"Emma pressed a hand to her bodice. "Me, interfere? You must be thinking of some other Emma."

This is an amazing novel, doing the seemingly impossible and making me actually like Emma (nee Woodhouse) Knightley. While I like Austen's story about Emma, I loathe her character. Actually, I had forgotten how much until I picked up this book and decided to rewatch one of the movies just to refresh my memory of the story (yes, I know it's not the same as reading the book). Omg, I hate her so much. I guess the author decided that Emma had a complete personality change after she got married, though. Which is great, because the original personality is horrible.

Anyway . . . I loved this book so much and am hopeful that there will be more books. ❤️ So many times, I thought I had figured out who the murderer was, just to be confused again. In the end, it was one of the people I originally guessed, but then immediately dismissed. Of course, that isn't saying much because I immediately guess everyone, so at the end. I can say I was right 😉

Thanks to NetGalley for the free Kindle book!!! My opinions are my own, and my review is voluntarily given.

I’m always so nervous when a new Jane Austen re-imaging comes out! Of course, I know I will have to read it, but there is so much potential for failure. Austen’s characters are so classic, her tales so iconic, and her style of writing so specific, that it’s very hard for modern authors to properly capture the certain “je ne sais quoi” of the entire endeavor. I’ve read many failures over the years. At the same time, there have been some true gems as well! So, with much trepidation, I nabbed a copy of this while at ALA over the summer!

Well, before we get into details, I’m pleased to report that this one falls solidly in the “great” category as far as Austen re-tellings go! It does an excellent job of not only recreating the basic essence of the main characters that make up “Emma,” but it also does not fall into the trap of too much fan service. Instead, there is a solid and unique mystery at its heart that holds up well, even without the Austen setting and references!

I’ll get to the mystery in a bit, but first off, the primary concern going into any “Emma” variation is how well the author manages to capture the titular character herself! Emma is one of the most beloved of Austen’s heroines (I imagine much to Austen’s surprise as she is well-known for questioning whether any reader would love this heroine as much as she did), but she is also notoriously difficult to get right. She’s smart, confident, and fiercely defensive of those she loves. But at the same time, she can be thoughtless, impulsive, and quick-tongued.

Here, the author made the wise decision to set the story after the events of the original book. Not only does this allow the story to read fully as its own, but it also allows the author to benefit from the growth that Emma went through in her story. Here, she is a happily married woman. So while many of her traits are the same, they are also tempered with the experience that comes with the lessons she originally learned. Like the original, this character was a blast to follow throughout the story. Her nosiness and enjoyment of theorizing about the lives of others pair perfectly with a would-be amateur sleuth. I particularly enjoyed her growing distain for the men in charge of solving the mystery.

I also really liked the romance between her and Knightley. Obviously, all Jane Austen novels devote very little time to the characters after the love confession or marriage, so one of the primary points of interest in books like this one is getting a sneak peak at what the couple could be like afterwards. And I really like what we got here! Knightley’s loving bewilderment for his wife comes through strongly, as well as Emma’s respect for her husband, even if she often disregards his advice. It’s all very wholesome and works perfectly for the sorts of characters we know these two to be.

As for the mystery itself, I thought it was pretty good. There were a decent number of red herrings, and, as I mentioned earlier, I liked a few of the original characters who were brought into to deal with solving the murder. That said, it did become fairly obvious rather early on who was behind it all and even their motivations. But that still didn’t reduce my enjoyment, as I was happy to just exist in this world and follow Emma along through all of her exploits.

I thought this was a romp of a time and I couldn’t be more pleased to now have two series (I believe this is the first in a series) of Jane Austen mysteries that are managing to capture the spirit of the originals so well! I think most Austen fans will be likewise charmed by this tale!

Rating 8: Who knew that Emma would make an extraordinary sleuth? Besides, herself, of course! A wonderful historical mystery that is sure to please Janeites everywhere!

Link will go live on The Library Ladies blog on Nov. 29

What is your favorite type of jewelry? Or do you prefer to not wear any jewelry? I lovw my pearl necklace that my husband bought for me a gift years ago. A missing pearl necklace is featured in Murder in Highbury by Vanessa Kelly.

