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The Accidental Medium #2
Gin Palace
Tracy Whitwell's second novel Gin Palace picks up with the main character, Tanz, from The Accidental Medium, as she grows accustomed to her rather unusual gift . . .
Tanz can talk to ghosts, although she’d prefer it if she couldn’t. Struggling to make ends meet as an actress and wholly unsuited to supply teaching, Tanz is only one bad day away from a meltdown. And the babbling ghosts aren’t helping.
So when Tanz is offered a paid acting gig in her hometown, things start to look up. But Newcastle’s dead won’t stay quiet for long, and soon Tanz becomes haunted with visions of a mysterious Gin Palace guarded by a sinister figure. As Tanz starts to piece together a terrible tragedy, it becomes clear there’s no limit to what the poltergeist will do to keep his secrets his own.
Unfortunately, he’s never met anyone quite like Tanz before . . .
Tanz can talk to ghosts, although she’d prefer it if she couldn’t. Struggling to make ends meet as an actress and wholly unsuited to supply teaching, Tanz is only one bad day away from a meltdown. And the babbling ghosts aren’t helping.
So when Tanz is offered a paid acting gig in her hometown, things start to look up. But Newcastle’s dead won’t stay quiet for long, and soon Tanz becomes haunted with visions of a mysterious Gin Palace guarded by a sinister figure. As Tanz starts to piece together a terrible tragedy, it becomes clear there’s no limit to what the poltergeist will do to keep his secrets his own.
Unfortunately, he’s never met anyone quite like Tanz before . . .
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 9, 2020
54 people are currently reading
625 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
February 8, 2023
Tanz is back for more supernatural shenanigans in the second of the Accidental Medium books. Much like the first, Tanz finds herself caught up in solving a spooky mystery with the help of friends alive and dead. However this time she has to fit it around an acting job and some prickly co-stars. There are friends old and new, a lot of humour and action, and a surprising amount of pathos. The ending is so poignant and certainly played with my expectations. A great read for those who like their mysteries a little more mysterious than normal.
November 1, 2018
Just enough spooky, and absolutely lovely.
I just found Tracy Whitwell, and this delightful book through a friend of a friend of a friend. I thoroughly enjoyed reading A Large Gin and Slim.., loved Tanz, and all the characters, and most of all the "light" and positivity. Going back for the earlier book now, and anxiously awaiting more.
I just found Tracy Whitwell, and this delightful book through a friend of a friend of a friend. I thoroughly enjoyed reading A Large Gin and Slim.., loved Tanz, and all the characters, and most of all the "light" and positivity. Going back for the earlier book now, and anxiously awaiting more.
April 17, 2021
Enjoyed this so much! Now I'm hanging out for bk 3 - oh, please, let there be a bk 3 coming!!!!
March 17, 2023
Firstly I love the cover! I love how it perfectly captures the main protagonist! Badass gin drinking medium!
This book is a little more serious than the first one! But it still has its snippy one liners and no nonsense attitude about it! I love how common and open the character is. Like how she openly talks about starting her period, how shit sex was with someone - it's like talking to your friends and that's why I think it's such an enjoyable read. It's so chill and relaxed.
Love the plot of this one and all the history embedded into the story line! I think I enjoyed this book even more than the first one! I love the idea of solving 100 year old murder and how everything was some how all connected and all came together in the end!
Gave off sleepy hollow / ghost whisperer vibes and theyre two of my favourite programmes!
There maybe a few trigger warnings for people in this book so please check but what a brilliant read.
I couldn't put it down! I read it all in one sitting! I really hope there is another book within the accidental medium series!!
This book is a little more serious than the first one! But it still has its snippy one liners and no nonsense attitude about it! I love how common and open the character is. Like how she openly talks about starting her period, how shit sex was with someone - it's like talking to your friends and that's why I think it's such an enjoyable read. It's so chill and relaxed.
Love the plot of this one and all the history embedded into the story line! I think I enjoyed this book even more than the first one! I love the idea of solving 100 year old murder and how everything was some how all connected and all came together in the end!
