This was an engaging read. I liked the character of Penny Green, she was an independent woman, trying to succeed as a journalist, in what was considered a man’s job. The attitude of some of the men was amazing, it must have been particularly galling for Penny, knowing she was so much more capable than them. Penny becomes involved in solving a murder alongside Inspector James Blakely. They have a good working relationship but they are attracted to each other. In addition, to the murder mystery there are the political happenings of the time, women’s rights and the Irish situation. There are many possible culprits and it had me guessing until the end. This was a very good beginning to a series. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Penny Green has learned of a friend's murder, but that same friend drowned in a steamer accident five years ago. What really happened to Lizzy Dixie? Here are three things I liked about this cozy Victorian mystery:

💚 Penny Green is a likable young woman you want to root for. She has a love for writing and is loyal to her friends.
💚 Penny's sister Eliza belongs to a group of women who meet to advance women's rights. There is a particular meeting in the book where they discuss divided skirts.
💚 The identity of the murderer was a pretty big surprise in the last couple of chapters. I also appreciated that the author is committed to providing clean content.

While this was quite entertaining, I am not inclined to continue the series. Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

Take a trip back in time to 1883 London.

Actress, Lizzie Dixie, reportedly drowned five years ago, only for people to find her shot and murdered in Highgate Cemetery! Penny Green, reporter, was friends with her and is brought into the case by Scotland Yard's James Blakely because she could lend a different lens to the details. But why would Lizzie fake her death? As they investigate, strange things continue to happen including notes delivered to Penny. While I had the antagonist worked out fairly early, there was still a surprise as the mystery wrapped up! I'm invested now - I need to know what happens between Penny and the charming investigator!

Thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Emily Organ for the eARC.

This novel has a very engaging mystery, but I think it is really first rate because of how it evokes Victorian London. The details in how reporter, Penny Green, lives and gets around the city in the 1880’s are fascinating. Coupled with the mystery of the murder of an actress who was supposed to have drowned 5 years before makes this novel a winning read.

Although this book is part of a series, I had not read any others. However, I did not find I needed to read earlier books in the series to enjoy it. Penny Green has chosen to be a journalist and not follow society’s expectations at a time when this is rare. Her married sister is supportive, and although following a more traditional path, has a “cause” in women’s suffrage. It is this kind of historical detail, along with the Irish pushing for home rule, that contribute to the vivid picture of English life during the latter part of the nineteenth century. Because the murdered woman was part of the London theater scene, we get lots of details about that too.

I thoroughly enjoyed this well written mystery and look forward to reading more by this author.

I hadn’t realised that this was a re-release of this book but the author and the series were new to me.

This was the first book in the series. I felt a little let down by the relationship between Penny and her policeman James. There seemed to be a spark which was extinguished with news that he had a beau. But there was little other mention or information about this lady.

This was slightly too drawn out for me and I personally found the writing too flowery with too many unnecessary adjectives and descriptive phrases.
It was a convoluted cozy Victorian murder mystery. Easy to read and I did want to find out what happened - and was surprised at the outcome.
There could have been better research - The Royal `London Hospital was mentioned on a few occasions however it did not achieve this Status until 1990. It was The London Hospital at the time of this story.

I won’t provide too much of the storyline as this would spoil for others. I am not sure I would read others in the series

4.5★s

London, 1883, was to bring a terrible shock to intrepid reporter Penny Green, when she was approached by a young Inspector from Scotland Yard. Her once good friend, Lizzie Dixie, an actress, had drowned five years prior when a ship went down in the River Thames, with over 600 lives lost. Lizzie was buried in the local cemetery, but when Inspector James Blakely informed Penny that Lizzie had been murdered the night before, in the same place she was supposedly buried, Penny was astounded. Lizzie died and was buried - 5 years before she was murdered. They had a mystery on their hands, and a murderer to find...

