Sense and Second-Degree Murder caught my attention from the very first chapter. It's fun, creative, and definitely entertaining. It is a fantastic historical fiction/murder mystery mix of a book! The way the author weaves Jane Austen with a murder mystery is seamless. You don't find many regency murder mysteries.

Similar to the first in the series, this book is primary a mystery, and less of a romance. (Although there are elements of that in the story as well.)

If you loved the Pride and Premeditation, you'll love this one too! If you've not read either, give this book a try!

A delightful, adventurous, romantic novel full of twists and turns! Sense and Second Degree Murder is a cool as heck retelling of Sense and Sensibility that plays fast and loose with history and really lets the girls show their wits and strengths. By letting each girl have her own focus and hobbies that compliment their personalities, they all feel fleshed out and human. I loved getting to look into their heads and learn more about them. What a fun read, can’t wait for more from this author!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. After reading Tirzah Price's first retelling of a classic (Pride and Premeditation) I was so excited to see there was another in the works! Sense and Second Degree Murder loosely follows Sense and Sensibility but with a mystery twist and I loved it! I hope the author continues to revamp the Jane Austen classics. Not only is it a new story but it kept me engage and will be a great edition to the classroom.

This story genuinely blew my mind. I was very intrigued by the promise of a Jane Austen Murder mystery and this totally exceeded my expectations.

I think the book’s focal point was the portrayal of the strong and independent Dashwood sisters. Each of them were very intelligent and most importantly, very passionate about their field of interest, Elinor in chemistry, Marianne in being an investigator and Margaret in being a novelist. I loved how their father influenced them and I could clearly see how they all loved their father dearly and why they would go to such length to bring justice to him.

I thought that I could guess the murderer from the turn of events in the story but the unexpected twist at the end completely threw me off the tracks. I loved the surprise and didn’t expect it at all. Overall, a great read and probably one of my favorite 5 star reads this year. Definitely going to recommend to everyone and anyone in my life.

Elinor Dashwood dreams of studying chemistry, and she thinks she can convince her father to approve. After all, he allows her sister Marianne to help him with his investigation business, and their youngest sister Margaret spends her time dreaming up dramatic novels to write. But when Elinor goes to speak with him, she finds him dead. It isn't long before the girls come to the conclusion that he has been murdered. The top suspect? Their brother and his wife, who have just inherited everything the late Mr. Dashwood owned, and who show no qualms about ejecting the Dashwood ladies from their home with barely a penny to their name.

As the Dashwood girls dive deeper into their investigation, we encounter all the familiar Austen characters, but Price has put a wonderful spin on each. They are entirely recognizable and themselves, and yet in other ways they are new, fitting perfectly into this altered version of Austen history (and may I say, I have never enjoyed Marianne as much as the way Price has written her!). Despite knowing who the original antagonists are, it was fun to follow this mystery and see how the author weaves it using real historical issues. By the end, I found it hard to put down and was dying to see how it played out all at once. I wish I didn't have to wait so long for the third in this series!

If I have to create a ranking of all Jane Austen novels, there are some clear winners up at the top: Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, and Emma. Those at the bottom: Northanger Abbey, Sanditon, and Lady Susan. Those right in the middle: Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion. Of course, this is totally my own rankings, obvi not everyone loves Mansfield Park as much as I.

After much introspection, however, I have discovered why I’m not as enthralled with Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion: the angst and longing. Yes, there is some of that in Mansfield Park, but the other two are just dripping with fainting-couch-smelling-salt-esque angst. In saying that, I will admit that I was nervous/excited to read Tirzah Price’s sophomore installment of her Jane Austen Murder Mystery series, Sense and Second Degree Murder. Well, friends, again, I was happily surprised. Ms. Price not only toned down the angst, but developed the mystery in such a way that while the romance remained in the background and we weren't bereft at its curtailing.

A Little Bit of Plot

Mr. Dashwood is dead. Not only has he passed on from this life, but someone aided him in his journey. Prior to his death, made a name for himself as a detective, building Norland and Company from the ground up. Upon his death, his estate and business are bequeathed to his only son, John, who promptly shutters the agency and removes his sisters and step mother to Cheapside.

Burgeoning chemist, Elinor, along with her sister Mariannne (her father’s apprentice), discover that Mr. Dashwood’s death was no mere natural cause and delve into the investigation to bring the murder or murderers to justice. The price of their investigations might mean not only their hearts, but their lives as well.

