Paris 1866. Sisters Sylvie and Charlotte meet after not seeing each other for 2 years. While Charlotte is poor and takes care of their ailing father, Sylvie married Alexandre, the Baron Devereux, and enjoys a life in leisure and luxury with a great future in mind. Forgotten are the times when she and her sister were con artists posing as gifted mediums. But, in order to be able to pay her bills, Charlotte persuades Sylvie to go along with one last job. Pretty soon, it seems that, this time, they are dealing with real spirits and they are not friendly. Soon Sylvie’s life as she knows it is in danger and Charlotte’s past repeats itself.

First of all, I want to say: I am adding this book my most favorite book list. Such a deliciously gothic well-written story. I absolutely loved the setting, the atmosphere, the development of the characters, the unfolding of lies and secrets and the sisters’ own past. This is a very achieved debut novel, and I can’t wait to read more from the author.

The Mothe sisters couldn’t be more different. For the first part, the story is told by Sylvie. Then, about halfway through, the POV changes to Charlotte, and we learn what lead to the sisters’ meeting in the first place. Spitting Gold is about sisters, family, love and loss. The end is shocking but also reassuring and comforting. This book will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for giving me the pleasure of reading an advance copy. It was an honor. The above is my opinion and mine alone.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC. The premise of this book is so promising — two estranged medium sisters reuniting to pull one final con set in 19th century Paris. It had such a strong start but sort of unraveled during Part 2. The story itself is interesting but the writing could have been a little tighter. 3.5 rounded up.

Two estranged sisters pretending to be spirit mediums target the rich and get back together for one last con? SIGN ME UP.

...except what if there really is a malevolent spirit haunting this family?

Spitting Gold is a fun little con gone haywire. It is family drama and hurt feelings and trauma. And revenge. It is the perfect balance of silly and serious.

Except this is the rare occasion in which I think that the a book should have been 50-100 pages longer. I wanted more-- more worldbuilding, more spooky shenanigans, more character development. What we got was good, but I think it could have gone deeper to really drive that emotional hit home. I wanted to feel devastation!

But overall, this was fun. Thank you ATRIA for sending me a copy!

Two sisters who lie about their ability to communicate with the dead after two years have to meet again for money. They have a plan, a family that believes they are being persecuted by their great aunt who is seeking revenge hires them and that is where everything gets out of control.

The plot is good and all, but I didn't get into reading it, it felt heavy and I was getting bored. Get to 20%.


Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel.

I absolutely loved this twisty, sapphic story about spiritists, sisterhood, and the sacrifices we make for the people we love. The ending had me weeping and gasping in equal measure, and Lowkiss does a great job distinguishing Sylvie and Charlotte's voices.

Though not as tightly plotted as something like Fingersmith, fans of Sarah Waters should enjoy this book.

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A unique historical fiction novel, beautifully written. I’m not usually an avid historical fiction reader, but this book was totally worth it. It’s told from split first person perspective, which is a difficult thing to pull off for sure. This author did a great job and I’m excited to see what they come out with next.

Mild spoilers ahead:

I’m knocking a star off because there were points in the middle that were sort of a slog to get through. After the first portion from Sylvie’s perspective, I didn’t enjoy the switch to Charlotte. I had grown attached to Sylvie and Charlotte just seemed like a mean-spirited brat. The first couple chapters from Charlotte’s perspective felt dense and unpleasant, but after finishing the book, it seemed intentionally so.

I personally loved the ending. The pacing picked up for the last chapter, which was great, and it left off on a happy-ish note. The epilogue is very important to the ending as well, and it made it feel complete. Whereas I thought I’d rate the book a 2 or 3 stars at its worst points in the middle, by the ending it had certainly redeemed itself.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me an advanced copy of this book.

A little gothic mystery is all one needs in this family drama. With two unique sisters reuniting to pull off one more con. As they work their con as a spirit medium a darker menacing spirit awaits them. They con others into believing in the spirit world to make some money but when an interesting spirit does come it is a roller coaster ride of dark deep secrets. The setting is captivating as Paris in 1866 comes to life before you. An outstanding debut novel from Camella Lowkis! Thanks to NetGalley, Randon House UK, and Transworld Publishers for this wonderful read.

Always love a good gothic fiction, especially when it features sapphic romances. I wanted to love this book so much, but unfortunately it did not hold my attention as much as I had hoped and kind of lost a lot of interest by the end of the book and found myself just wanting to finish it. I loved the characters and the setting - I mean mediums in Paris? c'mon what's not to love!

First, a thank you to Net Galley and the publisher, Atria Books, for the eARC. This one is a journey through 1866 Paris, telling a tale of two distanced sisters and the complexities of their relationships. While it had a slow start, it gradually unfolded into a captivating story of intrigue and sisterhood. Initially, the societal musings and relationships felt mundane. As the narrative progressed, I began to feel drawn into their lives, particularly the main protagonist. The shift in perspective in part two adds a dual exploration of the sisters' contrasting viewpoints. Seeing the world through the eyes of each sister and unraveling the mysteries beneath the surface was so well done and made part two a pleasure to read. The gradual pace was offset by the plot intrigue, where I was eventually engaged and invested in uncovering the truth. It wasn’t a quick read for me, but the payoff in part two makes it worth persevering through the slower moments of part one. It is a story that rewards patience and one with a layered exploration of sisterhood, mystery, and the complexities of human relationships. I don’t think it’s a book to rush out and buy, but it is worth picking up if you come across it.

