Augusta Hawke

I have read G.M.Malliet for years and have loved them all and Augusta Hawke is no different. This new character is engaging and very likeable and the plot was interesting in how her career as an author was used. I hope this will be the start of a new series and I highly recommend this book.

A Treat…
A new direction for this talented author with this new series featuring sleuthing crime writer Augusta Hawke. With eighteen novels down, widowed Augusta lives somewhat vicariously through her own fictional detective Claude. Augusta also spends much of her time window gazing. Not that she’s nosy, of course. Simply…observant. For her books. However, she has noticed that something is very amiss with her neighbours, the Normans. Like the fact that they’re missing. Is this simply to be some inspiration for her next bestseller or will Augusta be thrust into a mystery with an attractive detective and find herself in danger? Wholly enjoyable mystery with a perfectly crafted protagonist in Augusta and a colourful cast of supporting characters. Entertaining and compelling as well as being a more than promising start to a new series.

Augusta Hawke is the first book in what I hope will be a new series by G.M. Malliet. I have thoroughly enjoyed her previous series and was intrigued by the plot of her new book. When I first started the book I wasn’t sure where it was going but the more I read the more I enjoyed it. This a contemporary mystery that takes place in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. The protagonist Augusta is a mystery writer who has the habit of looking into the homes of her neighbors. When one of the couples go missing leaving behind their baby Augusta is sure there is foul play and using the thought process of her fictional crime characters she sets off to solve the mystery. The book has lots of pithy observations and a sort of mad cap sensibility but it drew me in. The authors first hand knowledge of the area is evident in this present day cozy mystery.

In the first in a new mystery series by GM Malliet, I enjoyed getting to know Augusta in the first few chapters. Once I got into the rhythm of the first-person narrative, I was enthusiastically along for the ride.

The author successfully uses her own experience as a prolific writer to infuse her protagonist with authenticity. When we discover Augusta is writing the 19th in her long-running series, it is a surprise and a thrill. We hear about her own protagonist, French detective Claude, and his sidekick, Caroline. The latter is a favorite with readers of the series, to the point where Augusta sometimes has to ask herself what Caroline would do in fraught situations.

As a successful author, Augusta lives in an upscale neighborhood where she can't help noticing that her close neighbors, a married couple, have suddenly disappeared, leaving their baby behind with a family member. Intrigued and looking for something to distract her from her lagging work-in-progress, Augusta can't help doing some investigating on her own, to the initial disgust and eventual respect of a police detective assigned to the case.

There is a lot to admire in this book--the author's unique voice, a convoluted case with a host of potential persons of interest, a dollop of humor, and an ending that, while it resolves the case, leaves things open for more fascinating stories and the potential for romantic interest in future entries in the series. I'll be looking for the next one.

My thanks for NetGalley and Severn House for affording me the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

G. M. Malliet has brought us a new central character and a thoroughly modern setting in her latest entry into mystery fiction, Augusta Hawke. Augusta is a fabulously successful writer of mysteries that seem to fall closer to the thriller/adventure/spy novel than anything else. She is a dedicated writer, and has her regular routine of writing four pages per day. The rest of her time is primarily spent inside her exclusive townhome in the Old Town section of Washington, D.C. Some of her time is spent watching the neighbors, gazing out the back of her home, across a green expanse, and into the homes of people who live across the green. Her watching is fairly mild, and not intended to be intrusive, she simply has this as a primary source of entertainment. While Augusta would likely deny the characterizations, she has come as close to being a recluse as anyone can who still travels for book-related activities.

The entertainment factor of her neighborhood watch turns into much more when the couple she primarily watches disappears, leaving their son behind with his grandparents. Questions arise, with everyone asking were they both kidnapped, was one kidnapped by the other, are they both dead? Augusta becomes intrigued by these questions and the desire to know, and plagued by having heard a short scream just prior to their disappearance which, when she finally tells the police about, they seem to pass off as unimportant

Deciding she needs to investigate, Augusta begins her own questioning of various people, enlisting the occasional help of her friend Misaki. She boldly wanders into homes and businesses where people who might be involved or who might know something can be found, and asks questions trying to discover what happened to the couple.

