Emma encounters a murder!

Murder in Highbury (Emma Knightley Mystery #1) by Vanessa Kelly      

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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