Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld is the second volume in the Miss Morton Mysteries series by Catherine Lloyd and it is one fun, fast cozy historical mystery. Set in 1838, Mrs Frogerton has asked Caroline to accompany her to a seance.. Caroline is skeptical but the medium seems to know things abt her family. She decides to return and asks her friend, Dr Harris, to accompany her. This time, the medium says something that seems to anger Harris. When the medium is later found dead, Dr Harris becomes the main suspect. Miss Morton is convinced he is innocent and, with the aid of her employer, she is determined to prove it no matter the danger.

I have enjoyed both books in the series. The characters, both old and new, are, fir the mist part very likeable. There are plenty of twists and turns and red herrings to keep the story moving at a brisk pace and keep the reader guessing. Definitely an entertaining read for fans of historical cozies with interesting and stron female protagonists.

I received an arc of this book from Netgalley and Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review ( )

Quick easy read. Caroline Morton (aka Lady Caroline) accompanies her employer to a séance and meets Professor Brown, a friend of Mrs. Froggerton’s Dr. Harris. Caroline, is skeptical, but agrees to attend again to please Mrs. Froggerton but before that can happen Madame is murdered. Mrs. Froggerton wants to clear Dr. Harris and Caroline is helping her all while Dorothy Froggerton’s first social season is taking place. Plenty of suspects among attendees at the séance and the police looking for a quick solution challenge Caroline and Mrs. Froggerton. ( )

“There are more things in heaven and earth!” (Hamlet)

Once again Caroline Morton finds herself involved in a death. This time a medium, Madame Lavina is murdered, and strangely she’s left a note for Caroline.
Caroline’s kindly employer Mrs. Frogerton had wanted Caroline to accompany her to a séance.
It’s 1838, the beginnings of Victoria’s reign. Spiritualism and mannerism are all the rage during these times
Interestingly, Dr. Harris is present, as is Madame L’s brother, Professor Douglas Brown, who we are told is conducting a scientific study of spiritualism. Caroline is impressed by his serious undertaking. There’s noises, electric currents and smoke involved, but Caroline detects something else.
The last thing Caroline wants is to be investigating another murder, but it seems she is!
Meanwhile her charge, Mrs. Frogerton’s daughter Dorothea, is looking beyond a plain mister (no matter how charming and wealthy) and has fixed her sights on the Viscount Augustus Lingard. (Although, if a Duke happened along she’d be thrilled, even if they’re quite old.)
Ah, the charms of youth!
The mystery of how Madam L. was killed and by whom is complicated. The ‘after the event’ revelation brings more mystery.

A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher. ( )

historical-novel, historical-places-events, historical-research, history-and-culture, British, cozy-mystery, medium, murder-investigation, amateur-sleuth, fraud, spiritism, local-law-enforcement, poisons, false-information, false-conclusions, reduced-circumstances, paid-companion, extortion, seance, secrets, series*****

Impoverished Lady Caroline Morton is helping her employer Dorothy Frogerton by being her lady's companion and also with some amateur sleuthing. It appears that an alleged medium in town has an interesting sideline and is also apparently poisoned just before Miss Morton visits, and things get more interesting rather rapidly. The publisher's blurb is a good one so I won't repeat it. Loved it and hope for more in series.
I requested and received an EARC from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you! ( )

*** 4.4 Stars ***
It is 1838 and Miss Caroline Morton along with her employer Mrs. Frogerton and Mrs. Frogerton’s daughter Dorothy have settled into their rented London home to attend Dorothy’s first season. Dealing with the ton will be a cakewalk compared to the harrowing times they lived through in Miss Morton and the English Houseparty Murder, the first book in the series.

Dorothy is busy setting the ton on its ear with her forthright, headstrong, and very engaging manner. Yes, they sit up and take notice even though her wealth comes from – gulp - gasp – trade. Meanwhile, Mrs. Frogerton has taken an interest in spiritualism and has attended a few sessions with Madam Lavinia. She even takes Caroline with her to a session to see what she thinks about it. Very doubtful and very skeptical, Caroline wants to bring Dr. Harris to one of the sessions for his opinion. Why? Well, Madam Lavinia passed along something that no one else could have known – and she did the same with Dr. Harris. Could she genuinely have a gift? We’ll never know because Caroline and Dr. Harris found her body – and Dr. Harris was soon charged with murder.

It was so much fun watching Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton set Scotland Yard on its ear with their staunch belief in Dr. Harris and their flat-out refusal to let him be railroaded. Since Sergeant Dawson wasn’t really interested in finding the real murderer – he only wanted to close the case as quickly as possible – Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton decided they’d solve it to save their friend.

I think you’ll be genuinely surprised by the identity of the villain. You will probably wonder – what if – but you won’t be sure. There are plenty of red herrings to keep you and our erstwhile sleuths off on tangents and plenty of wit to keep you smiling and shaking your head.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can recommend it. The characters are delightful – especially Mrs. Frogerton, because, for me, she steals the show. So far, there isn’t a romance of any sort – and I really need one of those to totally enjoy the series. There is, of course, Dr. Harris from the last book. I never warmed to him in that book and the same was true of this one. Then, there is a new character, Mr. DeBloom, who is a bit intriguing. Not only could he be an excellent romantic interest, but there are some other hints of things to come for Caroline’s future as well. Cool – mystery within a mystery.

So, if you decide to read this book – I hope you love it as much as I did! Happy Reading!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ( )