The book is told in a conversational style, as though Augusta is relating a lengthy story to the reader. There is little anxiety or violence throughout the book, rather a strong story that creates interest in the reader to find out what happens next.The pace is consistent, and the plot is well crafted and intriguing. The story draws the reader in, and it is easy to want to read just one more chapter, or two or three for that matter, before returning to the real world. While the reader can put it down and pick it up at leisure, it can stay in the back of the reader’s mind and offer a consistent tug back to the book as soon as possible. The pace does pick up in the final chapters of the book as Augusta closes in on the guilty parties. It is refreshing that she does not require a man to rush in and save her, at the same time the police detective who has been called in on the first cast does have a part in the successful conclusion of the situation.

I’ve read two other series written by Malliett, both of which took place in Europe, although that was the end of their similarity. This is the first series that I know about which takes place in the United States with American characters throughout. It is very entertaining, and demonstrates the ability of Maliett to create a wide variety of characters and locations. It is impossible to know where the series is headed, but I will be watching for the next book with eager anticipation. While the mystery is contained within this book, the reader may find themselves hoping to meet some of the secondary characters, such as the detective and Misaki, in future books.

My thanks to Severn House Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy for this review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Almost a five star. I have enjoyed all the G.M. Malliet books so I was excited to read Augusta Hawke, which I gather will be a new series. I was not disappointed. Malliet has created a hilarious character. Augusta is a well-known mystery writer/widow who lives in Old Town Alexandria. Her townhome is positioned so that she can see inside other townhomes (think Rear Window). One day the police begin the disappearance of Zora and Niko, an affluent couple who Augusta has seen on occasion. Augusta quickly begins her own investigation, along with her neighbor and quirky friend. She also meets a handsome police detective. Could there be a romance in store for Augusta? The fun in the book rests with the superb writing and not so much with the mystery. I know I have a winner when I read aloud particularly funny paragraphs to my husband. Can't wait for the next book.

Augusta Hawke lives a solitary life, writing mysteries for a living and spying on her neighbors as a hobby.

When the beautiful young neighbors across the courtyard disappear, leaving their cat and child behind, "Gus" uses the investigative skills honed by her fictious character to mount a search. She dresses herself as a Southern belle shafted by her honey to gain access to the firm of divorce lawyers to which the husband belonged. The wife's mother grants an interview because she's a fan.

G.M. Malliet, author of the entertaining Max Tudor mysteries, begins a new series with "Augusta Hawke." The new characters are just as quirky as Max Tudor's friends, promising a compelling new series.

"Sometimes it's safer not to know your neighbors' secrets.

Where are Niko and Zora Norman? Crime writer Augusta Hawke puts her sleuthing skills to the test to solve the mystery of her disappearing neighbors in the first entry in a new series.

While Augusta Hawke is a successful author of eighteen crime novels, since her husband's death she's been living vicariously through her Jules Maigret-like detective Claude and his assistant Caroline. Then a handsome police detective appears investigating a real-life mystery.

Where are her neighbors, the Normans? No one has a clue what's happened - except Augusta. Although she isn't nosy, spending all day staring out the windows for inspiration means she does notice things. Like the Normans arguing. And that they've been missing a week.

Once the Normans' car is found abandoned, Augusta senses material for a bestseller and calls on the investigatory skills she's developed as a crime writer. But she soon uncovers long-hidden secrets and finds herself facing real-life dangers her characters never faced...ones she can't write her way out of."

Shades of Jessica Fletcher eat your heart out!

Rating: 4.0/5

Although it has some occasional elements that are a little grittier than you would usually find in the genre this new series opener from G.M. Malliet is essentially a cosy mystery - and a very engaging and well-written one it is too.

Augusta Hawke, the eponymous central character, is a writer of crime fiction, but when her neighbours mysteriously disappear, it isn't long before Augusta finds herself putting her knowledge of fictional crime to use in a real mystery. Now this is not the first time that a writer has made use of this scenario. There are a few examples that spring quite readily to mind, though perhaps the one with the highest profile would be Jessica Fletcher from the long-running television programme, "Murder, She Wrote". There are certainly some echoes of that in this novel, but I would venture to say that "Augusta Hawke" is not only much wittier, but it is also much better in general.

