annieb123's Review of Sense and Second-Degree Murder (Jane Austen Murder Mysteries, #2)

by Tirzah Price

In this second book of the Jane Austen Murder Mystery series, Tirzah Price takes readers for another fun, murderous romp through one of Austen’s beloved novels. Perfect for fans of The Lady Janies and Stalking Jack the Ripper. A Junior Library Guild pick!

When eighteen-year-old aspiring scientist Elinor Dashwood discovers her beloved father slumped over the desk of his office study, she knows his death means dire straits for the Dashwood women. To make matters worse, an outdated will entails his estate—including Norland & Company, the private investigation firm where her younger sister Marianne worked as her father’s partner and protégé—to their half-brother and his haughty wife, who waste no time in forcing the Dashwoods out of their home and into a cramped apartment on London’s Barton Street.

But before they go, the Dashwood sisters make a startling discovery: a suspicious substance in their father’s teacup—one that can only be described as poison. And poison, as Marianne’s father taught her, always points to murder.

It could be dangerous; it could ruin their reputations; and most importantly, it won’t bring back their father. But if the Dashwood sisters can combine their talents and bring their father’s murderer to justice, it may bring them all some comfort—and it might even lead to love.

“Pride and Premeditation is a romantic and entertaining page-turner, sure to delight readers of any genre.” —Kerri Maniscalco, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Stalking Jack the Ripper series

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Sense & Second-Degree Murder is a well written period murder mystery pastiche based on Jane Austen's characters and the second book in this series by Tirzah Price. Due out 5th April 2022 from Harper Collins, it's 416 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

Although it's the second book in the series, this is a standalone story and self contained in one volume. The characters and dialogue are appealingly written (with nods to the original period characters) but the whole is perfectly accessible and enjoyable for the modern reader. Although fairly true to the original source material, the author has constructed a solid mystery with a satisfying denouement and resolution.

Although published under the HarperTeen imprint, this is a robust mystery for all ages.

Four stars. Enjoyable and well done.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Sense and Second-Degree Murder (Jane Austen Murder Mysteries, #2)

by Tirzah Price

Reviewed by annieb123 on Dec 18, 2021

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