Thank you so much to NetGalley and Vanessa Kelly for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Murder in Highbury coming out October 22, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own. .

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I was so excited to get it! I’m obsessed with regency era mysteries and I definitely love Jane Austen. It was a lot of fun having a continuation of Emma in a mystery format. I feel like Emma would be perfect at solving mysteries since she’s so social and determined. I loved that Knightley was supportive of her. Killing Augusta Elton was pretty crazy, but I loved it! I definitely hope there are more books in this series!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Jane Austen mystery adaptations!

I know some Austen fans will turn away from this cozy featuring Emma Knightly as an amateur sleuth but give it a chance and you'll find a fun read. And, equally importantly, don't worry if you haven't read Emma because this is still a fun read even if you don't know the characters from the classic. Emma is both a busybody and a smart cookie so solving crime isn't a stretch. It's very much a classic cozy with a victim who wasn't well liked and multiple suspects. And a sidekick. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This appears to be the first in a series and I'd welcome further visits to Highbury.

A delightful cozy mystery set in the world of Jane Austen’s Emma.this takes place after the end of the book Emma. Emma has settled into her marriage with George Knightley, when murder upsets the calm in Highbury. The wife of the local vicar, Mr Elton, is found by Emma, murdered in the church. Emma’s husband has to help find the murderer, with an inept Constable and officious coroner. When the investigation leads them to suspect local Spinster, Miss Bates, Emma sets out to find who the real killer is. This is a fun mystery with familiar characters. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for my honest review.

An absolutely delightful read that had me laughing and cringing at the same time! Emma Knightley, classic Jane Austen character, is rewritten as an investigative sleuth. She's married to the local magistrate and together they are trying to solve the murder of a local woman that no one really liked.

Emma is witty and incredibly smart. Plus her uncanny personality trait of tending to say what's on her mind without thinking through proper etiquette, tends to put her in uncomfortable situations more often than not. But she always recovers quickly and handles herself with the utmost respect for others.

Her husband is wonderful too, very supportive of his wife's untraditional interest in his work, they pair well reviewing all the clues and bouncing ideas off one another. There are lots of supporting characters throughout this piece as well and I think my favorite was Emma's widower father. He's so sweet and caring about his family, but also a little quirky in his anxiety about everything having the possibility of going awry.

So many laughs and giggles throughout this one that I enjoyed every second of it. I did however guess the outcome of this one from the very start, but that didn't deter me from enjoying how the clues unfolded and the path that led to the conclusion. A great adventure and characterization of Emma Knightley!

Jane Austen's irrepressible Emma envisioned as a sleuth eager to suss out the truth after a murder is discovered in Highbury? Sign me up because I am here for it!

I really enjoyed this fun cozy mystery that imagines Emma's life as newlywed Mrs. Knightley who, along with her loyal but dim friend, Harriet Smith. stumbles upon the dead body of her former nemesis and vicar's wife, Mrs. Elton. I appreciate that the author never tries to pretend to be writing anything other than what this is: a light, easy read that is really just trad-published fan fiction of the classic novel. For Austen and Emma fans, what's not to love about this idea? All of the beloved characters in the original novel make multiple appearances here, predictably doing as much helping as hindering the local magistrate, Mr. Knightley (of course), to solve the crime.

I thought the book was paced well and the mystery was plotted effectively, with the last half of the book being faster and more enjoyable as Emma and Knightley really hit their stride and got down to the business of uncovering the big clues. While the characterizations aren't exactly the way I have them all in my mind (my Emma would never call her Mr. Knightley "George" for example), there is enough of an effort to carry over the personalities from the source material that it worked ok anyway.

My hot take on this one is that the book would have been much better overall if Mrs. Elton wasn't the murder victim. Because Mrs. Elton is the primary source of conflict for most of the characters during a majority of the original novel, I found myself wishing that she was here in this one to stir everybody up and throw obstacles into the plotline. Emma should have had a good foil in this book, and Mrs. Elton would have been such a great one to compete against Emma in the race to expose the real villain. I would have chosen a recognizable, but irrelevant character from Austen's work, like Mrs. Cox, Mrs. Elton's sister or brother-in-law, or I would have developed an original character like a domestic servant or some distant cousin visiting family in Highbury.