Gave off sleepy hollow / ghost whisperer vibes and theyre two of my favourite programmes!
There maybe a few trigger warnings for people in this book so please check but what a brilliant read.
I couldn't put it down! I read it all in one sitting! I really hope there is another book within the accidental medium series!!
March 23, 2023
As a native North Easterner, I loved that this story was set predominantly in the local area of Gateshead/Newcastle. I also enjoyed that the author used the genuine history of the area; the old Tyne quayside, the rotting and overcrowded tenements of the day and the ‘Black Gate’ at the old castle. Using places that I recognised helped me to extra connect with the story, so that I felt like I was walking next to Tanz, sensing the unease of the spirits who were trying to connect with her.
Actress Tanz is an accidental but talented medium and it’s while she’s filming scenes for a local tv series, that she becomes reluctantly embroiled in solving a century old murder that’s spooky, spiritual and at times scary. The emotional support she offered troubled fellow actress Caroline, who had recently been treating her as a second class citizen, was very endearing and truly brought a tear to my eye.
“Gin Palace” is the second in the ‘The Accidental Medium’ trilogy books by Tracy Whitwell and works just as easily as a stand-alone or as a follow up. Any references to a previous event that occurred is covered enough for the reader to follow unheeded and the crossover into this book worked really well. It was genuinely easy to endear to Tanz and her friends, Milo and Sheila and her new acquaintance Gladys and I felt I made life long friends with them all too.
Funny, sad, spooky, entertaining, interesting and thoroughly enjoyable, I will definitely be reading the first book that I already own and I await the third with huge anticipation.
#GinPalace - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Actress Tanz is an accidental but talented medium and it’s while she’s filming scenes for a local tv series, that she becomes reluctantly embroiled in solving a century old murder that’s spooky, spiritual and at times scary. The emotional support she offered troubled fellow actress Caroline, who had recently been treating her as a second class citizen, was very endearing and truly brought a tear to my eye.
“Gin Palace” is the second in the ‘The Accidental Medium’ trilogy books by Tracy Whitwell and works just as easily as a stand-alone or as a follow up. Any references to a previous event that occurred is covered enough for the reader to follow unheeded and the crossover into this book worked really well. It was genuinely easy to endear to Tanz and her friends, Milo and Sheila and her new acquaintance Gladys and I felt I made life long friends with them all too.
Funny, sad, spooky, entertaining, interesting and thoroughly enjoyable, I will definitely be reading the first book that I already own and I await the third with huge anticipation.
#GinPalace - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 8, 2024
Really loved the second book of The Accidental Medium. The banter btw Tanz and Frank are so good .. many laugh out loud moments. But then you also get the emotional and heart-warming moments that bring a small tear to your eye.
Additionally, the narration - by Tracy Whitwell herself - is so good.
I love all the quirky, unique characters that are packed into this short book and i am really looking forward to the next one (Cross Bones, which pubs on 18th July 2024).
Additionally, the narration - by Tracy Whitwell herself - is so good.
I love all the quirky, unique characters that are packed into this short book and i am really looking forward to the next one (Cross Bones, which pubs on 18th July 2024).
February 27, 2025
Another banger. My review of the first book still stands (below):
Gah! As far as Im concerned, Tracy Whitwell can do no wrong. This was incredibly fun to read. There's no shortage of lovable characters, humour, paranormal, and drama all rolled into one delicious bite. I immediately picked up the second book, devoured it (and at writing this am 70% into the third). Don't sleep on this quartet!
Gah! As far as Im concerned, Tracy Whitwell can do no wrong. This was incredibly fun to read. There's no shortage of lovable characters, humour, paranormal, and drama all rolled into one delicious bite. I immediately picked up the second book, devoured it (and at writing this am 70% into the third). Don't sleep on this quartet!
August 1, 2020
Stunning!
Thank you Tracy Whitwell for 6 hours of tingling scalp and a bucket of tears. I love all your characters, even the scary bad ones, but Tanz most of all. Please let there be more.
