**4 Stars**
*Limelight* by Emily Organ is a captivating historical mystery that blends suspense, intrigue, and romance in Victorian London. Penny Green, a pioneering lady reporter, is an excellent protagonist—intelligent, resourceful, and determined to uncover the truth behind the murder of the seemingly long-dead actress, Lizzie Dixie. The unexpected twists and the mystery surrounding Lizzie’s faked death keep the story engaging, while the atmospheric setting of 1883 London adds a rich layer of depth. The chemistry between Penny and Scotland Yard inspector James Blakely adds a nice romantic touch without overpowering the plot. The pacing is steady, and the unraveling of secrets keeps readers hooked, but at times, the secondary characters could have been more fleshed out. Overall, *Limelight* is an enjoyable, well-crafted mystery that will satisfy fans of historical crime fiction.

I really enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down from the first page. The characters and story line were well done. I can't wait to read more from this author. I definitely recommend this book.

Thank you Net Galley, Storm Publishing, and Emily Organ

Note: Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and author Emily Organ for the advanced reader copy of this book. What follows is my unbiased review of the book.

After a few books that were quite serious, I needed something light and fun. What better than a murder mystery in Victorian London? Okay, maybe not quite the “light and fun” I was looking for, but Limelight was an escape and a relatively quick read.

Penny Green is a reporter in London. It’s not a career that is open to women, although there are a few female reporters around. Penny works at the Morning Express and hears early on about the death of actress Lizzie Dixie, who was a friend of hers. The only problem is that Lizzie supposedly died five years before in the sinking of the SS Princess Alice on the Thames.

Scotland Yard sends James Blakely to investigate the murder, and he asks Penny to help him out since she is likely acquainted with most of the suspects. The two make a formidable team as they try to unravel why Lizzie Dixie faked her death as well as who might have known she was still alive to kill her.

I had to check a few times to see if this was the first book in a series. Apparently, this was first published in 2017 and has just been re-released by Storm Publishing. While it is the first of the series, it has the feel to it that there were stories before this about Penny, her sister, and her father who disappeared in the Amazon. Some of that impacts this story as Lizzie DIxie financed and organized a search party to look for Penny’s father after his disappearance.

The mystery is good, although I figured out part of the mystery early on. Lizzie also moonlighted as a courtesan for wealthy men, which may have led her to being targeted for things she knew. It’s an intriguing mystery that goes in many different directions and keeps the reader on their toes.

Although women were starting to make breakthroughs at this time, it was most definitely still a man’s world. She’s marginalized at the newspaper after asking tough questions of the head of Scotland Yard. Even though she’s helping with the investigation, a male reporter is assigned to the story. Much is made of her age and the fact that she’s not married. At various times she’s an “old maid” or a “spinster.” There seems to be some romantic tension between her and Inspector Blakely, but then that changes as well. It would seem that Penny’s life would be defined by who she marries, and without that, she’s an object of derision, even from her sister.

There are enough red herrings to keep me guessing here, and I am hoping some of that is built upon in subsequent stories. I did learn quite a bit of history. I’d never heard of the SS Princess Alice, which was a real disaster that took over 600 lives. This was a time in England when even affluent housewives were looking to change their position in the world and demanding rights typically only extended to men. The right to vote was not their only goal. As seen here, women wanted to be able to dress comfortably and not be ostracized for it. Things we take for granted these many years later were a real fight at the time.

I enjoyed Limelight quite a bit and have put other books in this series on my reading list. It was informative as well as being fun and escapist. The characters are interesting and the descriptions of the time make it easy to imagine being there watching what was happening.

First of a series.
I read this book when it was first published, what an enjoyable series it turned out to be.
I realised I had met the irrepressible Penny Green before in the first chapter. Her growing friendship with the detective and her adventurous spirit bring feminism in the 1800's into perspective.
Thank you Emily and NetGalley for this ARC.

London, 1883. Fleet Street's pioneering lady reporter Penny Green is stunned when a long-dead actress is found murdered in Highgate Cemetery. Lizzie Dixie supposedly drowned in the River Thames years ago, so how did she end up shot to death on a foggy October night? Penny's personal connection to the victim draws her into the case, as does the charm of Scotland Yard inspector James Blakely. But her return to work sparks the attentions of someone with evil intent.
An excellent mystery well told. This is my first read from this author and I will certainly read the second of this series. Penny is a feisty, independent and fearless lady, combine with Detective James Blakely and this is shaping up to be a great series. The characters are likeable and the pace of writing is swift. I enjoyed it thoroughly. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC of Limelight.

In the first book in Emily Organ’s new Penny Green Victorian Mystery series, readers explore 1883 London where lady reporter Penny Green is making her way in the male-dominated newspaper industry until an actress -- thought dead for years -- is murdered and discovered in Highgate Cemetery. With a personal connection to the murder of Lizzie Dixie, Penny finds herself drawn to the case and the investigation conducted by Scotland Yard inspector James Blakely, but someone sinister does not want Penny to solve this particular mystery. With several questions that need to be answered and new dangers appearing as the investigation continues, readers will be drawn into this fascinating atmospheric new historical mystery. Penny is a competent and interesting protagonist, and her struggles with the establishment and with various social and commercial structures is particularly interesting to follow, as it adds another layer to this new release. The mystery, too, is particularly well-written, and the multiple threads and angles present in the book further add to the overall chilly and mildly ominous atmosphere of the book. In bringing the gritty side to late-nineteenth century London to life, Emily Organ has succeeded in crafting a fascinating mystery, a vibrant and alive setting, and an intriguing protagonist in this new release.

