Title: The Lucifer Chord by F.G. Cottam
Publisher: Severn House
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Horror, Supernatural/Occult Elements
Length: 240 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
Ruthie Gillespie’s efforts to find out the truth about a mysterious missing rock star lead her on a terrifying journey into the past.
Researcher Ruthie Gillespie has undertaken a commission to write an essay on Martin Mear, lead singer and guitarist with Ghost Legion, the biggest, most decadent rock band on the planet, before he disappeared without trace in 1975. Her mission is to separate man from myth – but it’s proving difficult, as a series of increasingly disturbing and macabre incidents threatens to derail Ruthie’s efforts to uncover the truth about the mysterious rock star.
Just what did happen to Martin Mear back in 1975? Is he really set to return from the dead, as the band’s die-hard fans, the Legionaries, believe? It’s when Ruthie’s enquiries lead her to the derelict mansion on the Isle of Wight where Martin wrote the band’s breakthrough album that events take a truly terrifying turn …
Review:
The Lucifer Chord by F.G. Cottam is an incredibly atmospheric and enthralling mystery with subtle yet eerie supernatural elements. Although characters from previous novels make guest appearances, this latest release can be read as a standalone.
Children’s book author Ruthie Gillespie is staying with good friend Veronica Slade in hopes of mending her broken heart. When offered a research job by Carter Melville to write an essay on much celebrated singer/songwriter/guitarist Martin Mear whose band Ghost Legion still has a cult following, she harbors a few qualms about accepting the assignment. Reassured by her friend (and possible love interest) Michael Aldridge, Ruthie cautiously begins her research into the life and death of the iconic rock star.
Rumor and speculation swirl around the death of Martin Mear in 1975. Not everyone is convinced he is in fact dead so Ruthie’s first order of business to try to authenticate his death. Hoping to glean a few psychic clues, her first interview is with medium Frederica Daunt, who has a family connection to Mear. Although she is not exactly a skeptic, Ruthie approaches her upcoming meeting with Frederica with an open mind. In the aftermath of their chilling encounter with a menacing spirit, Frederica flees to Portugal and warns Ruthie to tread lightly.
Ruthie’s next meetings with Mear’s girlfriend Paula Tort and his daughter April are certainly less ominous and provide her with important insight into the charismatic singer. However, the band’s roadie and Martin’ s friend, Sir Terence Maloney proves to be much more elusive. As she traces Mear’s meteoric rise to stardom, Ruthie discovers Martin’s uncle Max Askew has an unexpected connection to Martens and Degrue which is really a front for the Jericho Society. Ruthie has reason to be a bit worried about this link since her dealings with the Jericho Society in the past have been rather frightening. The deeper she digs into Mear’s past, the more Ruthie begins to speculate about exactly how Martin’s success originated.
With some very bone-chilling encounters and all too real deaths in the present, The Lucifer Chord is a spellbinding mystery with understated paranormal phenomena. Ruthie is a multi-faceted protagonist that is well-developed with realistic strengths and weaknesses. F.G. Cottam deftly incorporates slight supernatural elements that greatly enhance the fast-paced and engaging storyline. The novel comes to a clever conclusion that completely wraps up the various story arcs. I highly recommend this suspenseful mystery to readers of the genre.
