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1873-ieji. Apleistoje pilyje Paryžiaus pakraštyje rengiamasi spiritizmo seansui, kuriam vadovaus pripažinta mediumė Vodelina D'Aler. Ši moteris visame pasaulyje garsėja dėl savo talento prakalbinti nusikaltimų aukų dvasias, kad išsiaiškintų, kas jas nužudė, todėl į ją pagalbos kreipiasi ir aukos artimieji, ir policininkai.
Lena Viks atvyksta į Paryžių ieškoti atsakymų apie sesers mirtį; jai tenka atsiduoti nežinomybei ir įveikti savo logika paremtą mąstyseną bei nusistatymą prieš okultizmą. Kai Vodeliną pakviečia į Angliją išaiškinti rezonansinės žmogžudystės, Lena lydi ją kaip padėjėja. Tačiau kai moterys kartu su įtakingais garsios Londono spiritizmo draugijos vyrais imasi narplioti paslaptį, kyla įtarimų, kad jos ne tik siekia išaiškinti nusikaltimą, bet galbūt ir pačios yra į jį įsipainiojusios...
Lena Viks atvyksta į Paryžių ieškoti atsakymų apie sesers mirtį; jai tenka atsiduoti nežinomybei ir įveikti savo logika paremtą mąstyseną bei nusistatymą prieš okultizmą. Kai Vodeliną pakviečia į Angliją išaiškinti rezonansinės žmogžudystės, Lena lydi ją kaip padėjėja. Tačiau kai moterys kartu su įtakingais garsios Londono spiritizmo draugijos vyrais imasi narplioti paslaptį, kyla įtarimų, kad jos ne tik siekia išaiškinti nusikaltimą, bet galbūt ir pačios yra į jį įsipainiojusios...
352 pages, Hardcover
First published March 7, 2023
4685 people are currently reading
122624 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Penner
5 books8,570 followersSarah Penner is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of The Lost Apothecary and The London Séance Society. Her books have been translated into more than forty languages and her debut, The Lost Apothecary, has sold over one million copies worldwide.
A graduate of the University of Kansas, Sarah spent thirteen years in corporate finance and now writes full-time. In her free time, Sarah enjoys hiking, yoga, and cooking. She also sits on the Board of Directors at her local animal shelter, Friends of Strays. Sarah and her husband, Marc, live in Florida.
To learn more, visit SarahPenner.com.
A graduate of the University of Kansas, Sarah spent thirteen years in corporate finance and now writes full-time. In her free time, Sarah enjoys hiking, yoga, and cooking. She also sits on the Board of Directors at her local animal shelter, Friends of Strays. Sarah and her husband, Marc, live in Florida.
To learn more, visit SarahPenner.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 8,305 reviews
December 20, 2022
It’s 1873, and on the outskirts of Paris, France, a seance is about to commence in the eerie confines of an abandoned chateau. Leading the seance is acclaimed spiritualist Vaudeline D’Allaire, who has a talent for bringing forth murder victims, in order to discover the person responsible for their deaths. Not unnaturally, D’Allaire is very popular both with grieving widows and investigators alike.
Lenna Wickes has come to Paris as an understudy with D’Allaire but she’s also here to discover who killed her sister Evie, but unlike Evie, Lenna is rather sceptical about the afterlife, never mind contacting the dead.
After the seance, D’Allaire’s services are required in London by the London Seance Society, to solve a high profile murder, and accompanied by Lenna, the two will find themselves in extreme danger as they battle some of the most powerful men in London, because Lenna is determined to avenge Evie’s death, regardless of whether that person yields power or not.
Victorian London is brought deliciously to life in this creepy gothic storyline, and especially the popularity of spiritualism, it’s simply oozing with atmosphere. It’s eerie, full of suspense, with a little romance thrown in for good measure, not to mention some salacious propositions!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Legend Press for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
Lenna Wickes has come to Paris as an understudy with D’Allaire but she’s also here to discover who killed her sister Evie, but unlike Evie, Lenna is rather sceptical about the afterlife, never mind contacting the dead.
After the seance, D’Allaire’s services are required in London by the London Seance Society, to solve a high profile murder, and accompanied by Lenna, the two will find themselves in extreme danger as they battle some of the most powerful men in London, because Lenna is determined to avenge Evie’s death, regardless of whether that person yields power or not.
Victorian London is brought deliciously to life in this creepy gothic storyline, and especially the popularity of spiritualism, it’s simply oozing with atmosphere. It’s eerie, full of suspense, with a little romance thrown in for good measure, not to mention some salacious propositions!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Legend Press for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
May 31, 2023
Ghosts, spirits, the connection between two bloody and brutal murders, the relentless efforts of spiritualists to communicate with these restless souls and uncover the killers – I enthusiastically embrace all of these elements! It's impossible to resist the allure of yet another brilliant historical thriller crafted by the ingenious mind of Sarah Penner.
The story unfolds through two distinct points of view. First, we have Lenna, an apprentice of the renowned spiritualist Vaudeline D'Allaire. Despite her inclination towards science and concrete evidence, Lenna is determined to find the killer of her sister, Evie, who was also an apprentice of Vaudeline. Evie, believing in spiritualism, dared to venture into dangerous territory to connect with the spirits.
The second point of view belongs to Mr. M. Morley, the vice-president of London's Society's Department of Spiritualism. His predecessor, Mr. Wolckman, was brutally murdered, and it was Morley who discovered his lifeless body. The society members exhaust all means to establish contact with Wolckman's spirit, even collaborating with law enforcement, but their efforts prove fruitless in uncovering the killer's identity.
Driven by the need to solve this perplexing mystery, Mr. Morley sends a letter to Ms. D'Allaire, requesting her assistance. Vaudeline, who was a close friend of Wolckman and his wife and a former member of the Society's Department of Spiritualism, suspects fraudulent activities within the society. For her own safety, she was sent away to Paris.
Mr. Wolckman was dangerously close to exposing those behind the deceptive schemes, but someone silenced him before he could reveal the truth.
On the day of Evie's death, which coincided with Wolckman's murder, Vaudeline promises Lenna a special séance to communicate with her sister's spirit at the location of her demise.
Initially skeptical of the deceitful practices of spiritualism, Lenna gradually becomes convinced that the enigmatic Mr. Morley might be connected to her sister and hold valuable secrets that could aid her quest for justice. Eventually, she agrees to collaborate with Vaudeline, even if it puts both of their lives at risk.
While the story starts off at a slow burn, I found myself captivated by the eccentric characters and the captivating world of spiritualists. The final quarter of the book is undeniably brilliant, with mind-spinning twists and a rapid pace. This compelled me to raise my grading by half a star, rounding up from 4.5 to a well-deserved 5 brilliant, addictive, and jaw-dropping stars!
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to you! It guarantees complete enjoyment and thrilling moments.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me with this amazing reviewer copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
If you’re interested in reading my extended book reviews, movie critiques, and hilarious astrology articles, be sure to check out my Medium account using the link below:
medium.com
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The story unfolds through two distinct points of view. First, we have Lenna, an apprentice of the renowned spiritualist Vaudeline D'Allaire. Despite her inclination towards science and concrete evidence, Lenna is determined to find the killer of her sister, Evie, who was also an apprentice of Vaudeline. Evie, believing in spiritualism, dared to venture into dangerous territory to connect with the spirits.
The second point of view belongs to Mr. M. Morley, the vice-president of London's Society's Department of Spiritualism. His predecessor, Mr. Wolckman, was brutally murdered, and it was Morley who discovered his lifeless body. The society members exhaust all means to establish contact with Wolckman's spirit, even collaborating with law enforcement, but their efforts prove fruitless in uncovering the killer's identity.
Driven by the need to solve this perplexing mystery, Mr. Morley sends a letter to Ms. D'Allaire, requesting her assistance. Vaudeline, who was a close friend of Wolckman and his wife and a former member of the Society's Department of Spiritualism, suspects fraudulent activities within the society. For her own safety, she was sent away to Paris.
Mr. Wolckman was dangerously close to exposing those behind the deceptive schemes, but someone silenced him before he could reveal the truth.
On the day of Evie's death, which coincided with Wolckman's murder, Vaudeline promises Lenna a special séance to communicate with her sister's spirit at the location of her demise.
Initially skeptical of the deceitful practices of spiritualism, Lenna gradually becomes convinced that the enigmatic Mr. Morley might be connected to her sister and hold valuable secrets that could aid her quest for justice. Eventually, she agrees to collaborate with Vaudeline, even if it puts both of their lives at risk.
While the story starts off at a slow burn, I found myself captivated by the eccentric characters and the captivating world of spiritualists. The final quarter of the book is undeniably brilliant, with mind-spinning twists and a rapid pace. This compelled me to raise my grading by half a star, rounding up from 4.5 to a well-deserved 5 brilliant, addictive, and jaw-dropping stars!
