Do you love Jane Austen? Do you love murder mysteries? If you answered yes to these questions, then add Vanessa Kelly’s novel, Murder in Highbury to your list today! The novel takes place in the summer of 1813, a year after Emma’s marriage to the magistrate George Knightly. Emma and her friend Harriet Martin discover the body of Mrs. Elton, the vicar’s wife, on the steps of the church, and when they notice bruises on her neck and a blood-smeared candlestick on the altar, foul play is suspected, and an investigation filled with twists and turns ensues.

In addition to offering her readers a satisfying mystery, Kelly provides a faithful adaptation of Austen’s characters in her novel. Kelly’s Emma is the Emma generations of readers have fallen in love with, and her new role as a wife has not changed her personality or dampened her wit. Emma has evolved from matchmaker to detective, but her dialogue retains the witty banter and keen observations of Austen’s original character. Readers will also delight in the stern but loving George Knightly, the hysterical Harriet, and the humorous Mr. Wodehouse who claims the vicar “should not have allowed his wife to go off and get murdered in the first place.” The novel ends with George’s hope that his wife’s detective days are over, a sentiment the reader will certainly not share.

I loved the cozy vibes of this murder mystery which immersed me in Regency Era inquests and funeral customs. The subtle plot twists and endearing character portrayals kept me reading, and I hope Vanessa Kelly will continue to breathe new life into one of my favorite characters with a string of sequels to Murder in Highbury.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair review.

“Murder in Highbury” by Vanessa Kelly is a delightful fusion of Jane Austen’s world and a classic whodunit. Set in the quaint village of Highbury, the story begins with Emma Knightley (formerly Woodhouse) and her friend Harriet Martin discovering the body of the unpopular Mrs. Elton in the local church. This unexpected event propels Emma into the role of amateur sleuth, determined to uncover the truth behind the murder.

Kelly masterfully captures the essence of Austen’s characters, presenting them authentically while placing them in new and intriguing situations. Emma’s evolution from matchmaker to detective feels natural, and her interactions with her husband, Mr. Knightley, are both endearing and true to their original portrayals. The narrative is filled with witty dialogue and keen observations, reminiscent of Austen’s style, making the novel a pleasure to read.

The mystery itself is well-constructed, offering a mix of red herrings and genuine clues that keep readers guessing. The setting of Highbury is richly depicted, immersing readers in the Regency era with its social intricacies and charm. Fans of Jane Austen and cozy mysteries alike will find “Murder in Highbury” a thoroughly enjoyable read that pays homage to the original while carving its own unique path.

“George, if you were murdered, I’m sure I would lose my appetite.”

Highbury was the epitome of a happy village, especially for the recently married Emma Knightley. Their content life is interrupted when the vicar’s wife, Mrs Elton, is found murdered in the church. With her husband occupied as magistrate, Emma can’t help but do a little sleuthing of her own…

If you liked the Murder of Mr Wickham, you need to read this! We’re taken on a merry chase through the town and a variety of red herrings before we land on the murderer. The author did a great job of capturing Emma’s voice and personality. Getting a peek into the Knightley's married life was lovely. Emma is the perfect character to pick up the reins of a murder investigation, given her general involvement in Highbury and her cleverness. Her relationship with her father was very sweet, I always thought he was a surprisingly fun character and I was not disappointed by his role in this book!

If you like Jane Austen, if you like cozy mysteries, or if you just enjoy a well-written story with intriguing characters set in the bucolic English countryside, Murder in Highbury is a book that should be added to your fall reading list.

Vanessa Kelly is one of my favorite historical romance authors. I enjoy the humor, passion, danger, and adventure I've come to expect from her books and wasn't sure how I felt about her move to this new genre. After reading Murder in Highbury, I can say, without reservation, that I love it. Kelly's homage to Austen's Emma is charming and cozy, with a tightly-crafted mystery, lively characters who light up the page, and a beautifully descriptive setting that immersed me in the small village of Highbury and the secrets she's been keeping.

I enjoyed this book so much that I wanted to read it in one day but the leisurely pace of the village and her citizens forced me to slow down, savor the story, and give it the time it deserved. It enabled me to fully appreciate the nuances that Kelly has infused into the characters as well as the subtle twists and turns that kept me guessing as to who among the citizenry may have been involved in the murder.

I am hooked and already looking forward to Emma Knightley's next foray into amateur sleuthing. I would be happy if Vanessa Kelly planned many more books for this delightful series.

