Miss Austen Investigates

Book Review Jan 24, 2024

My review

3/5 stars

As mentioned in a previous review for this year so far, crime is not my genre of choice (though you would be forgiven for thinking otherwise given that the first two books I've read in 2024 have been crime books). I have been tempted back into the genre by the premise of it being centred around Jane Austen as a lead character. I love Austen and read pretty much any book based on anything of hers when I find it; this is no exception.

I enjoyed the idea of Austen using her infallible wit and intelligence to solve a murder in her hometown. For the most part, that element of the story delivered - the cogs of her mind were whirring page on page, and she connected dots that characters around her either missed or ignored completely.

I also though the family members were well utilised. The author gave a good sense of family, while staying true to the influences that these real people would have had on some of Austen's characters. They didn't feel completely removed from a reality that gave us the Austen persona that we are all more familiar with.

However, that in my opinion, was the only connection that I was able to find. I felt a disconnection with the idea that the character in this book and my favourite author were the same person. While that is totally excusable, because the author has just based her character on the idea of a real person, I personally found it a little disappointing that more effort had not been made in this area.

I also found myself little emotional connection to the conclusion of the story. While I appreciated the efforts to keep things twisting and turning right up to the last few pages, it just didn't feel particularly shocking or exciting to me when I was reading it.

This was passable enough for me, but has further reinforced my sentiment that crime is just not the genre for me.

*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Book blurb

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that every good mystery is in need of a brilliant sleuth . . .

Welcome to Hampshire, 1795, where a young Jane Austen has her sights set on securing a marriage proposal from the dashing Tom Lefroy at a local ball.

But when a shocking discovery is made - a milliner's lifeless body tucked away in a linen closet - Jane finds herself embroiled in an unexpected murder mystery.

As she races against the clock to clear her beloved brother Georgy's name, Jane uses her sharp wits to navigate the treacherous waters of society, unmasking secrets and unearthing hidden motives along the way. With every twist and turn, Jane's determination to solve the case deepens. And if she fails, her brother will face the ultimate punishment - the hangman's noose . . .

Join Jane on her quest for justice as she faces down danger, deceit, and scandal amidst her own friends and neighbours. Will she uncover the truth in time, or will the real killer go free? One thing's for certain - in Hampshire, nothing is as it seems . . .