“Strange Sight” is the second instalment in Syd Moore’s projected “Essex Witch Museum” trilogy. I hadn’t read the first novel in the series ([b:Strange Magic|32073145|Strange Magic (Essex Witches, #1)|Syd Moore|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1485260662s/32073145.jpg|52720646]), but this did not detract from my enjoyment of this book, not least because as we go along the author deftly fills us newbies in with the facts we need to know. The back story can be briefly summed up. Rosie Strange unexpectedly inherits a “witch museum” set up by her grandfather Septimus, whom she hardly knew. Rosie is a down-to-earth, thirty-something “Essex girl” and scepticism runs in her blood (she’s a benefits fraud inspector, so one would hardly expect otherwise). She is bent on a quick sale of the museum, but finds herself oddly attracted to it. And to its resident curator, Sam Stone. She soon also becomes embroiled in enquiries of an otherworldly bent. In the case of “Strange Sight”, Strange and Stone are called to investigate ghostly manifestations in a high-end London restaurant, only to discover that the chef has been killed in what seems to be a ritual murder. The ghostbusters turn sleuths as they try to crack the link between this terrible crime and the ongoing hauntings.

Of course, crime and supernatural genres have been combined before. One thinks of [a:William Hope Hodgson|51422|William Hope Hodgson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1246727581p2/51422.jpg]’s Carnacki series or, closer to us, [a:John Connolly|38951|John Connolly|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1201288913p2/38951.jpg]’s Charlie Parker novels. What I liked about Moore is that the supernatural aspect does not drown out the “crime novel” elements. Indeed, the mystery is well-plotted, satisfactorily concluded and could stand its ground even without the otherwordly baggage. The ghostly sub-plots however add an element of frisson and there are hints that there is an overarching mystery directly involving Rosie Strange which will only be unravelled in the final book. What makes this novel a success is the endearing investigative duo, and especially the funny, charismatic Rosie, who doubles as narrator. Part Mulder and Scully, part Holmes and Watson, with some Bridget Jones thrown into the mix, it is the unlikely chemistry between the two which drives this book. That and the witty dialogue.

This is an entertaining novel, a perfect read for summer (or make that a spooky autumn afternoon), and one which I wouldn’t mind seeing adapted for the screen.

An electronic copy of this novel was provided through NetGalley in return for an honest review ( )

Even better story than the first one, though epically bad copyediting. Rosie is still an odd character for me to sort out, but coincidentally, I was at the hair salon today and was able to ask my stylist, a UK native, about the whole Essex thing, which he tried to explain while desperately trying to be PC about the whole thing. I got the gist though, and it helped. It also helped that Rosie seemed more focused in the second half of this one.

This story revolves around a good old fashioned murder mystery albeit with ghosts and a haunted restaurant. Nothing to scare the reader too badly, but the historical context of the plot, (which is based on historical events, sadly) is wickedly dark and honestly, even if this wan't a cozy(ish), would be hard reading in a few places. While this book is excellent on almost all fronts, it is also full of trigger warnings for epic violence against women.

I liked the ending - I liked that it didn't involve the MC doing something stupid or ending up in a woman-in-peril situation. The very last page was also creepy as hell.

Can't wait for book 3! ( )

“Strange Sight” is the second instalment in Syd Moore’s projected “Essex Witch Museum” trilogy. I hadn’t read the first novel in the series ([b:Strange Magic|32073145|Strange Magic (Essex Witches, #1)|Syd Moore|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1485260662s/32073145.jpg|52720646]), but this did not detract from my enjoyment of this book, not least because as we go along the author deftly fills us newbies in with the facts we need to know. The back story can be briefly summed up. Rosie Strange unexpectedly inherits a “witch museum” set up by her grandfather Septimus, whom she hardly knew. Rosie is a down-to-earth, thirty-something “Essex girl” and scepticism runs in her blood (she’s a benefits fraud inspector, so one would hardly expect otherwise). She is bent on a quick sale of the museum, but finds herself oddly attracted to it. And to its resident curator, Sam Stone. She soon also becomes embroiled in enquiries of an otherworldly bent. In the case of “Strange Sight”, Strange and Stone are called to investigate ghostly manifestations in a high-end London restaurant, only to discover that the chef has been killed in what seems to be a ritual murder. The ghostbusters turn sleuths as they try to crack the link between this terrible crime and the ongoing hauntings.

