Murder in Highbury by Vanessa Kelly Book Review

-

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 

Don't forget to follow on Socials

Twitter (X)

Pinterest 

Instagram 

Threads

 





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Daily Routine

-
Image
Morning routines are extremely important, they set the mood and the pace for our day. Although some days are better than others there are things you can do every morning to be productive. I have seven things I do every morning before I even attempt to start my day. The most important thing to remember is to not put too much pressure on yourself. Start your day at a slow and steady pace and you will have a much smoother day. Make Bed The first thing I do every morning is to make the bed as soon as I get up. This is non-negotiable. I love the fact that I accomplish something as soon as I wake up. I actually blame my mom for this one. My brother and I were not allowed to leave our rooms as kids until our beds were made. It worked, it's still the first thing I do every day. Coffee and Breakfast My brain will not work without coffee. Lots of coffee! I drink my coffee and eat breakfast which typically consists of a bowl of grits or a waffle with peanut butter. Bible Study and Prayer Time
Read more

B-PURE Gentle Skin Cleanser Review

-
Image
I absolutely love trying new skin care products, especially those designed for people with sensitive skin like myself.  A few months ago on a trip to my local Dollar Tree I found the B- Pure Gentle Skin Cleanser and decided to give it a try.  Review  I was really surprised at how well the B-Pure Gentle Skin Cleanser worked at removing the dirt and oil from my face without stripping and irritating my skin. Let me just say it is definitely the most gentle skin cleanser I have ever come across. It leaves my skin clean, smooth and refreshed every time I use it. The B-Pure Gentle Skin Cleanser is now part of my daily 3 Step Skin Care Routine. I highly recommend trying it for yourself. Be Sure To Follow on Socials Follow me on Tumblr   Twitter Instagram Threads Pinterest  
Read more

Florida Birds A Birdwatcher Discovers the Sunshine State by Ken Janes Book Review

-
Image
  Welcome to Book Review Friday! * I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of a review. Today's featured book is Florida Birds: A Birdwatcher Discovers the Sunshine State by Ken Janes. Title Florida Birds A Birdwatcher Discovers the Sunshine State  Author Ken Janes Format Paperback  Publication Date November 7, 2023 Publisher Pineapple Press Inc. Imprint of Globe Pequot, trade division The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group Description Wading birds, raptors, waterfowl, pelicans,Gulls and Terns, shorebirds, and songbirds. These are the types of birds Florida birdwatchers can see and learn about in this beautifully created work of art. This book features all original photography by the author along with a brief informational section for each bird listed. The author takes great care with a conservationist approach to his work and explains the negative impact that harmful practices and chemicals have had on certain species. About the Author After a 35
Read more