If a book series is going to be successful, then it really has to have engaging central characters. That is probably even more true of a crime series and especially one of the more cosy variety. As far as that aspect is concerned, G.M. Malliet has nailed it. There are other appealing players too, but the key central protagonist, Augusta, is a gem of a creation. She is witty and easy to warm to, with numerous examples of self-deprecating humour and amusing observations of the world of writing and publishing.

The story itself has a perfectly sound mystery at its heart that generally holds together pretty well. There are some instances that would be a little hard to swallow in a pure crime story and that an author could only really get away with in a cosy mystery, but those occasions are certainly forgivable in the overall context of the book. The central section is a little on the slow side in terms of plot development, but the pleasing characterisation continues to hold the attention during this phase until the pace of the action picks up in the latter stages of the novel.

Overall, this is definitely worth a read and sets up the new series well.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.

Augusta Hawke is a fantastic narrator. She self-aware but doesn’t let that stop her from snooping. I previewed this title here: https://www.mwgerard.com/books-for-june-22/

Thank you, NetGalley, and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review "Augusta Hawke" by G.M. Malliet.
Having read a number of this author's "Max Tudor" series, I naturally jumped at the chance to read what is the start of a promising new series.
Of course, there are no shortage of 'amateur sleuth' mysteries out there, but Augusta Hawke is one-of-a-kind: a prolific mystery writer with no real need to make a change, who is thrown into a 'real life' mystery when her neighbours suddenly vanish, leaving behind a young child (and a cat).
Since her Washington DC-area house backs onto the street from where the couple have vanished, Augusta finds herself in a position to possibly be of some help to the investigating detectives (one of whom is, of course, very handsome and to whom Augusta is immediately drawn).
Ms. Malliet pulls out all of the tropes in this one: the next door neighbour, eager to help investigate; the wealthy parents who are eager for anyone to find and return their daughter; and the co-workers who may or may not also be involved in some way with the missing husband. Throw in a fellow writer who is also a Private Investigator, and you have all the elements of a classic whodunit.
Ms. Malliet pulls it off nicely, and I expect that the following books will continue in the same vein (and possibly some romance with a handsome detective?). Highly entertaining and recommended.

I really enjoyed reading this book, having read several GM Malliet books previously and always having liked her writing.

This novel centres on the title character, Augusta Hawke, who lives by herself in what seems to be a fairly posh area. I loved how Malliet writes the character and how we get little insights into Hawke's insecurities about herself and her life.

We get the impression that Hawke doesn't have much of a "life" in the sense that we're supposed to have one. She doesn't do a lot or have many friends or go out much. So she kind of keeps a keen eye on her neighbours and what they're up to. But when two of them go missing, leaving behind a baby, Hawke is drawn into the investigation to find out what happened to them.

The pace of the novel is good - not too slow and enough interesting characters and detail on Hawke's internal worryings to keep it all interesting. Hawke as a mystery writer kind of reminded me a little of Ariadne Oliver in Agatha Christie's Poirot. Her friend Misaki is a good character too, as is the main cop investigating the disappearance.

Bits of this are honestly laugh out loud funny, particularly the dialogue between Misaki and Hawke, and bits of Hawke's internal conversations with herself.

There are truly creepy parts of the book - including when Hawke ends up in real danger as a result of trying to track down her missing neighbours. We get a good feeling of how a character apparently bland on the outside can slowly appear to be much more sinister and threatening, and none of this is written in an over-the-top way, simply as a description of Hawke's shenanigans.

This is a great, easy to read novel that I would recommend to anyone and if Malliet writes a further book involving Hawke I will definitely be reading it.

Augusta Hawke is the first title in what will most likely become a series written by G. M. Malliet. Augusta is a widow living on the outskirts of Washington, D. C., the author of a well-established series of mystery novels set in Italy and financially independent due to the success of her writing. Augusta notices thigs. She certainly isn't a "village busybody" but she does pay attention to the neighbors living close around her, just doing so from afar. The beginning of this story gave me a decided "Rear Window" vibe, but the story soon takes off in a direction of its own. This novel is presented as a first-person narrative which requires a steady handed author to keep it from dissolving into a messy muddle. Having the location of Augusta's fiction novels set in Italy helped keep the information regarding fiction and real crimes firmly separated.

