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Jane Austen Murder Mystery #2
Sense & Second-Degree Murder
Three of Jane Austen’s classic novels receive a murder mystery makeover in this romantic and thrilling three-book series that’s perfect for fans of The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy and Stalking Jack the Ripper. In Sense and Second-Degree Murder, aspiring scientist Elinor Dashwood and her sister Marianne, a budding detective, work together to solve the mystery of their father’s murder.
When eighteen-year-old aspiring scientist Elinor Dashwood discovers her beloved father slumped over the desk of his office study, she knows his death means dire straits for the Dashwood women. To make matters worse, an outdated will entails his estate—including Norland & Company, the private investigation firm where her younger sister Marianne worked as her father’s partner and protégé—to their half-brother and his haughty wife, who waste no time in forcing the Dashwoods out of their home and into a cramped apartment on London’s Barton Street.
But before they go, the Dashwood sisters make a startling discovery that points to foul play, and the killer might be family.
Obviously, the girls must investigate. It could be dangerous; it could ruin their reputations; and most importantly, it won’t bring back their father. But if the Dashwood sisters can combine their talents and bring their father’s murderer to justice, it may bring them all some comfort—and it might even lead to love.
When eighteen-year-old aspiring scientist Elinor Dashwood discovers her beloved father slumped over the desk of his office study, she knows his death means dire straits for the Dashwood women. To make matters worse, an outdated will entails his estate—including Norland & Company, the private investigation firm where her younger sister Marianne worked as her father’s partner and protégé—to their half-brother and his haughty wife, who waste no time in forcing the Dashwoods out of their home and into a cramped apartment on London’s Barton Street.
But before they go, the Dashwood sisters make a startling discovery that points to foul play, and the killer might be family.
Obviously, the girls must investigate. It could be dangerous; it could ruin their reputations; and most importantly, it won’t bring back their father. But if the Dashwood sisters can combine their talents and bring their father’s murderer to justice, it may bring them all some comfort—and it might even lead to love.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published April 5, 2022
About the author
Tirzah Price
7 books731 followersTirzah Price holds an MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and has worked with books for over a decade. When she’s not writing, reading, or talking about YA books, she splits her time between experimenting in the kitchen and knitting. She lives in Michigan.
Tirzah is pronounced TEER-zuh. Pronouns are she/her.
Tirzah is pronounced TEER-zuh. Pronouns are she/her.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 889 reviews
November 10, 2022
Jane Austen’s epic novel Sense and Sensibility meets whodunnit thriller with Christie vibes is tempting and absolutely promising reading concept I could never resist!
I liked the author’s way to retell the original Jane Austen concept with smart changes and transferring the entire plot into murder mystery.
She added quirky tone to mature, sensible, rational Elinor’s character who dreams to be a scientist, meeting with her adorable Edward at the wrong circumstances: poor guy telling them their cruel step brother and his merciless, greedy wife ( she’s also her sister) left them penniless.
Romantic, reckless Marianne is also portrayed as fiery, bold and determined.
You know the original story: their father suddenly passed away and he leaves the bulk of his estate to his son from his first marriage and three daughters Elinor, Marianne and little Margaret in straitened circumstances. But there’s a quite big difference in this new version: their father owns Norland& Company- the private investigation firm where Marianne works as his protégée and he dies in suspicious circumstances even though his death was reported as heart attack.
Now poor family moves from their estate to cramped apartment on London’s Barton Street.
Marianne is extremely furious about not only losing their family estate but also the investigation firm she’s dreamed to take over. But what if their father didn’t die of natural causes? He had too enemies because of the nature of his occupation and let’s not forget his greedy son and greedier daughter in law who are fully and financially benefited from his death.
You may sense what’s gonna come next: Marianne’s impulsive, straightforward, intuitional methods balance with Elinor’s observant, rational side and scientific approach to find the perpetrator and bring out the justice!
So buckle up, get your popcorn and your choice of poison ( mine is chilled bottle of Chardonnay as usual) and get ready to be lost in this historical cozy murder mystery!
I liked the smart approach of the author to throw the thriller elements into the retelling equation. The characterization and dialogues are well developed. There are so missing pieces and plot holes about mystery side but at least the conclusion is satisfying.
Overall: I found this creative retelling idea brilliant! I’m looking forward to read more works of the author and more books from this series!
Special thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books - Harper Teen for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
I liked the author’s way to retell the original Jane Austen concept with smart changes and transferring the entire plot into murder mystery.
She added quirky tone to mature, sensible, rational Elinor’s character who dreams to be a scientist, meeting with her adorable Edward at the wrong circumstances: poor guy telling them their cruel step brother and his merciless, greedy wife ( she’s also her sister) left them penniless.
Romantic, reckless Marianne is also portrayed as fiery, bold and determined.
You know the original story: their father suddenly passed away and he leaves the bulk of his estate to his son from his first marriage and three daughters Elinor, Marianne and little Margaret in straitened circumstances. But there’s a quite big difference in this new version: their father owns Norland& Company- the private investigation firm where Marianne works as his protégée and he dies in suspicious circumstances even though his death was reported as heart attack.
Now poor family moves from their estate to cramped apartment on London’s Barton Street.
