Victorian spiritualism blurred the line between science and the supernatural, and mysteries abounded. Prominent men like Frank Podmore, a Society for Psychical Research member, used science to investigate the paranormal. Podmore features in the latest Lawrence Harpham novel, Shadow Over Malvern. But who was he and how did he meet an enigmatic end?

📖 Who Was Frank Podmore?
Frank Podmore (1856–1910) was a writer, social reformer, and a key figure in the investigation of paranormal phenomena. Alongside luminaries like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and William James, Podmore sought to bring scientific rigour to the studying spiritualism, telepathy, and ghostly encounters. His works, including Modern Spiritualism and Telepathic Hallucinations, remain influential in psychical research.

🔍 The Mystery of His Death
On August 14, 1910, Frank Podmore’s life came to a sudden and puzzling end when his body was discovered in New Pool near Malvern, Worcestershire. Various theories abounded, and his death was officially listed as ‘found drowned’, but many questions remain unanswered:

• Why Malvern? Frank Podmore was holidaying in Malvern at the time of his death. He had taken a late-night stroll after spending the evening with a friend. Yet Malvern seems an unlikely place to take his own life, as some have speculated.
• What led to his death? Podmore was a rationalist and sceptic, making the idea of suicide seem out of character. Estranged from his wife, Podmore had resigned from the post office under a cloud, but that happened three years before he died.
• Was there more to the story? Some have suggested an accidental death, while others suspected foul play. Podmore’s hardened scepticism made him unpopular with mediums and other researchers. Did someone wish him ill?

🌌 A Legacy Shrouded in Mystery
Podmore’s death remains a mystery. Was it a tragic end to a life dedicated to uncovering the unknown? Or was something more sinister at play?