The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion

Last summer I had the great pleasure of directing the multi-talented Genevieve Gaunt in a charming, quirky series of novels by American author Beth Brower: ‘The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion’ (Vols 1-8: 1883-1884).  This is a historical romantic comedy series, laced with pathos, mystery and a dash of magic, and set in the fictional London parish of St Crispians, Primrose Hill.   Perhaps best described as steam punk without the punk.  Or comical-tragical-historical-romantical-magical-whimsical.  Certainly, completely original.

It was a genuine delight to go into studio each day to revisit St. Crispian’s and its eccentric cast of Denizens and Associates. We had tremendous fun bringing them all to life and have so far banked over 120 recurring character voices.  Beth’s world-building is enchanting and her characters, the good and the bad, are memorable.

We published the existing 8 audiobooks in autumn 2025, anxious to please Beth’s passionate fan base.  We needn’t have worried – by the end of January 2026 we had already clocked up over 1,500 5* ratings and countless glowing reviews on audible.com and audible.co.uk alone.  The series is a word-of-mouth triumph, and we are watching the success with pride and delight.  We worked incredibly hard on these books, so it is gratifying to see it pay off. 

Beth remains tight-lipped about the events of Volume 9 (July-August 1884), so we are indulging in some pleasurable speculation while we await the new volume.  We do know it will include an eccentric for-1-night-only production of Shakespeare’s ‘Julius Caesar’ – an annual event in St. Crispians and the hottest of hot tickets.  And that Arabella may be In Peril of Marriage to a Wealthy Rake.

We recorded Emma M. Lion at the Strathmore Studios, Clerkenwell – one of the best studios in London and one of my favourite places to work.  I recorded the whole of the recent James Bond collection there (Genevieve performed ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’) and Stuart Wise, who edited Bond, also joined us to work on the adventures of Emma & Co.  We couldn’t have put together a better team for this epic undertaking. 

Beth plans to chronicle the adventures of Emma & Co over 4 years (1883-1887), so we’ll be returning regularly  to St. Crispians over the next few years.  A treat we are all very much looking forward to.  Volume 9 should be publishing some time in 2026.

Emma M. Lion audiobooks can be ordered through various outlets including Apple Books, Audible, Barnes & Noble and Storytel.  So, if you fancy some delicious escapism, and a virtuoso performance from Genevieve Gaunt, do check them out.