The Whispering Muse by Laura Purcell

Here's the blurb............

At The Mercury Theatre in London's West End, rumours are circulating of a curse. It is said that the lead actress Lilith has made a pact with Melpomene, the tragic muse of Greek mythology, to become the greatest actress to ever grace the stage. Suspicious of Lilith, the jealous wife of the theatre owner sends dresser Jenny to spy on her, and, desperate for the money to help her family, Jenny agrees.

What Jenny finds is a woman as astonishing in her performance as she is provocative in her nature. On stage, it's as though Lilith is possessed by the characters she plays, yet off stage she is as tragic as the muse who inspires her, and Jenny, sorry for her, befriends the troubled actress. But when strange events begin to take place around the theatre, Jenny wonders whether the rumours are true and fears that when the muse comes calling for payment, the cost will be too high.

Set in Victorian London, this gothic tale is full of suspense and chills with a splattering of blood to help set your nerves on edge!

I try not to provide any spoilers so will comment that for me I was eagerly waiting to see what would happen next and how the scenes developed. There was a certainty to each act that still managed to surprise in it's gruesomeness yet there was still love and kindness threaded through, sometimes using the thinnest thread and often huge swags.

Jenny has a huge sense of responsibility that has been forced upon her by circumstances, but she never loses her humanity even with the hardships she faces. As the story unfolds, she has to reconsider if her employer is actually the innocent she portrays?

The story does not disappoint and truly shows the bases of human behaviours along with the humanity most people have,

Deeply enticing, a tale for theatre lovers who love a bit of darkness with their plays!

I love anything written by Laura Purcell. She’s so good at creating an escalating sense of dread. The Whispering Muse is set in a Victorian theatre that specialises in tragedies, where protagonist Jenny finds work, good fortune and unimaginable horrors. Somehow the author managed to sneak in little moments of humour amidst all the Faustian chaos and despair, which I found pretty impressive. **standing ovation**

Encore!

Once again historical fiction fans must get ready to sleep with the lights on - Laura Purcell has produced another chilling supernatural novel. This one is set in Victorian times, around a London theatre that specialises in tragic plays. The narrator is Jenny, a hardworking young woman who has made many sacrifices for her younger siblings, and has fallen on hard times. When she's offered a very well paid job as a dresser at the theatre, she can't believe her luck. Of course, there's a catch - she's expected to spy on the lead actress on behalf of the manager's wife, who suspects her husband's interest is more than just artistic.

Jenny finds the world of the theatre full of superstition, which she laughs off until a strange pocket watch arrives at the theatre. The watch is supposedly possessed by the spirit of the Greek muse Melpomene, and grants incredible acting skills to its holder, but at a terrible price. Before long, strange and horrible things start happening in connection with the sinister timepiece, and Jenny decides she must get rid of the thing before it destroys the theatre and the people who work in it.

Theatres always make good settings for tales of fantasy and the supernatural - there's something magical and special about the world of the stage. A place where illusions come to life and nothing is what it seems is a natural home for strange goings on. Purcell as always writes very well, conjuring up the theatre very vividly, to the extent that I can see every bit of it, along with the homes of the characters. You really do feel as though you are there, which makes the creepy stuff all the more effective.

There's always something unsettling about Purcell's 'spooky' stories - she has a gift for creating unease and tension without needing to be very explicit or melodramatic. Whilst this isn't quite as terrifying as 'The Silent Companions' (thank goodness - I was scared to sleep even with the lights on after that one!), it has a way of getting under your skin and staying on your mind even when you've finished. The heroine, Jenny, is a very likeable though imperfect character, and I felt a lot of empathy with her and fear for her wellbeing.

If you enjoy 'ghost' stories, or historical fiction, or both, I'd definitely recommend this. It's well written, compelling and creepy without being distasteful. Purcell has done well to write five novels in this vein without them becoming repetitive and whilst ensuring they are all disturbingly spooky. The plot of this one doesn't work out quite how you'd expect, and is cleverly constructed. If you haven't read her others, I'd also highly recommend them.

I'm a huge fan of Purcell and this was superb!

The Whispering Muse tells Jenny's story as a costume fitter for a theatre who have graciously employed her after her brother has run off with someone's sweetheart, leaving debt and problems in his wake. Jenny dresses the actress Lilith, who has in her possession the watch with Melpomene, the tragic muse who influences the acting, and poor decisions, of those who touch it. We read the story as different productions are played, as people die in suspicious circumstances and Jenny doesn't know who to help or who to believe.

I loved the productions mentioned: Macbeth, The Duchess of Malfi, Doctor Faustus, Romeo and Juliet - the dramatic, the revenge tragedies, the dark and sad - ones I'd seen as I studied A level many moons ago. In true Purcell style, this was dark, mysterious and spooky and set within the world of the theatre, it felt old and dramatic too.

