleen Kaufman
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book: 59

Thank you NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, and HighBridge Audio for the opportunity to read and listen to the NetGalley for The Entirely True Story of the Fantastical Mesmerist Nora Grey.

This book was very good. I loved the world building and the strong move from just a girl in Scotland, being made to con her way through life with her con man father to a very real Mesmerist with her late grandmother as her spirit guide. I am not one for torture in books so Lottie’s chapters towards the end were definitely very difficult for me. However, I am glad that none of the “treatments” hurt the baby. I love that the Nuns kept their promises about the Asylum. The story was very atmospheric and dark at moments. I was so glad that Nairna/Nora finally started standing up for herself.