Robert Masello has become one of my favorite authors of true historical fantasy. The Haunting of H.G. Wells is his fourth novel featuring famous historical figures such as Albert Einstein, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Bram Stoker encountering the supernatural in what always proves to be a page-turner. I’m happy to report that Masello’s new novel is a worthy addition to this series.
The story is set in 1915 during World War I, at a time when the Germans were using Zeppelins to bomb London. By the time the story begins, Wells is the most famous writer of his time, the equivalent of an A-list Hollywood celebrity by today’s standards. He is also a serial philanderer, which his wife, Jane, grudgingly accepts, even when he meets a young, beautiful, and talented woman named Rebecca West. Although he’s 26 years her senior, Wells and West soon begin a romantic relationship and quickly become the main characters at the heart of this tale.
Shortly after he meets West, however, Well’s close friend, Winston Churchill, encourages him to write a report from the battlefront. This sends Wells to the trenches at the border of No Man’s Land, where he encounters what his army handlers call the “ghouls.” Whether the ghouls are truly undead is left for the reader to decide, but they stalk carnage-filled battlefields at night from their secret underground lairs. Some are Germans, others are British, and all were left behind in this war. After his time with the ghouls, they begin to haunt Wells wherever he goes.
The rest of the novel is more historical thriller than historical fantasy, but it proves to be a riveting read. Rebecca learns that a German scientist is hiding in London and planning to unleash a deadly attack on London – one inspired by one of Wells’ most famous novels, The War of the Worlds. Even more, the scientist is associated with Allister Crowley, the notorious occultist whom Wells refers to as the grand master of magic and devilry.
Rebecca’s efforts to find the scientist lead her deeper into Crowley’s clutches. Meanwhile, Wells joins in the pursuit, racing against time to stop the scientist from killing thousands. And somehow the ghouls hold the key to saving the day. It’s the biggest mystery in the novel, and it pays off in the end.
Overall, I found The Haunting of H.G. Wells to be a suspenseful tale set during a fascinating period of history. Rebecca ends up stealing the show, but Wells is a solid protagonist, and the villains are both memorable and suitably wicked. If you enjoyed Masello’s other books, like The Einstein Prophecy and The Night Crossing, this one won’t disappoint. And I can’t wait to find out which famous author will star in his next release. Edgar Rice Burroughs, anyone?