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Las tragedias de la musa
Ten cuidado con lo que deseas... Podría convertirse en realidad
En el teatro Mercury de Londres circulan rumores sobre una maldición.
Se dice que Lilith, la actriz principal, ha hecho un pacto con Melpómene, la trágica musa de la mitología griega, para convertirse en la actriz más importante que haya pisado un escenario. Albergando sospechas sobre Lilith, la esposa del propietario del teatro envía a Jenny, la encargada del vestuario, a espiarla; ella, desesperada por conseguir más dinero para ayudar a su familia, acepta el encargo.
Lo que Jenny descubre es que Lilith es una mujer tan asombrosa en sus actuaciones como provocativa en la vida real. Sobre el escenario, parece que esté poseída por los personajes a los que interpreta, pero fuera de él, es tan trágica como la Musa que la inspira.
Sintiendo lástima por ella, Jenny se hace amiga de la atormentada actriz. Pero cuando empiezan a tener lugar extraños sucesos alrededor del teatro, empieza a preguntarse si los rumores son ciertos, y a temer que cuando la Musa llegue reclamando su pago, el coste sea demasiado alto.
En el teatro Mercury de Londres circulan rumores sobre una maldición.
Se dice que Lilith, la actriz principal, ha hecho un pacto con Melpómene, la trágica musa de la mitología griega, para convertirse en la actriz más importante que haya pisado un escenario. Albergando sospechas sobre Lilith, la esposa del propietario del teatro envía a Jenny, la encargada del vestuario, a espiarla; ella, desesperada por conseguir más dinero para ayudar a su familia, acepta el encargo.
Lo que Jenny descubre es que Lilith es una mujer tan asombrosa en sus actuaciones como provocativa en la vida real. Sobre el escenario, parece que esté poseída por los personajes a los que interpreta, pero fuera de él, es tan trágica como la Musa que la inspira.
Sintiendo lástima por ella, Jenny se hace amiga de la atormentada actriz. Pero cuando empiezan a tener lugar extraños sucesos alrededor del teatro, empieza a preguntarse si los rumores son ciertos, y a temer que cuando la Musa llegue reclamando su pago, el coste sea demasiado alto.
348 pages, Paperback
First published February 2, 2023
About the author
Laura Purcell
16 books2,751 followersLaura Purcell is a former bookseller and lives in Colchester with her husband and pet guinea pigs.
Her first novel for Raven Books THE SILENT COMPANIONS won the WHSmith Thumping Good Read Award 2018 and featured in both the Zoe Ball and Radio 2 Book Clubs. Other Gothic novels include THE CORSET (THE POISON THREAD in USA), BONE CHINA and THE SHAPE OF DARKNESS (2020)
Laura’s historical fiction about the Hanoverian monarchs, QUEEN OF BEDLAM and MISTRESS OF THE COURT, was published by Myrmidon.
Her first novel for Raven Books THE SILENT COMPANIONS won the WHSmith Thumping Good Read Award 2018 and featured in both the Zoe Ball and Radio 2 Book Clubs. Other Gothic novels include THE CORSET (THE POISON THREAD in USA), BONE CHINA and THE SHAPE OF DARKNESS (2020)
Laura’s historical fiction about the Hanoverian monarchs, QUEEN OF BEDLAM and MISTRESS OF THE COURT, was published by Myrmidon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 654 reviews
November 22, 2022
Laura Purcell excels in the territory she has claimed as her own, the dark, disturbing and the tragic in this, with her chilling, atmospheric Victorian gothic storytelling with its elements of horror, with its blood and gore, as she slowly immerses the reader in the drama laden world of the characters that inhabit the Mercury Theatre in London's West End. The narrative is structured around 5 plays that echo the themes and issues of the characters, whilst simultaneously driving the storylines onwards. It soon becomes apparent that it is no accident that the plays include Dr Faustus and Macbeth. Jenny Wilcox is a desperate woman, drowning in a precarious situation exacerbated by her brother Greg, leaving her solely responsible for her family. So when she is made a job offer that she cannot refuse, she accepts, the pay is generous, there is a house and includes much needed essential medical treatment for a sibling, but will she live to regret her decision?
She has been hired by the jealous Mrs Dyer to become the dresser to the theatre's lead actress, Lilith Erikson, but she has another below the radar task, that of spying on the beautiful and troubled actress in a theatre rife with superstitions and rumours of a curse. Her performances are remarkable, stunning in her powers to enter and possess the roles she plays, it is said that Lilith has made a pact with the tragic muse of Greek mythology, Melpomene, who seems to live in the watch that goes everywhere with her, to help her attain the heights of fame, of becoming the greatest stage actress. Jenny's relationship with the tragic and complicated Lilith, a mesmerising character who wants to makes her mark on the world, seeking love, she has truly suffered, her life unravelling, develops into a kind of friendship. It becomes clear little is as it appears, with strange, sinister and menacing events taking place.
This is the perfect read for this time of the year as the nights get longer and the winter season edges ever closer. Purcell is in her element as she creates an all too believable world with her richly descriptive writing, making the Victorian theatre and the characters she creates come alive for the reader, artfully ambiguous as to whether supernatural elements are at play or whether the sources are all too human. The flawed Jenny finds herself caught up in a scenario she could not forsee in this gripping and haunting novel, of a muse, treachery and tragedy, of family, greed, ambition and betrayal, and of the position of women in this historical period. This may not be a read for everyone, but I think many readers will appreciate and love this too. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
She has been hired by the jealous Mrs Dyer to become the dresser to the theatre's lead actress, Lilith Erikson, but she has another below the radar task, that of spying on the beautiful and troubled actress in a theatre rife with superstitions and rumours of a curse. Her performances are remarkable, stunning in her powers to enter and possess the roles she plays, it is said that Lilith has made a pact with the tragic muse of Greek mythology, Melpomene, who seems to live in the watch that goes everywhere with her, to help her attain the heights of fame, of becoming the greatest stage actress. Jenny's relationship with the tragic and complicated Lilith, a mesmerising character who wants to makes her mark on the world, seeking love, she has truly suffered, her life unravelling, develops into a kind of friendship. It becomes clear little is as it appears, with strange, sinister and menacing events taking place.
This is the perfect read for this time of the year as the nights get longer and the winter season edges ever closer. Purcell is in her element as she creates an all too believable world with her richly descriptive writing, making the Victorian theatre and the characters she creates come alive for the reader, artfully ambiguous as to whether supernatural elements are at play or whether the sources are all too human. The flawed Jenny finds herself caught up in a scenario she could not forsee in this gripping and haunting novel, of a muse, treachery and tragedy, of family, greed, ambition and betrayal, and of the position of women in this historical period. This may not be a read for everyone, but I think many readers will appreciate and love this too. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
June 17, 2023
Take us to the Theatre
I appreciate a well-crafted Victorian Goth novel. Unfortunately, this particular book failed to deliver the mind-blowing wow factor I was anticipating. While the story itself was decent and held my interest, the ending left much to be desired—falling significantly short of my expectations.