Emma Knightley is newly married and enjoying life. Life takes a turn in Highbury when together when her friend Harriet, they discover the murdered body of Mrs. Elton. Who murdered Mrs. Elton and why?

My thoughts on this novel:
• I greatly enjoyed this cozy mystery.

• Vanessa Kelly has perfect captured Jane Austen’s characters from Emma. This was a great continuation from the classic novel. It starts about one year after the conclusion of Emma.

• I liked getting to see the married couples of Emma and George Knightley, Harriet and Robert Martin, Jane and Frank Churchill.

• I felt like there were hints that perhaps Mr. Woodhouse could have feelings for Miss Bates. I would like to see this storyline develop in further novels.

• This is labeled “An Emma Knightley Mystery.” In the press release, it states that this will be a series featuring Emma as the detective and in the future, there may be crossovers from other Austen novels. I would love to read more in this series.

• There were many red herrings in this mystery, and I enjoyed the journey. I guess the murderer early on, but I didn’t fully believe they were the killer until the very end. The mystery had a satisfying conclusion.

• I loved that Emma retains her wit from the original novel and had many funny and witty conversations.

• I liked that George Knightley is the magistrate. This makes sense and really gives him an intricate role into the investigation.

Favorite Quote: “I cannot believe Mrs. Elton would approve of so frugal a state of affairs. She is no doubt looking down – or up from wherever she is, mortified at such cheeseparing ways.”

Overall, Murder in Highbury by Vanessa Kelly is an engaging cozy historical mystery full of witty banter and it is a great continuation of Jane Austen’s classic novel Emma.

Book Source: Review copy from Kensington Books as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Thank-you! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Such a delightful story and a good mystery. George and Emma have such a good relationship, but it is strained a bit when Emma and Harriet stumble across the dead body of the vicar's wife. As magistrate, George has to investigate, and Emma is only too glad to help. George wants to keep her as far away from the investigation as possible. Emma knows that she can help and continues to investigate on her own. The vicar keeps coming up with clues about various suspects and keeps everyone trying to prove or disprove each one. It seems the whole village is getting into it. When danger comes to George, Emma is ready to throw herself in front of him. Will they survive?

I thoroughly enjoyed this fun historical romance that takes a murder mystery and plunks it down into Jane Austen’s Emma. I liked that the story was true to the original characters and setting in Emma.

I think that the murder happened to the person who most deserved to be bumped off. I thought I had the murderer pegged, but I was surprised by the murderer in the end.

If you enjoy reading Jane Austeneque fiction or historical mysteries - give this book a try.

I am reviewing this book as a non-Austen expert; though I have read Emma I wouldn't say I'm any kind of expert. And I'm happy to say that even if you haven't read Emma (the inspiration for the characters), this book was easy to follow and enjoy. Any pertenant previous drama is mentioned and explained so that you can understand the relationships between characters. I adored Emma and George and their equal and loving relationship! There is a lot of drama with their friends and aquaintenances - mostly about who courted and tried to marry who - which is to be expected and added flare and some laughs. Emma's father is one of those characters that made you roll your eyes, but also laugh sometimes because he was over the top. I love how Emma stood up for herself, when all the men in authority treated her poorly because she is a woman; and I love how George stood up for her. I was SHOCKED by the reveal! A great start to this mystery series.

What a delightfully fun historical mystery starring Jane Austen's Emma Woodhouse (now Knightley) as an amateur sleuth. She's honestly perfect for the role. She's charming and very likable! Well-written and witty, with fantastic historical detail, this book is a love letter to both Austen and murder mysteries. However, you do not need to be familiar with Austen's original work to enjoy this, as it stands on its own. The mystery was solidly plotted and had enough misdirection to keep you guessing, as well as secrets and humor to keep you entertained. The pacing was good, and the mystery was interesting. This is the kind of book you'll want to brew a pot of tea and curl up with. Cozy and historical mystery lovers will want to add to their lists!

Thank you to Netgalley, Kensington Books, and Austen Prose for my gifted copy!

