The Bermondsey Poisoner

A Penny Green Victorian Mystery #6

by Emily Organ

A string of poisoned husbands. A confession that doesn’t add up. A culprit who can’t be caught.

London, 1884. When three men die of arsenic poisoning in Bermondsey, news reporter Penny Green is on the case. But the investigation is brought to a simple conclusion when the poisoner confesses. Or so everyone thinks.

As the body count rises, the search extends across London to the warren of caves beneath Chislehurst. Penny unearths a tangled web of false identities and vanished suspects. With the help of the charming Inspector James Blakely, she races to connect the dots before more lives are lost.

But few can match the cunning of a serial poisoner. When a police officer falls victim, Penny realises she’s not just risking her life – her career hangs in the balance too. Can she unmask the real Bermondsey Poisoner before she loses everything? Or will her pursuit of justice lead her straight into a killer’s trap?

A cunning game of cat-and-mouse set against the shadowy backdrop of Victorian London. Penny Green returns in her most perplexing case yet with The Bermondsey Poisoner.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Audiobook, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Victorian

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 4, 2018

About the author

Emily Organ is the author of over thirty historical cozy mysteries set in Victorian and 1920s England. Her bestselling series include the Penny Green Victorian Mysteries, the Augusta Peel Mysteries, and her newest Emma Langley Victorian Mysteries, in which a plucky widow teams up with former reporter Penny Green. She also writes the Churchill & Pemberley cozy mysteries, featuring two spirited senior sleuths. Emily’s books combine warmth, wit, and a love of history, inspired by her fascination with London’s past. 

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful

This is the sixth book in Emily Organ's series about Penny Green, A London news reporter kindling her career as well as balancing her love for a man pledged to another. There's a murder, of course, but the perpetrator was a surprise. Truly enjoy these books. They are great fun.

[OLT · Rating 2 out of 5]

For some reason, I keep on reading these Penny Green books. At this point it's not clear to me why I do it. I know by now not to expect all that much from them. So why did I read this new one? (1) It was only 99 cents at the time I ordered it. (2) I was hoping that Scotland Yard detective James Blakely might just possibly be a victim of the Bermondsey Poisoner of the title. That would have made my day.

No such luck. James is still alive at the end of this entry in the series and one assumes he'll show up in the next one, if only just to torture me. Then just stop reading them already, you may say. Yeah, I know I should. But one thing this series has going for it is the amount of research the author puts in and the notes at the end. Another thing is that they are edited well. In comparison to many e-books, these have few-to-no punctuation, grammar and spelling errors. And the mysteries themselves are based loosely on real crimes author Emily Organ has come across in her research. And the price is economical, so some bang for your buck.

But one thing the books don't have going for them is the characters' lackluster development and their superficial relationships, and the stiff, painful. awkward dialogue. The overall quality of the writing is merely competent.

The mystery this time revolves around what seems to be a Black Widow serial poisoner of her husbands. All the murders have taken place in Bermondsey over the past eight years or so and all involve the use of arsenic. This most recent murder in 1844 catches Penny's interest and off she goes to investigate. Naturally, James Blakely, Scotland Yard detective, will also be on the case. Naturally Penny's heart will skip a beat every time James shows up. Naturally, they will find their usual fumbling way to a resolution of the mystery.

In addition to this mystery, Penny will be facing several issues in her personal life. Francis, her librarian suitor, is off to South America to look for her missing father; her sister is considering divorcing her husband and the father of her children; the editor of the newspaper she works for is replaced by an incompetent nephew of the owner; and James, for whom Penny's heart spends a lot of time skipping beats, is soon, very soon, to marry. (Why Penny's heart skips so much around James is a puzzle to me. He may be handsome, but he has the personality of a turnip and the sleuthing abilities of Inspector Clouseau.)