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to you! It guarantees complete enjoyment and thrilling moments.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me with this amazing reviewer copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
If you’re interested in reading my extended book reviews, movie critiques, and hilarious astrology articles, be sure to check out my Medium account using the link below:
medium.com
February 15, 2023
3.5⭐️
Set in 1873, the story begins with twenty-three-year-old Lenna Wilkes in Paris, participating in a séance as an understudy to renowned spiritualist and medium Vaudeline D’Allaire who specializes in establishing contact with victims of violence to help identify the perpetrators, bringing justice and closure for the families of the deceased. Lenna, though skeptical, “practical” as she describes herself, has her reasons for working with Vaudeline. Her younger sister Evie, an aspiring spiritualist who had trained under Vaudeline was murdered on the last All Hallows Eve in London. Lenna is in the process of acquiring training and knowledge and enlisting Vaudeline’s help to find Evie’s killer. Vaudeline receives a letter from the Vice President of the London Séance Society, Mr. Morley who asks for her assistance to uncover the mystery behind the murder of the society’s President Mr. Volckman who was also murdered on All Hallows Eve. Mr. Volckman had been investigating rumors of fraudulent practices within the society, Lenna accompanies Vaudeline back to London, determined to help solve both murders and figure out whether there was any connection between the two.
Having previously read and enjoyed The Lost Apothecary, I was eager to read the author’s latest novel. I absolutely loved the concept behind The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner. The narrative is shared in alternating chapters from Lenna’s perspective (in the third person) and Mr. Morley (first person PoV). The characters are well-fleshed out and the mystery behind the murders is enticing. I loved how the author describes Victorian society, social norms and taboos and especially the spiritualist movement of the times (DO read the Author’s Note at the end of the novel!). I commend the author for broaching sensitive issues and depicting how women had to suppress their true selves in those times. However, despite its fascinating premise, I found the execution a tad lacking. The beginning of the novel draws you in with its atmospheric and suspenseful vibe. But then the narrative becomes repetitive and long-drawn and it was only after the midway mark did I feel fully invested in the story. The final quarter of the novel is truly riveting with an ending that took me by surprise but I felt that the build–up took too long and I found myself losing interest multiple times throughout the narrative thus detracting from my overall reading experience.
Many thanks to Sarah Penner, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is due to be released on March 07, 2023.
Set in 1873, the story begins with twenty-three-year-old Lenna Wilkes in Paris, participating in a séance as an understudy to renowned spiritualist and medium Vaudeline D’Allaire who specializes in establishing contact with victims of violence to help identify the perpetrators, bringing justice and closure for the families of the deceased. Lenna, though skeptical, “practical” as she describes herself, has her reasons for working with Vaudeline. Her younger sister Evie, an aspiring spiritualist who had trained under Vaudeline was murdered on the last All Hallows Eve in London. Lenna is in the process of acquiring training and knowledge and enlisting Vaudeline’s help to find Evie’s killer. Vaudeline receives a letter from the Vice President of the London Séance Society, Mr. Morley who asks for her assistance to uncover the mystery behind the murder of the society’s President Mr. Volckman who was also murdered on All Hallows Eve. Mr. Volckman had been investigating rumors of fraudulent practices within the society, Lenna accompanies Vaudeline back to London, determined to help solve both murders and figure out whether there was any connection between the two.
Having previously read and enjoyed The Lost Apothecary, I was eager to read the author’s latest novel. I absolutely loved the concept behind The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner. The narrative is shared in alternating chapters from Lenna’s perspective (in the third person) and Mr. Morley (first person PoV). The characters are well-fleshed out and the mystery behind the murders is enticing. I loved how the author describes Victorian society, social norms and taboos and especially the spiritualist movement of the times (DO read the Author’s Note at the end of the novel!). I commend the author for broaching sensitive issues and depicting how women had to suppress their true selves in those times. However, despite its fascinating premise, I found the execution a tad lacking. The beginning of the novel draws you in with its atmospheric and suspenseful vibe. But then the narrative becomes repetitive and long-drawn and it was only after the midway mark did I feel fully invested in the story. The final quarter of the novel is truly riveting with an ending that took me by surprise but I felt that the build–up took too long and I found myself losing interest multiple times throughout the narrative thus detracting from my overall reading experience.
Many thanks to Sarah Penner, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is due to be released on March 07, 2023.
March 23, 2023
In a Nutshell: Great concept, average execution. Entertaining if you can keep your logic aside.
Story Synopsis:
Where the book worked for me:
👻 In a book that has just 5-6 main characters, it doesn’t take long to guess who the guilty party is. But even as I congratulated myself on being a smart detective, the author kept revealing greater intricacies in the crime, which I simply hadn’t imagined possible. It’s always nice to be surprised.
👻 The atmosphere, especially during the séances, is suitably creepy. I wish there were more scenes related to the séances though!
👻 The Victorian vibe is captured accurately, as is the misogynistic attitude of the “gentlemen” of that era.
👻 Except for Lenna, the women characters are quite interesting, even when they are in minor roles.
👻 I liked the comeuppance provided in the ending.
👻 The author’s note at the end of this novel is one of the most interesting I have read in recent times. It casts light not just on the Victorian beliefs regarding the spiritualists but also has a couple of surprises to offer. Don’t miss it!
Where the book could have worked better for me:
☠ Lenna isn't sketched well, and comes across as neither likeable nor sensible. She acts on her impulses without considering the long-term impact of her decision, which is quite contrary to her portrayal as a logical woman with a scientific bent of mind. (I didn’t see her using her common sense any time except in the climax.) To add to the irritation, Lenna is written as a character who thinks of physical attraction during any situation, even in the face of danger.
☠ The middle section is filled with unbelievably silly plot elements.
☠ Lust-related elements are quite common in the story. While these are justified at times, they are needlessly inserted in many scenes. The romantic track is bland, and even superfluous. The connection between Lenna and Vaudeline never feels convincing.
☠ Many plot points are left unexplained, and some scene transitions aren’t smooth. Plot holes are never welcome, especially not in a mystery.
☠ The book starts off well, but soon becomes too repetitive. It almost drags in between, causing me to feel bored. Thankfully, the final third picks up the pace once again.
☠ Mr. Morley’s pov starts off well, but soon, it follows a predictable pattern – he begins in the present and then reminisces about some event of the past in a flashback. The transition between the past and present is jumpy at times. Moreover, there is a lot of info-dumping in his pov.
All in all, this did have some entertainment value, but with so many plot holes and exaggerations, I simply couldn’t bring myself to like it more, though it should have worked perfectly for me with its theme. The book will work as a one-time read, if you remember not to overanalyse it too much.
3 stars.
My thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC of “The London Séance Society”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
This was a buddy read with Srivalli, but even having a discussion mate didn't help sort out the plot holes. Both of us were left making creative assumptions to fill in the gaps. Do check out her review to know how she found this novel.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Story Synopsis:
Paris, 1873. Renowned spiritualist Vaudeline D’Allaire has been training her new understudy, Lenna Wickes, in the art of conducting séances. Vaudenline’s speciality is that she conjures up spirits of murder victims so that their killers can be identified.
Lenna had come to Paris on her own secret agenda – she wants to conduct a séance back in London for her younger sister Evie, who was recently found dead. Though Lenna is sceptical about the occult, she can think of no other way to find out what happened.
When Vaudeline is summoned to London to solve the murder of the chairman of The London Séance Society, both the women realise too late that the situation is more dangerous than they had assumed.
The story comes to us in the limited third person perspective of Lenna, and the first person perspective of Mr. Morley, the top-ranking member of the Society who had summoned Vaudeline to London.
Where the book worked for me:
👻 In a book that has just 5-6 main characters, it doesn’t take long to guess who the guilty party is. But even as I congratulated myself on being a smart detective, the author kept revealing greater intricacies in the crime, which I simply hadn’t imagined possible. It’s always nice to be surprised.
👻 The atmosphere, especially during the séances, is suitably creepy. I wish there were more scenes related to the séances though!
👻 The Victorian vibe is captured accurately, as is the misogynistic attitude of the “gentlemen” of that era.
👻 Except for Lenna, the women characters are quite interesting, even when they are in minor roles.
👻 I liked the comeuppance provided in the ending.
👻 The author’s note at the end of this novel is one of the most interesting I have read in recent times. It casts light not just on the Victorian beliefs regarding the spiritualists but also has a couple of surprises to offer. Don’t miss it!
Where the book could have worked better for me:
☠ Lenna isn't sketched well, and comes across as neither likeable nor sensible. She acts on her impulses without considering the long-term impact of her decision, which is quite contrary to her portrayal as a logical woman with a scientific bent of mind. (I didn’t see her using her common sense any time except in the climax.) To add to the irritation, Lenna is written as a character who thinks of physical attraction during any situation, even in the face of danger.
☠ The middle section is filled with unbelievably silly plot elements.
☠ Lust-related elements are quite common in the story. While these are justified at times, they are needlessly inserted in many scenes. The romantic track is bland, and even superfluous. The connection between Lenna and Vaudeline never feels convincing.
☠ Many plot points are left unexplained, and some scene transitions aren’t smooth. Plot holes are never welcome, especially not in a mystery.
☠ The book starts off well, but soon becomes too repetitive. It almost drags in between, causing me to feel bored. Thankfully, the final third picks up the pace once again.
☠ Mr. Morley’s pov starts off well, but soon, it follows a predictable pattern – he begins in the present and then reminisces about some event of the past in a flashback. The transition between the past and present is jumpy at times. Moreover, there is a lot of info-dumping in his pov.
