The Parlour Game

The Parlour Game is a well written historical magical fantasy and new series opener by Jennifer Renshaw. Released 31st Aug 2022, it's 411 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

This is an atmospheric gothic mystery with magic and spiritualism and more mundane criminal elements. The characters are subtly and (mostly) believably rendered, and the plotting is above average. I never found myself yanked out of my suspension of disbelief by clunky dialogue, and my interest didn't wander. In fact despite the length of the book (400+ pages), I finished it in one sitting. 

This is an indie published work, and as such, it could have benefited from a more enthusiastic/thorough editing process; but it is perfectly readable in the ARC formats sent out for review. One thing which the author does exceedingly well is capturing a creeping dread and gloomy tension. There's no overt reliance on jump-scares, but it constantly feels as though something's going to happen. 

The author does a good job summoning up the atmosphere of late Victorian London including the gloom and fog and mystery. There are plot threads which are not resolved in this book; the author has confirmed a sequel, so they'll presumably be addressed in the follow up book(s).

Four stars. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.