A firm favourite of mine now, great read!

In Victorian London, Jenny, a lady's maid has fallen on hard times, as her brother, Gregory, has stolen all of their savings, and her Mistress’s jewellery, and sailed off to the USA with his girlfriend, leaving her as the main breadwinner for her young sister and her other brothers, one of whom needs and operation. Dismissed without a reference, she is scrambling to find work when she is offered a dream job at a London theatre, the Mercury, by its owner, Mrs Dyer. The latter suspects her husband of having an affair with the new leading lady, Lilith, and Jenny’s job will, on the face of it, be as her Dresser. Her covert task, however, will be to spy on Lilith and cause disruption to the affair. The wage offered, £45 a year, is an unbelievable amount which overcomes any scruples that she has, so she takes the post although not without qualms. Lilith is an outstanding actress with the ability to completely inhabit her character, delivering in the first instance a ‘Lady Macbeth’ which draws legions of fans to the theatre and establishes her as a major star. But this ability is hard won, because she claims to have made a pact with the Melpomene (the Muse of Tragedy) who is providing the power. The Muse is apparently channelled through a watch, showing her effigy, previously owned by a famous actor who had died dramatically on stage at the end of a towering performance as Doctor Faustus. Jenny, a rational young woman, does not believe in such superstition but this is theatre and theatre is full of superstition. In a sort of Dorian Gray reversal, Lilith’s body becomes more degraded while her characters become stronger. The Scottish Play’s run is extended and is followed by “The Duchess of Malfi”, “Antony and Cleopatra” and “Romeo and Juliet”. In each case the incidents in the book off stage reflect aspects of the tragedy on stage.
Where is the border between true reality and delusion, between mystery and fantasy? Are we in a rational world where the actions of some characters are driven by their superstitions, or are we in a magic world where Melpomene is real and controlling the fate of the players through the watch? Is this a psychological thriller, or a Gothic novel? The writer has created a bunch of credible characters and placed them in a very realistic background. They all behave in a manner consistent with their personalities, which makes it seem as if it is the former, but some events appear to be impossible to achieve by natural means. In the end you will have to make up your own mind when you read the book, and you should definitely read the book.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

I love this author and how she combines historical with supernatural in perfect balance leaving you wondering what’s real and what’s not. I really enjoyed the setting of this book, I found it really interesting being backstage and getting to know all the characters there! I also liked how my feelings changed for certain characters as the book went along, some for the better, some not so much! The storyline was intriguing although some parts I found a tad far fetched and the ending wasn’t as great as the rest of the book for me personally!

I can see what people love about this story, a gothic atmosphere set in the theatre that is traditionally rife with superstition. I particularly thought the final scenes were particularly well written.

However, it did not work for me as well as it has for others. I found it hard to care about the story as I found elements clunky and failed to feel any real threat till after the halfway point. I know this seems irrelevant, but the absence of a director seemed odd....or did the owner direct....either way it stood out as strange that it wasn't clear or that they played no role in the drama.

I would recommend this book to people who enjoy a lighthearted spooky story. The theatre is described beautifully throughout even as it begins to appear to rot before Jenny, the narrator's eyes.

Laura Purcell is the master of the gothic novel. I sat down and devoured this book in twenty four hours and didn't relax for a single second!
Jenny is unemployed, caring for her three younger siblings when the eccentric and extremely loaded Mrs Dyers suddenly requests her to visit and provides Jenny with an opportunity too good to give up. Set against the spooky backdrop of the Victorian theatre, Jenny is a dresser for Lilith, the new star of the tragic stage, and the woman Mrs Dyers wants Jenny to spy on. Tragic events start to unfurl behind the scenes with tons of twists and turns throughout.
Purcell is just so good at mystery and I just couldn't put this book down. At times, it's hard to like Jenny and to agree with her decisions, yet she's still a protagonist you want to survive and do well. You understand her desire to protect her younger siblings and how this clouds her judgment and the decisions she makes. She's strong and speaks her mind, frustrated by the confines of her social class and the opportunities it provides her. The other characters are perfect for the dark theatre where they seek to put on the Scottish play.
I loved the eerie setting of the book and the way that Purcell interweaved the Greek myths and plots of the tragic plays that were put on. You felt like you were there behind the curtain with the smell of the paint and the feel of the fabric. A superb novel about ambition, deceit, trust and jealousy..
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc in return for an honest review. I highly recommend this novel.

This is classic Laura Purcell. Dark, creepy and twisting. This kept me absolutely captivated. Each of the characters is completely intriguing and flawed in their own ways - one of Laura Purcell's strongest stories.

