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The first thing that stood out to me was how oddly specific the haunting is. The ghost seems to have OCD when it comes to tidying things away! But there is something very sad about it - who would want to spend the rest of their afterlife tidying up after people?
Freddie works well as the centre of all of this because he doesn’t overreact. If anything, he underreacts at first. He questions things, second-guesses himself, and tries to explain it away, which makes the whole thing feel more believable. It is the kind of thing you to would question - did I put that away? I can't remember!
Then Freddie meets Marcus, an antique dealer who soon becomes invested in this ghostly tale, and helps Freddie to research the history of the box. Of course, this is a romance, so they do fall in love, but their relationship is quite tender and anything else is done behind closed doors, which is what I prefer if I am to be honest.
The ending is perfect, everything is tied up nicely.
I ended up enjoying this more than I expected to. It’s not loud or overly intense, but it stays with you in a quieter way.
I’d give A Plethora of Phantoms ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5.
If you enjoy:
Subtle, slightly unsettling ghost stories
Character-led narratives
Slow-burn mystery
Romance that sits within the story, not above it
Atmosphere over action
…this is definitely worth picking up.
Read with #KindleUnlimited
Penny Hampson writes mysteries, and because she has a passion for history, you’ll find her stories also reflect that. A Gentleman’s Promise, a traditional Regency romance, was Penny’s debut novel and the first of her Gentlemen Series. There are now four novels in the series, with the latest, An Adventurer’s Contract, released in November 2024. Penny also enjoys writing contemporary mysteries with a hint of the paranormal, because where do ghosts come from but the past? The Unquiet Spirit, a spooky mystery/romance set in Cornwall, is the first in the Spirited Encounters Series. Look out for A Plethora of Phantoms coming soon.
Penny lives with her family in Oxfordshire, and when she is not writing, she enjoys reading, walking, swimming, and the odd gin and tonic (not all at the same time).
If you’ve enjoyed any of Penny’s books please leave a review on Amazon, Bookbub, or Goodreads, and let other readers know!
Victoria 📚
Thank you for taking the time to read and review A Plethora of Phantoms. Your support means a great deal.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this great review. I'm delighted you enjoyed A Plethora of Phantoms!
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