All in all, this did have some entertainment value, but with so many plot holes and exaggerations, I simply couldn’t bring myself to like it more, though it should have worked perfectly for me with its theme. The book will work as a one-time read, if you remember not to overanalyse it too much.
3 stars.
My thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC of “The London Séance Society”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
This was a buddy read with Srivalli, but even having a discussion mate didn't help sort out the plot holes. Both of us were left making creative assumptions to fill in the gaps. Do check out her review to know how she found this novel.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
April 13, 2023
I think the title of this book should be changed to “The London Seducers Society”. I’ve literally had enough, and I am so glad that I finally finished this book. I loved the author’s previous novel ‘The Lost Apothecary’, so I was super excited to finally have read this. However, this book did not meet my expectations or keep my interest as her first novel. In this book, we are dealing with a professional spiritualist who performs seances, and a high society club that performs seances as well. These seances provide more lust and seduction, than bringing spirits back to life (although I will give credit to the author in her Author’s Notes for providing details on how this was a time when women were able to be erotic and seductive- during a seance).
In this story, a highly acclaimed spiritualist (medium), Vaudeline D’Allaire gets summoned back to London to perform a seance for the death of one of her friends, the president of The London Seance Society, Mr. Volckman. Lenna Wickes is learning under Vaudeline to become a spiritualist herself. Lenna proceeds to travel to London with Vaudeline because she wants to find out who killed her sister, Evie. Both Evie and Mr. Volckman were killed on the same night in London, on Hallow’s Eve.
In London, we meet Mr. Morley who was the vice president of The London Seance Society, and also a good friend to Mr. Volckman. Is Mr. Morley truthful with the women, and how well did he really know Evie?
During this short time in London, we learn of all the fraudulent seances that have taken place and of all the women that have been taken advantage of. We also learn of Lenna’s attractions to her past friend, and her current friend.
This book was supposed to have taken place in 1873, but I just couldn’t connect within anything because it felt so modernized. I was waiting any moment for one of the characters to pull out a cell phone 🤪
I can’t say that I recommend this book as it definitely wasn’t one of my favorites. But I do recommend reading The Lost Apothecary by this author. I felt that was more of a worthwhile read.
In this story, a highly acclaimed spiritualist (medium), Vaudeline D’Allaire gets summoned back to London to perform a seance for the death of one of her friends, the president of The London Seance Society, Mr. Volckman. Lenna Wickes is learning under Vaudeline to become a spiritualist herself. Lenna proceeds to travel to London with Vaudeline because she wants to find out who killed her sister, Evie. Both Evie and Mr. Volckman were killed on the same night in London, on Hallow’s Eve.
In London, we meet Mr. Morley who was the vice president of The London Seance Society, and also a good friend to Mr. Volckman. Is Mr. Morley truthful with the women, and how well did he really know Evie?
During this short time in London, we learn of all the fraudulent seances that have taken place and of all the women that have been taken advantage of. We also learn of Lenna’s attractions to her past friend, and her current friend.
This book was supposed to have taken place in 1873, but I just couldn’t connect within anything because it felt so modernized. I was waiting any moment for one of the characters to pull out a cell phone 🤪
I can’t say that I recommend this book as it definitely wasn’t one of my favorites. But I do recommend reading The Lost Apothecary by this author. I felt that was more of a worthwhile read.
April 20, 2023
The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner is Historical Fiction mixed with Mystery-Suspense and touches of Magical Realism!
Leena Wickes, aches for more details about the death of her younger sister, Evie, who died in London on All Hollows Eve. Leena thinks of little else.
Even though Leena believes in science and all things tangible, she's willing to cross the line into the world of the supernatural in her quest for answers. That's why she travels to Paris with hopes of learning about the occult directly from Vaudeline D'Allaire.
Mlle. D'Allaire is a world-renown spiritualist and medium known for her success in summoning the spirits of murder victims to discover the identity of their killers.
Soon after Leena arrives in Paris, Vaudeline is commissioned to assist in solving the high profile murder of Mr. Volckman, president of the London Séance Society.
Mr. Morley, vice-president of the Department of Spiritualism at the Society, has elicited Mlle. D'Allaire professional skills in the investigation. Leena will travel with Vaudeline to London, as her understudy.
It seems, Mr. Volckman was murdered in London on All Hollows Eve, just like Leena's sister, Evie...
I read Sarah Penner's debut novel, The Lost Apothecary and loved it but I wanted more historical timeline and less present-day timeline. This author listens to her readers and did just that with The London Séance Society, a Historical Fiction story set in 1873, completely in the Victorian Age, an atmospheric era that lends itself to feeling dark, threatening, and mysterious.
The London Séance Society has a prominently "female perspective" and I enjoyed this intentional presence. I love the contrast between the two main female characters, their relationship, and the way women were viewed and treated during this particular period in history. Leena and Vaudeline were legitimate "working women" of their era. Nice touch, Ms. Penner!
It's obvious as the reader travels through this story, the author has done her homework of researching the details of the Victorian era, the men's clubs, and the topic of spiritualism. The Author's Note gives the reader an in-depth view of her journey in writing this story. It's fascinating information and a wonderful closing to the book.
The London Séance Society has strong character development with backstories that intertwine and lead to several twisty surprises. I remember this author's clean, simple, easy to read, yet engaging writing style in her debut novel and I found it to be the same in this one. Oh my, this author does Historical Fiction SO well. I will definitely read her next book and I highly recommend this one!
4.5 Supernatural Stars!
Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Sarah Penner for an ARC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
Leena Wickes, aches for more details about the death of her younger sister, Evie, who died in London on All Hollows Eve. Leena thinks of little else.
Even though Leena believes in science and all things tangible, she's willing to cross the line into the world of the supernatural in her quest for answers. That's why she travels to Paris with hopes of learning about the occult directly from Vaudeline D'Allaire.
Mlle. D'Allaire is a world-renown spiritualist and medium known for her success in summoning the spirits of murder victims to discover the identity of their killers.
Soon after Leena arrives in Paris, Vaudeline is commissioned to assist in solving the high profile murder of Mr. Volckman, president of the London Séance Society.
Mr. Morley, vice-president of the Department of Spiritualism at the Society, has elicited Mlle. D'Allaire professional skills in the investigation. Leena will travel with Vaudeline to London, as her understudy.
It seems, Mr. Volckman was murdered in London on All Hollows Eve, just like Leena's sister, Evie...
I read Sarah Penner's debut novel, The Lost Apothecary and loved it but I wanted more historical timeline and less present-day timeline. This author listens to her readers and did just that with The London Séance Society, a Historical Fiction story set in 1873, completely in the Victorian Age, an atmospheric era that lends itself to feeling dark, threatening, and mysterious.
The London Séance Society has a prominently "female perspective" and I enjoyed this intentional presence. I love the contrast between the two main female characters, their relationship, and the way women were viewed and treated during this particular period in history. Leena and Vaudeline were legitimate "working women" of their era. Nice touch, Ms. Penner!
It's obvious as the reader travels through this story, the author has done her homework of researching the details of the Victorian era, the men's clubs, and the topic of spiritualism. The Author's Note gives the reader an in-depth view of her journey in writing this story. It's fascinating information and a wonderful closing to the book.
The London Séance Society has strong character development with backstories that intertwine and lead to several twisty surprises. I remember this author's clean, simple, easy to read, yet engaging writing style in her debut novel and I found it to be the same in this one. Oh my, this author does Historical Fiction SO well. I will definitely read her next book and I highly recommend this one!
4.5 Supernatural Stars!
Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Sarah Penner for an ARC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
April 11, 2023
DNF at 100 pages. I have tried to overlook it, but I just absolutely hate the way this book is written. It’s so amateurish I can’t believe this isn’t Penner’s debut. A cast of flat characters coupled with a disproportionate amount of telling over showing is making reading this a miserable experience. I keep picking it up and trying to enjoy it, but I drop it in frustration every time. It’s just so bad.
It’s really unfortunate because this is a book I should love. The premise is definitely up my alley. I just can’t past the stilted and awkward writing. I don’t even understand how this got published.
It’s really unfortunate because this is a book I should love. The premise is definitely up my alley. I just can’t past the stilted and awkward writing. I don’t even understand how this got published.
November 9, 2022
It’s February 1873 and Lenna Wickes is in Paris at an abandoned Château where are dark séance is about to take place. Lenna is there to learn the appropriate skills to become a medium by studying with Vaudeline D’Allaire, renowned for her skills in summoning ghosts and thus identifying their killers. Despite this, Lenna is sceptical, she’s unsure if any of this is proven but she has an excellent reason for her presence. Her much loved younger sister Evie is murdered one All Hallows’ Eve and Lenna is prepared to commit to anything to reconnect with Evie as she’s on the pursuit of justice. Meanwhile in London, Mr Morley, Vice President of the London Séance Society is also after justice following the murder of the society’s President Mr Volckman which takes place the same night as Evie’s death. Is this a weird coincidence or is there a connection? Morley asks for Vaudeline’s help, she agrees and Lenna will accompany her and in addition Vaudeline will do a séance for Evie too. The story is told in the third person by Lenna and in the first by Morley.
