This was the second book in the London Ladies' Murder Club series. I thought Mabel was a great protagonist in the previous book, so I was pleased to see her back. This time, there was a slightly spooky theme, as the storyline included a séance. This was another entertaining cosy mystery set in 1920s London, and I would recommend this series to cosy crime fans.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

Title: A Body at the Séance
Author: Marty Wingate
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 4.2 out of 5

When a body turns up at a glamorous séance, Mabel Canning’s sleuthing skills are put to the test. Because it appears the victim died twice…

London, 1921: As a winter wind blows through the streets of London, Mabel Canning is hired by the Useful Women’s Agency to attend a séance at the home of famous medium Madame Pushkana. But when Mabel hears a choking noise and a loud thud, she quickly turns on the lights to find herself at the scene of a murder.

The victim is none other than Stamford Plomley, whose widow arranged the séance after he died in a fire eight months ago. How did he come back from the dead without a scorch mark on him? And could one of their assembled party of gentlewomen have killed him… again?

When Scotland Yard arrive, the police try to stop Mabel from interfering. But having just formed the London Ladies’ Murder Club, Mabel isn’t going anywhere. And with the help of former detective Park Winstone, she begins to piece together what really happened at the ghostly gathering.

But when Mabel receives a threatening letter warning her to stay away from the case, she realises the murderer may have another victim in mind. With time running out, will she hit a dead end? Or can she keep herself from becoming the next one to be sent to an early grave?

This was a fun read! I think I enjoyed this more than the first book in the series. The characters felt a little more real to me, especially Perkins: I absolutely loved him and would like to see more of him. I didn’t have any idea who the murderer was, so that was a big surprise, and all of Mabel’s investigations were a lot of fun to read. This is a great series!

Marty Wingate is a bestselling author. A Body at the Séance is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Bookouture in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 1/19.)

Like the first book in this series, it was engaging and easy to read. The plot wasn't too complex or difficult to follow and the characters were certainty enjoyable to read about. In terms of the mystery, I found the second book to be more hooking than the first one. (Round off rating at 3.5 stars)

My thanks to Bookouture for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘A Body at the Séance’ by Marty Wingate.

This is Book 2 in Wingate’s London Ladies Murder Club, a new series of cozy historical mysteries set in 1920s London.

November, 1921, two months after the events in ‘A Body on the Doorstep’, Miss Mabel Canning is continuing her work with the Useful Women’s Agency, which exists to fulfil the ‘domestic needs of today’s gentlewoman’. Mabel convinced Miss Kerr, her boss, to add private investigations to their list of services.

For her latest assignment Mabel is to accompany Mrs. Ivy Plomley to a séance being held at the home of the famous medium Madame Pushkana. Mrs. Plomley hopes to contact her late husband, Stanford, who had died eight months previously in a fire. As the séance progresses, the lights suddenly go out. Mabel hears a choking noise and a loud thud. Suddenly she’s again at the scene of a murder! These evening engagements are proving deadly!

Is one of the assembled guests responsible? No spoiler about the identity of the victim, though it is a big surprise to all present. Of course, the police are involved though Mrs. Plomley hires Mabel through the Useful Women’s Agency to undertake a separate investigation, assisted by former detective Park Winstone, though it naturally complements Scotland Yard’s official enquiries. No further details to avoid spoilers.

I do enjoy the fact that Mabel doesn’t see herself in competition with Scotland Yard and respects their authority and understands that Detective Inspector Tollerton cannot discuss details of their investigation, though he appreciates her contribution.

I am also pleased that alongside the main case Mabel is undertaking various other assignments for the Useful Women’s Agency, including wrangling naughty schoolboy, Augustus Malling-Frobisher, on a school outing to the Natural History Museum and assisting another client in finding the right spot to hang her rather large Millais. There’s also plenty of antics from Gladys, Park’s canine companion.

Overall, I found ‘A Body at the Séance’ a great deal of fun with an intriguing whodunnit at its heart. It confirmed for me that I shall be continuing with this charming series of cosy mysteries.

Mabel, Park, Skeff and Cora return on the trail of another murderer, this time of a man who appears to have died twice. As Mabel's enquiries progress she has more questions than answers. Could it be that the woman who has engaged her to discover her husband's murderer knows more than she is saying?

I enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed the first book in the series, and I am looking forward to reading more and seeing the main characters continuing to develop.

