Dark Lady of Hollywood

This historical, paranormal novel about Eusapia Palladino's life begins with her wretched childhood in a small Italian village and follows her evolution into one of Europe's most successful mediums at the turn of the 20th century come alive in this historical novel. In a period when the emergence of modern science calls into question long-held assumptions, and spiritualism fills a void caused by the resulting decline in traditional religious beliefs, Eusapia taps successfully into the new hopes and fears of her time. Communicating with the dead is a deeply personal experience for Eusapia. She survives the misery of her childhood only by holding on to her dead mother who died giving birth to her. For a poor but clever and independent girl without schooling, becoming a medium is a way to get by in life and maybe even do well. With the help of influential spiritualists, Eusapia develops her powers. Her reputation soars and brings her to cities all over Europe and across the ocean to America. She is sought out by famous people and investigated by renowned scientists and Nobel Prize winners like Charles Richet and Marie and Pierre Curie. R. K. Marfurt's first novel explores Eusapia's conflicted, yet courageous journey through life and mediumship, as well as the multifaceted relationships of scientists and upper-class people with spiritualism and the dark séance rooms where peculiar and unexpected things happen.