My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Many Thanks to BookSirens, the publisher and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.


Of all the books that you read, there comes this one book that satisfies you in every way possible. It ticks all the boxes that make one happy and if it is a book from an author that you have never read before, obviously the joy knows no bounds.


The Gallery of Stolen Souls by Helen Moorhouse is one such book that worked wonders for me.

Ghosts ✅
Romance ✅
Dual-time narrative ✅
Historical fiction ✅
Mystery ✅

And looking at the above can anyone tell me what’s there not to enjoy in this book?


The story begins with the thoughts of an executioner but the tale then meanders thru the anxiety plagued Louise Lacey in 2018 and the eccentric photographer Samuel Templeton in 1860. The darkness intensifies with the mysterious housekeeper Bridget Watson who keeps adding aliases in every house she works and also becomes a part of the macabre peculiarity enabling Samuel in taking photographs of the dead who are handicapped or deformed. There’s a quirky madness to the fascination of Samuel but little does he know the extent of the monstrosity that he unwittingly unleashes into the world.


Joe as the romantic interest does not get the meaty part but I loved his banter and loyal support to his sister Tash and Louise. It is however the very lovely Maud whose ebullience shines brightly throughout the story and makes the reader feel. It was interesting to see how the author has shown the anxieties that can plague a person for the simplest and elementary task, there’s a whole lot of monologue by Louise when she hears a doorbell that one can’t help but feel sorry for her.


Brilliantly portrayed, the evil character also has this insidious quality that tingles the spine and raises goosebumps.


The final part inside the house of horrors had me taking some deep breaths to calm my racing heart.

If you are a fan of historical fiction with dual time narrative and ghosts, both good and evil, go ahead and grab this outstanding work by Helen Moorhouse.


This review is published in my blog https://rainnbooks.wordpress.com/; Amazon India, Goodreads, and Twitter.



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In 1860’s London, change is on the cards for down-at-heel photographer, Samuel Temple, when he is commissioned by the employers of the enigmatic Mrs Watson to capture a special portrait. Little does he know, however, that the subject of the photograph will spark a dark fascination inside him, one which takes his life – and many more – in an increasingly sinister direction.

In present day Dublin, Louise Lacey is drawn to purchase a beautiful old camera for her home as a symbol of change in her own life. The arrival of the antique, however, triggers strange and terrifying events and Louise reluctantly becomes aware that she is no longer alone.

As Louise reluctantly investigates the source of her haunting, she is led into danger she could never have imagined, as it becomes terrifyingly clear that she is the victim of dark obsessions, both past and present.