An Emma sequel where it is now 1815. One Saturday, Mrs Emma Knightley, wife of the local magistrate, and her friend Mrs Harriet Martin entered the local church only to find the body of Mrs Elton, the vicar's wife, presumably murdered. Emma disagreeing with the direction the local constable and coroner takes decides to become involved or meddle as is her wont.
An entertaining and well-written cozy historical mystery with its cast of likable and easily recognisable characters. A good start to which will hopefully be a new series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was fun, charming, suspenseful and held my interest. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next book by this author.

Fans of Jane Austen and historical mysteries won’t want to miss Murder in Highbury, the first in Vanessa Kelly‘s new Emma Knightley Mystery series.

Now married to George Knightley, Emma is off of matchmaking and on to… solving crimes! When she and Harriet Martin stumble across the body of Mrs. Elton, it’s immediately clear to Emma that the woman has been murdered. But who in Highbury could possibly commit such a heinous crime? When the men in charge of the investigation leave a lot to be desired, Emma decides to take matters into her own hands and follow the clues herself. If she can make love connections, she can certainly connect the dots in a murder mystery just as well.

Tropes & Narrative Devices:
- Characters from Jane Austen’s Emma
- Incompetent professionals
- Much more competent amateur investigator
- Several red herrings
- Third-person narration

What I Liked:
- Humor! As with Emma, Murder in Highbury is full of wit and humor. Much of it comes from Emma herself, from her sometimes callous remarks and darkly funny jokes. George offers his fair share of dryly delivered jokes, too. There are also the outlandish things other characters (like Emma’s father) say in the face of all this chaos. Despite the themes of murder and villains afoot, this book was such fun to read.
- Feminist lens. From the beginning of the novel, Emma is pushing back against outdated thinking on what women can or should do. Why shouldn’t a woman be able to investigate a crime? Who says women aren’t capable of violence themselves? Why are women constantly considered to be so delicate and helpless and incapable? Emma proves to the constable and the coroner that she is just as able to investigate and solve a crime as they are… perhaps more so.
- Twisting mystery. There are some red herrings to watch out for, and I loved working through the clues and drawing my own theories alongside Emma and George. There was a certain character I began to suspect partway through the book, and I’m proud to say I was on the right track there! Emma should enlist my help for the next mystery!
- Revisiting the Highbury residents. If you’ve read Emma (and I hope you have), then you’ll recognize most of the characters here. I appreciate that their characterizations in Murder in Highbury are exactly on point; it feels like the author channeled Jane Austen herself, then poured in a healthy dose of her own storytelling magic. They’re true to the original characters, even in the face of wildly different circumstances. I especially loved seeing Emma and George interact one-on-one.

What Didn’t Work for Me:
- Nothing, this was great!

Final Thoughts
Murder in Highbury is full of humor and wit, pushback against outdated thinking on what women can or should do, and furthered connections among the residents of Highbury. I adored this book and can hardly wait to read the next Emma Knightley Mystery! In the meantime, I’ll be adding Vanessa Kelly’s other books to my TBR.

As a Jane Austen fan, I loved being back in Highbury with Emma, Mr. Knightley and all the principle characters from the original. The author perfectly captured the married relationship between Mr. Knightley and Emma. I thought the writing was true to Austen’s characters from Mr. Woodhouse’s fretting to the rambling conversations of Miss Bates. As a cozy mystery reader, I thought it was a great example of the genre complete with multiple suspects, overheard conversations, mysterious letters, and incompetent investigators. It was an enjoyable mystery with a dramatic conclusion. I don’t think you need to be familiar with Emma to enjoy this as a cozy historical mystery. I hope there will be more Emma Knightley mysteries in the future.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher via NetGalley. A positive review was not required and all thoughts and opinions are mine.

Murder In Highbury by Vanessa Kelly, book one in the Emma Knightley Mysteries, is a whodunit involving Emma & George Knightley who become involved in a murder, with a touch of humor, an unexpected twist, and a satisfying conclusion.

Emma Knightley and her friend Harriet Martin discover the murdered body of their nemesis, the annoying Mrs. Augusta Elto, the vicar’s wife, in the church. Playing amateur detective, Emma searched for clues trying to determine which of the people the vicar’s wife had angered could have done such a thing in their tranquil town of Highbury. With Knightley as the magistrate, it’s up to him and his incompetent constables to investigate the crime. When a dear, harmless, old friend is accused of the murder, Emma uses her innate charm and strong social network, to crack the case as chaos ensues across the village of Highbury.

