Cozy mysteries are perfect for cold winter days when the reader can curl up under a blanket to enjoy a bite-size story of intrigue with a dash of whimsy. Author Katie Oliver presents just this type of offering with her latest novel Cyanide and Sensibility. The third title in the Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery series is a confection of Austenesque fun and romance, along with an entrée of crime.

As in the first two novels in the series, the story’s main character is Phaedra Brighton, a collegiate professor of English Literature. While instructing students is her vocation, she becomes embroiled in a deadly dilemma when a murder is committed during a family event. Not only does this crime threaten her sister’s newly-established business venture, but more importantly, lives are at stake. She takes it upon herself to investigate the matter, much to the consternation of the local police department. Along the way she navigates complex relationship issues, not only with her family members, but other loved ones in her life as well. Although Cyanide and Sensibility centers upon a murder, Oliver’s characters also contend with matters of the heart. The narrative is quite brisk, but much is covered in the succinct forty chapters.

Although not evident from the book’s cover art or general description, the story is firmly set during the month of December and the holiday season. While I would not characterize it as a “Christmas novel”, reading it during that time of year enhanced my enjoyment. That said, if you are discovering this title during another point on the calendar, don’t let this aspect deter you from reading. Cyanide and Sensibility is a thoroughly enjoyable story that can be read at any time. The characters are likable and distinct in their personal traits. The romance is sweet and not tawdry. The crime plotline is twisty but also lighthearted. I was delighted that the murder weapon was none other than a chocolate cupcake. It was almost adorable, if one could look past its lethal effect.

Fans of Austenesque fiction will find much to enjoy, as there are several “winks” to Austen’s work. Many locations and characters are named after items from the mind of Austen. A particular favorite of mine was the cat named “Wickham”, especially as Oliver often chose to make the reader privy to the feline’s “thoughts”, which were highly amusing. A Willoughby-like character makes a big impact on the narrative, a building is named “Delaford”, and Phaedra often dresses in Regency attire, complete with reticule. However, if one is completely unfamiliar with the works of Jane Austen, Cyanide and Sensibility still remains accessible. At one interlude, members of the Tea Society even offer a thumbnail summary of Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, which could prove useful to the uninitiated.

This was my first exposure to the work of author Katie Oliver. I was simply delighted with Cyanide and Sensibility and took great pleasure in it. This cozy mystery is proof that a light, comforting read can also be written with excellence and care. Oliver is clearly well-read herself, as she offers many references to literature and shows an evident appreciation for the written word. The prose is engaging but professional. Her skill allows her to write in a compelling fashion without succumbing to crude material or overly violent scenes. Cyanide and Sensibility opens with a sweet, but deadly cupcake. It concludes in exciting fashion, and offers the reader an enjoyable tale which is perfect for not only the holiday season, but for any time of year. Katie Oliver’s work is a treat worth sampling and more.

"Murder is on the menu and Phaedra Brighton is called on to serve up justice in the latest Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery.

While Phaedra Brighton might not have a Mr. Darcy (yet), she's quite content with her loving family and loyal cat. Phaedra's sister Hannah is the Jane to her Elizabeth, and Phaedra is ecstatic that Hannah has decided to move home for her next adventure - opening a business.

All of Laurel Springs is out in full force to celebrate the grand unveiling of Hannah's new patisserie, Tout de Sweet, including local celebrity Rachel Brandon. Hannah is a master of her craft, with confections so divine, one bite will make you think you've died and gone to heaven.

Of course, you never want that to happen literally.

When one of Hannah's famous dark chocolate cupcakes sends Rachel's assistant to the hospital with poisoning, Hannah begs for Phaedra's help to save her reputation and budding business. But Phaedra has more questions than answers: Who was the cupcake actually meant for? And how far is the culprit willing to go to take their target off the menu - permanently?"

I love all things Austen and a good poisoning...

What is your favorite type of cupcake? I love all types, but probably anything chocolate would be my favorite.

Phaedra Brighton is an English professor at a local college in Laurel Springs. She lives with her sister Hannah who is starting a new bakery in town. Everything seems to be going well at the grand opening of Tout de Sweet, until someone is poisoned by one of the dark chocolate cupcakes. Phaedra investigates to help save the reputation of Hannah’s bakery. Who was the actual target of the cupcake and why?