As an employee of the Useful Women's Agency and it's new London Ladies' Murder Club, Hazel has been assigned to accompany a widow, Mrs.Plomley, to a seance at the home of Madame Pushkana. Mrs. Plomley hopes to make contact with her dead husband through the medium. When the quiet, darkened seance room erupts with a flash of light and a crashing chandelier the body of supposedly burned to death Mr. Plomley is found dead under the velvet drapes. The police are called and though Inspector Tollerton tries to keep Hazel out of the investigation, he isn't successful. Hazel, Winstone, Cora and Skeff all become involved in finding the killer. Who killed Mr. Plomley and who burned to death in the shed years ago? In the midst of the investigation another murder occurs when Madame Pushkana is stabbed to death and Hazel receives threatening letters warning her to back off.
This is the second in the London Ladies' Murder Club series and it is terrific. Once again, Wingate's characters shine and the action is tense and fast-paced.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC

When Mabel Cannen is sent to a séance by Mrs. Ivy Plumley she’s excited to be going to a séance held by a Madame Pushkin but when the Madame tries to conjure up Miss Plumlee’s deceased husband Stedman it seems right when she’s making contact the lights go up fire shoots up and the room seems to lose control but when Mabel turns the lights back on they are shocked to see the dearly departed dead in the room with them. Mabel immediately tells the Butler to call inspector Tollerton. This doesn’t mean the London ladies murder club is no longer because Mabel and the gang will definitely be on the case. With threatening letters and things lurking in the shadows being an amateur sleuth can get very hairy not as hairy as win Mabel it’s sent by the useful ladies society to aMiss Gladys Winston… Yes that Gladys! When I was reading this book I got nervous when we had yet another deceased husband popping up dead I was a little worried but OMG I have nothing to worry about it seems Marty Windgate knows how to spin a yarn a.m. to write yet another great mystery. I love books that are hard to put down and it seems these are and I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the third book “a Body in the Dancehall.” When you read as many books as I do and write reviews for almost all of them it’s hard to find new ways to tell people about great books just trust me if you love a great cozy historical fiction mystery then you definitely need to get familiar with A Body At The Séance in my humble opinion this one was better than the first but as I said that’s just my opinion I do recommend this book if this is your genre then I totally recommend it! I want to thank Bookoucher and Net Galley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

A Body at the Seance by Marty Wingate is the second in a new series, London Ladies’ Murder Club featuring Mabel Canning, along with partners in detection, Cora, Skeff, and Park. Cora firmly believes that a hat can changes one’s appearance, demeanor, and personality and in this book she sets about proving it, as Mabel needs some of each. Her assignment from Miss Kerr at Useful Women is to accompany Mrs. Plomley to a séance. She wishes to contact her late husband. While she is there she hears his voice but it not able to finish the conversation. Instead the lights all go off and when light is restored a man is dead. It is Mr. Samford Plomley. Also on the floor, unconscious, is Madame Pushkana, the medium. Mabel immediately tells Perkins, the butler, to call the Scotland Yard and ask for Detective Inspector Tollerton. Tollerton was the detective she deal with during her previous case and a friend of Park’s.

All of the core people appear in these book and the reader’s knowledge of their characters grows in depth. Everyone is bereft about the danger Madame Pushkana was in as they all adored her. Everyone at the séance were past clients except for Mrs. Plomley. Tollerton instructed Mabel that she was not to get involved in this murder and she does not. Instead Useful Women were contracted to investigate Mr Plomley’s previous death. Of course, the two do somewhat run together. There are surprises aplenty as well as another death and several attempted murders. Park and Mabel grow closer as do Mabel and her two friends, Cora and Skeff, who both prove to be beyond helpful in this investigation. All comes aright when it is determined Mrs. Plomely is not the murderer and she is able to pay her bill to Useful Women and Mabel gets paid. Her first foray into investigation has proven successful with a wonderfully diverse cast of characters and a twisted mystery to unravel. A delightful read!