The murder mystery is somewhat interesting. There are a few red herrings to keep the reader on his/her toes a bit, albeit nothing excessively clever or sophisticated. And the personal side of things continues to annoy me. Penny and James are insipid characters much of the time. I do hope Francis, the librarian, eventually comes back from South America and knocks some sense into P & J.

[Lora Milton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started out with tone that struck me as someone trying too hard to sound Victorian. It also made me think a bit, did train doors not get locked before the train started moving in those days? I have an irritating habit of looking up such details (something the authors should do) and found this, which refers to the door locks not working properly in the early days of enclosed trains. https://worldwiderails.com/why-were-r....

In other words, yes they did lock the doors and that first scene fails on proper research.

To be honest, this isn't my kind of story and I only read it to fill a challenge square. There are people who love this sort of thing and a lot of fans of the series, but to me it's just cheesy.

[Nadishka Aloysius · Rating 4 out of 5]

I pre-ordered this because I was invested in the characters and needed to know what happened next in their lives. There is a good balance between the main storyline of the poisoner, and the love interest. I had to keep reminding myself that this is set in the 19th century since emotions are so stilted and muted. The merry-go-round hunt for the poisoner was quite interesting. Unfortunately I latched on to a question asked in innocence halfway through that pointed to the murderer - that is what happens when you are an avid reader of the genre! The ending is good to keep readers hooked onto the lives of Penny, Francis and James and I will probably buy the next one to see what develops.

[Heatherinblack · Rating 5 out of 5]

makes sense

i am embarrassed by how much i enjoy the romantic aspects of these characters, but will also say it was a great mystery. the side piece with penny’s boss didn’t seem relevant. looking forward hearing more about francis’s trip. cannot decide if i think he will find penny’s dad alive or not. could make for a good mystery related to the explorer who was to have been looking for him last time...

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read in this series. I love how tenacious Penny is when she is investigating a case. It can’t have been easy to be a reporter in this age. I enjoyed the connection between Penny and James, even though he’s engaged to marry someone else. The plot has a number of twists that will keep you reading until the end. I also found the author’s notes really interesting, it shows the amount of research Emily has done and this makes all the difference to the story.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this one in a day. Of course it is about someone's husbands get poisoned. And Penny Green is on the case. Something happens to the editor of her paper so they get his nephew who knows nothing about editing a newspaper.
James' wedding is two weeks away, then one week, then a day. Penny's sister Ellie doesn't want to reconcile with her husband and Francis the librarian goes off to try to find their father in the jungles of Colombia.

This series is easy to read, something is always happening so you can hardly put it down to do anything else. I see there is only one book left in this series right now so I will be sad to see it end or have to wait (Hopefully) for another book in the series.

[Alethea Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again Victorian era newspaper reporter Penny Green finds herself involved in racing to solve the mystery of the story she’s reporting, while trying to deny her attraction to the detective she keeps bumping into along the way, James Blakely. A good female sleuth novel with lots of period detail.

[Diana Febry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommend to fans of historical mysteries.
An enjoyable, well-written read. I haven't read any of the previous books in the series, although I now want to, so I can confirm it can be read as a stand-alone novel.

[Kevin Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant Victorian mystery. These books just seem to get better and I love the way the characters lives evolve with each story. Penny Green is certainly one of my favourite sleuths. I can't wait to read more of her adventures.

[Cyndie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this series and can’t wait for the next one, which looks like will be out in the next month or so!

[Eileen Lynx · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as earlier stories in this series.

[Samantha McNulty · Rating 4 out of 5]

4★

The Bermondsey Poisoner has to be the best Penny Green novel to date. Can someone please tell me when the next one is released please!?

[Reina Brouwers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series!

I truly loved this series. The characters were great and the heroine, Penny Green, really made me feel for her. I could not put this book down. Is this the end of the series?

[Kati Crane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh man. Much like with "Curse of the Poppy", the mystery in this installation seemed to be a poorly-developed vehicle with which to drive Penny and James's relationship along. There is an interesting side plot involving Mr. Sherman, but it didn't develop as much as I would have liked.

