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Ingram Hargrave is an author of historical mystery and speculative fiction. His love of history, particularly antiquity and the late nineteenth century, propelled him to pick up the pen and give life to new stories. He is excited to probe the depths of rich European history and excite readers with new settings and enigmatic characters rooted in classical literature. Ingram believes in the value of folk tradition and the legacy of high culture in all things.
A native of Virginia, Ingram lives just outside of Washington, D.C. He graduated from the University of Mary Washington with a B.A. in political science, and from Tulane University School of Law with a Master of Jurisprudence. When he is not touring historic homes and gardens around Virginia, or hiking and canoeing in the Blue Ridge Mountains, you can find him buried in his home library with his standard poodle, Ashby, nearby.
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
As Above, So Below: A Hermann Horst Mystery is a work of fiction in the mystery, suspense, and historical fiction subgenres. It is suitable for the general adult reading audience and was penned by author Ingram Hargrave. The plot follows the titular Hermann Horst, a young and charismatic philosophy professor at the University of Vienna. Hermann, driven by personal tragedy, is determined to scientifically explain the psychology behind occult practices. When Senior Inspector Orczy Géza seeks Hermann's help in solving a murder at the Schattenturm estate, Hermann's expertise in the occult is put to the test. The investigation reveals a web of secrets involving the Baum family, who acquired the estate through dubious means, and the von Voitsbergs, the displaced aristocratic owners. The secrets buried within Schattenturm's catacombs and the actions of its inhabitants over the years challenge both Hermann's and readers' beliefs and morals.
Author Ingram Hargrave weaves a suspenseful tale of murder, mystery, and the occult against the backdrop of a Neo-Gothic estate with a dark past, taking familiar tropes from different genres but offering them from a unique and vividly described new point of view. The interplay between philosophy, psychology, and the supernatural added depth to the narrative, and the exploration of morality and forgiveness made for a thought-provoking read that really stayed with me between readings. The novel's well-crafted atmosphere and intricate plot have a lot to offer fans of gothic styling and historical richness, and Hermann's blend of logic and the occult added a unique layer to the story that creates a wonderful juxtaposition for modern readers to relate to. Overall, As Above, So Below was an immersive reading experience that combined historical drama with intricate characters and a gripping mystery, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to fans of suspense and intrigue everywhere.
