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The London Séance Society: A Mystery Novel

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Sarah Penner is a gifted writer of historical fiction. Her choice here to focus on Victorian England, with all its idiosyncrasies and quirks, is a smart one, as is her premise centered on spiritualism. THE LONDON SÉANCE SOCIETY is no work of fantasy, but Penner doesn’t completely shut down the idea of mediumship or the afterlife, grounding her narrative in science and unprovable truths that even a skeptic like Lenna cannot quite deny. At the same time, she expertly lays this intriguing element against its more human, emotional counterparts: grief and mourning. I enjoyed this atmospheric, Victorian story about spiritualism and murder! I’ve always heard that the Victorians enjoyed this spiritualism and séances so it was fun to read a story set in this time. The Department of Spiritualism was mine to steer, after all, and the Society’s mission stated peace and satisfying curiosity.

Now, the parts I didn’t love so much…the pacing. Somehow I was bored at times, and just wanted to get to the juicy stuff. It seems like that’s what the author was trying for, as there’s some sort of “dun dun dunnnn” reveal/revelation at the end of just about every chapter for a good stretch. That kind of pacing made it a little cliché for me. When this one was donated to my Little Free Library Shed, I had an interesting choice, right? Should I or shouldn't I? Once Vaudeline and Lenna discover this, they make it their mission to finish the journey that Evie had started to take the Society down. Although their journey is not statically linear, given that several mishaps on the way lead Lenna’s trust in Vaudeline to waver, they eventually succeed in quelling the Society’s immoral ploy. They use the inherent power that lies in tapping into one’s femininity to put the Society down once and for all. In the end, the men that were trying to make fools out of Lenna and Vaudeline become the fools themselves.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.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to you! It guarantees complete enjoyment and thrilling moments.Vaudeline has a very particular specialty as a medium. The spirits she summons and speaks for are “not old grandmothers in white nightgowns, lives lived long, stalking through corridors. These were not the casualties of war, valiant men who’d known what they were getting themselves into.” 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. 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.

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. Written with alluring suspense and sultry prose, The London Séance Society is an entrancing tale that explores the blurred lines between truth and illusion, and reveals the grave risks women will take to avenge the ones they love.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.

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. It’s 1873 Lenna Wilkes has come to London to find out about the death of her sister Evie who was fan of Spiritualism and Seances. Lenna Wilkes herself is the understudy for the world renown medium Vaudeline D’Allaire who solves the murders of the dead. She lives in Paris. She has been asked by The London Seance Society to solve the murder of the president of the society and also an old friend of the women. When they both come to London and stage a séance the information, they receive may also solve the case of Lenna’s sisters Evie’s murder too.Genres: Fiction / Feminist, Fiction / Historical / General, Fiction / Magical Realism, Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Cozy / Paranormal, Fiction / Occult & Supernatural, Fiction / Women

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