Sarah Penner’s The London Séance Society is a captivating historical mystery that blends the supernatural with a gripping plot. Readers praise its atmospheric setting and strong female characters. However, some critique the pacing and predictability. In sum, it’s an engaging read for fans of eerie, character-driven stories, though it may falter in tension for some.

A reader who revels in historical fiction infused with mystery and a touch of the supernatural will be captivated by Sarah Penner's The London Séance Society. Fans of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón will find themselves equally enchanted.

In The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner, Lenna Wickes, a scientifically-minded woman in 1873, investigates her sister Evie's death by apprenticing to spiritualist medium Vaudeline D’Allaire, leading her to the London Séance Society, a group performing séances for grieving individuals. As Lenna delves deeper, she uncovers the Society's dark secrets and the truth behind her sister’s murder. This text contains descriptions of discrimination, violence, and non-consensual acts.

Mysterious / Dark / Suspenseful / Unnerving / Fantastical

**Lenna Wickes**  
A rational woman with a geological background who becomes drawn into the mysteries surrounding her sister's death and explores her inner conflicts regarding spiritualism and romantic desires throughout the novel.

**Vaudeline D’Allaire**  
An accomplished medium and mentor who guides Lenna through the investigation, offering insight into spiritualism and providing a model for navigating personal desires within societal constraints.

**Mr. Morely**  
A complex character who initially appears pitiable but gradually reveals himself as the antagonist with deep-rooted misogyny and self-interest.

**Evie Wickes**  
Lenna's younger sister, an aspiring medium and spiritualist whose past efforts to expose corruption become central to the novel's events, though she remains largely mysterious to Lenna.

Sarah Penner

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The London Séance Society reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The London Séance Society | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The London Séance Society and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The London Séance Society Summary and Study Guide

Background

The London Séance Society Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-6

The London Séance Society Chapters 1-6 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 7-14

The London Séance Society Chapters 7-14 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 15-24

The London Séance Society Chapters 15-24 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 25-33

The London Séance Society Chapters 25-33 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 34-Epilogue

The London Séance Society Chapter 34-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The London Séance Society Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The London Séance Society Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The London Séance Society Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The London Séance Society Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The London Séance Society Essay Topics

The London Séance Society: A Novel

Before You Read

Super Short Summary

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The London Séance Society?

Reading Age

Book Details