Thank you Tracy Whitwell for 6 hours of tingling scalp and a bucket of tears. I love all your characters, even the scary bad ones, but Tanz most of all. Please let there be more.
November 13, 2023
We pick up where the previous book left off... Tanz is still feeling PTSD from her near death experience, she is in a funk until she gets the call...she is going to be on a popular tv series...that brings a huge relief to her financially. Also getting out and being somewhere else will be good for her.
On a drunken night out, as her and Milo pass by The Black Gate, Tanz sees a ghostly little boy and it throws a stone and hits Milo which freaks him out. As Tanz is filming in New Castle, she starts to investigate the Black Gate and the history behind it...the more she is looking into things, the more Milo starts pulling away until Tanz realises that this ghost that is keeping the little boy is starting to affect Milo.
Tanz works round the clock, when she is not filming, she is trying to get Milo free of the ghosts emotional drain, try and learn about the ghost and learn some new skills. Not only does she have to fight the dead, she also has a few choice encounters with the living too.
It was a fun and easy read, but there were some hidden notes / messages in the book.. About taking time to appreciate the little things, because if you cant find that spark of joy in them, the bad times / days will just overwhelm you.
Thank you Pan Macmillan for this lovely book. I cant wait to see what new adventures await Tanz.
On a drunken night out, as her and Milo pass by The Black Gate, Tanz sees a ghostly little boy and it throws a stone and hits Milo which freaks him out. As Tanz is filming in New Castle, she starts to investigate the Black Gate and the history behind it...the more she is looking into things, the more Milo starts pulling away until Tanz realises that this ghost that is keeping the little boy is starting to affect Milo.
Tanz works round the clock, when she is not filming, she is trying to get Milo free of the ghosts emotional drain, try and learn about the ghost and learn some new skills. Not only does she have to fight the dead, she also has a few choice encounters with the living too.
It was a fun and easy read, but there were some hidden notes / messages in the book.. About taking time to appreciate the little things, because if you cant find that spark of joy in them, the bad times / days will just overwhelm you.
Thank you Pan Macmillan for this lovely book. I cant wait to see what new adventures await Tanz.
February 22, 2024
I was excited to start this after finishing the first book, but I found this one harder to get into. However!!! I really enjoyed the development of Tanz. The pacing was a bit weird to me, but overall, the book was good.
May 15, 2023
If you like the paranormal and detective novels these are the books for you.
July 17, 2024
If you’re going to read this series it needs to be on audio, the writing isn’t the best and the story line isn’t great but the narrator makes it worth it.
February 7, 2025
Different!
July 12, 2025
I picked this up without realizing it was a series. I really enjoyed this story about an ‘accidental medium’. Ghost stories but also some good human ones too.
January 13, 2025
While this is a lightweight and enjoyable mystery it was a bit scary for me because the evil killer was a bad man living hundreds of years ago. I am afraid of ghosts.
July 8, 2024
Brilliant read, fast paced, easy read and couldn’t put it down. Absolutely loved it.
March 20, 2023
Another fun romp with Tanz, this time on home turf where she has returned to for a minor role in a TV series. Set 7 months after the events of the first novel, Tanz is still coming to grips with her newfound abilities. This has involved alot of merlot, Netflix and hanging out in bed, alone.
Cue a job and a change of scenery with a host of new quirky characters, Tanz starts flexing some spiritual muscle and encounters a malevolent spirit that may just be her undoing.
Reading Tanz's adventures is just like chatting with a chaotic, crazy friend. Perfect escapism. Can't wait for the next one!
Cue a job and a change of scenery with a host of new quirky characters, Tanz starts flexing some spiritual muscle and encounters a malevolent spirit that may just be her undoing.
Reading Tanz's adventures is just like chatting with a chaotic, crazy friend. Perfect escapism. Can't wait for the next one!
June 11, 2025
I am glad Tanz is back for more spooky adventures. A change of scenery for the main character is perfect after how the previous book ended.
