Murder in Highbury

First in a captivating new series, Jane Austen’s Emma Knightley entertains a different role in Highbury—going from clever matchmaker to Regency England’s shrewdest sleuth.

"Clever and charming, Vanessa Kelly brings Austen’s world in Highbury village to life with beloved characters, twisty hijinks, and a mystery that will keep you guessing." —Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Keeper of Hidden Books

Less than one year into her marriage to respected magistrate George Knightley, Emma has grown unusually content in her newfound partnership and refreshed sense of independence. The height of summer sees the former Miss Woodhouse gracefully balancing the meticulous management of her elegant family estate and a flurry of social engagements, with few worries apart from her beloved father’s health . . .   

But cheery circumstances change in an instant when Emma and Harriet Martin, now the wife of one of Mr. Knightley’s tenant farmers, discover a hideous shock at the local church. The corpse of Mrs. Augusta Elton, the vicar���s wife, has been discarded on the altar steps—the ornate necklace she often wore stripped from her neck . . .   

As a chilling murder mystery blooms and chaos descends upon the tranquil village of Highbury, the question isn’t simply who committed the crime, but who wasn’t secretly wishing for the unpleasant woman’s demise. When suspicions suddenly fall on a harmless local, Emma—armed with wit, unwavering determination, and extensive social connections—realizes she must discreetly navigate an investigation of her own to protect the innocent and expose the ruthless culprit hiding in plain sight.

‘Brimming with all the wit and charm one can expect from a visit to Jane Austen’s world . . . the sequel we formerly could merely long for and imagine.’ —Christina Dodd, New York Times bestselling author


Genre: Historical Mystery

"An amusing whodunnit full of quirky characters, delicious local gossip, and an irresistible, witty protagonist." - K D Alden

"Brimming with all the wit and charm one can expect from a visit to Jane Austen's world, Murder in Highbury presents Austen's beloved and interfering character Emma with a murder. When Emma puts her clever wits to use to discover the murderer who hides among them, danger and humor mingle to provide us with mystery, delight, and a clever new sleuth. Author Vanessa Kelly writes with an experienced touch and clear fondness for her well-beloved characters, giving us the sequel we formerly could merely long for and imagine." - Christina Dodd

"Kelly captures the essence of the 'real' Emma who has left matchmaking behind in favor of crime solving. A delightful Regency mystery including some of my favorite Austen characters! What would Jane do? I say she'd approve!" - Dianne Freeman

"Jane Austen fans and mystery readers alike will revel in this return to Highbury and the chance to catch up with the lives of Emma and Mr. Knightley (now wed) and all of its memorable residents. It turns out Emma's natural inclination to meddle has not been entirely curbed by her new husband, and a good thing, too, for murder most foul has come to Highbury, and Emma will need all of her considerable wits to solve it. Charming and clever, this delightful homage hits all the right notes." - Anna Lee Huber

"Murder in Highbury is DELIGHTFUL, if a story about deception and murder set in a bucolic countryside village of Regency England can be so called. Vanessa Kelly masterfully whisks her readers into the world of Jane Austen from the first page and holds them there, captivated until the last. Yet instead of manners and marriage schemes dominating the plot, murder and mayhem are the rule of the day. And who better to turn detective than the intrepid Emma Woodhouse Knightly? With no new Jane Austen novels to read, I was thrilled to find Vanessa Kelly a worthy successor." - Clara McKenna

"From purported matchmaker to cunning detective, recently married Emma Knightly is on the hunt for a murderer. Clever and charming, Vanessa Kelly brings Austen's world in Highbury village to life with beloved characters, twisty hijinks, and a mystery that will keep you guessing. Murder in Highbury is an exciting and edgy take on a classic tale we all know and love and will delight murder mystery readers everywhere." - Madeline Martin

"Utterly delightful, with characters so true to the original, even Miss Austen would wholeheartedly approve." - Alyssa Maxwell