I greatly enjoyed this book. I loved Phaedra and all the other characters in this charming town. Sometimes cozy mysteries can be too slow and drag for me. This did not happen in Cyanide and Sensibility and the book kept me engaged throughout with its great writing, plot, and characters. I read it very quickly.

This is the third book in the “A Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery.” I have purchased the first two books on my kindle, but I have not read them yet. I read this as a standalone. I think I would have known the characters better if I had read the first two books, but it did not decrease my enjoyment of the novel. It works great as a standalone read.

How is this related to Jane Austen? Names of characters, places, and pets are from the works of Jane Austen. My favorite was Wickham the cat. Pheadra seemed to be an Elizabeth Bennet type character with Hannah as Jane. Otherwise, this was not a modern retelling of an Austen novel.

I enjoyed reading this in December as it is set during the Christmas season. I loved how the holiday was woven throughout the novel.

I did not guess the ending of this cozy mystery, which delighted me. It had a great climax and conclusion. I also enjoyed that the author referenced other mystery books and authors, and classic literature that I enjoyed.

That was a great benefit of the main character being an English professor with parents who own a bookstore!
Overall, Cyanide and Sensibility by Katie Oliver is a delightful cozy mystery that I highly recommend. I can’t wait to read more books by this author.

Book Source: Review copy from Berkley and author Katie Oliver as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Thank-you! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

4 stars

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

This is book 3 of A Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery series, and it's a sweet and cute cozy mystery. This is a stand alone mystery, so you don't need to have read the first 2 books to enjoy this one. I haven't read them, and I found enough backstory in the book to understand everyone's relationships and history.

Phaedra Brighton is a English Literature professor at a local university. She dresses in Jane Austen clothes to teach her classes and is well-known in the community. When someone is poisoned at the grand opening of her sister's French bakery, Phaedra jumps into action to help solve the mystery, much to the chagrin of the local police. Was the person that died the intended target, or was it someone else? Additional attempts on other's lives quickly follows, and Phaedra's sleuthing goes into overdrive. Who does the poisoner want to kill, and why? Multiple twists quickly follow as the story unfolds, making the book a delightful read.

I really enjoyed this book. Phaedra is a smart, savvy and clever character that knows her own mind and isn't easily intimidated. Her co-workers, who make up the other two members of the Jane Austen Tea Society, are also smart and capable women that help Phaedra in her pursuit of the killer. Her matchmaking mother and her book-store owner father add warmth and levity to the story. I loved all the Austen references, which added a fun element to the book.

I was provided a complimentary e-copy of this book from NetGalley, Austenprose PR and Berkley. All opinions are my own.

Cyanide and Sensibility was a lot of fun to read. It worked fine as a standalone novel since I hadn’t read the previous two books in the series. It’s a small-town cozy mystery with all the quaint little shops that you would expect in such a story. I especially enjoyed the protagonist, an English professor who enjoys dressing in period costumes for her classes. Also, her cat has a personality all his own.

Fans of Jane Austen will particularly find it fun, with the “Jane Austen Tea Society” theme. The characters are believable, and the whodunnit plot is intriguing. I plan to go back and read Books 1 and 2 as soon as I can. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, give Cyanide and Sensibility a try!

I love reading this series. The mystery kept me guessing and I like the characters. look forward to more.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review

Cyanide and Sensibility by Kate Oliver is a delightful Austen inspired cozy mystery and third in the Jane Austen Tea Society Mysteries. Phaedra Brighton is a college professor of Austen Literature. Her sister Hannah has just opened up a new patisserie, Tout de Sweet. Unfortunately, at the opening one of her cupcakes sends a customer to the hospital with poisoning. Hannah asks Phaedra to help solve the mystery, but is Phaedra or her family one of the targets?

This book had it all for me with a cozy mystery, Austenesque references, a sweet small town, and a dash of romance. I absolutely loved all the references to Austen novels and the play on characters’ names from Sense and Sensibility. My favorite reference was that Phaedra’s cat was named Wickham. The story moves along well and is truly a delight to read. I found myself lost in the small-town mystery with the delightful characters and wondering about Phaedra’s future. The ending was very satisfactory and I am hoping there is another book in the series.

I highly recommend Cyanide and Sensibility by Kate Oliver.

I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a positive review.

TITLE: Cyanide and Sensibility
SERIES: The Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery
AUTHOR: Katie Oliver
PUB DATE: 12.12.2023 Now Available

Murder is on the menu and Phaedra Brighton is called on to serve up justice in the latest Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery.

