The Spirit Engineer by A. J. West (Paperback)

The Spirit Engineer by A. J. West is a gothic novel set in Belfast in 1914, a time when spiritualism captivated society. In the years following the sinking of the Titanic, many grieving families seek comfort through séances, hoping to contact loved ones lost at sea. Among them is William, a man devoted to science and logic who initially dismisses such practices as illusion.

His scepticism is challenged when he attends a séance led by Kathleen Goligher, a well-known medium. During one gathering, an unexplained event shakes William’s certainty and sparks a dangerous curiosity. What begins as scientific interest soon grows into a consuming obsession as he attempts to uncover the truth behind the mysterious phenomena.

Determined to prove whether the spirits are genuine or simply clever deception, William embarks on a series of investigations. Yet the more he studies the séances, the deeper he is drawn into a world where belief and doubt blur together. Each discovery raises new questions, and the line between science and the supernatural becomes increasingly uncertain.

Inspired by the real story of William Jackson Crawford and medium Kathleen Goligher, the novel also features historical figures including Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini. Blending mystery, history, and gothic atmosphere, The Spirit Engineer explores belief, obsession, and the enduring human desire to reach beyond the veil of death.