Murder in Highbury

Description:

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 a

My Review: 

Getting the characters right for the beloved Jane Austen book, Emma, would be a difficult task. But, author Vanessa Kelly was spot on with every one of them from Miss Bates to Emma, to Mr. Elton, and the rest of the village. The list of suspects for Mrs. Elton’s murder is lengthy, because let’s face it, she wasn’t a very nice person. 

Emma doesn’t plan on getting involved in the investigation and trusts her husband and the constabulary to discover the murderer, but when her sweeter than honey friend is accused of the crime, Emma just has to see justice prevail. I enjoyed this mystery and only figured out who the murderer was at the very end. 

I recommend this for older teens/young adults through mature readers if you like historical cozy mysteries and are a Jane Austen fan. I look forward to seeing what Emma will become embroiled in next. 

I received a complimentary copy of the book. A positive review was not required and all opinions are my own.