This is a story of two sisters who claim to be mediums who can talk to the dead but they are frauds .Set in 19th century Paris ,very atmospheric and gothic .Th story is told in two parts from Sylvie's pov and then Charlottes .It is interesting to see how the accounts of the same story differ .Altogether a different but good read .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC

I received an ARC of this book via netgalley and am grateful for the opportunity., Charlotte and Sylvie are Spiritists or maybe more commonly known as mediums today. However Sylvie has left the profession to marry into the minor nobility. Charlotte decides to draw her sister into one last tangle with the spirits in order to provide her Girlfriend with justice. All does not go as planned.

Told in the two voices of Sylvie and Charlotte ther is a lot of repetition in this tale. When Charlotte starts to give her version of events there is not enough new information to make the extra 200 pages worthwhile.

3 stars is a generous rating for this book which will not draw me into more by this author

Carmella Lowkis' "Spitting Gold" is a mesmerizing journey into the depths of sisterhood and female empowerment, set against the backdrop of a hauntingly atmospheric Paris in 1866. With echoes of Sarah Waters' evocative storytelling, Lowkis crafts a tale where every shadow holds secrets and nothing is as it appears. The narrative is spellbinding, blending gothic mystery with a captivating sapphic romance that adds depth and complexity to the story. The tension builds relentlessly, rich in detail and brimming with intrigue.

I enjoyed this book. It didn’t stand out for me in the way that some other books do, but it kept my attention and told a good story. While I’m not sure if I would read it again, I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it.

I liked a lot the fairy tale comparison. The idea that one sister had to be good and one had to be bad and the way the two sisters looked at one another to see which one was which. While I agree with Charlotte that real life doesn’t work like that and there’s good and bad parts of everybody, it was interesting to see the book and characters framed through this lense and the constant question of which would turn out to be which.

I liked that the tale was told first from one sister and then from the other, leaving space for different information and biases. It was really interesting to see the sisters view of each other and the actions that were misinterpreted or misconstrued.

It was definitely an enjoyable read, though I’m not sure it will leave a lasting impression on me.

Spitting Gold is set in 19th century Paris and is a blend of gothic mystery as two estranged sisters - who are also spirit mediums - come back together for one last con.

Working together as spiritists in Paris, the two sisters ‘help’ families who believe themselves to be haunted or have a possessed family member. The first part of the book is narrated by Sylvie the older sister. She had stopped this con work, however, her sister (Charlotte) pleads with her to work one more job. The second part sees Charlotte become the narrator and this was a somewhat interesting and dubious change in course. The book contains sapphic romance, high drama and loads of suspenseful twists and turns. Spitting Gold is a story for people who enjoy historical and gothic mysteries.

Spitting Gold by Carmella Lowkis is an absorbing tale of love and treachery in the Gothic tradition set in Paris, 1866.
We meet Sylvie, now Baroness Devereux, as she gets a surprise visit from Charlotte Mothe, the sister she thought she had left behind following her advantageous marriage. Before marrying into respectability she worked as a spirit medium with her sister, the pair using every trick in the book to con their targets. This was a world that Sylvie thought she could safely forget but when her sister comes begging, citing the need to pay expensive medical bills for their father, she reluctantly agrees to at least meet the family who are looking to employ them to lay a ghost to rest and recover a lost treasure. The de Jacquinot family seem ripe for the plucking but soon Sylvie and Charlotte find themselves involved in some inexplicable and genuinely terrifying situations. Could the ghost be real after all?
At first this felt like a very standard but enjoyable work of historical fiction, but as soon as I came to the first shift in perspective I was absolutely hooked. The plot unfurls very cleverly, with an impressive degree of skill from a debut author. Speaking of skill, clearly the author has a wonderful way of painting a remarkably vivid picture with her words, bringing settings and seances to life in a way that made it almost feel like I was there.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Sometimes the pleasure is in a tale being told well. There are lots of nice touches in this spiritualist story, but the main joy is in enjoying how it adheres to, and then occasionally sheers away from, the expected archetype. Set in post-Revolution Paris, it has a nice sense of tone and place that sees how the well-off, sometimes noble, families live and the low-level crime that everything sits upon. Our first protagonist is the Baroness Sylvie Devereaux, who receives a visit from her sister, who is quite clearly not of the same station. It quickly unfolds that they are estranged, and part of this is due to their previous profession as spirit mediums. They have a sick father and Charlotte tries to pull her in for one last job. Despite her better instincts she follows, to see Francesca who is being possessed and her family, the de Jaquinots haunted and tormented by the restless spirit of a deceased relative. As is the case with this storyline, there are more secrets under the surface, plus the unthinkable - what if she is really possessed?

