I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series, and I can say the same for this one. Although I knew who the “bad guy” was the moment I met him, I still enjoyed how everything ended.

Elinor was my favorite character, and her development was well done. I love how her dream is realized in the end.
The other Dashwood sister were written well, but I did think Marianne was a bit rude when there was no need. I wish she and Brandon spent more time together so their love story was more believable.

I look forward to adding this to my library and the next installment!!

I am enjoying this series. I will keep reading them. They are really good adaptations of Austen's books. I alos love the covers. They are beautiful!

This book is fantastic! I loved the first title in this series, and this second entry did not disappoint. Full review will appear in School Library Journal.

<i>"Elinor wanted for nothing more in that moment, except for perhaps a bit of patience for their eventual success. But she decided to give it a prettier name and call it hope."</i>

TL;DR: A perfectly fine retelling of <i>Sense and Sensibility</i> that attempts to do something new with the story -- murder! opium! clandestine drug dens for the wealthy! -- but doesn't quite capture the spark of the original.
<b><i>I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.</b></i>

Vibes: <i>Sense and Sensibility</i> + <i>Miss Scarlett and the Duke</i> doused in the D.A.R.E. program

Genre: Cozy Mystery + Regency Retelling + YA-New Adult
*Second in a series
*New Adult because again, for some reason, the main characters are presented as teenagers, and there's no real need for it.

Character MVP: Probably Margaret. That spunky youngest sister steals the show.

Verdict: (Vague spoilers.) After reading Pierce's first installment, I thought, <i>"Maybe the reason this fell flat for me is because I *LOVE* Pride and Prejudice and am just too familiar with the story."</i> So I thought I'd read the sequel, because while I love the Emma Thompson movie, I'm definitely not as familiar with Austen's story.

Womp womp.

Again, this was <i>fine</i>. It was a fast, easy read, but it just fell flat for me. There were no stakes, no suspense, very little unpredictable twists that I love when it comes to reading mystery novels.

*I'm going to call this a cozy mystery because, as I understand the term, a cozy mystery is the "gentlest" of Crime novels, where the stakes are low and there's not really a sense of danger. And here...well, if you've read S&S, you *know* who the Bad Guy is going to be, and that kinda takes the wind out of the suspense sails. And if you read <i>Pride and Premeditation</i>, the twist is basically the same:
The unlikable female relative is NOT the Bad Guy (but is initially presented that way); instead, a minor, unlikable, female character from Austen's novel gets shifted into the spotlight to become the criminal mastermind pulling the strings / manipulating the Male Antagonist.

And maybe that's what Pierce is going for, and for readers who like cozy mysteries, you'll probably love this. But for me...the story didn't really get going until literally 66% of the way through: the first 2/3 of the book Elinor & Marianne were basically working off of 1 or 2 clues, and then BAM! Mystery solved.

As for everything else...<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53914898-pride-and-premeditation">my review of Pride and Premeditation</a> basically applies here.
--Again, I appreciate the attempt at something new here: characters in the 19th century novels take laudanum with alarming frequency and casualness but, of course, they didn't understand the dangers. So the message -- opiates are bad! -- while important, feels oddly contemporary for the story.
--The world is much narrower than Austen's -- in Austen's books, the secondary characters are just as important to the story, each one serving a narrative function. Here, we focus mainly on Elinor and Marianne and the complexity of other characters is reduced.
--Again, lots of people working for their living and living in London. Which works for simplicity-of-plot-setting, but traveling is integral to Austen's narrative & commentary, and that aspect is lost.

Pierce again acknowledges that she took liberties with the historical setting, which...okay, fine. But again, I don't understand *why* this had to be set in Regency England, or at least the version we know. Pierce was less engaged with the commentary on restrictions-for-women in this book than in her previous one, so why not just set up an AU where women *can* have some more freedoms?

It's clear from her Author's Note that she did her research -- even if the story itself still feels very contemporary, in part due to the dialogue/language -- but just isn't my thing.