Like the first book, the story progresses kind of slower for everything to happen in the last few chapters, which felt more unnatural in this book. Somewhere around page 200 I found myself longing for some action. A few of the side characters felt redundant and I found myself having to think really hard about who they were again when their name was mentioned. Still, the story came together nicely in the end and I felt happy having accompanied Tanz on another spooky adventure.
Reading a Tracy Whitwell book is like talking to that one slightly deranged friend on a coffee date that accidentally turns into an all-day hangout. Her writing makes me laugh out loud sometimes, and I can easily imagine myself in the setting of each chapter because of her style of writing.
If you liked the first book, you will not be disappointed.
Like the first book, the story progresses kind of slower for everything to happen in the last few chapters, which felt more unnatural in this book. Somewhere around page 200 I found myself longing for some action. A few of the side characters felt redundant and I found myself having to think really hard about who they were again when their name was mentioned. Still, the story came together nicely in the end and I felt happy having accompanied Tanz on another spooky adventure.
Reading a Tracy Whitwell book is like talking to that one slightly deranged friend on a coffee date that accidentally turns into an all-day hangout. Her writing makes me laugh out loud sometimes, and I can easily imagine myself in the setting of each chapter because of her style of writing.
If you liked the first book, you will not be disappointed.
March 19, 2023
I felt underwhelmed by this book.
It has an interesting premise: a woman who can sense with the deceased detects an evil figure.
For me this book fell flat. I couldn’t really connect with Tanz or the other characters associated with her.
Every plot development felt rushed and with no clear progression.
The saving grace of this book was Gladys and Tanz friendship.
Other than that this left me fairly disappointed.
It has an interesting premise: a woman who can sense with the deceased detects an evil figure.
For me this book fell flat. I couldn’t really connect with Tanz or the other characters associated with her.
Every plot development felt rushed and with no clear progression.
The saving grace of this book was Gladys and Tanz friendship.
Other than that this left me fairly disappointed.
June 15, 2025
I loved returning to Tanz and her psychic powers in this sequel! In my eyes, this is better than the first, but I’m perhaps skewed by my reading experience: I read a physical copy of the first book, whereas I listened to the audiobook for this one. Tracy Whitwell’s funny and engaging writing is brought to life by her fantastic narration — not surprising seeing as she’s an actor! I’m looking forward to the third book in this series, and I’ll definitely choose the audio version again.
December 29, 2025
I want to rate it 5 stars because I really love the author, and the tone. I think I enjoyed it slightly less than the first book in the series and I feel like the dramatic arc and structure could be a bit stronger in both books. But it is so funny and likable, really enjoy it. The audiobook version is brilliant, read by the author.
January 6, 2023
Although funny and cute in parts, this book felt lazy. I finished it quickly not because it had me hooked it was an easy read.
July 11, 2023
The narrative follows Tanz shorty after the events of the first book, The Accidental Medium as she learns to live with her unusual gift of talking to the dead. Tanz is trying to put the horrific ordeal behind her, for months she has tried hard to be a normal human, with little success. She hides away in her bed with her cat Inka and has cut herself off from all the spooky stuff. After what happened in The Accidental Medium she can’t handle it anymore as she has started having nightmares. But when her agent, Bill calls with the offer of an acting gig in her home town of Newcastle, Tanz takes the opportunity to spend time with her best friend Milo and see her parents. However the dead have other plans for her and before she knows it, Tanz is pulled back into the underworld where a vicious spirt taunts her. What happened at the Black Gate and why does a little boy with a dirty face make her feel uneasy?
I was fascinated by this story, I greedily devoured each page, hungry for more. Whitwell’s writing style flows off the page beautifully. She writes characters such as Tanz who are relatable and have a wicked sense of humour. The reader finds Tanz stuck in a bit of a rut. She is desperate for money but is fed up of taking bad acting jobs. As you follow her to her new job on a show called Pendle Investigates where she plays a common prostitute, she interacts with a variety of characters such as Caroline May, an actress in her 60s who carries an air of arrogance about her. But it’s Tanz’s way with people that pulls you in, she’s blunt, honest and caring. She makes you laugh and you immediately want to be her friend. The reader watches Tanz’s relationships grow and flourish, it’s a joy to read as you find yourself smiling at her many charming interactions.