THOUGHTS:

I may have broken my rule of never reading a series out of order but I am glad I did to be a part of this book tour, I was introduced to an amazing author Katie Oliver - and whose back list I am now devouring. I am a huge fan of Phaedra Brighton - she is witty, outspoken, and a professor of nineteenth century literature from Somerset University in Virginia.

I enjoyed this book! What’s not to love - there is a French bakery Tout de Sweet, a lovely cat, and lots of red herrings and suspects too. If you enjoy cozies and Jane Austen, this is a must read for you.

WOW! This book is SO GOOD! It is gripping, oh so cozy mysterious, full of love for literature, full of twists and turns, romantic, and so much more! Whenever I picked up "Cyanide and Sensibility", I put on my sleuthing hat, and tried to solve the mysteries throughout right along with Phaedra!

This is the third book in Katie Oliver's "Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery", and oh my gosh this series is SO GOOD! I do think this novel could be read as as stand-alone, however, I feel that having read the previous books in the series helps to understand the characters' relationships to one another, and the development of many of those. However, with this said, the author does a great job of filling the reader in as well. Ms. Oliver's writing style is witty, clever, vivid, detailed, and unpredictable. I found myself flipping the pages chapter after chapter to see what was going to happen next, how the characters from previous books would continue to develop, and find out whodunit.

(Possible Spoilers!)
A woman is poisoned by cyanide that was sprinkled on a cupcake at the opening of Phaedra's sister, Hannah's patisserie. Soon, as the police begin to investigate, many questions come to the forefront. Wanting to help get to the bottom of what happened as soon as possible, Phaedra begins to do some investigating of her own. Soon, more scary events begin to occur. Are the mysteries and events connected? Is it possible that Phaedra and someone she loves are the targets of everything going on? Who is responsible? Can they be stopped before someone else tragically dies? You will just have to read to find out.

Oh my goodness, this book truly kept me guessing, and at times, I was SHOCKED. Many moments had me on the edge of my seat, and many had me holding my breath hoping characters I truly care about would be okay.

Also, Wickham the cat is ADORABLE!

If you enjoy Cozy Mystery and / or anything related to Jane Austen, I HIGHLY recommend this book! I hope this series continues for a very long time!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Austenprose PR, and Berkley Publishing Group for the e-ARC of this book, to author Katie Oliver and Austenprose PR for the finished copy of the book, and to Austenprose PR, Berkley Publishing Group, and Katie Oliver for having me on the book tour for this novel! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I love a good cozy mystery, and that is exactly what you will get with Cyanide and Sensibility. The book nods to Sense and Sensibility, but still has a lot of creative elements that make it its own book.

The mystery begins right from the very beginning when Hannah’s pattiserie opens and one of her cupcakes is found to be laced with cyanide. Her sister Phaedra refuses to let this be the downfall of her sister’s pattiserie and commits to finding the culprit.

I really enjoyed this book and hope that you will too! Pick it up from your favorite bookstore today. Thank you to the author for the complimentary copy of the book. A positive review was not required.

I enjoyed this cozy mystery. I loved being able to see characters from the previous books and being able to solve the case right along with Phaedra. I like how the author sets up the story and how she drops little clues but we really don't figure things out until the end. I think the characters are relatable and ones that I care about. I look forward to reading more books in this series.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

“If I were an Austen character,” Phaedra said the next morning as her mother steered yet another single man in her direction, “I’d be seriously vexed right now.”

Unfortunately, Phaedra has more vexing issues to deal with than her matchmaking mother, like who poisoned a guest at the opening of her sister’s new patisserie. And was the poisoned cupcake actually meant for her?

This cozy mystery was an absolute delight! I loved the modern-day setting with characters that are reminiscent of those in Sense and Sensibility, and the other nods to Jane Austen.

The mystery was clever and well crafted, and I was so pleased with myself when halfway through the story I figured out who the culprit was. As I got to the last chapters of the book, ready to pat myself on the back for my sharp detective skills, I realized that the author was definitely more clever than I am. I had pegged the wrong person entirely. I love a mystery when you really don’t know who the villain is until the very end. Well played, Ms. Oliver!

I really enjoyed the references to other mystery writers and their books, and the wonderful cast of characters and suspects. The food mentions were a fun part of the story and gave me some serious cravings.

