#TheIndigoGhosts is the third mystery set in Devon with Dr. Gabriel Taverner in 1604 Devon.
Thanks to #NetGalley and Severn House who provided me with this ARC for my review. A bit darker mystery than I care for, with supernatural events, that hopefully were explained away in the epilogue and last chapter.

Alys Clare often has a mix of real and unreal which end satisfactorily, am thinking that is the case here. Gabe Taverner is called by his former naval captain to his ship, the Falco, in Plymouth Harbor. He is told the ship is haunted, something that the Doctor sets out to disprove along with his coroner friend Theo. Jonathon Carew, minister and friend is not so sure of that fact. as he feels a different presence.

Gabriel's both sister Celia and his friend Judyth the midwife became involved, which lends love interests and to a happy conclusion.

I received a copy of this title from the publisher for an honest review. The Indigo Ghosts is the third title to feature Dr. Gabriel Taverner, a former surgeon for the English Navy, but can easily be read as a stand-alone. Set during the early 1600s, the author does a great job of providing rich historical details. Gabriel is summoned by his former captain after his ship puts into port after a long voyage. Strange things happened during the voyage including sightings of strange blue colored ghosts and the death of the ship's doctor when he jumped overboard in a fit of apparent madness. Sensing strange forces aboard the ship, the two discover a hidden area in the hold where several men clearly head as well as the body of a old woman who died many years ago. Who were the men, where did they go, and why did they bring the old woman's body with them?

The mystery that follows is very interesting and well written with a satisfying conclusion. The details of both England and the Caribbean of the period are fascinating and hint of the supernatural added to the story. Interesting secondary characters and the hint of a possible romance between Gabriel and a local healer all added to my enjoyment. I love that the books are set during a period of time that isn't as widely written about as later periods and hope that the series continues for many more books.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Severn House Publishers for an advance copy of The Indigo Ghosts, the third historical novel to feature Dr Gabriel Taverner, set in Devon in 1604.

Gabe receives a message from his old captain who thinks his boat, The Falco, is haunted. On the return journey from Hispaniola the crew reported seeing blue ghosts and a sense of dread and evil. Feeling the atmosphere Gabe is dismissive of the supernatural and seeks a rational explanation only to find a dead body hidden in a bulwark.

I thoroughly enjoyed Indigo Ghosts which a compelling tale, crammed full of informative historical detail. It is told from Gabe’s point of view in the first person so the reader gets up close and personal with the thinking and values of the time although it should be noted that he is a progressive rather than an everyday man.

This where I get stuck as I don’t want to issue spoilers. It is difficult to discuss the novel without revealing that it revolves around the culture of Hispaniola so I’ll admit to that. I found the detail extremely interesting and informative although the cruelty is sickening. There are many superstitions in this culture so the novel has a strong supernatural element. I think that this background, the era and Hispaniola, makes it easy to incorporate these elements and for the characters to reluctantly accept them, just don’t ask me to believe it!

I found the novel to be compulsive reading. I was desperate to know what was coming next as each development added another wrinkle. It is cleverly done and I find myself looking forward to each new adventure for Gabe and his friends.

The Indigo Ghosts is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

A nice period mystery. Set in Stuart England, this mystery grapples with the Atlantic slave trade, syncretic and indigenous religions, and the everyday threats to life in a time when medicine was still in its infancy. The novel is told primarily from the POV of Gabe, a doctor in a small town who is called to help an old friend and finds himself seeking out the answers to sightings of ghosts, the presence of a mummified body on a ship, and the presence of strangers in his town. Asides told in third person broke up the flow of the narrative and added little to it, but for the most part it's a well-told story with interesting characters and historical lore.