The Whispering Muse set in the theatre – Laura Purcell

Submitted: 12th December 2022

The Whispering Muse

Another Laura Purcell novel. Set in a theatre. Told in several acts – each one based on a different play and a different muse. A different curse….

This is goooooooooooooooooooooooood.

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Boarding Pass Information : The Whispering Muse

Destination : London, the theatre world

Author guide: Laura Purcell

Genre: Historical fiction, gothic

Food and drink to accompany: Nothing – theatre food is too expensive

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BookTrail the locations in The Whispering Muse

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 .

BookTrail the locations in The Whispering Muse

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.