Murder in Highbury is the first book in the Emma Knightley Mystery series by Vanessa Kelly. This entertaining mystery is based on the characters and locations of the Jane Austen book Emma. Now I have a confession to make, and I admit I am very embarrassed about this... I have not read Ms. Austin's Emma. Even worse, I haven't read ANY Jane Austen books! I really don't live under a rock, so what kind of romance reader am I, not reading any classics?! (I watched Pride and Prejudice starring Matthew Macfadyen - totally dreamy - does that count?) However, not having read the book these characters are based on, I had no trouble following along. Such delightful characters!

Emma Knightley, formerly Miss Woodhouse, has been married less than a year to respected magistrate George Knightley, and things are going swimmingly. She has been managing her family's elegant estate and attending social engagements with friends and family; her only worry is her father's health. Things change suddenly, however, when Emma and her friend Harriet Martin arrive at the local church only to find Mrs. Augusta Elton, the vicar’s wife, dead on the altar steps, the expensive necklace she often wore ripped from her neck. The deceased wasn't particularly well liked, so there are many people in Highbury who wouldn't miss her. When suspicion soon lands on a harmless local, Emma is determined to clear the woman's name and find the true culprit. Could the killer be hiding in plain sight?

Since I have never read Emma (bad, bad Kat!), I cannot render an opinion on whether or not this story and characters are true to the original book. However, I can tell you that Ms. Kelly has written an engaging, charming story chock-full of interesting characters. The speech and social mores ring true to the Regency period, surrounding you in believable historical ambience. I enjoyed the character of Emma the best, of course - this is HER book and new series! She was witty and extremely likable; she would stand up for the innocent, and here she is determined to find evidence that the accused murderer is not the woman they arrested.. Her marriage to George Knightley, the local magistrate, is still in its honeymoon phase of less than a year of marriage, and I love the sweet relationship between Emma and George. He respected her intellect and determination, but at times could become exasperated with his wife when she possibly puts herself in danger and wants to be in the middle of the investigation. My favorite supporting character by far is Henry Woodhouse, Emma's beloved father, a dear man who appears to be quite the hypochondriac! He seemed more concerned that his loved ones would catch a chill than the fact that they were in the midst of a murder investigation. Philip Elton, the vicar whose wife is found murdered, is an odd duck. He professed to love his dearly departed wife, yet he seems to be overly fond of Emma. The mystery itself was a lot of fun, with twists and turns that will have you doubting yourself about whodunit. It's the citizens of Highbury, however, that will draw you into their fair village, and I look forward to spending more time with them soon.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I have received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are totally my own.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!!

What a good book! I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I loved the main characters! They had great chemistry and worked so well together. I loved how the book just flowed. My first by this author but will not be my last!!!

I do enjoy mystery adaptations of Jane Austen’s novels where her characters turn into amateur investigators and solve crimes. I have been reading quite a few lately and my latest favourite is Murder in Highbury by Vanessa Kelly, featuring Emma Knightley (former Miss Emma Woodhouse) and all the other characters from the novel involved in a murder mystery.

This was such an entertaining and intriguing read. I loved the characters of Emma and Mr. Knightley, who have been married for a year, who come together to find the murderer of one of the least likable characters in the original novel, Mrs. Augusta Elton. It’s up to Mr. Knightley, in his role as the local magistrate, to find the killer, helped by an inept constable and an arrogant coroner, but it’s Emma the one who finds the body in the church (together with her friend Harriet, now Mrs. Martin) and, of course, she sets out to investigate, asking questions around, wondering if the killer is one of her friends or an outsider, much to the constable and coroner’s irritation and her husband’s amusement.

The author did an amazing job bringing these Jane Austen’s characters to life. Not only Emma and Mr. Knightley, but also Mr. Woodhouse, Frank and Jane Churchill, Mr and Mrs. Weston, Mrs and Miss Bates and even the annoying Mr. Elton. The mystery was well-developed and there is quite a list of suspects that kept me guessing. I also enjoyed how the mystery blends with Emma’s everyday life as she now manages two estates, Hartfield and Donwell Abbey, indulges her father’s concerns for everybody’s health, and she has also some time to share a few romantic moments with her husband.

Murder in Highbury is a gripping and engaging cozy Regency mystery, the first in a series, and I am already looking forward to reading the next one!

A Regency murder mystery staring none other than Jane Austen’s, Emma! Where do we sign up? Author Vanessa Kelly could not have selected a more suitable amateur detective - no really! Jane Austen fans are sure to delight as Emma extends her social skills to sleuthing. A match made in heaven!