The Top Bun (The Pro)
S-T-E-A-M (And not the bedroom kind)

Science. Technology. Engineering. Arts. and Mathematics
I am a sucker for bluestockings in historical romance. Catnip, my friends, CATNIP! Tirzah Price combines two of my favorite things: Jane Austen novels and smart chicks. Elinor Dashwood understands her limitations when it comes to her knowledge of Chemistry. This does not deter her from endeavoring to uncover answers by unconventional means if necessary or by asking for assistance from those with more experience. She deftly creates smoke bombs and other explosives for the youngest sister, Margaret, and someday dreams to study science for academic purposes and the betterment of society.

Marianne studied the art of detecting alongside her father for years. As a young girl, she could take on different personas and often run surveillance without being observed; overlooked by most adults. While only 16, she is determined to continue running her father’s business outside the banner of Norland and Company. While her romantic interest Willoughby might turn her head for the slightest moment, she understands there’s more at stake than a handsome face. When push comes to shove, Marianne is a scrappy, courageous, young lady and not some silly young chit (thank you Anthony Bridgerton for putting that back in my lexicon).

The Con (The Meat)
I don’t have much to say negatively about this book. Fanny is the worst and I hated her so much - therefore, we know that Price did what she was supposed to - it’s the author's job to make us not like certain characters. Seriously, Fanny is a vampire, someone put a stake in that woman's heart.

I would say if I had to pick one storyline that I didn’t care for as much was Mrs. Dashwoods. I don’t want to spoil too much, but I’m not sure if it was necessary. Connections can be made with her situation and modern day societal issues, but I’m not completely sure we needed it.

The Bottom Bun (The Pro)
The Sisterly Relationship

As in the original version of S&S, the connection between all 4 Dashwood women is extremely tight; however, Elinor and Marianne hold a special bond. One scene in particular that is exceptionally excoriating is the revelation that Elinor has been keeping a secret from Marianne for a long period of time. It’s so dramatic and weepy in the theatrical adaptations, but you have two polar opposite characters that share everything with one another and one of them is silently hurting. Marianne might not need to speak her secrets out loud as they are written all over her face but Elinor, the more reserved of the two, struggles with an unrequited love and to put voice to her affection would destroy her self-preservation. When this is revealed, the heartbreak and pain that Elinor has been suffering for a long period of time, wells up and overtakes her. As the reader, you're absolutely gutted for this quiet and stoic character.

The last part of the book (when the pace ramps up) has all 3 sisters working in tandem together as quite a powerhouse team. At some point, even Mrs. Dashwood lends a hand in the melee. With Margaret’s storytelling acumen, Marianne’s detective skills, and Elinor’s scientific brilliance, they successfully wrap up the mystery and we the reader are left wanting more tales from their investigative adventures. An absolute delightful addition to this series.

As I said with Pride and Premeditation, I would recommend for children 12 and up. This series does deal with murder and mayhem, therefore, maybe not great reading for the little ones.

Bring on Emma and… I’m sitting here trying to think up a murder pun…nope. Nothing. I'll leave that to Tirzah.

Thank you to the publisher, Harper Collins, and TBR and Beyond Tours for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When private investigator Mr Dashwood is found dead in his study one morning by his daughter, Elinor, it signals the onset of dire circumstances for the family. The three daughters and their mother are quickly forced out of their house by their half brother and his greedy wife as an outdated will leaves them with nothing to their name. But before they leave, Marianne, who has always aspired to follow in her father’s footsteps, discovers something that could point to foul play involved in Mr Dashwood’s death. The sisters are determined to get to the bottom of things, especially as family members could be involved, but soon find themselves tangled in a web of secrets and lies that somehow seem to be wrapped up with their father’s last case, which might not have been quite resolved as he thought it was.

The second installment in the Jane Austen Murder Mysteries series brings us a retelling of Sense and Sensibility with a twist. I loved how the author has taken the plot of this classic and molded it to fit the narrative of a mystery while still maintaining so many key aspects from the original. The biggest advantage with this series is that you don’t have to have read the original to be able to follow along, but having read it will certainly allow you to pick up on some subtleties. My major issue with the first book was that it felt very unrealistic for the time period in terms of etiquette and speech, and while it carries over to this book to a certain extent, it wasn’t as jarring now that I knew to expect it. Besides, I do feel like this sequel has improved a lot in terms of maintaining the feel of the time period (if not the complex societal norms) and the elements of a mystery are perfectly woven into this late 18th century tale. As a retelling, it deviates from the story early on, but I liked how the author has worked around the plot in such a way that the narrative does find its way back eventually.

The characters were so well written, and despite the change of genre and setting, they were still recognizably the Dashwood sisters. The youngest sister Margaret had a significant role to play in this version, which was really nice to see (if I recall correctly, she doesn’t get much page time in the original) and she was a delightful character who added a lot to the story. Though we only get Elinor and Marianne’s POVs, the secondary characters were good, if a little narrower in scope, and rather true to their original portrayals.