4.5 stars

This clever reimagining of Emma as a murder mystery is both inventive and engaging. When Emma and Harriet discover Mrs. Elton’s body, Emma takes on the role of amateur sleuth.

The characters remain true to Austen’s originals—Mr. Woodhouse is fretful, Harriet flighty, and Mr. Elton insufferably obsequious. Red herrings abound, and even a chicken thief adds intrigue, while the tension between misogynistic officials and Knightley’s authority as magistrate is deftly handled.

A fresh, smart twist on a classic, this novel balances wit, mystery, and social commentary beautifully. I eagerly await the sequel. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. Highly recommended.

3.5 stars. This was a cute story! I liked that it started right off with the murder mystery, and there were a lot of great characters. It did move a bit too slowly for me, and there wasn't quite enough going on. But it was still a cozy, easy read. I didn't guess the murderer for a while, either. It ended with mostly everything cleared up, but definitely felt open to another book, which I would probably read.

In the first book in a brilliant new mystery series starring iconic Austen protagonist Emma Woodhouse Knightley following her marriage to George Knightley after the events of the original novel, readers return to Highbury as the atmosphere changes from cheerful to somber when the corpse of Mrs. Augusta Elton, wife of the vicar, appears on the steps of the altar in the church. As clues appear and seem to implicate a member of the community, the chaos and mystery absorb the town, and Emma Knightley -- witty, determined, and powerful -- continues to find herself at the center of the investigation despite the well-meaning men (and husband) who try to tell her no. As readers partake in the investigation and join Emma in her efforts, readers will love Vanessa Kelly’s wit and charm in bringing a good mystery and a faithful spinoff sequel to the classic novel to life in this brilliant new release. Emma is, of course, an iconic protagonist who has refused to let marriage tame her spirit, and readers will love revisiting the residents of Highbury and seeing how these relationships have changed (or not) with Emma’s marriage and a local (and personal) murder mystery in this brilliant new release.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Historical fictions are first in my heart, and this was my first historical fiction murder mystery. It was very well done. I like the pacing, the characters were interesting, the dialogue was entertaining, and the plot was well written. Overall, I would highly recommend this to those interested in murder mysteries, historical fiction, or a combination of the two.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions are honest and my own.

4.5 stars

True confession: Emma Woodhouse is one of my least favorite Austen heroines BUT George Knightley is my very favorite of her heroes. And it’s for that reason alone that I wanted to read Murder in Highbury by Vanessa Kelly. A chance to shallowly swoon over Mr. Knightley as a married man? Yes please! I am happy to report that he’s just as yummy as I expected him to be, while retaining his sardonic wit and banter with Emma too. I am also happy to report that I much prefer this rendition of Emma – clearly, marriage to her beloved George is good for her.

I was absolutely delighted with the way author Vanessa Kelly has immersed us once more in Highbury and the world of Emma. Her ability to not only stay true to Austen’s characterizations and duplicate their personalities and distinct voices (especially Miss Banks) but also to add her own affectionate touches that perfectly complement what Austen left behind (especially for Emma’s father) brought much enjoyment to the reading for me. I would never have thought of Emma as an amateur sleuth, but now that the idea has been put before me I can’t see it any other way. Of course Emma would be right in the middle of an investigation, whether or not she found the body but especially so because she did. It’s refreshing to see that she has learned from her matchmaking mistakes and seems more aware of people now in ways she wasn’t before. Something which serves her well as she investigates the horrible murder of Mrs. Elton and puts up with a histrionic Mr. Elton (you can imagine how even more long-suffering it is to be around him than usual) as well as local gossips and a less-than-astute constable and coroner.

Bottom Line: Vanessa Kelly skillfully captures everything we love about Jane Austen’s Emma and carries it seamlessly forward into this delightful new story. The essence of the original characters settles around readers with a lovely nostalgia, and it’s clear from the affection with which she wrote them that Kelly is a fan of Austen’s classic as well. Emma and George are so fun (and subtly swoony) as a devoted married couple, and I loved how she drove him slightly crazy with her sleuthing, much as she used to with her matchmaking. The mystery is cleverly plotted, the witty one-liners perfectly timed, and the quaint setting of Highbury ideally situated for this type of story. Murder in Highbury is a must-read for fans of Emma, the Regency era, Mr. Knightley, Stephanie Barron’s Jane Austen Mysteries, laughter, affection, and a layered mystery to solve!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)

Mrs. Elton is dead. You don't have to know immediately that Mrs. Elton lives in Jane Austen's "Emma" to enjoy this book. Vanessa Kelly does a great job expanding the lives of the original book's characters.

