Full of twists and turns, this gothic mystery kept me on the edge of my seat!

Highly suspenseful with spooky spirits, this novel is perfect for lovers of historical fiction who want a story driven by strong female characters. I really enjoyed the shift in perspective between the Mothe sisters in the middle of the book, it was really engaging to relive certain events from a different POV - this was an impactful choice to have a hard perspective switch, and it had me changing my mind about who to root for. Lowkis did a great setting the scene of 19th century Paris. Also I love to read a queer love story and this one didn’t disappoint!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books Publishing for providing this eARC!

This entire book was remarkably boring. While the use of dual-POV helped keep the story from being actively sleep inducing, it still did nothing to help make the book genuinely engaging. For what the story was, it is incredibly well written however, and I suspect for fans of historical mysteries with POV tricks, they’ll enjoy this a lot more. I’m not that fan. And I was expecting this to be fantasy.

The comparisons to Sarah Waters's novels are what drew me to "Spitting Gold," but the similarities are superficial. Like Waters's first several novels ("Tipping the Velvet," "Affliction," "Fingersmith"), this takes place in the 19th century, there's deception involved, and there are LGBT characters. And like Waters, author Carmella Lowkis excels at evoking the setting and creating flesh-and-blood characters. In some ways, though, "Spitting Gold" is more ambitious, attempting to depict pivotal events from the disparate viewpoints of two sisters and commenting on the elusiveness of truth and the definition of good. It doesn't fully achieve these lofty goals, however, and elements of the plot felt shallow and simplistic, with a rushed ending.

All that said, I did enjoy the book, racing through it and being surprised by a plot point or two. If you enjoy well-written historical fiction that depicts life among both the high-born and commoners, the rich and the struggling, you'll find this entertaining.

Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books, for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

this was incredible, right from the start. i missed reading a good mystery, and this brought me back.

writing — ⋆⋆⋆⋆

this is such a genuinely funny book. so many scenes where i couldn't keep the smile off my face. the dialogue, especially charlotte's lines, is commendable.

worldbuilding — ⋆⋆⋆⋆

this book isn't fantasy, but i found the paris established within its pages a complete delight. i love historical fiction set during this time period, and lowkis did an excellent job bringing it to life. one thing i will say is that it's not really as gothic or paranormalesque as the blurb would have you believe. it's a very straightforward, logical mystery. i would have preferred something of the former, but this was still enjoyable.

plot — ⋆⋆⋆½

this had twist after twist after twist. i was completely hooked. very well planned, with no holes i can see, with the mystery being completely solved, and the character motivations being thoroughly explained. however, there was too much buildup to be proportionate to what the ending was. spoiler, it was boring.

structuring — ⋆⋆⋆

the structuring, however? i can't say i was a fan from the beginning. switching from sylvie's pov in the first half to charlotte's in the second with no warning was jarring. objectively, the two opposing perspectives added more tension to the story, and structuring it this way rather than alternating every chapter did make the reveal more impactful. i just personally wasn't a fan.

characters — ⋆⋆⋆½

florence, my one love. i disliked at least either charlotte or sylvie throughout 90% of the book, and both of them at least 25% of the time. which isn't a fault, i think they're written to be purposefully hateable. i think lowkis has an immense talent for stirring up hatred, and i was invested in the book despite, or even because of, that same hatred. i really can't comment on their personalities or actions without spoilers, but it's like rereading caraval again, except both sisters are donatella. the side characters are funny, but not anything remarkable, which isn't a negative point—the story is fascinating enough with just the two sisters. charlotte's arc where she wrestles with her feelings for [redacted] and how to admit them was so relatable as someone still closeted.

overall — ⋆⋆⋆½
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

I think this is the author's debut novel, and it is a strong one! The characters were distinct and well written. The setting was evocative, and the plot was delightful. I'm one who usually predicts the ending of books but the plot twists in this novel weren't predictable.

The story of two sisters who are spiritists and con artists. I honestly couldn’t decide who to love or who to hate in this book. I did feel that Charlotte’s telling of the story but in a different angle made the book seem a bit long.
All in all it ended tidily and was a good read.

This is a phenomenal book. From page 1 it grips you and holds you in your seat. I thought the author was descriptive, detailed, expressive, and really writes for the reader. This was a breath of fresh air!