This being said, I finished the book, and by the end, wanted to know what happens next to Penny, James, Francis, and her co-journalists. Certainly not the best in the series (although it IS crucial to the arc of the Penny-and-James relationship), but good enough that I will no doubt read the next one.

[Andra Fore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite

I did like reading this book but not as much as I liked the first two. I became a little annoyed with our heroines infatuation with the inspector. I found the discovery of the murderer in this story to be rather awkward and the ending rather lengthy. I still found it entertaining and of course if you have read the other stories in the series you must read this one as well.

[Danielle Aubenque · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am officially hate reading this series.
The lead characters are awful humans. They are the worst detectives ever. A wonderful character is shunned for a twit. The protagonist is a self centered, namby-pamby, ludicrous knucklehead.

I am honestly reading to see if the only redeeming person in this series, Francis, comes back from Columbia, kicks the ass of James, slaps Penny, then goes and woos Charlotte. Oh and while in the America's hr has gained untold wealth and prestige. Of course this leads to a Knighthood, title and lands.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

London in 1884, brings the marriage of Inspector James Blakely closer. But in Bermondsey a man is discovered to have been poisoned and his wife no longer in the area. But the case is not as straightforward as it at first seemed. Inspector Blakely with the help of news-reporter Penny Green do their best to solve the case.
Another enjoyable well-written mystery in this series, with its cast of likeable characters.

[Toni · Rating 2 out of 5]

London 1884.
I saw a review that stated that this author did a lot of research and I beg to differ.

This lead is a female journalist, and even though the substitute editor tries to typecast her with particular writing assignments, and there is vague mention about women working after marriage, for 1884 this book was overly modern. Her very chummy relationship with the police was laughable. They just randomly and without care let her in on all the information, yet other journalist are outside trying to get any scrap of information they could. Ridiculous. Not only do we have her being a pseudo detective, but when the sub editor is brought in, she ignores everything he says. He tells her to come in every morning, and instead of trying to obey, she says nothing in the moment and then does her own thing anyway. She would have been fired on the spot for insubordination.

This is the first book by this author that I have read, so I am unaware of the type of world she is building, maybe one that is set in the past, but resembles the present? because in 1884, there would have been a lot more flak given to the female lead and more push back for her working in a position that was male-dominated. Regardless of whether her colleagues accepted her in the role, many whom she spoke to outside to get her information would not have been so accepting, if actual historical accounts can be believed.

This book talks so flippantly about separation and divorce, which, in 1884 was ridiculously expensive and only something wealthy people could afford. Yet we have the lead telling her sister to get a divorce, and her husband leaving the house after deciding to separate. WTH? Not only are they talking about divorce as if it was common place at that time, but re-marriage.

Midway through this book I got so irritated by the female lead that I had to look at the writer's profile to try to sus out why she would write such a character. What I found was that she likes writing about "plucky" females. This lead isn't plucky, she's downright irritating, and the whole guilt-tripping the male lead so he doesn't marry another woman was horrible. She is so hell bent on being with a man that never courted her and to whom she shared one kiss with, that she is willing to constantly guilt him by saying he's making a mistake, etc. Look, I understand that his motives for marrying the other woman weren't the best and was because it was expected of him, but come on, in a world where separation and divorce was so common place, surely him marrying for love and not just to live up to an expectation would have been okay. The constant whining about how horrible it will be for her to watch the man she loves marry another and the repeated countdown to the wedding reminders became unbearably tedious.

The ending was disappointing. It almost felt like the author ran out of time and needed to resolve the mystery quickly, so she settled for death by carriage. How the death happened made no sense to me. they got side stepped by the horse but ran over by the carriage? wouldn't the carriage turn as well? Made no sense to me. Not to mention you could easily guess the killer from the start.

