Miss Austen Investigates – Jessica Bull

Published By: Michael Joseph
Pages: 368
Released On: 25/01/2024

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that every good mystery is in need of a brilliant sleuth…

Welcome to Hampshire, 1795, where a young Jane Austen has her sights set on securing a marriage proposal from the dashing Tom Lefroy at a local ball. But when a shocking discovery is made – a milliner’s lifeless body tucked away in a linen closet – Jane finds herself embroiled in an unexpected murder mystery.

As she races against the clock to clear her beloved brother Georgy’s name, Jane uses her sharp wits to navigate the treacherous waters of society, unmasking secrets and unearthing hidden motives along the way. With every twist and turn, Jane’s determination to solve the case deepens. And if she fails, her brother will face the ultimate punishment – the hangman’s noose…

Join Jane on her quest for justice as she faces down danger, deceit, and scandal amidst her own friends and neighbours. Will she uncover the truth in time, or will the real killer go free? One thing’s for certain – in Hampshire, nothing is as it seems…

*****

Thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

Like a lot of bibliophiles, I adore Jane Austen and have my own little collection of her work, and so this intrigued me instantly. It is such a fun unique play on the historical figure, but Jessica has put enough recognisable bits in so that she appears familiar to us.

When reading this, I felt like I was taking a walk with a friend. I don’t know a huge amount about Jane Austen, only what the average reader does. But she felt so well formed and layered in this that it felt I really knew her, which was perfect.

I was so engrossed in it that I didn’t really notice time passing, but at the same time, I really wanted to give time to it, to savour it, as I think it is really rather special.

At the crux it is a murder mystery, a classic Agatha Christie whodunnit, but it’s expertly twinned with a historical novel befit of a Jane Austen. It really looks at societal issues, at relationships and friendships, at disability, financial difficulties, and class. Whilst it would have been fabulous I’m sure as “just” a murder mystery, Jessica has infused it with so much more that it’s simply delightful.

It is fun and exciting, sad and morbid, joyful and loving and hopeful, fun, entertaining and interesting and thoughtful. Everything is balanced so well that it never seems too much of any one emotion, which I think is a hard balance to find.

Books set in the 1700-1800s always fascinate me. For the historical aspects yes. But to read about women. Yes, I’m glad we have rights and choices and overall this era is probably better to be a woman, but I find it fascinating that these women – fictional or otherwise – spent their day wearing fine dresses and reading or taking a walk around the gardens. If you remove all the issues, which is a big ask, it sounds quite idyllic. And so it’s my guilt pleasure to read books like this.

On a more trivial note, Jessica has managed to get the word “flibbertigibbet” in it, and as a wordsmith, this made me so happy. You don’t get many books with that nowadays.

This is Jessica’s debut novel and it is outstanding. It appears to be the first book in a series and I am thoroughly excited about that. It definitely could stand up to the Miss Marple or Poirot series. It’s simply fabulous and I’m going to be buying copies for everyone to read.