Thank you Bookoutre for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #MartyWingate #ABodyAtTheSeance

London, 1921: As a winter wind blows through the streets of London, Mabel Canning is hired by the Useful Women’s Agency to attend a séance at the home of famous medium Madame Pushkana. Whilst at the séance there’s a flash of light then total darkness, Mabel stumbles over a large lump & when the lights are switched on she finds herself at the scene of a murder. The victim is none other than Stamford Plomley, whose widow arranged the séance after he died in a fire eight months ago! When Scotland Yard arrive, the police try to stop Mabel from interfering. But having just formed an investigative division of the Useful Women’s Agency, Mabel isn’t going anywhere. And with the help of former detective Park Winstone, she begins to piece together what really happened at the ghostly gathering.
The second book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. I really like Mabel & the cast of secondary characters especially Miss Kerr & Mable’s friends living in the same block if flats, I also must include Gladys who is a delight. I thoroughly enjoyed this cosy mystery & I was kept guessing through most of the book as to who the villain was but did have my suspicions, which proved to be correct. There are plenty of twists & turns & of course red herrings. Mabel is like a dog with a bone & doesn’t give up. I’m also enjoying her relationship with Park & how it is developing & changing. I look forward to more in the series
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Marty Wingate for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for A Body at the Séance coming out January 11, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I received the first book as an audiobook from NetGalley. I loved it so much that I needed to check out the second book. I’m so glad I received it! This series is turning out to be really fun! I love historical cozies, and this is a great time period. Mabel is a strong, ambitious character and I love all the things she gets up to in the series. I definitely want to check out more books to come! The seance plot is always fun for me. I love spiritualism in books. I think I would’ve liked a little more of Park Winstone, but overall I loved the book!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical cozy mysteries!

This is a review for both A Body on the Doorstep and A Body at the Séance, the first and second novels in the London Ladies' Murder Club Book series.
I read other novels by Marty Wingate and always enjoyed them as the plot are always entertaining, the mystery solid and the characters well rounded.
These novels are the excellent start of a new series and the type of novels that keeps you reading and enjoying the stories.
I found them very entertaining and they type of mystery that makes you relax and have fun.
I loved Mabel, the heroine, and was fascinated by the world of the Useful Women’s Agency. Mabel is clever, indipendent and never reckless. I love how she worked to be her own woman and adapted to her new life in London.
The cast of characters is well done and relatable. I liked them as they're all quite relatable and likeable.
I can't wait to read the third in this series as I want to know what will happen in Mabel's life and the new mystery.
Well done and highly entertaining.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Bookouture for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Marty Wingate's "A Body at the Séance" is a really good addition to the London Ladies' Murder Club series, earning a solid five stars from me. This time around, the characters we adore are back, and the introduction of Perkins, Madame Pushkana's butler, adds an extra dash of charm.
Set in 1921 London, Mabel Canning, from the Useful Women’s Agency, takes on a séance that takes a dark turn when a murder occurs.
The characters, as likable as ever, embark on unraveling the curious case of Stamford Plomley, who seemingly returned from the dead without a trace of the fire that claimed his life months ago. The formation of the London Ladies’ Murder Club, with Mabel at the helm and former detective Park Winstone by her side, brings a delightful camaraderie to the story.

The mystery is brilliantly crafted, with unexpected twists keeping readers on their toes. While I guessed the culprit three-quarters into the story, the surprising motive threw me for a loop, adding an intriguing twist.

As Scotland Yard tries to deter Mabel, she presses on, facing threats and a ticking clock. The suspense builds as a menacing letter hints at more danger, creating a gripping race against time.

In a nutshell, "A Body at the Séance" is a must-read historical mystery, blending charm, humor, and danger. Marty Wingate continues to enchant readers with the spirited London Ladies' Murder Club, leaving us eagerly anticipating their next adventure.

4.25*

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital review copy of "A Body At The Séance " in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

This was a great follow up to A Body On The Doorstep and definitely makes this a series I'll be keen to continue with when we get further cases for Mabel to investigate. Book 2 sees Mabel tasked with joining a séance as a companion to Mrs Plomley who is hoping to communicate with her dead husband. The lights go out, chaos ensues and the formerly 'dead' Mr Plomley is found on the carpet, strangled and this time, officially dead.

What follows is a twisting and turning case the reunites some of our favourites from Book 1 as Mabel doggedly pursues the truth.

I felt that this story did have too many characters who I didn't particularly care for in the suspect group and it led to some repetition of scenes however, as a case I didn't guess the ultimate outcome or why it happened and I felt that it definitely had more red herrings and was more complicated than Book 1. I was glad to see Cora and Skeff return, as well as Park and Gladys and I appreciate that it hasn't taken 8 or 9 books for Park and Mabel's relationship to develop. I was also glad to see the return of some of Mabel's side tasks, most notably naughty Augustus who keeps Mabel on her toes but adds a wonderful break from the core proceedings.

