This was such a great read full of mystery and sights and smells of London. When an actress thought dead five years before is murdered it sets off lots of other smaller events. Penny is resourceful and despite losing her job as a journalist still fights to get the murder her of her old friend properly investigated. The power of women was limited and access to a newsroom hard as the rights of women were being fought on the streets. The family relationship between sisters, between stepdaughter and stepfather and between old lovers is at the heart of this book. Some beautiful descriptions of the care people had for each other as well as the every day sites and smells that are brought to life.

Set in Victorian England, Limelight is the first of the Penny Green mysteries. Penny is a journalist and is shocked to see the report of her friend Lizzie Dixon being murdered by shooting - because Lizzie drowned five years ago... or did she? When Penny starts to investigate, she receives threatening letters - but who are they from, and what's the connection with the murder?

Some lovely touches, including the beginning of typewriters in offices, the women's suffrage movement, and characters who are products of their time. Good pace and some nice twists.

""Miss Green, the actress Lizzie Dixie has been murdered." I stared at the young inspector. "But it's impossible. She drowned. Years ago."

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.

Why did Lizzie fake her own death? Who knew she was still alive? With each revelation, the killer draws nearer. Can Penny unmask the culprit before she becomes the next victim? Or will the bright lights of Victorian London be forever dimmed by a killer lurking in the shadows?

An enthralling and atmospheric historical mystery that will have you reading deep into the night. Limelight is the first instalment in the bestselling Penny Green Victorian Mystery series."

Oh, so did Lizzie Dixie fake her death? I know you need to know as much as I do!

It’s 1883 in Victorian England when journalist Penny Green finds herself embroiled in a murder case. Her former friend, Lizzie Dixon has been found dead, but Penny is sure that cannot be, because Lizzie died five years ago. In fact, she is buried in the same cemetery that she has now been found dead. Although long in places. This is a twisted story of forbidden love, secrets, lies and revenge. Netgalley and Storm Publishing made available to me an early reader copy. I enjoyed this book and this review is my honest opinion.

While this book has been published in print, I have to thank NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Emily Organ for the free advanced copy of the soon-to-be-available eBook edition. Since this ARC was provided for the coming digital edition, I will add that the digital version reads well on my Kindle without any issue.

As for the story, the late 1800’s Scotland Yard setting is one of my favorites. The mystery was intriguing and kept me guessing. Overall, the book was a quick, cozy read that fits well on my bookcase as something to mix in between other, more intense, novels. Readers should know this is a book built mostly around plot. I personally would have appreciated more character development, especially for Miss Green. Given that is a personal preference, I do not discount the author for this. I also recognize this is a series so perhaps future books build on her; but, lacking this kept me feeling a little apathetic about the characters, even though the story was well done. I would likely pick up the second in the series when I’m wanting another cozy read.

This review can also be found on the various platforms:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6897321480

Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/9737e82c-9ca6-4e18-828b-dc21b48195a4

Also posted on Amazon and will be shared soon on Instagram and Facebook @SunnysideReadsLFL

Limelight is the first book in the Penny Green Victorian Mysteries. It is a fabulously atmospheric and evocative novel that brings a grimy, smog-covered 1880s London to life.

Our main character is Penny, a currently jobless reporter who lost her job thanks to an unhappy member of the constabulary who called on the 'gentleman's club' mentality of the era to have her dismissed, even though she only reported the truth. However, just as all seems quite desperate, Penny learns of the murder of a friend and is called upon to help the police. In return, she manages to regain her job. She is to help report on the police investigation and assist the police.

This sets up a good narrative. Penny is connected to the characters under investigation but hasn't been for the last five years, so there is always an opportunity for her not to know things about them. And there is a great deal she doesn't know.

While all this is happening, the tapestry of events in London is playing out, from visiting the circus to bombs on the underground to the opening of the new Natural History Museum. It teems with everyday life in London, from the reporters' favourite pubs to the gentlemen's favoured places to meet their courtesans, from cabs to omnibuses, from the hospital to the suitably dark and menacing cemetery. It is indeed an evocative novel of the era.