This is exactly the book I needed; fun, easy to read, interesting setting with familiar characters and just enough "danger" to keep me interested. It didn't ask anything of me but go along for the ride. It was a fresh take on the beloved Dashwood family and their circle of infamous friends and suitors but who would have ever predicted THIS for Marianne and Elinor? This book is certainly suitable for teens but for old ladies like me too! What a fun little jaunt down an alternative reality for the Dashwoods that left me interested in more! Thanks to NetGalley and HaperCollins for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. This one was fun and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I love Tirzah! Typically retellings of Jane Austen are almost too spot on to the original. But these are so fantastic and brilliant. To use the characters we all know and love in such a unique way (MURDER MYSTERIES!) sets Tirzah Price apart. I love recommending Pride and Premeditation to YA readers who either already love Austen or are looking for something Austenesque.

This is the second book in Price's retelling of classics where she turns them into mysteries. It can be read as a stand alone or in any order.
After the death of their father, the Dashwood sisters, along with their mother, are forced out of their home by their half brother. Given little to live on, they must make do and move to a less wealthy area. When the sisters can't believe their father just died, they set about to find out what happened. They quickly decide it was murder but have to figure out who did it. Through their investigations, they get themselves in a bit of trouble.
Opinion
What drew me to this series first was the awesome artwork of the cover. Both the cover of the first book, Pride and Premeditation, and the cover of this book have a very retro feel to them. As you look closer at the covers, you will see hints of what happens in the book. Whoever designed them is a genius.
I personally have never been fond of the classics. Give me Price's retelling and I will consume the book as fast as I can. I am a big mystery fan so perhaps that is the twist I needed to become interested in them. I will say that according to my friends who have read the classics, the stories stay close enough to what happened in Austins original book. I am amazed that Price could pull off the retelling. so beautifully.
These books, perhaps, will become modern day classics inviting young adult readers into the world of classics and mystery.
Many thanks to Harper Collins and Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Oops. Forgot to review this gem. Cuz it really is that! These books are so beautifully done: true to the original in form and writing style yet uniquely Ms. Price. I thought the first was great and I was surprised to think the second was just as wonderful. That doesn’t always hold true for series, unfortunately. But the devotion to the original while allowing some room for creating a newer version that is exciting in ways Austen never was had made me re-think reading her six titles. Thanks for these lovely reads and the opportunity to appreciate a classic like I never did before. 💜💜💜📚

Discovering her father has died in his office during the night, Elinor finds herself in the middle of trying to keep her family afloat while searching for clues about his death. Was he murdered? Was it natural causes? Who can she trust to help her with her investigation?

These are such fun mysteries! Perfect for fans of Jane Austen, with a well-written and concocted mystery and plenty of characters to go around. I know plenty of readers who will enjoy this addition to the Jane Austen Murder Mystery series.

I loved the first book in this series and was a little worried that the second book wouldn't be as good. I was glad to read that this one was just as good. I'm a huge fan of anything Jane Austen, and this story wove Austen's stories into a delightful mystery. Fantastic story!

I loved this more than the first installment of the series. Price has the skill to take a loved classic and create something new for people who love a good mystery. This was a fantastic spin on Sense and Sensibility, and I loved every minute! I can't wait for the next one!

Tirzah Price's modern spin on the beloved classic Sense and Sensibility is an absolute joy to read. Who knew murder and mystery were the missing plot points needed to make Jane Austen's well-known characters even more entertaining? Price's inclusion of wit and feminism make the strong and hilarious three Dashwood sisters jump off the page.
I'd love a sequel chronicling Marianne's detective capers, and definitely need this from page to screen.

Thank you so much for the digital ARC!

This was a quick and fun read, with the mystery at the forefront. I love the clever ways the author paid homage to the original, while twisting away to create something fresh. My only gripe was the romantic subplots, and while I knew they were coming, they still felt like they came out of nowhere, without the buildup for a satisfying pay off. Other than that, a charming read!

