Rating: 4.0/5

Although it has some occasional elements that are a little grittier than you would usually find in the genre this new series opener from G.M. Malliet is essentially a cosy mystery - and a very engaging and well-written one it is too.

Augusta Hawke, the eponymous central character, is a writer of crime fiction, but when her neighbours mysteriously disappear, it isn't long before Augusta finds herself putting her knowledge of fictional crime to use in a real mystery. Now this is not the first time that a writer has made use of this scenario. There are a few examples that spring quite readily to mind, though perhaps the one with the highest profile would be Jessica Fletcher from the long-running television programme, "Murder, She Wrote". There are certainly some echoes of that in this novel, but I would venture to say that "Augusta Hawke" is not only much wittier, but it is also much better in general.

If a book series is going to be successful, then it really has to have engaging central characters. That is probably even more true of a crime series and especially one of the more cosy variety. As far as that aspect is concerned, G.M. Malliet has nailed it. There are other appealing players too, but the key central protagonist, Augusta, is a gem of a creation. She is witty and easy to warm to, with numerous examples of self-deprecating humour and amusing observations of the world of writing and publishing.

The story itself has a perfectly sound mystery at its heart that generally holds together pretty well. There are some instances that would be a little hard to swallow in a pure crime story and that an author could only really get away with in a cosy mystery, but those occasions are certainly forgivable in the overall context of the book. The central section is a little on the slow side in terms of plot development, but the pleasing characterisation continues to hold the attention during this phase until the pace of the action picks up in the latter stages of the novel.

Overall, this is definitely worth a read and sets up the new series well.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.

"Sometimes it's safer not to know your neighbors' secrets.

Where are Niko and Zora Norman? Crime writer Augusta Hawke puts her sleuthing skills to the test to solve the mystery of her disappearing neighbors in the first entry in a new series.

While Augusta Hawke is a successful author of eighteen crime novels, since her husband's death she's been living vicariously through her Jules Maigret-like detective Claude and his assistant Caroline. Then a handsome police detective appears investigating a real-life mystery.

Where are her neighbors, the Normans? No one has a clue what's happened - except Augusta. Although she isn't nosy, spending all day staring out the windows for inspiration means she does notice things. Like the Normans arguing. And that they've been missing a week.

Once the Normans' car is found abandoned, Augusta senses material for a bestseller and calls on the investigatory skills she's developed as a crime writer. But she soon uncovers long-hidden secrets and finds herself facing real-life dangers her characters never faced...ones she can't write her way out of."

Shades of Jessica Fletcher eat your heart out!

Almost a five star. I have enjoyed all the G.M. Malliet books so I was excited to read Augusta Hawke, which I gather will be a new series. I was not disappointed. Malliet has created a hilarious character. Augusta is a well-known mystery writer/widow who lives in Old Town Alexandria. Her townhome is positioned so that she can see inside other townhomes (think Rear Window). One day the police begin the disappearance of Zora and Niko, an affluent couple who Augusta has seen on occasion. Augusta quickly begins her own investigation, along with her neighbor and quirky friend. She also meets a handsome police detective. Could there be a romance in store for Augusta? The fun in the book rests with the superb writing and not so much with the mystery. I know I have a winner when I read aloud particularly funny paragraphs to my husband. Can't wait for the next book.

G. M. Malliet has brought us a new central character and a thoroughly modern setting in her latest entry into mystery fiction, Augusta Hawke. Augusta is a fabulously successful writer of mysteries that seem to fall closer to the thriller/adventure/spy novel than anything else. She is a dedicated writer, and has her regular routine of writing four pages per day. The rest of her time is primarily spent inside her exclusive townhome in the Old Town section of Washington, D.C. Some of her time is spent watching the neighbors, gazing out the back of her home, across a green expanse, and into the homes of people who live across the green. Her watching is fairly mild, and not intended to be intrusive, she simply has this as a primary source of entertainment. While Augusta would likely deny the characterizations, she has come as close to being a recluse as anyone can who still travels for book-related activities.

