Mr. Splitfoot

Two timelines intersect in this ghost story set in upstate New York. In the present, a pregnant woman named Cora follows her mute aunt Ruth on a mysterious walking journey across the state, while in the past, teenage Ruth and her friend Nat work as mediums at the Love of Christ! foster home. The narratives move between Cora's winter trek on foot and Ruth's adolescence at the foster home, where she and Nat channel the dead for money. Mr. Bell, a stranger who discovers their séance activities, pulls the young mediums into an increasingly complex operation. The novel explores themes of faith, deception, and the bonds between mothers and daughters. Through parallel journeys - one physical and one supernatural - the story examines how people navigate between truth and falsehood when searching for connection with both the living and the dead.

Readers describe Mr. Splitfoot as an atmospheric ghost story that weaves between two timelines. Many note the book starts strong but loses momentum in the second half. Readers appreciated: - The Gothic, creepy tone throughout - Complex mother-daughter relationships - Hunt's lyrical writing style - The upstate New York setting - The parallel storylines' structure Common criticisms: - Confusing plot that doesn't come together - Too many unanswered questions at the end - Pacing issues after the midpoint - Characters feel distant and hard to connect with Ratings: Goodreads: 3.6/5 (11,000+ ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (230+ ratings) "Beautiful writing but the story left me cold," notes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads reader states: "The first half had me completely hooked, but the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying." Many readers mention wanting to like it more than they did, citing potential that wasn't fully realized.

The Ghost Variations by Kevin Brockmeier One hundred ghost stories blend the supernatural with everyday life, echoing Mr. Splitfoot's exploration of the boundary between the living and dead.

White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi A family home becomes a character itself in this tale of generational hauntings and twin relationships that mirrors the gothic elements of Hunt's work.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson Two sisters live in isolation with dark family secrets, creating the same atmosphere of familial bonds and otherworldly menace found in Mr. Splitfoot.

The Raw Shark Texts by Steven Hall A man's journey through conceptual spaces while pursued by a metaphysical shark shares the same reality-bending road trip structure as Hunt's novel.

Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl A daughter investigates her father's mysterious past while uncovering cult-like activities, paralleling the dual narratives and search for truth in Mr. Splitfoot.

🌟 Author Samantha Hunt drew inspiration from the real Fox Sisters of New York, who helped launch the Spiritualist movement in the 1800s by claiming they could communicate with the dead through mysterious knocking sounds. 🌟 The book's title "Mr. Splitfoot" refers to a nickname for the Devil in folk traditions, particularly among the Spiritualists who believed he caused supernatural occurrences. 🌟 The novel weaves together two parallel storylines set 15 years apart, using a unique structure where one storyline is told entirely without dialogue. 🌟 The author spent time researching at the Lily Dale Assembly, America's oldest Spiritualist community, which influenced the book's authentic portrayal of modern-day mediums and believers. 🌟 The character Ruth's 600-mile walking journey across New York State mirrors actual pilgrimages made by 19th-century Spiritualists seeking religious enlightenment.