Spitting Gold
by Carmella Lowkis
Pub Date: 14 May 2024

A deliciously haunting debut for fans of Sarah Waters and Sarah Penner set in 19th-century Paris, blending gothic mystery with a captivating sapphic romance as two estranged sisters—celebrated (and fraudulent) spirit mediums—come back together for one last con.

Paris, 1866. When Baroness Sylvie Devereux receives a house call from Charlotte Mothe, the sister she disowned, she fears her shady past as a spirit medium has caught up with her. But with their father ill and Charlotte unable to pay his bills, Sylvie is persuaded into one last con.

Their marks are the de Jacquinots: dysfunctional aristocrats who believe they are haunted by their great aunt, brutally murdered during the French Revolution.

The scheme underway, the sisters deploy every trick to terrify the family out of their gold. But when inexplicable horrors start to happen to them too, the duo question whether they really are at the mercy of a vengeful spirit. And what other deep, dark secrets may come to light?

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for sending me a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This book was not for me. I found it dense and fairly lifeless, but i do belive that was a me issue. I struggled to find clarity in what exactly was happening on page to page because of how the narrator descibes or doesn't describe people in a scene.

This book i would not even market the romance in this. It's not a large enough aspect of the story in my opinion that it should be marketed that way. It is more a mystery novel than anything else.

So, I finished this a few days ago, but I needed some time to process my thoughts on it. Overall, I think I was just... whelmed.

The story is split into two parts and the first part was, I think, the stronger of the two. It really gave the feeling of creepiness and this feeling of being haunted. Sylvie wasn't my favorite character, but I definitely felt for her during the moments where things started to unravel. I had a bit of a harder time with the second part of the book, though. Charlotte's POV isn't all that distinct from her sister's and the anticipation and tension from the first part is immediately doused. That's not to say that there wasn't anything to like about Charlotte's POV. By the end of it, I definitely felt more for Charlotte than I did Sylvie. However, I feel like Charlotte's POV had a bit of a pacing problem. There were moments where I wanted things to be savored a bit more (each chapter jumps around to different points in time), but it didn't always pan out that way. That, and I felt like certain conflict resolutions were very unsatisfying to me. The resentment and misunderstandings between Charlotte and Sylvie were, I felt, very well done, but the actual big conflict didn't happen in a way that worked for me. That, and it felt like neither sister really ever got closure for what happened. Which, while realistic, I guess, definitely impacted my enjoyment.

The last thing is that the actual ending bit felt so rushed and a little confusing, if I'm honest. When I read it, I didn't really have too much of an idea what actually happened and then, it cuts straight to an epilogue. It just felt like there needed to be something more there. Some more clarity, definitely, but also just something that showed a bit more of Charlotte's feelings and thoughts.

I feel like this will really work for some people, but it was just okay for me.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Publisher for my ARC

I finished reading Spitting gold and I'm still reeling from the experience. As a longtime fan of historical fiction and gothic mystery, I was drawn in by the setting and premise of this debut novel. But what I didn't expect was to be so thoroughly captivated by the complex relationship between the two sisters, Sylvie and Charlotte. Their fraught past and present-day deceptions had me both cringing and rooting for them simultaneously!

The way Carmella Lowkiss wove together elements of horror, suspense, and romance was masterful. I found myself staying up late to read 'just one more chapter' and feeling like I was right there in the dark, atmospheric world of 19th-century Paris. The supernatural elements were genuinely chilling, but it was the exploration of family secrets and the power dynamics between the sisters that truly haunted me.

I loved how the author didn't shy away from exploring the complexities of female relationships, desire, and power. The sapphic romance was tender and authentic, adding another layer of depth to the story. If you're a fan of authors like Sarah Waters and Sarah Penner, you'll feel right at home in this world. But Carmella Lowkiss definitely has a unique voice and style that's all their own. I can't wait to see what they do next! Highly, highly recommended for a thrilling and thought-provoking read.

Spitting Gold by Carmella Lowkis is a book about family, chosen and blood and the strength of each. It’s about greed and the way it changes people. It’s about ghosts and fairy tales and the people who tell those stories. It’s about sisters, and love, and all the ways that love can look and feel and be.

