Maud Price used to be a ghost medium in her youth. As an adult, however, her spirits no longer come to her, and her reputation as the “Maid of Light” is waning. In order to save her image while she works to get her gifts back, she enlists the help of Clementine Watkins – a young socialite known for her slight of hand and discretion in her social circles. But what begins as a business partnership turns out to be so much more – even worth killing over. The Deception by Kim Taylor Blakemore is a historical fiction set in the age of Victorian Spiritualism, and follows the struggle between true faith and monetization of that faith. 

When readers meet Maud and Clem, it is obvious that both women are down on their luck. Maud struggles to save her reputation and her self-worth from her unique gift’s absence. Clem is behind on rent and bribing local law enforcement to refrain from throwing her personal belongings on the street per request by her scorned landlord. It seems as if they need each other. But readers eventually realize that Clem is an unlikable and despicable character. She is insensitive and mocks their clients’ grief, all while scheming to make the most money out of their hope to speak to their deceased loved ones. At first, Maud is a pushover who doesn’t stand up for herself. But eventually, she realizes that Clem is out of control, and must go to great lengths to get rid of her for good. 

I usually enjoy historical fiction, though I have little to no familiarity with the Victorian Spiritualism era. Nevertheless, I got the gothic vibe that Blakemore was going for, even if I didn’t recognize some of the terminology. I did, however, struggle with the pacing. Patient readers will be rewarded towards the final third of The Deception, as that is when the action picks up and we see Maud’s confidence grow. 

I did, however, appreciate the depth of Clementine’s tragic backstory. It gave readers insight as to why she behaves as she does. That being said, I wish Blakemore fleshed out Maud’s backstory more in The Deception as well. While readers learn about her family dynamic and how her gifts influenced her relationships with her parents, it’s not explored at the same level. I also would have liked to learn more about Clem’s lover-partner, Russell, and Harriet, a mutual connection between Clem and Maud. 

As far as recommendations go, I’m on the fence with this one. The slow pace and overall writing style might turn readers away, but it’s a short and entertaining read. I appreciated the parallels between the two women and how their personalities clashed with one another at the same time. I was on Maud’s side and rooted for her to get out of Clem’s grip all the same. 

Kim Taylor Blakemore joins us for a Cantina Conversation to talk about her personal experiences with ghosts and the research that went into this story. Keep an ear out for an upcoming episode of The Nerd Cantina Show podcast and preorder The Deception, available September 27.