Be that as it may, I would absolutely read another mystery featuring this detective Emma and her handsome Knightley -- perhaps starring Mr. Woodhouse as an unlikely hero.

Thank you Kensington Publishing, NetGalley, and Austenprose for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.

"Murder in Highbury" by Vanessa Kelly is a murder mystery that takes place in the world of Jane Austen’s “Emma.” The events in this story take place soon after the events in “Emma.” This story is perfect for fans of Jane Austen, witty stories, and murder mysteries! You do not have to have read Austen’s novel to enjoy this charming book, although fans will be delighted with how true to Austen the author stays in “Murder in Highbury.” Ms. Kelly gives readers a good explanation of events in the original “Emma” book, in case the reader is not familiar with it. As a huge fan of both Austen and “Emma” myself, I loved that reading “Murder in Highbury” felt like I was reading another one of Austen’s works. Ms. Kelly really knows her Austen and has a great grasp on the beloved characters. Everything they do and say in her novels feels so true to their character. “Murder in Highbury” is written with a wit and wry humor and Emma has some great one liners. The mystery is so well done, and I was fully invested throughout. I was able to guess who committed the crime, just before the reveal. Of course Emma would get involved in a murder mystery; and who better to write it than Ms. Kelly? I cannot wait to see what Emma gets up to next!

Content: I give this a PG rating. Some examples of the content are: the words “as*,” “hell,” “bloody,” “dam*ation,” “bastard,” and “devil” are used; the Lord’s name is taken in vain; sexual innuendo; characters drink alcohol, talk of people possibly being lovers; says someone isn’t a virgin.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Less than one year into her marriage to respected magistrate George Knightley, Emma has grown unusually content in her newfound partnership and refreshed sense of independence. When Emma and Harriet Martin, now the wife of one of Mr. Knightley’s tenant farmers, go to arrange flowers in the church they discover the body of Mrs. Augusta Elton, the vicar’s wife & the ornate necklace she often wore stripped from her neck. When suspicions suddenly fall on a harmless local, Emma realizes she must discreetly navigate an investigation of her own to protect the innocent and expose the ruthless culprit hiding in plain sight.
A regency cosy mystery featuring some classic characters, I loved it. Emma is a delight & can’t help but poke her nose into the investigation. I loved the dynamics between the characters & the way the author developed the characters & relationships whilst still keeping true to the original book. I loved the twists & turns as the case unfolded. A very well written cosy mystery with excitement interlaced with humour
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

Delightful, engaging and a beautifully written cozy regency murder mystery. Emma is one of my favourite Jane Austen novels, and this had all the feels and witty dialogue. I felt truly in the world of Emma and George, their life and the people in the village of Highbury.

Thank you to Kensington Publishing and AustenprosePR for my advance copy. My opinions are my own.

It isn't a big leap for Emma Knightley (nee Woodhouse) to go from meddlesome matchmaker to meddlesome sleuth. Emma and George Knightley have been married for less than a year when Emma and Harriet Martin stumble on the murdered body of Mrs. Elton, the vicar's wife, in the church. Now, between balancing the running of the Knightley household, social engagements, and worrying over her father's health, Emma is working hard to find the murderer and protect one of her oldest friends in the village. But it's not as easy as you would think--after all, a young lady--no matter how well-placed in society--investigating a murder is frowned upon by society.

I probably wouldn't have thought of it on my own, but Emma as a meddlesome sleuth is not hard to arrive at. After all, she's smart enough to need the mental stimulation, and she does enjoy pulling people's strings to see what happens. Having read Jane Austen's Emma already makes this book much more enjoyable, but isn't required. Though this was a fun cozy mystery, it was also a serious reminder of how misogynistic Regency England was and in what a vulnerable place a woman was, even one with the supposed protection of a man. And if you've read it but it's been a while, there are lots of reminders of the events that took place to keep you from having to dig out your old copy. I understand this is to be a series, so I'm looking forward to reading the next one!