This is the third book in the Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery Series, but the first one I’ve read. I enjoyed it so much that I will definitely be reading the two proceeding books. Even though it is the third book, it can be read as a standalone.

If you enjoy cozy mysteries with a lovely side of Jane Austen, I highly recommend this one!

I received a review copy from Berkeley Publishing and NetGalley as part of the Austenprose PR book tour in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I think this is my favorite of the series so far. The mystery is compelling and I love Phaedra's determination to find justice. While in the previous two mysteries Phaedra had a personal stake in solving the mysteries, in this one the crimes hit even closer to home and I think that made this a stronger story overall.

One of my favorite things about this series is that Phaedra is so completely herself, and has so much confidence in her intelligence and her abilities. In this book, we do see some insecurities surrounding a romantic partner (I'm trying to avoid spoilers!) and I think that gives her so much more depth. As for the romance...I have so many feelings! I feel like there are two men low-key vying for her heart and I'm definitely Team Morelli. Sorry not sorry.

If you love Jane Austen, cozy mysteries, and strong female sleuths, you will enjoy this series!

4.5 Stars

Katie Oliver continues her terrific Jane Austen Tea Society series with the third delicious installment, Cyanide and Sensibility.

Mr Darcy might be taking his own sweet time to find her, but Phaedra Brighton is more than happy with her life. With a loving family and a loyal cat to keep her company, Phaedra counts her blessings every day – and she is delighted when her beloved sister Hannah announces that she’s opening a patisserie business called Tout de Sweet.

Everybody in Laurel Springs is excited about the opening of Hannah’s business – including local celebrity Rachel Brandon. With the whole town out in force for the opening, Hannah’s launch was meant to go off without a hitch – until Rachel’s assistant takes a bite out of a dark chocolate cupcake and ends up with food poisoning! With her business in jeopardy and her reputation in tatters, Hannah begs Phaedra for help to get to the bottom of this mystery.

As Phaedra begins her investigation, she finds herself with more questions than answers. Just who was the cupcake meant for? And just how far is the poisoner prepared to go to eliminate their target? Can Phaedra solve this case? Or will it be unhappy endings all around?

Jane Austen, tea, lip-smacking pastries and a nail-biting mystery – how can you possibly resist Katie Oliver’s Cyanide and Sensibility? A terrific cozy crime novel that I couldn’t bear to put down, Cyanide and Sensibility is packed with tension, suspense, humor and red herrings guaranteed to keep you hooked from start to finish.

Superbly plotted, wonderfully told and deftly constructed, Jane Austen and mystery fans will not want to miss Katie Oliver’s Cyanide and Sensibility.

English Professor and Jane Austen scholar Phaedra Brighton is back to solve yet another murder, but this time it hits closer to home than ever before.

It’s almost Christmas time and, between giving lectures and grading essays, Professor Brighton is helping her sister Hannah prepare for the opening of her French bakery (or patisserie), Tout de Sweet. Everyone in the small Virginia town of Laurel Spring is attending, including the famous journalist Rachel Brandon and her entourage. However, things don’t go as planned. First, the fire alarm goes off, and then Rachel’s assistant is killed after eating one of Hannah’s delicious dark chocolate cupcakes. The cupcake was poisoned with cyanide, but was Rachel’s assistant the intended victim? With Hannah’s reputation and future on the line, Phaedra is determined to find out the truth.

Cyanide and Sensibility is yet another entertaining and intriguing novel in the Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery series. Its unique protagonist, Phaedra Brighton, who dresses in Regency dresses during her classes, can quote all Jane Austen’s novels, and can “communicate” with her cat Wickham, involves herself, once again, in a murder investigation, despite the warnings of detective Morelli, and she’s helped by her loyal friends and members of the Jane Austen Tea Society whose book of the month is none other than Sense and Sensibility. And like the two sisters of Austen’s novel, Elinor and Marianne, Phaedra and Hannah are now living together while dealing with some romance trouble as Phaedra tries to figure out her relationship with Shakespeare Professor Mark Selden.

The mystery is gripping and full of twists, but also cozy. The story is very well-developed and I enjoyed that the chosen murder weapon is a chocolate cupcake. I loved the Christmas atmosphere, and while everyone is busy buying Christmas presents, Phaedra needs to figure out if one of them is the killer and, as more poisoned chocolate appears, the list of suspects just keeps growing.