The entertainment factor of her neighborhood watch turns into much more when the couple she primarily watches disappears, leaving their son behind with his grandparents. Questions arise, with everyone asking were they both kidnapped, was one kidnapped by the other, are they both dead? Augusta becomes intrigued by these questions and the desire to know, and plagued by having heard a short scream just prior to their disappearance which, when she finally tells the police about, they seem to pass off as unimportant

Deciding she needs to investigate, Augusta begins her own questioning of various people, enlisting the occasional help of her friend Misaki. She boldly wanders into homes and businesses where people who might be involved or who might know something can be found, and asks questions trying to discover what happened to the couple.

The book is told in a conversational style, as though Augusta is relating a lengthy story to the reader. There is little anxiety or violence throughout the book, rather a strong story that creates interest in the reader to find out what happens next.The pace is consistent, and the plot is well crafted and intriguing. The story draws the reader in, and it is easy to want to read just one more chapter, or two or three for that matter, before returning to the real world. While the reader can put it down and pick it up at leisure, it can stay in the back of the reader’s mind and offer a consistent tug back to the book as soon as possible. The pace does pick up in the final chapters of the book as Augusta closes in on the guilty parties. It is refreshing that she does not require a man to rush in and save her, at the same time the police detective who has been called in on the first cast does have a part in the successful conclusion of the situation.

I’ve read two other series written by Malliett, both of which took place in Europe, although that was the end of their similarity. This is the first series that I know about which takes place in the United States with American characters throughout. It is very entertaining, and demonstrates the ability of Maliett to create a wide variety of characters and locations. It is impossible to know where the series is headed, but I will be watching for the next book with eager anticipation. While the mystery is contained within this book, the reader may find themselves hoping to meet some of the secondary characters, such as the detective and Misaki, in future books.

My thanks to Severn House Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy for this review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed Augusta Hawke. The title character is interesting, likeable, and just that dash of crazy required for an amateur sleuth to do the things they need to do to make a book fun. Augusta is like if you took a big cup of Kinsey Millhone and added a dash of Stephanie Plum--she's doggedly committed to finding her missing neighbors and has no issue telling a few lies if it'll get her the information she needs, even if her attempts to pull off of some of those maneuvers are less than subtly executed. This is a charming mystery, and I look forward to spending time with Augusta again in the future.

Augusta Hawke lives a solitary life, writing mysteries for a living and spying on her neighbors as a hobby.

When the beautiful young neighbors across the courtyard disappear, leaving their cat and child behind, "Gus" uses the investigative skills honed by her fictious character to mount a search. She dresses herself as a Southern belle shafted by her honey to gain access to the firm of divorce lawyers to which the husband belonged. The wife's mother grants an interview because she's a fan.

G.M. Malliet, author of the entertaining Max Tudor mysteries, begins a new series with "Augusta Hawke." The new characters are just as quirky as Max Tudor's friends, promising a compelling new series.

In the first in a new mystery series by GM Malliet, I enjoyed getting to know Augusta in the first few chapters. Once I got into the rhythm of the first-person narrative, I was enthusiastically along for the ride.

The author successfully uses her own experience as a prolific writer to infuse her protagonist with authenticity. When we discover Augusta is writing the 19th in her long-running series, it is a surprise and a thrill. We hear about her own protagonist, French detective Claude, and his sidekick, Caroline. The latter is a favorite with readers of the series, to the point where Augusta sometimes has to ask herself what Caroline would do in fraught situations.

As a successful author, Augusta lives in an upscale neighborhood where she can't help noticing that her close neighbors, a married couple, have suddenly disappeared, leaving their baby behind with a family member. Intrigued and looking for something to distract her from her lagging work-in-progress, Augusta can't help doing some investigating on her own, to the initial disgust and eventual respect of a police detective assigned to the case.

There is a lot to admire in this book--the author's unique voice, a convoluted case with a host of potential persons of interest, a dollop of humor, and an ending that, while it resolves the case, leaves things open for more fascinating stories and the potential for romantic interest in future entries in the series. I'll be looking for the next one.

