Death of a Lady (Jane Austen Investigations)
Miss Jane Austen is the unmarried daughter of a respectable clergyman, not yet the famous author she will come to be in the future. In 1795, she attends the Westworths’ ball with her family and has a chance to dance with the handsome Mr. Lefroy. While at the ball, Miss Emma Roscoe, one of her dearest friends, seems disturbed about something. She requests that Jane meet her at ten o’clock. Jane is astonished when she discovers Emma’s murdered body. Troubled by this, Jane teams up with the local magistrate, Lord Hinchbrooke, to solve the mystery and see that justice is done.
The cleverly conceived Death of a Lady, the first installment in the Jane Austen Investigations series, depicts the adept Jane Austen in a way that can easily be believable. With wonderful characterizations, Martin’s writing is exceedingly well done. Jane, the Austens, and their social circle are all rendered as well-rounded people with virtues and flaws. I was impressed by the fast-paced mystery surrounding the unfortunate Emma Roscoe, which kept me curious and on the edge of my seat. This book certainly has a Regency-era feel with its dialogue and descriptions. While I would have liked to see a more fully developed author’s note talking about the research, this is a fun read overall.
