Sarah Penner’s writing and topics are bold and edgy, her style distinctive and daring. Her stories contain sizzling suspense, unforgettable characters, unusual pieces of history often filled with controversial secrets. There is no doubt she is a unique novelist with exceptional insight. And her second book bears witness to these observances. Like her debut, it is steeped in mystery, cultural oddities and, makes the reader believe the unbelievable.
This type of writing style can be overwhelming. And with The London Séance Society, the first number of chapters are filled with a lot of detail, making the initial journey into the story a bit harder for the reader to feel connected. But as the plot unfolds ever so carefully and purposely, you are drawn into the web of deceit and disguises. Who can be trusted? What is real and what is a sham?
The battle for belief in the after-world is seen in people like Lenna who has arrived in Paris to seek out answers of what happened to her sister. Was her death tied into or caused by the Society? For Evie was a believer of the supernatural but her sister Lenna is a more logic driven person. This often set them at odds when they were together. Their last fight before Evie’s death is on this very topic and when Lenna realises Evie is gone, she is heartbroken she cannot make amends. The only thing she can do is find her sister’s killer. Lenna is then tossed into a ring of treacherous characters. Her drive to uncover the truth puts her in some dangerous places. But she is not alone. She is accompanied by the popular spiritualist Vaudeline D’Allaire, who has gained a positive reputation with investigators and grieving widows for her ability to connect with the murder victims and discover who has killed them.
Tension runs high in these passages and Ms Penner knows how to turn up the heat to create nail-biting scenes. There are layers and layers of deception to unravel and everyone ends up a suspect (which is good crime fiction writing). As the story unfolds, the imposters and the genuine are sifted, rendered and eventually revealed, after numerous events happen and all the surprises are shaken down. The truth rises to the top of this mirky drama, exposing the lies to the audience (readers and participants alike) and the story ends with a much sought after outcome—a climax of pristine clarity.
Although this is historical fiction (my favourite genre) and set in the Victorian age (1873), it is laced with numerous gothic elements—a road I don’t travel on too often. But I decided to give it a try. Sarah’s debut The Lost Apothecary was most intriguing so I was curious as to what adventure she would take us on next. Her research skills are strong as it is obvious she drew upon the Victorian Era's fascination with spiritualist movements. I also did a little reading and learned a lot about the selective and secretive Ghost Club of London started in 1862 with Charles Dickens among its members. It ceased for a while when Dickens passed but was revived on all Saint’s Day 1882. If you read its history, there are some eerie comparisons with the fictional London Séance Society (which may have been part of the inspiration behind this story). It was a men’s only club, women were not allowed and it attracted some controversial minds of psychical research of the time such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and later even poet W. B. Yeats. Quite an interesting background read for those interested.
Ms Penner has delivered quite a gothic thriller historical tale and certainly this novel contains chilling images I won’t forget quickly! For the lover of taut suspense, twisty plots, complex characters and bizarre pieces of social history, this is a book for you. 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to @HQ (HarperCollins Aus) and Netgalley for my review copy.
