Review: A Plethora of Phantoms (Spirited Encounters #2) by Penny Hampson
- Debbie
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
Book details:
Publication Date: 3rd February 2026
Publisher: PP&M Publishing
Print Length: 259 Pages
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Whose footsteps in the dark?
He is heir to the earldom of Batheaston and lives in an elegant, stately home, but handsome twenty-something Freddie Lanyon is not a happy man. Not only is he gay and dreading coming out to his family, but he’s also troubled by ghosts that nobody else can see.
When Freddie’s impulsive purchase of an antique dressing case triggers even more ghostly happenings with potentially catastrophic consequences, he has to take action.
Freddie contacts charismatic psychic Marcus Spender for help and feels an immediate attraction to this handsome antique dealer –– a feeling that is mutual. But the pair’s investigations unearth shocking, long-buried secrets, which prove a major challenge to their task of laying unhappy spirits to rest and to their blossoming relationship.
Being brave isn’t one of Freddie’s standout qualities, but he’ll need all the courage he can muster to rid himself of wayward phantoms and get his life on track.
A Plethora of Phantoms is an uplifting ghostly tale about love, friendship, and acceptance.
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“Plethora of Phantoms” by Penny Hampson is a richly atmospheric novel that blends paranormal suspense with emotional introspection, grounding its supernatural intrigue in the intimate realities of family, identity and belonging.
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4 out of 5 (very good)
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This is book 2 in the Spirited Encounters series (although some sites have other series titles!) You don't need to have read book one before this one. They are linked only via the theme, or I didn't get any other link.
Freddie is heir to his father's title and needs to learn how to manage the estate. This is why he's moved back home. The gentleman's dressing case was an impulse buy but now he thinks the case comes with a ghost. Researching the case's history brings him into contact with Marcus, the antiques dealer he bought it from. But Marcus triggers a chain of events Freddie kept hidden for so long, he doesn't know how to get out of it. And just what is going on in the gallery??
I liked this, a lot. It's different to what I usually read and that is never a bad thing!
I liked that the secret Freddie was keeping wasn't immediately clear. I liked that it crept up on me. I wasn't overly keen on the way he treated Marcus in places, but I think given Freddie's history, it was a little understandable.
I liked the way the story of the new ghost unfolds. It took a darker turn, but I think, as the history between Treen and Kitto becomes clear, it was really the only thing that would separate them.
I wasn't sure who the gallery ghost was, not til it became clear in the book, and I liked how that was dealt with.
What I LOVED though, was Freddie's family reaction to his big reveal! They were like, "And? So long as you're happy!" Kinda took the wind out of his sails, to be honest, and I loved that. And then, when Freddie's dad has his big reveal?? I did not see that coming, nor everyone else's reaction!
This book is clean, for a MM romance. It is all closed door, even the kissing. Not my usual read, but I loved that it was. I did find the romance bit somewhat rushed. The three little words come early, and I wasn't feeling the emotional connection between Freddie and Marcus.
Again, single POV from Freddie. And of course I wanted Marcus.
The ghost storyline follows a similar plot line to the one in the first book. Timelines are different but the general story line is very similar. Just need to share the book feelings, folks.
4 very good stars
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Penny Hampson writes mysteries, and because she has a passion for history, you’ll find her stories also reflect that. A Gentleman’s Promise, a traditional Regency romance, was Penny’s debut novel and the first of her Gentlemen Series. There are now four novels in the series, with the latest, An Adventurer’s Contract, released in November 2024. Penny also enjoys writing contemporary mysteries with a hint of the paranormal, because where do ghosts come from but the past? The Unquiet Spirit, a spooky mystery/romance set in Cornwall, is the first in the Spirited Encounters Series. Look out for A Plethora of Phantoms coming soon.
Penny lives with her family in Oxfordshire, and when she is not writing, she enjoys reading, walking, swimming, and the odd gin and tonic (not all at the same time).
If you’ve enjoyed any of Penny’s books please leave a review on Amazon, Bookbub, or Goodreads, and let other readers know!
Social Media Links:
Website: https://pennyhampson.co.uk/blog/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pennyhampsonauthor
Twitter / X: https://x.com/penny_hampson
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