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katreader's review
5.0
THE SPECTER OF SEDUCTION by Carolyn Haines
The Third Pluto's Snitch Mystery
Waverly Mansion was a marvel of architecture and a glorious old plantation until the Civil War and the actions of a Southern Belle destroyed everything. Called to the mansion to help the current owners, Raissa and Reginald travel to Mississippi. It seems the couple's daughter is acting more mature than her eight years. She also has an imaginary friend who may not be so imaginary. Dealing with college students trespassing on the property to fool around and a child acting older than her years is just the start. Raissa will have to uncover the truth of Union spy Nora Bradley. Was she really the evil temptress who wrought the destruction of the Norquist family and who still seeks to claim Waverly as her own? Or is there something older, something even more powerful, that seeks to possess not only Waverly, but Raissa, body and soul.
Set in the 1920s THE SPECTER OF SEDUCTION is a historical mystery, but it's a double historical in that Raissa has to delve further into the past, solving what for her is a historical mystery to go along with her modern one. What I found thrilling is that she spoke with two characters who were actually alive during the Civil War, one of whom was once a slave. Instead of relying on legend, Raissa talked with people who actually knew Nora and witnessed what happened, the veritable destruction of a family.
Carolyn Haines is a master of creating a Gothic ambiance in her Pluto's Snitch mysteries. Oppressive heat and bloodsucking insects add to the stifling unpleasant atmosphere that surrounds Waverly. Despite the amazing architecture and current renovations the mansion makes you want to flee. The lack of electricity and telephone service along with its remote location adds to the isolation which increases both anxiety and danger. I love old abandoned buildings and have enjoyed exploring old mental institutions and haunted locations, but I would give Waverly a wide berth! Carolyn Haines has created a house tainted by its past, possessed by its present, and I don't even care to be part of its future! It's a location I'm glad is fictional.
The juxtaposition of evil spirits versus the evil done by man is at the heart of this book. There's much more to Waverly than meets the eye and it's fascinating to see Raissa peel back the layers. While a powerful entity seems to be the root of the problems, it's much more than that. Something human is equally as evil as the demon. In order to find peace, the truth must be revealed, the whole truth.
I absolutely loved THE SPECTER OF SEDUCTION. Ingeniously plotted, it's a haunting, eerie, and pulse pounding mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
The Third Pluto's Snitch Mystery
Waverly Mansion was a marvel of architecture and a glorious old plantation until the Civil War and the actions of a Southern Belle destroyed everything. Called to the mansion to help the current owners, Raissa and Reginald travel to Mississippi. It seems the couple's daughter is acting more mature than her eight years. She also has an imaginary friend who may not be so imaginary. Dealing with college students trespassing on the property to fool around and a child acting older than her years is just the start. Raissa will have to uncover the truth of Union spy Nora Bradley. Was she really the evil temptress who wrought the destruction of the Norquist family and who still seeks to claim Waverly as her own? Or is there something older, something even more powerful, that seeks to possess not only Waverly, but Raissa, body and soul.
Set in the 1920s THE SPECTER OF SEDUCTION is a historical mystery, but it's a double historical in that Raissa has to delve further into the past, solving what for her is a historical mystery to go along with her modern one. What I found thrilling is that she spoke with two characters who were actually alive during the Civil War, one of whom was once a slave. Instead of relying on legend, Raissa talked with people who actually knew Nora and witnessed what happened, the veritable destruction of a family.
Carolyn Haines is a master of creating a Gothic ambiance in her Pluto's Snitch mysteries. Oppressive heat and bloodsucking insects add to the stifling unpleasant atmosphere that surrounds Waverly. Despite the amazing architecture and current renovations the mansion makes you want to flee. The lack of electricity and telephone service along with its remote location adds to the isolation which increases both anxiety and danger. I love old abandoned buildings and have enjoyed exploring old mental institutions and haunted locations, but I would give Waverly a wide berth! Carolyn Haines has created a house tainted by its past, possessed by its present, and I don't even care to be part of its future! It's a location I'm glad is fictional.
The juxtaposition of evil spirits versus the evil done by man is at the heart of this book. There's much more to Waverly than meets the eye and it's fascinating to see Raissa peel back the layers. While a powerful entity seems to be the root of the problems, it's much more than that. Something human is equally as evil as the demon. In order to find peace, the truth must be revealed, the whole truth.
I absolutely loved THE SPECTER OF SEDUCTION. Ingeniously plotted, it's a haunting, eerie, and pulse pounding mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
jen_baroness_mom's review
5.0
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.The Specter of Seduction by Carolyn Haines is a masterpiece that invaded my dreams.