If you are looking for a well-written and satisfying murder mystery, this is not your book.
If you are looking for a book with a boss babe attitude, not your book.
However, if you are looking for a female lead obsessed with a male lead who leads her on while simultaneously giving off "I'm not that into you vibes", shotty detective work and flippant views on marriage, this is your book.

Why two stars? The narrator was good.

[Carrie Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idea for this book came from a well-known case from my hometown of Liverpool, about the Black Widows. Ms. Organ discusses this in the notes at the end of the book, and I recommend everyone does pay attention to these. She researches thoroughly and clearly explains what came from where, why, and how it's grounded in reality. I've read them for all of the books so far and have learnt a great deal from them. With Google at the ready, you can even see the real places listed in the stories or those that inspired their fictional counterparts. For instance, what remains of the Doulton buildings is absolutely stunning! Don't deprive yourselves of the opportunity to look that one up!

A couple of the reviews for this and earlier books in the series have commented on the sloppy investigating from various police officers and divisions as being silly or unrealistic, but I challenge that misconception. It's very well-known, certainly in the UK, just how shoddy and competitive these elements actually were. A good point of reference to demonstrate this is a book called Scotland Yard's First Cases, by Joan Lock. I think nay-sayers would be shocked at just how inept and incompetent they could actually be. No, Emily Organ has that exactly right, no matter how absurd it may seem. Now you'll understand why Jack the Ripper was never caught. You're welcome!

This story featured by far the cleverest, most devious murderer yet, in my humble opinion. Dead ends, doppelgangers, fall guys, beetroot juice, and even a cat and mouse foot chase through the alleys. Oh yes, this culprit worked them harder than any of the previous ones! It was well done, well written, and kept me on my toes.

That said, the actual story seemed to play second fiddle to the ongoing "will he/won't he" romantic plot involving the impending marriage of James Blakely. Penny seems to have a bit of an issue with self-esteem, having told Francis that he deserves better than to be her second choice, whilst being desperate to occupy that role herself to secure the love of James. Most modern women would give her a slap and advise her to find someone with a spine, but I suppose we have to view this through a historical filter and remember that she's a Victorian. Admittedly, that's difficult given her acceptance of Mr. Sherman's situation and her sister's campaigning for rational dress, and the suffragist movement, but we can't expect Penny to be completely 21st century. Let's hope James is worth it, moving forward; he's got a lot of arse kissing to do...

The sweetest moment for me? Maggie reassuring the pair that Sally Chadwick will be looked after. Awww!

[Scot · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know, I started off a bit frustrated with the world created in this novel. It's a time period and place familiar to all mystery fans since the days of Sherlock Holmes, and much beloved as a setting. However, Penny acts like a 21st century woman when it comes to values and ideas about women's roles in society, and all those around her mostly give in to her strong will and positive determination, accepting it in the glow of her protagonist position. In a subplot, a secondary character, an older male, is caught having gay sex rendezvouses in a Turlish bathhouse. Penny is understanding, accepting, and supportive of gay rights, and all the "good guys" support this character in overcoming any social obstacles. It's not that I don't agree with Penny on these matters--of course I do!-- but this was the 19th century not the 21st! Too often this book conveyss contemporary social interactions placed there and then, not the cultural practices or realistic responses and repercussions of that time. Knowing this, I still follow along, but the characters can only attain a modicum of depth for me.

Having made that socio-historical complaint about the world created here, I must say I did find the topic of the serial black widow posioner an engaging one, and the plot well developed in its unfolding. And I give the author kudos for including an epilogue trying to convey what was historically accurate in her thematic references, and supplying sources where one might read further for more information.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sixth (major) installment in the Penny Green series picks right up where the previous volume left off. The main plot involves Penny and James investigating not just one poisoning, but a whole series of them; and multiple suspects, oh my.

This volume also answers some really burning issues in the protagonist's story arc. Chapter 32 is one of those doozies that made me kind of bleary-eyed-gush a little, then pause to hug the pages for a bit before going on... And the tension created there ratchets up unforgivingly through the next twenty chapters. (In fact, I read the last one-third of the book in one sitting and finished rather long past my usual bed time.)

