I tried to finish this a few times, but the plot wasn't really for me. Overall I enjoyed the writing style, which is why I am still providing a review.

Based on the writing I am giving this 3.5⭐️.

"Ghost Talker" by Byrd Nash enchants readers with its witty protagonist, Elinor Chalamet, whose ability to speak with the dead becomes the linchpin of a captivating gaslamp fantasy ghost mystery. This intriguing tale earns a solid four stars for its clever narrative, paranormal elements, and the promise of a slow-burn romance.

Elinor's talent as a medium sets the stage for a thrilling quest to uncover her father's killer. Nash crafts a narrative that seamlessly blends mystery, paranormal activity, and a touch of romance. Elinor's quick wit and determination to solve the case, even under house arrest by the Duke de Archambeau, add layers of humor and intrigue to the storyline.

The atmospheric setting of Alenbonné, a coastal city with picturesque canals and restless spirits, serves as a perfect backdrop for the gaslamp fantasy. Nash skillfully brings the city to life, creating an immersive world where the line between the living and the dead blurs. The incorporation of ghostly elements adds an extra layer of mystery and charm.

Elinor Chalamet emerges as a strong-minded and intelligent protagonist, reminiscent of a female Sherlock Holmes. Her interactions with the spirits, as well as the challenges presented by the Duke, provide a compelling dynamic. The promise of a slow-burn romance adds an intriguing layer of tension that will undoubtedly captivate readers in subsequent installments of the series.

While the narrative is engaging, there are moments where the pacing could benefit from a bit more acceleration. Certain scenes and revelations could be explored in greater detail to enhance the overall depth of the mystery.

In conclusion, "Ghost Talker" is a delightful introduction to a gaslamp fantasy ghost mystery series. Byrd Nash successfully weaves a tale of intrigue, humor, and the supernatural, introducing readers to a world where spirits and murder coexist. With its charming protagonist and promise of a slow-burn romance, this book sets the stage for an enchanting series that will leave readers eager for the next installment.

While the luminous ribbon on the cover might not be that inspiring, Ghost Talker was a very pleasant read. It’s short, if you’re looking for a quick read, and is witty and engaging. The premise of a ghost talker isn’t anything new, but this sounded interesting, especially since it was set in France rather than my usual England.

Madame Elinor Chalamet is a ghost talker: someone who can commune with the dead. She’s in demand in certain circles, and those who aren’t skeptical find her very useful, including, sometimes, the police. She’s called to read a body in front of a nobleman, who needs to be convinced that she’s sincere in her talent. Although not totally convinced, once she reads the body, the Duke de Archambeau cannot let her leave for fear that she will give vital secrets away. Madame is effectively put under house arrest in the Duke’s residence. Between the shenanigans of seeing clients in his home, possessions by poltergeists, and the sheer audacity of being under house arrest, Ghost Talker is a whirlwind of a read.

In all honesty, the little banner at the bottom of this cover did not impress me. I feel like that graphic is more of a YA series feature than adult. But, I wouldn’t place this book in the Young Adult category. However, that is a minor detail and one that’s pretty insignificant. I also just realized while writing this post that the Duke de Archambeau should maybe be “Duke d’Archambeau?” But I only took basic French so that is more of a general wonder than a criticism.

I so enjoyed that Ghost Talker took place in France… the culture, although it’s historical, is just a little removed and less rigid than English culture, and I really enjoyed that change. It was weird for Mme to be in the Duke’s household, but not that weird – it made the story a little more believable. Mme also mixed with some upper-crust society members while she was there, and this was strange, but again, not as strange as if it were happening in England.

I thought the plot of the book was very interesting and multilayered; the murder mystery was well done and not as central as it could have been, but good nonetheless. There’s also a nice bit of romantic tension between Mme and the Duke, which I hope builds throughout the series. The paranormal aspect of the book and how Mme’s talent works is very good, and convinces the reader that she really does have a gift and her “competition” are all fraudsters.

All in all, I was really pleased with Ghost Talker – it could have even been a little longer, for my taste. But, if you’re looking for a fast-paced, easy, and fun mystery with an element of the paranormal that will have more books in the series, this one is it. Enjoy!

Elinor Chalamet’s has a special talent: she can speak to ghosts. Making a living from her talent, she accepts a request from law enforcement to visit a deceased individual in the morgue. What she finds plunges her into the middle of a royal mystery. Tristan Fontaine, the Duke de Archambeau, places her under house arrest until the mystery is solved. What follows takes Madame Chalamet to depths she has never encountered before.

