I thought this was an interesting mix of horror and melodrama and I particularly liked that some characters shifted between villains and friends as the background of theatre made it hard to work out who they truly are. I also liked the little period details that were included, for example when they take cab rides or with the different clothing.
I would have liked a little more resolution regarding the muse herself as I think there was too much resting on the uncertainty but some readers may like that ambiguity!

Brilliant and full of glorious suspense! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me early access to this title.

A great atmospheric gothic Victorian novel set in London’s west end!
Our main character Jenny gets hired as the dresser for the theatres leas actress, Lilith. But she is also tasked with spying on her.
I loved the atmosphere of this book and the characters gripped me. A great read.

It was actually The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell that really got me back into reading after a few years of only picking up one or two books. I've been a fan ever since and I have no idea why I waited so long to read The Whispering Muse because it is just fabulous! It has everything I love in a gothic historical fiction - drama, suspense, unease, mystery, darkness and just a fantastic storyline overall. I was obsessed with the link to the muses, with Melpomene being the perfect choice for this particular story.

What it did so brilliantly was showcase both the grit and glamour of the theatre. I loved the fact that despite the story being based around the various shows and performances staged by the theatre, the focus was mainly on what was happening backstage. It might be the actors who usually get the headlines but it's the costumes, the props, the lighting and the direction which bring a show to life and this was something that shone through in the story. These characters working in the theatre were so interesting, especially when seeing how they dealt with some quite difficult and, at times, gruesome situations.

I feel like everyone will interpret this story in a different way - some of the themes are more standard - jealousy, rivalry, difficult family dynamics, and some of the themes are more extreme - curses, revenge and the supernatural. But, I really think that there is something for everyone to enjoy. The atmosphere created just screams Victorian London and I was totally swept away by this dark and haunting chiller!

Closer to 3.75 stars

An unbelievably captivating setting that allowed for the build of some wonderful atmospheric moments. But I struggled with the plot overall which I found to be very off at points.

laura purcell's historical setting felt very exaggerated, in a way that relied heavily on exposition and affected

The name Laura Purcell has turned into a Pavlovian trigger for me, so why did her newest novel feel like it's been ghostwritten? I actually had to close the book mid-read during one session, to check the author's name on the cover, because the writing felt just so... off.

The Whispering Muse was sufficiently entertaining, by all means, but severely lacked Purcell's talent for the uncanny, the unexplained, the frightening in a primordial way. The setting was once again well-researched - I don't believe I've read a novel set in a theater before - but to think how little substance there was behind it? This wasn't scary, or even thought-provoking, and it makes me said.

Just a thumbs up for the messy interpersonal relationships, a Purcell hallmark.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Loved loved loved the theatre setting of The Whispering Muse. It offered a lot to the story and Purcell did a great job of creating a unique atmosphere.

The actual plot though was a little trite. None of the characters stood out as especially interesting and the ending left a little to be desired. Still, I would recommend this to anyone interested in the theatre setting or Shakespeare as there is fun to be had with those two elements.

*A big thank-you to Laura Purcell, Bloomsbury Publishing, and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
I have read all Ms Purcell's novels and had high expectations regarding her latest book. The idea behind it is intriguing, and it does have some Gothic atmosphere but not to the extent I found in the Author's other works. The most disappointing aspect was that I felt completely indifferent towards the characters and was not engaged in their passions or obsessions. They felt rather flat to me, just like poor actors who appear on the stage, say their lines and move towards the backstage. The quality of writing is very good but it is not enough to have me invested fully while reading.

A dark and atmospheric gothic horror story full of obsession and ambition that will keep you up at night. I am fast becoming a Laura Purcell stan.

Its Goth, its Victorian, bloody and pure delight. This book is beyond anything else ive read before. I loved this, this was chilling and exciting. I love the style in which this bookw as written and I will definitely be recommending this to customers. Also, the cover is magnificent!

The theatre setting worked so well for this story, with the Greek mythology perfectly woven through. The ending came a bit too abruptly for me, but up until then, I found this a deliciously gothic trip.

This book has such an intriguing premise, and the plot was interesting. However, the characters were all hollow, and I didn't find myself invested in what happened to any of them. I felt the author deciding and attempting to guide me in who I liked and disliked and didn't particularly understand the reasoning for the decision. This is very obvious in the case of Mrs Dyers, who is wronged multiple times but is somehow the only person in the story who isn't given any sympathy about her situation. I kept expecting the characterisation to improve, but instead, more and more plays were added. In the end, it felt more of a list of famous plays that the author felt we should all be intimately familiar with.

Is it too much to say that Laura Purcell is likely one of our best gothic fiction authors ? Probably not. Ms Purcell delivers with each and every book. I can buy the book and be assured that I will enjoy the book no matter what the story, each one a delight. The Whispering Muse is just such a wonder in Laura Purcells catalogue.