I appreciate a well-crafted Victorian Goth novel. Unfortunately, this particular book failed to deliver the mind-blowing wow factor I was anticipating. While the story itself was decent and held my interest, the ending left much to be desired—falling significantly short of my expectations.
September 23, 2022
‘By the pricking of my thumbs
Something wicked this way comes’
Jenny Wilcox has an appointment with Mrs Dyer, wife of the owner of the Mercury Theatre, London and she’s very worried it has something to do with her errant brother Greg. However, Mrs Dyer has a proposition for her as she invites her to become the dresser of the new leading lady Lilith Erikson who can be ‘tricky’. She’s prepared to pay Jenny well above the odds and in return she’s to report back regularly. The first play is ‘The Scottish Play’ and so we enter the world of the Victorian Theatre with likeable Jenny as our witness and guide to some strange and astonishing events.
I don’t think there are as many people in the 21st Century who do the Gothic novel as well as Laura Purcell. This is a beautifully written novel with rich and colourful descriptions, steeped in atmosphere so you feel as if you’ve been transported back in time as the theatre comes alive and you feel its magic. The dramatic tone is set from the start as we witness a production of Dr Faustus which continues onto Macbeth which is equally bloody! The play curse is used so effectively and performances by the actors are ‘magical’ and a devilishly good Lilith beguiles as Lady Macbeth, she is a tour de force in every way. There are fiendishly dark forces at work with plenty of muses to muse upon as menacing evil oozes from the pages. It becomes darker, there’s wickedness that beggars belief along with treachery and betrayal. There’s tragedy, disaster and destruction and it does get a wee bit gruesome in places! Some of the images are terrifying and unforgettable. The plot twists and turns it’s wicked way with myths and legends adding to the building tension and suspense. The ending is suitably dramatic and feels right with very high prices paid for naked ambition.
I love this latest book from an extremely talented author, sure, there more blood than spook but that absolutely suits the dramas we witness. I love the journeys through the various plays too as they often mirror the leading characters desires and intents. It’s an absorbing and compelling read from start to finish. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bloomsbury for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Something wicked this way comes’
Jenny Wilcox has an appointment with Mrs Dyer, wife of the owner of the Mercury Theatre, London and she’s very worried it has something to do with her errant brother Greg. However, Mrs Dyer has a proposition for her as she invites her to become the dresser of the new leading lady Lilith Erikson who can be ‘tricky’. She’s prepared to pay Jenny well above the odds and in return she’s to report back regularly. The first play is ‘The Scottish Play’ and so we enter the world of the Victorian Theatre with likeable Jenny as our witness and guide to some strange and astonishing events.
I don’t think there are as many people in the 21st Century who do the Gothic novel as well as Laura Purcell. This is a beautifully written novel with rich and colourful descriptions, steeped in atmosphere so you feel as if you’ve been transported back in time as the theatre comes alive and you feel its magic. The dramatic tone is set from the start as we witness a production of Dr Faustus which continues onto Macbeth which is equally bloody! The play curse is used so effectively and performances by the actors are ‘magical’ and a devilishly good Lilith beguiles as Lady Macbeth, she is a tour de force in every way. There are fiendishly dark forces at work with plenty of muses to muse upon as menacing evil oozes from the pages. It becomes darker, there’s wickedness that beggars belief along with treachery and betrayal. There’s tragedy, disaster and destruction and it does get a wee bit gruesome in places! Some of the images are terrifying and unforgettable. The plot twists and turns it’s wicked way with myths and legends adding to the building tension and suspense. The ending is suitably dramatic and feels right with very high prices paid for naked ambition.
I love this latest book from an extremely talented author, sure, there more blood than spook but that absolutely suits the dramas we witness. I love the journeys through the various plays too as they often mirror the leading characters desires and intents. It’s an absorbing and compelling read from start to finish. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bloomsbury for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
June 27, 2023
'Hell is murky!
Whether we fall by ambition, blood, or lust,
like diamonds we are cut with our own dust.’
Would you ever make a deal with the devil to save someone you love? How much will you be willing to pay to satisfy your ambition? Would you risk everything for a brief moment of fame and renown?
The offer was too good to be true, but Jennifer had to take it to be able to provide a better life for her siblings.
The wife of the owner of London’s Mercury Theatre offers Jennifer money and a job as a dresser in exchange for a bit of spying on the lead actress.
'These violent delights have violent ends.'
But soon things get out of hand and the innocent nosing around turns deadly and dangerous.
‘Of suns and worlds I’ve nothing to be quoted; how men torment themselves is all I’ve noted.’
This is a tale in five acts; a tragedy about jealousy, greed, curses and muses, superstition and myths, sacrifices and friendships.
Whether we fall by ambition, blood, or lust,
like diamonds we are cut with our own dust.’
Would you ever make a deal with the devil to save someone you love? How much will you be willing to pay to satisfy your ambition? Would you risk everything for a brief moment of fame and renown?
The offer was too good to be true, but Jennifer had to take it to be able to provide a better life for her siblings.
The wife of the owner of London’s Mercury Theatre offers Jennifer money and a job as a dresser in exchange for a bit of spying on the lead actress.
'These violent delights have violent ends.'
But soon things get out of hand and the innocent nosing around turns deadly and dangerous.
‘Of suns and worlds I’ve nothing to be quoted; how men torment themselves is all I’ve noted.’
This is a tale in five acts; a tragedy about jealousy, greed, curses and muses, superstition and myths, sacrifices and friendships.
January 29, 2024
I have read all Ms Purcell's books and had high expectations regarding her latest offering. 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 big thank-you to Laura Purcell, Bloomsbury Publishing, and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
*A big thank-you to Laura Purcell, Bloomsbury Publishing, and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
February 2, 2023
Fun, fun, fun! I was enthralled by the world of The Whispering Muse as soon as I started it. A fading Victorian theatre, a reputedly cursed actress, a suspicious (and highly melodramatic) wife: could there be a better setup for a spooky historical mystery? Purcell doesn’t put a foot wrong here, and it’s always easy to understand why narrator Jenny can’t extricate herself from this tangled web of obsession and betrayal. A thoroughly enjoyable gothic confection, filled with great characters and vivid scenes.
I received an advance review copy of The Whispering Muse from the publisher through NetGalley.
I received an advance review copy of The Whispering Muse from the publisher through NetGalley.
March 8, 2023
Here I am, stranded on outlier island again. I never thought I'd say this about a Laura Purcell book, but I'm a kinda disappointed. I've been itching to get my mitts on this for ages (blown out by Netgalley 😕) but I have to say, for quite a while I was on the verge of chucking in the towel, it was only the feeling that I just couldn't dnf something by this author that made me soldier on, luckily at about 50% it finally hooked me enough to want to continue. That's a heck of a long time to wait. Turns out I didn't feel much for the main character, and although I loved the setting, and the mad actress Lilith was worth her weight in gold, the writing seemed a bit soulless and flat, it didn't come alive for me, and the Victorian timeframe didn't always feel quite right. 3 stars though, as I was entertained eventually, oh and not forgetting 5 stars for that bloody gorgeous cover.