Of course, crime and supernatural genres have been combined before. One thinks of [a:William Hope Hodgson|51422|William Hope Hodgson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1246727581p2/51422.jpg]’s Carnacki series or, closer to us, [a:John Connolly|38951|John Connolly|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1201288913p2/38951.jpg]’s Charlie Parker novels. What I liked about Moore is that the supernatural aspect does not drown out the “crime novel” elements. Indeed, the mystery is well-plotted, satisfactorily concluded and could stand its ground even without the otherwordly baggage. The ghostly sub-plots however add an element of frisson and there are hints that there is an overarching mystery directly involving Rosie Strange which will only be unravelled in the final book. What makes this novel a success is the endearing investigative duo, and especially the funny, charismatic Rosie, who doubles as narrator. Part Mulder and Scully, part Holmes and Watson, with some Bridget Jones thrown into the mix, it is the unlikely chemistry between the two which drives this book. That and the witty dialogue.

This is an entertaining novel, a perfect read for summer (or make that a spooky autumn afternoon), and one which I wouldn’t mind seeing adapted for the screen.

An electronic copy of this novel was provided through NetGalley in return for an honest review ( )

"Strange Sight" is a slightly disappointing sequel.

"Strange Sight" follows on immediately after "Strange Magic" which introduced us to Rosie Strange just as she inherited a museum to Essex witches. This time, Rosie is investigating a rather spectacular haunting of a posh restaurant in the City which seems to have resulted in a brutal killing.

For me, this book didn't live up to the promise of the first book. It was a light cosy read with a dash of Carrie-style supernatural (albeit reported rather than seen) but it was slow to start with nothing much happening in the first quarter of the book.

The main problem I had with it is that Rosie Strange seems to have lost her edge and is sometimes barely recognisable as the proudly independent, sceptical woman from Essex who made her living tracking down Benefits Fraudsters and tending not to believe in anything that needed a supernatural explanation. In this book, she often obsesses about how things look. She is constantly stealing lusty glances at her we're-just-friends partner, or dissecting the makeup and clothes of other women or contemplating her own sartorial skill. I'm sure this is meant to be amusing but it felt like something shoved into the narrative from time to time for appearance's sake.

The second half of the book is much stronger. There's a real plot, with plausible sub-plots, lots of action, some comedy, some drama, some sociopolitical commentary and some great dialogue. There's also a promising set up for the future story arc as Rosie discovers more about her families past and her own links to Essex witches.

On the whole, I'm glad I read this but it hasn't left me hungry for more. I'll take a break from Rosie for a while and hope that the next book is stronger and that Rosie stops pressing her bimbo button.
( )

Strange Sight by Syd Moore, the sequel to Strange Magic, follows our main characters Rosie and Sam as they attempt to solve a case involving a vengeful spirit wreaking havoc in an upscale London restaurant. When a young woman working in her father's restaurant starts seeing a woman from the distant past (I'm talking about a ghost, ya'll) the crackerjack team from the Essex Witch Museum is called in to investigate. As with the previous book, this is equal parts supernatural mystery and contemporary fiction with a healthy dose of romantic tension. I will say that I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the first but it picked up towards the latter third of the story (and the ending was really good). Rosie is a bit of an abrasive character and probably doesn't appeal to all people (though I find I like her rough edges). If you enjoyed the first in the series or you're looking for a bit of a witchy supernatural story for the Halloween season this one might just fit the bill. 7/10 ( )