I am still a little annoyed that this book didn’t stick to the time period in many aspects, but historical novels and authenticity aside, the one thing I didn’t like about this book was the romance arcs for Elinor and Marianne. The pace of the mystery didn’t allow for much development, and there was minimal interaction between the sisters and their interests on page, which meant that it all became came together abruptly in the end and didn’t feel realistic at all. I think this novel was simply too packed and too short for a romance arc to unfold naturally, and I wouldn’t have minded a slightly longer book to make this work.

As for the mystery, if you know the outline of the original, it’s not too hard to guess who might be behind it all. The why and how on the other hand, was what I found most interesting. The motive was quite complicated and not revealed too early on, and the pieces took a while to come together, looping in some rather unexpected characters to boot. Overall, I think the author has done a fantastic job with this book, keeping the spirit of the original while giving it a completely new perspective, and it’s a definite improvement on book one in many ways. Sense and Second-Degree Murder was a fast paced, easy read that I found to be thoroughly enjoyable. I can’t wait to see this author’s reinterpretation of Mansfield Park as a mystery in the sequel, and I’m definitely planning a reread of the book while I wait for the third installment in this series. Highly recommended!

Jane Austin's stories are timeless and this series proves how her female characters are still valid in today's time. Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret are three strong women each with their own goals and desires. When their father who was a private detective dies, Marianne who wants to continue his work starts to question his death, and she and Elinor come to the conclusion he was murdered after Elinor uses chemistry.

I love how the writer used science and the act of solving a mystery in this book in Elinor and Marianne's POV. Margaret the younger sister was a great comedy relief and as the youngest sister of 6 sisters in my family, I related to her the most. No one listens to us LMAO

This lovely story has all the Jane Austin vibes. A ball, catty women, men you can swoon to, and the whole only men are allowed to inherit anything, which was infuriating even to the Dashwood sisters. So if you're a fan of her Austin's work and love historical fiction with a mystery, I guarantee you will enjoy this book and series. The dialogue still had that Jane Austin feel to it and I didn't see the "whodunnit" which was nice.

Sense & Second Degree Murder releases today! So go out and crab a copy and curl up with a good cup of tea and be whisked away with the Dashwood sisters as they try and figure out who murdered their father.

I was so excited to read Sense and Second-Degree Murder, since I loved Pride and Premediation!

I love how independent the Dashwood women are, and how the girls are so passionate about their interests. I love that Margaret played a big role in the novel, because she's always been a favorite! And I love that Marianne and Elinor really struggled to get along for the first half of the book, but then learned to love and respect each other by the end!

The story is close to the original, but unique enough to keep me turning pages as fast as possible! I found the opium aspect of the book fascinating.

I highly recommend this to anyone who loves murder mysteries and Jane Austen!

Thank you to Tirzah Price, NetGalley, and Harper Collins Teen for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions!

If Jane Austen wrote Sherlock Holmes, I think it would be something like this.

This is such a fun book for those who love Jane Austen and mysteries. I haven’t read the first in this series before swooping up this one but I definitely will be now. I loved this book and would definitely recommend. The way the sisters are portrayed in this reimagining makes them more relatable than they may have been in Austens work. I can’t wait to see what other books are to come in this series!

Sense and Second Degree Murder is part of a Jane Austen Murder Mystery Series. This book follows the Dashwood sisters and their fathers murder. Using their unique skills and interests they work together to discover what truly happened surrounding their fathers death. As a fan of Jane Austin I enjoy reading her stories reimagined. Tirzah Price brings new life to these beloved characters and allows your love for the original story to grow. I enjoyed the way Tirzah Price immerses you into this world and takes you along for a ride. Having murder at the center of the story allows you, the reader, to play detective and really join the Dashwood sisters in the mystery. If you enjoy romance there is a little bit of that throughout the story. I was completely taken with the story and I am excited to see what Tirza Price has in store for us next.

Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Another fun retelling of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. I like that the author stayed as true to Sense and Sensibility as possible while turning it into a murder mystery. The villains were the unsavory characters in the original novel and the heroes were the ones that you would expect. In that regard, it is a little predictable to suspect who might be behind the murders. My only complaint is that while you can suspect who committed the crimes, there aren't enough clues throughout the story to lead to the motive. It felt like the reader gets a motive dump at the end of the novel where we finally understand how everything comes together. After reading the motives, there wasn't the "ah ha" moment where I could see how the clues all came together throughout the novel.

If you are a fan of Jane Austen or just like a fun murder mystery, I would still say this book is worth the read. It's a quick and engaging read.