October 29, 2023
Desde el principio, no fue con exactitud lo que yo esperaba, aunque me gustó que la autora diese un enfoque más sombrío a su relato. Sin embargo, a medida que avanzaba, la trama se me hizo un poco repetitiva y bastante predecible porque fue fácil anticipar las tragedias que se avecinaban. Hay una especie de patrón que se repite hasta el final y quita el impacto a los últimos capítulos. Por otro lado, comprendo que esta historia fue difícil para la escritora, quien en los agradecimientos cuenta lo retador que fue sacarla adelante, pues la escribió en momentos difíciles para ella. Tal vez es por eso que en aquí no reconozco el elemento estético y la narrativa trepidante tan maravillosamente desarrollados en Compañías silenciosas. De algún modo, en este libro, tanto énfasis en la tragedia hizo que los personajes tiendan a resultar unidimensionales. Pese a todo, fue un libro entretenido y encontré en Lilith un personaje femenino poco convencional.
August 8, 2022
Official blurb to come but that. Was. Delicious. Laura Purcell is a spooky queen.
May 27, 2023
Laura Purcell vuelve a sorprendernos con esta increíble historia de ambientación gótica. En esta ocasión la historia se centra en el teatro, y en la musa Melpômene de la tragedia, y en un reloj maldito. Cuál es el precio a pagar por ser inspirado por la musa?
June 18, 2023
What a disappointment. Laura Purcell’s books are an automatic buy for me, but her latest, The Whispering Muse, is her weakest work so far. The characters are two-dimensional cardboard cutouts and the story has an unpleasant Grand Guignol feel that clashes with the Gothic atmosphere. The ending is also pathetic and underwhelming. Meh.
December 29, 2022
A gothic tale set in the Victorian theatre. Full of chills, blood and sprinkled with horror. Another take on Faust, a pact with devil and everything it entails. This is a real gothic tale that kept me reading late into the night.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
January 20, 2023
4.5 stars
“You see, now, the beauty of tragedy? It has so many faces. Not all doom and gloom but nobility, honour and a hundred other qualities. You may laugh at a comedy, but you'll forget it in time. Tragedy has burrs. It sticks to your heart. You remember what it made you feel, always."
The Whispering Muse by Laura Purcell is a gothic tale of ambition, greed and betrayal.
Though this is my first novel by Purcell, I can clearly see why she is highly praised as the master of haunting tales. This was an absolutely delicious read.
Let Purcell enter us into the dark world of the theatre, where the price of success and fame may be too high to pay. Our main protagonist is Jenny Wilcox, who after being fired from her previous place of employment is hired by Mrs Dyer, wife to the owner of The Mercury theatre in London’s West End, to dress their leading lady Lilith, who’ll play Lady Macbeth in their first ever production of Macbeth. It seems like a dream job, one which will pay a life changing sum of money and finally lift Jenny and her siblings out of poverty. Though, as with anything which seems too good to be true, there is a catch. Mrs Dyer also hires Jenny to spy on Lilith as she suspects she holds some scandalous secrets involving her husband. It isn’t long before Jenny becomes embroiled in an escalating plot of revenge orchestrated by her employer and also must manage Lilith’s ravings of the deal she has made with Melpomene, the tragic Greek Muse. Jenny doesn’t believe in curses, ghosts nor Greek muses, but as dreadful events surrounding the theatre begin to unfold, her reasoning wavers. What once felt like a dream soon transforms into a nightmare.
Purcell’s prose is wonderfully precise, from the onset there is an easily immersive flow to Jenny’s first person narration, compelling us to learn more about her life and of those she meets along the way. However as the novel progresses the prose fittingly becomes lyrical, atmospheric and razor sharp when the more unsettling scenes play out.
“As I watched her, washed in that red light, I almost believed that Melpomene was on her way. Every beat of the drum was a footstep.
A tremor shook Lilith's frame. Her eyes flew open, fixed and staring at the gallery. The audience looked over their shoulders. Did she see something we couldn't?”
Every aspect of this novel fantastically brings the Victorian theatre scene to life, with Purcell reveling in the gothic and macabre. Firstly, the book is segmented into five Acts, each one revolving around a different play production at the Mercury and each play mirroring aspects of our characters’ lives as they unravel. We aptly begin with Macbeth, which sets the dark, treacherous and otherworldly stage of our novel. Purcell also plays with theatrical superstitions and the belief of Macbeth being a cursed play. The actors and stage-hands dare not say the play’s name and when Jenny does this foreshadows the impending doom which is certain to come. Throughout the reader is skilfully put on edge, a tension looms, yet whether a supernatural force is at hand remains tantalisingly ambiguous, keeping me hooked at every turn of the page. However, before we even reach the gruesome events we become tangled into the drama of these character’s personal affairs.
Jenny Wilcox is a character you immediately feel sympathy towards, she is desperate, selfless and therefore easily manipulated. Her life has clearly not been easy, abandoned by her father and left in debt by her brother, Jenny must provide for her younger siblings, one of whom has a disability. With very little choices in life for an unmarried woman, she makes do with whatever coin she can earn. It’s easy to see why she agrees to Mrs Dyer's offer, even when her requests become increasingly immoral. Lilith, though more complexly flawed, brazen and more ambitious than Jenny, also comes across as desperate. The way Lilith clings to the idea of Melpomene and her promise of all her desires coming true, shows us that she is desperate too but not just for wealth. Lilith is lonely and is seeking love and adoration by any means necessary.
“People always said there was a fine line between genius and madness. Lilith had been walking it like a tightrope for too long. Perhaps I'd pushed her off the edge.”
Mrs Dyer is an interesting character, on the surface she appears the victim, an unloved wife whose husband frivolously spends her wealth, a woman scorned who desperately wants to protect her daughter and seeks a confidant in Jenny. Though her actions are not quite genuine, her jealousy permeates and her generosity towards Jenny only signals manipulation, her kindness causing Jenny guilt and a sense that she owes Mrs Dyer a great debt. Mrs Dyer claims that Lilith is the deceiver, the thorn in her side, yet Mrs Dyer is also Jenny’s thorn. Mrs Dyer is ruthless and is arguably more akin to Lady Macbeth than Lilith is. Yet perhaps in a patriarchal society these three women need a touch of Lady Macbeth in them just to survive.
“Deep down, I was every bit as sentimental and self-deceiving as Mrs Dyer herself. For I wanted her to be the kind benefactor from a story-book, my fairy godmother. I wanted my happy ending.”
Though The Whispering Muse is a short novel, Purcell cleverly packs in many layers. Both haunting and tragic, this is an unputdownable gothic fever-dream dripping in deadly drama.
ARC provided by Ben at Bloomsbury Books. Thank you for the copy! All quotes used are taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
The Whispering Muse is out 2nd February
“You see, now, the beauty of tragedy? It has so many faces. Not all doom and gloom but nobility, honour and a hundred other qualities. You may laugh at a comedy, but you'll forget it in time. Tragedy has burrs. It sticks to your heart. You remember what it made you feel, always."
The Whispering Muse by Laura Purcell is a gothic tale of ambition, greed and betrayal.
Though this is my first novel by Purcell, I can clearly see why she is highly praised as the master of haunting tales. This was an absolutely delicious read.