It is a delight to revisit all the familiar characters such as Harriet, Miss Bates and all the other villagers and let us not of course forget Emma’s now husband, Mr Knightley. How wonderful to revisit Highbury with this cozy murder mystery that is sure to appeal to Janeites and indeed anyone who loves a wonderful historical mystery.


‘Emma Knightley fancied herself quite adept at managing awkward social situations. Murder, however, was not one of them.’

Full disclosure, I am one of those who has not yet gotten around to reading Jane Austen (gasp!). What sold me on picking this one up is author Vanessa Kelly, whose novels are an automatic read.
In MURDER IN HIGHBURY, Vanessa Kelly has taken established and well-loved characters in a new direction. Emma Knightley is enjoying her new role in life when she stumbles upon the vicar’s wife, dead in the church. Of course, she can’t sit back and leave questions unanswered, especially when the clues don’t fit together. Kelly has created a world with interesting characters in a cozy historical mystery, replete with the witty dialogue I always enjoy.
Grab a nice hot cup of tea and a scone and cozy up with this one. This is the first in a new series and I am excited to see what hijinks Emma gets into next.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of the novel. All opinions are my own and freely given.

*Murder in Highbury* is an exceptional addition to the historical mystery genre. Vanessa Kelly masterfully intertwines the enchanting world of Austen with the suspense of a murder mystery, creating an irresistibly engaging read. The book’s rich themes and well-developed characters elevate it beyond a mere whodunit, offering a profound.
I urge you to pick up **Murder in Highbury** if you are a fan of historical mysteries, a Jane Austen enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates a meticulously crafted, character-driven narrative. Vanessa Kelly’s novel is a shining example of her literary prowess and her deep affinity for Austen’s universe. Whether you have long cherished Emma or are just beginning to explore her world, this book promises to captivate and delight you. Don't miss out on this extraordinary journey!

*I received an advanced reader copy of this book for review from Austenprose/Kensington Books/Netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity. All thoughts are my own*

Fans of Jane Austen’s Emma, rejoice! Vanessa Kelly’s Murder in Highbury is the start of a new murder mystery series featuring Emma Woodhouse (now Knightly).

Emma has been married to George Knightly the town magistrate not even a year, when she and her dear friend Harriet Martin stumble upon the body of Mrs. Augusta Elton inside Highbury’s church. The town is in a complete uproar as they grapple with the fact that a murder has taken place, and they have no idea who could have murdered poor Mrs. Elton. Emma decides to trade her match making skills for detective skills to assist George and the bumbling town constables.

I absolutely adored this cozy, Regency mystery! It was so well written; it felt like a continuation of Emma. It was wonderful to spend more time with Emma and George Knightly and the whole cast of characters. I appreciated the wit and humor throughout the story and found myself chuckling often. Although I had some suspicions about who the murderer could be, I enjoyed every minute of this story from beginning to end.

I do hope this series will continue as I need more detective Emma Knightly in my life! Sign me up!

Bottom line, I highly recommend for fans of Austen, mysteries and historical fiction.

A delightful cosy murder mystery set in the quiet village of Highbury. But as everyone knows, never underestimate the quiet village life. Intrigues and personal grudges run deep!

The story is set after one year of marital bliss for the Knightley’s. It’s high summer when Emma & Harriet are checking the church flowers, when they stumble across Mrs Elton’s bludgeoned body - a bloodied bronze candlestick nearby on the altar.

Was it a robbery disturbed? A desperate thief? Or someone more sinister and close to home? Mrs Elton’s murder sets the quiet village life in uproar! Gossip and speculation is rife and some villagers are turning on the vulnerable in society.

I love the charm and the wit of Emma & Harriet playing the role of detective. The author has stayed true to to the original characters, but skilfully introduced new characters and the murder plot line.

As a typical overthinker, I kept analysing who was the murder and was ‘hiding in plain sight’. What are the red herrings?

What could be improved, the plot did drag a little in the middle. I feel like too much plot time was spent on village speculation and the incompetent local authorities.

Overall, I love reading murder mysteries based on Austen’s world. They’re the perfect escapism for Austenites. Perfect for those who enjoy Claudia Grey and Stephanie Barron’s mystery novels!