Marianne is extremely furious about not only losing their family estate but also the investigation firm she’s dreamed to take over. But what if their father didn’t die of natural causes? He had too enemies because of the nature of his occupation and let’s not forget his greedy son and greedier daughter in law who are fully and financially benefited from his death.
You may sense what’s gonna come next: Marianne’s impulsive, straightforward, intuitional methods balance with Elinor’s observant, rational side and scientific approach to find the perpetrator and bring out the justice!
So buckle up, get your popcorn and your choice of poison ( mine is chilled bottle of Chardonnay as usual) and get ready to be lost in this historical cozy murder mystery!
I liked the smart approach of the author to throw the thriller elements into the retelling equation. The characterization and dialogues are well developed. There are so missing pieces and plot holes about mystery side but at least the conclusion is satisfying.
Overall: I found this creative retelling idea brilliant! I’m looking forward to read more works of the author and more books from this series!
Special thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books - Harper Teen for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
November 12, 2022
4 stars
If there’s one thing I’m going to do, it’s read a Jane Austen retelling. Seriously, I love them. And Tirzah Price’s teen murder mystery take on Austen’s novels is just so much fun.
When Mr. Dashwood dies unexpectedly, sisters Elinor and Marianne work together to solve the unusual circumstances around his death. Very soon they suspect that he was murdered and embark on their own investigation. After being all but thrown out of their home by their brother, the sisters must relies on themselves and new friends to make a new start and solve their fathers murder.
You don’t see a lot of Sense and Sensibility retellings which is a shame because it’s one of my top two Austen novels. I loved this take on the story and though Price kept very true to the nature and personalities of her characters while changing other details such as occupation in the book. I always wish with every version of this story, that there was more of Brandon and Marianne. But this one really needed more than what we got.
At the heart of this story is two very different sisters who love each other dearly and in their own way, works hard to keep their family together and safe. I am SO excited for Manslaughter Park next year and I wish Price was adapting all six of Austen’s novels instead of just three (but I am greedy).
If there’s one thing I’m going to do, it’s read a Jane Austen retelling. Seriously, I love them. And Tirzah Price’s teen murder mystery take on Austen’s novels is just so much fun.
When Mr. Dashwood dies unexpectedly, sisters Elinor and Marianne work together to solve the unusual circumstances around his death. Very soon they suspect that he was murdered and embark on their own investigation. After being all but thrown out of their home by their brother, the sisters must relies on themselves and new friends to make a new start and solve their fathers murder.
You don’t see a lot of Sense and Sensibility retellings which is a shame because it’s one of my top two Austen novels. I loved this take on the story and though Price kept very true to the nature and personalities of her characters while changing other details such as occupation in the book. I always wish with every version of this story, that there was more of Brandon and Marianne. But this one really needed more than what we got.
At the heart of this story is two very different sisters who love each other dearly and in their own way, works hard to keep their family together and safe. I am SO excited for Manslaughter Park next year and I wish Price was adapting all six of Austen’s novels instead of just three (but I am greedy).
March 25, 2022
This series is a true delight. The second book is even better than the first. Our favorite S & S characters come to life in a murder mystery with the narrative split between Elinor and Marianne. Don't you for one minute think that Margaret is forgotten. Her character arc really shines in this retelling. So precocious and endearing! Another fun surprise is having a teeny bit of crossover with Pride and Premeditation. If you haven't read that one yet, no worries. You can jump in with either book as they are standalones just as Austen wrote her versions to be. Tirzah Price has added some STEM elements (Elinor aspires to be a chemist) and a thrilling murder mystery (Marianne assisted her late father in his detective business). Edward is as adorable as ever. Fanny and Lucy Steele as infuriating as ever. And watch out for Willoughby! There is a central element to this tale that haunts us still in its modern version. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Edward is as adorable as ever. Fanny and Lucy Steele as infuriating as ever. And watch out for Willoughby!
Thank you to HarperTeen and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to HarperTeen and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
September 5, 2023
3.5 stars - I liked this even more than the first! If you're looking for "historical accuracy," this will bug you, but if you're willing to suspend that disbelief, this is a really fun take on these characters & incorporating them into a historical mystery
April 26, 2022
This was such a fun read. With the wit and charm of Jane Austen and the mystery and sleuthing of Agatha Christie, this book was a delightful blend of romance, humor and who-dunit?
When their father unexpectedly dies, the Dashwood sisters go on a hunt to discover what really happened. They soon find that their father was in fact murdered and the killer may still be on the loose.
I loved the dynamics of the sisterly relationships in this book. Elinor has a scientific mind and is continually trying to learn more as she dreams of one day being a chemist in a man's world. Marianne is a romantic and dreams of marrying for love. And young Margaret is a budding novelist with a quick mind, forever on the lookout for inspiration for her upcoming stories. Their spats felt true to typical sibling rivalry and often made me chuckle. But in the end, bonds of family and love run deep. I loved the loyalty they showed for eachother.
This book was a delight. While the plot was a little predictable, I absolutely loved watching it unfold.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When their father unexpectedly dies, the Dashwood sisters go on a hunt to discover what really happened. They soon find that their father was in fact murdered and the killer may still be on the loose.
