This second book in the Miss Austen Investigates series is slightly bewildering in its intent and doesn’t feel quite as strong as the first book.
What is is so clever about Jessica Bull’s Miss Austen Investigates series is the way in which she effortlessly combines Jane Austen’s life and events with aspects that remind us of the characters that we find in her books.
In Sense, Sensibility & Scandal, we find Jane on her way to pending the summer with her estranged brother, Neddy and his family. He is the heir to Mrs Knight’s fortune but soon the mysterious arrival of a young lady who is taken into Mrs Knight’s care threatens Neddy and his family’s prospects. Jane must investigate and find out this mysterious guest’s true identity before Mrs Knight changes her mind about whom she wishes to leave her fortune to.
As always there is plenty of twists and turns along the way in which keeps the reader engaged with the story unfolding. However, it is also frustrating in places with plenty of arguments between characters that seem to go around in circles, while Eleanor’s true identity is utterly perplexing until it is discovered that she has a certain condition and the true villain of the piece feels slightly detached from proceedings.
The story also seems to take its time to build and while there is nothing wrong with a slow build up, the climax doesn’t feel quite worthy of it.
This being said, it is a joy to reacquaint ourselves with Jane Austen not only as an author but into her mind and theories that emerge (even if she doesn’t quite get it right). The descriptions of regency life come across as accurate, highlighting the limited opportunities for women at that time, you do feel as though you are right there with Jane herself.
It is also impressive that instead of sticking with the same formula as the first book, Jessica Bull has gone in a different direction and different type of mystery that covers PTSD, smuggling and trauma (although PTSD and trauma weren’t dealt with at this period of time) that is really quite bold.
Each of the characters are bold and do come flying off the page really well and by the end you do care about the outcome of their circumstances.
But it just feels as though it takes too long to get to where it wants to be and certain aspects feel slightly too convoluted. Overall, it is a bit of a mixed read – but it is still wonderful to step back into Jane Austen’s world and revisit her as a budding detective.
Rating: ❤️❤️❤️
Sense, Sensibility & Scandal is available to buy now.