This is a very atmospheric story set in a London theatre during Victorian times. It is a well known fact that theatre folk are a superstitious bunch and those superstitions are the main focus of this haunting story. I quite enjoyed the book for the most part but the ending completely spoiled it for me. It was very, very rushed and just too convenient, in my opinion. Furthermore, the author has used a very similar ending before in one of her earlier novels. Not my favourite Laura Purcell book, I am very sorry to say.

A timeless warning of being careful what you wish for.

Jenny accepts a position as dresser at The Mercury Theatre against her better judgement. Not the owner, his wife nor the leading lady seem deserving of her trust as they lust after fame and fortune. They possess an unhealthy attachment to a watch which is said to wield the power of the Muse, Melpomene. The stakes get higher and higher as the characters will pay any price to achieve their goals despite the creeping menace settling upon the theatre and disturbing occurrences becoming more regular.

This is a story of jealousy, obsession and revenge. I never trusted my instinct on where my sympathies should lie which heightened the sense of paranoia throughout. The plot thickens as the characters’ furious determination turns into a collective fever and the vivid writing evokes some truly spooky scenes. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and the story will haunt me for some time after reading this.

Laura Purcell has done it again. A gothic masterpiece

This was my first read by Laura Purcell and I was not disappointed! In this book, Laura has demonstrated a staggering ability to create a story that conjures a disquieting atmosphere from beginning to end - I actually felt as if I had been transported to the theatre alongside the characters, as she writes in such a descriptive style.

This somewhat dark and spooky tale gives us blood and gore, an air of supernatural peril and tragedies aplenty! It also features some brilliantly written characters: focussing mainly on three women: Jenny, Mrs Dyer, and Lilith. Each of these characters is well-rounded and believable if not always likeable. All in all, a totally gripping story, worthy of all five stars.

Another chilling and atmospheric historical fiction from one of my favourite gothic writers, The Whispering Muse is a dark and mysterious story with rich descriptions and tragic characters.

While The Whispering Muse didn't have me as immediately hooked as Purcell's other books have done so far, I soon became more and more engaged as the relationships developed and the tension built up. It's definitely quite a slow burn, but the atmosphere is sure to have you rigid with anticipation as the story progresses.

What I love most about reading a book by Purcell is how she uses inanimate objects to create a sense of fear. In The Silent Companions, it was a dummy board. In The Corset, it was a piece of fabric. And here, it's a watch. It takes a real writing talent to instil a sense of horror through a very mundane object, and Purcell certainly knows how to do that.

With a twist of Greek mythology, as well, I loved the inclusion of the Muse, Melpomene, and how the art of theatre played into the story, with classic scenes taking on a new meaning of tragedy. I wish there was a little more detail about her at the start, but her presence takes a great twist at the end.

With a fantastic Victorian England setting, Purcell brilliantly describes both sides of the spectrum, from the luxurious clothing to the inhumane living conditions. There are a few gory moments that made me wince, but it all adds to the horror of the situation, making this a terrifying and unforgettable story of desperation, greed, ambition and betrayal.

Jenny Wilcox is the sole provider for her younger siblings after her older brother stole money and jewellery from his employer and left the country. When she is asked to meet Mrs Dyer, her brother's employer, she's apprehensive so is very surprised when she is offered a job as dresser to the leading lady at the Mercury Theatre. However there is a condition attached which is that Jenny has to agree to spy on Lilith who Mrs Dyer suspects of having an affair with her husband.

Lilith is convinced that a watch she is given has magical powers and she acquired it after its owner, another actor, died on stage during his performance in Dr Faustus. Lilith thinks the watch embodies the spirit of the muse Melpomene and won't let it out of her sight. As Lilith becomes more popular with audiences Mrs Dyer is more determined than ever to bring about her downfall.

This is another creepy, Gothic tale from Laura Purcell and I enjoyed it immensely.

Another stonker by Laura Purcell. I love Laura's way of creating an unsettling, eerie environment for her characters and this is no exception. Brilliantly paced ghost story, and a sense of dread throughout

This was a surprisingly dark and creepy book set in historical London theatres which was such a fun and atmospheric setting.

There's a lot going on in this book and I enjoyed going along with all the twists and turns and the protagonist really takes you with her on all her emotions and revelations.

If you’re a fan of historical fiction or more specifically atmospheric, creepy deliciously gothic historical fiction, you need to add Laura Purcell to your reading list! And with her latest release The Whispering Muse she cements her position as one of the best writers in the genre.

The Whispering Muse is not as creepy or chilling as The Silent Companions but it is equally as haunting. Laura Purcell weaves so wonderfully in all her novels gripping, psychological elements with the nuances of a historical period that she has researched impeccably and The Whispering Muse is no different.