If you love historical cosy mysteries (like I do) then this series will tick all the boxes and I eagerly await future installments!

A Body At The Séance is released on January 11th 2024.

Thanks to Bookouture and Net Galley for this ARC. I am delighted that the second novel in this series is just as good as the first. The story is well plotted and the characters are developing well. Looking forward to more.

Oh I say! This second story was much better than the first, mystery wise. I never guessed who the murderer was at all. I was thinking along the same lines as Mabel but I wasn't sure. It seemed like a rather elaborate set up for a murder. The killer's motive didn't make a whole lot of sense. At first I missed some of the regular characters from the first book but most of them end up coming along for the investigation or putting in an appearance. It's the cozy that really makes this series shine. The characters, the 1920s setting and an independent "middle aged" (at 31) middle class heroine makes this series different from all the other 1920s lady detective novels. While it isn't Agatha Christie's Tommy and Tuppence books, it's well done and I enjoyed it a lot.

Mabel is a great character. She's from a middle class background and her mother is dead. Her father, a greengrocer, served in the army in India until Mabel was a baby and then came home. Mabel is a doting daughter and though sometimes her dad is a little overprotective but she doesn't fuss at him because of it. Mabel just lets him know what he needs to know, just enough, that's it, so he doesn't worry. The post-WWI setting gives Mabel more depth than your average cozy heroine as well. She's mourning the loss of her friend Edith to the Spanish 'flu and though skeptical of mediums, is sort of hoping to hear from Edith. Mabel is practical and hard working. She's learned a lot from her odd jobs and understands human nature. What she does not understand is when she's about to walk into a trap. I do dislike that trope and hopefully she'll know better next time. I like how compassionate she is towards widows but still keeps an open mind in regards to Mrs. Plomley's guilt. I feel torn about her feelings for Park Winstone. I normally like a sweet, slow burn romance but Mabel mopes when he's not around and I could do without a romance in this series about a woman determined to be independent. Park is a nice guy. He's sweet on Mabel and misses her while he's in Paris on business. He doesn't like her investigating alone and is willing to play Watson to her Sherlock if it means being around her and keeping her safe. Park is moving faster than Mabel is ready for though but he backs off because he, too, can't bring himself to make a move towards commitment. He seems to respect Mabel's intelligence and independence so I think it could work out. Adorable Gladys, Park's terrier, has a bigger role to play in this story. She's funny and very terrierish demanding food just as the humans are sharing a moment. Gladys helps with the investigation as well and she senses someone isn't quite right but that someone remains elusive and just out of sight. She's also protective of her pack, which includes Mabel now. Don't underestimate her because she's cute!

I simply adored Skeff and Cora in the first book and it took a bit but they reappear in this one to help Mabel out. Cora is lovely and a talented milliner and costumer. She doesn't question why Mabel needs hats and even offers to help. She's a sweet woman and a jolly soul. Skeff is more masculine and more blunt. She speaks her mind but isn't rude about it. She respects her uncle's rules for his paper and respects herself too much to go and write a gossip column or tabloidy stories. She's a real journalist and I admire her. They're a cute couple and I like the queer representation. It feels right for the time and not shoehorned in to make the book more appealing for modern readers who wants more diverse characters. Mabel's father being in the Indian army and Mrs. Chandeker, the housekeeper, showcase the awful parts of the British Empire and Mabel's love for Mrs. Chandeker seems a little modern for the time but Mrs. C was Mabel's nanny when she was a baby. Augustus Frobisher has a cameo chapter. He's so funny! He's a typical ADHD kid. He's brilliant but doesn't know how to express his brilliance because everyone keeps trying to push him into a little mold of what a young gentleman should be like. Like Mabel, I feel sympathy for the kid. His father lives in Australia and seldom visits (obviously) and his mother never pays enough or the right kind of attention to her son. My heart went out to him when he asked Mabel to come to school for parents' day. His friend is cute but it's obvious Gussie is the ringleader. Somehow, the other boy manages to avoid getting into trouble. I would have made Gussie older than 8 though, more like 11-12 when boys are goofy, awkward and energetic. At 8 they're still cute! (Mostly, sometimes). Beware, Mabel! This kid is smart enough to manipulate you and make you think "Awww he's so cute!" LOL! I think she's smart enough to be aware of that and let it happen because she enjoys spending time with him.

