This book was nothing like I’ve ever read before, and I mean that in a good way. It was whimsical and I enjoyed it.

Review in progress and to come.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

Marian Womack's "On The Nature of Magic" is a Gothic mystery novel with supernatural elements, set in Paris during the year 1902. The book's main character is detective Helena Walton-Cisneros, who takes on two new cases: investigating the sighting of Marie Antoinette's ghost in the gardens of Versailles and solving the murder of a young woman employed at the enigmatic Méliès Star Films studio.

The story cleverly incorporates real-life events and people, including the Moberly-Jourdain incident and George Méliès, to add depth to the narrative. As Helena and her colleague Eliza delve deeper into their investigations, they discover rumors of vanishings, mysterious lights, espionage, actors performing without ropes, and connections to the occult.

The novel offers a unique fusion of history, mystery, and the supernatural, with an engaging and well-crafted plot that keeps readers captivated. The characters are fully fleshed-out, and the depictions of Paris and its surroundings are richly detailed and atmospheric, contributing to the overall sense of enigma and allure.

Womack's writing style is elegant and evocative, though at times it can become long-winded. Some sections of the book may drag on, leading readers to feel bored and tempted to skim to reach the end more quickly.

"On The Nature of Magic" by Marian Womack is a Gothic supernatural mystery novel set in Paris in 1902. The protagonist, Helena Walton-Cisneros, is a detective who takes on two new cases: the sighting of Marie Antoinette's ghost in the gardens of Versailles and the murder of a young woman working at the mysterious Méliès Star Films studio.

The author incorporates real-life events and people into the story, such as the Moberly-Jourdain incident and George Méliès. As Helena and her colleague Eliza investigate, they uncover whispers of vanishings, strange lights, spies, actors flying without ropes, and connections to the occult.

The novel offers a unique blend of history, mystery, and the supernatural, with a well-crafted plot that keeps the reader engaged throughout. The characters are well-developed, and the descriptions of Paris and its environs are vivid and atmospheric, adding to the overall sense of mystery and intrigue.

Womack's writing style is elegant and evocative, drawing the reader into the story and making them feel as though they are a part of the world she has created. Overall, "On The Nature of Magic" is a captivating and engaging read that will appeal to fans of historical fiction, mystery, and the supernatural.