Rosamund: A Psychic Surveys Companion Novel (Book Three)

Good book

So, I've just finished Rosamund which is the 11th book I have read, written by the very talented Shani Struthers. I read a lot of books but review very few. However, Shani spends a lot of her time communicating with her readers so the least we can do is provide reviews of her books.Before I review, I'll say now that Shani set the bar incredibly high with The 11th Floor which is easily in my top 5 books of all time. In fact, the epilogue of that book is the finest piece of writing I have ever had the pleasure of reading.Now, Rosamund. Shani mentions in her acknowledgments that she worked really hard to write in the period style. She has nailed this. I don't want to be too cliche but the Dickensian style of writing really shines through. This may be her first attempt at writing in this style (is it??), but she writes like a seasoned pro!The scene is beautifully set. The character's are well formed. The innocent are rooted for. The “baddies” are abhorred.At times the story is very dark (something that I've noticed more and more with Shani’s recent books) and hard to read but it adds to the whole, necessary feel of the story. I love that the foundations of the brilliant Psychic Survey's series is set by the telling of Rosamund’s story and I look forward to the next installment.It says a lot about an author who can give you a story that stays with you long after the final page is turned but Shani Struthers does exactly this. Yes, I struggled at times with this book, like I did with Descension and Rise to Me but I believe this is intentional.James Herbert has always be titled the king of British horror writing (rightly so imo). However, Shani Struthers is right up there with him.

For those familiar with Shani Struthers’ excellent ‘Psychic Surveys’ series, the ‘Rosamund’ of the title is Ruby Davis’ great grandmother. Set in the early 20th century, Rosamund tells the story of its protagonist’s gradual discovery (and ultimate acceptance) of her psychic abilities and the miserable early existence foisted on her by her despicable father.Rosamund never knew her mother, from whom she inherited her gift. From the opening chapter, we realise that her mother was forced into marriage and that the poor woman’s short life was made hell by her bullying husband.It becomes clear that Rosamund’s father’s only interest in her is in show-casing and abusing her abilities (of which she herself is initially in denial), even though he clearly has a deep-rooted fear of them. He refuses point-blank to discuss her mother. The only place in their home where Rosamund has respite is in the attic, where he does not dare venture. Here she keeps a treasured photograph of her mother, found secreted between books in the house’s library. As the story unravels, we learn that Rosamund’s father and his acquaintances are an extremely sinister bunch with a hidden agenda.Shani Struthers sets the scene perfectly with the tone of language used throughout, conjuring up vivid imagery of the Edwardian era. Rosamund is a likeable, feisty heroine and I found myself rooting for her and fervently hoping that her vile father would get his comeuppance.Whilst the timbre of the majority of the book is dark, there is indeed light at the end of the tunnel for Rosamund which, after all she has to endure, felt like a huge sigh of relief.Highly recommended.

I enjoyed this book with all its twists, it was interesting to dip into that era and the trips to London were very vivid

Fellow fans of Shani Struthers' best-selling Psychic Surveys series will already be very familiar with it's primary protagonist Ruby Davies. Ruby's talent as a psychic is inherited from her mother and grandmother, and both feature in the Psychic Survey novels.This, however, is the story of Ruby's GREAT-grandmother Rosamund, a lonely young woman whose gradual understanding of what makes her 'different' brings scant comfort, in fact it threatens to undermine her sanity, and ultimately her life.But Rosamund, despite her youth and isolation, is not a woman to be messed with and has a mind of her own...her story is written very effectively in the first person, enabling a real insight into her troubled world and the maelstrom of emotions she experiences.Nevertheless Rosamund's strength and resolve is sorely challenged, physically and mentally, in the face of betrayal by the very person who should be her protector, and by the malevolent forces which would use her as their instrument.Rosamund is a fascinating and terrifying insight into Ruby's heritage, but can also be read as a stand-alone. I loved it, and read it in one sitting.

Rosamund by Shani struthers.Ruby Davis runs Psychic Surveys, a high street company specialising in domestic spiritual clearance. Having inherited her ability to see beyond the veil that separates this world and the next from her mother, Jessica, she is busy helping grounded spirits to cross the great divide. In turn, Jessica inherited her gift from her mother, Sarah, and Sarah from Rosamund.Throughout the early twentieth century, Rosamund Davis was a woman held in high regard concerning her mediumship abilities and her pioneering work with London’s famous psychical society. She published many papers on psychic matters, although there are some that remain unpublished, for the eyes of the Davis family only. It is these unavailable works concerning the non-spirit that fascinate many – entities born of negative thoughts that subsequently take on their own energy. Entities known as demons.But what caused her to write about such dark matter?This was a fantastic read with some great characters. Very dark and eerie. I had my own theory about josie and the housekeeper.I was right. Brilliant. I love shani books. 5*. Highly recommended.