Not remembering the plot of Sense and
Sensibility was a boon here, as I really had no idea what was going to happen. I found this a fun and playful take on the original, and I appreciated the moments of departure from the original plot line. I loved the strong female characters who aren’t afraid to speak their mind and follow their dreams. I’m looking forward to more books in this series.

Sense and Second-Degree Murder gives readers a new view of the world of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility along with a clever plot, charming characters, and unexpected twists and ironies. Based on Austen's classic novel, Sense and Second-Degree Murder relies on Austen's main characters, sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, their weak brother, and heartless sister-in-law, as well as the loss of their comfortable home and lifestyle when their father dies. In Tirzah Price's story, however, the intrepid sisters believe their father was murdered. Marianne uses her amateur detective knowledge to begin a quiet investigation, while older sister Elinor relies on her interest in chemistry to learn more about the case of death. Amid their investigation, both girls fall for questionable men. Marianne swoons over John Willoughby, a wealthy gentleman whose curricle almost runs her down. He quickly comes to her aid and becomes a daily visitor. Elinor, meanwhile, finds herself drawn to the brother of Fanny, her vile sister-in-law. Fanny's brother Edward urges his sister to be more generous with the Dashwoods, but he cannot sway her from her petty greed. Both sisters disagree about the way their father's death should be investigated, who should be suspected, and whether the other's beau can be trusted.

As the plot builds, the Dashwoods find concerning evidence that their father was truly murdered, and they suspect that his most recent cases could help them find his killer. Rather than pulling together to find the answers, they turn on each other. Elinor doubts Willoughby's motives, leading Marianne to hide much of her relationship from his older sister. Marianne pressures Elinor to give up Edward, believing him to share his sister's cruelty, selfishness, and ulterior motives. As the pieces of the murder puzzle begin falling into place, the girls stand to lose each other, their relationships, their family, and even their lives if they cannot work together to find the answers before the killer finds them. As they face new dangers and old enemies, the sisters will have to trust each other and see people for who they really are.

The plot of the story is well-paced, keeping readers engrossed and involved. Price does an excellent job of laying the foreshadowing needed to maintain suspense without being overly obvious or belaboring the details. While the plot is successful, Price's greatest victory is her character development. Elinor, the eldest sister, wants to care for her family and is willing to sacrifice her own joy to do so. As the story progresses, readers get to see her insecurities war with her dreams, and through the help of family and friends, she grows through the story into someone who takes chances and risks failure to follow her dreams. Similarly, Marianne struggles not with confidence but with compassion and sympathy. Throughout the story, she learns humility, dependence on others, and the value of collaboration. Even minor characters like Mother and Margaret evolve through the story, while Willoughby and Edward show how much can be hidden by a handsome smile.

Tirzah Price's story is firmly rooted in the classic Sense and Sensibility, so it will appeal to anyone who loved Austen's classic tale. It will also encourage readers who haven't read the classic to try it out, bridging the chasm between contemporary works and the classic stories of British Literature.

The story of Sense and Sensibility gets a fresh retelling through familiar characters and some new characters and scenes. The author stayed true to Jane Austen's style and narrative, while also creating a charming world of the regency and an Agatha Christie-like mystery.

I couldn't put the book down, and found myself charmed by the Dashwood sisters just as much as I was by the original version. In this version Elinor is still the sensible one, but she has dreams of being a chemist. Marianne is still sensitive and lives by her intuition, but she follows in her father's footsteps as an investigator. There were red herrings and twists, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute.

Jane Austen’s epic novel Sense and Sensibility meets whodunnit thriller with Christie vibes is tempting and absolutely promising reading concept I could never resist!

I liked the author’s way to retell the original Jane Austen concept with smart changes and transferring the entire plot into murder mystery.
She added quirky tone to mature, sensible, rational Elinor’s character who dreams to be a scientist, meeting with her adorable Edward at the wrong circumstances: poor guy telling them their cruel step brother and his merciless, greedy wife ( she’s also her sister) left them penniless.

