Karl Friedrich Kahlert (1765–1813)

In common with the Horrid Mysteries this is another German gothic tale. It begins with two friends, Elfrid, who has returned home to look after his aged parents until they pass away and Herman, who is married. When they meet, Elfrid tells him of his experience with ghosts. Whilst staying at an inn, he is robbed of his possessions, but is saved from destitution by a stranger. Eager to discover the identity of this stranger, he is then visited by his mother’s ghost.

Herman relates a similar show more experience. Whilst staying at an inn near the Black Forest, he made enquiries about the owner of a now deserted castle. That night, he hears a stampede of horses through the village heading towards the castle and at the stroke of one, the ghosts were said to return to hell. Together with his companions, they agree to spend a night in the castle, but they can not catch the horse riders.

When they venture into the forest, they meet an old man who is the necromancer of the title. He takes them into the dungeons of the castle. Here, he conducts rituals to raise spirits from the dead. The explanation of these wonders comes through the discovery of a manuscript by Baron von Volkert detailing how the illusions were achieved. Like Ann Radcliffe, this novel seeks to dispel superstition and explain the supernatural. show less

Convoluted, boring, and not well written at all---this may be one of the novels read in [Northanger Abbey], but it's not worth your time.