Thank you to Netgallery for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

A really good regency who done it. There was no hint through out the book on who was the murderer. I enjoyed the story and the interactions with the characters.
I received and ARC from NetGalley and the Publisher and leaving a review by my own choice.

3.5/5

This was a cozy little historical mystery that takes place during the Regency era (1815 to be exact, I believe).

I thought it was really cool that there were so many "cameos" of other Regency era characters from other books of the time. I thought that was a super unique thing to do. So if you are a fan of Jane Austen, I think you'd have a lot of fun reading this book.

And there is a little touch of romance to add some more tension into an already tense situation of finding a literal dead body.

And these characters happen to stumble across a dead body and the story takes off from there, trying to solve the mystery of the murder.

This was a fun and easy read, although it did drag a bit at times for me. But I do tend to have that problem sometimes with cozier mysteries, so I think that's just the point of the cozy genre. So I can overlook that a bit, but now you know.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

When Jane Austen’s delightful Matchmaker stumbles on a body, Emma finds a new interest to devote her time. Vanessa Kelly has written some engaging historical romantic suspenses, but I was over the top thrilled when she took up her pen to write a murder mystery and sequel set in the world of Jane Austen’s Emma.

Attractive to both devotees of Austen or those who have never picked up one of her books or the movie adaptions, Murder in Highbury, takes readers into the Regency Era world of the classic novel Emma. The time is about a year after the final events of that book and Emma Knightley has settled into newly married life as leading lady of Highbury village and looking after her hypochondrial aging parent. She gave up her matchmaking ways, but now she and her friend, Harriet Martin stumble across the body of the vicar’s wife, Mrs. Elton, and her death was no accident. Emma’s keen observations and quick wit note evidence that her admiring husband who is magistrate gladly accepts and the coroner and the local constable don’t appreciate. George Knightley would rather Emma stay out of the investigation, but he can’t deny his wife is a good investigator since she knows all the principal people and can get more from the witnesses and suspects just being her sunny, caring, and interested self.

It didn’t take me long to cotton to the truth, but that didn’t diminish my enjoyment of being along as Emma poked into the lives of the locals and slowly worked the evidence and witness accounts to the surprising truth. Vanessa Kelly did an outstanding job creating the authentic historical backdrop, but also recreating Austen’s characters and world of her novel. She claimed to love this novel best and this shines through the story as Emma shows she has come into her own after the missteps she experienced before her marriage and she has a true loving and respectful partnership with George Knightley who balances out wanting to keep her safely out of danger and out of the official investigation, but acknowledging and using her superior skills that the official investigators lack.

Murder in Highbury was all I was hoping it would be and I really hope this becomes a series with more Emma the detecting Matchmaker in it. Those who enjoy historical cozy mysteries and also those who want an Austen novel sequel with a murder included should add this to their reading lists.

Emma by Jane Austen is one of my favorite classics. This cozy mystery picks up not too long after Emma ends, and stays true to Austen's work with the vocabulary and personality of the characters. Kelly does an amazing job bringing Austen's characters back to life to solve the mystery of who killed Mrs. Elton, and does so seamlessly. From Mr. Woodhouse’s constant fretting to Miss Bates and her consistent ramblings, this book just brings the whole setting back. I really enjoyed it. I had a couple of suspects along the way, but the ending will definitely surprise you. If you are a fan of Austen's novels, or just that time period, then this book is definitely for you.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Delightful, fun, and oh so charming! This is a wonderful cozy mystery and is the perfect read for all Austen fans. I enjoyed revisiting Austen's characters and seeing how Emma and the other characters handle this mysterious murder! The setting and characters feel true to Austen's world and original story, the speed of the plot is just right, the writing style is smooth, and the story is captivating and mysterious with the perfect level of cozy. This is a book that will keep you guessing and turning those pages! I enjoyed reading this book so much! It is well-written, mysterious, enthralling, original, and fun! If you love Jane Austen and her work or cozy mysteries in general you will enjoy this! 5 stars!

Thank you very much to the author Vanessa Kelly, Austenprose PR, Kensington Publishing Corp., and NetGalley for the wonderful opportunity of being a part of this book tour and for providing me with physical and digital copies to read and review honestly.