An Aura of Mystery by Joy Ellis

I know someone who says that she can see auras. Mine is gold, obviously, although I don't quite understand what it means. The only time I see auras around folk is when I forget my glasses. Anyway, that was the draw for me to pick up this novel to read, something a little different.

The story starts off charming and slowly as the setting and characters are laid out. Two single ladies - one recently separated from her partner, the other newly widowed - seek comfort and companionship in one another's company. One is a florist (what a lovely trade!) and the other has about five spaniels and they all live in rural Surrey.

However, on the way home the florist is involved in a serious car incident and spends quite a while in hospital. When she gains consciousness she can see colours coming from all lifeforms. Bright rainbow colours come from the happy spaniels, but a sick baby has a dark unpleasant hue around his tummy. Doctors believe this may be brain damage causing these effects, while her spiritual friend believes that it is a supernatural gift. Eventually her new found talent is helping police solve crime, but that is near the end of the book. Then we have a kind of police procedural for the last quarter of the story.

The style of writing has a cosy, homely feel, free from cliches, told mostly from one perspective. Being an unusual topic makes this a fascinating read; however, this is more a story based on friendship and recovery, and not much happens until near the end. Then it is exciting. The middle of the story needs tightening and the book is overlong. A pleasant story though, quirky and typically English, and I'm glad I read it.​

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Published by Joffe Books on 7 January 2024.

Pastoral Ideal: Villages and Estates ​