And now for something a little bit spooky…

Spooky but not scary. The ghosts of the Kindred Spirits series are really very like the living, if a little more grounded. Before Paris, I went to the Triannual Conference of the Richard III Society which was both interesting and fun. While there, I had the good fortune to meet Jennifer C. Wilson, the author of the Kindred Spirits series of books. These novels are, by her own admission, light and entertaining projects that imagine the existence of the ghosts of key historical figures in the modern world. And as Jen’s presence at the Richard III event might suggest, the emphasis is on Plantagenets and Tudors, and the star of the show is Richard himself.

In the first book, Kindred Spirits: The Tower of London, we meet an assortment of unfortunates who have met an untimely end at the Tower and now spend their days haunting the crowds of 21st century tourists who visit daily. Richard, of course, died at Bosworth, but apparently made the journey shortly after his death, not wanting to hang around in Leicester. He in turn is haunted by the missing Princes. His return to the Tower is motivated by a desire to find them. He is not the killer then, but he assumes that somebody else is. The notion that they survived beyond 1483 is not contemplated.

Richard is helped and hindered by all manner of famous names. Chief among these is Anne Boleyn, his modern-day best friend, teetering on the edge of something more significant. Ghosts have feelings too, you know. Their particular crew includes his brother, George, Duke of Clarence, allegedly drowned in a barrel of malmsey wine in 1478, William Hastings, executed by Richard rather hurriedly in 1483 – awkward – Catherine Howard, fifth wife of Henry VIII, beheaded in 1542 and Anne’s brother, George Boleyn, executed for supposed incest with his sister in 1536.

This book is light-hearted and comic, a fun read. It is not intended to be taken seriously, but despite that it is impeccably researched. Jennifer C. Wilson’s knowledge of the history of this period is extensive and enables her to explore relationships, both real and potential, with flare. The book is clearly the work of a genuine enthusiast. I understand her passion for Mary, Queen of Scots is equally effervescent.

Kindred Spirits: The Tower of London seems to be a scene setter, establishing the characters in anticipation of their adventures to come. I am assured that in later books the intrepid ghosts break free of the Tower and head off to other places of significance around the country. I’m looking forward to joining them on their travels.