I truly enjoyed this mystery and it was wonderful revisiting all the familiar characters of Jane Austen’s much beloved story: “Emma.”. From Emma & Knightley, Frank & Jane Churchill, the Martins, Miss Bates, & Emma’s father, to the annoying Mr. Elton, I felt like I was reacquainting myself with old familiar friends. The mystery kept me guessing with each new clue Emma discovers. There are quite a few suspects, and while I guessed who it might be fairly quickly, but couldn’t stop reading leading up to the dramatic conclusion; to make sure I was correct. I am hoping Emma and Knightley find another mystery to investigate.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#NetGalley #Kensington

Oh my goodness, this one was SO fun! Vanessa Kelly did something unbelievably creative here in inserting Emma and George Knightley into a murder mystery. This was the matchup I didn’t know I needed, but man does it work. Not to mention it’s widely entertaining to read!

This story is so well written. It starts off with a bang and it just continues to draw you in. It’s bingeable, easy to read, and honestly, just so loveable. It was so easy to believe that Emma would get herself caught up in the whirlwind of a murder mystery and I was here for all of it. It felt just like a continuation of Emma, with all the characters and the setting we have come to love. I really hope we get more from Vanessa Kelly in this series.

Pick this one up if you love:

-Jane Austen, especially Emma
-Regency Mystery
-A mystery that will keep you guessing
-A new story with characters we all love
-Light and easy to read mystery novels
-Whodunit?

"Murder in Highbury" is a mystery set in 1815 in England. The author took the characters from Jane Austen's "Emma" and changed them a bit. For example, Emma's very outspoken in criticizing men in authority to their faces rather than using the more subtle set-down of a well-bred lady. She poked through someone's desk looking for clues while asking Harriet to stand lookout. Austen's Emma was oblivious to subtle relational interplays happening around her and jumped to conclusions, but in this mystery, Emma noticed when things were subtly off. Also, Miss Bates didn't just ramble on but was a fainting, hysterical lady-in-distress when people asked her questions about the day of the murder. Mrs. Bates might be hard of hearing and slept a lot but she's very engaged with what's going on. While foundational aspects of the original characters were still present, they all felt modified to suit the story the author wanted to tell.

I guessed whodunit early on and was astounded that no one but Emma (at the very end) even considered a most obvious suspect (who had motive, access to the murder scene, and the ability to do the murder). While it's clear that the author did some research into the time period, the social relationships often felt too modern. The coroner and constable both wanted to investigate and arrest people at will, sometimes assuming Mr. Knightly role as magistrate behind his back even though they knew this would offend him. This just didn't seem realistic as the social hierarchy was still pretty rigid at that time. However, it did drag out the mystery because Mr. Knightly was busy trying to minimalize the damage done by two bumbling men bucking his authority rather than everyone working together in their assigned roles. I guess it was the excuse for why Emma had to investigate instead.

All that said, it was an enjoyable enough take on Emma as a sleuth. There were no sex scenes. There were only a few uses of bad language.

Emma Woodhouse married George Knightley, the local magistrate. George accepted Emma's independent ways and allowed her to be her carefree self. When Emma and Harriet Martin went to the church to replace the fresh flowers like they did every week, they came across a dreadful scene....Mrs. Augusta Elton was found to be dead on the stairs leading up to the alter. Augusta was the wife of the local vicar, Philip Elton. Augusta was not the nicest of people but Emma couldn't understand why someone would want to kill her, but upon looking at the body and the surrounding area, Emma came to the conclusion that it was indeed murder!

Emma immediately called for George who contacted Dr. Hughes, the coroner and Constable Sharpe, the local police. Both of these men were doing a shoddy job of investigating so Emma took matters into her own hands, especially after they started to accuse the sweet, timid Miss Hetty Bates. When one person finally gets arrested for the murder, Emma realizes that the men made a mistake and arrested the wrong person. In Emma's round about way she makes everyone realize who the real murderer is and justice finally prevails.

Overall this historical mystery was a fun, who done it type of story to follow. I really loved how smart and witty Emma was. If it would have been a different time in history, Emma would have been leading the investigation. I also loved how her husband was so patient with her. He realized what an asset she was.

Getting the characters right for the beloved Jane Austen book, Emma, would be a difficult task. But, author Vanessa Kelly was spot on with every one of them from Miss Bates to Emma, to Mr. Elton, and the rest of the village. The list of suspects for Mrs. Elton’s murder is lengthy, because let’s face it, she wasn’t a very nice person.

Emma doesn’t plan on getting involved in the investigation and trusts her husband and the constabulary to discover the murderer, but when her sweeter than honey friend is accused of the crime, Emma just has to see justice prevail. I enjoyed this mystery and only figured out who the murderer was at the very end.

I recommend this for older teens/young adults through mature readers if you like historical cozy mysteries and are a Jane Austen fan. I look forward to seeing what Emma will become embroiled in next.

I received a complimentary copy of the book. A positive review was not required and all opinions are my own.

It’s a Regency era cozy mystery starring Jane Austen’s own Emma Knightley. And of course she interferes and gets involved in the mystery, just as she interferes in the original Austen book.