I thought I enjoyed the first one...I was wrong. LOVED this one. The retelling of Sense and Sensibility was wonderfully told and an absolute joy to read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This probably is a 3.5 star book for me but alas Goodreads doesn’t believe in half stars. So I have to round.

Here’s the thing, the premise of reimagining a beloved and classic Jane Austen novel is brilliant and fun. In this case we get the characters from Sense and Sensibility but they’re younger and they’re father gets murdered and he’s a private investigator. The girls set to find out how and why he died uncovering a secret opium ring in London and shady characters including Willoughby and Miss Steele who are in cahoots with each other and responsible for much of the opium drug trade. They are the ones who killed their father and Miss Eliza.

Marriage nearly dies. Brandon is a future doctor/surgeon and helps the girls out when they get into a bind. Me. farrows is a former accountant. It’s all very imaginative and wild and yes it is fun.

I admit I did not foresee Miss Steele’s involvement in any of this. My real complaints is that given the subject matter and plot of the book these characters really should be older than 17. I think making them all in their 20s at least would have made this a bit more believable in so many ways. And it could have opened up the book to more romance like the original.

There is some slow parts to this book but otherwise it was very interesting.

I love Jane Austen, so this Jane Austen Murder Mystery series is one that called to me from the start. I thoroughly enjoyed Pride and Premeditation, so I was very eager to get my hands on Sense and Second-Degree Murder and it did not disappoint! I am in a regency era phase (or what I’m also calling a Bridgerton Binge). While I am very much so enjoying all these regency era stories, I have been missing a good mystery, and Sense and Second-Degree Murder combines the two things brilliantly! I really liked the characterization for Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret. All the girls were very focused and driven, and knew what they wanted to do in life which I thoroughly appreciated. The mystery was very intriguing and I liked how it all came together in the end.

If you like regency stories and mysteries, I definitely recommend checking out the Jane Austen Murder Mystery series!

In this version of Sense and Sensibility, Tirzah Price brings us a refreshing, gripping twist on the story. Almost instantly we are plunged into a murder and the big questions and we watch as the characters slowly put the pieces of the puzzle together to solve the murder. This book was a fun and it was so nice to see some focus on women in STEM! The characters were dynamic and so fun to read! Keep your eye out for the release on April 5th!

I am in continual awe of Price's retellings. They're smart, funny, and keep me guessing 'til the end.

This was a retelling of "Sense and Sensibility" and it was very well done. We get all the things we love from the original story with a murder-mystery twist. Elinor and Marianne are the two characters we hear the story through. In this book, Elinor is a scientist/chemist and Marianne is a detective. I loved this change from the original! Although these interests and professions helped move the murder-mystery plot along, it also made the book more feminist even though it takes place in a time when there was no feminism.

Additionally, I loved the balance we received through the differing personalities of Elinor and Marianne. They're very different and approach the murder very differently so we get some mischief and miscommunication in this respect. Still, I loved the sisterly bond they share and how they eventually reach their conclusions in the end.

The romances were really sweet in this book. Perhaps not as good as in "Pride and Premeditation", but still good nevertheless. Sweet, sweet, Edward. Ahh! I was in love with him from the first appearance he made.

Overall, this was a brilliant retelling and I can't wait for the next book in the series!

What fun! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this murder mystery retelling of Sense and Sensibility. I thought it was a great companion to the first in this series, Pride and Premeditation.

Told through the narration of the Dashwood sisters, we learn of the mysterious death of their father and his lack of a will. Serious, responsible, and often misunderstood Elinor discovers her father dead in his study. Head strong, quick to judge, and independent Marianne joins her in figuring out his possible murder. Younger sister, Margaret, was a delight and added much to this story. (I don't remember her much in the original.) I loved how independent, strong and loving these sisters were. I loved all the side characters and still think Fanny is the absolute worst!

I thought that Price did a great job honoring the original work in tone and characterization, while adding a totally new perspective. I thought it was clever, perfectly paced, and a delight to read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy.
Release date: April 5, 2022

What an absolutely fun, amusing, enjoyable read! Meeting the Dashwood sisters and following along with their adventures was so delightful. It was equal parts mystery and comedy and I cannot wait to read more in this series!

This second novel from Tirzah Price is a fun little continuation. In this YA murder mystery the Dashwood sisters must investigate the death of their father. Things being taken out from under them and the mysterious death they must work together to find the murderer. Cozy and quaint little mystery read that I would recommend to all that love mysteries and Jane Austen.

🎉 Thanks to NetGalley & Harper Collins Childrens Books for the opportunity to review this advanced copy!