Let Purcell enter us into the dark world of the theatre, where the price of success and fame may be too high to pay. Our main protagonist is Jenny Wilcox, who after being fired from her previous place of employment is hired by Mrs Dyer, wife to the owner of The Mercury theatre in London’s West End, to dress their leading lady Lilith, who’ll play Lady Macbeth in their first ever production of Macbeth. It seems like a dream job, one which will pay a life changing sum of money and finally lift Jenny and her siblings out of poverty. Though, as with anything which seems too good to be true, there is a catch. Mrs Dyer also hires Jenny to spy on Lilith as she suspects she holds some scandalous secrets involving her husband. It isn’t long before Jenny becomes embroiled in an escalating plot of revenge orchestrated by her employer and also must manage Lilith’s ravings of the deal she has made with Melpomene, the tragic Greek Muse. Jenny doesn’t believe in curses, ghosts nor Greek muses, but as dreadful events surrounding the theatre begin to unfold, her reasoning wavers. What once felt like a dream soon transforms into a nightmare.
Purcell’s prose is wonderfully precise, from the onset there is an easily immersive flow to Jenny’s first person narration, compelling us to learn more about her life and of those she meets along the way. However as the novel progresses the prose fittingly becomes lyrical, atmospheric and razor sharp when the more unsettling scenes play out.
“As I watched her, washed in that red light, I almost believed that Melpomene was on her way. Every beat of the drum was a footstep.
A tremor shook Lilith's frame. Her eyes flew open, fixed and staring at the gallery. The audience looked over their shoulders. Did she see something we couldn't?”
Every aspect of this novel fantastically brings the Victorian theatre scene to life, with Purcell reveling in the gothic and macabre. Firstly, the book is segmented into five Acts, each one revolving around a different play production at the Mercury and each play mirroring aspects of our characters’ lives as they unravel. We aptly begin with Macbeth, which sets the dark, treacherous and otherworldly stage of our novel. Purcell also plays with theatrical superstitions and the belief of Macbeth being a cursed play. The actors and stage-hands dare not say the play’s name and when Jenny does this foreshadows the impending doom which is certain to come. Throughout the reader is skilfully put on edge, a tension looms, yet whether a supernatural force is at hand remains tantalisingly ambiguous, keeping me hooked at every turn of the page. However, before we even reach the gruesome events we become tangled into the drama of these character’s personal affairs.
Jenny Wilcox is a character you immediately feel sympathy towards, she is desperate, selfless and therefore easily manipulated. Her life has clearly not been easy, abandoned by her father and left in debt by her brother, Jenny must provide for her younger siblings, one of whom has a disability. With very little choices in life for an unmarried woman, she makes do with whatever coin she can earn. It’s easy to see why she agrees to Mrs Dyer's offer, even when her requests become increasingly immoral. Lilith, though more complexly flawed, brazen and more ambitious than Jenny, also comes across as desperate. The way Lilith clings to the idea of Melpomene and her promise of all her desires coming true, shows us that she is desperate too but not just for wealth. Lilith is lonely and is seeking love and adoration by any means necessary.
“People always said there was a fine line between genius and madness. Lilith had been walking it like a tightrope for too long. Perhaps I'd pushed her off the edge.”
Mrs Dyer is an interesting character, on the surface she appears the victim, an unloved wife whose husband frivolously spends her wealth, a woman scorned who desperately wants to protect her daughter and seeks a confidant in Jenny. Though her actions are not quite genuine, her jealousy permeates and her generosity towards Jenny only signals manipulation, her kindness causing Jenny guilt and a sense that she owes Mrs Dyer a great debt. Mrs Dyer claims that Lilith is the deceiver, the thorn in her side, yet Mrs Dyer is also Jenny’s thorn. Mrs Dyer is ruthless and is arguably more akin to Lady Macbeth than Lilith is. Yet perhaps in a patriarchal society these three women need a touch of Lady Macbeth in them just to survive.
“Deep down, I was every bit as sentimental and self-deceiving as Mrs Dyer herself. For I wanted her to be the kind benefactor from a story-book, my fairy godmother. I wanted my happy ending.”
Though The Whispering Muse is a short novel, Purcell cleverly packs in many layers. Both haunting and tragic, this is an unputdownable gothic fever-dream dripping in deadly drama.
ARC provided by Ben at Bloomsbury Books. Thank you for the copy! All quotes used are taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
The Whispering Muse is out 2nd February
November 30, 2022
Jenny is struggling to get to get by and keep her family together after being disgraced from her last job and her older brother abandoning her to look after the rest of the family on her own. Her brother Greg stole the money meant for her brother’s operation and a woman’s ring and then fled to America.
She is required to visit her brother’s last employer at the Mercury Theatre, Mrs Dyer. She thinks that they are going to ask about her brother, but she is surprisingly offered a job as a dresser for the leading lady Lilith Erickson. But that also includes spying on her as she has taken a shine to her husband.
When Jenny takes her family to see Dr Faustus at the theatre. The play is cursed. The leading actor ends up dead. The watch he was wearing, Mr Dyer gives it to Lilith as a token of his love but this pocket watch that is apparently cursed with the Greek Muse Melpomene. Hoping that it will give her fame and fortune in the theatre world. But when Jenny takes the job strange things start to happen at the theatre with dire consequences. And due to the watch.
Thank you, Bloomsbury, for a copy of The Whispering Muse Laura Purcell has once again written another fabulous, creepy, gothic tale set in Victorian London. I was gripped from the first page of this book with the tension and the strange goings on in the theatre. The author writing is very good at bringing the characters to life and describe like you are actually there and cleverly incorporated Macbeth and Doctor Faustus into the story. I am sure it will be a hit. 5 stars from me.
She is required to visit her brother’s last employer at the Mercury Theatre, Mrs Dyer. She thinks that they are going to ask about her brother, but she is surprisingly offered a job as a dresser for the leading lady Lilith Erickson. But that also includes spying on her as she has taken a shine to her husband.
When Jenny takes her family to see Dr Faustus at the theatre. The play is cursed. The leading actor ends up dead. The watch he was wearing, Mr Dyer gives it to Lilith as a token of his love but this pocket watch that is apparently cursed with the Greek Muse Melpomene. Hoping that it will give her fame and fortune in the theatre world. But when Jenny takes the job strange things start to happen at the theatre with dire consequences. And due to the watch.
Thank you, Bloomsbury, for a copy of The Whispering Muse Laura Purcell has once again written another fabulous, creepy, gothic tale set in Victorian London. I was gripped from the first page of this book with the tension and the strange goings on in the theatre. The author writing is very good at bringing the characters to life and describe like you are actually there and cleverly incorporated Macbeth and Doctor Faustus into the story. I am sure it will be a hit. 5 stars from me.
May 24, 2024
Months later I'm still thinking about this book and encouraging random people at bookstores to pick it up
April 18, 2024
Bueno, un aprobado raspadito. Me ha gustado el aire shakespeariano y dramático. El hacer cualquier cosa por el reconocimiento y las protagonistas tan diferentes.
