Séance for Wicked King Death

It’s 1956, and ex-con Royce Pembrook is struggling. When Anna Vogel, an old colleague, comes pleading for help, Royce is pulled back into a world of scammers and fraudulent séances. The reacquaintance is not by chance. Anna is setting up Royce to take the fall for something big. Advance Praise“Coy Hall hits a rare bull’s eye. Immersive period noir that is crisp, fresh, and propulsive. True to the times with light touches of a modern sensibility, A Séance for Wicked King Death is a bracing read.”—M.E. Proctor, author of Family and Other Ailments“Coy Hall is a master of creating thrilling historical fiction novels, and A Séance for Wicked King Death is no exception. With a unique premise and a cast of characters full of moxie and humorous, intelligent dialogue, Hall delivers a pulse-pounding noir novel reminiscent of Willeford or Goodis. His latest protagonist, Royce Pembrook, is a refreshing change from the hardboiled, cliche-driven characters of the past, and it’s pure joy to follow him into the shadowy, enigmatic world of midnight spook shows. A highly enjoyable novel—Hall is a dream come true for pulp aficionados!”—C.W. Blackwell, author of Hard Mountain Clay“Like unearthing an unpublished Hammett book.”—Tim McGregor, author of Wasps in the Ice Cream

I don't want to say too much about the nuts and bolts of this book, not because it's unworthy of such analysis but because I think it's a thing better experienced than described. I found its premise (of a reformed charlatan being pulled back into his former life of conducting fake séances) immediately intriguing and compelling and that interest easily propelled me through the first two thirds of the book almost effortlessly as I was blissfully swept along by the swift and potent current of the narrative.

There were a few moments in the back third of the tale that struck me as a bit convenient, implausible, or less to my liking, which I won't elaborate on as they involve major plot spoilers; however, there were no deal breakers and I found myself able to look past those instances as the author wisely left enough room and ambiguity around them to make that possible.

Ultimately, I found "A Séance for Wicked King Death" to be a fun, fast, and worthwhile read, a nicely-executed dose of noir that makes good use of its unique setting and historical context to deliver a story rich with detail, thought-provoking elements, and a dash of noteworthy social commentary.

This one was a 4.25 for me but I'm happy to round up as I feel the overall quality of the effort easily warrants it despite a few elements not being to my personal taste.