The Colony of Lost Souls by Kelsey James

“‘I’m so sorry, Rosa,” she said, dread coursing through her veins like a drug. “But this place is no refuge.”’ - June, The Colony of Lost Souls

The Colony of Lost Souls is a gothic thriller set in a remote Spanish Revival-style mansion overlooking the Pacific Ocean in the 1930s. The story follows May Anderson, a woman whose older sister, June, has mysteriously disappeared. Two years pass before May receives a brief letter from June who encourages May to come visit her at the Kinima Theosophical Society where she promises to explain everything.

When May arrives at the mansion she is greeted by Rex, the spiritual leader, his wife, Ruth, an artist, and her lion, Matilda. Rex explains that June just left on a secret mission and he invites May to stay until she returns. Ruth initially takes May under her wing and begins to explain the Society’s beliefs and rituals. Due to May’s own recent life events, she readily buys into the program and its rhetoric. However, it doesn’t take May long to start questioning what she is told and observes. With help from Vito, a skeptical private detective, May begins to investigate this mystic community, uncovering secrets as well as piecing together the truth about June.



This novel is a great example of how setting can act like a character in the story. The Spanish Revival-style mansion, where the Society lives, shares traits that would apply to any character: larger-than-life, enigmatic, hiding truth, and deceiving in appearance. The mansion amplifies the menacing dark tone of the story.


Rex is the best-drawn character in the book. He is perfectly charming at first and as the story unfolds, his character becomes more complex and defined. May, on the other hand, was not impressive. Her determination to figure out the truth about her sister and her loyalty towards certain members of the Society are admirable. However, her emotional struggle to separate herself from the close relationship with her sister felt off. Readers might struggle to connect with her. At times, her inner angst around this was repetitive and slowed the pacing of the story.

This novel will be available June 24, 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.