I thought the author did a great job keeping with the setting, character and voice of the original Emma Knightley. It’s a fantastic return to Austen-land and a fun continuation for this beloved character. If you love mysteries and you love Jane Austen, this book is absolutely for you!

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC of #MurderinHighbury

A cute cozy romance featuring Jane Austen’s Emma - who decided to investigate the murder of Mrs Elton when she is the first to discover the lady’s body on the alter steps . This is a must for Jane Austen lovers especially fans of Emma !

Emma Knightley nee Woodhouse is with her dear friend Harriet Martin have just arrived at the village of Highbury’s church to arrange flowers for Sunday when they happen upon the lifeless body of Augusta Elton, the vicar’s wife. Emma quickly takes charge and sends Harriet to find the local doctor and to find Emma’s husband George, who is the local magistrate. Because not only will George know what to do, but he is needed in a legal capacity as it is clear that Mrs. Elton was murdered!!

I was so excited for this book as Ms. Kelly is one of my favorite authors and Emma is my favorite Jane Austen character, and I was looking forward to reading about her new life as George’s wife, and hoping she is still her same delightfully meddlesome self! Good news, she is, and the book is filled with tidbits of the day to day, comings and goings of the inhabitants of Highbury, including Miss Bates and her mother Mrs. Bates, Mrs. Weston, Emma’s father, as well as Harriet, the vicar, Jane Churchill, her husband Frank and many others. Bad news, this book was not the exciting story I was hoping for. It was good, but it moved slowly, as in glacially slow and I found myself getting bored with the unnecessary repetitiveness of the dialogue and the facts of the murder. With each new suspect, the process began again, and the results were the same – which was annoying, especially as I was pretty sure I knew who the murderer was almost from the start. No spoilers, but I was right. I wish this book had been a bit less wordy and moved faster. I didn’t hate the book, it had its moments, but overall, it moved much too slowly to hold my attention, and it is not a book I would read again, and quite honestly, I am not sure if I want to read another installment.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

Emma encounters a murder!

Gentle, ironic rendering makes this new mystery spin-off from the Austen novel, Emma just so endearing. The tone Kelly sets melds so well with Austen’s classic work.
A cosy regency mystery set in the sleepy English village of Highbury.
Emma is now happily married to George Knightly. Her husband, her lifetime friends and her father are her immediate horizon.
Into this Eden slithers the destructive serpent of murder sowing seeds of mischief, fear, and distrust fed by gossip and rumor.
Emma and her young friend Harriet Martin are visiting the church and shockingly discover the lifeless body of Mrs Elton, the supercilious wife of the vicar. Mr. Elton had proposed to Emma previously, but that’s another story.
Emma miss that Highbury won’t be the same again. Never noted for her restraint, the indomitable Emma of course forges ahead to try to discover the identity of the murderer. George surrenders and resigns himself to his wife’s actions, given that this intrepidness is a facet of who Emma is.
There’s wonderful occasions that amuse. Too many to give a précis of.
There’s some fabulous lines. To note a few, there’s Miss Bates, “ fluttering like a demented moth between Emma and her mother.”
Or when Emma’s father Mr. Woodhouse, always irrationally concerned for his own health attends the inquest, Emma (fortunately in her head) ponders his uncharacteristic appearance as one she couldn’t have predicted. She muses that, “a volcano spewing forth in the middle of the town square was almost more likely than her father’s appearance at such a public event.”
Then there’s Vicar Elton obsequiously referring to Emma as “dear lady” on occasion (I can’t help but think of Humphrey in ‘Yes Prime Minister’)
A sharp, witty rendition by Vanessa Kelly, replete with wonderful moments in the best Austenian overtones, of an event that shockingly drops into the pond that is Highbury, sending all sorts of ripples throughout the village.
So enjoyable! I look forward to what’s next!

A Kensington ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Murder in Highbury (Hardcover)
by Vanessa Kelly
The vicar's wife has been murdered. Emma finds the body and begins looking for clues. She will question the whole village. Too many clues and too many suspects and they don't add up. Her husband is the magistrate and knows as much as he warns her to be careful, Emma won't stop looking for answers. The murderer could be anyone in the village or a stranger. The big question is why was she murdered?
A murder mystery with humor, takes twists and turns to find who done it.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Witty Entertaining Easy-to-read Action-packed Unpredictable Wonderful character sGreat world building.

