Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC!

Story Synopsis: Great for fans of historical fiction, mystery, and LGBTQ romance novels, The London Seance Society weaves a tale of mystery, heartache, love, and murder in 1800s London. Lenna, a young Englishwoman, lives in Paris under the tutelage of Vaudeline D’Allaire - a powerful medium who contacts murder victims to discover the identity of their killers. Vaudeline receives a request to visit London and identify the killer of a friend and longtime leader of The London Seance Society, Mr. Volkman. Lenna travels with Vaudeline under the guise of continued mediumship training but plans to secretly investigate her sister Evie’s murder.

Thoughts & Feelings: I had high, high hopes for The London Seance Society after Penner’s debut novel, The Lost Apothecary was one of my favorite books read in 2021. he London Seance Society started strong. In the late 1800s, women could be friends but not lovers, and I always enjoy seeing LGBTQ representation in historical fiction. However, as the book progressed, I was disappointed there was not more in the way of mediumship and seances, and the book was more like a mystery. The end also felt extremely rushed. I also hated that Lenna’s part was written in the third person, while another character was written in the first person. It felt disjointed. And there are massive issues and implications with it for the story, but I won’t say more to avoid spoilers.

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Lenna Wickes is drawn into the world of spiritualism as she becomes frustrated with the police investigation of her sister's death. Was there any meaning to her sister's death on All Hallows eve? Lenna begins her own investigation as an understudy of renowned medium Vaudeline D'Allaire. She soon discovers that many spiritualists are indeed fake. She observes Vaudeline and can't quite make up her mind. Lenna's sister also studied with Vaudeline, was she interested in the truth or in making money available at a seance? Lenna finds herself drawn to the beautiful and mysterious Vaudeline but finds herself wondering who she can trust. Is Vaudeline helping her reveal the scam or is she part of the scam? It is hard to know.

Sarah Penner's sophomore book is excellent. She has thoroughly researched the spiritualism fads. Grief attracted many who wished to prey on the grieving family. The various spiritualism societies discoverd that when spiritualism was funded by the wealthy members of society, the fraud was protected and continued. There are several twists in the story that are quite surprising. Some events are expected but the details can be shocking. Descriptions of the various locations in London place the reader in the time of the seance. It is amusing to read the different trickery done to convince people that a spirit was at their seance. Hard to imagine someone trying these things today as some schemes were simple and others were quite elaborate. All of this information fills the story out nicely. Penner has returned us to old England and entertwines sisterly love, trust and devotion with spiritualism, seances, and fraud. This is an excellent blend!

While I did finish this book, it was a struggle for me. I did not enjoy the romance between the two women characters. It was little more than sexual, and added absolutely nothing to the plot. While some people may want to read about a person masturbating, I did not find it appealing at all. I won't be reading anything else by this author.

I love anything Victorian, set in London, dealing with magic, so I was very excited for this read. The author takes us to Victorian London in vivid detail and gets the atmospheric mood right: it's dark, and foggy, and I could see gaslamps and hear the clip clop of horses and carriages on cobblestones. As a Victorian and history buff, I found the book to be well-researched. Some universal themes are explored here, such as loss, grief, the pursuit of justice, and the means we'll turn to when we're desperate for answers and closure.

It was a pleasant read, but not a standout - the mystery element wasn't quite strong enough for me, and the prose was overly fluffy at times. As a reader of history and 'serious' historical fiction, this felt more like a cozy, light read to me, which I'm sure some will appreciate, but for me this was just a fun read and not something substantial.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC.

Sarah Penner is 2/2! This book was so fantastic I couldn't put it down!! Her writing style and the atmosphere she creates is absolutely incredible. The story was so wrought with twists and turns I couldn't figure out what the heck was going on half the time (in the absolute best way possible). If you were a fan of The Lost Apothecary, this should definitely be a favourite as well. I'll probably have to buy the print copy just to have it on hand (it helps that the cover is so pretty too)

Thank you so much to Netgalley for allowing me to read this wonderful title!!

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.

My full review will be posted on all my social media, blog sites, and retail sites on publication day!

4.5 stars

Lenna Wickes mourned the loss of her sister, Evie. Evie had a passionate interest in spiritualism and life after death. Lenna didn't understand Evie's interest as she found no scientific basis for seances and the like but, she was willing to try anything to learn who killed her sister. Lenna traveled to Paris to study with the renowned spiritualist, Vaudeline D’Allaire. Vaudeline was known for holding seances for people who had been killed in order to find their murderer. Evie was a follower of Vaudeline and had studied with her as well. Vaudeline received a request to travel to London to hold a séance for the recently murdered president of the London Séance Society as their attempts had been unsuccessful. Since the man has been a friend, Vaudeline decided to return to find her friend's killer. Lenna returned with Vaudeline and they soon found themselves in potential peril as well. It quickly became a matter of who was a friend and who was a foe.

