The London Séance Society takes place in London, England in the 1870's - a time and place I really enjoy. The vehicle for this tale is Spiritualism. Oh yes, there's so many paths this tale could take...
Lenna has come to train with renowned spiritualist Vaudeline in Paris. She is skeptical about the occult and what she really is looking for are clues, reasons and answers about her sister Evie's death. When Vaudeline is asked to perform a séance in London at the prestigious London Séance Society, she brings along Lenna as her apprentice. And this is where things get really interesting...
I applaud Penner's take on spiritualty - she has wonderfully blended fact and fiction together. Could it be true or is it all a fakery? Just as well done is the setting - I could hear the clip clop of a carriage passing, the swish of long skirts and witness 'polite' society and mores of the time. The two lead characters are very well done. They seem to be opposites in temperament, beliefs and goals - one believing and one questioning, but their relationship changes many time over the course of the book.
And last, but certainly not least - the mystery of what happened to Evie. There are two voices in the book - that of Lenna and a director of the Societal called Mr. Morley. As readers, we are privy to what each 'side' knows. The whodunit changed many times over the course of the book, keeping me guessing.
There's danger and action (and a don't go in the basement moment) that had me staying up late reading just one more chapter.
The London Séance Society ticked all the boxes for me. I really enjoyed it! See for yourself - read an excerpt of The London Séance Society
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