Cyanide and Sensibility is a mix of fun, mystery, and romance. Fans of Jane Austen will love the many references not only to Sense and Sensibility, but her other novels as well, and the fans of mystery will love the suspense, the twists, and thanks to Phaedra’s family’s mystery bookshop, quite a few recommendations of crime novels. Engaging, witty, and immersive, Cyanide and Sensibility is another win and I am already looking forward to the next one!

This was such a fun mystery and it really kept me guessing, Those are the best kind, right? Many suspects, dead ends, misdirection, it's all there in this cozy Mystery.

Katie Oliver really has something here with her heroine, Jane Austen professor, Phaedra Brighton. She and her friends make up the Jane Austen Tea Society and you couldn't ask for a more interesting trio of ladies.

The characters are great, the mystery is full, and quite honestly, it doesn't get too dark. It stays true to the cozy mystery piece.

Phaedra's life is just as interesting as the mystery. Can you figure it out before she does?

I jumped right into this story and it was a page turner that I really couldn't put down. It kept me guessing and I like to think I can usually figure things out. It may have been who I suspected but the why, that was something else entirely.

You would not be remiss in picking this up, for all fans of Jane Austen and Cozy Mysteries.

I received an early copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest review.

if you have a sweet tooth, you may wanna have something yummy to eat close by! all the talk of dark chocolate cupcakes, croissants, and other baked goods had me wanting to run out to the nearest bakery! this third installment in the jane austen tea society mystery series was a delightful treat and didn’t disappoint. i love katie oliver’s ability to lead the reader in one direction only to take the story another way you don’t see coming at all. i never could have predicted the complicated relationship revealed at the end of this mystery. it was so clever!!

i enjoyed diving deeper into phaedra’s relationships with lucy and marisol. oh and poor hannah, trying to get her patisserie up and running and then someone being murdered at the grand opening!! it really was the perfect set up. i loved hannah in book two so i’m glad we got to know her even more in this story. it’s also clear which direction phaedra is going in the way of romance. i enjoyed learning more about this man’s background and that a lot of misconceptions were cleared up! swoony kisses were the icing on the cake!! i highly recommend this cozy mystery with a ton of sweet treats, austen literary references galore, and a heart pounding ending that keeps you guessing!!

romance: kisses

thank you to berkley, the author and austenprose for the gifted copy. my thoughts are my own.

When Professor Phaedra visits's her sister's new bakery she does not expect to be finding herself on a new case, one that has her sister as the main suspect of a poisoning! Phaedra Brighton is off to visit her sister Hannah's grand opening of her bakery. The grand opening would include local celebrity Rachel Brandon yet when one of Hannah's famous cupcakes sends Rachel's assistant to the hospital with poisoning, its up to Phaedra to help clear her sister's name and save her reputation before her budding business is ruined. Phaedra is on the case as well as dealing with her blooming relationship with fellow professor Mark. This was a cozy mystery with a touch of Jane Austen and a bit of modern day fun. This was an overall cute cozy mystery and you can read these as a standalone but they're more fun when you read it as a series. Overall, it was a pleasant time and a cute read.

*Thanks Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group, Berkley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy mystery set in a fictional small town in Virginia. The heroine is a quirky English professor at a small university who dresses in Jane Austen era garb while she teaches. When someone dies of poisoning at the grand opening of her sister’s French bakery, she is determined to help the police find the murderer. She needs to clear her sister so that the bakery can be a success. When additional attempts are made, the stakes continue to rise. The book is filled with great characters and a fun, twisty plot. Highly recommend.

Hannah Brighton’s grand opening of her patisserie has been highly anticipated and her chocolate ganache muffins are to die for! But, while this is meant to be figuratively, the assistant to a local celebrity dies from cyanide poisoning after tasting the ganache. Phaedra, Hannah’s sister and local amateur sleuth, begins to investigate to save Hannah’s brand new business and her reputation. I was interested in seeing if I could figure out who was the murderer and what was their motive. I hope you have fun arriving at these answers with the clues you are given.

This is the first book I have read in the Jane Austen Tea Society series, but it won’t be my last. The people of this quaint mountain town are ones that I want to get to know better. There are love interests, eccentrics, and Phaedra’s family and friends who I am interested in learning more about.

The references that are made to Sense and Sensibility throughout the book were fun. The Jane Austen Tea Society and the historical site is a fun way of incorporating the past and the present. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, then this is a book you will enjoy.

I received a copy of this book through Austenprose Book Tours and NetGalley. All opinions given are my own.