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Glimpses: A story of the supernatural

Bagot, Brian N
Reader rating
4.4
(1 reviews) 77 sold
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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

A haunting presence in an inherited home unravels a family's dark, buried secrets.

Inheriting his childhood home, Mitch's skepticism about the supernatural crumbles when a beautiful, ethereal woman materializes and vanishes before his eyes. This spectral encounter propels him into a chilling investigation of his mother's past drowning in the estate's lake, a death his father was once suspected of causing. As Mitch and his friend Peter unearth the house's dark history—including unexplained sightings and a forgotten exorcism—his marriage strains under the weight of his obsession. He meticulously uncovers the truth behind the haunting and his mother's tragic demise, leading to a poignant, inescapable conclusion.

Key themes
Confronting the Unexplained Love, Loss, and Obsession
Historical context

This work sits firmly within the mid-to-late 20th-century tradition of English ghost stories, blending the domestic horror of inherited haunted houses with the psychological depth of spiritualism. It reflects a period where supernatural narratives often served as vehicles for exploring familial trauma and hidden histories rather than mere jump scares.

Difficulty
● Easy
Fans will love it
M.R. James · Daphne du Maurier · Shirley Jackson
🕊️ Spiritualism
🏛 New Generation Publishing 📅 2015 📖 288 pages 📔 Hardcover 📐 Hardcover ISBN: 9781785072543
Fun fact
Glimpses masterfully intertwines a chilling supernatural mystery with deep-seated family secrets and psychological suspense. Bagot excels at building an atmosphere of dread and intellectual intrigue, making it compelling for those who appreciate a slow-burn mystery where the haunting unlocks human drama. Readers seeking straightforward jump scares or a purely spectral narrative might find its intricate plot and character focus less immediate. A thoughtful addition to the psychological gothic tradition.

📝 Description: Glimpses: A story of the supernatural

Mitchell Newby and his wife, Janet, inherit his father's house where Mitch was brought up. Mitch does not believe in ghosts, and when he encounters a beautiful young lady walking in the house and gardens he is lost for an explanation, especially after she disappears in front of his eyes. Mitch's mother died on the property many years ago by drowning in the small lake at the end of the grounds. Mitch eventually uncovers the fact that his father was suspected of murdering her, but as there was no conclusive proof the case was dropped. Together with his friend, Peter, he researches the history of the house to find that there have been many unexplained sightings, and even an exorcism was conducted at one point during his childhood. How Mitch's marriage slowly falls apart, partly due to his preoccupation with the ghost, and he eventually solves the mystery surrounding his mother's death, forms the main thrust of the story that ends in tragic circumstances. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Brian Bagot has been writing for many years. He commenced when he was in the Armed Services in Cyprus writing a regular column for the Forces newspaper. He continued while he was the Environmental Health Manager for a small Dorset Council and has carried on since his retirement in 2005. He has had two non-fiction books published on the arts of Judo and Aikido. He has lived in Östersund, in north Sweden, with his wife, Marta, and their cat, Sappho, where the air is clear and the peaceful countryside is more conducive to his hobbies of writing, photography and fishing. He is currently living in Orebro in south Sweden where he and Marta have retired to be nearer to her family.

💎 Expert review

💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
While Glimpses delivers a compelling narrative regarding the collapse of skepticism and the weight of inherited trauma, it may not suit readers seeking high-octane action or complex magical systems. The story relies heavily on atmospheric dread and emotional resonance rather than visceral horror, which might feel slow to those preferring immediate thrills. Additionally, audiences looking for definitive answers about the mechanics of the supernatural might find the spiritualist elements too ambiguous. However, for those who value mood over monster, this is a solid entry in the genre.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate atmospheric ghost stories rooted in family secrets and psychological tension will find this novel deeply rewarding. It is ideal for those who enjoy unraveling mysteries where the supernatural is intertwined with real human tragedy, such as the obscured fate of Mitch's mother. The narrative offers a poignant exploration of how grief and obsession can strain relationships, making it suitable for fans of character-driven horror. If you like stories where the haunting is not just a scare tactic but a mechanism to reveal buried truths about lineage and guilt, this book provides a satisfying, albeit chilling, resolution that lingers long after the final page.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5
★★★★
If you're drawn to tales where inherited homes conceal dark histories, where skepticism clashes with spectral phenomena, and where family secrets lead to tragic revelations, this gripping narrative awaits. Prepare for a journey into the shadows of memory and the human psyche.

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
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Esoterica Books editorial team

While Glimpses delivers a compelling narrative regarding the collapse of skepticism and the weight of inherited trauma, it may not suit readers seeking high-octane action or complex magical systems. The story relies heavily on atmospheric dread and emotional resonance rather than visceral horror, which might feel slow to those preferring immediate thrills. Additionally, audiences looking for definitive answers about the mechanics of the supernatural might find the spiritualist elements too ambiguous. However, for those who value mood over monster, this is a solid entry in the genre.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While featuring a spectral presence, this book transcends simple ghost story tropes by weaving a complex mystery centered on family secrets, past crimes, and psychological unraveling. The supernatural element serves as a catalyst for uncovering deeply buried human drama.
Brian Bagot has a background in writing, including columns in the armed services, but "Glimpses" is presented as a notable foray into the supernatural genre, showcasing his ability to craft an intricate narrative within this realm.

📖 Who should read this

If you're drawn to tales where inherited homes conceal dark histories, where skepticism clashes with spectral phenomena, and where family secrets lead to tragic revelations, this gripping narrative awaits. Prepare for a journey into the shadows of memory and the human psyche.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Confronting the Unexplained

Initially disbelieving, Mitch is forced to reconcile his rational worldview with undeniable supernatural occurrences. This journey challenges his perceptions of reality, pushing him beyond scientific explanation into a realm where the spiritual and the material intersect, blurring the lines of what is possible.

Love, Loss, and Obsession

As Mitch becomes consumed by the spectral mystery, his marriage to Janet suffers, highlighting the destructive power of singular focus. The book delves into the emotional toll that an all-consuming quest for truth can take on personal relationships, illustrating how secrets can unravel even the strongest bonds.

💬 Quotes from the book

“The house held its breath, a silent witness to generations of whispered secrets, and now, a new, spectral presence began to stir its dust.”

“Every shadow seemed to lengthen, every creak a potential revelation. The line between what I knew to be real and what my eyes insisted upon blurred irrevocably.”

📜 Historical context

Glimpses aligns with the rich tradition of psychological supernatural thrillers, where inherited spaces harbor deep-seated secrets and unquiet spirits. It masterfully combines the intellectual intrigue of a detective story with the chilling unease of a classic ghost tale, exploring how unresolved historical traumas manifest in the present, challenging characters' perceptions of reality and family.

📚 Glossary

Apparition
Exorcism
Skepticism

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. How might inherited trauma manifest in a physical space, and what role do you believe skepticism plays in confronting the unexplainable?
  2. Reflect on how obsession, even in pursuit of truth, can impact personal relationships. Where do you draw the line between discovery and destruction?
  3. If you were Mitch, how would you approach unraveling a mystery where the supernatural is intertwined with a family's darkest secrets?

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