Sarah Penner has done it again in this Victorian tale of trickery, revenge and skulduggery. The author wonderfully captures the Victorian enthusiasm for séances in this atmospheric story. Places are cleverly used to create suspense and tension, it’s full of danger and wickedness around every corner of Victorian London and what is achieved is a compelling Gothic tale. It gives you the chills and goosebumps as discoveries are made and sinister revelations unmasks cheats and liars. It’s spooky, dark and very creepy as the storytelling leads us one way and then in an entirely unexpected and shockingly unpredictable direction. The séances are quite simply entrancing .
This is beautifully written with some wonderful creative images, it’s very evocative of the times with the contents of the novel enhanced by the lovely cover. A murder mystery lies at the heart of this but there’s also a romance element and some accompanying sensuality. I highly recommend this especially if you are a fan of Gothic storytelling.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Legend Press for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Sarah Penner has done it again in this Victorian tale of trickery, revenge and skulduggery. The author wonderfully captures the Victorian enthusiasm for séances in this atmospheric story. Places are cleverly used to create suspense and tension, it’s full of danger and wickedness around every corner of Victorian London and what is achieved is a compelling Gothic tale. It gives you the chills and goosebumps as discoveries are made and sinister revelations unmasks cheats and liars. It’s spooky, dark and very creepy as the storytelling leads us one way and then in an entirely unexpected and shockingly unpredictable direction. The séances are quite simply entrancing .
This is beautifully written with some wonderful creative images, it’s very evocative of the times with the contents of the novel enhanced by the lovely cover. A murder mystery lies at the heart of this but there’s also a romance element and some accompanying sensuality. I highly recommend this especially if you are a fan of Gothic storytelling.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Legend Press for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
June 5, 2023
Who killed Evie?
It's 1873 London/Paris, a period in which there was a great obsession with spiritualism. Lenna Wickes, Evie's sister, and a skeptic seeks a spiritualist highly praised by her sister, Vaudeline D’Allaire to find answers to Evie's untimely death.
I'm not going to beat around the bush, but The London Séance Society was a bit hard to get into and slooow. I saw mixed reviews before I started but since I really enjoyed Penner's debut "The Lost Apothecary" I couldn't pass this one up and had to check it for myself. I wouldn't say I regret listening to it, the narrators were excellent. The setting was atmospheric. I only wish I love the characters and story as much as her first novel. Don't miss the author's note!
A buddy read with Jennifer. She enjoys it a bit more than I did.💓
It's 1873 London/Paris, a period in which there was a great obsession with spiritualism. Lenna Wickes, Evie's sister, and a skeptic seeks a spiritualist highly praised by her sister, Vaudeline D’Allaire to find answers to Evie's untimely death.
I'm not going to beat around the bush, but The London Séance Society was a bit hard to get into and slooow. I saw mixed reviews before I started but since I really enjoyed Penner's debut "The Lost Apothecary" I couldn't pass this one up and had to check it for myself. I wouldn't say I regret listening to it, the narrators were excellent. The setting was atmospheric. I only wish I love the characters and story as much as her first novel. Don't miss the author's note!
A buddy read with Jennifer. She enjoys it a bit more than I did.💓
March 26, 2023
Ms. Penner thoroughly researched seances, but this book was a disappointment.
I loved THE LOST APOTHECARY and was looking forward to another great read.
The characters were not any I connected with along with the story line.
There were certain surprises with who was who and who was really honest, but it was difficult to follow.
I kept reading because I wanted to see how this all ended up and why so many readers gave it high praise.
It still ended up to be disappointing for me.
This book will be enjoyed by those readers who enjoy spiritualism.
It was not enjoyable for me even though I read until the end. 2/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
I loved THE LOST APOTHECARY and was looking forward to another great read.
The characters were not any I connected with along with the story line.
There were certain surprises with who was who and who was really honest, but it was difficult to follow.
I kept reading because I wanted to see how this all ended up and why so many readers gave it high praise.
It still ended up to be disappointing for me.
This book will be enjoyed by those readers who enjoy spiritualism.
It was not enjoyable for me even though I read until the end. 2/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
February 24, 2024
I sometimes anticipate what debut authors do following the success of their first book. One hit wonder, or can they back it up with a second book? Super happy to report that I was impressed with Sarah Penner’s second book, The London Seance Society. (That means I probs need to read her first book, The Lost Apothecary.)
The London Seance Society is a suspenseful historical fiction with a touch of spice set circa 1873 in Victorian England that explores the mysterious world of seances, the paranormal, and secret societies.
As two main characters/two POVs (Lenna and Mr. Morley) attempt to unravel the circumstances of two murders, we get drawn into a world of deceit and danger, troubled ghosts, and figure out who to really trust along the way.
I found the subject matter of seances, the supernatural, relationships, and the search for truth pretty interesting. It’s loosely based on real societies of the past and present. Decent atmosphere building, but perhaps a few improvements can be made in pacing, smoother writing style and character development.
Love the cover & LGBTIQA+ rep.
Thank you to NetGalley, Legend Press, and Sarah Penner for the ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
The London Seance Society is a suspenseful historical fiction with a touch of spice set circa 1873 in Victorian England that explores the mysterious world of seances, the paranormal, and secret societies.
As two main characters/two POVs (Lenna and Mr. Morley) attempt to unravel the circumstances of two murders, we get drawn into a world of deceit and danger, troubled ghosts, and figure out who to really trust along the way.
I found the subject matter of seances, the supernatural, relationships, and the search for truth pretty interesting. It’s loosely based on real societies of the past and present. Decent atmosphere building, but perhaps a few improvements can be made in pacing, smoother writing style and character development.
Love the cover & LGBTIQA+ rep.
Thank you to NetGalley, Legend Press, and Sarah Penner for the ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
March 26, 2023
Seances. Spiritualism. Murder. Sounds like the perfect recipe for a killer thriller.
Well…
For a book with “séance” in its title, I expected more paranormal elements woven into the plot and more than one exciting full-fledged séance — which, by the way, doesn’t arrive until the end of the novel. Grrrr.
Set in Victorian London and Paris, the book's title The London Séance Society comes from an exclusive men’s club. Members only, thank you.
In case you weren’t aware, the fascination with the occult reached a fevered crescendo during the Victorian Era. Spiritualism, ghost sightings, and séances were all the rage. Even Charles Dickens, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Her Majesty Queen Victoria got caught up in the craze.
Enter Mademoiselle Vaudeline D’Allaire, known for her skill in conjuring the spirits of murder victims who reveal their killers and brings some solace to the victims’ families.
Lenna Wickes does not believe in ghosts but she has a mystery to solve: her little sister Evie’s death. Hoping to learn the art of séance herself, Lenna becomes Vaudeline’s apprentice to discover what actually happened to Evie.
Mlle D’Allaire, accompanied by her understudy Lenna, is summoned to London to assist in solving the high-profile murder of the Society’s president and to add a bit of polish to its recently tarnished reputation.
Seems the prestigious London Séance Society has begun to resort to cheap parlor tricks and the buzz around town is that mediums and spiritualists are charlatans.
Author Sarah Penner — the name may ring a bell for fans of her 2021 debut The Lost Apothecary — shines a light on the conflict between science and the unseen beliefs that defy scientific explanations in her sophomore effort.
While certainly not a nail-biter, The London Séance Society is a fun Victorian whodunnit with a paranormal twist. Dim the lights and let the conjuring begin.
Well…
For a book with “séance” in its title, I expected more paranormal elements woven into the plot and more than one exciting full-fledged séance — which, by the way, doesn’t arrive until the end of the novel. Grrrr.
Set in Victorian London and Paris, the book's title The London Séance Society comes from an exclusive men’s club. Members only, thank you.
In case you weren’t aware, the fascination with the occult reached a fevered crescendo during the Victorian Era. Spiritualism, ghost sightings, and séances were all the rage. Even Charles Dickens, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Her Majesty Queen Victoria got caught up in the craze.
Enter Mademoiselle Vaudeline D’Allaire, known for her skill in conjuring the spirits of murder victims who reveal their killers and brings some solace to the victims’ families.
Lenna Wickes does not believe in ghosts but she has a mystery to solve: her little sister Evie’s death. Hoping to learn the art of séance herself, Lenna becomes Vaudeline’s apprentice to discover what actually happened to Evie.
Mlle D’Allaire, accompanied by her understudy Lenna, is summoned to London to assist in solving the high-profile murder of the Society’s president and to add a bit of polish to its recently tarnished reputation.
Seems the prestigious London Séance Society has begun to resort to cheap parlor tricks and the buzz around town is that mediums and spiritualists are charlatans.
Author Sarah Penner — the name may ring a bell for fans of her 2021 debut The Lost Apothecary — shines a light on the conflict between science and the unseen beliefs that defy scientific explanations in her sophomore effort.
While certainly not a nail-biter, The London Séance Society is a fun Victorian whodunnit with a paranormal twist. Dim the lights and let the conjuring begin.
March 18, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up. After having read and enjoyed Sarah Penner’s debut novel, The Lost Apothecary, when it was first published, I was quite excited to read her newest novel, The London Seance Society. What could be more intriguing than reading about a seance set in London during the late 1800’s? Sarah Penner skillfully brought the elements of suspense, murder, deceit, trickery and magical realism to life throughout the pages of The London Seance Society.