The action moves quickly and the various misdirections fooled me. I hoped that this book would be the first in a series, and sure enough: it is. I'm looking forward to the next book.

I found my return to Emma's Highbury home a welcome surprise. Everything was pretty much as I'd left it after finishing "Emma" some years back.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. This is my honest review.

I loved the premise of Emma Knightley, the magistrate's wife solving a murder, but the book didn't work for me overall. The writing could have been tightened up to make the book shorter.

Knightley- “Forgive me. I find that since our marriage, my sense of what is appropriate has become somewhat impaired.”

Emma- “Truly? Then, well done me.”

Murder in Highbury is the perfect story set after Emma Woodhouse and Mr. Knightley have stared their HEA, in Jane Austen's Emma.

I was pleasantly surprised with this book! Laughable moments, quirky characters, and just an intriguing mystery with a side of comedy.

The banter between Knightley and Emma is just fabulous! Little hints of their romance behind closed doors, Knightley hiding his amusement, and the sweet knowing looks between them- SO adorable!

The mystery aspect was well done! Perfect depictions of Mr. Elton, Miss Bates and even Mr. Woodhouse. What a quirky bunch in Highbury!

Highly recommend this one for those who love Jane Austen, especially Emma! Thank you @austenprose for my #gifted copy!

*Romance- closed door
*TW- murder scene, talk about death

#murdermystery #emma #janeausten #austenprose #kensington #arccopy #mondaymadness #mystery #lovestories #happilyeverafter #thesequel

This is the first book by this author that I have read. It was a wonderful cozy mystery with well-written characters and a well-thought-out plot. I enjoyed the twists and turns that had you guessing although by the time I had finished, I already had the suspect in mind. It was an enjoyable read but did find it a bit long-winded. It could have been a bit shorter, but I would read another book in this series. I received this as an ARC from Netgalley and freely give my review.

It was so entertaining to return to the characters from Highbury even if it was for murder and mayhem! Vanessa Kelly did a fabulous job of capturing the characters from Emma while sprinkling in some romance/connection between George and Emma. I loved Emma continuing on with her investigation and George's varying responses to her updates. Vanessa Kelly did Jane Austen proud with this novel!

While my favorite Jane Austen heroine is by far the capable and mature Anne Elliot of Persuasion, I’ve been accused often enough of being too much like the eponymous heroine of Emma to not have a fondness for her as well. So when I heard that someone was writing a murder mystery following the events of that latter novel, I knew that I had to take a look.

And I’m so glad I did, because Murder In Highbury is a charming pastiche that faithfully captures the spirit of its predecessor while being a very smart cozy crime novel all on its own. Readers are thrown right into the action on the very first page, when Emma and Harriet – now Mrs Knightley and Mrs Martin – stumble across the corpse of Mrs Elton in the village church where her husband is vicar. It’s very clear that Augusta Elton did not die of natural circumstances. After first situating an overcome Harriet in a pew, Emma sets her formidable brain to figuring out how best to deal with this horrifying occurrence:

QUOTE
Emma was very fond of her young friend, but Harriet often displayed an unfortunate excess of emotion when distressed as well as a tendency to faint. Neither characteristic was welcome under the circumstances.

With Harriet sorted for the moment, Emma could gather her thoughts and determine what must be done next. As mistress of Hartfield, her father’s manor house, and of Donwell Abbey since her marriage to George, she was used to making decisions. Still, while Emma generally trusted her judgment and intellect, a dead Mrs Elton was a challenge that taxed even her ability to think clearly.
END QUOTE

Her talent for organizing quickly alerts the proper authorities, including her own husband George Knightley, whose responsibilities include acting as the local magistrate. But her insatiable curiosity soon has her picking up incriminating evidence, which she swiftly turns over to her sensible husband. Unfortunately, his counterparts in local law enforcement zero in on the hapless Miss Bates as their prime suspect in Mrs Elton’s murder. Emma knows that the talkative former vicar’s daughter wouldn’t harm a fly, and is determined to prove it. Will her meddling ways prove for the best as she seeks to keep Miss Bates out of prison, or will they only do further harm as a devious killer stalks their English village?