Laura Purcell, for me, is the undisputed queen of the supernatural. She is one of those authors whose books I will purchase immediately, without knowing anything about them, because I just know they will be amazing. And The Whispering Muse is another thrilling triumph.
The reader is transported to the world of the Victorian theatre. Jennifer Wilcox has been left responsible for her younger siblings after being betrayed and deserted by her older brother. Now, she must do whatever it takes to provide a home and put food on the table. When she is offered an opportunity that appears too good to be true, Jenny is immediately suspicious. Can she really trust the charming Mrs Dyer? Does she have any choice?
This is a novel about obsession, ambition and the lengths people will go to to get what they want. Throughout, we never know who to trust, always expecting people to turn out to be someone they’re not. They are all accomplished actors, after all.
Many scenes in the novel had me holding my breath, dreading the fate that might befall Jennifer, willing her to make the right decisions, whilst at the same time, not actually knowing what the right decision might be.
This was a thoroughly gripping, thrilling novel that had me reading late into the night. Truly unputdownable! One of those that makes you need to sit after finishing because you’re still reeling in delight. And then, makes you want to start it again straight away.
I loved it.

One of the best Gothic novels I ever got my hands on. Perfection, deliciously creepy and dark. A theatre in London’s West End, Victorian Age, a curse, a muse from Greek mythology and Faustian vibes. What’s not to like?

This storytelling is an absolutely masterpiece. It’s atmospheric, dark, with elements of horror, drama and tragedy (Greek style). Much like in a play, the story is divided in five parts, all different plays that reflect a specific theme. Each theme is related to the storyline and specific issues of the characters, driving the plot forward. Each play connects perfectly with the story and the characters, going from Faustus to Macbeth.

The pace is quite steady, I could feel the tension building as the question keeps rising “Is it real or all in their heads?.” I never got the answer and I didn’t need to. The rich and descriptive writing creates a world that I didn’t want to step out of.

The characters that live and work in The Mercury theatre are all complex and their stories are told little by little. Jenny Wilcox, the main protagonist, is a desperate woman wanting to provide to her family, and she’s willing to do anything to take care of them. She’s a strong character and reliable, or so it seems. She gets more than she bargains for with the theatre and its people, surrounded by ambition, greed, treachery, adultery and murder.

I loved it. I missed reading a Gothic novel that completely took me in and didn’t let go.

Well, finished this in two sittings and broke my rule about reading on public transport (motion sickness) because I just had to know what happened. Having read near enough everything Laura Purcell has written since The Silent Companions, I consider her a safe pair of hands for a great story and this didn't disappoint. Oozing with atmosphere, The Mercury Theatre is its own living and breathing character, and this story felt like an ode to the theatre productions. The ending fell a bit flat for me, but the journey there was a breeze.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗛𝗜𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗘
—𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹 | 𝟰🌟

‘𝘔𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘶𝘱 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧.’
‘𝘔𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧,’ 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘭𝘺. ‘𝘕𝘰. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘢 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵.’

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
✨Gothic historical fiction
✨Victorian London
✨Shakespeare, Greek mythology, and the theatre
✨Flawed characters
✨Espionage
✨Exploration of ambition, obsession and superstition

𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆:
Jenny begins a new job as a Dresser after being approached by Mrs Dyer, patroness of the theatre. Jenny’s job is to dress Lilith, leading lady with suspected loose morals, and to report any untoward behaviour to Mrs Dyer. The situation escalates when Lilith believes she has made a pact with Melpomene, the tragic muse of Greek mythology, and in order for the show to go on and for Lilith’s star to rise, she must pay with her life force.

𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀:
This was an incredible piece of historical gothic fiction that manages to blend the unearthliness of Greek mythology with the tragedy of Shakespeare.

The setting of the theatre with the superstition rife amongst Jenny’s new colleagues was dark, mesmerizing and completely full of intrigue. Each character was morally grey, fundamentally flawed, and as dramatic as I expected from a novel surrounding theatre folk.

There is an exploration of ambition, obsession, and superstition that spirals entirely until the reader is unable to distinguish what’s the truth and what’s myth. Laura Purcell has done a truly wonderful job with taking some of the darkest parts of human nature, and embroiling them in a masterpiece of immersive recreation.

𝗞𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵 | 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗵 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘆

A tragedy as gripping as those that frame the narrative, @spookypurcell's The Whispering Muse explores the cost of ambition and desire and being a woman in a society beholden to the whims of men. Jennifer Wilcox is caught in a maelstrom of angry and ambitious women determined to succeed to spite one another, Jenny must try to hold her wits and integrity as chaos whirls around her. Sent by her new employer Mrs Dyer to watch the greatest tragic actor of the age, Jenny witnesses his arcane a bloody demise live on stage. Hired to spy on the Dyer's Theatre's new leading lady, Lilith. Things kick up a notch when the watch of the dead actor goes up for auction and Mrs Dyer is desperate for it and devastated when her husband gives it to Lilith. Jenny finds herself entangled in a web of secrets and lies wondering how far she will go to protect and support her family. The theatre folk claim the watch is an ill-omen bound the muse of tragedy, leaving a trail of death and destruction in every life it touches.
The Whispering Muse is a gripping, darkly gothic thriller that reflects on the the tragic outcomes of impossible bargains in a world where a woman's options are degradation, humiliation, or destitution and I couldn't put it down. Jenny is an utterly compelling character and I really felt the conflict inside her as she tries to navigate the madness taking hold of the Mercury.

I have loved all of Laura Purcell’s novels and this one did not disappoint either. A great spooky gothic read with interesting characters. Some you will love and some you will want to hate! I actually learnt a bit about theatre life too. It’s a slow burn that keeps you guessing until the very end. Fab read.