Of all the spinoffs of Jane Austen novels and characters (and there are many!) this one is actually quite good!! There are definitely a few things in the book that Jane Austen would never have included, like some hinting at sex, even though it is in a marriage setting. Still, overall, I feel it's quite true to the original characters in Jane's books. The mystery is also quite good!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance e-copy of this book! All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Cute mystery in the Emma universe. I enjoyed going back to these characters. The author did a good job of keeping their characters similar tothe original. Emma most certainly would want to be involved in solving a mystery!

I received a copy of this title from the publisher; all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Murder in Highbury is the first mystery by Vanessa Kelly after writing numerous historical romances that featured some mysteries. The main character is Jane Austin's Emma Knightly and takes place after her marriage to Mr. Knightly. This is a departure from all the mysteries and stories that typically feature Mr. Darcy and other characters from Pride and Prejudice. Emma is still a bit of a busy body and can't help herself from investigating the death of the vicar's wife when she finds the woman dead in the local church, despite her husband's wishes that she not become involved. Unfortunately for the town, the locals investigating the murder focus on a local spinster who is good friends with Emma's father. Ms. Kelly does an excellent job of setting up the series by introducing readers to an amusing cast of characters, including Emma's hypochondriac father, and establishing her relationship with Mr. Knightly. I enjoyed the mystery as well and thought there were some excellent twists and turns to keep the reader engaged throughout. I look forward to visiting Highbury, Emma, and her friends many more times in what looks to be a very entertaining series.

Emma by Jane Austen imagined as a murder mystery is so much fun! Emma and Knightley are so adorable!
When Emma and Harriet find Mrs. Elton murdered, Emma sets out too solve the murder.
Every character is just perfect. Her father is just as annoying, Harriet as scatter brained as ever, and Mr. Elton obsequious and overbearing at the same time. Miss Bates can't get a word out without fluttering.
There are red herrings galore, as well as a chicken thief. The coroner and sheriff are very misogynistic, and the way Knightley as the magistrate handles them is perfect. I just loved the whole premise. I can't wait to see how she writes the sequel.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the EARC. I highly recommend this book. This is my honest opinion.

"First in a captivating new series, Jane Austen's Emma Knightley entertains a different role in Highbury - going from clever matchmaker to Regency England's shrewdest sleuth.

Less than one year into her marriage to respected magistrate George Knightley, Emma has grown unusually content in her newfound partnership and refreshed sense of independence. The height of summer sees the former Miss Woodhouse gracefully balancing the meticulous management of her elegant family estate and a flurry of social engagements, with few worries apart from her beloved father's health...

But cheery circumstances change in an instant when Emma and Harriet Martin, now the wife of one of Mr. Knightley's tenant farmers, discover a hideous shock at the local church. The corpse of Mrs. Augusta Elton, the vicar's wife, has been discarded on the altar steps - the ornate necklace she often wore stripped from her neck...

As a chilling murder mystery blooms and chaos descends upon the tranquil village of Highbury, the question isn't simply who committed the crime, but who wasn't secretly wishing for the unpleasant woman's demise. When suspicions suddenly fall on a harmless local, Emma - armed with wit, unwavering determination, and extensive social connections - realizes she must discreetly navigate an investigation of her own to protect the innocent and expose the ruthless culprit hiding in plain sight."

First, good on the killer for going for Mrs. E. Secondly, the killer is Frank Churchill right? I mean, we all know he has problems. Possibly ones that can only be slacked by the blood of his victims?

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC!

This is a cozy mystery starring Jane Austen's Emma. Of all the Austen heroines, Emma was the noisiest and most interfering. She would be an ideal amateur sleuth. This was a fun and easygoing read. I preferred it over the PD James's Death in Pemberley and most other published Jane Austen sequels that I've read. It didn't try to be too serious or provocative. I thought all the characters were true to the original canon both in relationships and dialogue. My minor criticism is that the novel was a bit too long and padded with red herrings. The actual murderer ending was a tad over the top. Then again, it was so silly and in line with this lighthearted read.

Emma and George Knightley? JAFF? A historical murder mystery? Sign me up.

