The Camden Spiritualist (Penny Green Victorian Mystery Series)

If you don't read the Penny Green series from the beginning you will miss the character development and the story of Penny and James Blakely, Scotland Yard Inspector. How they came to love each other and their courtship, wrought with all sorts of complications, was a theme throughout the series I enjoyed so much. Now they are married and their relationship is changing again. We still have the same characters as principals in the story too including Penny's sister Eliza and their friend, Librarian, Francis Edwards.

The actual Camden Spiritualist is Professor Mortimer with his show using his protege 15 year old Elizabeth Shelley. He claims she can see and hear spirits. Mrs Jane Bunton disrupts his performance at the theater calling him a fraud.
When Mrs.Bunton is murdered in cold blood, shot on her doorstep. It is time for both Penny and her husband James to investigate. Of course he objects to her involvement but she will do it anyway as we have seen in previous books.

My only criticism of this book is it is too short. I enjoy this Penny Green series so much! The relationships between the characters, the twists and turns of the plots, and interesting backgrounds, all make for a most wonderful read. I didn't want it to end but the ending was so good.
I was given a copy of this book for review but I would change a thing if I'd purchased it.

We've read all the Penny Green books. Hoping author Emily Organ continues the Penny Green series.

One of the many things I enjoy about this series is how Emily Organ expresses her protagonist Penny Green's inner thoughts and person to person conversations in varied voices. Penny is rational, no nonsense when describing a situation or event from her reporter perspective, such as the opening scene in this book. Here Penny tells us what she sees, and what she thinks is going on in a Spiritualist performance. When Penny is interacting or thinking about family including her husband, sister, father, her friends, and colleagues she is analytical, but with varied emotions as she thinks things through. And then there is cross-over when Penny becomes engaged with the people she encounters while following a story. As an Advance Reader, I was especially tickled that this story really hooked me. Learning more about the cast of characters' lives, and the "cliff-hanger" ending focusing on Emily's family life, once the mystery has been resolved, made me look forward to the next installment! I also appreciate the historical research that Emily Organ puts into her books.

I really enjoy the author's ability to continually expand and develop the relationships of the main characters. Each entry in the Penny Green series is an enjoyable experience to get re-acquainted with a favorite character, while watching them work to solve a mystery. I also felt that the period realism was quite good in this book with great detail of Victorian London places and travel. Also, Penny's difficulties in being taken seriously several times in her investigations. Little disappointed with the final setting of the book. However, over all, a fine book.

This is an engrossing series featuring Penny, who is a news reporter married to a policeman. The Victorian setting is one of my favorites and the author describes it very well. The characters are interesting, the mystery is cozy, and the book is well written. Can't wait for the next one!

While others may believe a spirit is to blame for a woman's death, Penny Green has a healthy skepticism. She is dogged and determined in her quest to find the real killer. A wonderful story taking us through Victorian England sprinkled with a good dose of the women's suffrage movement. I love this series!

A solid five-star rating. I loved this story and had long awaited this episode. There is nothing more I can relate that hasn't already been told with glowing words. I have followed Emily for a long time now and I believe I have read everything published to date. Her fascination with this period of history mirrors mine.

I can't wait for the next story. Get busy, Emily!

I love the Penny Green series. Ms. Organ has never written a book in this series that is without suspense, danger, or interesting characters.
I love the familiar characters because they keep the continuity and there is always a slew of dangerous characters and a murder or two to solve.
Who could want more?

I had the pleasure of reading this in three days over Halloween. The moody descriptions of foggy London & spiritualist shows were a great addition to spooky season for me.

If you’re at all interested in this book, I’d urge you to read it… but to start with the first book in the series and to read them all. So many characters have been introduced and well-developed at this point in the series it feels more like an ensemble piece than just a detective novel!

If you liked the previous Penny Green mysteries, you'll surely like this one, too. The Camden Spiritualist is a quick read; I think I read it all in three sittings of about an hour apiece.
It's of course about spiritualism and fakery, covering one of the chief crazes around the turn of the twentieth century. Some of the other historical fiction authors have dealt with this topic as well, but Ms. Organ treats it with her own style.
This novel also offers a little spice with what seems like the beginnings of a love triangle. (Without giving away too much, I'm rooting for Francis.)
I recommend it highly.