This is a pretty standard plot for the faux spiritualist racket, a Nightmare Alley with question marks. Through the story Lowkis unfolds the history of both families, and there is a lovely reversal halfway through the book, which perhaps sets back one mystery, but potentially opens up another (whilst managing to show the story from a different viewpoint whilst remaining fresh). There's nothing groundbreaking here, but the story dances from grand parties to seances, to duels and grand reveals with a nimble touch, and characters who are worth spending time with, and I discovered I had read it in basically one sitting.

Spitting Gold by Carmella Lowkis is a gorgeous novel based in 1866 in Paris, of sisters coming back together to commit a con in order to fund the healthcare of thier father

The sisters are Baroness Sylvie Devereux (the sister made good) and Charlotte Mothe (the disowned sister, a huckster who pretends to be a psychic medium). They come up with a plan to use Charlottes medium act to con the De Jacquinots out of their fortune by pretending to channel the Jacquinots Great Aunt, a spirit who they believe to be in purgatory due to her murder

However, "all good plans" and all that as things start to go a little awry. The con does not play out quite as the sisters intended and things start to get a little twisty, darker and darker and in the mire, long kept secrets begin to bubble to the surface

The atmospherics, character development and descent really enhance the toryline and there is so much to enjoy within these pages. Stunning

This is an outstanding debut novel and certainly an author to watch!

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers | Doubleday and the author Carmella Lowkis for this fantastic ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

i can see why Spitting Gold by Carmella Lowkis was compared to sarah waters as it has a similar vibe. lowkis' storytelling is a bit lacking in finesse which makes spitting gold a bit mid to be honest

Everything about the cover drew me to this book, and the blurb sealed the deal: I do enjoy a gothic mystery and I was excited to read one that felt very Victorian England, but in a Paris setting. I’m happy I gave in to the urge to click that request button, it really was right up my street.

Spitting Gold kicks off with a prologue set in Saint-Lazare prison and told from the POV of an anonymous woman accused of a crime the reader is yet to discover. I immediately became invested in finding out who this woman was and why she was in prison, even if she seems so very sure she’ll walk free and does not need to fear the guillotine.

The main body of the story is set a few months earlier than the prologue and is made up of two parts: one told from the perspective of Sylvie and one her sister Charlotte’s. These sisters and their parents were once a famous and rather respected spiritist family, but then it all fell apart. Sylvie got out by marrying above her station, while Charlotte remained with her father in humbler living conditions. They haven’t spoken in ages, but now Charlotte needs her sister’s help to pull off one last con.

While it seems obvious at first that the sisters are not real spiritists (if there is such a thing) but just excellent con artists, the narrative had me questioning that fact on numerous occasions, and it did get spooky every once in a while.

The switch to another POV in the second part offers lots of new information and quite another mystery for the reader to get invested in. And I did get invested, even if I was reading this book when I had the attention span of a gnat because of what was going on in my own life, I became invested in these sisters’ lives, and Spitting Gold offered me some much needed reprieve.

I had a great time with Spitting Gold, and if gothic historical mysteries are your bag, I don’t doubt that you will, too. With its evocative writing and its themes of sisterhood (can’t live with her, can’t live without her), spiritualism and 19th century virtues and morals, Spitting Gold is a compelling debut that I’d happily recommend. I can’t wait to see what Carmella Lowkis does next.

Spitting Gold is out now in all formats.

Massive thanks to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for the DRC. All opinions are my own.

Spitting Gold is the novel of two sisters in 19th Century France - former spiritists who are brought back together for one last con.

Sylvie, the older sister who married up but had to leave her family behind, reluctantantly agrees to help her sister, Charlotte, after learning their father is ill and they need money for his medical costs. Charlotte, meanwhile, is still angry at her sister for her abandonment, especially as it came after she was caught kissing another woman.

This book plays a lot with the notion of the 'good sister' and the 'bad sister', framed through how each sister sees themself and each other, but also how readers can see that both sisters could be depicted as either, because both are more complicated as people than that simple narrative would allow. This is particularly highlighted by the POV switch halfway through, where it swaps from Sylvie's POV to Charlotte's, shining a different light on the events that had unfolded.

I also really enjoyed the atmosphere Lowkis created, with the portrayal of spiritist's tricks even managing to make me question whether there was a ghost or not (though all is revealed later on...)

Overall, definitely recommend for anyone who wants a historical novel with complicated sisterhood, spiritualism and sapphics!

Spitting Gold is an impressive debut and I look forward to seeing what the author comes up with next. I love the title and this made me want to read the book. I’ve become a fan of historical fiction over the years and I loved the fact that this book is set in Paris, a city I adore. I really enjoyed the blend of historical fiction and gothic fiction. This is entertaining and well-written, hugely enjoyable. I’d recommend it.

