|
Erin
Coleridge runs a used bookstore in Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire,
England. The bookstore serves as a meeting place for villagers.
The village has a Jane Austen Society, and as in many small
villages, there are people in such societies and groups who
have big egos and tend to want to micromanage things.
The
Society’s president, Sylvia Pemberthy, is one such person.
After a contentious meeting at the bookstore, Sylvia is murdered
and, because she was unlikable, the list of suspects is rather
large. Detective Inspector Peter Hadley and Sergeant Rashid
Jarral are on the case.
Danger
rears its ugly head when Events Committee Chairman Jonathan
Alder drinks poisoned beer, but lives. When her close friend,
Farnsworth, becomes a person of interest, Erin decides to
do some investigating on her own and try to assist DI Hadley.
Will her help come in time? Who is the killer and what does
he or she want?
Elizabeth
Blake hits the ground running with this new series. It was
a fast read with believable characters and good pacing. If
you are a Jane Austen fan, you will love this book, as the
author provides plenty of Austen references throughout.
I
have to admit that I have not read much of Austen’s
work, so there were details that I didn’t understand.
I did enjoy the spattering of humor, and I did not guess who
the killer was. I give points for both.
The
elements of a cozy mystery are all present, and I think this
is a promising start to a new series. If you know anyone who
is a Jane Austen buff, I’m sure this would make a great
gift. Or if you are a member of a Jane Austen Society, you
could be the star of your next meeting by providing copies
for other members!
|