In 1889, Emma Langley is on a mission to solve what her husband is up to. Along with Penny, she discovers a murder which leads them on an all new adventure deepening the mystery surrounding Emma’s husband’s death. This book touches on the topic of the expectation of women during that time and how some sought work outside the home. However, this does not eclipse the mystery aspect of the novel. Emma and Penny are both likeable heroines, thank goodness, the unlikeable hero is boring and I cannot cheer for such a person to win. I really enjoyed the story and the characters. I did guess the killer early on, but the story was still worth reading. So, if you like Victorian England, women helping women, and murder, then this book is right for you. I found Langley and Lydney to be too similar names. There are places where the text is long and I felt emotion wasn’t coming across, but this could be due to the fact that this is a digital copy and I find it hard to focus on that, even with my own work. This is a book I would gladly add to my bookcase. Anne Harris.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Emily Organ for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Poison Puzzle coming out July 23, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I’ve read a few books by this author, and I really enjoy her writing. I love her Victorian murder mysteries. The first book in the series was really awesome. So I was definitely excited to check this one out. I think Emma is a really smart character. I will definitely read more books in the series!

Emma Langley and Penny Green join forces to solve the mystery of Emma's late husbands secrets. This takes them into the realms of VIctorian secret societies and some danger from unscrupulous characters. Well worth a read.

An enjoyable mystery. This second book in the series continues the mystery solving of Emma and Penny. It is a very detailed book which can make it feel slow, at times. I enjoyed reading it, but did figure out who the murderer was too early which spoiled it for me just a little.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. It is an enjoyable mystery / treasure hunt set in the late 1800s in London. Once you start reading, it is easy to get lost in the bygone era and go on the hunt with the 2 lead characters. The author does a nice job in portraying that time in history and with the lead characters being women, it is interesting seeing the world through their eyes. The plot was well thought out with the twists and turns expected in a good mystery.

I love this author and was so excited she has a new series. A master at combining history and fiction, you will be delighted from beginning to end.

Set in London, 1880's and full of many twist an turns and wonderful characters. Be ready to be entertained trying to figure out the villain!

Cannot wait for more!

The Poison Puzzle by Emily Organ is a clever female sleuth set in Victorian London. I can’t say I didn’t like it, nor did I love it, it was just ok. It was a good premise, and I think the story has potential as a good mystery. I didn’t love the writing style in this one. The chapters are short, which is fine when the writer is strong and compelling, but in this book, it felt choppy. It felt like the author was telling me, rather than writing and naturally including me as the story unfolds. Penny is more modern in her thinking, which again, is not a problem, it just felt forcefully inserted into parts of the story and not a natural occurrence. I may try the next one in the series to determine if it is a disconnect with the author’s style, or if it is just an issue of maturation of the writing style and ability that naturally improves the more the writer writes.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley, and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

Thank you Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this sequel. I loved the mystery, Emma Langley’s slow journey into becoming an investigator. It is ok to have doubts and uncertainties when embarking on a new path in life. I really hope she is freed from the shackles of her deceitful wretch of *murdered* husband soon.

Penny’s journey as a wife, mother and working woman who is trying to manage all the feelings us modern women feel while chasing the “I can have it all” dream.

I love this series and will continue to read the upcoming installments. I also look forward to reading the rest of Emily Organ’s books.

This is a Victorian murder mystery. Our heroines are a female journalist who had to give up her job when she married and a young widow whose husband started this strange mystery trail when he died. Unfortunately our ladies don't know just how dangerous following the clues will get.
It's great fun for us following their journey and trying to guess who the killer might be. Lots of adventure to be had in this book and hopefully more to come.
I loved it.

In 1889 London, Emma investigates a secret society her late husband had joined, uncovering a murder and a deadly treasure hunt.

This is a fun and twisty mystery. Emma and Penny are engaging characters, and I like the relationship between them. Their curiosity drives them to continue the treasure hunt even after it puts their lives in danger. I enjoyed the audiobook narration.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

BOOK: THE POISON PUZZLE
AUTHOR: EMILY ORGAN
PUB DATE: 23RD JULY, 2025
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REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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This was an amazing sequel to the first book, Whitechapel Widow. I didn't really like the first book in the series, but I was determined to give Emma and Penny another chance, and I'm glad I did! Both of them are such good friends now, and Emma is better at being an amateur sleuth. She did a good job here, and I was impressed!
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The book started with another secret her dead husband kept from her. She saw a mysterious sign, informed her friend, and they both started looking into it. They basically worked on two cases, the homicide and looking for the treasure. They did a really good job with both, even outsmarting the police officers and others who were interested in the treasure.
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In the previous book, I complained that Emma solved the case without doing much. However, I could see the effort she put into it this time. Following the clues diligently, questioning suspects on her own. She has become a better detective, and I would love to see more of this! I loved Penny's part, too. She has a series of her own, but I like how the author expresses the situation of mothers at that time. Penny loves being a reporter, but she doesn't know how to balance it with being a mother and societal expectations. She's an amazing writer and detective.
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This book was interesting, although it was a bit slow in the beginning, but it was still okay. I was not prepared for the plot twist, it was very good and surprising. I would definitely recommend this and can't wait for the next book in the series!
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1889 Victorian London. Emma Langley and Penny Blakely, having solved the mystery of who killed Emma’s husband William, are still looking into his past as Emma has found a drawing of a strange symbol in William’s diary together with an address. This leads them to a secretive treasure hunting society and an encounter with one of the members, Lord Harpole. Calling to see Lord Harpole the next day they discover him dying in his hotel room. The official verdict is suicide, but Emma and Penny aren’t convinced and decide to investigate. Whilst doing this they find themselves following a treasure map with cryptic clues to solve.
A really enjoyable story with plenty of twists and turns, lots of suspects, burglaries and encounters with sinister men. A cozy mystery with strong female characters but it doesn’t shy away from having a dark side to the story.

