I read this after thoroughly enjoying Tracey Whitwell’s first novel in the series, The Accidental Medium. Our heroine Tanz is a cocktail drinking, straight talking, Geordie actress, with a talent for swearing. She is an absolute breath of fresh air. Within pages she felt like my long lost friend and I was mentally inviting her to my fantasy dinner party (alongside Mr. Tumnus, Ruth Galloway, Sugar from The Crimson Petal and the White, Jo March, and Vianne Rocher). Gin Palace situates Tanz back in her hometown of Gateshead, where she has a role in a TV series after months without work. She would have loved the main role, but is playing the tart with greasy hair, dark circles under the eyes and the shortest skirt. She’s the only one with a genuine Geordie accent. After her introduction to clairvoyance, she was hoping for a quieter time, but it seems the spirits aren’t ready to leave her alone. Tanz finds herself haunted by visions of an 18th Century Gateshead and the tenements down by the docks. On a ghost walk she finds out about the brutal murder of a prostitute, the terrible warehouse fire that razed the tenements to the ground, and the role gin played in the lives of these unfortunate residents. This gives her some background but doesn’t explain the violent man who keeps beating her to death in terrifying dreams. Nor does it explain her visions of a little boy who looks like the Artful Dodger, with the face of a pitiful waif one moment, and eyes that burn like the coals of hell the next. Is she being warned off? Or is there another mystery the spirit world like her to unearth?

I loved both books in the series for their characters and simply enjoyed being in the company of Tanz again. I loved her Mam and Dad, who are traditional Northerners through and through. They were very like my parents - always half way down a mug of tea, have their evening meal (tea) at 5pm and are seemingly happy to potter at home together. Tanz’s dad has his shed to tinker in, but her ‘little Mam is always there with some very down to earth and wise advice. I love how Whitwell presents mediumship and it’s effects on the practitioner. Mentor Sheila teaches Tanz how to protect herself against certain types of spirits, but there are still times when she is terrified by what transpires in her own mind and in front of her. Her nightmares affect her sleep, she feels unnerved and often wonders if her gift is worth it. It’s great if it helps someone, but otherwise it’s very inconvenient and not making her any money. It made me think of taking a counselling session, it can be exhausting and the counsellor needs a self-care regime in place to replenish their reserves. I enjoyed Tanz’s loyalty, not just to her close friends, but to those people she picks up along the way and even those from the spirit world who need release. Her bravery in confronting the scarier paranormal events, while being absolutely terrified, is endearing. By this second book she is starting to trust her powers a little, to understand the strength of her gift and her guides. These books are fresh, modern and comfortingly Northern. The mix of gothic and supernatural subjects, with this down to earth, 21st Century heroine is different and such great fun. Tanz is a woman you’d like to go for a few cocktails with and the mingling of her familiar worldly worries and her other worldly gift is irresistible.

I really enjoyed the first one, and the second I’m the series was just as fab! Tanz has done well in this story. Loved the characters and the madness that it brings.

Absolutely brilliant! The second in the series it is witty, weird and witchy. Tanzania is an actress and an accidental medium following in a long line of mediums in her family. This story finds her growing into her gifts and making new friends both dead and alive. I loved it and can’t wait for the next book.

Tanz is back! She tried to turn her back on the voices and has landed a bit part role in a tv series, however the ghosts demand to be heard even invading her dreams.
I love this series. The characters are quirky and there is plenty of drama and action in the story, what a great read.

What an easy and fun read - perfect remedy to drawn in nights and bleak days. I’d put this in the urban fantasy section but it’s a little lighter than your everyday Dresden novels. Following a ‘reluctant’ medium as she navigates a haunting in the Newcastle area, it’s an easy recommend with some thrills and a lot of heartfelt humour. Recommended.