Detective Inspector Tollerton is back, at Mabel's request, which wouldn't happen if that wasn't his jurisdiction. He's fair but doesn't want Mabel getting involved. She's a civilian and it would be dangerous. I don't think he doubts her intelligence and instinct the way Mabel seems to think. I think he's just a police officer trying to do his job without a nosy regular old person messing up crime scenes and getting into trouble asking questions. Now we meet a police woman! WPC Wardle is tough but she isn't judgmental or rude towards Mabel. Her job is to stand guard and assist with female suspects. Mabel manages to get WPC Wardle to do something she wants to do and Tollerton won't allow.

Everyone else is a newcomer to the series. I don't think we'll see any of them again as most of them are rather unappealing. Mrs. Plomley is a mousy little woman who hires Mabel to attend a séance, for moral support. Mrs. Plomley is an enigma. One minute she's mousy, the next she's in hysterics and the next day she's a boss lady who won't take no for an answer. Which one is the real Mrs. Plomley? The first two personalities don't seem like murderers to me but the last one does. I wouldn't discount her as a suspect, especially since it seems she had several motives. What kind of man did she marry? Stanford Plomley sounds like he was an idle dreamer who enjoyed a laugh and never really grew up. He doesn't seem like he was the responsible type and some clues point to him being a wannabe serial womanizer. Creep. Still, no one deserves to be murdered- twice. I'm wondering if the fire was a blind and he was kidnapped to keep him quiet about some scheme he was involved in and when he was about to spill the beans, he was murdered? That would imply that the murderer was in the room and knew what Stanford was about to say or feared what he was about to say. He sounds like a lousy husband and good riddance to him but again, he didn't deserve to be murdered. Maybe he was about to confess and apologize. Maybe he really did love his wife, in his own way.

Madame Pushkana is the usual type of medium. She keeps people coming, paying a fee, while stringing them along, making them believe she can contact their loved ones. That's really rotten and she claims not to be taking advantage of people, if that's not taking advantage, then what is? She has a small staff so she doesn't go through some of the elaborate tricks most mediums did at the time but there's some spirit rapping on the table and a ghostly voice and a chandelier moving. YET, there's also hints that Madame may be the real deal and there's possibly even some paranormal activity happening. Her full backstory is never revealed. We don't know what made her do what she did. All we really know is that she has a habit of rescuing waifs and strays and bringing them under her wing. That's all very admirable but then they feel compelled to help her with her scam. She seemed like a nice person, fundamentally, and may have gotten in over her head in something. Did that something involve Stanford Plomley?

Madame's relationship with her butler, Perkins, is not romantic but they might be related. When he reveals his story, I can guess at why he is so afraid his father will come from the spirit realm and speak to him. Perkins is a great character but also made me a little uncomfortable because he embodies the stereotype of a gay man. I don't think he would have out and out told Mabel that Madame Pushkana is not of his persuasion. It was illegal to be homosexual at that time. He took a big risk coming out to her. Skeff seems to recognize her mirror image and they take an instant liking to each other. Perkins is an amazing baker and he's kind enough to let Mabel poke around and ask questions. They become friendly and I don't think he's a murderer. He was devoted to Nell and owed his life to her. He kept Nell from being too reckless and she kept him in check as well. They were good for each other. They seemed to be like siblings. Perkins is the only new character I actually liked.

Mrs. Heath, a grande dame type is one of the guests at the séance. She's rude, snooty and demanding. I can see her murdering Madame but why Stanford? Actually I can guess why she would be angry with him too! Miss Winnie Colefax is an old friend of Madame's. We never get that story either but she came to London at the same time. She seems to know secrets and even though she's a mousy woman, she doesn't reveal anything. In fact, she may be covering up and hiding things from the investigators. Mr. Trenchard, twice widowed, is hoping to speak with his beloved late wife #2. He seems OK, a typical mourning husband but probably will move on soon. He's wealthy though but self-made. He claims his family made the machines that made muslin, cogs and all. I am QUITE familiar with those machines AND the machines used to make those machines. That was a good job requiring a special skill, either carpenter or ironworker. His background doesn't sound realistic to me. I don't really know. Mr. Fogg is a devoted spiritualist and a hanger-on. He follows Madame Pushaka and wants to be her right-hand man. He's described as a "toady." He seems protective of her and doesn't like allowing others into the inner circle. He truly seems to believe Madame is a real psychic. He's a fool and "a fool and his money are soon parted" so I guess I don't feel too badly for him. Mr. Midday is as well but not quite to the same extent. He is a bachelor gentleman who works for his money. He has a sister, Charlotte, who is also into the spiritualist thing but she has a club foot and doesn't get out much. She seems strong in personality and quite intelligent. I don't entirely trust her though. She may be covering up for her brother. If she isn't an accessory to murder then she would make a good Useful Woman.