Having acquired years of leadership experience in both professional and community settings since reading Emma as a teenager, I can now better appreciate her characteristics and personality – flaws, foibles and all. It’s very clear that Vanessa Kelly does, too: the Emma of Murder In Highbury has certainly learned several very important lessons as she’s grown up and gotten married, but still possesses that wonderful self-confidence and clarity that allows her to both see the reality of and the very best in people, including in herself:

QUOTE
Her father dramatically sighed.”[I] could barely swallow a bite. Emma did her best to eat something–more for my sake, you understand. I know she did not wish me to worry after her terrible ordeal.”

Truth be told, her terrible ordeal had left Emma terribly famished. She had demolished ample portions of the veal and the trifle and had finished dinner with an apple and cheese tart. Though rather insensitive of her, it hardly made sense to pretend she wasn’t hungry.

And the veal had been excellent.

“That was very thoughtful of Emma,” George wryly replied.

She smiled. “You know very well that nothing impairs my appetite, which is surely an unfortunate lack of sensibility on my part.”

“Or a great deal of common sense. If we were to lose our appetites every time a tragic event occurred, the human race would starve in very short order.”
END QUOTE

In addition to successfully continuing the original’s humor and charm, Ms Kelly writes a surprisingly dense murder plot, with excellent misdirections to go with the lively characterizations. I was just as absorbed in the twisty tale as I was amused at the on-going adventures of characters I already know and love. Out of all of Austen’s heroines, the inquisitive, assured Emma is by far the best suited to take on the role of investigator, in my personal opinion. This novel was a treat for me as an Austen fan and as a mystery reader, and I’m hoping that, despite the decisive nature of the book’s final sentence, there will be many more mysteries for Emma and her loved ones to solve together in future.

Less than a year into her marriage with George Knightly, Emma and Harriet happen upon a shocking discovery in the local church. As the investigation into Mrs. Elton’s death progresses, Emma must discreetly navigate an investigation of her own to protect the innocent and expose the ruthless culprit hiding in plain sight. From matchmaker to sleuth, Emma faces new challenges amongst familiar faces.

Cozy mysteries are always fun to follow, and this brought back many of my favorite characters from classic Austen literature! I felt like the author did those characters justice, creating a fun story to follow with just enough red herrings. This book wasn't particularly long, but there were a few chapters that felt drawn out. Overall, I was happy to return to the world of Emma Woodhouse and those in her inner circle.

Thank you Kensington Books, Austen Prose PR, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!

What a fun cozy mystery! The author did a fantastic job at staying true to the heart of the established characteristics and personalities.

I wasn't able to finish this book. I made it to 40 percent, but so little had happened in the plot that I lost interest. It was a unique and interesting premise, but it the pacing was too slow for me. I'm rating the portion that I read.

A very light, fun, cozy mystery read! Jane Austen’s Emma , now happily married to George Knightley, finds herself in quite a situation when she and her friend Harriet discover a dead body. And this body is not any body, it happens to be the vicar’s wife, Mrs. Elton. Though Dr. Hughes and Constable Sharpe seem to be looking for the killer, Emma sees the need to intervene and with the help of her friends she seeks out to find out the truth. Due to the doctor and the constable’s ineptitude, two characters are mistakenly accused of the crime. It is up to Emma to figure out who the killer is, before he strikes again, and this time it may be someone near and dear to Emma. I really enjoyed this murder mystery!
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Books, and Vanessa Kelly for providing this advance reader copy of the book. My honest review is below.

Confession, I've never read the book Emma by Jane Austen. I've come into this world of Emma with no background to help navigate. George and Emma seem to be the usual Regency romance couple in age difference and social standing. George seems to be a grounded man who understands his jobs/duty but has a real soft spot for his wife. He calls her "my Emma" and it melts my heart. The inner monolog from Emma paints a wonderful picture of a handsome truly nice and understanding man. Her father on the other hand, sheesh. Mr. Woodhouse and his Nosophobia - irrational fear of contracting a disease - was a burden to slog through. One daughter lit out for London as soon as possible and never comes home to visit. Emma feeds into his phobia non-stop. Poor George has moved into the Woodhouse home instead of his own manor house. I was done with him about 1/3 of the way in.

I found Emma herself to be a hoot. She's into everything and has a good nose for details. Perceptive, audacious, energetic, easy to talk to, jumps in with both feet and thinks later - usually when George chides her, she's a Regency Jessica Fletcher. The plot was good but the book was too long. At 403 pages I felt it could have been just as effective if pared down a bit. All in all, a pleasant read and good story. I look forward to book #2 in the series.

#NetGalley #MurderinHighbury #VanessaKelly #EmmaKnightleyMystery #KensingtonBooks #basedonJaneAustencharacter #Regencymystery #murdermystery #mystery