During that time period, it was quite common for women mediums or spiritualists to conduct seances. It was one of the few professions of the time where women were considered more adept than men to perform a proper seance. One such medium, Vaudeline D’Allaire, was living in Paris when she was requested to return to London to conduct a seance for Mr. Volckman, the former president of The London Seance Society. There had been talk and suspicion about unorthodox practices that were being carried out at The London Seance Society for some time. That was why Vaudeline had decided to return to Paris. She no longer felt safe in London.
Mr. Volckman had been murdered on All Hallow’s Eve. Vaudeline D’Allaire was known for her talents of conjuring up the spirits of murdered victims for the purpose of having them help divulge who murdered them, how they were murdered and where. She took her profession very seriously. Vaudeline D’Allaire had studied under Mr. Volckman and had known him quite well. She felt obliged to accept the request from Mr. Moray, the vice president in charge of spiritualism at The London Seance Society, and return to London to conduct the seance for Mr. Volckman, as long as her safety was protected.
Lenna Wilkes, a twenty three year old woman, who had persuaded Vaudeline to allow her to study the art of conducting a seance under her as her understudy, accompanied Vaudeline to London. Her younger sister, Evie, had been murdered on the same night as Mr. Volckman. Evie had been very interested in the study of spirits. Even though Lenna possessed more of a scientific mind, she was determined to find out what really happened to her sister that fateful night. Lenna hoped that Vaudeline would be able to conduct a seance for Evie.
The London Seance Society was told from the alternating point of views of Lenna and Mr. Moray. I was drawn into the storyline immediately and enjoyed the atmospheric effects and developing relationship between Vaudeline and Lenna. Somewhere around halfway through the story I began to loose some interest. It did pick up, though, near the end. I enjoyed Sarah Penner’s writing and choice of characters. Overall, I enjoyed reading The London Seance Society by Sarah Penner and would recommend it. I look forward to reading her next book.
Thank you to Park Row Publishers for allowing me to read The London Seance Society by Sarah Penner through Netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
During that time period, it was quite common for women mediums or spiritualists to conduct seances. It was one of the few professions of the time where women were considered more adept than men to perform a proper seance. One such medium, Vaudeline D’Allaire, was living in Paris when she was requested to return to London to conduct a seance for Mr. Volckman, the former president of The London Seance Society. There had been talk and suspicion about unorthodox practices that were being carried out at The London Seance Society for some time. That was why Vaudeline had decided to return to Paris. She no longer felt safe in London.
Mr. Volckman had been murdered on All Hallow’s Eve. Vaudeline D’Allaire was known for her talents of conjuring up the spirits of murdered victims for the purpose of having them help divulge who murdered them, how they were murdered and where. She took her profession very seriously. Vaudeline D’Allaire had studied under Mr. Volckman and had known him quite well. She felt obliged to accept the request from Mr. Moray, the vice president in charge of spiritualism at The London Seance Society, and return to London to conduct the seance for Mr. Volckman, as long as her safety was protected.
Lenna Wilkes, a twenty three year old woman, who had persuaded Vaudeline to allow her to study the art of conducting a seance under her as her understudy, accompanied Vaudeline to London. Her younger sister, Evie, had been murdered on the same night as Mr. Volckman. Evie had been very interested in the study of spirits. Even though Lenna possessed more of a scientific mind, she was determined to find out what really happened to her sister that fateful night. Lenna hoped that Vaudeline would be able to conduct a seance for Evie.
The London Seance Society was told from the alternating point of views of Lenna and Mr. Moray. I was drawn into the storyline immediately and enjoyed the atmospheric effects and developing relationship between Vaudeline and Lenna. Somewhere around halfway through the story I began to loose some interest. It did pick up, though, near the end. I enjoyed Sarah Penner’s writing and choice of characters. Overall, I enjoyed reading The London Seance Society by Sarah Penner and would recommend it. I look forward to reading her next book.
Thank you to Park Row Publishers for allowing me to read The London Seance Society by Sarah Penner through Netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 27, 2024
**3.5-stars**
The London Seance Society is a Historical Mystery following Lenna Wickes, a young woman looking into the untimely death of her younger sister, Evie.
Lenna is an apprentice for acclaimed spiritualist Vaudeline D’Allaire in Paris. Vaudeline is summoned to London, after the death of an old colleague, which provides Lenna the perfect opportunity to investigate Evie's final days, as she was living in London at the time of her death.
We also get the perspective of Mr. Morley, the Vice President of the London Seance Society, a secretive men's club.
Mr. Morley is looking into a murder of this own, that of his friend and fellow Seance Society member, Mr. Wolckman. Incidentally, both Evie and Mr. Wolckman were killed on All Hallow's Eve. Dun, dun, dunnnnn.
I really enjoyed the opening of this. The vibes that Penner created in the beginning, as we met the two main characters and discovered the dual mysteries, that pulled me in right away. I enjoyed learning about the Seance Society and Vaudeline's work as well.
By five or six chapters in though, I realized we weren't just shifting perspectives, we were going back and forth in time as well. I had no clue prior to that. Then I was wondering if I knew what I think I knew...
I think part of that issue for me was that I was listening to the audiobook. Though fabulously narrated, I wasn't able to refer back to the beginning of each chapter to check the date, so if something I wasn't sure about happened, there was no quick way to reference where I was in time.
In spite of that, at that point, I was still finding the story itself quite intriguing. Around the middle it did begin to drag for me a bit and I felt myself thinking about other things while reading. In other words, it was a mixed bag.
I think in the middle there were also aspects, particularly surrounding a romance, that I didn't care for. It felt unnecessary to me and I wished that certain characters could have just been two people working together towards a common goal, instead of wanting to jump each others bones.
Obviously, I am being a little blunt about it, but that's how that relationship made me feel. However, with my mini-rant out of the way, I did enjoy this. It's a good book.
Overall, it was entertaining and I definitely enjoyed the atmosphere and mystery elements Penner included. I'm interested in checking out more of her work.
The ending got twisty and I did enjoy some of the things that were revealed. I would say my interest started hella strong and slowly went down as the story continued.
I wish I could have enjoyed this one a bit more, but I am definitely in the minority opinion. There are many glowing reviews and I'm happy that so many people loved it and connected with it.
If you haven't read it yet and the synopsis sounds intriguing to you, I recommend you give it a go. You could find a new favorite book. It's especially a great selection for this time of year; quite Autumnal in feel.
The London Seance Society is a Historical Mystery following Lenna Wickes, a young woman looking into the untimely death of her younger sister, Evie.
Lenna is an apprentice for acclaimed spiritualist Vaudeline D’Allaire in Paris. Vaudeline is summoned to London, after the death of an old colleague, which provides Lenna the perfect opportunity to investigate Evie's final days, as she was living in London at the time of her death.
We also get the perspective of Mr. Morley, the Vice President of the London Seance Society, a secretive men's club.
Mr. Morley is looking into a murder of this own, that of his friend and fellow Seance Society member, Mr. Wolckman. Incidentally, both Evie and Mr. Wolckman were killed on All Hallow's Eve. Dun, dun, dunnnnn.
I really enjoyed the opening of this. The vibes that Penner created in the beginning, as we met the two main characters and discovered the dual mysteries, that pulled me in right away. I enjoyed learning about the Seance Society and Vaudeline's work as well.
By five or six chapters in though, I realized we weren't just shifting perspectives, we were going back and forth in time as well. I had no clue prior to that. Then I was wondering if I knew what I think I knew...
I think part of that issue for me was that I was listening to the audiobook. Though fabulously narrated, I wasn't able to refer back to the beginning of each chapter to check the date, so if something I wasn't sure about happened, there was no quick way to reference where I was in time.
In spite of that, at that point, I was still finding the story itself quite intriguing. Around the middle it did begin to drag for me a bit and I felt myself thinking about other things while reading. In other words, it was a mixed bag.
I think in the middle there were also aspects, particularly surrounding a romance, that I didn't care for. It felt unnecessary to me and I wished that certain characters could have just been two people working together towards a common goal, instead of wanting to jump each others bones.
Obviously, I am being a little blunt about it, but that's how that relationship made me feel. However, with my mini-rant out of the way, I did enjoy this. It's a good book.
Overall, it was entertaining and I definitely enjoyed the atmosphere and mystery elements Penner included. I'm interested in checking out more of her work.
The ending got twisty and I did enjoy some of the things that were revealed. I would say my interest started hella strong and slowly went down as the story continued.
I wish I could have enjoyed this one a bit more, but I am definitely in the minority opinion. There are many glowing reviews and I'm happy that so many people loved it and connected with it.
If you haven't read it yet and the synopsis sounds intriguing to you, I recommend you give it a go. You could find a new favorite book. It's especially a great selection for this time of year; quite Autumnal in feel.
May 28, 2023
Between the setting and description, this book promised to have elements that usually have me eagerly reading, but it fell short with unlikeable characters, a lack of subtlety, an underdeveloped romantic relationship, and a meandering pace. The lack of subtlety was most disappointing. At one point, I wrote an update that we were “clomping towards the end.” The romantic subplot is wedged in so awkwardly that I wonder if it was added during editing.
The first half of the book creeps along, introducing the three main characters with painful slowness. The "set up" shouldn't take so long. The chapters alternate between using a female main character's point of view (told in third person) and the male main character's (told in first person). There is a dramatic change at the halfway mark in the male's narration that is disturbing. It might have been better to forego his POV completely and let the two female main characters make all the revelations through their sleuthing.