Limelight is the 1st in A Penny Green Victorian Mystery series by Emily Organ and I enjoyed it very much. Originally published in 2017, and republished on 4th November, 2024, it has actresses, reporters, revenge and hidden secrets - the 1800s was an age of no DNA; nothing much to help with cases but police intelligence and wiles, along with investigative reporters, one named Penny Green. I'm looking forward to the 2nd in this intriguing historical mystery series. Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Storm Publishing for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

The first in the Penny Green Victorian Murder Mystery series set in London in 1883. Penny is a female journalist, an unusual occurrence at this time, and it’s hard for her to get any good assignments. The book opens with a policeman hearing gunshots in Highgate Cemetery and finding a woman dead on the ground. Penny is a great character, a woman ahead of her times, strong, moralistic and independent but not hard despite the battles she has to fight in a heavily male oriented society.

Briefly, the dead body is identified as Lizzie Dixie, a former actress who was supposed to have died five years earlier! Penny knew Lizzie before her first ‘death’ and she ends up working alongside Police Inspector James Blakely to try and solve the murder. Their investigations take them from theatreland to the highest echelons of political and aristocratic London.

I did enjoy the story and there were some great reveals as the book progressed, most of which I didn’t guess at all. I certainly didn’t get the killer right. Not quite a cozy crime but pretty close this was a well written and plotted story and a compelling read. There are some good relationship stories between Penny and her sister, Lizzie and James. Entertaining (not pun intended) and very enjoyable read.

This is a readable, thoughtful murder mystery. Set in late Victorian London, it follows an intrepid reporter, Penny as she delves into the reasons why one of her friends was shot in a cemetery despite being confirmed deceased 5 years previously in a shipping accident on the Thames. The book has a focus on the status of women and the growing suffrage movement and there is a hint of romance tied into the plot. There are plenty of read herrings including a Fenian plot and involvement of politicians, making this a novel wit( some 8nteresting twists and turns. An enjoyable read.

2⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of Limelight.

James an Inspector approaches Penny a reporter on the street to speak to her about a friend of hers named Lizzie who was just found murdered. But the real shock is that Lizzie supposedly died five years ago. How does one person die twice? That is what James and Penny intend to find out.

This book was kind of boring until the last section. I was not a fan of the writing and I felt like it was difficult to connect to the characters.

I really wanted to love this.
Such an interesting premise for a mystery: a woman who died twice. But ultimately it failed to deliver, and while the characters appeared to have good potential, none of them lived up to it.
I don’t feel moved to continue the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Highly entertaining plot and great lead character Penny Green.
We were soon immersed into Victorian London and although I thought the story would only revolve around theatre world, it was interesting to hear the connections with the women's suffrage movement (and trousers for ladies!) plus the Fenian bombings and how all this seemed to link to the second murder of actress Lizzie Dixie.
Penny's efforts to assert herself in Fleet Street- and the added introduction of the new typewriter- showed how challenging it was for a woman to succeed in the world of newspapers.
This was the debut novel in a series and I am certain they will prove to be very popular. The growing love interest with the young detective James Blakely also has some way to evolve.
Overall great read for a murder mystery with atmospheric Victorian backdrop.

The pacing in this book was very slow. Super interesting concept but it was difficult to finish due to the repetitive actions by the main characters. It just seemed like they were super inefficient and some of the extra plot points such as the bombing didn’t really make sense with the story.

First off a big thanks to the publisher for the invite to read Limelight as well as for helping me find a new to me author and a new historical mystery to start . And after reading this I can't wait to read the next one and see what happens, because this story comes to life off the pages ,the entire time your reading it.

An absolutely fascinating read. A real page turner and difficult to put down. Very atmospheric with great description of the local weather especially the fog which must have been dreadful to live through. Emily is a wonderful author and I look forward to reading more of her books.

Penny Green is a news reporter who is called to help investigate the murder of one of her friends - one who had supposedly died five years before in a boating accident on the Thames. She assists Scotland Yard inspector James Blakely and together they try to find out what had happened and who was guilty of the murder.
I loved this book, it managed to recreate the smoky atmosphere of Victorian London - I was unfortunate enough to experience smog back in the early 60s and it was exactly as described here. It highlights the misogynistic nature of the era as well, with Penny not being taken seriously as a journalist. The actual murder mystery kept me guessing all the way up to the end, plus the nascent romance between Penny and James adding to the interest. Highly recommended to those who enjoy historical murder mysteries that aren't too graphic.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Emily Organ for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Limelight coming out November 4, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I had this book already, but I hadn’t read it yet. I’m not sure if this is a rerelease of the book. But I was definitely excited to read this book. I love Victorian mysteries! I think Penny is a really strong character who goes after the truth. I loved the characters. I would love to see more of James. I think the writing and the mystery was really interesting. I would definitely check out more books by this author!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Victorian mysteries!