Blanche Eckhard, a draughtswoman in an engineering firm that employed Mr. Plomley, is a Useful Woman sort. She's tough and tells it like it is. She did not like Mr. Plomley and sheds light on his true character. She had good reason to hate him (#MeToo) but both murders seem excessive and not like her. She keeps on at her job and doesn't let sexist, creepy men bother her. Sam Dugard is a handyman for Madame P. He's another stray she rescued and helped. He's described as "a bit thick" but I don't see it. He may be high functioning autism but speaks with Mabel and answers her questions. He was devoted to Madame but did his job and nothing more. He was not in the house at the time of the murder. He's a dutiful son and needed to go see his mother in an emergency. He's a sweet man but I think he knows more than he realizes. He saw something, someone, and hasn't made any connections yet but there has to be a link between what he saw and the murders. Where was Wilf, the stage hand, at the time of the second murder? He claims he was backstage looking for a lantern but in the dark could anyone see him? He seemed to think Madame was bossy and demanding. Would that lead to murder?

I really enjoyed these first two books and hope there is more to follow. I want to see what else Mabel gets up to and hang out with Cora and Skeff again. Plus I'd like to spend time with Win and Gladys too. Another winning series from Marty Wingate!

A Body at the Séance by Marty Wingate

Synopsis /

When a body turns up at a glamorous séance, Mabel Canning’s sleuthing skills are put to the test. Because it appears the victim died twice…

London, 1921: As a winter wind blows through the streets of London, Mabel Canning is hired by the Useful Women’s Agency to attend a séance at the home of famous medium Madame Pushkana. But when Mabel hears a choking noise and a loud thud, she quickly turns on the lights to find herself at the scene of a murder.

The victim is none other than Stamford Plomley, whose widow arranged the séance after he died in a fire eight months ago. How did he come back from the dead without a scorch mark on him? And could one of their assembled party of gentlewomen have killed him… again?

When Scotland Yard arrive, the police try to stop Mabel from interfering. But having just formed the London Ladies’ Murder Club, Mabel isn’t going anywhere. And with the help of former detective Park Winstone, she begins to piece together what really happened at the ghostly gathering.

But when Mabel receives a threatening letter warning her to stay away from the case, she realises the murderer may have another victim in mind. With time running out, will she hit a dead end? Or can she keep herself from becoming the next one to be sent to an early grave?


My Thoughts /

First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, Marty Wingate and Bookouture publishing for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

If you haven't heard of the London Ladies' Murder Club, it's a wonderful new cosy mystery series set in 1921 London, highlighting the adventures (or are they misadventures?) of Miss Mabel Canning.

In her early thirties, Miss Mabel Canning recently moved to London to live as an 'independent' woman. She found herself a job at the Useful Women Agency run by the efficient Miss Lillian Kerr. Being a 'useful woman' means just that - providing a useful service for the well-to-doers. Helping hang a picture frame, to collecting dresses from the haberdasher, going to the library, reading to a client, responding to correspondence, it's all useful employment. In the previous book, while assisting a wealthy widow (Rosalind Despard) with general tasks, a body falls dead on the front doorstep. Mabel, with the assistance of Detective Inspector Tollerton and Detective Sergeant Lett solve the case, and Mabel and the Useful Women Agency get the credit.

In #2, Miss Canning and the Useful Women's Agency are back, and in this instalment there's a body at the Séance.

Mabel has been assigned a job by Miss Kerr to attend a séance with client, Mrs Plomley. If Mabel thought it strange, she was reminded that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle himself was an advocate - so if it was okay for Doyle, then….

Arriving at the home of Madame Pushkana, Mabel finds she is one of many - there's her client, Mrs Plomley, Miss Winnie Colefax, Mr George Midday, Mr William Frogg and Mr Arthur Trenchard. Mabel leans that Mrs Plomley wants Madame Pushkana to contact her late husband, who died some eight months ago, to make sure he is okay in the afterlife.

