The famous author turns sleuth in this engaging story that is filled with romance, deceit and murder.
While of course a lot of what happens in Miss Austen Investigates is fictional, what author Jessica Bull does brilliantly is bring aspects of Jane Austen’s life to the forefront in a way that gives us a little more insight into her family life that grounds the story well.
Beginning at a ball on a Hampshire estate with the discovery of the body of a young milliner, this sends shockwaves through the county – but in particular for Jane Austen and her family as her harmless and gentle brother Georgy is arrested for the murder having being discovered with the murdered woman’s necklace. This makes Jane more determined to discover who the real murderer is and clear her brother’s name – particularly when the magistrate doesn’t take the case seriously enough in her opinion.
As with any murder mystery, there are plenty of characters to be investigated and motivations to be uncovered – which the author does with great skill and strong build up, while using what she knows about Austen’s writing skills to showcase her personality as believably as possible.
Throughout the book, Jane’s tenacity is one of her biggest strengths, it is also one of her weaknesses as she allows her imagination to run away with her and getting her into trouble on many occasions, which can make her come across as slightly too amateurish to solve a murder. But what is never in doubt is her love for her family and wanting to do anything to help them. Just as in her novels, her quickness of mind and ability to observe people and society is on full display.
Away from the murder itself, the book provides a wonderful portrait of the Austen’s family life and filled with detail that makes you feel really cosy and close to the family – it offers a new perspective of this soon to be famous author and her life (the letters to her sister Cassandra are a nice touch). Yet it also never flinches away from the darker sides of 18th century life with references to deportation, prison, asylums and punishment for murder.
There is a wonderfully gentle nature to the book that you don’t usually get in this genre and in places it can be lacking in the tension that you would expect – with a little more focus on the various romances throughout as well (including Jane’s own with Tom Lefroy) which while adds a softness to the story can also distract from the investigation itself.
This being said, the drama in the final chapters is built up beautifully and there is a real twist at the end that it was difficult to see coming.
Perhaps the slower pace of Miss Austen Investigates might not suit all crime-thriller fans, but for those looking for an easy-going and engaging read this will be right up your street and is an assured debut from Jessica Bull.
By Emma Clarendon
Miss Austen Investigates is available to buy now.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