4.5 Sometimes you pick up a book at the perfect time! I absolutely was here for this tale of two con artists spirit medium sisters coming back together for one last con. The sisters’ lives have diverged- one married rich and lives in luxury while the other is in their family home just getting by while taking care of their sick father.

We get a POV shift about halfway through that seems to have been where a lot of readers struggled, but after the initial surprise I thought this worked well. I do wish we would have just picked up in the timeline where the first POV left off instead of rehashing all the prior events from this POV. But this wasn’t too large of an issue for me.

The plot took me by surprise a few times, and other things were predictable. But this was overall a FUN time and I was engaged and interested the entire time. The historical setting was the icing on the cake. This also had some discussion of good vs bad in people and how we can be both at once. Both sisters have their flaws but show their love for each other by the end.

This was a great gothic novel. I originally thought it was going to be a fun heist type of book but it went deeper (and creepier) than that. I don’t want to spoil the second half of the book but I thought it was an excellent addition and really made it feel like a Victorian gothic. Loved the sapphic romance element as well!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Rating: 4 Stars

This was such an unexpected surprise! I knew the premise intrigued me, but the opening chapters felt a bit... stiff. I didn't super connect to Sylvie, and I felt like she was hiding something from the reader.

Turns out that she was! There were some fun twists I didn't see coming, and the second half of the book FLEW. This book was a mystery meets paranormal thriller meets family drama... it had a bit of everything, and I really enjoyed it.

I didn't end up adding it on to my BOTM box, but I think it will be a favorite of readers this month!

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC of this book. My review is all my own.

I enjoyed this book! This debut novel captured my attention and brought me to 19th century Paris (and I love reading historical fiction set in Paris!).

Sylvie and Charlotte have a history of working as spirit mediums. Now Sylvie is married to a Baron and has put this seedy part of her life behind her. Then Charlotte appears and persuades her to help in one more charade. A perfect historical set-up, if you ask me.

The Good: I really enjoyed the writing. It kept me engaged and brought me right to Paris. Even though this is not historical fantasy, there was plenty of world building. Twists keep twisting. I really liked how the book is in two parts, in which each sister gets one, It was genuinely pretty funny at times. I didn't like the sisters throughout most of the story and I am positive that was by design - this is something I can appreciate.

The Bad: And I guess this one may be on me.. But I genuinely thought this book was supposed to have elements of magical realism. It does not. I am not sure if I it was marketed as such or if I just drew my own conclusions but this is just historical fiction, not historical fantasy. A gothic mystery, at best.

This had such potential because of the topic, mediums, spirits and the time period which is usually my favorite type of read. This started off strong but did not hold my attention.
Thank you to NetGalley and Carmella Lowkis for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC.
3.5 stars

3.5 stars rounded up. This book started off strong but I found myself losing interest as it went on.

The premise sounded interesting. Estranged con artist sisters pulling one last job? It sounded right up my alley, especially since it had a gothic, sapphic, historical twist.

I definitely liked the premise and thought the writing and characters were decent. The story itself grabbed me right away. It just didn't hold my attention as much as I would've liked.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

A pair of estranged sisters reunite for one last deception in this delightfully haunting gothic mystery.

Are you toads or gold?
We are transported to 19th century Paris where two sisters, Charlotte and Sylvie, reunite as spiritists to help a family plagued with a ghost.

We follow two POVs:

Sylvie- recently married to a wealthy husband. She has isolated her family in order to keep her status and marriage.

Charlotte- needs Sylvie’s help to banish-maybe- this “ghost”. Sapphic and a hopeless romantic. Bless her.

This story was immersive, beautifully written, funny and satisfying until the very end. It is about family and sisterhood, bonds that hold us together even when we are riddled with trauma and heartache. All of the side characters were full of life with their own backstories and voice. I love Florence so so so much. What a strong lady.
Seriously can’t believe this is the author’s debut. So good and one that will stick with me for a long time.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided me with an ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All of these thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Carmella Lowkis for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Spitting Gold coming out May 14, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I think I agree with a few of the reviews I read. I loved the first part, but the second part of the book wasn’t as interesting to me. Charlotte wasn’t as likable as Sylvie. I think it took away from really enjoying the first half of the book. The time and setting were perfect. I love books about spirit mediums and the afterlife. I was just hoping for something a little different.

In 1866 Paris, Sylvie is drawn back into her hidden past as a spirit medium. Her sister, Charlotte, asks for help amidst their father’s illness and financial struggles. A wealthy, dysfunctional aristocratic family is seeking to exorcise a haunting spirit. But as eerie occurrences plague them, Sylvie wonders if they’re truly dealing with a vengeful ghost.

I loved this atmospheric book. The characters are compelling and the plot engrossing. I don’t think the good sister / bad sister angle worked particularly well—if anything, it made both characters less sympathetic. The switch in PoV in the middle of the book made the point on its own. Still, the book is exactly what I’m looking for in gothic mystery.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

A debut historical mystery that I’ve seen compared to if Practical Magic and PennyDreadful had a baby and now that I’ve read it, I AGREEl. The story follows two con women who have one last thing to do before they can move on with their lives and this is helping an aristocratic French family learn the truth of their ancestor's murder. This had such a prominent spooky side to it with ouija boards and Salem vibes which I personally loved. Enjoyed the heck out of this!