For me a first novel in a series or even a standalone book requires that I hand over control of my tendency to be critical until I've given the author a chance to sink or swim. So far I like the Augusta Hawke character even though I did get to the point of wishing she wasn't quite so chipper all the time. Maybe dial that back just a tad and I wouldn't cringe so often. The mystery is very well constructed, and I was genuinely surprised when the culprit was revealed. I'm looking forward to another Augusta Hawke, maybe next year.

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House Publishing for an e-galley of this novel.

Augusta Hawke is the introduction to a new series that left me wanting more. With its theme of someone sitting at a window watching the comings and goings of the neighbors, some readers may think of A.J. Finn's The Woman at the Window. If you're vintage like me, you might think of Alfred Hitchcock's classic Rear Window. At least Augusta is looking out the window while she's writing one of her books, and not being an idle curtain-twitching busybody.

Since the death of her husband, Augusta has, for the most part, shut herself away in her suburban Washington, DC townhouse. Her life revolves around writing her long-running police procedural set in the south of France and those vignettes she sees of her neighbors' lives. Once the police start investigating the disappearance of Mr. and Mrs. Norman, Augusta's writing radar begins to ping. There could be a bestseller in this! What's fun is watching how her investigation begins to pull her back into the real world with face-to-face interactions with real people.

Although I did deduce what was going on, it didn't bother me a bit because Augusta had a stranglehold on me. Malliet really made me like the woman. I was sad that she'd shut herself away and then happy when she began getting out and investigating. In no time at all, I found myself caring about what happened to her.

The story, the main character, and the wit are first-rate, and another facet of the book that I loved was the inclusion of all the insider information on the publishing world and the Washington, DC area. One of Augusta's comments that mentioned James Patterson had me crowing with laughter, so not only does she make me care about her, but she also makes me laugh. You can't beat a combination like that.

Now that I've met Augusta Hawke and want to invite her over for coffee, there's only one thing left to do: wait months for her next adventure. It will be worth the wait, I'm sure.

A fun, low-stakes mystery with an absolutely terrific sense of humor.

I was a bit skeptical coming into this book because I wasn’t a huge fan of Malliet’s Max Tudor series (and this is coming from someone who is a pretty easy sell when it comes to English countryside mysteries), but this was a pleasant surprise.

The mystery itself is fine, nothing especially unique but competently plotted and solved. What really makes this book is that it’s kind of hilarious, and plays with genre tropes in a way that is both unique and delightful.

Augusta is a fantastic heroine, funny and likable and self-deprecating in a way that is endearing without even feeling maudlin.

Can we make this a series? I could absolutely do with more of Augusta and her world.

My favourite new sleuth! Author G.M. Malliet has given us a smart, and very funny new character in Augusta Hawke. Although I have previously read and enjoyed the Max Tudor series by this author, this book is so very different and I loved it. Great characters, great plot and lots of humour….can’t wait for the next one in this series!

I really enjoy Malliet’s writing. I repeatedly read passages from her books. They just appeal to me on a literary level. I consider her more of a literary mystery writer than a cosy mystery writer. The writing is above what you find in most cosies but would not be considered high-brow. She also delivers well-developed mysteries, great characters, and some thrills along the way.

In her newest series, Augusta Hawke, a woman mystery writer living in Washington, D.C. investigates the mysterious disappearance of a couple who happen to be her neighbors. The “voice” of her main protagonist is very different than the last series. That is hard to pull off. The reader is not going to mix up these two series.

While these two series are very different, the one thing that is the same is the quality of the story and writing. I was very satisfied with this book. I look forward to reading more in this series and recommend this book (and her previous series the Max Tudor mysteries).

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Augusta Hawke is the successful author of a mystery series set in France. Working in her second floor office, she can observe her neighbors as she plots out her stories. Niko and Zoraida Norman live behind her with their infant son Harry. When the. Normans disappear Augusta is interviewed by the police and she is surprised to find that their infant was left behind. Augusta has a deadline for her next book looming, but this is a real mystery. Her curiosity gets the better of her and she starts her own investigation. Her activities come to the attention of Detective Narduzzi, who repeatedly warns her not to interfere. Her publisher, however, thinks that this would be a wonderful true crime story and agrees to an extension of her deadline if she will pursue it.