The mystery itself is intriguing - and what could be more Victorian than a woman already believed dead being found deceased?

I will certainly be reading more of this series.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my review copy.

(I will share my review on release day).

Thank you to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the arc of this brilliant book.
London, 1883. Actress Lizzie Dixie drowned in the River Thames, so how was she murdered five years later in Highgate Cemetery?
Intrepid Fleet Street reporter Penny Green was a friend of Lizzie’s and Scotland Yard needs her help. But then Lizzie starts to receive threatening letters that she and detective Blakeley must find out who from.
This book has me hooked, the writing is amazing and flows so naturally. I absolutely loved Lizzie's character and that she was a woman in a man's world back in the 1800s. I really enjoyed all the facts that the author poured into this book, especially covering the first use of the classic typewriter. It was such a fascinating book that I am truly hooked to read more of this author and especially Lizzie's next murder mystery.
An absolute must read.
Kerry Kennedy Author

I really enjoyed this historical mystery with a splash of possible romance set in 1883 London. News reporter Penny Green is shocked to learn her actress friend Lizzie Dixie was found murdered after believing she died in a shipwreck five years ago. As she was a friend, Inspector James Blakely hires Penny to assist with the investigation to discover who knew Lizzie was alive, and why was she murdered.

I flew through this book. Penny is a woman who lives life on her terms, just being unmarried at 35-year-old and choosing to work. At work she battles her sexist colleagues with as much humour as she can. While she’s not the greatest of detectives, she is still resourceful and determined. I really enjoyed the chemistry with her and James. I also enjoyed the side characters, including Edgar Fish, her newspaper rival, who isn’t all nasty. I appreciate that the author presented him as a man of his time, but someone who starts to respect Penny.

I can’t wait for more.

Thanks to Storm and NetGalley for the ARC.

How do I help solve the murder of a friend? Not only that how do I help keep her daughter Annie alive since someone tried to kill hurt? These are just two of the many questions that newspapers reporter Penny Green is asking herself.
Penny is asked to help Inspector James Blakely of Scotland Yard find out who killed the actress Lizzie Dixie. As they are investigating her death we find out Lizzie didn’t drown five years ago. She was still alive u til someone shot her. Her husband and daughter grieved her death but cannot understand why she faked her first death. What was she hiding?

As Penny and the Inspector follow some leads we find that Penny is being watched. Suspicious notes are being left for her and she feels that someone is following her. Plus she thinks the police are involved in a coverup with high ranking officials. What did Lizzie have to do with it all? This is something that Penny needs to find out. Even if every man involved is blocking her at every turn.

I loved the setting of this novel. It was very Old England and very historical. Penny herself was a strong willed woman who wanted to write for a newspaper even if men disagreed. Everyone wants her to settle down possibly with Inspector Blakely who has a secret of his own. Will Penny be able to solve Lizzie’s murder and live to tell it?

Interesting story good characters look forward to Pennys next adventure.
Thank you NetGalley and Storm for the ARC

Didn't like it, didn't hate it. The hint of a fiance for James left things too wishy washy. Is the future Mrs Blakely actually his affianced ? No idea but it felt oddly out of place. I received this as an advance copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Penny Green, newspaper reporter (ex), now independent (almost) writer trying to earn a living is approached by a young detective who tells her that her friend Lizzie, who was drowned in a boating accident 5 years ago, has just been found, equally dead, in Highgate Cemetery. The two work together trying to find out about Lizzie - why did she disappear apparently drowned, why did she re-appear? Lizzie's husband Thomas seems an obvious suspect, her daughter Annie eventually admits that she knew her mother was dead, there are some political characters and there are the ladies of the West London Women's Society - all for suffrage. It's a well-written story even if I'm still not sure why Penny was specifically approached by detective James (other than she had been Lizzie's friend and a way to introduce the two characters to each other). The descriptions of 1880s London - fog, dirt, poverty versus riches seemed good and certainly helped the overall atmosphere. Enough red herrings to keep one guessing. A light and cosy read overall. A clean ending and I hope we see Penny again. 3.5* rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Victorian England is such an interesting time period and location. It brings up mental images of Highgate Cemetery, wrought iron fences, candle light, high neck collars, Charles Dickens, penny-farthing bicycles, and more.
As Sherlock would say, "a game is afoot"! An actress who reportedly drown in the Thames, is murdered in Highgate Cemetery!