The culmination here felt quite satisfying, and yet left enough open space for the characters' exciting lives to continue in future volumes... And there was a cute little epilogue that made me smile in anticipation.

The author's prose is so smooth and easy to read it's like liquid butter on the brain. An indie publication, the editing is excellent and so forth, as I've come to expect from Ms Organ. I pre-ordered this one early and got it at a quite low introductory price, so I have enough change left from my fiver to offer the author that proverbial fancy coffee drink next time she swings through Santa Banana.

[Kidlitter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think there must be a term for those of us who can't stop reading the Penny Green series - Green Reapers? Eye-rolling Victorian wannabees? Masochists?

Penny is still the worst sleuth ever but she is also quite possibly the most careless journalist in London who literally doesn't actually do writing. Her time is spent at the British Museum Reading Room watching others work, chatting with the police and murder suspects who literally guide her to the brink of discovering whodunnit, and of course, mooning over James. As little as possible should be said about James, who I have become convinced is The Worst. Ever. I missed Francis the librarian very much and am hoping he isn't eaten by snakes before he finds Penny and Eliza's missing father and returns to their conflicted heaving breasts of concern and longing. There's more passion in Francis's polite missives from darkest Borneo than in James and Penny having the same conversation about how he can't marry her because blah de blah de blah OVER and OVER AGAIN.

As usual I listened to the Gabrielle Baker narration - she does wonderful accents, good descriptive passages and her very best with the leaden dialogue. Ogran does very good research for these books, and the details about the Victorian crazy for photography memento mori - literally images taken with dead loved ones dressed up for the camera - was fascinating and suitably creepy.

But I do like the series well enough and will keep on with the next in the hope that James' ex-fiancee seeks revenge and Penny buys a clue about what a dud he is and emigrates to America after all. Go Penny! Don't forget to take Tiger with you!

[Quartknee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth the wait! I think this might be the best in the series so far but actually, it seems like they started off strong and just keep getting better. This story has all of the twists and turns we've come to expect from one of Penny's. With the ever approaching nuptials to the future Mrs. Blakely looming over the investigation, it was a bit of a nail biter for several chapters!

I did note that her coworkers seem less sexist and way more sympathetic. I hope they remember their Victorian values in the next book, but it was nice to see them rally together as a team. I wish Mr. Sherman would have opened up a bit more, at least to Penny in private as he's the most mysterious character in the main cast. Hopefully, this means we'll find out what happened at the baths or how he's getting on - does he go back or are there alternatives?

This installment did an excellent job of paying off previous setups while leaving enough open loops to make me want more. If you're just now discovering this series, you're in for a great binge.

I'm on the edge of my seat wanting to know what happens next!

[Jerry Jares · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first time I've read a mystery by Emily Organ. I find her characters to be cardboard. The relationship between James and Penny is rather stilted. I cannot imagine why or how they are attracted to each other. Perhaps their relationship was more romantic or consuming in previous books, but this is rather boring.

I'm having a hard time seeing the police (James) and a newspaper reporter (Penny) on the same side, much less working together. The police are giving Penny leads -- and asking her help canvassing photography shops? Where is this happening? Not in any world I'm familiar with.

James tells Penny that he is going to marry Charlotte because he's promised, his father is ill and he can't do anything to upset him, etc. Why does Penny want such a clod?

The most interesting part of the novel was the endnotes from the author. She has a great sense of history and has done her research to make a great story. Now, she needs to work on character development.

Penny Green
1. Limelight (2017)
2. The Rookery (2017)
3. The Maid's Secret (2017)
4. The Inventor (2018)
5. Curse of the Poppy (2018)
** 6. The Bermondsey Poisoner (2018)

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the latest in a historical mystery series that features a young woman working as a news reporter in London of the 1800s. The case this time concerns a series of poisonings in Bermondsey -- it seems clear there's a 'black widow' at work, but as she fled following the death of her most recent husband. Up until then, no one suspected the deaths were anything but natural, but this time there are questions. But then a different young woman -- not un-intelligent but with the mind of a child -- confesses to the killings and the case is considered closed. Except, of course, by Penny.

