THE LONDON SEANCE SOCIETY

Sarah Penner's Victorian mystery is nifty on its own, but strong narrations by Lauren Irwin and Alex Wyndham make it even better on audio. The narrators weave several plot strands seamlessly. Mr. Morley, vice president of London's Séance Society, contacts a world-famous spiritualist, Vaudeline D'Allaire, asking her to hold a séance to unmask the killer in a high-profile murder. Reluctantly assisting her is Lenna, whose sister, Evie, was Vaudeline's former apprentice until Evie was murdered. Wyndham's voice for Morley is deep, dark, and portentous, while Irwin portrays Lenna as energetic and hopeful. Irwin makes Lenna's sudden and surprised discovery of her own psychic abilities completely believable. The narrators capture the story's deception, secrets, ghosts, and ghastly murders, making this rich gothic tale an audio must-listen. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2023]