Le falta un poquito de chispa pero no está mal en general. La ambientación tratral no parece del todo real, a mí me parece que tal vez lo que le falta es documentación de cómo se vive entre bambalinas.
Le falta un poquito de chispa pero no está mal en general. La ambientación tratral no parece del todo real, a mí me parece que tal vez lo que le falta es documentación de cómo se vive entre bambalinas.
January 30, 2023
This was obviously one of my most anticipated novels of the year - any book by Laura Purcell always is. I liked the premise, Purcell's writing is so good, and there were some pretty wonderful passages in The Whispering Muse. Unfortunately, I didn't like the characters :( I didn't love the story :( the last part/act V felt as though it was squeezed in last minute, trying to cram tons of drama and action in literally about five pages :( and then the ending was super abrupt :(
It's not a bad book, 3 stars is not a bad rating, but I want to looooove a Laura Purcell book like I loved The Silent Companions, and be absolutely immersed with it like I did with The Corset and Bone China. Purcell's last novel was OK, and so was this one. I really hope whatever she writes next is brilliant (and I can't wait to read it).
It's not a bad book, 3 stars is not a bad rating, but I want to looooove a Laura Purcell book like I loved The Silent Companions, and be absolutely immersed with it like I did with The Corset and Bone China. Purcell's last novel was OK, and so was this one. I really hope whatever she writes next is brilliant (and I can't wait to read it).
February 17, 2024
4.5 This was a dark, unsettling, atmospheric, heartbreaking story set in a Victorian theatre in London’s West End with tons of Shakespearean and Greek mythology references. In other words this was PERFECTION!
To make it even better, Laura Purcell’s writing is absolutely beautiful, the character work was intimate and devastating, and the story line was enthralling. I really loved the relationship between the two main female protagonists.
Drama, ambition, infidelity, superstition, murder, haunting, deals with dark forces, tragedies, it was amazing!
It is not a particularly long book however, and all these elements were developed rather fast but for be each was fulfilling enough individually and it all came together strong at the end.
I have read the Silent Companions when it first came out and I loved it. I think Laura Purcell may well be one of my favourite authors and I can’t wait to pick up something else from her!!
To make it even better, Laura Purcell’s writing is absolutely beautiful, the character work was intimate and devastating, and the story line was enthralling. I really loved the relationship between the two main female protagonists.
Drama, ambition, infidelity, superstition, murder, haunting, deals with dark forces, tragedies, it was amazing!
It is not a particularly long book however, and all these elements were developed rather fast but for be each was fulfilling enough individually and it all came together strong at the end.
I have read the Silent Companions when it first came out and I loved it. I think Laura Purcell may well be one of my favourite authors and I can’t wait to pick up something else from her!!
January 20, 2023
I know it's early days yet, but it's just possible that The Whispering Muse by Laura Purcell has gone straight from being one of my most highly anticipated reads of 2023, to being one of my favourite reads of the entire year. I absolutely adored this!
Set at the Mercury Theatre in Victorian London, Miss Jennifer Wilcox accepts a job offer from Mrs Dyer, the wife of the Mercury's owner. Fallen on hard times - the cause of which is revealed later - Jennifer must provide for her family and despite being brought low by her circumstances, eagerly accepts the position of dresser. Jennifer will need to make and mend all of the costumes, style hair and organise the accessories for the leading actress at the Mercury.
Unable to refuse and eternally grateful for the position of dresser to Lilith Erikson, Jennifer soon learns there's more to the situation. Mrs Dyer explains that her husband has been bewitched by the woman, and Jennifer is to keep a close eye on her. The reader is thrust straight into the social politics of the theatre, and additional meaning and nuance is communicated in the different plays the characters stage throughout this historical fiction masterpiece.
Reading The Whispering Muse put me in mind of City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert but I suspect that's only because I haven't read too many novels set in a theatre. The books are set in different countries and eras - 1940s New York and Victorian London - however the leading lady there (Celia) was just as awful as Lilith. In fact, my favourite quote from City of Girls works perfectly for Jennifer and Lilith too!
You see, Lilith Erikson is a vain, ambitious and arrogant woman, intent on attaining recognition for her prowess on the stage at any cost. And I really mean ANY cost and our protagonist is soon fed up with her behaviour and seeming obsession with a cursed pocket watch.
Looking over at Lilith at a gathering, Jennifer observes:
"She would have been arresting in her fashionable black evening gown, were it not for her sour expression. She looked like she'd sucked on a lemon. Her discomfort cheered me more than the champagne." Page 64
The Whispering Muse is being promoted as a gripping tale of obsession, superstition and ambition, set against the atmospheric backdrop of Victorian London and the description is spot on!
Enriching my reading experience was the fact that I was also reading Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera Companion. At the time of writing, I've attended the show in the State Theatre in Melbourne a total of 4 times, with my final attendance last night! This allowed me to enter a theatre environment and watch the cast and goings on with fresh eyes. What must it be like back stage, what are the relationships between the actors, what really happens in the dressing rooms and costume wardrobes?
I'll be reviewing it soon, but the Companion also describes the set design, history of the show and the creation of the music, making it a perfect yet unintended and equally gothic companion to The Whispering Muse.
This is an atmospheric novel about class, ambition, loyalty, envy, power and obsession and I was truly gripped as I flipped the pages to witness the slow destruction of certain characters. Jennifer experiences conflicting loyalties between Mrs Dyer and Lilith and her determination to avoid becoming collateral damage in their war made for compelling reading.
In addition to the drama unfolding between the characters, the theatre setting, the backstory of the pocket watch and suspicious and deadly accidents at the Mercury, the little nods to the era (young Bertie with a bad foot pasting together matchboxes to earn his keep and his older brother working in a hat factory) were the icing on this creepy Victorian cake.
The Whispering Muse by Laura Purcell is a gothic triumph!
* Copy courtesy of Bloomsbury *
Set at the Mercury Theatre in Victorian London, Miss Jennifer Wilcox accepts a job offer from Mrs Dyer, the wife of the Mercury's owner. Fallen on hard times - the cause of which is revealed later - Jennifer must provide for her family and despite being brought low by her circumstances, eagerly accepts the position of dresser. Jennifer will need to make and mend all of the costumes, style hair and organise the accessories for the leading actress at the Mercury.
Unable to refuse and eternally grateful for the position of dresser to Lilith Erikson, Jennifer soon learns there's more to the situation. Mrs Dyer explains that her husband has been bewitched by the woman, and Jennifer is to keep a close eye on her. The reader is thrust straight into the social politics of the theatre, and additional meaning and nuance is communicated in the different plays the characters stage throughout this historical fiction masterpiece.
Reading The Whispering Muse put me in mind of City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert but I suspect that's only because I haven't read too many novels set in a theatre. The books are set in different countries and eras - 1940s New York and Victorian London - however the leading lady there (Celia) was just as awful as Lilith. In fact, my favourite quote from City of Girls works perfectly for Jennifer and Lilith too!
You see, Lilith Erikson is a vain, ambitious and arrogant woman, intent on attaining recognition for her prowess on the stage at any cost. And I really mean ANY cost and our protagonist is soon fed up with her behaviour and seeming obsession with a cursed pocket watch.