There is an action scene, of sorts, in the last quarter of the book where the female main character seems to be treading into TSTL (Too Stupid To Live) territory.
If you want achingly beautiful ghost stories with romantic subplots, read Simone St. James’ early works.
I was provided a free copy via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
The first half of the book creeps along, introducing the three main characters with painful slowness. The "set up" shouldn't take so long. The chapters alternate between using a female main character's point of view (told in third person) and the male main character's (told in first person). There is a dramatic change at the halfway mark in the male's narration that is disturbing. It might have been better to forego his POV completely and let the two female main characters make all the revelations through their sleuthing.
There is an action scene, of sorts, in the last quarter of the book where the female main character seems to be treading into TSTL (Too Stupid To Live) territory.
If you want achingly beautiful ghost stories with romantic subplots, read Simone St. James’ early works.
I was provided a free copy via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
March 2, 2023
I’m so sad that I didn’t like this book. After not liking the ending of “The Lost Apothecary”, but generally liking the book enough, I badly wanted to love this one to renew my hopes for Sarah Penner’s work.
Unfortunately, it didn’t do it for me at all. The story felt forced and weirdly crafted. While I enjoyed the third person POV for Lenna and Vaudeline, Mr. Morley’s POV was weak and way too informative for a potential mystery to take place. It was a way to tell both sides of the story, but it just left nothing to the imagination, nothing for the reader to speculate or even to create red herrings.
The ‘plot twist’ reveal at 50% was not surprising at all, didn’t give me a single note of having been well developed and was written in almost a childish manner - “it was me”. It made me roll my eyes. In a way, it took away any possibility for me to enjoy the actual reveal near the end. There were so many petty misunderstandings between the characters and Lenna was reaching to conclusions that were basic accusations without even thinking about them in the first place.
The London Seance Society ultimately made me cringe several times, in particular in the epilogue, which was a disappointment.
I believe I won’t be reading this author again in the future. I am sure this book will find its audience, but it was not me.
Thanks NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Park Row for the advanced reader copy for this book in exchange of my honest opinion.
Unfortunately, it didn’t do it for me at all. The story felt forced and weirdly crafted. While I enjoyed the third person POV for Lenna and Vaudeline, Mr. Morley’s POV was weak and way too informative for a potential mystery to take place. It was a way to tell both sides of the story, but it just left nothing to the imagination, nothing for the reader to speculate or even to create red herrings.
The ‘plot twist’ reveal at 50% was not surprising at all, didn’t give me a single note of having been well developed and was written in almost a childish manner - “it was me”. It made me roll my eyes. In a way, it took away any possibility for me to enjoy the actual reveal near the end. There were so many petty misunderstandings between the characters and Lenna was reaching to conclusions that were basic accusations without even thinking about them in the first place.
The London Seance Society ultimately made me cringe several times, in particular in the epilogue, which was a disappointment.
I believe I won’t be reading this author again in the future. I am sure this book will find its audience, but it was not me.
Thanks NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Park Row for the advanced reader copy for this book in exchange of my honest opinion.
July 6, 2023
Magical Mystery Tour.
I loved the author’s debut novel The Last Apothecary and while subsequent books often miss the benchmark, I found The London Seance Society even more enjoyable and of a higher caliber.
Foreboding, mystery, and murder were expertly blended with Victorian era genteel etiquette.
Polished graciousness meets scheming and vileness added with a sprinkle of spectral. A rarified book of refined prose and enchantment. Dare I say haunting?
If I could conjure up more than five stars, I would!
I happily purchased a special edition hardback from Barnes and Noble at no extra cost. Along with the beautiful inner and outer covers, the book contained an extra section at the back by the author.
I was also impressed by the author notes detailing that she created the seance sequence used by her characters. Since I didn't how mediums worked, I thought there might be a preferred script but apparantly not and Ms. Penner wrote her own.
I loved the author’s debut novel The Last Apothecary and while subsequent books often miss the benchmark, I found The London Seance Society even more enjoyable and of a higher caliber.
Foreboding, mystery, and murder were expertly blended with Victorian era genteel etiquette.
Polished graciousness meets scheming and vileness added with a sprinkle of spectral. A rarified book of refined prose and enchantment. Dare I say haunting?
If I could conjure up more than five stars, I would!
I happily purchased a special edition hardback from Barnes and Noble at no extra cost. Along with the beautiful inner and outer covers, the book contained an extra section at the back by the author.
I was also impressed by the author notes detailing that she created the seance sequence used by her characters. Since I didn't how mediums worked, I thought there might be a preferred script but apparantly not and Ms. Penner wrote her own.
May 5, 2025
May mercy be upon the man who finds himself the enemy of a vengeful medium.
Intriguing premise that was not properly explored and left a lot to be desired. Told in dual POVs, doused in illusion and mystery with potential themes like magical realism, fraudulent conduct, elaborate deceptions, ingrained misogyny, secret clubs and brutal murders, failed to entice and fell flat instead. The FMC, Lenna, grappled with her love of science and its tangibility while being
an understudy to a renowned medium and questioning the very credibility of the unknown, impalpable and paranormal. She is critical of séances, hauntings and the supernatural but needs to learn this specific art to find the murderer of her younger sister. Lenna's impulsive character lacked depth and survival instinct, the story lumbered with its snaking pace, apparent clues and predictable misdirection that left nothing to unmask as the story unraveled before I could relish the Victorian Era atmospheric vibes!! How she managed to stay alive till the end seems altogether implausible and conveniently lucky! Pretty disappointing after the author's enjoyable debut The Lost Apothecary.
Intriguing premise that was not properly explored and left a lot to be desired. Told in dual POVs, doused in illusion and mystery with potential themes like magical realism, fraudulent conduct, elaborate deceptions, ingrained misogyny, secret clubs and brutal murders, failed to entice and fell flat instead. The FMC, Lenna, grappled with her love of science and its tangibility while being
an understudy to a renowned medium and questioning the very credibility of the unknown, impalpable and paranormal. She is critical of séances, hauntings and the supernatural but needs to learn this specific art to find the murderer of her younger sister. Lenna's impulsive character lacked depth and survival instinct, the story lumbered with its snaking pace, apparent clues and predictable misdirection that left nothing to unmask as the story unraveled before I could relish the Victorian Era atmospheric vibes!! How she managed to stay alive till the end seems altogether implausible and conveniently lucky! Pretty disappointing after the author's enjoyable debut The Lost Apothecary.
March 10, 2023
DNF at 52%
What was promised in the synopsis- a pair of women working in secret in London's underbelly performing seance's to solve murders. That is not at all what was delivered.
Not to mention at around 20% I'd already called the murderer, and the further I read, the more that was confirmed. The entire book would have been 100% better without the first person POV, which gave away everything. There was too much show, Penner constantly assuming the reader (of a victorian historical fiction) couldn't put one and one together to make two- and instead had to spell everything out, give obvious clues, and never leave anything to the reader to infer. I felt like I was being talked to like the author assumed her entire reader base are absolute morons. Never picking anything up by her again. So disappointed. This was one of my most anticipated of the year, and instead its literally my worst read.
I'm DNFing at this point because there's nothing else to unveil, not a thing I care about unraveling, and just zero point.
What was promised in the synopsis- a pair of women working in secret in London's underbelly performing seance's to solve murders. That is not at all what was delivered.
Not to mention at around 20% I'd already called the murderer, and the further I read, the more that was confirmed. The entire book would have been 100% better without the first person POV, which gave away everything. There was too much show, Penner constantly assuming the reader (of a victorian historical fiction) couldn't put one and one together to make two- and instead had to spell everything out, give obvious clues, and never leave anything to the reader to infer. I felt like I was being talked to like the author assumed her entire reader base are absolute morons. Never picking anything up by her again. So disappointed. This was one of my most anticipated of the year, and instead its literally my worst read.
I'm DNFing at this point because there's nothing else to unveil, not a thing I care about unraveling, and just zero point.
September 19, 2023
I am not sure I wanted to read this one, because I had such a moral dilemma with this author’s first book, The Lost Apothecary.
Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....
One thing I have been aware of is that 9 x out of 10, most things I have heard is how blessed this author is with her choice for a book cover. If anything, it does attract one to her books.
So…
When this one was donated to my Little Free Library Shed, I had an interesting choice, right? Should I or shouldn't I?
And…
Well...
I decided to...
Read it.
The question is…
Was it the right choice?
Premise: Lenna has chosen to participate in a séance as an understudy to Vaudeline, a spiritualist and medium. Lenna is haunted by the murder of her sister, Eve, and she wants answers. Perhaps, this may give her some. Vaudeline was asked by Mr. Volckman, the president of the London Séance Society to investigate fraudulent practices within the Society. He happened to be murdered the same night as Eve. This provides an opportunity for both Lenna and Vaudeline to head to London, to solve both murders.
Could their deaths be connected?
The story is told in 2 alternating POV’s – Lenna’s in third person and Mr. Morley, the vice-president of the London Séance Society in first person.
Although the story had an interesting premise, and it begins well, the narrative felt slow and redundant. The plot also felt lacking, uneven and uninspired.
