Miss Austen Investigates: A Fortune Most Fatal by Jessica Bull (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

What real life person would you like to see as an investigator?  I love seeing Jane Austen as a sleuth, but I also like stories where Agatha Christie is an investigator.

Jane Austen is visiting her brother Edward to help with his children as his wife Elizabeth will be delivering another child soon. The year is 1797.  Jane has recently had a romance with Tom Lefroy, and Cassandra’s fiancé, Thomas Fowle, has just died from yellow fever while in the Caribbean on a military expedition.  Jane has taken Cassandra’s place visiting Edward so that Cassandra can have time to grieve.  Edward’s adopted mother, Mrs. Catherine Knight, has taken in a woman who proclaims that she is a foreign princess.  As Jane realizes that Edward’s future fortune may be settled upon this “princess,” she decides she must discover who she really is before it is too late.

My thoughts on this novel:

·       I loved reading a book with Jane Austen as a main character living in her world.  She is at a hopeful period of life, still young enough to hope for love and marriage, and working on her novels.

·       I loved when Jane Austen was reading her novel (the first draft of Sense and Sensibility) to Mrs. Knight and she falls asleep.  It made me laugh.  I wish I could have been around to listen to Austen reading her own work and providing voices!

·       Edward “Neddy” and Elizabeth were interesting.  Elizabeth annoyed me at times, but I can see why you would be upset about your inheritance that you are counting on to support your family potentially being ripped away.  She also thought she was being helpful with trying to find Jane a husband.

·       I enjoyed the mystery within this book and it kept me riveted all of the way through. I don’t want to ruin it for someone else – but I did enjoy it and its resolution.

·       Jane at times reminded me of Catherine Morland in this novel with all sorts of interesting theories.

·       This is the second book in the series.  I have the first book, The Hapless Milliner, and I need to read it soon!

·       There is a great author’s note at the end of the novel on changes to history made for this historical fiction novel as well as real life inspirations.

·       The elephant in the room is that this is the second series with Jane Austen as the sleuth that I have read.  I loved the Jane Austen mysteries by Stephanie Barron. That series has ended with Jane’s death.  This new series is telling different stories in a different way.  The real-life characters have different personalities, which is interesting. 

Overall, Miss Austen Investigates:  A Fortune Most Fatal by Jessica Bull is a wonderful historical mystery that puts you firmly into the Regency world of Jane Austen.  It was an interesting mystery and I loved the historical time period and characters.

Book Source:  Review copy from Union Square & Co as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Thank-you!  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

A witty, engaging murder mystery featuring Jane Austen as an intrepid sleuth—the second installment in the Miss Austen Investigates series.

1797: A broken-hearted Jane Austen travels to Kent to look after her brother Neddy’s children and further her writing. She soon realizes it’s imperative she uncovers the true identity of a mysterious young woman claiming to be a shipwrecked foreign princess before the interloper can swindle Neddy’s adoptive mother out of her fortune and steal the much-anticipated inheritance all the Austens rely on.

ADVANCE PRAISE

“It’s rare to encounter a book that brings fresh delight with most every page, but such is the case with A Fortune Most Fatal. The reader is immersed in the world of Jane Austen, and what a fascinating world it is. Crisply written, sharply observant, and with a self-deprecating wit, Jessica Bull delivers a twisty and intriguing mystery that is delightfully Austenesque.” —Vanessa Kelly, bestselling author of The Emma Knightley Mysteries

“A delightful return to the world of Jane Austen’s sleuthing! Jessica Bull delicately balances the details of Jane’s life alongside a richly developed set of mysteries. Rendered in Jane’s signature wit and equal parts light and dark, I enjoyed every moment I got to spend with Jane in this brilliant follow-up.”— Kristen Perrin, international bestselling author of How To Solve Your Own Murder

AUTHOR BIO

Jessica Bull lives in South East London with her husband, two daughters, and far too many pets. She’s addicted to stories and studied English Literature at Bristol University, and Information Science at City University, London. She began her career as a librarian (under the false impression she could sit and read all day), before becoming a communications consultant.

Her debut novel, Miss Austen Investigates, sold to Penguin Michael Joseph at auction for six figures and is published in 18 territories worldwide. A Fortune Most Fatal, the second book in her cozy crime series exploring the life of Jane Austen, will be published in March 2025. Connect with her online at www.jessicabullauthor.com.