I adored this book! I haven’t even read Emma but I still felt very attached to all the characters. Now I’m going back to read it as well. Emma and George are the most adorable couple! I love Emma desire to seek justice for Mrs. Elton even though they did not really get along. I love her love for her community. It was the perfect historical cozy mystery! I sincerely hope Vanessa Kelly writes more soon!

This. Was. Excellent. 👌
The tone and feel are true to Austen’s original, and it was so lovely to be back in Highbury and with old friends again. I loved seeing Emma and Knightley as a married couple, and deeply appreciated that while we are informed they’re very much enjoying married life ^ahem^ particulars are left to our imagination. {I don’t mind spice, but in this case it works so beautifully to not be told. Knightley would not approve of a sexy scene being shared, hehe}. The murder and subsequent investigation are twisty and convoluted and of course our dear Emma is going to be involved.
It’s good reading, thoroughly enjoyed myself, and already can’t wait for Book 2 when Book 1 has not published yet!

This was a delightful read. The book is set after the events of Emma, with Emma having settled into a life of marital bliss with Mr. Knightley. All is well in Highbury until she and Harriet come across the dead body of the dreaded Mrs. Elton and Emma decides she is gonna to play detective.

I thought the characterization was done really well. I kept picturing the actors from the 2009 BBC adaptation while reading the book. I look forward to reading future books from this series.

Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.

An enjoyable post Emma tale about the solving of a murder. It was easy to get into as we already know the characters. The author did exaggerate some of the personalities of the original which had me rolling my eyes a few times but overall quick, easy, fun, murderous read!

Turns out Emma is a better detective than she is matchmaker. This is a clever and cozy story that I thoroughly enjoyed. The charm of Austen comes through and I thought all of the classic characters were put to good use. I do think being familiar with the original story would be necessary to enjoy this book. This book is good fun; it’s not an introduction to Emma.

This was delightful! I don’t know if the author was a fan of the Gwyneth Paltrow adaption but she captured the essence of it perfectly. Emma’s detecting was believable for her character, and she proved better at it than at matchmaking.

Very much will be recommending this.

I loved this one! It was fun reading a book about a couple that’s already married. The murder mystery was absolutely fantastic! I loved the “Emma” vibes and think it was very well done. The story was so funny, and Emma is just a doll. She’s smart and resourceful and caring. I did not correctly guess the bad guy so that was very well done!

If you've read Emma (or if you haven't) you NEED to read this book! It kept SO well to the original source material that I got lost in the story and the characters. It felt seamless. The author definitely knows Emma, Mr. Knightley, Mr. Woodhouse, and all the other fabulous characters from Austen's Emma.
As if Kelly's incredible accuracy wasn't enough--on top of that, this story was the perfect blend of humor, mystery, and fun.
I always love a good whodunnit--and Murder in Highbury did not disappoint.

Who would want Mrs. Elton dead? Well, that's what Emma is resolved to find out. Much to Mr. Knightley's dismay. She uses her charm, wit, and smarts to solve this village mystery.
I had no idea who the villain was until very close to the end. So, it wasn't at all predictable.

I very much hope to read more from this author. And if that includes more Emma Knightley solving mysteries--sign me up!

Review will be posted on my website and Goodreads soon as part of a book tour!

For a woman who published only four novels during her lifetime, with two others appearing shortly after her death and several incomplete or shorter works released into print much later, Jane Austen has had an astonishing and enduring legacy. Personally, I’m of the school that believes Austen should be left in peace to rest on her laurels, but it’s obvious that publishing houses and movie studios feel otherwise. And once in a while, I agree with them. Vanessa Kelly’s foray away from historical romance and into a murder mystery series based on Austen’s “Emma” is one such example.

As happens in the best of these adaptations, Kelly’s Emma Woodhouse—now Emma Knightley—shares basic personality traits with her original conception but is not constrained by them. Stumbling into an impossible-to-predict encounter with a dead body in the chancel of the local church, Emma keeps her head even as her companion, Harriet Martin, seems ready to faint at the horrible sight. Emma confirms the victim’s death, settles her friend down, then sends her off to find the local doctor/coroner and George Knightly, Emma’s husband and the magistrate for Highbury. Emma herself waits behind in the church in case the vicar should pop in and discover his wife lying on the floor with bruises around her neck and her head bashed in. Hearing a noise, she goes to investigate (chiding herself for impetuousness), and even before her husband arrives, she has discovered evidence of murder.

But whodunnit? The residents of Highbury, not to mention the victim and her relatives, display the usual array of problems, lies, misdirections, and motives. The whole is handled with a light touch and a regard for Regency language and deportment, as well as for Austen’s original, that makes it a delightful read.

I look forward to interviewing the author for the New Books Network (link below) in October 2024.

This was an all around pleasant experience with bonus points for really nailing the tone. That said, there were a couple of small things left unresolved, which didn't seem, if you will, in character.

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

It is a Regency era murder mystery that will have you intrigue. Recently married Emma who is enjoying her marriage finds herself in the role of amateur detective when the vicar’s wife is found dead. She’ll have to use her wits to find a killer before they strike again. A charming read that will entertain.

Murder in Highbury by Vanessa Kelly is a great historical and cozy mystery that is the first book in an exciting new series: An Emma Knightly Mystery.

This is an adorable, historical, cozy mystery. This takes place during the regency period and takes our beloved Emma from Jane Austen and supposes what her life may have evolved into after marriage.

The cast of characters in this quaint English village are a hoot. Mr. and Mrs. Knightly (Emma and George) are a great combination. Emma is our main character and amateur sleuth. Her propensity to accidentally overstep her bounds (restricted by society due to her status and gender) and her overwhelming urge to right wrongs, be “awkward” as she calls it, and help others balances perfectly with her husband George whom is magistrate, kind, a bit more serious (but his quips are hilarious), and a man of few words, but high in standing. I can tell that both are totally devoted to one another and it is just a great addition.

Emma and her friends stumble into a murder seen and subsequently investigate the murder of Mrs. Elton, the Vicar’s wife, when Emma can see that the constable and village Doctor are stubborn and are traveling down the wrong path towards injustice.

What ensues is a great murder mystery with sass, twists, turns, and one-liners that made me laugh out loud. I thoroughly enjoyed this and look forward to the next in this series.


4.5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Kensington Publishing | Kensington for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 10/22/24.