I found myself skip reading to the end just to find some resolution.
The good news…
The author does provide an Author’s note, Victorian Funereal Feasting recipe, and a suggested further reading list. (If interested.)
Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....
One thing I have been aware of is that 9 x out of 10, most things I have heard is how blessed this author is with her choice for a book cover. If anything, it does attract one to her books.
So…
When this one was donated to my Little Free Library Shed, I had an interesting choice, right? Should I or shouldn't I?
And…
Well...
I decided to...
Read it.
The question is…
Was it the right choice?
Premise: Lenna has chosen to participate in a séance as an understudy to Vaudeline, a spiritualist and medium. Lenna is haunted by the murder of her sister, Eve, and she wants answers. Perhaps, this may give her some. Vaudeline was asked by Mr. Volckman, the president of the London Séance Society to investigate fraudulent practices within the Society. He happened to be murdered the same night as Eve. This provides an opportunity for both Lenna and Vaudeline to head to London, to solve both murders.
Could their deaths be connected?
The story is told in 2 alternating POV’s – Lenna’s in third person and Mr. Morley, the vice-president of the London Séance Society in first person.
Although the story had an interesting premise, and it begins well, the narrative felt slow and redundant. The plot also felt lacking, uneven and uninspired.
I found myself skip reading to the end just to find some resolution.
The good news…
The author does provide an Author’s note, Victorian Funereal Feasting recipe, and a suggested further reading list. (If interested.)
April 2, 2023
Pretty disappointed with this one, to be honest.
Don't sell me a book as a 'gothic mystery' about seances and then give me more romance and misdirection than ghosts.
This actually started out okay - Lenna is an understudy for D'Allaire, and hopes to learn the art of conducting a seance so that she can determine the murderer of her younger sister, Evie. I am here for ghosts, seances, and historic murder mysteries. I am here for secret societies.
I am NOT here for romance and bad writing.
The whole thing just seemed really poorly put together. We get the story from both Lenna and Mr Morley, so that does keep things interesting but at the same time it felt kinda messy, and I'm not entirely sure what the point of dating each chapter was, especially when Morley kept reminiscing about the past? I found it kind of confusing, actually.
Now, the romance. I mean, I was expecting GOTHIC and GHOSTS, so I guess I just wasn't expecting love. Especially not after 80 pages with barely any character building. So I was definitely taken by surprise by it and, reading on, it really seemed more like it was for plot convenience than for any kind of actual character depth. I find that very frustrating. I don't mind a smidge of romance if it's done well and makes sense within the story, but this was neither.
The characters were so bland and the story itself, though interesting enough, seemed kind of pointless. Lenna jumps to ridiculous conclusions constantly and this is one of those frustrating stories where you're just internally screaming for her to JUST SAY SOMETHING. Instead of making all these dumb conclusions when the real answer is so painfully obvious. We the reader are really treated like a moron - given obvious red herrings and pointless diversions. I just was not vibing with this at all.
I still read through it easily enough, so it's not like it was bad, but I was expecting great things from it so it was ultimately a disappointing read. I wanted to be sucked into this world of secret meetings to contact the dead, but there's a total of TWO actual seances conducted over the course of the book and very little ghost activity. This is more about how CLEVER the author is in deceiving us, and relationships. Very little dark magic going on here. Thus, very disappointing.
Not at all what I expected, and not a strong story at all. Washed out characters and too much trying to misdirect and build a clever story. A little too forced for my tastes.
Don't sell me a book as a 'gothic mystery' about seances and then give me more romance and misdirection than ghosts.
This actually started out okay - Lenna is an understudy for D'Allaire, and hopes to learn the art of conducting a seance so that she can determine the murderer of her younger sister, Evie. I am here for ghosts, seances, and historic murder mysteries. I am here for secret societies.
I am NOT here for romance and bad writing.
The whole thing just seemed really poorly put together. We get the story from both Lenna and Mr Morley, so that does keep things interesting but at the same time it felt kinda messy, and I'm not entirely sure what the point of dating each chapter was, especially when Morley kept reminiscing about the past? I found it kind of confusing, actually.
Now, the romance. I mean, I was expecting GOTHIC and GHOSTS, so I guess I just wasn't expecting love. Especially not after 80 pages with barely any character building. So I was definitely taken by surprise by it and, reading on, it really seemed more like it was for plot convenience than for any kind of actual character depth. I find that very frustrating. I don't mind a smidge of romance if it's done well and makes sense within the story, but this was neither.
The characters were so bland and the story itself, though interesting enough, seemed kind of pointless. Lenna jumps to ridiculous conclusions constantly and this is one of those frustrating stories where you're just internally screaming for her to JUST SAY SOMETHING. Instead of making all these dumb conclusions when the real answer is so painfully obvious. We the reader are really treated like a moron - given obvious red herrings and pointless diversions. I just was not vibing with this at all.
I still read through it easily enough, so it's not like it was bad, but I was expecting great things from it so it was ultimately a disappointing read. I wanted to be sucked into this world of secret meetings to contact the dead, but there's a total of TWO actual seances conducted over the course of the book and very little ghost activity. This is more about how CLEVER the author is in deceiving us, and relationships. Very little dark magic going on here. Thus, very disappointing.
Not at all what I expected, and not a strong story at all. Washed out characters and too much trying to misdirect and build a clever story. A little too forced for my tastes.
January 22, 2023
I picked this up because I enjoyed The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner and wanted to give this one a try. I wasn't disappointed as I found it to be a real page turner. The book is set in 1873, late in the Victorian era, when seances had become very popular and people had a general fascination with the occult and with talking to departed loved ones.
Lenna Wickes' sister, Evie, has recently been murdered. Before her death she had been obsessed with everything surrounding seances, and had studied with an internationally known medium, Vaudeline, whose specialty is contacting those who have been murdered. Although Lenna doesn't believe in this nonsense, she goes to Paris and studies under Vaudeline as well in hopes of conducting a seance to reach her sister and find out who killed her. Then there is the murder of the President of the London Seance Society, an exclusive gentlemen's organization with a strong reputation for holding seances and contacting the deceased. However, lately there have been rumors that something is not right in the organization and some customers are dissatisfied.
The story is told in the viewpoints of Lenna and Mr. Morley, a member of the London Seance Society. There are quite a few surprises in the book and I kept finding unexpected outcomes. I liked Lenna's persistance and bravery in pursuing her quest to find out who murdered her sister. Vaudeline was an interesting character. Ther rules for her seances were very elaborate - unlike those of the London Seance Society.
The author's notes at the end of the book gave more details of her research and the basis for the story. I thought it was interesting that Charles Dickens and Arthur Conan Doyle were members of a Ghost society.
Thanks to Legend Press through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on March 21, 2023.
Lenna Wickes' sister, Evie, has recently been murdered. Before her death she had been obsessed with everything surrounding seances, and had studied with an internationally known medium, Vaudeline, whose specialty is contacting those who have been murdered. Although Lenna doesn't believe in this nonsense, she goes to Paris and studies under Vaudeline as well in hopes of conducting a seance to reach her sister and find out who killed her. Then there is the murder of the President of the London Seance Society, an exclusive gentlemen's organization with a strong reputation for holding seances and contacting the deceased. However, lately there have been rumors that something is not right in the organization and some customers are dissatisfied.
The story is told in the viewpoints of Lenna and Mr. Morley, a member of the London Seance Society. There are quite a few surprises in the book and I kept finding unexpected outcomes. I liked Lenna's persistance and bravery in pursuing her quest to find out who murdered her sister. Vaudeline was an interesting character. Ther rules for her seances were very elaborate - unlike those of the London Seance Society.
The author's notes at the end of the book gave more details of her research and the basis for the story. I thought it was interesting that Charles Dickens and Arthur Conan Doyle were members of a Ghost society.
Thanks to Legend Press through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on March 21, 2023.
October 19, 2022
I'm so mad about this book.
I do not know who writes this author's excerpts but i have questions. Why do the synopsis of the Lost Apothecary and The London Seance Society sound so much better than what you actually get?
Going into this i thought i was going to be reading a rich dark historical fiction novel about a secret society in London that conducted seance's in London's underbelly.
that is not what i got.
I can't even give an accurate review because this book isn't out yet and i would be spoiling every part of it that i was frustrated with.
Read at your own risk.
I do not know who writes this author's excerpts but i have questions. Why do the synopsis of the Lost Apothecary and The London Seance Society sound so much better than what you actually get?
Going into this i thought i was going to be reading a rich dark historical fiction novel about a secret society in London that conducted seance's in London's underbelly.
that is not what i got.
I can't even give an accurate review because this book isn't out yet and i would be spoiling every part of it that i was frustrated with.
Read at your own risk.
October 21, 2022
Hell hath no wrath like a woman scorned and there’s nothing like an angry, vengeful medium bent on revenge on this deeply atmospheric trip through old London in the 1800’s.
Sara Penner has crafted an eerie, suspenseful mystery that is steeped in a world dripping with illusion, bringing the Victorian era to life and once again proving her novels are not one’s to miss.
Lenna Wickes does not believe in the otherworldly as she is grounded in the sciences and feels the only ghosts around are the fossil imprints she seeks to find, tangible reminders of thing’s past. That is until her baby sister Evie is found dead, causing Lenna to seek out the help of a medium in trying to embrace the occult all in the name of finding her sisters killer.
