Flaxman Low, Occult Psychologist (ePub)

E.H. Heron is the pseudonym for the collaborative writing duo Hesketh Hesketh-Prichard and his mother, Kate O'Brien Ryall Prichard. Primarily known for their creation of Flaxman Low, a character considered one of the first psychic detectives in literature, the mother-son pair embarked on their literary journey with this iconic character in the late 19th century. Their work 'Flaxman Low, Occult Psychologist' consists of a series of supernatural detective stories that combine elements of horror with crime investigation, set against the backdrop of Victorian England. Their pioneering tales in the field of occult detective fiction are noted for their innovative use of paranormal phenomena within the detective genre. Flaxman Low, as a character, predates more famous figures like Algernon Blackwood's John Silence or William Hope Hodgson's Carnacki. The stories of E.H. Heron also stand out for their attention to detail and the psychological depth of their characters, blending deductive reasoning with the esoteric. The Prichards' literary style is marked by measured prose, an eerie atmosphere conducive to the subject matter, and a meticulous approach to plotting, which has earned them a respectable place in the annals of supernatural fiction. Despite primarily being recognized for their contributions to genre literature, their work echoes broader themes present in Victorian literature, such as the interplay between science and spirituality, a dichotomy that defines much of the era's intellectual discourse. Their collaboration in writing as E.H. Heron showcases an undeniably significant yet often underappreciated cornerstone in the development of supernatural and detective fiction.