Tanz as a character was an absolute riot to follow. She has many comic moments and is an extremely likeable character but she also has a vulnerability about her. Lately she has been feeling bad about herself and is haunted my nightmares of a man with a scar on his neck coming to murder her. She can’t escape it and becomes determined to find out what secrets lie buried at the Black Gate. She gets a sense that Newcastle isn’t haunting her but rather she is haunting it by invading its past. She starts to hear and smell all manners of a past life and it excites her. Tanz knows that the past won’t stop pestering her until she has helped free whoever or whatever has chosen to haunt her.
I give Gin Palace By Tracy Whitwell a Five out of Five paw rating.
Highly addictive with a main character that keeps you laughing even when faced with ghosts. I could not get enough, I devoured this book and wanted more.
I haven’t had the pleasure of reading the first book but this book can be read as a stand-alone. I WILL be reading it dear reader, I have to, I am hooked!
I was fascinated by this story, I greedily devoured each page, hungry for more. Whitwell’s writing style flows off the page beautifully. She writes characters such as Tanz who are relatable and have a wicked sense of humour. The reader finds Tanz stuck in a bit of a rut. She is desperate for money but is fed up of taking bad acting jobs. As you follow her to her new job on a show called Pendle Investigates where she plays a common prostitute, she interacts with a variety of characters such as Caroline May, an actress in her 60s who carries an air of arrogance about her. But it’s Tanz’s way with people that pulls you in, she’s blunt, honest and caring. She makes you laugh and you immediately want to be her friend. The reader watches Tanz’s relationships grow and flourish, it’s a joy to read as you find yourself smiling at her many charming interactions.
Tanz as a character was an absolute riot to follow. She has many comic moments and is an extremely likeable character but she also has a vulnerability about her. Lately she has been feeling bad about herself and is haunted my nightmares of a man with a scar on his neck coming to murder her. She can’t escape it and becomes determined to find out what secrets lie buried at the Black Gate. She gets a sense that Newcastle isn’t haunting her but rather she is haunting it by invading its past. She starts to hear and smell all manners of a past life and it excites her. Tanz knows that the past won’t stop pestering her until she has helped free whoever or whatever has chosen to haunt her.
I give Gin Palace By Tracy Whitwell a Five out of Five paw rating.
Highly addictive with a main character that keeps you laughing even when faced with ghosts. I could not get enough, I devoured this book and wanted more.
I haven’t had the pleasure of reading the first book but this book can be read as a stand-alone. I WILL be reading it dear reader, I have to, I am hooked!
April 2, 2023
Ghosts meets Agatha Raisin in this fun, witty and nail-biting paranormal mystery, Gin Palace.
Tanz is a struggling actress with a gift she would gladly not be in possession of: she can talk to ghosts! Poor Tanz has got enough on her plate juggling trying to make her acting dreams a reality with the demands of supply teaching – a profession she is wholly unsuited to! With Tanz feeling as if she is edging ever closer to a complete and utter meltdown, babbling ghosts is the very last thing she needs. But it seems as if things are finally looking up when she gets a paid acting gig in her hometown! Is Tanz on the precipice of superstardom? Or is she about to inadvertently stumble into more ghostly capers?
Newcastle’s dead refuse to stay quiet for long and pretty soon Tanz finds herself haunted by visions of an enigmatic Gin Palace guarded by a mysteriously sinister figure. What could possibly be the meaning of this? Could this be some kind of premonition that could help stop a terrible future tragedy? Tanz is determined to find out – even if it means having to do battle with a poltergeist determined to keep his secrets his own!
A tenacious Tanz is not going to back down so easily! But has she met her match this time around? Or is she about to show this poltergeist who is the boss?
Tracy Whitwell’s Gin Palace is an absolute joy from beginning to end. A terrific page-turner that will keep readers eagerly turning the pages, Gin Palace has it all: a fantastic heroine, ghostly goings-on and plenty of mischief, suspense, tension, humour and intrigue that make this book absolutely impossible to put down.