Our two supernatural investigators are off to figure out what makes an eight-year-old girl so mature and rebellious. The catch is this mystery is set in an old mansion that is isolated and being renovated in Alabama. It also has no electricity or phone, and the roads going to it are in dire need of repair. There is no one around to assist them if things get bad. Waverly Mansion has a tragic history. And even though it is 1920, echoes of the Civil War are strong.
Raissa feels the entity like nothing before. She tries to fight it but doesn't know how long she can before the entity takes her over. Raissa is her usual unselfish self. She believes she is there to help and won't leave until she has managed this supernatural being. We see such strength in Raissa during this installment. The more I get to know her, the more I like her. She is truly a modern woman.
Reginald is learning to feel and recognize the shifts in nature that indicate that something there is not normal. He helps Raissa so much that he puts himself in danger to save her. I see such growth in their friendship and abilities to work as a team.
Amanda Sheridan, it seems, is either possessed or influenced by a supernatural force. She knows things that a child her age should not know. Amanda's imaginary friend, Nan, is a ghost child, or so it is thought. Add multiple ghosts to a Mansion in bad shape with no electricity or phone lines, and you have our tale. Although, there is so much more going on than it seems from the outside. Ms. Haines spins this magnificent story that had me on the edge of my seat. I was worried for Raissa's soul and couldn't stop it from entering my thoughts when I was working.
My rating for The Specter of Seduction by Carolyn Haines is five stars. I highly recommend this book and series to anyone who enjoys a good ghost story. I am a huge fan of Carolyn Haines. Her books are always wonderfully written and have this depth that truly pulls you into them. I hope she continues with this series.
Will Raissa and Reginald figure out what truly plagues Waverly House?
Raissa and Reginald
Our two supernatural investigators are off to figure out what makes an eight-year-old girl so mature and rebellious. The catch is this mystery is set in an old mansion that is isolated and being renovated in Alabama. It also has no electricity or phone, and the roads going to it are in dire need of repair. There is no one around to assist them if things get bad. Waverly Mansion has a tragic history. And even though it is 1920, echoes of the Civil War are strong.
Raissa feels the entity like nothing before. She tries to fight it but doesn't know how long she can before the entity takes her over. Raissa is her usual unselfish self. She believes she is there to help and won't leave until she has managed this supernatural being. We see such strength in Raissa during this installment. The more I get to know her, the more I like her. She is truly a modern woman.
Reginald is learning to feel and recognize the shifts in nature that indicate that something there is not normal. He helps Raissa so much that he puts himself in danger to save her. I see such growth in their friendship and abilities to work as a team.
The Mystery
Amanda Sheridan, it seems, is either possessed or influenced by a supernatural force. She knows things that a child her age should not know. Amanda's imaginary friend, Nan, is a ghost child, or so it is thought. Add multiple ghosts to a Mansion in bad shape with no electricity or phone lines, and you have our tale. Although, there is so much more going on than it seems from the outside. Ms. Haines spins this magnificent story that had me on the edge of my seat. I was worried for Raissa's soul and couldn't stop it from entering my thoughts when I was working.
Five Stars
My rating for The Specter of Seduction by Carolyn Haines is five stars. I highly recommend this book and series to anyone who enjoys a good ghost story. I am a huge fan of Carolyn Haines. Her books are always wonderfully written and have this depth that truly pulls you into them. I hope she continues with this series.
The Pluto's Snitch Series
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Specter of Seduction by Carolyn Haines.
Until the next time,
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
chopeclark's review against another edition
4.0
Raissa and Reginald. Loved how these characters were developed. While I love plot, I'm a sucker for a solid character that can carry a series. Carolyn Haines has created a pair with unending potential for a long-lasting series. The unusual time period of 1920 Mississippi captured me right off the pat. The ability to capture remnants of the Civil War and the birth of modernism made for wonderful dialogue, dress, and personality criss-cross. Brilliant. As for this mystery, I did not see some of the twists coming which kept me turning pages. Not having read the earlier books, I enjoyed seeing Uncle Brent and Madam appear instead of just being talked about. All in all an enjoyable read. Enjoyable enough to go back and read the other books. . . and hope that Ms. Haines produces one or two more.
anjana's review against another edition
3.0
https://superfluousreading.wordpress.com/2018/07/24/the-specter-of-seduction-plutos-snitch-3-by-carolyn-haines
jenndian's review against another edition
5.0
Once again, Carolyn Haines does not disappoint in the third book in the Pluto’s Snitch series! Spooky, intriguing, and hard to put down! Great to see continued character development. I really enjoyed the story and trying to figure out what was causing the disturbance at the home Raisa was investigating. Can’t wait for the fourth!
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