This was quite enjoyable. The story had twists and turns. I thought I had it all figured out and then new information was revealed. Both of the women were interesting characters. Vaudeline was mysterious and had amazing abilities. Lenna was deeply rooted in science, but was open to learning about spiritualism. I enjoyed how Penner set the scenes in her story. The story was wonderfully spooky and eerie when it needed to be. I loved Sarah Penner's first book, The Lost Apothecary. This is an excellent second book and one I will definitely recommend.

I received an e-ARC for The London Séance Society and want to thank Sarah Penner, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to voluntarily read and give an honest review of this book.

I plan to post my review on March 1, 2023 on my Goodreads, Instagram, and StoryGraph accounts. I will link those posts once they are live.

Another book by the author of The Lost Apothecary, this historical fiction is beautifully written. This novel explores the seance obsessions of the Victorian Era. Vaudeline is a respected and gifted medium who is chased out of London by the less scrupulous mediums of the men's only London Seance Society. After the death of her friend, the founder of the society, Vaudeline returns to London with her understudy ti investigate his death. Then they get caught up in a dangerous game and must solve two murders before they are killed.
Lots of spooky, ghost filled seances and a murder mystery! What a great read! Plus, I love Penner's lyricism and beautiful writing.

Enchanting. Enthralling. Engrossing.

The London Séance Society is a wonderful masterpiece that is at once beautiful and menacing. After finishing the ARC I immediately had to pre-order a hard copy (and The Lost Apothecary because I need more of Sarah Penner’s prose in my life).

Skeptic and fossil collector Lenna Wilkes goes to spiritualist crime solving Vaudeline D’Allaire to learn to how to perform séances and find out what happened to her murdered sister. After a letter arrives announcing the death of the president of the London Séance Society the two women find themselves right in the middle of a mystery full of delightful twists and turns. While trying to solve two murders they also discover a growing affection between them.

There are so many things that I adored about this book! Not one but two murders to solve! A twisty mystery so masterfully laid out that I felt like I was uncovering it just seconds before the characters which, to me, shows a well-written mystery. Especially after looking back and seeing that all the clues and hints were there the whole time.

The imagery used in the novel is breathtaking. Comparing and contrasting the scientific physical proof of physical remains after death using fossils to the spiritualist intangible proof of spirits after death using events that take place at a seance was such an intriguing and compelling choice. Really the arguments made through the book dealing with belief in what can be seen in the physical world vs belief in what can’t be seen but felt were wonderful. Especially how it was used not just to relate to séances and proof of life after death but also to emotions and the romance.

And the romance! A slow burn that continuously tugged at my heartstrings. It was tender and sweet and gave another lovely dimension to the story with fond moments scattered throughout the tension and mystery. I could almost feel every longing look and cheered when they kissed.

But for how much I loved and rooted for the romance I absolutely adored that Lenna’s love for her sister and want to find out what happened to her trumped everything else for her. She never once forgot about it or stopped searching for the truth. Even if it meant having to go against her own self (and romantic interest).

I don’t think I could ever stop gushing about this book but I also don’t think my gushing gives it even the slightest justice. Instead I’ll just say go read this gorgeous book (with a gorgeous cover) for yourself. And references! The back has references, which is always a win for me, and just an extra joy to see at the back of this book! Fall into the world of spirits, science, and mystery!

Another great book by Sarah Penner. I felt transported to the time and place. Perfect read for spooky season. I loved the multiple points of view as well as back and forth between timelines. Everything fell together perfectly at the end.

It’s abundantly clear that Sarah Penner can hold your attention hostage once you’ve opened one of her books. It’s near impossible to put it down once that first chapter is read.

The London Seance Society takes place in 19th century London and Paris. Lenna Wickes is grieving the loss of her sister who was brutally murdered. She becomes an understudy to the renowned spiritualist, Vaudeline D’Allaire, in hopes of learning how to conjure her dead sister’s spirit. Vaudeline is invited to perform a seance in Paris where the President of the London Seance Society was found murdered and she invites Lenna along as her understudy. Lenna has plans of her own to learn more about her sister’s death and possibly use the same seance to solve her murder. The two women band together and not only solve both murders but find that the Society isn’t exactly on the up and up.

This story is full of intrigue with enough mystery to keep you enthralled throughout. The two main characters are captivating and alluring, in perfect sync with the plot of the book.

This is most definitely worthy of my 5-star review and I will eagerly anticipate the next Sarah Penner novel. Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishers for the ARC of this fantastic book.
It’s abundantly clear that Sarah Penner can hold your attention hostage once you’ve opened one of her books. It’s near impossible to put it down once that first chapter is read.