Gin Palace is the first book by Tracy Whitwell I read, but it shall certainly not be my last!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Tanz is a struggling actress with a gift she would gladly not be in possession of: she can talk to ghosts! Poor Tanz has got enough on her plate juggling trying to make her acting dreams a reality with the demands of supply teaching – a profession she is wholly unsuited to! With Tanz feeling as if she is edging ever closer to a complete and utter meltdown, babbling ghosts is the very last thing she needs. But it seems as if things are finally looking up when she gets a paid acting gig in her hometown! Is Tanz on the precipice of superstardom? Or is she about to inadvertently stumble into more ghostly capers?
Newcastle’s dead refuse to stay quiet for long and pretty soon Tanz finds herself haunted by visions of an enigmatic Gin Palace guarded by a mysteriously sinister figure. What could possibly be the meaning of this? Could this be some kind of premonition that could help stop a terrible future tragedy? Tanz is determined to find out – even if it means having to do battle with a poltergeist determined to keep his secrets his own!
A tenacious Tanz is not going to back down so easily! But has she met her match this time around? Or is she about to show this poltergeist who is the boss?
Tracy Whitwell’s Gin Palace is an absolute joy from beginning to end. A terrific page-turner that will keep readers eagerly turning the pages, Gin Palace has it all: a fantastic heroine, ghostly goings-on and plenty of mischief, suspense, tension, humour and intrigue that make this book absolutely impossible to put down.
Gin Palace is the first book by Tracy Whitwell I read, but it shall certainly not be my last!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 13, 2023
I have not yet read Tracy Whitwell’s first book, The Accidental Medium, but I easily picked up the back story to Gin Palace. In the first chapter, reluctant psychic Tanz auditions for a part in a TV drama. After telling the producer she thinks the script is rubbish she fears she has blown it. Fortunately, he agrees with her. As a result she gets the part and sets off for an extended stay in her home town of Newcastle. This establishes her personality as outspoken, honest and lucky. Later we discover that she is brave, up for a challenge and ready to help others, even when it puts her in grave danger.
The episode where Tanz gets to know the rest of the acting team is very funny. She struggles with her costume, her makeup and most of all the behaviour of bitchy Caroline. Because Whitwell is a trained actor, her descriptions of the less glamorous side of the profession are realistic. The fact that Tanz leads a chaotic lifestyle adds to the humour.
When Tanz’s friend Milo invites her to a ghost walk around old Newcastle she goes along to please him, in spite of her vow to stop listening to the dead – even her late friend Frank. At the Black Gate they have a scary encounter with the ghost of a disturbed young boy. As a result Tanz finds herself unravelling a violent crime from the distant past. Along the way we meet engaging characters like Gladys the healer, who helps Tanz to develop her own healing powers. As Tanz gets closer to solving the mystery the plot picks up pace. The resolution is both spine-chilling and emotionally satisfying.
Many thanks to Pan Macmillan for giving me an advance copy in return for an honest review.
The episode where Tanz gets to know the rest of the acting team is very funny. She struggles with her costume, her makeup and most of all the behaviour of bitchy Caroline. Because Whitwell is a trained actor, her descriptions of the less glamorous side of the profession are realistic. The fact that Tanz leads a chaotic lifestyle adds to the humour.
When Tanz’s friend Milo invites her to a ghost walk around old Newcastle she goes along to please him, in spite of her vow to stop listening to the dead – even her late friend Frank. At the Black Gate they have a scary encounter with the ghost of a disturbed young boy. As a result Tanz finds herself unravelling a violent crime from the distant past. Along the way we meet engaging characters like Gladys the healer, who helps Tanz to develop her own healing powers. As Tanz gets closer to solving the mystery the plot picks up pace. The resolution is both spine-chilling and emotionally satisfying.
Many thanks to Pan Macmillan for giving me an advance copy in return for an honest review.
February 5, 2023
I was intrigued by the title and the synopsis of this book and I am glad I picked this up. I soon realised that this is the second book to feature our lead character Tanz, however you are given enough context in this book to enjoy the narrative without needing to read the first book - The Accidental Medium.
