I give the book a solid 3.5 stars - this book covered quite a few topics that interest me - ghosts, seances, powerful women, historical fiction, and the potential to include magic. Of course, I was immediately drawn to it. I thought that I had the book all figured out by about 1/4 or 1/2 way, and I was pleasantly surprised that my hunches ended up being incorrect. It was definitely a fairly quick and fairly interesting read for me, and I did thing it was great that they sort of poked holes and shined a light on parlor tricks that were often brought forth through old seances. I did enjoy the book, and I think it’s perfect for something fun like a beach day or whatever, and I absolutely will read Sarah Penner’s next book(s) because I really enjoyed the Lost Apothecary. However, it also wasn’t my favorite and I do feel that the book could have gone and done something more with the premise, because it definitely included some of my favorite topics.

I really wanted to love this book, but certain parts were difficult to mull through—I suppose they seemed like filler. However, I did enjoy the story and the outcome of the events that unfolded.

Be sure to read the Author’s Note and all the research she did. Astonishing!

I found this book through a book club I am in online and couldn’t put it down! I flew through the chapters. I feel bad for not sticking to the chapter requirements of the book club but not bad enough to have stopped reading lol. Only reason I didn’t choose 5 stars is because it was lacking something I can’t quite put my finger on. I think I was hoping for even more romance and more drama, but that’s just a personal preference.

Some topics that are interwoven into the plot were of no interest to me at all.

I never know what to expect when I pick up a Sarah Penner book. The Lost Apothecary had me sold on this author, but The London Seance Society has gone to a whole different level. This author tells a story with such seamless transitions that you are hooked the moment you pick it up Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, Penner added a “I didn’t see that coming” moment. You can’t help but become immersed in the characters and the story line. Penner transports you through time and space and allows you to feel as if you are watching the story play out. There aren’t enough words to explain just how good Sarah Penner’s books are. You have to read them. You too will soon find you’re hooked and looking forward to the next story she has to tell.

Not interested in reading a romance between two women. Somehow, in my excitement, to read this book, I completely missed that that is an element of this story.

Supernatural flair, a mystery, and a romance all in one.

Sarah Penner is back, but this time it’s a book about Seances and summoning the dead in order to find out who did it? It’s a fast paced book that will keep you entertained as the President of the London Seance Society is murdered and the experts are called in to discover the truth. Can they figure it out or will it stir up more questions? This story alternates between Lenna in Paris and Mr. Morley in London 1873. Lenna is taught by Vaudelline D’Allaire, famously known for being able to hold seances for the purpose of summoning the spirits of those who had been murdered to find out who killed them. Lenna wants to be able to learn how to do this, in order to find out not only find out who murdered her sister, but could make money helping others do the same. Can Lenna learn from Vaudeline and will it turn out the way she expected? Mr. Morley is Vice President in the Department of Spiritualism at the Seance Society in London. The President of the society was killed at a seance, so it was up to Mr Morley to get things straightened out. Mr Morley asks Vaudelline to come back to London to perform the seance? Can she discover who in fact killed him? Was it a colleague like rumored? What will be discovered as Lena and Vauldelime investigate? I loved the character development in this book as it makes you think about them in one light and by the end, an entirely different opinion is formed! This makes for page turner as you want to know more as Lenna and Mr Morley reveal the secrets! Such a well written, and highly entertaining book! Perfect for those who held seances at sleepovers in the 80’s and 90’s.