Adore Me - Shop now
Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
Read for Free
OR
$4.99 with 69 percent savings
Print List Price: $15.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.
Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Linda Stratmann
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Mr Scarletti's Ghost (Mina Scarletti Mystery Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Linda Stratmann (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.9 out of 5 stars 200 ratings
The first in a thrilling Victorian mystery series, with a feisty female lead! Perfect for fans of Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie and Antonia Hodgson...

Those grieving for their lost loved ones are desperate to communicate with the dead once more. But are they falling prey to unscrupulous fortune hunters?

Brighton, 1871

Psychics and mediums have become all the rage in fashionable Brighton. But can they really communicate with the dead?

Mina Scarletti, a local authoress, is sceptical. But when her recently widowed mother insists on hosting a séance, she agrees to take part.

Miss Eustace certainly seems convincing, and there is no doubt that she has amassed plenty of loyal followers, but why are the meetings always held in the dark? And why is her address kept a secret?

Plagued with doubts and concerned that her mother and her vulnerable friends may be falling prey to conmen and tricksters, Mina decides to investigate. Under the ploy of wishing to communicate with her dead father’s – Mr Scarletti’s – ghost, she leaves no stone unturned in her quest for the truth.

Is Mina right to doubt the spiritualists? Can she convince her mother she is being duped by a fraudster?

Or will Mr Scarletti’s Ghost return from the grave…?

MR SCARLETTI’S GHOST is the first cosy mystery in Linda Stratmann’s intriguing historical series, the Mina Scarletti investigations, a traditional British detective series with a feisty woman sleuth set in Victorian Brighton.

'I love Linda Stratmann’s writing. Her descriptions of Brighton are so sharp and vivid you can smell and taste the city on every page.' – Peter James, author of Dead Like You

‘Linda Stratmann has provided an indomitable heroine in Mina Scarletti’ – Promoting Crime Blog

‘The novel is perfect for those who enjoy a Victorian atmosphere […] it is thoughtful, well-characterised and thought-provoking’ – Historical Novel Society

‘Linda Stratmann is happily feeding the unquenchable thirst for Victorian crime fiction’ – Crime Fiction Lover

THE MINA SCARLETTI MYSTERY SERIES:
BOOK ONE: Mr Scarletti’s Ghost
BOOK TWO: The Royal Ghost
BOOK THREE: An Unquiet Ghost
BOOK FOUR: The Ghost of Hollow House
BOOK FIVE: His Father's Ghost
BOOK SIX: The Cyanide Ghost
Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Book 1 of 6
    Mina Scarletti Mystery
  2. Print length
    322 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    February 5, 2018
  6. File size
    3.0 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details

Shop this series

 See full series
There are 6 books in this series.

Customers also bought or read

Page 1 of 1Start over
Previous page
  3. Sherlock Holmes & the Australian
    Kindle Edition
    $0.99
  26. No Holidays for Sherlock Holmes
    Kindle Edition
    $9.99
Next page
Loading...

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I love Linda Stratmann's writing. Her descriptions of Brighton are so sharp and vivid you can smell and taste the city on every page."  —Peter James, author, Dead Like You

About the Author

Linda Stratmann is a writer of historical true crime, biography, and crime fiction. Her previous titles include Chloroform: The Quest for Oblivion and The Poisonous Seed.
 

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B078WGXFH1
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sapere Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 5, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.0 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 322 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1912546084
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 6 ‏ : ‎ Mina Scarletti Mystery
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 out of 5 stars 200 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Linda Stratmann

Linda Stratmann

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Linda was born in Leicester in 1948 and first started scribbling stories and poems at the age of six. She became interested in true crime when watching Edgar Lustgarten on TV in the 1950s. Linda attended Wyggeston Girls Grammar School, trained to be a chemists dispenser, and later studied at Newcastle University where she obtained a first in Psychology. She then spent 27 years in the civil service before leaving to devote her time to writing. Linda loves spending time in libraries and archives and really enjoys giving talks on her subject. Visit linda at her website www.lindastratmann.com

Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
200 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Top reviews from the United States

  • Amanda Roberts
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Mystery without a Mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2018
    Format: Kindle
    Can a mystery have no mystery and still be compelling? Apparently, yes. With no murder or no evidence of theft, Mina Scarletti sets out to reveal the true nature of the spiritualists plaguing her small English seaside town.