My thanks for NetGalley and Severn House for affording me the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Severn House Publishers for an advance copy of Augusta Hawke, the first novel to feature the crime writer and her amateur sleuthing in Washington D.C..

When Augusta receives a visit from a handsome detective she learns that her neighbours Niko and Zora Norman are missing. Thinking about it she realises that she hasn’t seen them for a week, not that she’s spying, but as a lonely widow who works from home she can’t help noticing their comings and goings, especially as her living room overlooks theirs. When she discovers that they left their baby behind she is determined to investigate.

I have mixed feelings about Augusta Hawke as a novel. I had not read any of the author’s previous work, so was pleased to get the opportunity to remedy that omission and join a new series at the beginning.

Initially I was entranced by Augusta’s first person narrative as she is slightly cynical and highly amusing about the author’s craft and modus operandi. It boded well, but for me her narrative style soon ran out of steam. This is a matter of personal taste as I can’t be bothered with with all the faffing about and stupid errors she makes in the name of comedy. It’s too much to ask me to believe that the author of 18 bestselling crime novels could be so disorganised and flail so much in an endeavour that has nothing to do with her. It’s all about the laughs and you can only repeat the same basic idea so often.

On the other hand I can see cosy lovers really liking this novel. It is slick and professional and Augusta has a distinctive voice. The writing is great, descriptive and imaginative with plenty of (American) cultural references. It is slow to get going, not much happens in the first half of the novel beyond introducing the basic premise of the disappearance, presenting the characters and letting the reader get to know Augusta. I liked the vague hints about the death of her husband, insinuating as they do that there is perhaps more to Augusta than she’s letting on. The second half of the novel is more lively. Augusta still blunders about, but there’s more to blunder into, including personal danger and a neat resolution.

A Treat…
A new direction for this talented author with this new series featuring sleuthing crime writer Augusta Hawke. With eighteen novels down, widowed Augusta lives somewhat vicariously through her own fictional detective Claude. Augusta also spends much of her time window gazing. Not that she’s nosy, of course. Simply…observant. For her books. However, she has noticed that something is very amiss with her neighbours, the Normans. Like the fact that they’re missing. Is this simply to be some inspiration for her next bestseller or will Augusta be thrust into a mystery with an attractive detective and find herself in danger? Wholly enjoyable mystery with a perfectly crafted protagonist in Augusta and a colourful cast of supporting characters. Entertaining and compelling as well as being a more than promising start to a new series.

I have read G.M.Malliet for years and have loved them all and Augusta Hawke is no different. This new character is engaging and very likeable and the plot was interesting in how her career as an author was used. I hope this will be the start of a new series and I highly recommend this book.

Augusta Hawke is the first book in what I hope will be a new series by G.M. Malliet. I have thoroughly enjoyed her previous series and was intrigued by the plot of her new book. When I first started the book I wasn’t sure where it was going but the more I read the more I enjoyed it. This a contemporary mystery that takes place in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. The protagonist Augusta is a mystery writer who has the habit of looking into the homes of her neighbors. When one of the couples go missing leaving behind their baby Augusta is sure there is foul play and using the thought process of her fictional crime characters she sets off to solve the mystery. The book has lots of pithy observations and a sort of mad cap sensibility but it drew me in. The authors first hand knowledge of the area is evident in this present day cozy mystery.

This novel was sent to me by Netgalley electronically for review. A novel about a writer…intriguing…mystery and intrigue…friendship…this author is talented and gifted…a story that is difficult to put down…characters who are likable…some not so much…don’t miss this one…

A bit slow at times but a novel I enjoyed. The writing was good with great attention to details. The story line was interesting enough to keep me reading until the very end. Highly recommend!

VERDICT: The author of the award-winning St. Just and Max Tudor mysteries launches a new series with a mystery writer narrator. The slow-paced story rambles at times, and lacks the humor of the St. Just mysteries. Fans will be better served by the previous books.