I thought this was a good police procedural mystery.
I liked Penny and James together and can see them being a good team. The book was full of surprises!
I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the next one.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing an ARC of Limelight in exchange for my honest review.

Set in the gritty, fog-shrouded streets of 1883 London, Limelight introduces us to Penelope "Penny" Green, an intrepid journalist with a knack for finding herself in the midst of unusual mysteries. Penny is stunned when Lizzie Dixie, an actress and old friend thought to have drowned five years earlier, is discovered murdered in Highgate Cemetery. This chilling revelation pulls Penny into a complex investigation alongside the charming yet enigmatic Scotland Yard Inspector James Blakely.

Emily Organ skillfully creates an atmospheric depiction of Victorian London, from the bustling newsrooms of Fleet Street to the eerie, shadowed corners of the city’s underbelly. Through Penny’s eyes, readers experience a rich tapestry of life in this historical era, including advancements like the typewriter and the struggles of women pursuing careers typically reserved for men. Penny’s role as a journalist is both compelling and challenging, especially as she tries to unravel Lizzie’s secrets while facing obstacles from those around her who doubt her capabilities.

Organ’s mystery unfolds with surprising twists, as Penny discovers that Lizzie’s death may have ties to powerful individuals with secrets worth killing to protect. Penny’s interactions with Inspector Blakely add an intriguing layer to the story, with hints of romance amidst the secrets he holds. The suspense builds as Penny receives threatening notes, underscoring the danger she faces as she delves deeper into the mystery.

The pace, setting, and dynamic characters make Limelight an engaging start to the Penny Green Victorian Mystery series. Penny’s determination and wit shine through, and readers will find themselves rooting for her to solve Lizzie’s murder and overcome the societal limits placed on her. An absolute must-read for fans of historical mysteries and strong female protagonists. I’ll certainly be picking up the next book in the series!

Limelight is quirky historical fiction set in Victorian London. Penelope (Penny) Green's reactions to her situation looking into the murder of her friend Lizzie Dixie, an actress, seem rather muted. I frequently wanted Penny to show a bit more emotion although it might have mitigated the personality created by Emily Organ, the author. Apparently the book is a second and slightly different edition of the book which I found a bit puzzling.

The plot of the book includes a number of interesting foci, including Penny herself who is a female journalist for the Morning Express, not exactly a common profession for females during this time. She also works closely with James Blakely, a Scotland Yard detective, and Penny's sister is an important member of the women's suffrage society. The introduction of the typewriter is also interesting, and there is no doubt that Organ has done extensive research on the period and the roles of women in particular.

I did find the recondite relationship between Penny and James to be a bit odd. Clearly she is enamored of him, and he seems to return her interest in him, but more than once he mentions his fiancee, the future Mrs. Blakely. Perhaps the mutual interest of Penny in James and visa versa is part of a future book, but it seemed somewhat fanciful in this book.

The murder of Lizzie (thought to have died five years earlier), and then an assault on her daughter, Annie places a focus on Annie's stepfather, but the ultimate revealing of the murderer is a surprise.

Thanks to Storm Publishing and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book.

This is a fun new historical mystery series. Penny Green is a reporter who has lost and now regains her journalism job. She works with a Scotland Yard inspector to figure out how a famous actress who supposedly died five years ago was just found murdered in a cemetery in London. Penny had known her before and so Inspector James Blakely seeks out her help.

The mystery was well done and I was rather surprised to find out who did it. Penny and James are clearly forming a romantic interest in each other. However, I suspect it’s going to progress slowly over the course of future entries in the series. I’m looking forward to reading them.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.