I loved the dynamics of the sisterly relationships in this book. Elinor has a scientific mind and is continually trying to learn more as she dreams of one day being a chemist in a man's world. Marianne is a romantic and dreams of marrying for love. And young Margaret is a budding novelist with a quick mind, forever on the lookout for inspiration for her upcoming stories. Their spats felt true to typical sibling rivalry and often made me chuckle. But in the end, bonds of family and love run deep. I loved the loyalty they showed for eachother.
This book was a delight. While the plot was a little predictable, I absolutely loved watching it unfold.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 27, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley for the e-arc.
I really enjoyed the first installment - Pride and Premeditation - so I was very excited to see she'd be tackling my favorite Austen next, and this did not disappoint!
Personally, I struggle with retellings, and I struggle with historical fiction, so when I tell you I loved this, understand what a high bar it had to clear with me. I think this book (and so far this series) absolutely threads the needle of taking liberties with both source material and historical period, while also staying true to both. This is a fun mystery in itself, but it's even more fun to see the characters and events of S&S redefined and reshuffled in ways that create new contexts and new reasons for familiar beats to occur and add new dimensions to familiar personalities.
I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves either mysteries, Austen, historical fiction, or some combination thereof.
I really enjoyed the first installment - Pride and Premeditation - so I was very excited to see she'd be tackling my favorite Austen next, and this did not disappoint!
Personally, I struggle with retellings, and I struggle with historical fiction, so when I tell you I loved this, understand what a high bar it had to clear with me. I think this book (and so far this series) absolutely threads the needle of taking liberties with both source material and historical period, while also staying true to both. This is a fun mystery in itself, but it's even more fun to see the characters and events of S&S redefined and reshuffled in ways that create new contexts and new reasons for familiar beats to occur and add new dimensions to familiar personalities.
I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves either mysteries, Austen, historical fiction, or some combination thereof.
May 24, 2022
...Hmm. Hmmmmm. 3.25?
So this was...Better than the awful first book that I DNFed, but still was...Just Mostly Fine. I think I'm more attached to and defensive of P&P so some retellings of it just completely fizzle out pretty early on. Sense and Sensibility has different things to work with, and I'll give this writer some kudos for contriving a...mostly feasible mystery out of this plot.
I will say, I sort of blanked out once Marianne said "I'm not a gold digger", a term not in common parlance for at least another century according to google. The historical inaccuracies abound, but then, the author has huge disclaimers at the end of every book so I guess it's kind of down to how much you can suspend your disbelief to enjoy a read (I personally find it really difficult in most cases that aren't like a fluffy puff piece read...).
Margaret was a spunky, enjoyable little gremlin like I usually find her, and a total scene stealer. The best parts were when she was on-page; or, since I listened to audio, when the narrator was channeling her with a hilarious little voice. Marianne was, funnily enough, on-brand in the sense that she was like Hmm this man's hot so definitely not a suspect. In the matter of her and Elinor's "roles" as investigators, I didn't buy her as a hardcore detective in training, not with her latter weaknesses lol.
Anyways this was a Fine listen to while away time at work, I'm glad I gave the author another shot. We'll see if Manslaughter Park is worth it.
So this was...Better than the awful first book that I DNFed, but still was...Just Mostly Fine. I think I'm more attached to and defensive of P&P so some retellings of it just completely fizzle out pretty early on. Sense and Sensibility has different things to work with, and I'll give this writer some kudos for contriving a...mostly feasible mystery out of this plot.
I will say, I sort of blanked out once Marianne said "I'm not a gold digger", a term not in common parlance for at least another century according to google. The historical inaccuracies abound, but then, the author has huge disclaimers at the end of every book so I guess it's kind of down to how much you can suspend your disbelief to enjoy a read (I personally find it really difficult in most cases that aren't like a fluffy puff piece read...).
Margaret was a spunky, enjoyable little gremlin like I usually find her, and a total scene stealer. The best parts were when she was on-page; or, since I listened to audio, when the narrator was channeling her with a hilarious little voice. Marianne was, funnily enough, on-brand in the sense that she was like Hmm this man's hot so definitely not a suspect. In the matter of her and Elinor's "roles" as investigators, I didn't buy her as a hardcore detective in training, not with her latter weaknesses lol.
Anyways this was a Fine listen to while away time at work, I'm glad I gave the author another shot. We'll see if Manslaughter Park is worth it.
June 28, 2022
I didn’t think I will get to this book immediately after finishing Pride and Premeditation but I’ve been having trouble reading anything these days because of how busy I’ve gotten and an quirky audiobook sounded like the right way to go.
Sense and Sensibility is my favorite Jane Austen. Though I did enjoy P&P on my second read, my first love will always be S&S, so this book was exciting to read. And adding a multiple murder mystery and making our Dashwood sisters investigators was fun but I loved how the author kept the essence of Eleanor and Marianne intact. Eleanor is intelligent, rational and scientific in her observations while Marianne is spirited and a bit impulsive (and I did feel exasperated with her just like in the original) but together they make a formidable team. I also thought the underlying thread behind the murders was very fascinating and while I don’t know how accurate the issue is to the times, I found it very plausible. The supporting characters are also quite fun, especially Margaret who is a delight and I especially adored the way she was narrated in the audiobook.
