A Very Vexing Murder - Harriet Smith Investigates by Lucy Andrew Hardcover

Book Synopsis

Harriet Smith investigates...A murder most Austen.

A witty debut whodunit that reimagines Harriet Smith, the gullible sidekick of Jane Austen's Emma, as a spitfire con woman, hired to break off an engagement and uncover a murderer in the genteel village of Highbury.

"Seldom, very seldom, does complete truth belong to any human disclosure." --Jane Austen, EMMA

Is a killer lurking in the idyllic country domain of Emma Woodhouse?

No longer Emma's naïve companion, Harriet Smith is a feisty con-woman-turned-detective tasked with breaking off Frank Churchill's engagement and uncovering his aunt's would-be murderer. The shrewd Mrs. Churchill suspects Frank's unsuitable fiancée, Jane Fairfax, is out to kill her, while Harriet suspects little more than a society scandal. But what begins as a routine investigation among Highbury's elite quickly spirals into a web of deception, deadly secrets, and a game of survival.

As Harriet interrogates a growing list of suspects with the help of her long-suffering best friend, Robert Martin, not only does she have to contend with a potential homicidal maniac and striking out as a single woman in Regency society but is also afraid her father (and former partner-in-crime) is out for revenge.

With a cast of unforgettable characters--including a charming scoundrel, a lovesick farmer, a ghoulish butler, and a ruthless heiress determined to hide her skeletons at any cost-- this brilliantly reimagined mystery featuring the characters from Jane Austen's Emma is as deliciously dark as it is delightfully clever.

Review Quotes

"A Very Vexing Murder is a lively, accomplished, Austentatious debut! In a bold, re-imagined sequel to Emma, this is a treat for fans of regency literature and those who love a good murder mystery... A Very Vexing Murder has it all!" - Janice Hallett, NYT bestselling author of The Appeal
"A Very Vexing Murder is utterly charming. A wise, witty, and wily delight." - Essie Fox, author of The Last Days of Leda Grey
"Lucy Andrew's love of Austen and mystery shines through on every page, making A Very Vexing Murder a fantastically entertaining read for crime fiction aficionados and Janeites alike. Enormous fun, I'll never look at Harriet Smith in the same way again!" - Jessica Bull, author of Miss Austen Investigates

"This book is an absolute joy. Lucy Andrew has crafted an effervescent delight, a witty and wonderful tale with twists, turns, and just enough of a wicked sense of humour as Harriet Smith herself. A treat for fans of Austen, mysteries, and second chances, this is sure to delight any reader. If you think there's nothing new under the sun, Lucy Andrew will prove you wrong."

- Alice Bell, author of Grave Expectations