The Witch at Wayside Cross
Sequel to The Somnambulist and the Psychic Thief, this terribly witty Victorian series of adventures is perfect for fans of Sherlock Holmes, Sally Lockheart and The Night Circus.
Should you find yourself in need of a discreet investigation into any sort of mystery, crime or puzzling circumstances, think of Jesperson and Lane . . .
Jesperson and Lane have just solved their first major case when a man bangs violently on their door – and almost immediately drops dead. The police rule death by natural causes, but the detectives are determined to find out what really happened . . .
Mr Manning was screaming about witches before his death.
The case takes them to Mr Manning’s Norfolk home, a land of mysterious Shrieking Pits and ancient knowledge. Mr Manning was himself a member of the enigmatic School of Ancient British Wisdom, and not the first to suffer a similar fate. Local gossip suggests that he was secretly engaged to one of the three lovely sisters who reside at Wayside Cross – but which one? Are they really witches, as the gossips also claim?
And what does all this have to do with the mysterious Shrieking Pits and a mother desperate to find her missing baby?
Jesperson and Lane, at your service.
‘One of the SF and fantasy & horror field’s most urbane – and much under-appreciated – writers’ Love Reading
(P)2024 Quercus Editions Limited
Should you find yourself in need of a discreet investigation into any sort of mystery, crime or puzzling circumstances, think of Jesperson and Lane . . .
Jesperson and Lane have just solved their first major case when a man bangs violently on their door – and almost immediately drops dead. The police rule death by natural causes, but the detectives are determined to find out what really happened . . .
Mr Manning was screaming about witches before his death.
The case takes them to Mr Manning’s Norfolk home, a land of mysterious Shrieking Pits and ancient knowledge. Mr Manning was himself a member of the enigmatic School of Ancient British Wisdom, and not the first to suffer a similar fate. Local gossip suggests that he was secretly engaged to one of the three lovely sisters who reside at Wayside Cross – but which one? Are they really witches, as the gossips also claim?
And what does all this have to do with the mysterious Shrieking Pits and a mother desperate to find her missing baby?
Jesperson and Lane, at your service.
‘One of the SF and fantasy & horror field’s most urbane – and much under-appreciated – writers’ Love Reading
(P)2024 Quercus Editions Limited
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Reviews
Sleepwalkers, psychics, and the spirits of the dead (or are they?) make for a heady stew in Lisa Tuttle's The Somnambulist and the Psychic Thief, the first full-length novel about Jasper Jesperson and Miss Lane, a dauntless duo of Victorian detectives first introduced in her stories for Down These Strange Streets and Rogues. They're an entertaining pair, and it's great to see them back in action in a longer work. Here's hoping this is only the first in a long series of Lane and Jesperson adventures. Tuttle does a lovely job of putting us back in the foggy streets of Victorian London in this lively, entertaining blend of murder mystery and supernatural adventure. Arthur Conan Doyle would have approved.
Lisa Tuttle has quietly been writing remarkable, chilling short stories and powerful, haunting novels for many years now, and doing it so easily and so well that one almost takes it, and her, for granted. This would be as big a mistake as not reading Lisa Tuttle
The whole book is delightful to read. Tuttle handles the nuances of the Victorian environment with skilful impeccability
A regular, yet interesting 'whodunnit' with lots of culprits as the story twists along, at a good pace, never slowing down and yet always giving you just enough to go on
[Lisa Tuttle] has a prize-winning knack of doing what a lot of fantasy writers can only dream of: making the impossible seem everyday, and writing legend in such a way that it seems like a very present and nerve-tingling possibility
A deft and daring blend of mystery and dark fantasy . . . Richly imagined and beautifully written
Lisa Tuttle has been writing remarkable, chilling short stories and powerful, haunting novels for many years now, and doing it so easily and so well that one almost takes it, and her, for granted
A wonderful mystical journey through the darkened rooms of Victorian séances and stagecraft - beautifully written and researched. I absolutely loved it
Lisa Tuttle has created a most engaging detective duo in Jasper Jesperson and Miss Lane ... an intriguing and thoroughly enjoyable mystery
to that puzzle had my jaw dropping. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and will definitely be tracking down the first instalment in this series. Recommended for anyone who enjoys their historical crime series with a twist of fantasy
The author is a good writer with a very good imagination and a wonderful writing style
The social history and commentary is woven into a fast-paced story that does not disappoint, with a satisfying ending
A fantastic first instalment to what I hope will be a long running series
Tuttle's delivery is impeccable and "The Somnambulist and the Psychic Thief" is an enjoyable romp that's a continuous pleasure to read
The special relationship between Jesperson and Lane is the key that makes this book what it is for me. This book does touch on the ancient British customs and folk law . . . and all associated arts of the occult: superstition, sorcery, black magic, devil worship, human sacrifice and of course witches. All in all a great murder/ mystery book