Never having attended a séance before, Mabel didn't know what to expect, but when the lights go out, and the table starts to rise and the chandelier begins to shake, it was all a bit surprising. There is a sharp bang and all the lights go out and then…..total chaos. When the lights are finally turned back on, Mabel is faced with the table upturned, everyone out of their seats and a dead body on the floor. If that wasn't bad enough, Mrs Plomley lets out a shriek and a wail - and she identifies the body as that of her husband who died eight months earlier.

With Detective Inspector Tollerton and Detective Sergeant Lett from Scotland Yard investigating, Mrs Plomley hires Mabel to investigate her husband's 'first' death. With help from her friends, Cora and Skeff, and help from former detective Park Winstone and Gladys the dog, Mabel is able to solve the mystery of the body at the séance.

Author Marty Wingate has created a winning combination, with warm, charming characters and uniquely original murder mysteries.

I'm a little sad that I've finished this one, as I have now finished the series. I hope I won't have to wait too long to visit with the Useful Women's Agency and Miss Canning again.

A Body at the Séance is due for release on January 11, 2024.

Another smashing success from Mabel and Ms Wingate! The London Ladies’ Murder Club embarks on its first full investigation when Mabel comes face to face with her second mysterious death. So many twists and turns in this plot, and in Mabel’s personal life as well. I just love all of the recurring characters and even the new ones add so much to the story. On top of that, 1920s London really shines as another star here. Can’t wait to see what happens in book 3!

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for my free copy. These opinions are my own.

Mabel is hired to be a companion for a recent widow who has hired a well-known medium to try to connect with her husband at a séance. During the séance, however, the man himself turns up – this time well and truly dead. The police warn Mabel not to interfere with their investigation, but she can’t stop asking questions, even after she receives threats to stay away from the case.

I’ve done something I rarely do – read two books from the same series within a week. Not being one to binge-watch a show or binge-read a series, this was hard to do, but I enjoyed the first book in this series and didn’t want to wait to read the next. I like Mabel, the MC, and the recurring characters, and the way they help each other out as needed, no matter what the situation.

Unlike in the first book, the identity of the murder victim here is obvious, but since he was already supposed to be dead, the book focuses on solving his ‘real’ murder, as well as what really happened eight months ago, how it happened, and who was involved. I wasn’t able to figure out everything about what happened then, but I had a limited number of suspects in mind for the murder at the séance. I didn’t narrow it down to just one character, though, until it became obvious in the book, even though Mabel (and the rest) missed the clues.

I’m glad Ms. Wingate is writing a new series, and I look forward to reading the next book in this one, which is supposed to be released this spring.

I love this series of British historical mysteries by Marty Wingate! The second in the series was just as engaging as the first, and the author has created a really interesting cast of supporting characters that add a great deal to the books. I loved the plot of this book; having spiritualism at its heart felt historically appropriate. The author adds small interesting pieces of historical information that give these books an authentic feel that is not always apparent in other historical mysteries. I am absolutely looking forward to the next book in this series and will recommend this to readers of historical cozy mysteries.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of A Body at the Seance, the second novel to feature fledgling PI Mabel Canning, set in London in 1921.

As part of her work for the Useful Women’s Agency Mabel is asked to accompany Mrs Plomley to a seance held by famous medium Madame Pushkana. When the lights go out unexpectedly Mabel hears a scuffle and when they go back on she finds a dead body. The body is that of Stamford Plomley who was supposed to have died in a fire eight months ago and the reason his widow was attending the seance.

I thoroughly enjoyed A Body at the Seance, which is a fun read with an interesting plot. It is told entirely from Mabel’s point of view so the reader gets closely involved in the investigation, knowing what she does and guessing alongside her. I didn’t guess correctly even though all the hints and clues are there, but it was still fun following Mabel and her exploits.

I like the plot as it is quite offbeat with the double death of Stamford Plomley and a hint of the paranormal. There is a limited cast of suspects (a rum bunch if ever I saw one) and no obvious motive so it’s simply a matter of asking the right questions and avoiding the long arm of the law in the form of Inspector Tollerton and his aversion to people meddling in police business. Mabel is hired to investigate Stamford’s first death, nothing to do with the current investigation into his second death, well, maybe a slight overlap as the suspects are projecting a united, close lipped front. It’s fun and entertaining and that makes the reader want to keep turning the pages.

Mabel has a few friends helping her out, notably former Scotland Yard detective turned diplomat Park Winstone, who supplies the love interest (very slowly) and practical investigative support.

A Body at the Seance is a fun read that I have no hesitation in recommending.