    I once had a writing teacher tell me, “Only a murder is worthy of a three hundred page mystery.” Well, I wish I could remember which of my professors that was because I would send him this book. The heroine, setting, and writing are compelling enough that even if the spiritualists had proved to be genuine, I would not have left disappointed.

    This book is unconventional in nearly every aspect of a cozy mystery, but that is what makes it so endearing. Mina has scoliosis, which is a defining aspect of her character. There is no murder, and no one claims any crime has been committed. The cast of characters is quite diverse for a Victorian mystery. And the writing is hilarious–if you enjoy dry British sarcasm, which I do.

    I would highly recommend this book and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
    3 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Triple L
    4.0 out of 5 stars Victorian mediums, melodrama and mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this expecting a murder mystery by the author of a series of books on a Victorian lady detective, not to mention my interest in the spiritualism so popular in the mid and late 19th century. With no dead bodies in sight, this novel is centered on Mina Scarletti, a young woman living in Brighton at the time, a highly intelligent and independent girl who secretly writes horror stories. Unusually short due to her scoliosis, she refuses to let her disability hamper her or her investigations of a possibly fake medium who is luring her recently widowed mother into the world of seances and ghostly apparitions that is taking the town by storm. The well drawn Mina and her friends, the evident research done on the tricks played by clever, financially motivated fake psychics, make this an enjoyable outing, written by an author who also has a number of books on real historical crime to her credit.
    5 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • notagoddess
    3.0 out of 5 stars Deep dive into spiritualism prevalent in Victorian London.
    Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Managed to get through this book. It deals with, the poor treatment of a young women with a disability, curvature of the spine, which of course beyond her control; by society, and her mother. It is no surprise at how thoughtless the treatment by a mother of that time would be, her being widowed, and with an unmarriageable daughter. The daughter, Mina was considered more of thing to be treated for her deficiencies. This story also includes a in depth look at healing treatments, & spiritualism, which saw a popular serge in Victorian London.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Danielle P.
    4.0 out of 5 stars wonderful, relatable heroine
    Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2019
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Having already read the fourth instalment in this series earlier this year, I was interested in seeing how Mina Scarletti's career as paranormal investigator had started. This novel did not disappoint. My favourite part was Mina's delight and amazement at how appropriate exercises increased her physical strength as well as her confidence. She has become an inspiration to me as I persist with my physiotherapy despite chronic pain. I want to thank Linda Stratmann for creating such a wonderful, relatable heroine who deals with her physical challenges in a courageous and pragmatical way.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Shasta
    4.0 out of 5 stars If you are a fan of the supernatural, enjoy.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    You must be a serious fan of the spirit world and seances to enjoy this book. Well written and very serious about dwelling into the mysteries of the clairvoyant and the fraud that can be wrought onto the unsuspecting and novice seeker of the supernatural.
    Helpful
     Report
  • bufan
    3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    somewhat interesting, mostly slow.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Amazon Customer
    2.0 out of 5 stars PArts of this novel were interesting as I enjoy learning about history
    Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    PArts of this novel were interesting as I enjoy learning about history, in this case the period following the civil war when spiritualism became very popular. I was also interested in the aspect of the main character's scoliosis and how she functioned so independently, quite unusual for persons with any type of physical handicap in that period of time. My criticism is the story itself. I found it to drag, and drag, and drag. I skipped over some parts, skimmed endless conversations, and kept going as I looked forward to something... this book was lacking in essential components vital to an interesting story. I am not a professional, literary critic, but I am a voracious reader. This is not a book I could recommend.
    5 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Dez N
    4.0 out of 5 stars Mediums, healers, and frauds, oh my!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2018
    Mina Scarletti is a young Victorian woman, living with her mother in Brighton, England. She suffers from scoliosis, but maintains an active and fulfilling lifestyle. The tourist season sees an influx of mediums and healers to the town, which are all the rage in London. When Mina's mother and her friends flock to the sessions, she begins to worry about the small gifts that are being bestowed on the medium and decides to expose Miss Eustace as a cheat. However it is more difficult to divert the attention of these true believers than she anticipated.