Looking over at Lilith at a gathering, Jennifer observes:
"She would have been arresting in her fashionable black evening gown, were it not for her sour expression. She looked like she'd sucked on a lemon. Her discomfort cheered me more than the champagne." Page 64
The Whispering Muse is being promoted as a gripping tale of obsession, superstition and ambition, set against the atmospheric backdrop of Victorian London and the description is spot on!
Enriching my reading experience was the fact that I was also reading Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera Companion. At the time of writing, I've attended the show in the State Theatre in Melbourne a total of 4 times, with my final attendance last night! This allowed me to enter a theatre environment and watch the cast and goings on with fresh eyes. What must it be like back stage, what are the relationships between the actors, what really happens in the dressing rooms and costume wardrobes?
I'll be reviewing it soon, but the Companion also describes the set design, history of the show and the creation of the music, making it a perfect yet unintended and equally gothic companion to The Whispering Muse.
This is an atmospheric novel about class, ambition, loyalty, envy, power and obsession and I was truly gripped as I flipped the pages to witness the slow destruction of certain characters. Jennifer experiences conflicting loyalties between Mrs Dyer and Lilith and her determination to avoid becoming collateral damage in their war made for compelling reading.
In addition to the drama unfolding between the characters, the theatre setting, the backstory of the pocket watch and suspicious and deadly accidents at the Mercury, the little nods to the era (young Bertie with a bad foot pasting together matchboxes to earn his keep and his older brother working in a hat factory) were the icing on this creepy Victorian cake.
The Whispering Muse by Laura Purcell is a gothic triumph!
* Copy courtesy of Bloomsbury *
December 12, 2022
The Whispering Muse locations
Spooky theatres
Plays bringing their muses back to life
Plays and real life becoming blurred
A chilling presence throughout
Laura Purcell at her creepy best
Updated review:
A novel to transport you deep in the heart of theatres and their muses
As the curtains open on this disturbing Purcell play, your sense should be twitching as every single one is going to be
The theatre is the star of the show here. The stage, in the wings and behind the scenes – these set pieces are just creepy and menacing. There’s so much cultural and theatre references. The plays, the muses, the dark magic! Just breathtaking.
The threat and presence of Melpomene – well I didn’t know much about this but I did wait until after the novel to research it and wow, so much to learn and investigate. I feel Laura must have had some fun researching all of this.
The Mercury Theatre in the West End, is where Jenny, the main character, works dressing rising star and lead actress Lilith Erikson. She is there to spy on her as well and report back to a certain Mrs Dyer .
Lilith has made a pact with the tragic muse of Greek mythology, Melpomene. She will exchange something valuable for fame and greatness on the stage. Well, the deal with the devil didn’t work out for Dorian Gray did it? You get the idea of what is to come. Purcell still manages to pull the elusive rabbit magic out of the bag however.
Now, sticking with the theatre atmosphere – there are some scenes involving blood that will stay with me for some time to come. Some gruesome moments. Very dramatic and disturbing too. What I found really disturbing however was the poor character of Lilith and Jenny, women of their time with little to no freedom.
This is magical, ethereal and a wonderfully immersive reading AND theatre experience.
I applauded at the end. Well, I thought it was fitting.
February 14, 2023
This was a fun, gothic read set in a Victorian theatre. I loved all the atmosphere and references to classic tragedies during this novel and the scene setting was vivid and colourful.
There were truly horrifying moments in this book, that I must admit stretched the tradition of the Gothic genre for me, straying from the more subtle, ambiguous haunting style of atmosphere building. I also felt that some of the themes within the plot were quite serious and held maybe too much of a light touch, used merely as more shock elements to the overall spooky feeling.
I did not really warm to the characters - some of them are supposed to be vile - but even Jenny the protagonist felt a little one-dimensional and I couldn't really get on board with how she was used as a pawn throughout the novel.
Yet, as with all Purcell novels this had me compulsively turning the pages right until the end and I enjoyed the experience overall.
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.
There were truly horrifying moments in this book, that I must admit stretched the tradition of the Gothic genre for me, straying from the more subtle, ambiguous haunting style of atmosphere building. I also felt that some of the themes within the plot were quite serious and held maybe too much of a light touch, used merely as more shock elements to the overall spooky feeling.
I did not really warm to the characters - some of them are supposed to be vile - but even Jenny the protagonist felt a little one-dimensional and I couldn't really get on board with how she was used as a pawn throughout the novel.
Yet, as with all Purcell novels this had me compulsively turning the pages right until the end and I enjoyed the experience overall.
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.
April 1, 2023
didn't really get into this book, the idea for plot seemed interesting but felt didn't quite carry it though
March 19, 2023
Five stars for this wonderful and deliciously gothic book set in the world of theatre.
When Jenny is offered the job of dressing the heroine of Mercury theatre by Mrs Dyer, the wife of the owner, she has every reason to be grateful. Jenny's brother Greg had a bad parting with The Mercury and Jenny is struggling to make ends meet and care for her three younger siblings. This opportunity is a god's gift, and so what if Mrs Dyer wants Jenny to spy on the leading lady Lilith? But as the story progresses, Jenny realises that she has bitten more than she can chew and is soon hanging between the two women, in turn liking and hating both these complicated characters. And then there's the muse and her curse which Jenny feels is destroying Lilith as well as The Mercury. But what can a lowly dressmaker do but watch them all burn?
Divided in five parts, like the five acts of the plays of yore, the book makes use of five plays - Macbeth, The Duchess of Malfi, Anthony and Cleopatra, Romeo and Juliet, and Faust. Each of them cranks up the level of the tension in the story and the lives of the characters become more and more entangled with problems of both natural and supernatural origin. This is one of Purcell's novels where the supernatural is more present in the hints than it makes an actual appearance, but it is menacing all the same. I like how Purcell's books feature strong, complex and complicated female characters at a time when it was a man's world even more than it is today and how they fully manage to engage and capture the reader's imagination. She is also adept at world building, and the world of theatre comes alive in The Whispering Muse.
Definitely recommended!
When Jenny is offered the job of dressing the heroine of Mercury theatre by Mrs Dyer, the wife of the owner, she has every reason to be grateful. Jenny's brother Greg had a bad parting with The Mercury and Jenny is struggling to make ends meet and care for her three younger siblings. This opportunity is a god's gift, and so what if Mrs Dyer wants Jenny to spy on the leading lady Lilith? But as the story progresses, Jenny realises that she has bitten more than she can chew and is soon hanging between the two women, in turn liking and hating both these complicated characters. And then there's the muse and her curse which Jenny feels is destroying Lilith as well as The Mercury. But what can a lowly dressmaker do but watch them all burn?
Divided in five parts, like the five acts of the plays of yore, the book makes use of five plays - Macbeth, The Duchess of Malfi, Anthony and Cleopatra, Romeo and Juliet, and Faust. Each of them cranks up the level of the tension in the story and the lives of the characters become more and more entangled with problems of both natural and supernatural origin. This is one of Purcell's novels where the supernatural is more present in the hints than it makes an actual appearance, but it is menacing all the same. I like how Purcell's books feature strong, complex and complicated female characters at a time when it was a man's world even more than it is today and how they fully manage to engage and capture the reader's imagination. She is also adept at world building, and the world of theatre comes alive in The Whispering Muse.