Augusta is a widow whose life has been wrapped around her characters, Detective Claude and his brilliant assistant Caroline. When her investigation leads her to danger, the biggest question is what would Caroline do? She is a keen observer of the people around her and her research for her mysteries could just save her in the end. Along the way she enlists the help of her friend Misaki, who helps her plan out her disguises and keeps her company along the way. She also collaborates with Kent, the private investigator who originally looked into Niko’s background for Zora’s parents before their wedding. He is also a true crime author looking for a story. Augusta finds him paranoid and a challenge to work with. G.M. Malliet’s story is filled with humor and a number of surprises. This is the first book in a new series and Augusta Hawke will have you looking forward to her next appearance. I would like to thank NetGalley and Severn House Publishers for providing this book for my review.

I've read quite a few of G.M.Malliet's books and always appreciated her ability to use humor to such good effect and her deft plotting. Most of her whodunnits are set in the UK, and she created the perfect English village in her Max Tudor mysteries. I've read quite a few of G.M.Malliet's books and always appreciated her ability to use humor to such good effect and her deft plotting. Most of her whodunnits are set in the UK, and she created the perfect English village in her Max Tudor mysteries. Augusta Hawke, however, is set in the Washington DC area in Georgetown. Augusta is a successful mystery writer, with 18 novels to her credit. She is widowed, living in an upscale townhouse community. She is intensely private and organized, knowing little about her neighbors. Like many such developments in America, people come and go, keeping themselves to themselves. She does take some interest in the young couple living directly across from her. Zora and Niko Norman are a handsome pair with an almost-year-old baby. It's not that she watches them purposely, but they have no curtains, and she is home almost all the time. Plus, she is stalled on novel #19.

When the perfect couple goes missing, the dishy Detective Narducci asks what Augusta knows about them. She realizes that she is probably the only one who knows there is trouble in the Norman marriage. Augusta saw a heated argument through the window and heard a shriek from who she thought must be Zora. Augusta doesn't want to be stereotyped as nosy, so she doesn't tell Narducci at that time. Instead, she contacts Zora's mother at the downtown DC gallery she owns. The baby is safe, and Zora's parents never liked or trusted Niko. Augusta enlists Misaki Nelson, a retired lawyer, in her search for the Normans. The two are off to the races. A sleazy PI (and true crime writer) involves himself in their investigation as well. Detective Narducci is decidedly not happy. There are moments of wry humor, hilarity, and great danger before they find the missing Normans. The only negative is an overly quick wrap-up.

Some people don't enjoy the first-person narrative, but I enjoyed being in Augusta's head. She is unique and fearless. I hope there are more novels to come. I like Augusta, and new opportunities open up in her life, which has been stagnant. Thanks to NetGalley and Severn Books for an advance digital copy.

In Augusta Hawke, author GM Malliet delivers a somewhat younger and more solitary Jessica Fletcher-type sleuth, a widow who writes mysteries, in a cozy mystery set in Old Town Alexandria, an affluent section of suburban Northern Viriginia outside of Washington DC. As a former resident of the area, I especially enjoyed the clever insider barbs aimed at local types. (Malliet is particularly laser-focused on those who shop at Trader Joe's.) Unfortunately, the mystery itself is low stakes and just not that interesting. I found myself caring more about the mother of the subject of the mystery surrounding Zora than about Zora herself. While all sleuths have their eccentricities, there is a certain amount of creepiness in Augusta that bothered me. While she has spent a lot of time watching her neighbors, Augusta has never engaged them in conversation. In any event, the Rear-Window movie allusions are many.