While not as creepy as her other books The Whispering Muse is deeply unsettling and uncomfortable at times, while not gratuitous (I can not do gratuitous) there are elements of horror and gore however when it’s written in such beautiful prose I fell in love with even these aspects.

At the centre of this story are women!

Jenny who as her character grew and as her character grew so did my love for her, at the start she finds herself swept up in a scandal of her brothers doing that leaves her along with her siblings destitute and vulnerable - when an offer is made to her by a generous and jealous benefactor Mrs Dyer to work at the renowned Mercury Theatre as a dresser (with a twist) to actress of the hour Lilith Erikson she can’t refuse.

Lilith Erikson who is complex, tragic and oh so beautifully written as her character develops and her story unfurls what a tortured and misunderstood soul- Lilith is by far my favourite character in this book- Lilith as a character is glorious!

I love the supernatural elements, or are they all in our heads, in their heads it’s so clever -the Theatre has it’s own personality you can almost sense it’s breathing, it’s a host, it’s alive with the pain, the personalities, the memories these have all become part of it’s foundations.

Something special for me was the way that the book is formatted in acts rather than parts each changes with the play being performed and those plays are perfectly placed to push the growing story to its dramatic conclusion. What we see is a real life play within a play.

I feel at this point I may be a Laura Purcell Stan, she 100% falls in to If she writes it I’m gonna read it territory and for me this is my favourite so far (sorry The Corset)

Having loved the silent companions, I was really looking forward to this novel and I was certainly not disappointed. Set in a theatre during I presume the Victorian era it certainly lived up to its Gothic promise.
I’m not going to give any spoilers or plot lines as this will just spoil the suspense. Needless to say this novel is
full of plotting and revenge, mysterious mists and flickering lights and the appearance of a fearsome curse not to mention some grisly deaths - it is a real page turner which needs to be read with the lights on. I shall be looking for more from this author and will be thoroughly recommending this book. My next book selection has certainly got a lot to beat. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the advanced digital coffee of this novel in return for an honest review.

The Whispering Muse

This was my first read by Laura Purcell so I went in open minded. The cover and the description of a historic gothic story set in a Victorian Theatre instantly caught my attention!

To save her family from starvation, Jenny takes a job as a costume assistant at the Mercury Theatre, dressing one of the most up and coming actresses of the day. But Lilith, with her desperate ambitions and fiery temper, is difficult and willing to do whatever -and whoever- it takes to succeed. Lilith comes in to possession of a pocket watch that belonged to a fellow thespian and believed to hold the spirit of the tragic Greek Muse, Melpomene and things take a drastic, chilling and supernatural turn.

This book had a multi layered plot that explores how far we'll go to succeed, the need for self-preservation and human weakness. Jenny is pretty naive when she accepts the job from the dramatic Theatre owner, Mrs Dyer and willing to do whatever she bids to keep her job. But as we get further in to the book, we see Jenny grow in confidence and strength.

Be warned though, this book gets DARK in places so check the trigger warnings below. Haunting and chilling, I wish I hadn't read this predominantly at night in bed 🤣

Even though it was a slow burner, I enjoyed the descriptive writing style and way the story unfolded little by little. I only wish that the ending wasn't as quick - everything seemed to come to a head within the final few pages.

TW: Suicide, Abortion

"While Lilith cherished the watch, it felt as though Melpomene had drawn the life force from the theatre, from Likith's very body, to make her art more vital on stage."

Jenny is hired by suspicious and jealous Mrs Dyer, who owns The Mercury Theatre in London's West End, to both dress and spy on lead actress, Lilith. Supposedly having made a pact with Melpomene, the tragic muse of Greek mythology, Lilith's performances are bewitching audiences and also Mr Dyer, who gifted her a talismanic watch taken from the body of Melpomene's previous muse. Jenny soon finds the theatre, with its ambitious and superstitious actors, a dangerous place to be, as tragic deaths occur on stage. As focused and talented Lilith's acting gains greater prestige and devout fans, Jenny becomes aware she is fading rapidly, when off stage.

This ensconcing, gothic tale is what I love about the author's atmospheric novels. I assume it is set in the Victorian era, but don't think a date was given. Focusing on three women, there's Jenny's desperation to drag her siblings from poverty, Lilith's desperation to become a renowned actor and Mrs Dyer's desperation to rid herself of her husband's, younger mistress. Jenny is easy to take to, as the reader, sharp and bright, but dislikeable at first, Lilith grew on me as I understood her life. Split into five acts, where different plays are performed, the theatre and the plays are characters in their own right. There's blood and gore, an air of menace and the supernatural that builds to tragedies that shock. Deals with the devil and jealousy are the themes that run the plot that moved along quickly, as I devoured this creepy tale. If you like contemporary, gothic fiction, this one is for you!