The Highbury Murders
Author: Victoria Grossack
Type of Austenesque Novel: Sequel, Mystery
Release Date: March 1st, 2013
Pages: 162
Available in: Paperback and Ebook
Available at: Amazon and Barnes and Noble
from goodreads:
Excerpt:
“The death of Mrs. Bates, a very old lady whose hearing had long since gone and who had spent her last few months either in her bedroom or sitting in her chair in the parlor, would have gone unremarked in London, where people spent their time discussing fashion, nobility, and the latest offering at the theatre. In Bath her decease might have been mentioned as a piece of dull news, before the residents and visitors resumed discussing who had been seen at the Pump Room during the day or who was giving a whist party that night. In Highbury, however, Mrs. Bates’s passing was an event which was talked over in every house, both great and small.”
About the Book:
Jane Austen’s Emma has been described as a detective story without a body – except for those who read carefully, there actually is a body, and the potential for an excellent mystery story.
Set about a year after Emma closes, The Highbury Murders pays homage to the wit of Jane Austen and the whodunits of Agatha Christie. You do not need to have read Jane Austen’s books to enjoy this novel, but if you have – if you regret that she wrote only six – The Highbury Murders is a welcome extension to her world. Pour yourself a cup of tea, settle somewhere comfortable, and indulge yourself with the proverbial good read.
MY THOUGHTS:
- It has been way too long since I enjoyed a good mystery!
- What?!? You are taking me back to the “Village of Jane Austen’s Emma?” YES! I <3 Highbury!
- Poor Mrs. Bates…ooh and poor Miss Bates! I wonder if there is any sinister or suspicious about her death.
- Oh dear! The title says “Murders!” Is there more than one?!?
- I wonder what wonderful Highbury friends we will encounter in this novel! Surely the Westons, Knightleys, Martins, and Eltons. Maybe the Churchills and John Knightleys too! And we must not forget our great worrier, Mr. Woodhouse!
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?
Previous Posts:
- Austenesque Novel Finds #18 – Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood
- Austenesque Novel Finds #17 – Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Match
- Austenesque Novel Finds #16 – Austensibly Ordinary
- Austenesque Novel Finds #15 – My Dear Sophy
- Austenesque Novel Finds #14 – The Beresfords
This is sitting on my bedside table, waiting to be read…I love Mr Knightley and Emma…can’t wait to re-visit Highbury..
Ooh! Lucky you, Stephanie! I added this one to my wishlist…I’ve got a birthday coming up! 😉
This sounds like a fun read. I’m a sucker for a good cozy mystery. And who wouldn’t want to go back to Highbury?
Who is the amateur sleuth? I can imagine Mr Knightly being an intelligent detective, but Emma strikes me as the type to want to get involved in a solving a good puzzle.
Thanks for bringing this one to my attention, Meredith!
I love a good cozy too, Heather! I’m very curious to see who are the sleuths, the suspects, and such! And yes, Highbury is one of my favorite places in all of literature! 🙂
I haven’t heard of this one and I love the idea of combining JA’s Emma with a murder mystery. Thanks for sharing!
This one slipped by my radar – it has been out for a couple months! I think murder mysteries are a lot of fun and what a hullabaloo it would be in Highbury!
I hadn’t heard of this before and I’d imagine Emma stories are kind of few and far between. I admit I still haven’t read/watched Emma but if it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone I’d check it out.
Oh, Monica! I’d love to know what you think of Emma when you do read it! It is right up there with P&P as my favorite JA! 🙂
Okay, I’m excited about this because Mr. Knightley (and thus Emma) is my very favorite Austen man! Thanks for posting this Meredith! =D
I’m with you on that, Stephanie! Love Mr. Knightley! I hope we see a lot of him in this novel! 😀
I enjoyed the book very much. The premise was right-on.
That’s great to hear! I hope to read it soon, myself!