The story is told in first person, and while I typically prefer more escapism in my fiction, the insight we get into Sylvie and Florence because of this point of view is integral to the story. The first half of the novel is told from the older sister’s perspective, and the second half from the younger. While there is some overlap, the author does a great job at not making us sit through the same dialogue again - there is a whole second story happening that we get access to when the POV switches.

I found myself more compelled by the queer sister’s story, of the two, but that has less to do with the writing and more with my personal preferences in books. Both sisters were captivating, and by the time I was 60% through the book, it consumed my every thought, and I didn’t want to put it down.

The relationship between the sisters is one of the best I’ve read. The miscommunication and inability to see past their own experiences, a trope so often used to spice up a romance novel, makes Sylvie and Charlotte feel like real people. They are fleshed-out and flawed, they are passionate and angry, they love each other so much and they are so, so hurt by each other. It’s family, and it’s real.

The ending destroyed me, as all good endings do. I loved this book beginning to end, and I hope this review helps other readers to find it and love it, too.

Content warnings: Family death, domestic abuse, suicide, homophobia. Nothing particularly graphic, although the domestic abuse has brief heavy moments.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

(e-arc provided via NetGalley)

my first foray into reviewing arcs and i found a winner right off the bat... whew! "spitting gold", a historical fiction novel set in 1860's paris, weaves a rich tapestry of scheming, quacks, lying, ripping off rich people, realistic familiar relationships, secrets upon secrets, complex characters aaand lesbians. a twist-y and turn-y ride through long corridors and spiral staircases.

A story of two sisters who do one last spiritualist con but start to wonder if a ghost is real in this sapphic historical fiction.

This book wanted to be so good. There are moments when you question if the author understands human emotion and then moments when you’re struck by the skillful way the author manipulates you and makes you hate each of the sisters in turn. But overall, with a comparison of being like Waters’ tales, it left me very unsatisfied.

I might read her again if a blurb is compelling but the only reason to read this is if you’re just that thirsty for a sapphic protagonist.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: None
POV: Dual 3rd

I can maybe see the comparison of Spitting gold to Sarah Waters but it didn't overlap too much for me. This is not necessarily a bad thing though. Overall, Spitting Gold is a dark story with fascinating characters and relationships. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in easy historical mystery read.

Like other reviewers, I certainly have a favorite sister's perspective to read. Although having both POVs was fun to see how one another saw each other. Kind of makes me wish I could do that with all my sisters. The perspectives in the book while distinct were sometimes unreliable. Yet, all the characters and the relationships in the book kept me engaged and interested til the very end.

*The book does include some dark topics! Definitely check out TW

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books Publisher for this eARC!

I liked this book. It reminded me a lot of Sarah Waters' style right from the start. The twists and turns are slightly more obvious than in a classic Sarah Waters story, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment. The book is divided into two parts, each told from one of the sisters' perspectives. Honestly, I preferred the second part and wished it was a bit longer. But I think it was interesting to have the perspective of how each of the sisters saw themselves and each other. A lot of this book is hard to talk about because it spoils too much about some of the twists in the story and I wouldn't want to do that. But I think it's certainly a story worth reading.

Review will be posted to GoodReads and StoryGraph on the publication date.

Spitting gold is a difficult book to rate for me. We begin our story with Sylvie, the good girl who got out of the slums, married rich, and never wants to go back. She is convinced by her sister, Charlotte, to return for one last con, returning to the world of faking spirit medium powers to scam money from the grieving. However she finds herself out of her depth as she begins to realize that many of the events surrounding the haunting she is meant to be fabricating don’t have easy answers.

Sylvie is our point of view character for nearly half this book, and every moment stuck in her head was unbearable. She was primarily concerned with her marriage (which we had never seen when it was good, so I did not particularly care when it started to go bad) and judging her sister. She is selfish and vain and illogical. Also her story dragged, focusing on characters we had no reason to like rather than the interesting elements of the plot: namely the spirit mediums and their gothically tragic clients.

If we had not switched perspectives to Charlotte halfway through the book, I would not have finished it. As it was, not knowing that that perspective change was coming, I very nearly didn’t get to it.

