Private investigator Mitchell Bishop has a strange case on his hands. His good friend, Dr. Warren Carter, has memories of doing something horrible to a young nurse named Rosie. But when Mitchell goes to investigate, there is no trace of the girl. However, life begins falling apart for Warren from there... and for Mitchell, whose engagement to Warren's sister Laura has ended under similarly bizarre circumstances.

As the Carter family falls apart and the police come in to investigate, another story is unfolding right under everyone's noses. A local photographer with a sideline in erotic photo cards welcomes in a new model... an innocent girl named Rosie looking to make money for her mother's medical treatment. But nothing is as it seems. The dead are visiting the living, people find themselves in places they don't remember going, and locals are gripped by strange and fleeting compulsions to do terrible things. And despite her seeming ignorance of everything going on, Rosie appears to be at the center of it. The answer lies in a long-buried story in Mitchell's past—but can he put the pieces together before anyone else he cares about is lost?

The Soul Thief is solid gothic horror of an M.R. James style. Using photography—then a relatively new technology—as a jumping-off point for something unknowable and terrifying brings it even more into its era. The horror itself, which is explained in the final chapters, is also an excellent (and ironic) catalyst for characterization. If anything gives me pause, it's that Mitchell's reactions to one of the final act twists feels a bit unbolstered. It's an understandably dramatic reaction thematically without quite enough character build-up to warrant it, which does detract from things a bit as we approach the final battle. But that's one tiny, floating observation in an otherwise fantastic book. The fact that I can call out one thread as slightly loose means that every other thread is extremely strong, and that's no mean feat. Lovers of A Ghost Story for Christmas will warm to this one instantly, and it's a perfect read for this darker time of year.

This book draws you in from the first chapter and doesn't let you go till the last page. Well drawn characters good plotting. Warren asks Mitchell a private detective and friend for help. Lots of strange goings on. Victoirian horror at it best. Would love to see more of Mitchell and Rosie. Thanks to Harpercollins UK and Netgalley for this review ARC.

Horrific murders, love affairs, Indian legends and bizarre changes in personality combine in The Soul Thief, a creepy and sometimes terrifying gothic horror story. Rosie, a beautiful young woman, meets Warren Carter and the disturbing events begin. Soon his family is affected and he consults a close friend, Mitchell Bishop. In a photography studio, Toby and his assistant Artie take pictures of young women for purchase. A beautiful woman begins to pose for them and their lives are changed. Neeraj, an Indian servant brought to England when Mitchell and his godfather returned, tells the story of the soul thief. This has, at the time, little meaning for Mitchell. It will.

A novel of horror is good if it draws you in slowly, making you believe in possibilities. The Soul Thief does this and more, using some sympathetic characters and the unfamiliar Victorian era and location. Read this but not at night! 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK and S.L. Howe for this ARC.

Horror isn't my usual genre, and I'm still trying to find what type I like, but I think I've found it, gothic horror. I've read a few now, and this one has made me want to read more.

This was a compelling read, that i couldnt put down. The story was intriguing and drew me completely onto it. I enjoyed how the plot unfolded, full of suspense and tension. It was dark and creepy. I held my breath a few times throughout. There were some great twists and revelations that I didn't work out. It kept me guessing.

The characters were well written and from all walks of life, a mixture of the lowest of the low and the well to do, each adding something to this story and brought it all together at the end. I loved Rosie's character. She brought the light to this dark tale.

Thank you, One More Chapter, for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Gothic horror set with an eerie feel as the characters are drawn into a place and time that they'll not escape. My usual genre is mystery/thriller but sometimes a girl needs a little horror to stir things up a bit, and boy do they get stirred. As the web tightens around the doctor and his family, the grip of the soul thief brought this reader to a point that I had to take a break from the tension. SL Howe weaves a spell with words that leaves me wondering what else might be in his library of titles. 5 eerie stars

I’m not familiar with the era that this book was based on. I have read several books in this genre, though. They seem similar, which is what I was looking for. I had a hard time following the characters and the transitions between the conversations and scenes. It is definitely a mystery and intense thriller. Overall, 4 stars.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #HarperCollinsUKOneMoreChapter for the #ARC to review. The opinions expressed are my own.
#SoulThief

An average historical thriller, a bit by the numbers for me. I think it will find its audience upon publication. Plot and pacing are solid, but I found the characters to be fairly one note.

I had a lot of trouble actually finishing the book. The writing style makes it very hard to keep reading the story: each chapter is interesting, polished, and drives the story forward, but taken all together it's a mess. Flashbacks destroy the pacing, the characters are acting inconsistently from chapter to chapter, the sexual scenes are cringey, and the overall plot tries to simulate familiar Gothic novels but fails miserably. It's incredible that this is not a debut novel. I cannot recommend this book.

I can’t wait to share this one on publication day! One of the best gothic horror novels I’ve read in awhile. Unique plot, superb character development, and some twists that really took me by surprise. The story starts with a bang and doesn’t let up; honestly, not one chapter dragged. S L Howe has become a new autobuy author.

Thanks so much for the opportunity to read in advance! I

I was hooked from the start and I just couldn't put it down. The first chapter had me hooked. I really felt in that moment reading this.

Very enjoyable and entertaining I can't wait to read more of this genre by this author

This thriller suspense features a murder mystery that needs to be unraveled. It kept me wondering how everything would play out, and the revelation at the end doesn't fully explain certain aspects, such as why the soul thief attempted to kill her son. Overall, the story was a page-turner and quite frightening in some scenes.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

I cannot give this book less than five stars, I don't remember reading a book this fast in ages! Thank you so much for approving me for this ARC!!

Gothic horror it is, super creepy, perfect for this time of the year, and the twists and turns of this book just kept me turning the page and questioning my sanity.

This is an incredibly clever, twisty eeriely creepy book that leave you wanting more and I totally recommend it!!!!!

I was drawn to the title of this book and I was not disappointed by the reading.

It is a dark delicious gothic read that is intense, creepy and Oh so good..

It is indeed a tale of madness and the characters are all well developed and add sharp details to the plot. I absolutely loved it

This was such a well done Gothic horror novel, it had that element that I was looking for from the description. The characters had that overall feel that I wanted and was engaged with the story being told with them. The plot had that concept that I wanted and thought this worked in the genre. S L Howe has a strong feel that I wanted and was on the edge of my seat from start to finish.