I love GM Malliet and was very curious about this new series as I love her style of writing, humour, and characters.
This is a mystery but it's also a satire of the world of mystery writer. It's very funny reading Augusta's musing about the life of a bestseller writer and how her creative process works.
The mystery is well plot even if a bit slow at times. This is the first in a series so there's the introduction of the character and of the setting.
Even if I prefer her books set in UK this was compelling and highly entertaining and I can't wait to read the next.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

OK, I didn't really read the description carefully before jumping into this book. I definitely enjoyed the author's Max Tudor series, so I ws prepared to enjoy this book as well - and I did, but I was pretty surprised. This wasn't a cozy set in a quaint English village - no, it's set in the DC area, primarily in Alexandria, VA. And the protagonist isn't a vicar, but a successful mystery writer, getting over the death of her unfaithful husband, and showing a fair amount of interest in flirting with nice looking men she runs across!

This book is another trope in the cozy mystery field - the amateur detective, who is sure that her private investigations will be so much more helpful and fruitful than those of the police. Not to mention the standard practice of interrogating random people, who tell her all sorts of stuff! But, you know what? It's a fun book to read. There are enough questions about what's really going on in this case to be intriguing, and there's a lot of fun in hearing an author describe how a mystery author is going about detection and also about how she's maintaining a successful writing career. It's written with a lot of humor, and it's really enjoyable to read.

I'm hoping that this is the first in another series - it certainly would lend itself to more - and I will definitely be looking for #2.

Told in the first person, I truly enjoyed G.M. Malliet’s new character, Augusta Hawke, speaking directly to us, the readers. She herself is a successful mystery writer, so when a mystery unfolds in her own back yard, she can’t help but investigate. A somewhat lonely widow who normally keeps to herself, she is forced to reach out to neighbors for information to find the missing couple. The conversations, Augusta’s asides to us, her dry wit, and the story in general kept me laughing, and wondering how the mystery was going to unfold, I didn’t see the ending coming.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for such an fresh story line, I’m hoping this is just the first of many in a series.

Let’s get one thing straight – if you’re looking for an action-packed, foot-to-the-floor thriller, then pass on this one. Instead, you get a slow-burn building sense of wrongness that gradually develops into an investigation – although Augusta is the first to admit that she largely started looking into her neighbours’ disappearance because she’d hit a bit of a wall with her latest manuscript. Indeed, it’s debatable whether the pacing is a tad too slow at times, though I was never in any danger of abandoning this one. Augusta’s dry humour held me throughout. Her personality and my liking for her is the outstanding aspect of this book – I definitely am looking forward to reading more in the series.

Not in the first flush of youth, Augusta was widowed when her beloved husband died in a car crash. Upsettingly, the circumstances of his death led to very hurtful discoveries about him hand the double life he was leading. And since his death, she has retreated into her writing, watching the world from her window and her regular walks with her dog. I liked how the devastation of Marcus’s death slowly is revealed – this aspect of the story could have so easily slid into a self-pitying whine. However, Augusta uses humour as her defence and refuge, which had me grinning and thoroughly rooting for her. The writing is accomplished and Malliet is clearly an experienced storyteller with a particular talent for writing a strong, sympathetic protagonist capable of engaging this reader’s affection – I really cared about Augusta.

That is particularly important when the stakes suddenly become a whole lot higher as the book suddenly shifts up a couple of gears during the climactic denouement. And while I’d a suspicion about the actual villain – the backstory and extent of the antagonist’s wrongdoing came as a shock. Recommended for fans of contemporary mysteries that aren’t too gritty or dripping with gore and feature a strong female protagonist. While I obtained an arc of Augusta Hawke from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
8/10

This novel was sent to me by Netgalley electronically for review. A novel about a writer…intriguing…mystery and intrigue…friendship…this author is talented and gifted…a story that is difficult to put down…characters who are likable…some not so much…don’t miss this one…

An unassuming heroine, an author by trade, who wonders what has happened to her Washington, DC, neighbours, who have suddenly disappeared, is a wonderful start to a new series by G M Malliet. A bit different than her previous series’, so took a chapter or two to find the rhythm, but I loved this and the fact that widowed Augusta is so…unobtrusive and, dare I say it, dull? Not everyone can be exciting and adventurous and daring, but it doesn’t mean that a widow has to fade into the background. She just prefers a quiet life. I found myself really relating to Augusta, because I consider myself unobtrusive and, dare I say it, dull. Perhaps ‘wallflower’ is a better term, or introvert.

I’m a big fan of G M Malliet, and like every book, this won’t be for everyone, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and am very much looking forward to the second one.