Sense & Second-Degree Murder

This series is so much fun. I love the fresh take on Jane Austen's beloved characters as sleuths. 

The characters maintain their trademake characteristics, but with the fresh plot, they seem like an updated version of themselves. 

The villians remain the same, though the circumstances vary. 

If you're an Austen fan who also likes a cozy mystery, then this is the book series for you. 

Do you like a little Nancy Drew in your Jane Austen tales? What would you recommend in this genre for my next read?

AMAZON

When eighteen-year-old aspiring scientist Elinor Dashwood discovers her beloved father slumped over the desk of his office study, she knows his death means dire straits for the Dashwood women. To make matters worse, an outdated will entails his estate—including Norland & Company, the private investigation firm where her younger sister Marianne worked as her father’s partner and protégé—to their half-brother and his haughty wife, who waste no time in forcing the Dashwoods out of their home and into a cramped apartment on London’s Barton Street.

But before they go, the Dashwood sisters make a startling discovery: a suspicious substance in their father’s teacup—one that can only be described as poison. And poison, as Marianne’s father taught her, always points to murder.

It could be dangerous; it could ruin their reputations; and most importantly, it won’t bring back their father. But if the Dashwood sisters can combine their talents and bring their father’s murderer to justice, it may bring them all some comfort—and it might even lead to love.

Pride & Premeditation

Long time Jane Austen fan. Love a good mystery and an amateur sleuth. This book fit all my favorites. 

I want to particularly want to point out the Author's Note at the end when she explains the historical changes she made that weren't true to the early 1800's in England. I had no issues with the changes for the purposes of the story. 

The narrator is absolutely fabulous. Every character is distinct and identifiable regardless of dialogue or tags. I would listen to her again.  

Story is solid. Pacing is on point. Character development is fantastic. 

Start listenting. I hope there's another book to read after this by Ms. Price. 

Do you combined genres to do with Jane Austen? Which ones?

AMAZON

One of BuzzFeed's best YA books of 2021!

Perfect for fans of the Lady Janies and Stalking Jack the Ripper, the first book in the Jane Austen Murder Mysteries trilogy is a clever retelling of Pride and Prejudice that reimagines the iconic settings, characters, and romances in a thrilling and high-stakes whodunit.

When a scandalous murder shocks London high society, seventeen-year-old aspiring lawyer Lizzie Bennet seizes the opportunity to prove herself, despite the interference of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, the stern young heir to the prestigious firm Pemberley Associates.

Convinced the authorities have imprisoned the wrong person, Lizzie vows to solve the murder on her own. But as the case—and her feelings for Darcy—become more complicated, Lizzie discovers that her dream job could make her happy, but it might also get her killed.

Three of Jane Austen’s classic novels receive a murder mystery makeover in this romantic and thrilling three-book series that’s perfect for fans of The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy.

Pride and Premeditation is followed by Sense and Second-Degree Murder, in which aspiring scientist Elinor Dashwood and her sister Marianne, a budding detective, work together to solve the mystery of their father’s murder.

Hieroglyphs & Homicide

Not sure how I came across this book, but I'm certainly happy I did. 

This was my first read by Ms. Higley. It won't be my last. 

I like a good murder mystery, and I like it clean. No steamy love scenes, no swearing, no graphic violence. And that's precisely what Ms. Higley writes. 

Dr. Clarissa Bell is brilliantly written. Her system of cataloging the world, her inner dialogue, and her interaction with Quinn are intelligent, humorous, and refreshing. 

Love the setting, the pace, the style. 

Which is why I'll be grabbing book two NOW. 

If you can, save yourself time and money and buy the whole series. You'll want to keep turning the pages.

What clean murder mystery do you recommend I read next? 

AMAZON

Step into the sultry heat of 1920s Egypt, where ancient secrets hide beneath the shadow of the Great Pyramid.

Dr. Clarissa Bell came to Giza to prove herself a serious archaeologist, not to sort pottery while her male colleagues claim the glory.

But when she discovers a mysterious scribe's palette stained with rare blue pigment, she uncovers more than just an artifact—she stumbles into a deadly conspiracy.

Armed with nothing but her Cambridge education, an alarming tendency toward sarcasm, and a talent for finding trouble in supposedly empty tombs, Clarissa navigates a world where British imperial power meets ancient Egyptian mysteries, taking her from the bustling streets of Cairo to the steaming bathhouses and glittering auction houses of the colonial elite.

And what about the enigmatic Benedict Quinn? Charming, mysterious, and far too handsome for her peace of mind. Her carefully ordered world is beginning to crumble like ancient limestone.

But when professors pack pistols and black market dealers have government connections, the only thing Clarissa can trust is her own sharp wit—and her ability to sort pottery under pressure.

Summertime Guests

I picked up this book by Ms. Francis to take on vacation as I was in the mood for a mystery, which is only one aspect of this book. The rest I would say is part romance, part slice of life fiction. 

The story follows four couples in various stages of love/relationship. They are all at the Seafarer Hotel when someone falls to their death. 

The book does a lot of going back and forth between the present and the past, so be prepared to time jump often before the reveal of who died and how. Most of the time I didn't mind the skipping around, but other times I was annoyed. There's also quite a bit of telling instead of showing. 

That said, it was a solid read. 

Fair warning there are closed door intimate scenes, but nothing graphic on the page. Not squeaky clean, but you won't have to skip pages/parts while reading. A couple of swear words. 

Have you read any books by this author? If so, which one would you recommend?

AMAZON

THE SEAFARER IS THE PLACE TO SEE AND BE SEEN IN THE SUMMER...

With its rich history and famous guests, the glamorous Boston hotel is no stranger to drama. But the bustle at the iconic property reaches new heights one weekend in mid-June when someone falls tragically to her death, the event rippling through the lives of four very different people.

Bride-to-be Riley is at the hotel to plan her wedding. She would have preferred a smaller, more intimate celebration, but her bossy mother-in-law has taken charge and her fiancé hasn’t seemed to notice. Jean-Paul, the hotel’s manager, is struggling to keep his marriage and new family afloat, but now he must devote all his energy to this latest scandal at work. Claire, recently widowed, comes to town to connect with a long-lost love, but has too much changed in the last thirty years? And then there’s Jason, whose romantic getaway with his girlfriend has not exactly gone the way he'd hoped and instead has him facing questions he can't bring himself to answer.

Over three sun-drenched days, as the truth about the woman who died—and the secret she was hiding—is uncovered, these four strangers become linked in the most unexpected of ways. Together, they just might find the strength they need to turn their own lives around.