Overall, I’m unexpectedly loving this Austen meets Agatha Christie series and I have to emphasize that I feel it’s extra enjoyable because of the entertaining narration. The next installment is a Mansfield Park reimagining and because I don’t remember much of the original, I’ll have to see how I’ll like it.
Sense and Sensibility is my favorite Jane Austen. Though I did enjoy P&P on my second read, my first love will always be S&S, so this book was exciting to read. And adding a multiple murder mystery and making our Dashwood sisters investigators was fun but I loved how the author kept the essence of Eleanor and Marianne intact. Eleanor is intelligent, rational and scientific in her observations while Marianne is spirited and a bit impulsive (and I did feel exasperated with her just like in the original) but together they make a formidable team. I also thought the underlying thread behind the murders was very fascinating and while I don’t know how accurate the issue is to the times, I found it very plausible. The supporting characters are also quite fun, especially Margaret who is a delight and I especially adored the way she was narrated in the audiobook.
Overall, I’m unexpectedly loving this Austen meets Agatha Christie series and I have to emphasize that I feel it’s extra enjoyable because of the entertaining narration. The next installment is a Mansfield Park reimagining and because I don’t remember much of the original, I’ll have to see how I’ll like it.
August 19, 2022
Esta serie de retellings me están pareciendo una delicia. Mantienen la esencia de la original pero con un giro policiaco súper divertido y ameno.
September 30, 2022
Delightful rambunctious romp it is. This book is close enough to Austen that I can accept these as legitimate versions of these characters even if they are quite different from Austen. It does feel very modern, not really Regency. I'm just telling myself that this is an alternate timeline where women had far more choice in work than in Austen's time era. The mystery isn't amazing, but it's more about the characters and their growth than the mystery proper. This means I find it highly rereadable. The Romances are actually good and when bad portrayed as such, huzzah! Need more of these characters solving mysteries. Please make another book where the Dashwoods, Edward, and Brandon are some precursor to Sherlock and Watson or some sort of Scooby Doo gang. The chemistry of this 4 to six member band is great. I couldn't put the book down, and found it rather funny as well. Quite the madcap adventure. I'd say more but would rather not give spoilers away. Lets just say that the gothic villains were the acquaintances and lovers we made along the way and the pay off for this update to Jane Austen's use of the gothic in Sense and Sensibility had great pay off and comumpence here.
Mansfield Slaughter is next. Why does this sound like a 1970's slasher horror starring Fanny Price as the final girl? Correction, it is Manslaughter Park, which sounds like a potential black Widow situation. Though now I want a slasher horror version of Mainsfield Park...
Mansfield Slaughter is next. Why does this sound like a 1970's slasher horror starring Fanny Price as the final girl? Correction, it is Manslaughter Park, which sounds like a potential black Widow situation. Though now I want a slasher horror version of Mainsfield Park...
April 30, 2022
'Elinor stood frozen just on the edge of it all. No amount of society training or experience had ever prepared her for the moment in which she had to safely extricate her sister from a fight at a private club!'
I absolutely adored this murder-mystery retelling of Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. Sense and Second-Degree Murder is a fun and intelligent mystery that gives us the nostalgia of Jane Austen's beloved characters while also giving us a freshness and unexpectedness with the added mystery. Tirzah Price is a very confident writer and this is a very solid 'follow-up' to her debut Pride and Premeditation. Taking upon Jane Austen is a big task and I feel like Tirzah Price has accomplished something great here that gives Austen fans what they want. I really loved this book and I was instantly enthralled by the mystery and the writing. Elinor and Marianne are an iconic sisterly duo as they try to solve their own father's murder - it is dark, humorous and twisty.
Even though I've read Sense and Sensibility and know the plot very well, Price uses that to her advantage. While certain culprits are obvious (if you have read the S & S), the twists and the ways in which Elinor and Marianne find clues were not. I found it so fascinating and I was kinda sad when I finished it! I wanted more from these characters.
Sense and Sensibility, I'll be very honest, is not my favourite Jane Austen novel, however, I really loved this book. It brought to life certain characters I didn't care for and really shaped them into characters I did care for. I loved the sisterly bond and I loved how Tirzah Price developed Margaret's character a lot more. She is an aspiring novelist and wants to know every gritty detail about solving a murder purely for her writing. She was a fun character!
A very promising trilogy and I'm very excited for Manslaughter Park that is coming out next year!
I absolutely adored this murder-mystery retelling of Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. Sense and Second-Degree Murder is a fun and intelligent mystery that gives us the nostalgia of Jane Austen's beloved characters while also giving us a freshness and unexpectedness with the added mystery. Tirzah Price is a very confident writer and this is a very solid 'follow-up' to her debut Pride and Premeditation. Taking upon Jane Austen is a big task and I feel like Tirzah Price has accomplished something great here that gives Austen fans what they want. I really loved this book and I was instantly enthralled by the mystery and the writing. Elinor and Marianne are an iconic sisterly duo as they try to solve their own father's murder - it is dark, humorous and twisty.
