The Ghost Orchid

Ellis Brooks arrives at Bosco, an artists' retreat in New York's Hudson Valley, to write a novel about a series of séances that took place there in 1893. During her stay, she begins to research the story of Corinth Blackwell, a spiritual medium who came to Bosco when it was a private estate owned by a wealthy patron of the arts. The narratives move between Ellis's present-day experiences at Bosco and the historical events she uncovers about Corinth's time there. Both women become entangled in mysteries surrounding the estate, including the disappearance of a child and unexplained deaths that occurred on the grounds. The grounds of Bosco hold secrets in its gardens, underground pools, and maze-like architecture. As Ellis works on her book, she discovers parallels between her own life and Corinth's, while experiencing phenomena that blur the line between past and present. The Ghost Orchid explores themes of artistic creation, maternal loss, and the ways history echoes through time. The novel questions the boundaries between truth and imagination, examining how the past continues to influence the present.

Readers describe The Ghost Orchid as an atmospheric gothic mystery that interweaves two parallel storylines. Many reviewers note the complex plot structure and rich descriptions of the Bosco estate's gardens and fountains. Readers appreciated: - The detailed research on spiritualism and photography - The authentic portrayal of the Victorian era séance culture - The gradual build of suspense - The vivid sense of place Common criticisms: - Too many characters to track - Confusing timeline shifts between past and present - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Some plot threads left unresolved Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (5,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (180+ reviews) Multiple reviews compare it to Daphne du Maurier's work, with one Amazon reviewer noting: "The atmosphere reminds me of Rebecca, but with its own unique supernatural elements." Some readers mentioned struggling with the dual narratives, with a Goodreads reviewer stating: "I had to keep flipping back to remember which storyline I was following."

The Lake of Dead Languages by Carol Goodman A Latin teacher returns to teach at her former boarding school where a series of mysterious events mirror tragic incidents from her past.

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier A young bride moves into her new husband's estate and uncovers dark secrets about his deceased first wife.

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield A biographer interviews a reclusive author to uncover the truth behind her family's Gothic past in their remote mansion.

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters A country doctor becomes entangled with an aristocratic family whose crumbling manor house harbors supernatural forces.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt A group of classics students at an elite college become involved in ancient rituals that lead to murder.

🌸 Like the mysterious flower it's named for, The Ghost Orchid weaves together themes of Victorian spiritualism and séances, which were incredibly popular in the 1890s when part of the novel takes place. 📚 Carol Goodman teaches writing at The New School in New York City and has written over a dozen novels, many incorporating elements of Gothic literature and academic settings. 🏛️ The book's setting of Bosco, a artists' colony mansion, was inspired by the real-life Yaddo estate in Saratoga Springs, which has hosted famous writers like Sylvia Plath and Patricia Highsmith. 💐 The ghost orchid (Dendrophylax lindenii) is one of the rarest flowers in North America, blooming for only a few weeks each year and growing primarily in Florida's swamps. 🖋️ The novel's structure alternates between two time periods—the 1890s and present day—mirroring the Victorian practice of "automatic writing," where mediums claimed to channel spirits through written text.