Romantic, reckless Marianne is also portrayed as fiery, bold and determined.

You know the original story: their father suddenly passed away and he leaves the bulk of his estate to his son from his first marriage and three daughters Elinor, Marianne and little Margaret in straitened circumstances. But there’s a quite big difference in this new version: their father owns Norland& Company- the private investigation firm where Marianne works as his protégée and he dies in suspicious circumstances even though his death was reported as heart attack.

Now poor family moves from their estate to cramped apartment on London’s Barton Street.

Marianne is extremely furious about not only losing their family estate but also the investigation firm she’s dreamed to take over. But what if their father didn’t die of natural causes? He had too enemies because of the nature of his occupation and let’s not forget his greedy son and greedier daughter in law who are fully and financially benefited from his death.

You may sense what’s gonna come next: Marianne’s impulsive, straightforward, intuitional methods balance with Elinor’s observant, rational side and scientific approach to find the perpetrator and bring out the justice!

So buckle up, get your popcorn and your choice of poison ( mine is chilled bottle of Chardonnay as usual) and get ready to be lost in this historical cozy murder mystery!

I liked the smart approach of the author to throw the thriller elements into the retelling equation. The characterization and dialogues are well developed. There are so missing pieces and plot holes about mystery side but at least the conclusion is satisfying.

Overall: I found this creative retelling idea brilliant! I’m looking forward to read more works of the author and more books from this series!

Special thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books - Harper Teen for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

I loved this twist on Sense and Sensibility. The Dashwood sisters where everything I wanted them to be when trying to solve a mystery. The twists and turn were perfect. I also loved the subtle nods to Pride and Premeditation!

4.5 stars rounding to five.

This is such a charming and fun throwback, not only to Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, but to classic who-done-it stories. It has been so long since I read the original novel, but I really enjoyed getting to know Tirzah Price’s version of the feisty, independent, intelligent Dashwood sisters.

This story is well researched and well written. The author did an excellent job at keeping the classic Jane Austen vibe but at the same time, making it her own. The story gave a positive message: follow your dreams and support your loved ones. I think fans of the original would really enjoy this; I absolutely loved it!

I now plan on reading Pride and Premeditated Murder and any future books Tirzah Price writes.

Thank you Net Galley and HarperCollins Children’s Books/HarperTeen for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #SenseandSecond-DegreeMurder
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I am a sucker for mysteries and a sucker for Jane Austen books. So when I heard about the latest book in Tirzah Price’s genre-blending mystery/Regency romance series, SENSE AND SECOND-DEGREE MURDER, I immediately wanted to read it! The book opens with a breakfast scene in which we meet the Dashwood family, including our heroines Elinor and Marianne, the elder daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Dashwood. Mr. Dashwood, however, is late in joining them for breakfast and Elinor goes to fetch him.

Spoiler alert: he’s dead. The question then becomes, did he die of natural causes? Or was he murdered?

Instead of following Jane Austen’s heroines as they maneuver through the untimely death of their father and the subsequent financial hardships they face (no thanks to their spineless older half-brother and his greedy, selfish wife), the Dashwood sisters take up the mantle of their late father’s profession and become detectives on their very first case--to solve the whodunnit of their father’s murder.

I enjoyed this book and was delighted with the way Price followed key moments in the source material and bent them to fit into a murder-mystery plot. The mystery itself, however, felt a bit unsatisfying. Clues were often forgotten or dropped for a length of time, and for the most part the mystery elements took a backseat to the familiar plight of the Dashwoods and their romantic endeavors. I did enjoy the exploration of the opium trade, and particularly liked how each Dashwood sister had a different area of expertise to lend to the investigation. Overall this is a fun read with the potential to delight readers familiar with Jane Austen’s works and who enjoy a good, mixed-genre retelling.