Even though I've read Sense and Sensibility and know the plot very well, Price uses that to her advantage. While certain culprits are obvious (if you have read the S & S), the twists and the ways in which Elinor and Marianne find clues were not. I found it so fascinating and I was kinda sad when I finished it! I wanted more from these characters.
Sense and Sensibility, I'll be very honest, is not my favourite Jane Austen novel, however, I really loved this book. It brought to life certain characters I didn't care for and really shaped them into characters I did care for. I loved the sisterly bond and I loved how Tirzah Price developed Margaret's character a lot more. She is an aspiring novelist and wants to know every gritty detail about solving a murder purely for her writing. She was a fun character!
A very promising trilogy and I'm very excited for Manslaughter Park that is coming out next year!
October 26, 2022
Another charming instalment in a series that takes Austen's characters and puts them in an alternative England where the families are working. In this book, the Dashwoods have a private inquiry firm and Marianne has been a budding investigator alongside her father, who Elinor finds dead one morning...she's convinced he was murdered. Elinor's primary interest is chemistry, which ties into the murder. All the characters of S&S retain their personalities and it's delightful to see how they operate in this new environment.
March 26, 2022
Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility gets a murder mystery makeover that is perfect for fans of the original story. I love how the author stays true to the character’s personalities while presenting a new and fresh plot that still has elements of the original story.
The Dashwood sisters are fantastic, and the author does a great job in creating layered and compelling young women with feminist ideal, determination, and intellect. They are so different from the typical women in their social circle, and they have hopes and dreams that extend beyond balls, marriage, and motherhood. Elinor is an aspiring scientist, and Marianne wants to follow in her father’s detective footsteps. Each goes through their own trials and tribulations, yet they work together to find out what really happened to their beloved father. They each use their strengths to help solve the mystery, and they work together so well.
The mystery is intriguing and has many twists and turns, which I enjoyed. It is such a fresh twist on the original story, and I like how the author still included important events that occurred in Sense and Sensibility while adding a whole new plot that is unique. I thought mystery and sleuthing complemented the original piece well.
The plot also includes two fantastic romances that you will recognize from the original story. Though the mystery is the focus of the novel, I enjoyed the love stories just as much. I also appreciated the messages about following your dreams, trusting your instincts, and supporting those you love.
Although this is the second book in the series, it is a standalone, and if you’re looking for a fresh twist on a classic novel, you should definitely check it out. Special thanks to Edelweiss and Harper Collins for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
The Dashwood sisters are fantastic, and the author does a great job in creating layered and compelling young women with feminist ideal, determination, and intellect. They are so different from the typical women in their social circle, and they have hopes and dreams that extend beyond balls, marriage, and motherhood. Elinor is an aspiring scientist, and Marianne wants to follow in her father’s detective footsteps. Each goes through their own trials and tribulations, yet they work together to find out what really happened to their beloved father. They each use their strengths to help solve the mystery, and they work together so well.
The mystery is intriguing and has many twists and turns, which I enjoyed. It is such a fresh twist on the original story, and I like how the author still included important events that occurred in Sense and Sensibility while adding a whole new plot that is unique. I thought mystery and sleuthing complemented the original piece well.
The plot also includes two fantastic romances that you will recognize from the original story. Though the mystery is the focus of the novel, I enjoyed the love stories just as much. I also appreciated the messages about following your dreams, trusting your instincts, and supporting those you love.
Although this is the second book in the series, it is a standalone, and if you’re looking for a fresh twist on a classic novel, you should definitely check it out. Special thanks to Edelweiss and Harper Collins for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
September 8, 2021
CW: Drug Addiction
Oh, I just loved this. There is a slight possibility I enjoyed this more than Pride and Premeditation and I think that has to do with how well I know that source material. I am a little less familiar with Sense and Sensibility and it made for a more thrilling read of this reimagined version.
I loved the powerful Dashwood sisters and their dreams of becoming more than societal ladies and their mother's (plus Edward and Brandon's!) adamant support of their wants. I loved Edward and the swoony Mr. Brandon (who I will always, always picture as a young Alan Rickman) and I even enjoyed these iterations of Willoughby and Lucy Steele.
It was incredibly interesting to read of opium and morphine at this early stage in their 'medicinal' uses. I loved the line where Brandon says something like, 'just because a doctor gave it to you doesn't mean it is completely safe.' and I felt that so deeply. I personally know many people who developed drug habits after being prescribed medication for an injury. Reading about that type of situation in this historical setting made me so sad because the horrible after effects weren't necessarily known then as they are now.
I highly recommend this book for any regency/Austen fan and of course any thriller fan! I cant wait to purchase a finished copy in April.
*Thank you to Edelweiss for the chance to read!*
Oh, I just loved this. There is a slight possibility I enjoyed this more than Pride and Premeditation and I think that has to do with how well I know that source material. I am a little less familiar with Sense and Sensibility and it made for a more thrilling read of this reimagined version.
I loved the powerful Dashwood sisters and their dreams of becoming more than societal ladies and their mother's (plus Edward and Brandon's!) adamant support of their wants. I loved Edward and the swoony Mr. Brandon (who I will always, always picture as a young Alan Rickman) and I even enjoyed these iterations of Willoughby and Lucy Steele.
