What If There Was A String of Unconnected Accidental Deaths in Highbury?

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Source: Purchased

TYPE OF NOVEL: Emma Mystery, Secondary Character Story

SERIES: Miss Mary Investigates #2 (I’d recommend reading #1 Death of a Clergyman before reading this book for fuller enjoyment and understanding. There is also a Prequel – The Mystery of the Missing Heiress)

THE PREMISE: Due to an unforeseen delay, Mary Bennet ends up stranded in Highbury alone awaiting the Darcys. And while Mr. Darcy does everything to ensure her safety and lodging through Mr. Knightley and his friend Alexander Lyons (who is conducting investigations nearby), he would never expect that Mary would find herself surrounded by mysterious deaths and a possible murderer…

WHAT I LOVED:

• It’s Highbury: I just love when any story is set here. It is such an idyllic and charming village – even when there are murders happening! 😵  Mary is quick to make friends with nearly everyone in Highbury within her first few days of being there, and just seems like it is Highbury’s way. Whether it is dinging together at Hartfield, having tea with Mrs. and Miss Bates, or running into friends while walking into the village. I loved seeing Mary interact with and form impressions of all the charming inhabitants of Highbury society. I especially enjoyed her playing duets with Jane Fairfax and being the recipient of Frank Churchill’s flirtatious attention.

• Emma in Progress: I love that Riana Everly chose to set her story during the time of Jane Austen’s Emma, instead of following it as a sequel. Mary arrives just in time for the ball at The Crown. It was great fun to see how her (and Alexander’s) presence impact the natural occurrence of events. And how both Mary and Alexander are quick to discern the subtle subtext of some relationships, such as Mr. Knightley’s unrealized regard for Emma and the secret glances shared by Jane and Frank.

• Mary in Progress: In this series Mary is slowly stepping into her own. She is moving away from her sermonizing ways and showy accomplishments. She is realizing her worth in other ways and putting it to good use in helping others. She is continuing to question her beliefs and what values she holds dear. I am very much enjoying seeing Mary transform, and I appreciate how this evolution is progressing slowly in small degrees – and how she sometimes falters. It feels very authentic and true to human nature.

• Alexander Lyons: A Scottish investigator with brusque manners and shrewd deductive reasoning – I am enjoying this character so much. I love witnessing his feelings develop for Mary. I love seeing all the small ways he cares for and appreciates her. And yet at the same time not understand her or why she is upset. They share an unusual friendship, but in this book we see the hint of it starting to progress into something more.

• A Sleuthing Trio: I loved seeing Mr. Knightley as magistrate work alongside Alexander and Mary. It was wonderful to witness all three of their steady and discerning minds at work. I  enjoyed seeing these three confer and develop mutual respect for each other. Each took action and assisted in either finding answers and apprehending the suspect(s).

• Mysterious Twists: Highbury has some secrets! And throughout this tale some closeted skeletons are revealed! Which was super fun and added some interesting twists. I think the mystery itself was clever, challenging, and satisfying. And I think some of Mary Bennet’s keen observation skills are rubbing off on me, because I was on the right path!

WHAT COULD’VE BEEN BETTER:

• More Emma: I might be totally alone in this request, but I wouldn’t have minded seeing more about Emma. And maybe learn her opinions about Mary, or what she truly thought of Alexander, and how she felt about Frank’s transfer of attention from herself to her guest…

FINAL THOUGHTS:

☠️  In a surprising twist, Highbury is village of secrets, scandals, schemes, and a serial killing spree!

🔍  Who knew Mary Bennet’s true accomplishment would be Regency sleuthing!

💗  At its heart this series is about two individuals who are learning and growing with their understandings of each other, themselves, and the world,

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~ Miss Mary Investigates ~

Prequel – The Mystery of the Missing Heiress

1 – Death of a Clergyman

2 – Death in Highbury

3 – Death of a Dandy

4 – Death in Sensible Circumstances