    I just loved Mina's character. She is the antithesis of the Victorian woman. Because of her physical deformity, she is not expected to marry and have children and is secretly pleased with this fact. And she writes horror stories, although she hides this fact from her family. When she sees a problem, she researches it, seeks advice, and acts. I thought she was terrific. The rest of the characters were interesting and engaging as well.

    Overall, the story was quite good. I don't know that it was much of a mystery, as it seemed to me that the medium, Miss Eustace, was portrayed as a fraud from the get-go. But it was entertaining nonetheless.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Damaskcat
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mr Scarletti's Ghost: A Mina Scarletti Mystery
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 9, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I have read all of this author's Frances Doughty series so I was keen to try this book. I found it excellent reading and absolutely fascinating with a very well researched background of the Victorian passion for ghosts, apparitions and mediums. Mina Scarletti writes horror stories and lives with her mother in Brighton in the eighteen seventies. Mina has scoliosis, and as a result attracts a lot of well meaning attempts at curing her - which she knows is impossible.

    When her mother meets Mr Barclay, a faith healer, and Miss Eustace, a medium Mina is sceptical of their powers but as they seem to have given her mother a new lease of life she is content to go along with her mother's enthusiasm. However it soon becomes clear to her that these people are after money and likely to latch onto the rich. In the course of her investigations into their activities she meets a Dr Hamid and his sisters and they vow to expose these people as the charlatans they are.

    This is a well constructed story with some very likeable characters and a meticulously researched background. It is something out of the ordinary in the way of historical mysteries and I can thoroughly recommend it to anyone who enjoys such mysteries. I shall look forward to reading more in this series as I really like Mina as a character.
    Report
  • sandyv
    4.0 out of 5 stars An unusual tale
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 27, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A thoroughly imaginative and unusual yet captivating tale. Set in Victorian Brighton, it insightfully depicts the conflict between the Victorian passion for spiritualism and the scientific approach. This is skillfully women's into the story of how Mina, the protagonist, attempts to convince that a newly arrived medium is in fact . attempting to defraud the rich and vulnerable. Peopled by interesting characters, if you enjoy a good tale of Victorian times and are looking for something a bit different, this is an unusual and interesting read.
    Report
  • Jcloth
    3.0 out of 5 stars Were she have to used the correct subjunctive....
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 25, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Excellent story and very well written, but the author's flagrant disregard for, or complete ignorance of, the past subjunctive is jarring and illiterate. At no point does she use the correct grammar. You can call me an old pedant if you like, but when I see 'was' repeatedly used instead of 'were', it really grates!
    Apart from that, the book is great, and really captures the Victorian obsession with spiritualism and its fraudulent practitioners, along with the mores and protocols which were exercised at that period. If only the author were to have used the correct grammar.....
    Report
  • C Jennings
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well written historical fiction
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 15, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A slow burner that all comes together quite nicely. I do enjoy historical fiction and this is a very good read. I do hope the the rest of the series is as good and I have downloaded the Royal Ghost already.
    Report
  • Sarah loves books tea and rainy days
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 26, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I found this book fascinating as I have always been interested in the Victorian obsession with seances, mediums and spiritualism. The book is also very evocative of the time in which it was set and the characters actions believable. An interesting and easy read, I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report