It was incredibly interesting to read of opium and morphine at this early stage in their 'medicinal' uses. I loved the line where Brandon says something like, 'just because a doctor gave it to you doesn't mean it is completely safe.' and I felt that so deeply. I personally know many people who developed drug habits after being prescribed medication for an injury. Reading about that type of situation in this historical setting made me so sad because the horrible after effects weren't necessarily known then as they are now.
I highly recommend this book for any regency/Austen fan and of course any thriller fan! I cant wait to purchase a finished copy in April.
*Thank you to Edelweiss for the chance to read!*
December 18, 2021
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Sense & Second-Degree Murder is a well written period murder mystery pastiche based on Jane Austen's characters and the second book in this series by Tirzah Price. Due out 5th April 2022 from Harper Collins, it's 416 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
Although it's the second book in the series, this is a standalone story and self contained in one volume. The characters and dialogue are appealingly written (with nods to the original period characters) but the whole is perfectly accessible and enjoyable for the modern reader. Although fairly true to the original source material, the author has constructed a solid mystery with a satisfying denouement and resolution.
Although published under the HarperTeen imprint, this is a robust mystery for all ages.
Four stars. Enjoyable and well done.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Sense & Second-Degree Murder is a well written period murder mystery pastiche based on Jane Austen's characters and the second book in this series by Tirzah Price. Due out 5th April 2022 from Harper Collins, it's 416 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
Although it's the second book in the series, this is a standalone story and self contained in one volume. The characters and dialogue are appealingly written (with nods to the original period characters) but the whole is perfectly accessible and enjoyable for the modern reader. Although fairly true to the original source material, the author has constructed a solid mystery with a satisfying denouement and resolution.
Although published under the HarperTeen imprint, this is a robust mystery for all ages.
Four stars. Enjoyable and well done.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
March 22, 2022
SENSE AND SECOND-DEGREE MURDER
by Tirzah Price
HarperCollins Children's Books, HarperTeen
Pub Date: April 5
Oh how I adored this second in the Jane Austen Murder Mystery series. Even more fun than Pride and Premeditation, Sense and Second-Degree Murder is a delightful nod to Austen's story of the Dashwood sisters with a fine twist of mystery.
Elinor finds her father dead in his office and she and Marianne soon discover traces of poison in his teacup. And as their father once instructed, where there is poison, there is always murder.
The sisters work together to discover the killer, and to deal with their half-brother's inheritance of the estate. He and his snobby wife soon kick the sisters out of their father's house, forcing them to move to a tiny apartment. Will they succeed in finding the murderer? And what about the will that's turned up giving all to their nasty half-relation?
Any Janeite will love this story, as will fans of wonderful mysteries that keep them pinned to the last absorbing page.
Thanks to Tirzah Price, HarperCollins Children's Books, HarperTeen, and NetGalley for the e-ARC. Opinions are mine.
#SenseandSecondDegreeMurder #TirzahPrice
HarperCollinsChildrensBooksHarperTeen
#NetGalley #AustenInspiredMysteryNovel #DashwoodSisters #SenseandSensibility
#bookstgramcommunity
by Tirzah Price
HarperCollins Children's Books, HarperTeen
Pub Date: April 5
Oh how I adored this second in the Jane Austen Murder Mystery series. Even more fun than Pride and Premeditation, Sense and Second-Degree Murder is a delightful nod to Austen's story of the Dashwood sisters with a fine twist of mystery.
Elinor finds her father dead in his office and she and Marianne soon discover traces of poison in his teacup. And as their father once instructed, where there is poison, there is always murder.
The sisters work together to discover the killer, and to deal with their half-brother's inheritance of the estate. He and his snobby wife soon kick the sisters out of their father's house, forcing them to move to a tiny apartment. Will they succeed in finding the murderer? And what about the will that's turned up giving all to their nasty half-relation?
Any Janeite will love this story, as will fans of wonderful mysteries that keep them pinned to the last absorbing page.
Thanks to Tirzah Price, HarperCollins Children's Books, HarperTeen, and NetGalley for the e-ARC. Opinions are mine.
#SenseandSecondDegreeMurder #TirzahPrice
HarperCollinsChildrensBooksHarperTeen
#NetGalley #AustenInspiredMysteryNovel #DashwoodSisters #SenseandSensibility
#bookstgramcommunity
June 24, 2022
well this book was nothing short of delightful! i haven’t actually read Sense and Sensibility, but there’s a BBC series that i’ve watched several times and it is just the best 😂 so i basically know the story and the characters, and this book followed them to the very minute details (which i loved, bc i love the original characters :) ) the murder mystery aspect of this story was really intriguing and it felt like an agatha christie story (someone who’s read both lmk if i’m wrong, but i’ve seen a few of her movies and it seems similar lol). complaint: this book moved sooooo sssslllloooowwwwllllyyyyy for like the first 60% which was pesky (like i found myself counting down the percentages on my kindle), but it sure did speed up past that 😅 honestly that’s my one and only complaint. the author kept both of her books squeaky clean, besides the very few according-to-the-period curse words. overall very nice book 4.5/5 stars
April 1, 2024
This book is just so much fun. I love Tirzah Price's Jane Austen mystery series. They're so smart and engaging.