I enjoyed Elinor immensely. I love an independent woman who will make the best of her circumstances. I love the trope of standing up to royals and those who think they are better than others just because they were born into some family. Byrd Nash also takes the story from the supernatural into the fantastical giving the story a sensation apex.

There is one issue. I feel like I was plopped in the middle of the series even though this is the first entry. I felt like I should know more about characters than I did, and that the world had already been established and, somehow, I missed it.

The Ghost Talker novella isn’t long and has great pacing. It’s a fun spooky read spoopy season.

This book was an awesome first book in a paranormal series. Great characters and plot. I don't want to give it away but you won't regret reading this if you like ghosts, murder, and great characters.

I don't normally like historical novels, but I was intrigued by the summary of this book and decided to give it a try. Ghost Talker is mysterious novel written by Byrd Nash. I came across this horror fantasy story that left me on the edge of my seat.
Nash’s first book in the Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries series is an engaging story with characters that are mysterious and interesting. She does a nice job with character development. . What is interesting about this novel is the way the action scenes unfold. This is a fantasy ghost story that exceeded my expectations. I found it really entertaining and compelling. I could visualize that Elinor is passionate and dedicated when it comes to her work. It's fascinating the way she works alone on the cases and how she does it with other people. It's easy to follow her train of thought while she's analyzing them. I must admit that the plot contains several turns and twists that put my nerves on edge. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery with a little paranormal.

Review: Madame Chalamet series (books 1-2-3)

The Madame Chalamet series is a paranormal, fantasy, gaslamp, historical mystery series set in the fictional place of late 19th century-early 20th century Alenbonne (which sounds a lot like France).

Madame Elinor Chalamet is a trained medium belonging to the Morpheus Society who uses her skills as a Ghost Talker to solve paranormal related cases while searching for clues and details pertaining to her father's murder which she hopes will lead her to his killer.

Tristan Fontaine, Duke de Archambeau, is an aristocrat and a right hand man of sorts to the King of Alenbonne whose path crosses with Elinor when he requires her assistance and expertise to solve certain cases that could put the king's political and diplomatic position as well as his life in grave danger if not solved in time. The Duke also has a dark history related to his first wife's death.

In all the three books we see both Elinor and Tristan doing what they do best while indulging in some sharp witted banter. Being a paranormal series the descriptions of séances and Elinor's gift to interact with ghosts/spirits and travel to the Otherworld are easily explained and these scenes blend in well with the ongoing plots. Elinor finds herself with a new female apprentice at the end of book two who shows to possess some unique powers of her own.

As per the author, this is a six part series and I look forward to reading what happens next. My thanks to NetGalley, the publishers Rook and Castle Press/IBPA and the author Byrd Nash for the e-Arcs.

Ratings:
Ghost Talker: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Delicious Death: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spirit Guide: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ghost Talker started out well. It was very atmospheric and had an interesting mystery. However, it soon went downhill. I did not like the ending. It went from a mystery to a horror story. Nevertheless, I recommend this for fans of the horror genre.

I enjoyed this paranormal mystery with just a hint of what I hope turns into a (VERY) slow burn romance. The main character is quirky and very independent, the world is almost historical but also very much it's own creation, the ghost antics were very intriguing, and the mystery was twisty enough to keep me guessing. I would call this a novella since it was a pretty short introductory read, but it was definitely enough to make me want to read more and the main mystery was wrapped up nicely. I will for sure be picking up the rest of the series to see what happens.

Enjoyed this story of a ghost talker who helps figure out who was murdered and whodunit, while dealing with pompous men and other doubters.

I quite liked this. The leading lady is smart and the world which feels a bit like regency London was a good setting for this ghost fueled mystery. Supposedly there's a slow burn romance imbedded in the series and the leading ladyvmore than holds her own with the serious Lord who is far above her station.

I received this ARC courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley, but my opionions are my own. (I immediately bought the next book of the two which are already out.)

I love reading about ghosts, real encounters or stories on imagined one. This one was beyond my realm of possibilities.

First it is set in what I thought was England but there were too many references to cities or places that weren't even close to real. OK so imaginary but it went beyond that. The Ghost Talker was a woman so I'm thinking something like "Scarlett and the Duke", with the lead being a woman and the solving of a mystery. I couldn't even fit this story into that scenario. I got to the point where it was no longer enjoyable to read.