This historical mystery set in Victorian London is a perfect cozy read for winter.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Great historical mystery! Loved the Victorian London
setting, all the characters especially the
protagonist and how the mystery
unfolded.This was a fun read and I look
forward to reading more of the
series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I love Victorian mysteries and this was a really cute one! Penny is a down on her luck reporter and is called in on the murder case of an old friend–a friend long thought dead. I love the setting in Victorian London, and the inclusion of troubles with the Irish going on at the time. I will definitely read the next one in the series.

An interesting mystery with an unexpected outcome. An actress that everyone thought was dead for a good five years turns out to have been alive, only to actually be murdered! The main character, along with the investigating detective, go through a lot of twists and turns before coming to the actual murderer, and the reasoning behind the murder.

While the story was engaging, at times it seemed to drag. I think the story could have been told within 30 chapters. 49 chapters seems a bit much to me, especially when the risk is there to lose the reader due to the tediousness of some chapters.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this arc, which I voluntarily read and reviewed.

A fun start to another historical mystery series! I wouldn’t call this one exciting, but I will continue to read the series. I figured out part of the mystery with a few chapters left, but I’m pleasantly surprised there was more I missed !

Limelight starts strong with a captivating setting and intriguing characters. The fast-paced beginning draws you in, making it hard to put down. However, the middle portion slows down, and the ending feels rushed and predictable. The romance subplot, though well-intentioned, detracts from Penny's strong character. While the historical setting and the mystery itself are intriguing, the uneven pacing and somewhat forced resolution leave something to be desired.

Overall, Limelight is a decent historical mystery, but it could have benefited from a more balanced plot and a stronger conclusion.

This is the first story I have read by this author, and I found it to be surprisingly enjoyable. From small details about its protagonist, Penny Green, to the complicated murder mystery and relationships amongst the characters, the author created a Victorian setting that felt a little more realistic than some others I've experienced in stories set in this time period.

Penny is a reporter, eager for more respect and responsibility. She's been let go from her paper and is deeply worried about money. She's pulled back in by the editor after a splashy murder occurs. Penny knows the dead woman, but is shocked, as this same woman was supposed to have drowned years earlier.

A Scotland Yard detective, Inspector James Blakely, sees value in Penny assisting him, as she knows people associated with the dead woman, and Penny is good at research. We find out lots of confusing and sometimes contradictory things about the dead woman; Penny also stumbles through interviews, proving that though she longs to be an investigative reporter, she still needs more experience, despite her instincts. While they investigate, there is the constant, underlying threat of bombings by Irish Republican Brotherhood.

The mystery had enough twists and turns to keep me entertained, and Penny is a likeable protagonist. I liked the slight romantic feelings that develop between her and James, though nothing progresses further in this book.

Will I read the next? Yes, despite some of the unevenness of this book. I like Penny and James and their burgeoning relationship to continue this series.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Storm Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my review.

A murder has been committed in Highgate cemetery but it turns out it’s an actress who was supposed to have drowned in a boating accident years ago. Penny Green, an up and coming reporter, was her friend and is stunned by the news. Why did she fake her death. Did any one know she was still alive. Can the handsome detective help Penny out and vice versa. And then Lizzies daughter also gets shot while performing on stage. Will Penny keep her job at the paper. It’s fantastic and I’m glad there are more to read in the series.

Set in the Victorian era, this murder mystery story brings Victorian London alive. Following Pennys journey to investigate her friend Lizzie’s death.

This was a very sad story of revenge and mistakes which become intertwined. Great characterisations and a believable storyline, Alls well that ends well.

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. I found it a slow burner. Set during the 19th century, Penny is an unusual news reporter who begins working alongside z young police inspector, James Blakely to investigate the murder of a woman who had supposedly drowned 5 years earlier! As the story progresses itt is clear that they are both keen to investigate properly and not cut corners as others wanted. The descriptions of London landmarks at the time are very well described, particularly the new Natural History Museum and the Midland Hotel, Euston. Highgate Cemetery features with its atmospheric setting. I enjoyed the book, once I got into it. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy historical crime fiction.

An entertaining and solid historical mystery that I enjoyed. Plenty of surprises, good characters and vivid historical background
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This was a fun read and I look forward to reading more of the series. I don't typically enjoy books that take place prior to the 20th century but I enjoyed the way that this book was written (specific to the time period but with a bit of a modern perspective). I enjoyed getting to know the characters and the way the mystery unfolded to keep me engaged until the end.

I liked this book. It gives you a taste of theatre, journalism and levels of lack of morality across the government. The main characters themselves seemed okay. James was tepid, Penny was strong in a man's world but did not quite resonate. The mystery was intriguing enough although the culprit seemed a little obvious after a certain point. I'll probably try a few more booksin the series, but it won't be at the top of my list

#netgalley #Limelight