Second Sight

Victorian widow Venetia Milton supports her siblings through her career as a photographer in London. When she accepts a commission to photograph artifacts for the mysterious Arcane Society, she meets researcher Gabriel Jones and becomes entangled in the society's secretive world. After a dramatic incident forces Venetia to flee, she establishes herself in London society under an assumed identity as a celebrated photographer. Her past catches up with her when Gabriel Jones reappears, bringing with him dangers connected to the Arcane Society and its powerful artifacts. Together, Venetia and Gabriel must navigate London's high society while investigating a series of supernatural crimes and confronting their own psychic abilities. Their quest leads them through drawing rooms, séances, and the darker corners of Victorian London. The novel explores themes of identity, power, and the tension between science and the supernatural in Victorian society. Through its blend of romance and paranormal mystery, it examines how people choose to present themselves to the world versus who they truly are.

Readers praise the Victorian paranormal romance elements and the chemistry between protagonists Venetia and Gabriel. Many reviews highlight Quick's signature blend of mystery and romance, with particular appreciation for the psychic abilities woven into the plot. Readers liked: - Fast-paced narrative - Period-appropriate dialogue - Balance of supernatural and historical elements - Strong female lead character - Mystery subplot Common criticisms: - Predictable plot developments - Similar to other Amanda Quick novels in structure - Some found the psychic elements unrealistic - Secondary characters need more development Ratings: Goodreads: 3.95/5 (14,700+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (380+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (90+ ratings) One frequent reader comment notes: "The paranormal aspects enhance rather than overshadow the historical romance." Multiple reviewers mention the book works well as a standalone, though it shares themes with Quick's other works.

The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn A determined spinster encounters a rake who uses his psychic abilities in the glittering ballrooms of Regency London while solving a dangerous mystery.

The Perfect Poison by Amanda Quick A botanist and an investigator combine their paranormal talents to catch a killer in Victorian London's scientific society.

Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn A Victorian widow teams with a private investigator to solve her husband's murder using unconventional methods and growing supernatural awareness.

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig A modern scholar uncovers the tale of a female spy with unique gifts who infiltrated Napoleon's court while falling for a fellow agent.

The Lady Julia Grey Series by Deanna Raybourn A noblewoman discovers her latent supernatural abilities while investigating crimes in Victorian England with a mysterious private detective.

🔮 "Second Sight" was published in 2006 as part of Amanda Quick's Arcane Society series, which blends Victorian romance with paranormal abilities and psychic phenomena. 💫 Amanda Quick is actually a pen name for Jayne Ann Krentz, who uses different names for different genres: Amanda Quick (historical), Jayne Ann Krentz (contemporary), and Jayne Castle (futuristic). 🌙 The book's Victorian spiritualism theme reflects actual historical events - the mid-to-late 1800s saw a massive surge in interest in psychic phenomena and séances among England's upper classes. 📚 The Arcane Society, featured in the book, spans multiple series by the author across different time periods, creating an intricate multi-generational saga of psychically gifted families. 🗝️ The author extensively researched Victorian-era investigative methods and crime-solving techniques to create an authentic backdrop for the paranormal mystery elements in the story.