Another reason I thought I would like it was because it is the first in a series. I love series but it won't be this one.

This was a new to me author in a mystery I just had to read. I’m so glad I did. This story was a very unexpected adventure for me. I love the intrigue of the mystery with the added paranormal side. I loved the writing and how it kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat. I think you will love this little adventure and I look forward to the rest of the series.

What a fun little paranormal mystery. Elinor is true medium, not one of those charlatans. She makes a living with this gift, and occasionally also helps solve crimes. When she is asked to talk with the ghost of a recently murdered man, she's drawn into the orbit of the Duke de Archambeau. Since this case could have huge repercussions for the king himself, the Duke refuses to let Elinor out of his sight until the case is solved. Luckily Elinor is enterprising and intelligent. No case is too tough for this ghost talker.

This novella is a quick read, and very engaging. I love Elinor as a protagonist. She's whip smart. I'm excited to watch her solve more mysteries in the future, and to watch her relationship with the Duke unfold. The story is a perfect length. This first entry clearly sets up the world and the characters who inhabit it. I really liked the historically inspired fantasy setting. I will happily pick up the other entries in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I'm not really into paranormal books but this one was very entertaining. The main character is a medium consultant but also a little bit of a detective thrown in for good measure. Very interesting story.

This book is fun gaslamp fantasy/paranormal at its finest.

“Have you ever wondered, madame, if your curiosity will get you into trouble one day?”
“Oh, it’s gotten me into lots of trouble. But I like trouble.”

Elinor (Madame Chalamet) is what is known as a Ghost Talker, meaning she is able to communicate with the dead and help make their presence known to those around her as well. With a very unique combination of these skills and her fathers passed down knowledge of fine jewels she finds herself appointed to helping a duke solve a case for the king.
Elinor is sassy, outspoken, and knows what she’s doing. These are all things the duke is not so sure about, and their dynamic is amazing.
I also love the Victorian era vibes, but taking place in a fantasy world. Such a perfect setting for this type of story! I can’t not wait to continue with this series!

Madame Chalamet possesses a unique ability to communicate with spirits, proving useful in unraveling murder mysteries. However, she becomes entangled in a web of secrets when the Duke de Archambeau locks her away, doubting her discretion. Surprisingly, he invites her to a dinner party, contradicting his initial intentions.

In this series opener, their supposed romantic connection lacks chemistry, while her interactions with a childhood friend add confusion. The story starts slowly but gains momentum, transitioning from dull to thrillingly eerie, though it ventures into gory territory.

Having felt at a loss after her father's unsolved murder, Elinor Chalamet joined the elite Morpheus Society where she was trained as a Ghost Talker. While her primary goal is to discover her father's killer, she also uses her talents to aid the gendarme in solving other murders. When a body is found in the canal, and there is a connection to the king, Elinor finds her services are required.

Perhaps required isn't a strong enough word since she ends up being put under what is essentially house arrest at the home of Tristan Fontaine, duke de Archambeau, the king's right-hand man. This is something she can forgive, however, because it means she gets to play detective and go undercover. She also doesn't quite mind the growing rapport between herself and the duke.

Things get far more interesting than Elinor had hoped they would, but some mysteries cannot be solved by ghost talking alone, leaving Elinor without answers a bit longer.

Ghost Talker by Byrd Nash is the first in the Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries, a six=book novella series set in an alternate European-type Victorian universe. The cast of characters we're introduced to are full of promise, and the world of Alenbonne is well-formed and immersive. I love that, while the main mystery was brought to a satisfying conclusion, other threads will continue to be unraveled as the story progresses in future volumes.

I found myself so fully into this book that I downloaded the next three available volumes before I had even finished reading it. I look forward to the character growth and seeing what Elinor finds herself embroiled in next.

Thank you to Netgalley, Rook and Castle Press and Byrd Nash for making a copy of this ebook available for honest and objective reviews.

A good paranormal mystery with solid, likeable characters and an original setting.
Madame Chalamet is an interesting personality and I would like to read more and hopefully see her and the Dukes relationship progress.
The story is well paced and easy to read, with the odd humorous part and I looked forward to a satisfying end, which happened.
I’ll definitely read more containing Chalamet.

A very enjoyable paranormal mystery that had me racing to the end. I loved the plot and look forward to the possibilities of the next installment.
Many thanks to Rook and Castle Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.