I very much enjoyed reading The Whitechapel Widow. It was a fast paced read, full of intriguing twists and drive to find out who did it. The story was easy to get into, with a likeable protagonist. It felt quite surreal but I really enjoyed it.

Brilliant historical mystery, that kept me in it's grip from start to finish! Things are not at all as they seem and the unraveling of both the personal mystery of her marriage AND who then killed her husband keeps both the heroine and the reader hooked until the end.

Engaging mystery, but it felt like way too many chapters were used to tell the story. At some stages I skimmed through to get to the actual action.

This is the first book by this author I have read, and this is the first book in the series. It was a well-set-out story with many twists and turns, and the characters were relatable. I enjoyed that it kept me guessing till the end. The only thing I found a little off was that our heroine was unwell I the beginning, but her health did not impede her search for answers. But saying that, I am looking forward to the next book in the series to see how she will develop her new skills. I received this as an ARC from Netgalley and freely give my review.

It's 1888 and Emma Langley, recently married to husband William sees herself thrown into turmoil not of her own making with so many questions and not enough answers what's a lady to do? Why start her own investigation of course!

The descriptive and detailed writing brings the characters to life and the atmospheric setting adds to mystery and depth of the story telling.

Emma is a delightful characters whose resilience and vulnerability make her all the more charming.

A solid start to a new series that I'm looking forward to reading more of.

The 19th century London, terrified of the horrors of Jack the Ripper, provides the perfect backdrop for Emily Organ's novel, which is at once a crime thriller, historical fiction, and character-based drama. "The Whitechapel Widow" pulled me in from the start with the way the author wove the serial killer's murder mystery into a personal tragedy – the mysterious death of Emma Langley's husband.

Emma's character is likeable and human. She is smart, kind, and if necessary, outspoken – yet naive and trusting, but never becomes annoying or arrogant. Such balance is rare. Penny Green, the former reporter, brings energy to the story: she's a quick-witted, unconventional thinker who's always in the right place at the right time. It was also very interesting to read about the dynamic between her and her husband. Though from a 21st century feminist perspective, I did not agree with all of his actions, given the context of the era, Penny's husband comes across as a rather progressive man.

One of the strongest elements of the book is its atmosphere. Emily Organ does an excellent job of building up the dark, haunting, yet lively London milieu. The descriptions of the streets, the pubs, the solicitors' offices, and the characters' homes are almost cinematic – it really felt like I was walking under the gas lamps or down a dank alleyway.

The short but many chapters give the book a brisk pace and maintain the suspense throughout. I particularly liked the fact that we could follow the events from several characters' points of view – it made the story more nuanced and helped us to see the context better.

As I was investigating with Emma, I repeatedly thought I knew who the killer was – but then another twist, a new witness, or a secret from her husband's past, put everything in a new light. The ending was a complete surprise. I had a few good guesses, but in the end I couldn't find out who was behind it all.

Overall, "The Whitechapel Widow" is a gripping, well-constructed historical crime novel with strong characters, a tense atmosphere and surprising twists. Anyone who likes mysteries and slowly unfolding secrets should pick up this novel.

Emily Organ has quickly become one of my favorite authors! I just finished the last book in her Penny Green series and was so delighted to see we get to visit old friends in the Emma Langley series! This book has everything I loved from the other series! I’m already hooked and I’m in it for the long haul!

In 1888 London, Emma Langley's world collapses when her husband is found murdered in Whitechapel, revealing he was not the man she believed him to be. With the help of former reporter Penny Green, Emma uncovers a web of lies, blackmail, and corruption stretching from high society to the East End’s darkest corners. As she closes in on the truth, Emma risks becoming the murderer’s next victim.

Having read several of the Penny Green series, I was intrigued to see how this new series connected back. Emma is a naive woman, having to face the harsh realities of the world. This made her a sympathetic character to follow, and her mistakes were understandable.
The structure of the novel took me by surprise. I was not expecting such short chapters. There were also a lot of characters to keep track of, since the narrative will randomly jump to other characters. I’m not a huge fan of this, and it was far too easy for me to just put the book down.

Overall, it is an interesting start. Honestly, it wasn’t an immediate favorite, but I didn’t dislike it. Readers looking for an easy to read historical mystery will enjoy this one.

This story, although basically about a murder, was also very entertaining with a hint at the emancipation of women. A variety of characters from both sides of the Law and based around the East End of London at the time of Jack the Ripper. I really enjoyed reading the book.

Okay, this was such a fun surprise! I’m a total sucker for Victorian murder mysteries and The Whitechapel Widow gave me exactly what I wanted; London foggy streets, shady secrets, and a heroine who doesn’t back down when things get messy.

Emma’s husband disappears in a super suspicious way and from there, things unravel fast. Lies, secrets, a double life (or maybe triple?) it gets wild. I felt like every chapter added a new twist, and while there were a lot of characters to keep track of, I was hooked.

It’s not a perfect mystery, but it’s fast-paced and totally entertaining. I zipped through it and definitely want to keep following Emma’s story. Solid start to a series with serious potential.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Thanks to Storm Publishing and Net Galley for this ARC. I love the Penny Green series and this book and has really set up a new series well. Its great having characters in there we know. Looking forward to book No 2.

I love a good mix of historical fiction and thriller, and The Whitechapel Widow delivered on both. Emma’s shift from grieving wife to determined investigator was so well done, and the backdrop of Jack the Ripper’s London added the perfect amount of tension.

