Limelight by Emily Organ has a plot loaded with twists and turns. Just as I thought I had it figured out, another twist changed my thoughts. Although the ending wasn't completely what I hoped, the suspense kept me turning the pages.
 
Releases Nov. 4th. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

London, 1883.

Penny Green is a reporter always looking for a good story. When an old friend of hers, Lizzie Dixie, is found murdered, Scotland Yard comes to Penny in hopes that she can help solve the case.

Inspector James Blakely is the man assigned to the murder case, and he and Penny scour London for clues. Lizzie was widely believed to have died in a tragic accident five years earlier, so how was her body discovered in Highgate Cemetery?

As the unlikely duo continue to gather evidence, Penny begins to receive mysterious objects and threatening letters. It is only after others are drawn into the lies afoot that the true murderer is revealed.

Overall this was a cute story, but I didn’t feel like there was much substance to it. I was able to figure out who the killer was towards the end of the book. The details were well done, however, I would have liked a bit more atmosphere. I think the biggest thing that makes this book a three star for me is the fact that the partnership between the two main characters is not entirely plausible in my opinion. It seems unlikely a Scotland Yard detective would seek out a reporter to assist with an investigation.

Nevertheless, it was an entertaining read for a rainy afternoon. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

This was a good read, atmospheric of the times and the struggle of women to be seen as useful and able to do a job. The plot was good and the characters all varied and interesting to the story, which kept a good pace and didn’t give away the murderer until the end and at the end there was still a little something left of the main characters story to make you want another book to see what happens. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Limelight

I came across Limelight on Netgalley and as someone who reads historical fiction mysteries I knew it was one I wished to read. Having just finished it - I realized it a re-issue and one that I had previously read.

The story felt vaguely familiar as I was made my way through it. When I reached the end it finally clicked that this was my second time having done so. It is an entertaining tale featuring a newspaper woman and a detective inspector trying to solve the murder of an already thought dead woman.

Penny, is lead character and I enjoyed her but did get frustrated at times with her choices. However, living and working in the time period of the book could certainly prove frustrating.

The mystery was well plotted and I appreciate the set up for the future books. If I remember correctly I ended up reading six or seven of them. Overall a pleasant start to a series.

Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for my DRC..

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.