The Woman Who Spoke to Spirits

by Alys Clare

One thing I hate about reading a book in a series, especially when it’s the first one, is having to wait for the next installment.  That is the case with this new series.  I’ve not read anything by Alys Clare until The Woman Who Spoke to Spirits.  I tend to read books placed within the Regency, Victorian or later time period.  However, after reading this first installment in the World’s End Bureau, which does take place in a Victorian time frame, I just might have to jump out of my comfort zone and look up some of her other works.  Clare introduces us to Lily Raynor who is the soul owner and proprietor of the World’s End Bureau.  Lily’s reputation as reliable and discrete keep her busy and when she hires on Felix Wilbraham as an office assistant, she doesn’t realize what an asset she has acquired.  When Ernst Stibbins walks in the door frightened someone is trying to kill his wife, Felix readily accepts the case.  Lily has been hired by a Lord to check into the background of an actress who has been stepping out with his son. Together, Lily and Felix begin working the two cases not knowing they are headed into something bigger than they even imagined. 

For me, the heart of this story is the dynamic of these two people coming together and finding companionship, friendship and solace in each other.  Clare artfully builds their personalities and gives us a glimpse of the background that forged the personalities.  She does hint at a major Incident in Lily’s background. but she doesn’t hurry to reveal it.  This is my favorite book this year, so far.  It was a highly enjoyable read for me and I just wanted it to keep going.  You are immediately at ease with characters that she wants you to be comfortable with and uneasy with the more questionable without beating you over the head with their wicked ways. There are a few that you wonder what happened to them and others you know for sure Clare will bring up in later books.  At least this reader hopes that will happen.  I will be talking about this book to anyone who will listen.  Adults and teens alike.  I hope this series is a long running one.  I want the next one NOW!

#TheWomanWhoSpoketoSpirits      #NetGalley

I wish to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me access to the electronic Advanced Readers Copy for my honest review.  All opinions are mine.

PUB:  Severn House

PUB DATE:  June 1, 2019

ISBN:  9780727888686

Genre:  Historical Fiction, Mystery