Murder in Highbury

· An Emma Knightley Mystery Book 1 · Kensington Books
5.0
3 reviews
Ebook
400
Pages
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About this ebook

First in a captivating new series, Jane Austen’s Emma Knightley entertains a different role in Highbury—going from clever matchmaker to Regency England’s shrewdest sleuth.

"Clever and charming, Vanessa Kelly brings Austen’s world in Highbury village to life with beloved characters, twisty hijinks, and a mystery that will keep you guessing." —Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Keeper of Hidden Books

Less than one year into her marriage to respected magistrate George Knightley, Emma has grown unusually content in her newfound partnership and refreshed sense of independence. The height of summer sees the former Miss Woodhouse gracefully balancing the meticulous management of her elegant family estate and a flurry of social engagements, with few worries apart from her beloved father’s health . . .   

But cheery circumstances change in an instant when Emma and Harriet Martin, now the wife of one of Mr. Knightley’s tenant farmers, discover a hideous shock at the local church. The corpse of Mrs. Augusta Elton, the vicar’s wife, has been discarded on the altar steps—the ornate necklace she often wore stripped from her neck . . .   

As a chilling murder mystery blooms and chaos descends upon the tranquil village of Highbury, the question isn’t simply who committed the crime, but who wasn’t secretly wishing for the unpleasant woman’s demise. When suspicions suddenly fall on a harmless local, Emma—armed with wit, unwavering determination, and extensive social connections—realizes she must discreetly navigate an investigation of her own to protect the innocent and expose the ruthless culprit hiding in plain sight.

“Brimming with all the wit and charm one can expect from a visit to Jane Austen’s world . . . the sequel we formerly could merely long for and imagine.” —Christina Dodd, New York Times bestselling author

Ratings and reviews

5.0
3 reviews
Summer Song
October 23, 2024
Delightful, fun, and oh so charming! This is a wonderful cozy mystery and is the perfect read for all Austen fans. I enjoyed revisiting Austen's characters and seeing how Emma and the other characters handle this mysterious murder! The setting and characters feel true to Austen's world and original story, the speed of the plot is just right, the writing style is smooth, and the story is captivating and mysterious with the perfect level of cozy. Love it!
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Andrea Romance
October 23, 2024
This historical cozy mystery is a treat for Austen fans. It’s fun to see Emma up to her old tricks and to revisit the denizens of Highbury. The book is fast-paced, clever, and kept me guessing until the end. Thanks, NetGalley for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
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Sue Galuska
October 22, 2024
Overall this historical mystery was a fun, who done it type of story to follow. I really loved how smart and witty Emma was. If it would have been a different time in history, Emma would have been leading the investigation. I also loved how her husband was so patient with her. He realized what an asset she was.
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About the author

Vanessa Kelly is a bestselling author of historical mystery and historical romance. She has won multiple awards, including the prestigious Maggie Medallion for best historical romance. She is a USA Today, Barnes & Noble, BookScan, and Amazon bestseller several times over. To date, her books have been published in eleven languages. After receiving her MA in English literature from Rutgers University, Vanessa spent several years in the Ph.D program at the University of Toronto, studying women authors of the 18th Century. She worked as a researcher for many years, and currently resides in Ottawa, Canada, with her husband. Visit her at VanessaKellyAuthor.com.

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