The Poison Puzzle by Emily Organ is the second book in the series dealing with Emma’s late husband and his mysteries associations and activities. The Emma Langley Victorian Mysteries has a character, Penny Green, from another series that helps Emma out in her investigations. In fact, she encourages strongly for Emma to continue when Emma has doubts in her abilities and If she even should continue.

In many ways this is an addictive series as the title indicates. It has a charming female lead characters who is growing in her own confidence. A friendship that continues to grow strong as well as supporting likable characters. The clues are interesting but not so easy to solve which keeps one thinking throughout the story. Then a guilty party that is clever and hides their trail well. Lastly Victorian London provides such an atmospheric ambiance that it feels almost like a character too. A compelling read with female sleuths that is not to be missed for fans of Irina Shapiro’s Tate and Bell Series, Jolie Tunnell’s Mrs. Kelly Series or Kelley Armstrong’s Rip Through Time. Here is another famously good series o add to your list of favorites as I have.

I love the combination of Emma Langley and Penny Blakely working together to solve murder mysteries. They have very different circumstances, Penny is married with two small children and 13 years older than Emma. Emma is quite recently widowed. Together, they are quite intrepid and Emma is gaining in confidence to make some inquiries by herself. This is quite a complex case, including working out some puzzling clues that takes them to well known places in London. Emma also finds out a little more about her late husband. This had me guessing until the end and I look forward to reading more in this series. This is a very engaging read and I didn’t want to put it down. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. However, I did preorder my own copy.

Whew what a ride and I think when Penny is not available Emma will have help!
Emma finds a strange symbol in her late husband’s diary with an address she goes to very nervous! The atmosphere seems evil so she does not try to go in! She and Penny return to investigate and this sets of a completely unexpected chain of events! They wait outside while a group of men conduct a meeting afterwards Emma is splashed by cold wet rain and Lord Harpole loans her his cloak and gives her an address to return it!
Lord Harpole is literally dying when the coat is returned by Emma and Penny!
Traumatized and now determined to get Justice they are unknowingly provided a treasure map! This leads to late nights, mazes assaults and another murder!
Old loves return to England and new friendships are formed! It is one page turner with more clues and suspects that all seem related and then not! The lengths people go to protect their secrets! Just wow! Bravo well done!

Such a delightful, suspenseful story. Loved the sleuths, Emma and Penny. The timeframe was well rendered. I plan to read the first and subsequent books in this series. Highly recommend.

I was blessed with an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.

I thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advance reader copy of “The Poison Puzzle.” All opinions and comments are my own.

What does a secret society and the hunt for the “lost” treasure of Sir Francis Drake mean for the likes of our amateur detectives Emma Langley and Penny Blakely? Well, it means our intrepid duo get in a bit of hot water as they involve themselves in the investigation of an unpleasant place and the unpleasant men that populate the building, one that Emma’s dead husband visited.

We begin with a murder, continue with house break-ins, more murder, blackmail, and the thrill of deciphering a puzzle map created by someone who delighted in the quest more than the destination. A tangled plot keeps readers busy while author Emily Organ ensures there’s nary a slow spot.

Expect a lot about thoughts and feelings. Penny, being pulled between her old life as an investigative reporter and her new one as a wife and mother -- the one she’s expected to enjoy completely in Victorian times; Emma, what’s to become of her as a widow -- and her realization of what the dead husband was really up to. It is interesting to follow along as they come to grips with their present lives and the testing of societal bonds of Victorian England.

This is the first book by this author I have read, and this is the first book in the series. It was a well-set-out story with many twists and turns, and the characters were relatable. I enjoyed that it kept me guessing till the end. The only thing I found a little off was that our heroine was unwell I the beginning, but her health did not impede her search for answers. But saying that, I am looking forward to the next book in the series to see how she will develop her new skills. I received this as an ARC from Netgalley and freely give my review.

The Poison Puzzle by Emily Organ was a wonderful and enjoyable historical mystery novel. I read this #2 book in the series without having read the first one. Now I will need to go back and read it. Emma Langley and Penny Blakely are the main characters and the author brought them to life.

Emma is a widow and Penny is married with children and a former journalist. The mystery begins when Emma finds a mysterious symbol in her late husband's diary. Then when Emma is splashed by a passing cab, someone offers Emma a coat to wear and asks her to return it the next day. When she and Penny go the hotel to return the coat to Lord Charles Harpole, they discover him to be near death. He whispers 'help' to the ladies and they are the last people to see him alive. His death is ruled suicide, but Emma and Penny think differently and they begin their own investigation. Emma discovers a key to a locker in the coat pocket of Lord Harpole. The key is to a case left at a locker. The luggage case contains a map that sets them out on a secret society treasure hunt. They stumble upon clue after clue that opens up new possibilities to the murder and somehow Emma's late husband is connected in the mystery.

The story was very entertaining with twists that keep you guessing! I sure didn't guess who the murderer was until close to the end. This is the first book I've read from this author and I look forward to reading more from her.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Emma Langley is trying to uncover what the mysterious symbol that she has discovered in her late husband's diary means. Along with her frind Penny they follow cryptic clues racing against a killer.
I was quickly drawn into this story, the characters were engaging and the plot pacing at a pace I liked. With twists and suspense the story was both enjoyable and engaging.