May 9, 2023
I don't think I can describe in words the boredom I felt
February 2, 2023
First off, I am loving the titles to these books. So good!
I have dabbled a bit in the Jane Austen retellings and this is on the better side of things. They are definitely very modernized, but having that tie to Jane still brings the same fangirling from me.
However, there are problems that come with that. If you already know the story of Sense and Sensibility, than you already know what is going to happen and who the villains are. Because of that the story was a bit slow at the beginning. Once I got past the first bit, the story diverged from the Austen plot. It had similarities, but really had its own path. It made it much more exciting. There were still the same villains, but you didn't really know what was going on or why certain things were happening. So, allow yourself a little time to get into the story, because the second half was a real thrill ride.
I have dabbled a bit in the Jane Austen retellings and this is on the better side of things. They are definitely very modernized, but having that tie to Jane still brings the same fangirling from me.
However, there are problems that come with that. If you already know the story of Sense and Sensibility, than you already know what is going to happen and who the villains are. Because of that the story was a bit slow at the beginning. Once I got past the first bit, the story diverged from the Austen plot. It had similarities, but really had its own path. It made it much more exciting. There were still the same villains, but you didn't really know what was going on or why certain things were happening. So, allow yourself a little time to get into the story, because the second half was a real thrill ride.
December 28, 2021
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
In the second instalment of the Jane Austen Murder Mystery series, Sense and Second-Degree Murder follows the intrepid Dashwood sisters, who, having just lost their father and their home, search for the truth about his death, and try and continue his work at Norland & Company. When the eldest sister, Elinor, discovers her father's dead body, she thinks only to protect her sisters, Marianne and Margaret, but soon it's clear that his death was not normal. There's clues afoot, and with Marianne's knowledge of investigating, soon the sisters find themselves in a twisted web of lies, and the new people in their lives may be hiding their own secrets.
When I finished reading Pride and Premeditation I couldn't wait for Tirzah's next book. I love Austen's works, and the premise of this series was perfect for me, but I struggled a little with this book. Part of that may have been that I was approved for a voice galley, and it takes me longer to 'read' them than e-books, but I wasn't as invested. I mean, P&P is my favourite of Austen's book so I was bound to enjoy that more, however I had really high hopes for Sense and Second-Degree Murder. What I found was that Marianne was very annoying, until about the last 20% of the book. Obviously if you know the source material, Willoughby is a wrong-one, and Marianne is taken in, but with how she is introduced to us, it's a bit farcical how easily he dupes her. Margaret may have just been my favourite character. She's so plucky and smart, and really helps the plot when all was just about lost. Elinor, I just wanted to hug and comfort. She takes on so much responsibility in the book, and honestly, she deserves to be treated better by her family, and friends. I found once the plot had really begun, and the characters had settled, it definitely improved, and the last 25% or so made it a 4 star book! I was hoping a book in the series would focus on Emma, but it seems the next book will be Manslaughter Park.
In the second instalment of the Jane Austen Murder Mystery series, Sense and Second-Degree Murder follows the intrepid Dashwood sisters, who, having just lost their father and their home, search for the truth about his death, and try and continue his work at Norland & Company. When the eldest sister, Elinor, discovers her father's dead body, she thinks only to protect her sisters, Marianne and Margaret, but soon it's clear that his death was not normal. There's clues afoot, and with Marianne's knowledge of investigating, soon the sisters find themselves in a twisted web of lies, and the new people in their lives may be hiding their own secrets.
When I finished reading Pride and Premeditation I couldn't wait for Tirzah's next book. I love Austen's works, and the premise of this series was perfect for me, but I struggled a little with this book. Part of that may have been that I was approved for a voice galley, and it takes me longer to 'read' them than e-books, but I wasn't as invested. I mean, P&P is my favourite of Austen's book so I was bound to enjoy that more, however I had really high hopes for Sense and Second-Degree Murder. What I found was that Marianne was very annoying, until about the last 20% of the book. Obviously if you know the source material, Willoughby is a wrong-one, and Marianne is taken in, but with how she is introduced to us, it's a bit farcical how easily he dupes her. Margaret may have just been my favourite character. She's so plucky and smart, and really helps the plot when all was just about lost. Elinor, I just wanted to hug and comfort. She takes on so much responsibility in the book, and honestly, she deserves to be treated better by her family, and friends. I found once the plot had really begun, and the characters had settled, it definitely improved, and the last 25% or so made it a 4 star book! I was hoping a book in the series would focus on Emma, but it seems the next book will be Manslaughter Park.
April 21, 2022
Read my full review and others here: https://teatimelit.com/
Sense and Second-Degree Murder centers around the Dashwood sisters — Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret — after the discovery of their father dead in his study. John, the girl’s half-brother, and his wife, Fanny, are to inherit their family estate and so they quickly kick the girls and their mother out of the house, forcing them to move into a much smaller apartment. However, getting kicked out of their home is the least of their worries. While the doctor is quick to dismiss their father’s death as a heart attack, Elinor and Marianne put their science and detective skills to work and quickly discover that their father had been poisoned. The Dashwood girls work together to discover the killer, but with every new discovery they find themselves in more danger. Can they find the killer before they strike again?