Murder in Highbury was a wholly fun read, and one I very much enjoyed; I loved the writing and appreciated how natural an extension of Emma it read and Ms Kelly’s appreciation of Jane Austen is evident in this story. I adored this one.

This was my first time reading the author and I’m definitely looking forward to reading the next title in the series 🙂



Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the DRC

Emma Woodhouse Knightley, handsome, clever, and rich, has lived with very little to distress or vex her since her recent marriage to her longtime friend and now husband, George Knightley. With Emma and Knightley now happily settled into her childhood home alongside Emma’s hypochondriac father, and their neighbors in the village of Highbury all seemingly content, all seems well. That is, until Emma and her best friend Harriet Martin stumble upon the corpse of the vicar's wife, Augusta Elton, in the local church. And Mrs. Elton is not just dead. She’s been murdered.

While Mrs. Elton has never been the most pleasant individual, a violent death in the village of Highbury is truly shocking. With Mr. Knightley being the local magistrate, it is his job to help the investigation, but when the coroner and constable set their sights on the wrong person, Emma takes it upon herself to get to the bottom of Mrs. Elton’s murder.

The author provides enough background information on the story of Jane Austen’s Emma that you could read this murder mystery sequel without having read the original tale. However, I think you will enjoy it more if you’re familiar with all of the characters. It was truly a delight to see what Emma, Mr. Knightley, and their friends have been up to—even if a murder investigation causes Mr. Woodhouse to worry even more than usual. Emma and Mr. Knightley are my second favorite Jane Austen couple after Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, but they have not received nearly as many continuations as the latter couple. It was very nice to see them get their due in this lighthearted mystery, and I enjoyed seeing the Knightleys be very much in love. (Of course, Emma's behavior still sometimes causes her husband grief, because she wouldn’t be Emma otherwise.)

We even get to meet some characters referenced in the original story that did not appear on the page, such as Mrs. Elton’s brother-in-law, Mr. Suckling. (Yes, the famous Sucklings of Maple Grove! Have you heard about the placement of their staircase? And how much the morning room at Hartfield is like the one at Maple Grove? Astonishingly like!)

I did think that sometimes the dialogue read more modern than Regency. For instance, Mr. Suckling’s behavior would be considered rude today, and even ruder in the Regency. He makes no effort to hide his distaste for those around him, and while I understand that the author was trying to make him obviously unlikable, I just didn’t find it realistic that a Regency gentleman would act this way, considering manners were so important to their society. Regency ladies and gentlemen mastered the art of subtle digs, and that's one of the things I love about Jane Austen. I felt like the character of Anne Cox was also giving a little bit too much mean girl energy and again wasn’t as subtle as a character in this time would actually be.

I did suspect who the true murderer was all along, but I would recommend this book for Emma devotees who are looking for a fun continuation. If you want to spend some more time with your favorite Highbury residents and possibly solve a crime along the way, this book is worth checking out.

Emma and her friend, Harriet Martin, discover the body of the vicar’s wife, Augusta Martin, in the church rectory. Knightly, the magistrate and Emma’s husband, is tasked with solving the crime. Knightly is assisted by the constable and the mortician, both of whom are rather inept. Once Emma’s friend becomes a suspect she joins the search to uncover the murderer. I enjoyed the witty banter between Emma and Knightly. There are several twists and turns as different suspects come to light before the real killer is revealed. This was a quick, easy, light read.

Newly married to magistrate George Knightley, Emma finds her idyllic life shattered when Mrs. Elton’s corpse is discovered at the local church, her necklace stolen. As a murder mystery unfolds in the tranquil village of Highbury, Emma uses her wit and connections to navigate her own discreet investigation, protect the innocent, and unmask the ruthless killer.

This historical cozy mystery is a treat for Austen fans. It’s fun to see Emma up to her old tricks and to revisit the denizens of Highbury. The book is fast-paced, clever, and kept me guessing until the end.

Thanks, NetGalley for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Murder in Highbury by Vanessa Kelly beautifully portrays the essence of Emma, who has traded in matchmaking for crime-solving. This delightful Regency mystery features some of my favorite Austen characters. I can't help but wonder, what would Jane Austen herself think? I believe she would wholeheartedly approve!