Meanwhile, James Blakely's wedding day is fast approaching and Penny worries that he's making the biggest mistake of her life. At the same time, her sister is becoming disenchanted with her own marriage, and her friend and researcher from the British Museum Reading Room has embarked on an expedition to try to find what happened to their father in Columbia.

The series is ongoing and continues to involve well constructed mysteries with enough character building to keep everything real. Further, the historical aspects are very well researched. Absolutely recommended.

[Amanda Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

They just get better and better..

Another case for Miss Penny Green.. Victorian reporter.. as usual Penny gets herself embroiled in another murder case with Inspector James Blakely.

Mrs Curran has done a flit following the death of her husband, when the autopsy report shows that he's been poisoned with arsenic, further questions are raised about the death of her previous husband. Exhumation and tests prove this isn't a one off case, and suddenly there's another. As they trace Catherine's past and try to track her down another woman, Sally Chadwick, confesses. Sally is a childlike naïve young woman who is incapable of having planned such a crime.

Penny is not convinced, but when the division Inspector is also murdered by arsenic poisoning after interrogating young Sally, things heat up and while no one can see how she could have done it they have no other suspects.

While the case twists and turns, James's wedding day looms ever closer and Penny finally asks him to back out. Will he leave Charlotte or are their family bonds too deep to break?

Can Penny find away to resolve the case and find the real killer before it's too late for Sally.

[Darien · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I was rating this book on period details and research on Victorian era criminal investigations it would be a 4 out of 5. But I found the characters tedious and poorly drawn. I assume part of the problem for me is that this is the first book in the series that I have read, but I was not encouraged by any of the character portraits to want to go back and find out more about their personal history.

In particular I was puzzled by the relationship of the protagonists - in this book only reminiscences hint at their close connection - I certainly saw no evidence of it in the way they actually interacted. And who would want to continue a relationship with someone who was so wishy-washy that they can't make up their minds until the last minute about who is the most important person in their lives? The 'hero' came across as a moody, contrary teenager.

The mystery was nicely complex, but didn't really satisfy my curiosity regarding how the murderer was able to interact with so many people, convincing two others to lie for her at the expense of their own lives, and yet no one had the least hint of who she really was? And how did she fool some many people with a simple disguise?

[Kathy Onofrio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great series

This is an extremely well-written series whose characters you come to care about, as they are historically authentic—the author takes great care to get the details right—but they authentic as in, fully realized human beings. You root for Penny because she’s smart, capable, honest, and exists at the cusp of a changing misogynistic world, one in which she is continually called on to stand up for herself, and does, magnificently. The mysteries are well thought out and usually based on similar events from the time—and sometimes I figure them out, sometimes I don’t, but in the meantime, I’m immersed in a wonderful world, a time period about which I learn more with each installment in the series. There’s also a romance that hits just the right notes, as Penny is level headed yet sentimental and very sure in her estimations about love and marriage, despite the social limitations of her era. Do NOT miss these!

[Linz The Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy the Penny Green series by Emily Organ. I'm always looking forward to the next book and usually read it as soon as it comes out. I think Penny is an interesting and relatable character, and I love reading about her adventures as a female reporter in Victorian London. The mysteries keep me interested, and sometimes even surprise me. I'm curious to see what developments there are in the mystery surrounding her father's disappearance. Where the book (and series) is slowly starting to lose me is James Blakely. I'm so tired of reading about Penny pining over him. Going into the book he's engaged and just a couple of weeks away from his wedding with Charlotte. I was rooting for Penny to have adventures in Colombia, but at least for now it's not meant to be.

For my complete review check out:
https://linzthebookworm.blogspot.com/...