Tanz has landed an acting job on a new TV show and is heading back to her roots in Newcastle. This is a chance to earn some money, see her bestie Milo and hopefully outrun the nightmares that have plagued her as a result of events from the first book. As the book progresses so does Tanz's gift to see and interact with spirits, including a particularly malevolent entity lurking close to the Black Gate who surfaces on a ghost tour. On the tour Tanz meets Gladys a gifted healer who helps develop Tanz's abilities and discovers Tanz is also a healer.
The TV job pays but Tanz does not have the most glamorous of roles - that goes to established TV star Caroline. Caroline is a prize bitch however this hides her own demons which Tanz is able to help her with, but also gaining insight into her own life.
I enjoyed this book as it took my down memory lane to my years in the North East and Newcastle. It was also in Tyneside that I went with a friend to see my first clairvoyant - an interesting experience.
I will go back to find the first book in the series and interested to find out what happens next for Tanz.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC and all opinions are my own.
Tanz has landed an acting job on a new TV show and is heading back to her roots in Newcastle. This is a chance to earn some money, see her bestie Milo and hopefully outrun the nightmares that have plagued her as a result of events from the first book. As the book progresses so does Tanz's gift to see and interact with spirits, including a particularly malevolent entity lurking close to the Black Gate who surfaces on a ghost tour. On the tour Tanz meets Gladys a gifted healer who helps develop Tanz's abilities and discovers Tanz is also a healer.
The TV job pays but Tanz does not have the most glamorous of roles - that goes to established TV star Caroline. Caroline is a prize bitch however this hides her own demons which Tanz is able to help her with, but also gaining insight into her own life.
I enjoyed this book as it took my down memory lane to my years in the North East and Newcastle. It was also in Tyneside that I went with a friend to see my first clairvoyant - an interesting experience.
I will go back to find the first book in the series and interested to find out what happens next for Tanz.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC and all opinions are my own.
March 27, 2024
Gin Palace by Tracy Whitwell
Blurb
After a fast paced introduction to the world of clairvoyance, ghost busting, mystery and murder, Tanz is currently hiding in bed, having nightmares about a suicidal psychopath, drinking red wine, irritating her cat and waiting to be evicted. Life as she knew it seven months ago has turned on its head and only the prospect of a new TV job in Newcastle and a month with her best friend Milo can help pick her up off the floor. But when she gets home, the Newcastle of more than a century before decides to haunt her bringing all kinds of spooks and horrors with it and she also finds that her new job involves more than it's own share of intrigue and humiliation. Then it's a case of six of one and half a dozen of the other, as Tanz, along with her dead friend Frank, attempts to expose a brutal murder that nobody even knows about. Join Tanz and her friends on another crazy, supernatural ride in GIN PALACE, the second in The Accidental Medium series.
My Opinion
Last year I heard Tracy Whitwell talk about this series and so when I have time I am trying to squeeze the books in. I am listening to them as audiobooks narrated by Tracy Whitwell. This is a relatively short, but entertaining book. If you have read the first book in the series then you will already know what to expect, whilst this book is slightly more serious it no less amusing.
Rating 4/5
Blurb
After a fast paced introduction to the world of clairvoyance, ghost busting, mystery and murder, Tanz is currently hiding in bed, having nightmares about a suicidal psychopath, drinking red wine, irritating her cat and waiting to be evicted. Life as she knew it seven months ago has turned on its head and only the prospect of a new TV job in Newcastle and a month with her best friend Milo can help pick her up off the floor. But when she gets home, the Newcastle of more than a century before decides to haunt her bringing all kinds of spooks and horrors with it and she also finds that her new job involves more than it's own share of intrigue and humiliation. Then it's a case of six of one and half a dozen of the other, as Tanz, along with her dead friend Frank, attempts to expose a brutal murder that nobody even knows about. Join Tanz and her friends on another crazy, supernatural ride in GIN PALACE, the second in The Accidental Medium series.