Vaudeline D’Allaire is a spiritualist that holds classes in learning the art of invocation of murder victims spirits to glean the truth of who had killed them. She herself had to flee London for Paris under threats to her safety.
Lenna knows her sister Evie studied with Vaudeline and has travelled to Paris to embark on her own journey, gaining a special solo class once she explains who her sister was and that she had been murdered. While working and learning as an understudy, Vaudeline gets word an old friend has been murdered and must travel to London to perform a seance, bringing Lenna along the journey.
These two tough women have unknowingly set the stage to become entangled with and embattled with the all men’s London Séance Society, and with nothing as it seems, danger, murder and mayhem are soon to ensue, putting even their lives at risk.
Penner has once again built an immersive world that sucks you through dark back alleys and secret seances that runs closely with London’s true history of mediums and death rituals. You will feel the chill of the London cobblestone streets and feel the danger all around as plotting and secrets surround you, pulling you in for a tale that will cause goosebumps and that feel of something behind you, touching you, watching you, and bringing hours of spine tingling enjoyment.
I can not give this book enough praise and recommendations as one to add to your book wish list, your preorder madness, or your race to the bookstore on release date to grab your copy of The London Séance Society. Don’t be the one left crying when the shelves are empty this March of 2023 when this amazing tale hits retail shelves. You’ve been warned!
Thank you so much to #NetGalley, the publishers and author for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
Happy reading my friends! This one is to die for! 😊
Sara Penner has crafted an eerie, suspenseful mystery that is steeped in a world dripping with illusion, bringing the Victorian era to life and once again proving her novels are not one’s to miss.
Lenna Wickes does not believe in the otherworldly as she is grounded in the sciences and feels the only ghosts around are the fossil imprints she seeks to find, tangible reminders of thing’s past. That is until her baby sister Evie is found dead, causing Lenna to seek out the help of a medium in trying to embrace the occult all in the name of finding her sisters killer.
Vaudeline D’Allaire is a spiritualist that holds classes in learning the art of invocation of murder victims spirits to glean the truth of who had killed them. She herself had to flee London for Paris under threats to her safety.
Lenna knows her sister Evie studied with Vaudeline and has travelled to Paris to embark on her own journey, gaining a special solo class once she explains who her sister was and that she had been murdered. While working and learning as an understudy, Vaudeline gets word an old friend has been murdered and must travel to London to perform a seance, bringing Lenna along the journey.
These two tough women have unknowingly set the stage to become entangled with and embattled with the all men’s London Séance Society, and with nothing as it seems, danger, murder and mayhem are soon to ensue, putting even their lives at risk.
Penner has once again built an immersive world that sucks you through dark back alleys and secret seances that runs closely with London’s true history of mediums and death rituals. You will feel the chill of the London cobblestone streets and feel the danger all around as plotting and secrets surround you, pulling you in for a tale that will cause goosebumps and that feel of something behind you, touching you, watching you, and bringing hours of spine tingling enjoyment.
I can not give this book enough praise and recommendations as one to add to your book wish list, your preorder madness, or your race to the bookstore on release date to grab your copy of The London Séance Society. Don’t be the one left crying when the shelves are empty this March of 2023 when this amazing tale hits retail shelves. You’ve been warned!
Thank you so much to #NetGalley, the publishers and author for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
Happy reading my friends! This one is to die for! 😊
March 29, 2023
2.5 Was an outlier on this one. The audio was entertaining but I thought the book a bit of a mess. Just too much going on that at times I became confused. Maybe would have had a different reaction had I read instead of listening. Then again maybe not.
Anyway best to read for yourself, as you may agree with the many that rated it higher.
Anyway best to read for yourself, as you may agree with the many that rated it higher.
June 6, 2024
The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner caught my eye when it was first marketed by the publisher. I was super busy at the time and didn't pick up a copy, but now that I'm reading all the Goodreads Choice nominees/winners from a few genres, this one hit my queue. I'd give it a 3.5 stars but rounding down because I felt it had a number of flaws and confusing moments where I got pulled out of the story too often, trying to figure out how something was and wasn't lining up. When the situations weren't addressed in the conclusion, I realized it was probably that the story was too fabricated in some respects. I'm all in for ghosts, hauntings, historical fiction, and murder. The two main female characters were memorable, and the male one was interesting but there was a case of slightly unreliable narrator and the swapping POV made it difficult to figure out whose perspective was telling truths and lies.
The story itself was great: a famous medium disappears only to be lured back by the death of someone cared for. A sister joins the medium to figure out how her own sister died. Two men run the London Society, but there are imposters in their organization. One is murdered. It comes together nicely, and I liked the deep dive into how a séance runs and how you entrap the dead to lure out their secrets. But the missing parts of the story, too conveniently tied up in the end and to some degree left open, left me wishy washy. I enjoyed the writing and will read another of the author's other novels.
The story itself was great: a famous medium disappears only to be lured back by the death of someone cared for. A sister joins the medium to figure out how her own sister died. Two men run the London Society, but there are imposters in their organization. One is murdered. It comes together nicely, and I liked the deep dive into how a séance runs and how you entrap the dead to lure out their secrets. But the missing parts of the story, too conveniently tied up in the end and to some degree left open, left me wishy washy. I enjoyed the writing and will read another of the author's other novels.
July 23, 2022
She’s done it again… another beautifully written piece of historical fiction that awakened all of my senses as if I were right there in 19th century London. I’m not sure how it’s possible that Sarah didn’t grow up in that era and city, what with the way she describes everything from the wardrobes and the vocabulary to the cityscape and mannerisms — I can only imagine the amount of research that went into such a detailed depiction of the time.
I often judge a book by its predictability… and Sarah has now passed my test twice.
A touching and sometimes spicy page turner… bravo, keep writing S. Penner!
I often judge a book by its predictability… and Sarah has now passed my test twice.
A touching and sometimes spicy page turner… bravo, keep writing S. Penner!
April 14, 2023
The London Seance Society by Sarah Penner
Historical mystery. Dual POV.
Lenna decides to apprentice under Vaudeline to try to find what or who killed her sister. They travel to London to investigate the Society of Spiritualism and a death that occurred there.
Do you believe in ghosts? Or that the spirit can be called and communicated with via a medium? Lenna isn’t sure, but wants to find out what happened to her sister.
A few twist and turns as per the times the women aren’t allowed into the club unless they are disguised as men. Lenna and Morley team up to solve the deaths.
Too slow build. I found myself zoning out from the 2nd quarter through the end of the 3rd quarter. The last part does pick up and becomes gripping and exciting as they solve the mystery. I did enjoy the author’s notes on the research. It brought a nice conclusion to the feel of the book.
Historical mystery. Dual POV.
Lenna decides to apprentice under Vaudeline to try to find what or who killed her sister. They travel to London to investigate the Society of Spiritualism and a death that occurred there.
Do you believe in ghosts? Or that the spirit can be called and communicated with via a medium? Lenna isn’t sure, but wants to find out what happened to her sister.
A few twist and turns as per the times the women aren’t allowed into the club unless they are disguised as men. Lenna and Morley team up to solve the deaths.
Too slow build. I found myself zoning out from the 2nd quarter through the end of the 3rd quarter. The last part does pick up and becomes gripping and exciting as they solve the mystery. I did enjoy the author’s notes on the research. It brought a nice conclusion to the feel of the book.
January 21, 2023
Sadly I could only give this one 2.5⭐. After hearing great things about The Lost Apothecary, I saw this one and was stoked to get approved. I just couldn't get into this one. The plot fell flat. The mystery didn't feel strong enough to hold my attention. I do think the Séance research was excellent though. I found that part pretty interesting. I will still pick up The Lost Apothecary in the future.
Read
April 8, 20231870s historical fiction set in the world of seances and mediums. Sapphic.
This book should have been so far up my street--ladies investigate a dodgy society of mediums!--but oof. The depiction of spiritualism and seances in 1870s London--the way the seances are conducted, the way the club works--just doesn't ring true (it's a bit of a specialist subject of mine hence I was looking forward to this). The dialogue is tooth-grindingly American, with no effort at sounding British. Why not set it in New York or whatever if you're not going to use British English, or have it be plausibly Britain? Then again the women are consistently addressed as Ms, *in the 1870s*. Wow.
I got to about 66% with increasing annoyance, then came across the single most blatant piece of plot manipulation via ludicrously improbable character behavior I've seen in years, spent several minutes ranting about it to my husband, and binned out in a huff. DNF.
This book should have been so far up my street--ladies investigate a dodgy society of mediums!--but oof. The depiction of spiritualism and seances in 1870s London--the way the seances are conducted, the way the club works--just doesn't ring true (it's a bit of a specialist subject of mine hence I was looking forward to this). The dialogue is tooth-grindingly American, with no effort at sounding British. Why not set it in New York or whatever if you're not going to use British English, or have it be plausibly Britain? Then again the women are consistently addressed as Ms, *in the 1870s*. Wow.
I got to about 66% with increasing annoyance, then came across the single most blatant piece of plot manipulation via ludicrously improbable character behavior I've seen in years, spent several minutes ranting about it to my husband, and binned out in a huff. DNF.
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