Definitely recommended!
May 3, 2023
A slam dunk 5 star read! Dare I say this may be Laura Purcell’s best yet?! I found this very original and unexpected in terms of story and plot- a flavour of Lovecraft about it. The blend of historical detail, treading the Victorian boards, combined with the horror fantasy is perfectly and skilfully balanced.
February 19, 2023
For me this was not the same quality as Laura Purcell's previous books, both in the storyline and the writing. A fairly enjoyable read, nonetheless.
February 13, 2023
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Bloomsbury for approving me for an ARC of this book. I first came across Laura Purcell when I listened to the audio, The Shape of Darkness, since then I have been collecting her books and couldn’t resist reading this one. I read this with my lovely friend Bex via Storygraph.
Set in Victorian England we are introduced to the world of theatre and all the superstitions it holds. After her elder brother abandons them our protagonist Jenny is struggling to provide for her younger siblings. She is desperate and wants to create a better life for them all so when Mrs Dyer makes her a generous offer, Jenny finds it hard to say no.
Once inside the theatre, Jenny discovers that this is going to be more than just a simple job of dressing and reporting activities to Mrs Dyer. Whilst Lilith is not the kindest of people Jenny soon finds herself ‘bewitched’ by her and wonders if she has fallen in too deep. As more and more tragedy befalls the theatre Jenny begins to question who the enemy really is and is the curse of Melpomene true?
However, there’s still a show to put on and the different plays matched the behind-the-scenes action perfectly. Learning about the superstitions and seeing the fear in the other workers and performers only added to an already haunting read. Laura Purcell is the queen of gothic stories that chill you to the bone. With complex and morally corrupt characters, haunting settings and spine-tingling prose, this needs to be on your reading pile.
Set in Victorian England we are introduced to the world of theatre and all the superstitions it holds. After her elder brother abandons them our protagonist Jenny is struggling to provide for her younger siblings. She is desperate and wants to create a better life for them all so when Mrs Dyer makes her a generous offer, Jenny finds it hard to say no.
Once inside the theatre, Jenny discovers that this is going to be more than just a simple job of dressing and reporting activities to Mrs Dyer. Whilst Lilith is not the kindest of people Jenny soon finds herself ‘bewitched’ by her and wonders if she has fallen in too deep. As more and more tragedy befalls the theatre Jenny begins to question who the enemy really is and is the curse of Melpomene true?
However, there’s still a show to put on and the different plays matched the behind-the-scenes action perfectly. Learning about the superstitions and seeing the fear in the other workers and performers only added to an already haunting read. Laura Purcell is the queen of gothic stories that chill you to the bone. With complex and morally corrupt characters, haunting settings and spine-tingling prose, this needs to be on your reading pile.
March 25, 2024
Es war mir ein schauerliches Vergnügen
Wieder einmal schafft es die Queen of Gothic: Laura Purcell, uns in eine andere Zeit und in eine andere Thematik, in diesem Fall das Theater, mitzureißen, wie nur sie es kann.
Sie hat es geschafft uns die Welt und die damit verbundenen Gefühle des Theaters komplett offenzulegen und uns eintauchen zu lassen.
Schauerliche Elemente als auch die des Horror und Thriller, wurden geschickt miteinander verwoben, sodass wir zwischen Geistern, Musen, Teufeln und der Wirklichkeit im Dunkeln tappen und auf ein Licht zu steuern, das sich als Fegefeuer herausstellt.
Das alles geschieht indem wir Jenny begleiten wie sie die Garderobiere der Schauspielerin Lilith wird, die augenscheinlich nur so gut spielen kann, da sie einen Pakt mit Melpomene der Muse der tragischen Dichtkunst geschlossen haben soll.
Es entwickelt sich ein Katz und Maus spiel in der unsere Protagonistin zwischen den Rollen der Gefährtin und Freundin, als auch der Spionin und Widersacherin schwankt. Und gleichzeitig versucht sie sich um ihre Familie zu kümmern.
Kann man ihr trauen? Oder sollte man lieber einen großen Bogen um sie machen? Was hat es mit dem Pakt auf sich und existiert überhaupt einer und wenn ja mit wem?
Für mich eine Empfehlung an jeden der das schauerliche und mysteriöse zu würdigen weiß.
Wieder einmal schafft es die Queen of Gothic: Laura Purcell, uns in eine andere Zeit und in eine andere Thematik, in diesem Fall das Theater, mitzureißen, wie nur sie es kann.
Sie hat es geschafft uns die Welt und die damit verbundenen Gefühle des Theaters komplett offenzulegen und uns eintauchen zu lassen.
Schauerliche Elemente als auch die des Horror und Thriller, wurden geschickt miteinander verwoben, sodass wir zwischen Geistern, Musen, Teufeln und der Wirklichkeit im Dunkeln tappen und auf ein Licht zu steuern, das sich als Fegefeuer herausstellt.
Das alles geschieht indem wir Jenny begleiten wie sie die Garderobiere der Schauspielerin Lilith wird, die augenscheinlich nur so gut spielen kann, da sie einen Pakt mit Melpomene der Muse der tragischen Dichtkunst geschlossen haben soll.
Es entwickelt sich ein Katz und Maus spiel in der unsere Protagonistin zwischen den Rollen der Gefährtin und Freundin, als auch der Spionin und Widersacherin schwankt. Und gleichzeitig versucht sie sich um ihre Familie zu kümmern.
Kann man ihr trauen? Oder sollte man lieber einen großen Bogen um sie machen? Was hat es mit dem Pakt auf sich und existiert überhaupt einer und wenn ja mit wem?
Für mich eine Empfehlung an jeden der das schauerliche und mysteriöse zu würdigen weiß.
November 6, 2023
**Rating: 4/5**
“You see, now, the beauty of tragedy? It has so many faces. Not all doom and gloom but nobility, honour and a hundred other qualities. You may laugh at a comedy, but you’ll forget it in time. Tragedy has burrs. It sticks to your heart. You remember what it made you feel, always.”
This is my fifth book by Purcell now, and she's honestly become one of my favourite modern Gothic authors out there - she just does the Victorian horror trope so well. Most of her stories are slow burns and aren't exactly on-the-edge-of-your-seat kind of scary, but the mounting sense of unease and dread grips you until you're holding your breath, waiting for tragedy to strike.
The Whispering Muse is atmospheric, sinuous and darkly enchanting. One of my favourite things about this novel is how the theatre business was depicted: shifting and duplicitous. Nothing is ever as it seems on the surface, and people are alarmingly adept at twisting and changing their personalities to best suit their interests. Just like Purcell's other novels, the supernatural elements in this one are there to serve as a reminder of the evil in human nature - jealousy, greed and ambition - and how it can ultimately lead to ruin.
I did feel like the aforementioned supernatural elements weren't explored enough, however. I had hoped to learn more about the origins of the "Muse", and how the watch and Eugene Grieves fit into all of it. This was explained to a certain extent but was only done so very briefly, and it would've made the story just slightly more satisfying.
