The London Séance Society
Moderated by Marielle Suárez
Plot Summary
Lenna Wickes, a young woman who does not believe in ghosts, is investigating the mysterious death of her younger sister, Evie. The trail leads her to the London Séance Society, an all-male collective to which her sister was connected. The novel alternates between chapters from Lenna’s perspective and those from Mr. Morely, the head of the Society’s Department of Spiritualism.
A Mysterious Invitation
The story begins in Paris, where Lenna is an apprentice to Vaudeline D’Allaire, a medium who specializes in contacting the spirits of people who died under mysterious circumstances. A letter from Mr. Morely arrives, announcing the murder of the Society’s president, Mr. Volckman, and requesting Vaudeline’s assistance. Though they are not aware of it, Morely’s narration reveals he met Evie before she died and even struck up a relationship with her.
Lenna, though irritated by the disruption, agrees to accompany Vaudeline to London. Along the way, Vaudeline reveals that she left the Society because of rampant fraud and warned Evie to stay away. However, when Lenna sees Morely wearing her sister’s hat, she insists on getting involved.
Unraveling the Conspiracy
In London, Morely introduces them to Constable Beck, who is tasked with protecting them. Lenna and Vaudeline are shocked to find Evie’s initials in the Society’s visitor log. Morely’s narration reveals that he allowed Evie access to the Society’s library and resources in exchange for sexual favors.
During a séance, Vaudeline proves herself to be an authentic medium, which earns her the trust of a grieving widow. The widow reveals that a fraudulent medium, Mr. Dankwork, attempted to sexually assault her, but was stopped by Volckman. Lenna also learns that Morely himself is a ringleader of fraudulent mediums within the Society. Morely’s narration confirms this, revealing he planned to use Evie to shore up his department’s credibility.
The Final Confrontation
Lenna finally reveals her identity to Morely, who denies knowing her sister. A note from the carriage driver warns her that Morely is lying. She breaks into his study, finds Evie’s notebook, and learns the truth: her sister was writing an exposé on the Society’s malpractice. Evie was led to her death by a forged letter from Morely. Lenna discovers that Volckman, the president of the Society, was the true mastermind behind the murders of rich men to gain access to their wealth. Evie and Volckman died in a struggle in the wine cellar, and Morely hid Evie’s body, making it appear as if she was murdered separately.
The séance becomes a deadly showdown. Morely, revealed to be the killer, plans to escape an explosion, leaving everyone else to die. Lenna is possessed by Evie’s spirit, who reveals the truth about Volckman. Evie’s spirit attacks Morely, allowing Lenna, Vaudeline, and Beck to escape. Morely dies in the explosion. Lenna performs a final séance, freeing Evie’s spirit while trapping Volckman and Morely’s in a state of permanent limbo. The novel ends with Lenna and Vaudeline in a romantic relationship in Paris, with Lenna set to complete her sister’s exposé.
Symbols
Evie’s Journal and Exposé
The London Séance Society explores the idea of hidden histories, particularly those of marginalized women. Evie’s journal and exposé, which detail her daily life and her investigation of the Society, serve as a powerful symbol of these silenced histories. The men of the Society actively try to conceal her work, literally locking it away in a hidden drawer, much like how patriarchal systems have historically obscured or destroyed the stories of women and the LGBTQ+ community. Lenna’s discovery and completion of her sister’s work represent the struggle to uncover and honor these suppressed histories. By publishing the exposé, Lenna continues the work of women like Vaudeline and Evie, exposing the lies and corruption that the Society has used to maintain its power.
Evie’s Apportation
In spiritualism, an apportation is an object that appears randomly during a séance. As a skeptic, Lenna initially disbelieves in them, but she also craves the tangible proof they would provide. The only apportation to appear in the novel is an amber stone, which replaces a feather Lenna brought to the séance. This amber, “void of inclusions,” symbolizes the mended relationship between Lenna and Evie, who communicates through the stone and gives her sister a perfect gift. The flawless amber, which has no hidden history, suggests that Lenna is finally released from the need to solve her sister’s murder and can now live her own life.
Ghosts
Ghosts in the novel represent the persistence of the past and the liminal space between the living and the dead. For Lenna, ghosts initially symbolize her skepticism toward spiritualism and her longing for tangible proof. She detests the idea of believing in something without evidence, but she also desperately wants to reconnect with her loved ones who have passed away. As the story unfolds, her relationship with the concept of ghosts changes. In the climactic séance, Evie’s ghost gives her the concrete proof she always craved, but by then, Lenna no longer needs it. She has already moved beyond her need for certainty and has learned to trust in her emotions and in the spiritual world, ultimately finding peace.
Character Analysis
Lenna Wickes
Lenna Wickes is the dynamic protagonist of the novel. She begins the story as a rational, anxious woman who is skeptical of spiritualism and unsure how to reconcile her professional ambitions with her hidden desires for women. Her investigation into her sister’s death and her burgeoning romance with the medium Vaudeline D’Allaire force her to confront these internal conflicts. Through her relationship with Vaudeline, Lenna learns to trust her instincts and desires rather than just physical evidence. While she never abandons her rational mind, she gains the confidence to embrace spiritualism on her own terms. By the novel’s end, she has found a new self-assurance, expressing her full identity while retaining her autonomy.
Vaudeline D’Allaire
Vaudeline D’Allaire is a secondary character who serves as a mentor and foil to Lenna. As an accomplished medium, she uses her skills to solve mysterious deaths and guides Lenna through the world of spiritualism. In contrast to Lenna, Vaudeline is confident in her sexuality and has a wide range of life experiences. She drives much of the plot initially, but as Lenna grows in confidence and skill, Vaudeline takes a back seat, allowing her protégé to lead the investigation and hone her own abilities. Ultimately, Vaudeline provides a template for Lenna to follow, showing her a path to a life of authenticity and self-discovery.
Mr. Morely
Mr. Morely is the novel’s primary antagonist and an unreliable narrator. He initially appears as a pitiable man with a birthmark who feels isolated from society. He enters into a transactional relationship with Evie, who uses his social vulnerability and attraction to gain access to the Society. However, his true nature is revealed as the novel progresses: a misogynistic con artist motivated by financial gain. He uses the Society to exploit grieving women for their money, and his interactions with women become increasingly cruel. In the end, his deadly plan against Lenna and Vaudeline backfires, leading to his own death.
Evie Wickes
Evie Wickes is Lenna’s younger sister, an ardent spiritualist who died under mysterious circumstances. The novel’s primary timeline begins with her death, which acts as the inciting incident for the plot. Although she is absent for most of the narrative, she is a central figure who influences Lenna’s journey from a place of deep skepticism to one of belief. Her character is revealed through the memories of others and her own journal, which provides Lenna with the truth about the London Séance Society. In a dramatic climax, her ghost appears and helps Lenna defeat the antagonist, thus getting her final revenge.