The vicar's wife has been murdered. Emma Knightley discovers the body and begins looking for clues. She isn't above questioning the whole village. Too many clues and too many suspects and they don't add up. Her husband George is the magistrate and knows as much as he warns her to be careful, Emma can't stop looking for answers. The murderer could be someone in the village or a stranger. The big question is why was she murdered?
A murder mystery with humor, takes twists and turns to find who done it. Very entertaining.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

I am not normally a fan of taking another author’s characters and ‘reinventing’ them, so I was apprehensive about this read. However, these characters weren’t ‘reinvented’, they just moved into the next logical progression for their characters without losing anything of themselves in the process. I couldn’t remember all of the characters and their personalities, so I watched the movie, Emma, to reacquaint myself. It was a nice surprise to see that the characters were spot-on and I could easily see Emma’s natural curiosity and tendency to matchmake turning into a curiosity, bravery, and loyalty that would cause her to poke her nose into whatever mystery might come her way – this time – a murder.

Emma and George Knightley are still in their first year of marriage and Emma has settled into her role within the community very nicely. The book begins with Emma and her good friend Harriet – now Mrs. Robert Martin – arriving at the church to freshen the flowers for the Sunday services – only to find a bloody body lying on the altar steps. It is Mrs. Augusta Elton, wife of the local vicar.

Emma tries to stay out of the fray (NOT!), but the seemingly inept coroner and constable doing the investigation can’t seem to get it right. Suspicions seem to fall everywhere except where they should be. There are plenty of suspects because the lady was universally disliked – but who disliked her enough to murder her? Why would they want her dead? Who is likely to gain from her death?

I loved the dynamic between the characters as they remained very much as they did in Austen’s book – with a bit of character growth. I loved the case’s twists and turns as the investigation continued. You won’t find an exciting, fast-paced adventure in this book. However, if you are an Austen fan, you will probably love the book because it is very much in her style. I enjoyed the gist of the story, and the wonderfully familiar characters, but I couldn’t enjoy the very long and slow delivery. I will be interested in seeing where future books in the series take our characters and what adventures await them. It will also be interesting to see if the pace of the delivery quickens in the next books.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advance reader copy of “Murder in Highbury.” All opinions and comments are my own.

Emma Woodhouse, now Emma Knightley, and her friend Harriet Martin have discovered a body in the village church. Alas, it's the vicar's wife, Mrs. Elton. Early suspicion points to that gentlest of creatures, Miss Henrietta Bates. And readers of Jane Austen's "Emma" know how the original character loves to, shall we say, meddle? This new historical mystery series by Vanessa Kelly will give her ample opportunity to do just that, even though everyone, especially husband George, tells her not to interfere. Well, that never stopped the original Emma, and it won’t stop this one, who pivots her matchmaking skills into detecting skills, and very good ones they are, too.

Red herrings abound (get out a scorecard for all the suspects!), but it’s the grand finale that will put a satisfying “a-ha!” coda to it all. Indeed, “our” Emma may have found herself saying once again, “Surprises are foolish things. The pleasure is not enhanced, and the inconvenience is often considerable.” In "Murder in Highbury," Vanessa Kelly has done a wonderful job of entering the “Jane Austen characters as detective” scene and made a comfortable niche for herself. She has captured the style and literary “feel” of the original perfectly, and turned it into something quite wonderful. And even though Emma Knightley may think that “Highbury will return to its sleepy old self,” I’m hoping that Ms. Kelly has other plans.

If you have ever wished that Jane Austen had written a murder-mystery sequel to "Emma" and killed off its most disliked character, Mrs. Elton (huzzah!) this one if for you! However, it turns out nobody in Highbury is very good at figuring out motives so Emma must sus out the killer.

It was a slow read for me because certain characters grate on my nerves. We all know there are several annoying characters in "Emma" - Mr & Mrs Elton, Miss Bates, Mr. Woodhouse, Harriet... (Pretty much everyone other than Emma & George). Yes, Vanessa Kelly writes them true to the original and they all get FAR too much time to continue to annoy you in this book - BUT some of them finally get the karma they deserve (**insert evil laugh here**) and that's what kept me engaged. Plus, you get to see Emma & George as a newlywed couple doing cute married people things and working as a team to solve a murder (double huzzah!!).

As far as a cozy mystery goes, this book was OK. A bit long.
The big attraction is that it's Jane Austen inspired. Emma and George are characters in Austen's EMMA. Now, if you loved EMMA, this book probably has a lot more to offer, in that there's some characters and easter eggs and implied "inside jokes" (for the lack of a better term) if you're an Austen fan. Now, I've read EMMA once, long ago and don't remember the plot. So a lot of the charm is lost on me, and the only thing I have to work with is this is good story. I always enjoy having someone who is not really a detective solve the crime, such as a monk, nun, priest, basically anyone who would not ordinarily be involved in crime solving. I feel like it's a good story but it sure took a while to get there.
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.
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When Augusta Elton, the much disliked vicar’s wife, is murdered and both the coroner and village constable seem to be jumping to conclusions, Emma Knightly cannot help but investigate. Very cleverly written in the style of Jane Austen’s Emma with all the well loved inhabitants of Highbury. Highly recommended.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.