Engaging novel about a Victorian-era medium (the titular Mrs Wood) who takes on a protege (Miss Finch). It's quite fun reading these two try to out-maneuver each other.

This was a debut? How cool! Get whisked away to Victorian-era London and experience all of the fun of spiritualism and mediums! I loved the commentary on female relationships, competition, etc. It's full of rivalry and intrigue and it's very clear the author has done their research. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to anyone looking for a somewhat different but still relevant spooky season read!

I loved this book! I will definitely recommend it. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

🕯️Two female mediums butt heads in Victorian London in a story perfect for fans of "The Lost Apothecary" or "The Mermaid and Mrs.Hancock".

🕯️Have a blanket and cup of tea on hand when reading this adorably cozy story.

A charming and unique take on the Spiritualism craze that focuses on an intense rivalry between a medium and her former protégé.

Despite being a lower stakes sort of plot than many focused on this topic, the book is nonetheless riveting, and though no one is being murdered or terrorized by malevolent spirits, the riveting nature of the story keeps the anticipation high and the reader experience propulsive.

The writing too is a cut above most books of this sort (please, please ignore the comps to books like The Lost Apothecary. This is much better writing and far more unique in plot). I loved the immersive quality of Barker’s prose, and her ability to build atmosphere both in terms of the historical setting and the macabre ambiance of a seance proves excellent as well.

I thought this sounded fascinating by the synopsis, but perhaps I got my expectations up too high. This fell flat for me.

A well-known and popular medium takes on a pupil to enhance her reputation, but instead it may lead to her downfall.

Victorian Spiritualism is such an interesting time and I am drawn to any books set during that time period. Many of them have a corny paranormal element or the Spiritualism plays a minor roll. This is not the case in The Other Side of Mrs. Wood.
This was well researched and atmospheric. I felt like I had stepped into a Victorian parlor.
My feelings towards characters would change throughout the book. I asked myself what I would do as a woman in those circumstances at that time.
This is the book on Victorian Spiritualism I have been waiting for and I thank Lucy Barker for writing it.

Thank you to Harper and NetGalley for this free ARC.

A very descriptive account of spiritism in Victoria England. It was a tad predictable but still a fun read.

I enjoyed most of this book. The story is of Mrs. Wood, a renowned medium who hosts seances in her home and in the home of her wealthy benefactors. She is also supported financially by those wealthy patrons. She takes a young girl under her wing who shows promise as a medium. When the young woman takes over, she is devastated and tries to find a way to get her patrons back. The book was well written and the characters are well developed. I liked this book very much.

#TheOtherSideofMrsWood #NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-Arc copy of this novel.