Penny Green , a reporter is asked by Scotland Yard Inspector to help out with the investigation of a murder of an actress who had been presumed dead 5 years earlier. This was a good read, although the premise seemed a bit implausible. Characters are compelling and I would read the next book in this series.

Read on NetGalley! A fun historical murder mystery easy read. I wasn’t too surprised by any of the plot twists but it was still enjoyable. I like the characters, dialogue felt a bit forced sometimes and not how people actually talk but that could just be me. Would recommend for a fun read!

Thoroughly enjoyable! A good murder mystery with strong characters, great descriptions of Victorian London and plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. I thought the book looked familiar and realised that this is a re-release. Fortuntely, although I have the original release, I hadn't read it yet! Glad to have rediscovered it and finally got round to reading it.
Thanks to Netgalley, Storm Publishing and Emiky Organ for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Limelight is a compelling mystery to read under a cozy blanket with some tea.

Penny Green is tenacious, kind, and smart. She's easy to root for and stands out from other characters. I enjoyed following along with her as she figured things out.

This was an easy read. Simple to understand but with some action and twists to keep you engaged. It reminded me of all the Nancy Drew books I loved when I was younger, and I'd recommend it to readers who are looking for a similar feeling in a different setting.

Whereas the plot was really good and thrilling, I was not so sure about the characters. Particularly Penny's personality did not convince me. She is the narrator but I did not get the feeling she was really investigating or as that decisive. Her feelings did not feel genuine somehow as as friend of the murdered woman. It might get better in the next novel I will read anyway as I enjoyed the complexe plot.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

I haven’t read anything by Emily Organ before, but I absolutely loved Limelight. It’s a fantastic whodunit and perfect for fans of Victorian history, strong female protagonists, and murder mysteries. The plot kept me hooked, and the side characters were well-written and added depth to the story.

I did take one star off because the relationship between Blakely and Penny didn’t quite feel fully developed. The reasons behind his request for help, how she assisted him, and their chemistry were a bit lacking. However, overall, it was a great book that I read quickly and thoroughly enjoyed

In Victorian London, reporter Penny Green is stunned when her long-dead friend is murdered. Penny’s personal connection to the victim draws her into the case by Scotland Yard inspector James Blakely.

This is a rerelease of an older book so I’m not sure if it’s different from the original other than the new cover. Well-paced but predictable, but my main problem is there’s not much interiority. We rarely know what Penny is feeling when she’s watching the investigation unfold. It was at times like a narration of events. I never felt any tension and she doesn’t even investigate much.

James’s fiancée makes me fear Penny will be “the other woman” in future books and that’s not a trope I love so I’m undecided about continuing. He led her on the entire book. But the mystery is entertaining enough.

The early amphitheater scene was likely accurate for the time, but its racist undertone made me uncomfortable. Since it didn’t add anything to the story I’m not sure it was necessary.

I was invited by the publisher to review this book. It is 1883 in London and an actress, Dixie, dies in the River Thames through drowning. However, five years later...she is also murdered. Enter Penny, a reporter that Scotland Yard seeks out due to her friendship with Dixie. Scotland Yard believes she can help solve this case, and has to work with one of their investigators, James. There is a twist during the investigation, however, when someone sets their sites on Penny in a threatening manner.

I enjoyed the setting of this book, and I felt the author did a great job of placing the reader within the Victorian era. I also enjoyed the general plotline of a second death, which was well-thought out, and the twists that went along with it. I also really appreciated that the "lead" investigator was a woman. And, since this book is the first in a planned series, I enjoyed getting to know James and Penny, knowing that their relationship will evolve into something more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.