Welcome to Jenn's Reading Corner here on the blog. I will admit this is one of my favorites things to write about, Books! Today I will be sharing a book that was released on October 22, 2024 and fans of Jane Austen will absolutely love this book.
Title
Murder in Highbury
Author
Vanessa Kelly
Series
An Emma Knightley Mystery
Synopsis
Less than one year into her marriage to respected magistrate George Knightley, Emma ( based on the Jane Austen character) has grown unusually content with 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 the 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 and the ornate necklace she often wore was stripped from her neck.
As a chilling murder mystery unfolds 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 suspicion suddenly falls on a harmless local, Emma decides to discreetly investigate. Armed with wit, unwavering determination, and extensive social connections, she will protect the innocent and expose the ruthless culprit hiding in plain sight.
About the Author
Vanessa Kelly is a multiple USA Today bestselling author of historical mysteries and historical romances published in 11 languages. She has won multiple awards, including the prestigious Maggie Medallion for best historical romance. 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, including Jane Austen and Frances Burney. She lives in Ottawa, Canada with her husband.
Learn more about Vanessa Kelly at her website
My Notes as I was Reading
I would first like to say that Vanessa Kelly is an amazing writer. Murder in Highbury is actually the first book I've read by this author and I was truly blown away by her writing style.
Vanessa Kelly captured the language, mannerisms, and culture of the time period perfectly.
The book is filled with a grand cast of characters that the author has breathed life into each and every one of them. Some of the characters you will love and some you will despise ( which in my opinion only a truly talented author can make you despise a fictional character) .
Emma and George are the epitome of marriage goals. Their marriage consists of mutual respect, love, protectiveness, and admiration for each other's strengths
Family, friends, and community take a prominent role in this book , the good and the bad
I have to admit I have a newfound admiration and respect for the character as a whole.
Emma Knightley portrays the strength, wisdom, grace , assertiveness , and outspokenness that was a joy to see.
It was inspiring to say the least to ride along with Emma as she embraced her true self and held nothing back .
Review
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Murder in Highbury. I've always been a huge fan of the mystery genre. I will admit that I have not read very much in the historical genre so I wasn't too sure if this book would resonate with me. Once I started reading that worry was out the door so fast. Emma is now married to the magistrate and is managing her father's wealth, helping her community, and taking care of her ailing father. Emma and her friend are quickly thrown into the middle of a murder investigation when they discover the body of the vicar's wife inside the church. Emma notices several clues inside and outside of the church while she is waiting for her husband, coroner, and constable to arrive. Emma quickly realizes if this case is going to be solved she will have to take matters into her own hands .
Murder in Highbury is one of those books that you simply can't put down. I read this book in one day.
Murder in Highbury has a great plot, I absolutely adore the time period and the author was very thorough in the research to make sure everything was accurate for that time period. The writing was incredible. I was hooked from the very first page and could not stop reading. I have been reading mysteries for years and although there were numerous clues throughout the entire book I was not able to solve the mystery until it was actually revealed on the page. This is extremely rare, I can usually figure out the mystery in a book after a couple of chapters. Murder in Highbury will keep you guessing and turning the pages from cover to cover.
A 5 Star Book
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