A Phantom Lover by Vernon Lee is a haunting tale that explores the depths of desire, obsession, and the supernatural. The story follows the mysterious and alluring spirit of a dead opera singer who becomes entangled in the lives of a young couple, ultimately leading to tragedy.

Lee's writing is atmospheric and evocative, drawing the reader into a world of gothic romance and eerie beauty. The characters are complex and deeply drawn, each struggling with their own desires and fears. The relationship between the living and the dead is portrayed with a sense of both longing and dread, as the boundaries between reality and the supernatural blur.

The pacing of the story is deliberate and measured, allowing the tension to build slowly and inexorably towards a shocking and tragic climax. Lee's prose is lush and poetic, creating a sense of unease and foreboding that lingers long after the final page is turned.

Overall, A Phantom Lover is a captivating and atmospheric read that will appeal to fans of gothic romance and ghost stories. Lee's eloquent writing and compelling characters make this a tale that is both immersive and haunting, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

Book Description:
A Phantom Lover is a supernatural novella by Vernon Lee (pseudonym of Violet Paget) first published in 1886. Set in a Kentish manor house, the story concerns a portrait painter commissioned by a squire, William Oke, to produce portraits of him and his wife, the eccentric Mrs. Alice Oke, who bears a striking resemblance to a woman in a mysterious, seventeenth century painting.