I’d definitely read more of these characters' adventures. 4 stars and I’ll be keeping up with this series.

This is a Victorian murder / mystery. Our heroine is obviously the widow. After her husband is murdered, she finds out that he was not at all the man she believed. As the police force of that time were very busy trying to find a certain "ripper," they hadn't got time to help her find his killer.
This story is a fascinating look into the trials and tribulations of women in Victorian times. Our heroine is a lot more intelligent and brave than the men surrounding her believe. I didn't guess the correct killer, although there are a lot of villains to choose from.
It definitely kept me interested from the first to last page

This book took me quite a few weeks to read! I do like the author but a fairly new mom assisting in investigating did not sit right with me!
We have Emma Langley a very recent widow who did not know her husband at all or the company he kept!
She believed he was taking her to the country to start a family and a fresh start!
Emma was very naive and he definitely married her not only for her money but he has multiple women under his belt!
After he is murdered Emma has a wonderful couple who take her in! Emma starts to feel more like she is capable of finding the killers!
It is interesting to watch her use her brain and go from very fearful to an intelligent, wise young woman!
Clues are adding up and they put her in touch with Penny Green aka Penny Blakely who is very bored and wants to utilize her inquisitive investigative skills to aid Emma!
Thankfully her husband assists in many ways during this investigation!
Because these two are constantly getting into scrapes!
It is a story with several twists and turns and the suspects keep mounting along with the body count! Definitely keeps you on your toes! Bravo

First and foremost, thank you to the publishers for the e-arc of this book. I love a good mystery set in white chapel! I thought the author did a great job recreating the London setting. I would absolutely recommend this book to my friends! I loved the character arc and I am hoping for a sequel! I would give the book a solid 4 stars I could read it again and be happy to be back in the world the author created.

The Whitechapel Widow is a very well-plotted historical mystery set at the time of the attacks by Jack the Ripper in London. The author does a fabulous job of weaving the narrative through known events, and I really enjoyed the mystery elements. Emma is a great new main character, but I also enjoyed the inclusion of Emily's heroine, Penny Green.

I will certainly be reading more of the series.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy.

This was an interesting murder mystery that kept you guessing to the end. The characters of Emma Langley and her new found friend Penny Green were strong women of the time, who persevered in their conquest to find Emma's husbands murderer despite the attitude of the many men in this story. This history of London described in the book was a fascinating insight into life in London in the 1880's. The references to Jack the Ripper brought the fear and terror of the people of London alive without dwelling on it too much.

A great story that made me want to read the next novel in the series.

This was my first Emily Organ read and it definitely won't be my last! I can't quite put my finger on what it is that sets it apart from a lot of the Victorian mysteries out there but I'll try.

It was well written and the mysteries kept coming in twists turns and curves. The Victorian era was very well written and the research thoroughly done there. The history and facts that were woven into the story were spot on and cleverly inserted.

The characters were quite true to the era too which is, I think, what was different. Emma Langley, a lady of her time, had fainting spells, was scared and unsure of herself and didn't leap from one genius thought to the other. She wasn't a Victorian lady equivalent of Bruce Willis or the type of heroine who had thoughts beyond her time, even when most writers portray their characters with modern traits and thinking. The other characters who were genuine still had the 'A woman's place is in the home' attitude which was classic to the time. There wasn't a huge disaster when it came to apprehending the villains with scores of fighting and huge take-downs but it was genuinely what it might have been at the time.

It was a genuinely enjoyable book with some great characters and I'm delighted to think it may have been the first of a series.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you storm publishing and Netgalley for this ARC

I was sold the moment I realized this book revolves around Jack The Ripper.
The writing is superb and Mrs Langley is a character easy to like and root for.

Penny Blakely, née Green, is absolutely marvelous and the way she maneuvers societal expectations and misogyny; amazing!

This book cemented why I like historical mysteries; the slow, methodical investigation people had to do when they had no phones, fingerprints, google or CCTV etc… interviewing people, reading gestures and social cues, digging into unusual places, I eat it up every time. Bradshaw, the policeman, was so frustrating to read but I am glad he saw the light eventually.

I also managed to read while listening to the audiobook and Eilidh Beaton does a superb job capturing the voices, accents and ✨vibes✨ of all the characters.

I am now interested in reading Emily Organ’s backlist; I expect it to be a fun ride!

3.5 stars

An enjoyable atmospheric historical mystery series debut set during the Jack the Ripper era. Widow Emma Langley discovers her late husband is hiding a lot of secrets after his body is found. With the police being useless, she turns to ex-journalist Penny Green for help.

I am really hooked by this new book and enjoyed Emma's growth as she starts to realise she's worth more than just being a naive wife. At times she blunders about telling the wrong people too much information, but it’s believable. I really felt for her as she learns the truth about William and the realisations she comes to about women's place and how they're at the mercy of their husbands. At times though the pace did drag a bit and the tension to find the killer lost a bit.

It as also really great to see Penny Green, now married to Detective Jack Blakely with two young kids. Except it also really sucked that this fierecely awesome independent character sidelined and forced to quit her job. While era appropriate, Jack constantly reminded her that her duties her life was basically only important because of her service to their kids. That said the book explores Penny wanting to be more than a wife and mother and her tribulations trying to find herself something just for her. But I really hate that Emily Organ married her off to Jack when she didnt want to marry or have kids, and now her independence has been completely cut off from her. Jack is no romantic hero, especially when he knows Penny is a way better detective than him.

I can't wait for book two though.

Thanks to Storm and NetGalley for the ARC.