This novel follows the story of two sisters in 19th century Paris. While Sylvie has left her past behind and married a wealthy Baron, her sister Charlotte isn't ready to let it go just yet. They decide (after some persuasion on Charlottes part!) to once again take up their roles as fake spiritual mediums.

I enjoyed this one! The writing style really reminded me (as other reviewers have said) of Sarah Waters and I think that made me enjoy it even more. There are spooky, gothic elements as well as a pretty interesting mystery plot too. I will say that the twists were quite predictable, but that didn't bother me too much! I was happy to be along for the fun ride!

I'd recommend this to fans of historical fiction who enjoy the creepy elements of a gothic novel!

The lives of sisters Sylvie and Charlotte have taken very different directions. Sylvie is married to a Baron and hiding her humble origins. Charlotte lives in poverty and is desperate for money. To help Charlotte Sylvie agrees to return to their former trade as fraudulent mediums. But, inevitably, things don't go as planned and they're left fighting their own horrors.

An intriguing novel very much in the style of Sarah Waters.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for this eCopy to review

Spitting Gold is a gothic mystery set in 19th century France. Following 2 sisters on a final con to get money for looking after their father. Sylvie has escaped her life of faking it as a medium by marrying a Baron. However she is unable to say no to her sister Charlotte who desperately needs 1 last con

Told in 2 parts from the points of views of each sister this has a clever plot full of twists, secrets and spookiness, nothing is as it seems.

An excellent account of life in 19th century France full of rich detail

I read an eARC of this book so thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley.

This was an often frustrating but genuinely entertaining novel that I couldn’t put down! Frustration at the callous way characters would treat each other even when they were causing real and lasting harm to their lives!

This is a fascinating novel set in France that follows two estranged sisters, reuniting for a final job as mediums to assist with a case of a young woman who has been haunted by a deceased great aunt.

We explore the mystery behind the haunting, the secrets and lies the family tell each other through the lens of the two sisters. This book is heartbreaking at times and this case threatens to destroy the lives and relationship of the sisters the deeper they get into it.

Setting, intrigue and tension were all fantastic. A real page turner with a great premise and theme. I particularly liked the callbacks to a favourite fairy tale of the sisters.

When one looks back upon one’s time on Earth – across the span of years and decisions that have carried one from birth to wherever one is now – it is nigh impossible to point out a single particular moment and say, ‘Yes, here. This is where it all began to go wrong.’ But still one tries.'

Baroness Sylvie Deveraux receives a house call from her disowned sister Charlotte. In fear that her past as a spirit medium has caught up with her, Sylvie decides to join her sister on one last con.

This was a dark, atmospheric read. I did find Sylvie a bit irritating and just really wanted to be listening to Charlotte, which to my suprise came in part two, and from then on, I absolutely loved the book. Mimi was such a great addition to the book I wished we'd seen a bit more from him. I thought the way the book ended was right, and it changed the way I thought about Sylvie.

Thank you to @netgalley and the publishers @randomhouse @doubledaybooks for the digital copy.

I believe this is the author's debut novel. Spitting Gold is set in 19th century Paris where sisters Sylvie and Charlotte have a history of working as spirit mediums. Now Sylvie is married to a Baron and has put this seedy part of her life behind her. Then Charlotte appears and persuades her to help in one more charade.

I enjoyed the first part of the book written from Sylvie's point of view. The characters were mostly unlikeable but they were strong and the setting was realistic. However there was something wrong, for me at least, in the second half of the book when Charlotte's version took over. I found my mind wandering as I read. I also thought the whole tale was predictable and the prologue should definitely have been omitted.

Nevertheless many people are loving this book. For me it was just okay.

An excellent historical fiction set in Paris in XIX mixing mystery, fiction. Entertaining and well plotted.
I enjoyed the story and liked the well developed characters
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

In the shadowed alleys of 1866 Paris, Baroness Sylvie Devereux, ensnared in her opulent manor, hesitantly agrees to a house call from her estranged sister, Charlotte Mothe, despite lingering fears of her tainted past as a spirit medium.

With their father ailing and bills looming, the sisters contemplate one last con to secure their future.

Their target: the dysfunctional de Jacquinot family, haunted by the spectre of their murdered great-aunt from the French Revolution. As they delve deeper into the deception, Sylvie and Charlotte confront eerie phenomena firsthand, leading them to question reality and unearth long-buried secrets.

As the line between truth and illusion blurs, the sisters must confront their pasts and decipher who among them speaks truth or deception. With its intoxicating blend of gothic ambience and sapphic intrigue, Spitting Gold offers a compulsively addictive journey into the dark heart of the Parisian mystery.

If you enjoy the following, you will love this book!

⟡ complex family dynamics

⟡ gothic mystery

⟡ 19th century Paris

⟡ sapphic romance

Thank you so much to the author - Carmella Lowkis as well as the team at Double Day Books for posting me a copy of the book!