The London Seance Society takes place in 19th century London and Paris. Lenna Wickes is grieving the loss of her sister who was brutally murdered. She becomes an understudy to the renowned spiritualist, Vaudeline D’Allaire, in hopes of learning how to conjure her dead sister’s spirit. Vaudeline is invited to perform a seance in Paris where the President of the London Seance Society was found murdered and she invites Lenna along as her understudy. Lenna has plans of her own to learn more about her sister’s death and possibly use the same seance to solve her murder. The two women band together and not only solve both murders but find that the Society isn’t exactly on the up and up.

This story is full of intrigue with enough mystery to keep you enthralled throughout. The two main characters are captivating and alluring, in perfect sync with the plot of the book.

This is most definitely worthy of my 5-star review and I will eagerly anticipate the next Sarah Penner novel. Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishers for the ARC of this fantastic book.

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 enjoyed The Lost Apothecary and was looking forward to Penners latest release. Overall, I enjoyed this one, but not as much as her previous book, and this one took me longer to get into.

Told in alternating perspectives, The London Seance Society is set during Victorian era London and focuses on the latest trend of seances. Lenna is determined to find out what happened to her sister Evie who was murdered, so she starts to work under spiritualist Vaudeline. As time goes on Lenna uncovers some sinister information around the London Seance Society.

This book has some eerie scenes mystery revolving around the society. A quick read once I got into the story.

Loved this title! I enjoyed another foray into Victorian times and the subject was quite wonderful. Reading it October made it even better. My "Lost Apothecary" fans will love this one just as much or even more!

Definitely something I haven’t read before. The characters were interesting and the story line kept me hooked I would recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this eARC.

I absolutely loved this book, I ate this story up, it was great! I love how Sarah Penner writes and I had a feeling this would be as good as The Lost Apothecary. I read the synopsis and I was immediately intrigued. The first chapter had me hooked. The characters were well written, the first seance in the book actually gave me chills. It was a slower burn but the way Sarah wrote it made it flow very well, there wasn't a downhill moment for me. Also, that world building? Done so well.

This was a story that delivered, it had promise in the synopsis and I was floored. I'll definitely be picking up a physical copy when this comes out!

Interesting book about something I know very little about. In 19th century London if you wanted to know how or why a family member died, or hear from them it was quite fashionable to call upon a ghost or seance club. In this historical fiction novel a woman decides to study how these seances are done after the death of her sister, a friend and the friends father. She suspects that there may be some false practices in play and gets involved with a woman who is supposed to be “the real thing”.
Fascinating story with a few surprises along the way. Another success for Sarah Penner! Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC.

Just when I thought Sarah Penner’s writing could not top her first book, The Lost Apothecary, along comes her second book, The London Seance Society! This book is a tale of spiritualism and seances in the Victorian era. Very well researched, and complete with an informative Author’s Note at the conclusion of the book, I was overjoyed to learn about this time period in history. Although I felt the book started a little slow, it made up for it as the story develops and action comes alive. I found it difficult to put this book aside until I finished it.

Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions above are my own.

I LOVED The Lost Apothecary by @sarah_penner_author when I read it a little over a year ago. Loved as in it became one of my all-time favorite books. So I was stoked when I saw that this author was releasing another book, The London Seance Society, and I was even more stoked when @netgalley approved me for an advanced reader’s copy.

I was not disappointed. I read this book yesterday (yes, all in one day. I mean, I was in too much pain to do anything else, but still), and it was everything I hoped for and more.

After the mysterious death of Lenna’s sister, Evie, she travels to Paris to learn mediumship from one of the best in the best in the business, Vaudeline D’Allair. Except soon after Lenna begins her apprenticeship, Vaudeline is called back to London to investigate the death of Volckner, President of the London Seance Society. What’s more? Volckner and Evie died on the same night.

Before long, Lenna begins to suspect the two deaths are connected, and her mistrust of everyone around her grows. Will she find the truth of Evie’s death? Will she even make it out of London alive?

If you haven’t read The Lost Apothecary, get it now. Then mark your calendars for March 23, 2023 when The London Seance Society will hit the shelves.

The London Séance Society is a wonderful historical novel that will leave you unable to put it down. I would like to thank NetGalley, Harlequin, and Sarah Penner for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book is set in 19th century London and Paris and follows Lenna Wickes as she meets with Vaudeline D’Allaire, a well-known spiritualist, to try and uncover what happened to her sister Evie. While with Vaudeline, though, they start to uncover a mystery within London’s Séance Society.

The mystery in this book is very well-done and I couldn’t figure out what happened, which kept me turning pages all night! I finished this one at 3 a.m. because I couldn’t put it down. The descriptions of Victorian London were beautiful and I felt like I was truly there. I also really enjoyed the two main characters and learning more about them throughout.

After reading this, I’m hoping to pick up the author’s first book, The Lost Apothecary, soon! I highly recommend this one for fans of Victorian novels, spooky reads, and mysteries. 5 stars!