I'd recommend this to all Gothic lovers, especially if you're looking for a change from the usual Victorian haunted mansion/castle, and I eagerly await Purcell's next book!
“You see, now, the beauty of tragedy? It has so many faces. Not all doom and gloom but nobility, honour and a hundred other qualities. You may laugh at a comedy, but you’ll forget it in time. Tragedy has burrs. It sticks to your heart. You remember what it made you feel, always.”
This is my fifth book by Purcell now, and she's honestly become one of my favourite modern Gothic authors out there - she just does the Victorian horror trope so well. Most of her stories are slow burns and aren't exactly on-the-edge-of-your-seat kind of scary, but the mounting sense of unease and dread grips you until you're holding your breath, waiting for tragedy to strike.
The Whispering Muse is atmospheric, sinuous and darkly enchanting. One of my favourite things about this novel is how the theatre business was depicted: shifting and duplicitous. Nothing is ever as it seems on the surface, and people are alarmingly adept at twisting and changing their personalities to best suit their interests. Just like Purcell's other novels, the supernatural elements in this one are there to serve as a reminder of the evil in human nature - jealousy, greed and ambition - and how it can ultimately lead to ruin.
I did feel like the aforementioned supernatural elements weren't explored enough, however. I had hoped to learn more about the origins of the "Muse", and how the watch and Eugene Grieves fit into all of it. This was explained to a certain extent but was only done so very briefly, and it would've made the story just slightly more satisfying.
I'd recommend this to all Gothic lovers, especially if you're looking for a change from the usual Victorian haunted mansion/castle, and I eagerly await Purcell's next book!
May 3, 2023
More like 3.5 stars but something is stopping me from rounding up - definitely a quick easy read with some cool concepts and great imagery though!
May 15, 2023
The Whispering Muse is everything that Gothic horror should be. It’s haunting, eerie, and compulsive. A cautionary tale that you should never underestimate a woman’s ability to exact revenge.
The Whispering Muse by Laura Purcell is definitely a contender for book of the year. The plight of a young woman trying to make ends meet to care for her family. Their brother ran off with another man’s fiancée and stole from Jenny’s employer threatening to bring her record into disrepute. The story is told in Victorian London and let me tell you – I was right there. I imagined the cobbled streets, the smog, the costumes, the inequality. Laura Purcell has a way of transporting her readers into the heart of the tale with her strong narrative skills.
Jenny has a hard life, like many families during Victorian London. Jobs are low paying and living conditions are harsh, but she makes do. After her brother leaves them in disgrace, Jenny is made to step up, to become head of the household. Her brother, Bertie needs an operation to correct club foot. They’d almost saved up enough but then her brother took that too. Jenny is invited to The Mercury theatre by its owner’s wife, Mrs Dyer, she fears its to recompense them for all her brother stole. It appears she wants to offer her a position at the theatre of dresser to their leading lady, Lilith. She is paid handsomely, however, there is a catch, of course there is.
Mrs Dyer does not like Lilith. She wants Jenny to spy on her and report back to Mrs Dyer with her weekly findings. Jenny does see that things are not as they seem with Lilith. She’s avoiding being measured for her costumes and Jenny makes it her mission to find out why. Although they have a prickly relationship together, with Lilith calling her Kitty, due to her catty behaviour, made me chuckle, they do eventually become friends. Lilith is vastly misunderstood and is also a victim of being a woman in Victorian Britain, her stature as a woman is fragile and it takes being propped up by a man with status to propel her career as an actress. My feminist rage felt for her.
Mrs Dyer wants to prepare Jenny for theatre life and Shakespeare productions in particular. She pays for her to see Dr. Faustus at a local theatre. The actor playing Faustus is well renowned for being the best. But the performance becomes marred with tragedy when the actor dies on stage in a grisly and gory fashion. A small timepiece seems to be connected and Jenny feels distraught at what she’s witnessed.
Events very quickly get out of hand and Jenny is led down a dangerous road. She is riddled with guilt for her part, and she decides to try and make amends by any means necessary. I really liked Jenny – she is a pure character that wants to see the best in everyone and is fiercely protective of her family. I felt for her as she is pulled in many different directions. She feels the pressure of being a mother figure, a good employee, but what does it leave of herself?
Laura Purcell is an amazing writer. She has a piercing talent that manages to get under her reader’s skin. The descriptions of the theatre world made me fall in love. The novel has a sense of creeping dread running through its pages. You know something is up, but you’re just waiting for the payoff and boy when it hits *chefs kiss*
The Whispering Muse by Laura Purcell is definitely a contender for book of the year. The plight of a young woman trying to make ends meet to care for her family. Their brother ran off with another man’s fiancée and stole from Jenny’s employer threatening to bring her record into disrepute. The story is told in Victorian London and let me tell you – I was right there. I imagined the cobbled streets, the smog, the costumes, the inequality. Laura Purcell has a way of transporting her readers into the heart of the tale with her strong narrative skills.
Jenny has a hard life, like many families during Victorian London. Jobs are low paying and living conditions are harsh, but she makes do. After her brother leaves them in disgrace, Jenny is made to step up, to become head of the household. Her brother, Bertie needs an operation to correct club foot. They’d almost saved up enough but then her brother took that too. Jenny is invited to The Mercury theatre by its owner’s wife, Mrs Dyer, she fears its to recompense them for all her brother stole. It appears she wants to offer her a position at the theatre of dresser to their leading lady, Lilith. She is paid handsomely, however, there is a catch, of course there is.
Mrs Dyer does not like Lilith. She wants Jenny to spy on her and report back to Mrs Dyer with her weekly findings. Jenny does see that things are not as they seem with Lilith. She’s avoiding being measured for her costumes and Jenny makes it her mission to find out why. Although they have a prickly relationship together, with Lilith calling her Kitty, due to her catty behaviour, made me chuckle, they do eventually become friends. Lilith is vastly misunderstood and is also a victim of being a woman in Victorian Britain, her stature as a woman is fragile and it takes being propped up by a man with status to propel her career as an actress. My feminist rage felt for her.
Mrs Dyer wants to prepare Jenny for theatre life and Shakespeare productions in particular. She pays for her to see Dr. Faustus at a local theatre. The actor playing Faustus is well renowned for being the best. But the performance becomes marred with tragedy when the actor dies on stage in a grisly and gory fashion. A small timepiece seems to be connected and Jenny feels distraught at what she’s witnessed.
Events very quickly get out of hand and Jenny is led down a dangerous road. She is riddled with guilt for her part, and she decides to try and make amends by any means necessary. I really liked Jenny – she is a pure character that wants to see the best in everyone and is fiercely protective of her family. I felt for her as she is pulled in many different directions. She feels the pressure of being a mother figure, a good employee, but what does it leave of herself?
Laura Purcell is an amazing writer. She has a piercing talent that manages to get under her reader’s skin. The descriptions of the theatre world made me fall in love. The novel has a sense of creeping dread running through its pages. You know something is up, but you’re just waiting for the payoff and boy when it hits *chefs kiss*
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