When we finally do shift perspectives halfway through, the book became leaps and bounds better. The writing was strong throughout, and in this second half it became apparent that Sylvie’s character flaws were deliberate, a set up so we could better understand her dynamic and role in Charlotte’s story. Had the entire thing been from Charlotte’s perspective, this would have been a 4-4.5 start book.

With the new point of view character, this becomes a beautiful story about family bonds, betrayal, love, and loyalty. We gain new insights into the mystery of the family Sylvie and Charlotte are conning (which had always been intriguing, but took up too little of Sylvies story), and into how the girls grew up together. We begin to understand the fractious bonds of these two sisters, informed by our unpleasant time in Sylvies head, but fleshed out and given dimension by our time in Charlotte’s. I cared about Charlotte and the people populating her world in a way I’d never had the chance to with Sylvie.

I think I understand what this book was going for. It was meant to lure us in with Sylvies perspective, set us up to believe her since she was our narrator. We were meant to sympathize with Sylvie, thé good sister, who maybe wasn’t perfect but tried to do what was right while her ungrateful and unsympathetic sister blamed her for falling in love and leaving. Then when we flip to Charlotte’s perspective, we’re shown that we had a biased picture and realize that everything was always more complicated than that. This is spoiled by two things. The first is that the ‘foreshadowing’ during Sylvies section, in other words the indications that she wasn’t actually the perfect sister, were so heavy handed as to make it painfully obvious that Sylvie kinda sucked. The second was that it was not clear that we would be changing perspectives at all, meaning it very much seemed that we would be stuck with an uninteresting, unsympathetic, nearly unbearable narrator for the entire story, and that her world view was the one we were meant to accept.

This book has a lot of potential, and once I got to the halfway mark it became a really good read. However I did not enjoy getting there.

Thank you to Atria Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Spitting Gold is stealthy spectral historical fiction novel full of twists and turns, appearances and disappearances, and the real and imagined ghosts that haunt us.

Charlotte and Sylvie are two estranged sisters and former spiritual mediums, whose fakery and trickery fooled their clients but foiled their relationship. Sylvie, now a baroness, decided to leave it all behind in favour of a life of prestige and comfort, while Charlotte was left behind, poor, and forced to care for their dying and abusive father. When Charlotte appears on Sylvie's doorstep one day begging her to join her for one last scheme, Sylvie will have to decide where her loyalties lie.

I have read many spiritualist fiction books, and this is by the far the best one I have read. The cat and mouse game that occurred not only between the sisters and their clients, but between themselves, almost read like a clever crime thriller, where blackmail, vengeance, and misplaced guilt were the real ghosts haunting the sisters. Love and loyalty were bargained and bartered so that each sister while trying to save herself, endangered each other in unforgiveable ways. Secrets from the past were the high stakes that each sister needed to grapple with, so that like a ghost, what was true and what was a lie became blurry and hauntingly intrusive. The supernatural aspects of the story supported the intricate plot involving the haunted family, whose own secrets and tragedies mirrored the sisters complex relationship. I liked that the book was written with a dual perspective, one from Charlotte's, the other from Sylvie's point of view because it helped to drive home the idea, that nothing was as it appeared to be.

If you like ghostly fiction and stories about sisterly bonds, mother daughter relationships, and Parisian historical fiction, then I would highly recommend Spitting Gold. It will surprise you.

Spitting Gold by Carmella Lowkis is an entertaining historical fiction that takes us back to the streets of Paris in the 19th century.

This was a unique his fiction that incorporated mystery, romance, gothic and realistic elements into one novel. Involving that “world in between” created an interesting push and pull with the narrative that helped add a layer of complexity. The edges of the “spiritual” world and the “real” world were skillfully woven together to create more mist and mystery as we follow along with the two main characters and sisters, Sylvie Devereux and Charlotte Mothe.

It was an interesting read that kept me interested until the end.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and Atria Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my NG account only at this time and will publish it to my GR, Bookbub, Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 5/14/24 per publisher request.

The cover of this book is what drew me in and made me want to read it. I love the Gothic Lesbian feel to this book.

When i started reading it had me hooked but later in the book it felt like it dragged. I wish there would have been more of a dual POV. I did like seeing the twists unfold.

I did enjoy the book and thanks to NetGalley for letting me read and review.