An absolute pure delight to read... Murder in Highbury by Vanessa Kelly (Review) #newbooks #murderinhighbury #anemmaknightleymystery #vanessakelly #cozymystery #regencymystery #austenesquefiction #janeausten #jaff #bookx #austenprosepr @KensingtonBooks @austenprose


Welcome to my tour stop for this Austen inspired historical mystery! Read my 5-star review below...

Murder in Highbury
(An Emma Knightley Mystery #1)
By Vanessa Kelly
Historical Cozy Mystery, Austenesque
Audiobook, Hardcover & eBook, 400 Pages
October 22, 2024 by Kensington Books

Summary

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.

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.

ADVANCE PRAISE

“Brimming with all the wit and charm one can expect from a visit to Jane Austen’s world, Murder in Highbury presents Austen’s beloved and interfering character Emma with a murder. When Emma puts her clever wits to use to discover the murderer who hides among them, danger and humor mingle to provide us with mystery, delight, and a clever new sleuth. Author Vanessa Kelly writes with an experienced touch and clear fondness for her well-beloved characters, giving us the sequel we formerly could merely long for and imagine.”— Christina Dodd, New York Times bestselling author

“Fans of Jane Austen will love this lively pastiche featuring one of her most beloved characters as a clever sleuth.”— Kirkus Reviews

“Readers will be delighted to see many familiar characters return from Austen’s novel, from the shy Harriet Martin to the rakish Frank Churchill. Emma herself makes a convincing sleuth with her inclination for discovering the truth about people and their relationships.
Charming and witty with a well-paced murder to solve, this series starter is sure to delight both Austen fans and mystery lovers.”— Library Journal

“…a well-executed mystery plot. The real draw, however, is the way Kelly effortlessly transforms Emma into a successful gumshoe by exploiting the same qualities Austen gave her heroine. Readers will be charmed.”— Publishers Weekly

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My Review

MURDER IN HIGHBURY is a story set in the world of Austen's Emma taking place not too long after the end of the novel. The author did a fantastic job portraying these characters so that they match perfectly with the original. And, just like the original, the characters have their own distinct voices and personalities. The story is subtly emotionally driven as facts unfold and the investigation carries on. Emma lovers will enjoy getting a good glimpse of married life for her and Knightley as well as the other beloved characters in Highbury. The perfect read for Austen fans and highly recommended to historical cozy mystery readers!

Read if you like:
- Austen's Emma
- Cozy historical mysteries
- Small-town settings
- Swoon-worthy romance that isn't the main focus of the story
- Delightful, fully fleshed characters
- Engaging, evenly paced stories
- A bit of snark and humor
- Clean reads

This author is new to me, but I love all things Austen so I was hopeful this would be a fun read. I found in the first few pages I was smiling because I knew this would be a fabulous read (and it is!). If you're a fan of Emma, then you'll love this story! The characters come alive and I felt completely immersed as I experienced life and events with them. I could literally hear their voices, especially when Knightley used "Emma..." in his way when he knows she's going to do something he thinks she shouldn't. Mr. Elton is his usual superfluous and conceited self. Miss Bates is a bit hysterical (with reason). Mrs. Weston is an expected staid and wise friend. Harriet is consistently a bit flighty and impulsive but has a good heart. My favorite were the nuances, humor and love between George and Emma, of course. It was sheer delight!

The plot is a cozy mystery. It was steadily paced, but I was never bored. I was engaged from beginning to end as this was so excellently written. It gets a bit thicker as the story goes and there is an emotional undercurrent you can feel slowly grow in intensity as the end comes closer. The mystery is also very much that. You won't know exactly what is going on (there are some hints here and there, but nothing concrete) and who the villain is until it's pretty much upon you. With Knightley (and Emma) on the case, it has to come to a good and satisfying resolution. How could you expect anything else?

In the end, was it what I wished for? I loved every single minute of this book! I'm very curious to see what the next mystery is that Emma tackles and where this series goes. I hope it continues to give readers a look at Emma's and Knightley's lives for us fans. An absolute pure delight to read!

Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy through Austenprose PR, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

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.

Find the author here.


Do you like the sound of Austen's Emma shifting from matchmaker to amateur sleuth? What appeals most to you about this story? Who is your favorite Austen character?

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