Questionable Minds
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4.0 • 1 Rating
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- $6.99
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
Enter a "steam-psi" Victorian world where newly discovered mental abilities are changing everything — and may have given Jack the Ripper a path to absolute power.
In Victorian England, 1888, some say Sir Simon Taggart is under the punishment of God.
In a world awash with mentalist powers — levitation, mesmerism, human telegraphy — the baronet is unique, possessing mental shields that render him immune to any psychic assault. Even his friends think it's a curse, cutting him off from the next step in human mental and spiritual evolution. To Simon, it's a blessing.
Four years ago, the Guv'nor, mystery overlord of the London underworld, arranged the murder of Simon's wife Agnes. Obsessed with finding who hired the Guv'nor, Simon works alongside Inspector Hudnall and Miss Grey in Scotland Yard's Mentalist Investigation Department. Immunity to telegraphy, clairvoyance and mesmerism are an asset in his work — but they may not be enough to crack the latest case.
A mysterious killer has begun butchering Whitechapel streetwalkers. With every killing, the man newspapers call "the Ripper" grows in mental power and in the brutality of his attacks. Is murder all that's on his mind or does he have an endgame? What plans does the Guv'nor have for the Whitechapel killer? And how many lives is Simon willing to sacrifice to get the answers he craves?
Questionable Minds is set in a Victorian England struggling to preserve the social hierarchy while mentalism threatens to overturn it. The cast of characters includes Dr. Henry Jekyll (and yes, his friend Edward Hyde too) and multiple other figures from history and fiction. It has a tormented, morally compromised protagonist, serial-killer villain, a devoted father-daughter relationship and a passionate but complicated love affair.
Trigger Warning: Multiple brutal murders. Nineteenth-century sexism and imperialism. A child in danger.
Customer Reviews
EXCELLENT FACT/FICTION
Sir Simon Taggart, assisted at Scotland Yard and was referred to as the “Baronet Detective” and it was not out of respect. He has a sweet eleven year old daughter, Ann, who he loves dearly and will protect with all his heart. He is also in an odd relationship with Janet McIntyre, Ann’s governess. Simon also suffers with guilt as his now deceased wife, Agnes, continues to linger on his mind. He is seeking vengeance against, Pearson Bartlett, mesmerist and The Guv’nor, who ruled crime throughout London.
It’s a time when many individuals have some form of vril (mentalist powers). Simon tries to be reasonable and accept the mentalist powers throughout the world but there is still the feeling that it is inappropriate to society.
He works closely with Inspector Timothy Hudnall and clairvoyant Dolores Grey. But when certain gruesome crimes are committed they are up against disagreement with the MID, CID and Scotland Yard.
Simon has many acquaintances in his life, one is Dr. Henry Jekyll. Dr. Jekyll runs the Redemption House for fallen women. Simon has supported Dr. Jekyll and his facility and believes in the help that’s given to the women on the streets of Whitechapel.
Besides Simon battling his own issues, he finds himself faced with new crimes right out of the Penney dreadful serialized gothic horrors. Who or what has been slaughtering the mistreated women of Whitechapel? At first, it’s thought to be Varney (vampire) and then “Jack the Ripper,” or is it some diabolical crime committed through mentalism?
Could it even be the Gov’nor? When Simon believes he knows the truth of what’s happening, he will have to make more than a plan that involves Scotland Yard. He will have to be extremely careful as those he knows could turn against him, not of their own free will. Simon and others that are important to him will face danger and certain death.
“Questionable Minds” by Fraser Sherman is an excellent historical Victorian, fact/fiction novel of horror at the time of: Jack the Ripper, Varney and penney dreadful horrors. He takes the subject matter of Vril-ya and creates a very in-depth story how the subject of “mentalists/mentalism” effected London in the Victorian 19th century.
Not all people had the powers of mentalism, some may have telegraphy, levitation, electricity, etc. Simon, besides being immune to mental assaults deals with guilt of his wife’s death. The relationship with his wife turns into another twisted part to his story. He feels he was to blame and he tried to feel love towards her. The author goes into husband and wives relationships in “Victorian Culture” which makes Simon’s story a sad tale of love.
The author makes clear connections of several characters, especially the ones that are evil. Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Edward Hyde and Thomas Henry and Nigel Bolt/Jack the Ripper.
Simon Taggert and Frances DuQuesne; Machen and the Passion Flower and his use of crystals and Lytton rods. Si-Fan from China and champions of the oppressed. Lord of the Dark Face and Oduarpa. There’s also the “Five” that are a mystery. That is just a few.
“Questionable Minds” has many historical, famous and infamous names throughout the novel. I highly suggest reading the many forms of references at the closing of this novel first and get familiar with many of the names that appear. References are: “Afterword: Victorian Facts and Fiction For the Curious”, “Dramatis Personae”, “Victorian Culture”, and “Bibliography.” “Questionable Minds” is the third book I’ve read where “The Order of the Golden Dawn” has a played a part.
I could have mentioned so much more about “Questionable Minds” but then I would give the entire story away. I will state, I was totally impressed with the research that Fraser Sherman did to create “Questionable Minds.” This is the type of novel I love to read, where fact/fiction build a suspenseful, frightening, dangerous and gruesome story from the past.