Ghostwalk by Rebecca Stott

Age Level: Adult
Format: Book

The practice of alchemy and the world of the seventeenth century collide in contemporary times in this suspense novel. Cameron Brown commissions his former lover Lydia Brooke to ghostwrite an Isaac Newton biograhpy by his late mother Elizabeth Vogelsang, who died under mysterious circumstances. Lydia moves into Elizabeth's home to immerse herself in Elizabeth's notes for her biography. As Lydia reads Elizabeth's work and talks with a few people close to Elizabeth, she discovers links between murders that occurred in Cambridge (England) during the seventeenth century and vicious attacks by an animal rights group in present day Cambridge. All the links point to Isaac Newton and his practice of alchemy. The further Lydia delves into Elizabeth's research and conclusions, the more dangerous her life becomes. Comprehending the clues from the past may just save Lydia's life. And then, there is the white-haired man in seventeenth century clothing who watches Lydia - what is his connection to all of this?

Stott writes her novel in the first person from Lydia's perspective. There are many plot twists in the end, leaving for a surprising ending. I liked the link established between present and past; history can repeat itself if individuals fail to observe past actions. I think Stott's concept is very interesting, making aspects of the seventeenth century come to life while walking around in a modern day city. In one instance, Lydia becomes so immersed in imagining a seventeenth century setting that she can hear and smell and experience a seventeenth century market, as if she was actually there, though she obviously remains rooted in present day Cambridge. While this is a book of suspense, it also has elements of scholarly information: throughout the book, Stott includes chapters of Elizabeth's Newton biography, providing a nonfiction-feel to a fiction book. At times thrills and chills and at other times romantic, this book may interest historical fiction readers and suspense readers.

Reviewed by Jessica