My Opinion
Last year I heard Tracy Whitwell talk about this series and so when I have time I am trying to squeeze the books in. I am listening to them as audiobooks narrated by Tracy Whitwell. This is a relatively short, but entertaining book. If you have read the first book in the series then you will already know what to expect, whilst this book is slightly more serious it no less amusing.
Rating 4/5
January 8, 2023
I was excited to read Gin Palace by Tracy Whitwell, the second book in The Accidental Medium especially as it was set in Newcastle and Gateshead, in the lovely Northeast of England.
I received a copy of the book for a free and unbiased opinion
I haven’t read the first book, but I had no difficulty getting to grips with the characters and the story, a short recap is threaded into the story helps with this. Tanz(Tania only to her Nanna) is the first person narrator as well as psychic and struggling actress.
This was an easy book to read and finished it one setting. The was lots of humour especially when the author describes life on a television set and quirks of the north-east. She does capture life in Newcastle accurately in her writing. The secondary characters are interesting and quirky in their own way and generally push the story.
I did feel the actual story took ages to get going and did feel that the conclusion was all a bit quick- this a character driven story rather than plot driven.
I did enjoy reading the book but I would have liked a bit more to the story and a little more action.
Content Warning
Attempted suicide, references to child neglect, references to death of a child
I received a copy of the book for a free and unbiased opinion
I haven’t read the first book, but I had no difficulty getting to grips with the characters and the story, a short recap is threaded into the story helps with this. Tanz(Tania only to her Nanna) is the first person narrator as well as psychic and struggling actress.
This was an easy book to read and finished it one setting. The was lots of humour especially when the author describes life on a television set and quirks of the north-east. She does capture life in Newcastle accurately in her writing. The secondary characters are interesting and quirky in their own way and generally push the story.
I did feel the actual story took ages to get going and did feel that the conclusion was all a bit quick- this a character driven story rather than plot driven.
I did enjoy reading the book but I would have liked a bit more to the story and a little more action.
Content Warning
Attempted suicide, references to child neglect, references to death of a child
March 1, 2023
‘The dead won’t stay silent long’ - cover tag line.
My thanks to Pan Macmillan for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Gin Palace’ by Tracy Whitwell.
This is Book 2 in the Accidental Medium series of mysteries featuring Tanz, a once-successful TV actress from Gateshead now living in London. In the first book Tanz discovered that she had the ability to communicate with the corporeally challenged.
In this second outing Tanz accepts a paid acting job on a TV series filming in her hometown of Newcastle. However, it’s not long until Tanz finds herself haunted by visions of the mysterious Gin Palace. She begins to piece together details of a terrible tragedy that took place there. However, it becomes clear that the Gin Palace is guarded by a malignant spirit. No further details to avoid spoilers.
Again, this was a delightful, quirky mystery narrated by the down-to-earth Tanz, who had me often laughing out loud with her forthright observations about life (and death). Given that the author is also an actor, the novel (and series) incorporates aspects of the entertainment industry as part of its narrative.
I do hope that Tracy Whitwell is planning many more of these cosy paranormal mysteries.
My thanks to Pan Macmillan for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Gin Palace’ by Tracy Whitwell.
This is Book 2 in the Accidental Medium series of mysteries featuring Tanz, a once-successful TV actress from Gateshead now living in London. In the first book Tanz discovered that she had the ability to communicate with the corporeally challenged.
In this second outing Tanz accepts a paid acting job on a TV series filming in her hometown of Newcastle. However, it’s not long until Tanz finds herself haunted by visions of the mysterious Gin Palace. She begins to piece together details of a terrible tragedy that took place there. However, it becomes clear that the Gin Palace is guarded by a malignant spirit. No further details to avoid spoilers.
Again, this was a delightful, quirky mystery narrated by the down-to-earth Tanz, who had me often laughing out loud with her forthright observations about life (and death). Given that the author is also an actor, the novel (and series) incorporates aspects of the entertainment industry as part of its narrative.
I do hope that Tracy Whitwell is planning many more of these cosy paranormal mysteries.
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