It’s no secret that I love Jane Austen, so this Jane Austen Murder Mystery series is one that called to me right away. I thoroughly enjoyed Pride and Premeditation, so I was very eager to get my hands on Sense and Second-Degree Murder and it did not disappoint!
This was a very cleverly crafted mystery! At the start of the book it seems like there is an easy culprit — they have means and motive, it had to have been them! — but as the story goes on, more layers to the mystery are revealed. There were a few things that I just didn’t see coming and hadn’t anticipated — I loved it! The reveal surprised me, but didn’t feel as though it came out of the blue, which is, in my opinion, a super important aspect of mystery storytelling. If the reader is going to be surprised by the ending, it must make sense and I’m very glad that this one did.
Sense and Second-Degree Murder may have just been released, but I already can’t wait for the next book in this series. If you like regency stories and mysteries, I definitely recommend checking out the Jane Austen Murder Mystery series!
Sense and Second-Degree Murder centers around the Dashwood sisters — Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret — after the discovery of their father dead in his study. John, the girl’s half-brother, and his wife, Fanny, are to inherit their family estate and so they quickly kick the girls and their mother out of the house, forcing them to move into a much smaller apartment. However, getting kicked out of their home is the least of their worries. While the doctor is quick to dismiss their father’s death as a heart attack, Elinor and Marianne put their science and detective skills to work and quickly discover that their father had been poisoned. The Dashwood girls work together to discover the killer, but with every new discovery they find themselves in more danger. Can they find the killer before they strike again?
It’s no secret that I love Jane Austen, so this Jane Austen Murder Mystery series is one that called to me right away. I thoroughly enjoyed Pride and Premeditation, so I was very eager to get my hands on Sense and Second-Degree Murder and it did not disappoint!
This was a very cleverly crafted mystery! At the start of the book it seems like there is an easy culprit — they have means and motive, it had to have been them! — but as the story goes on, more layers to the mystery are revealed. There were a few things that I just didn’t see coming and hadn’t anticipated — I loved it! The reveal surprised me, but didn’t feel as though it came out of the blue, which is, in my opinion, a super important aspect of mystery storytelling. If the reader is going to be surprised by the ending, it must make sense and I’m very glad that this one did.
Sense and Second-Degree Murder may have just been released, but I already can’t wait for the next book in this series. If you like regency stories and mysteries, I definitely recommend checking out the Jane Austen Murder Mystery series!
March 22, 2022
SENSE AND SECOND-DEGREE MURDER
by Tirzah Price
HarperCollins Children's Books, HarperTeen
Pub Date: April 5
Oh how I adored this second in the Jane Austen Murder Mystery series. Even more fun than Pride and Premeditation, Sense and Second-Degree Murder is a delightful nod to Austen's story of the Dashwood sisters with a fine twist of mystery.
Elinor finds her father dead in his office and she and Marianne soon discover traces of poison in his teacup. And as their father once instructed, where there is poison, there is always murder.
The sisters work together to discover the killer, and to deal with their half-brother's inheritance of the estate. He and his snobby wife soon kick the sisters out of their father's house, forcing them to move to a tiny apartment. Will they succeed in finding the murderer? And what about the will that's turned up giving all to their nasty half-relation?
Any Janeite will love this story, as will fans of wonderful mysteries that keep them pinned to the last absorbing page.
Thanks to Tirzah Price, HarperCollins Children's Books, HarperTeen, and NetGalley for the e-ARC. Opinions are mine.
#SenseandSecondDegreeMurder #TirzahPrice
HarperCollinsChildrensBooksHarperTeen
#NetGalley #AustenInspiredMysteryNovel #DashwoodSisters #SenseandSensibility
#bookstgramcommunity
by Tirzah Price
HarperCollins Children's Books, HarperTeen
Pub Date: April 5
Oh how I adored this second in the Jane Austen Murder Mystery series. Even more fun than Pride and Premeditation, Sense and Second-Degree Murder is a delightful nod to Austen's story of the Dashwood sisters with a fine twist of mystery.
Elinor finds her father dead in his office and she and Marianne soon discover traces of poison in his teacup. And as their father once instructed, where there is poison, there is always murder.
The sisters work together to discover the killer, and to deal with their half-brother's inheritance of the estate. He and his snobby wife soon kick the sisters out of their father's house, forcing them to move to a tiny apartment. Will they succeed in finding the murderer? And what about the will that's turned up giving all to their nasty half-relation?
Any Janeite will love this story, as will fans of wonderful mysteries that keep them pinned to the last absorbing page.
Thanks to Tirzah Price, HarperCollins Children's Books, HarperTeen, and NetGalley for the e-ARC. Opinions are mine.
#SenseandSecondDegreeMurder #TirzahPrice
HarperCollinsChildrensBooksHarperTeen
#NetGalley #AustenInspiredMysteryNovel #DashwoodSisters #SenseandSensibility
#bookstgramcommunity
August 12, 2022
Having enjoyed the first in the series, I was looking forward to reading this…and I felt it worked even better this time round! Perhaps it’s because I am not as familiar with the original, but the changes to this made it so exciting.
Upon discovering her father dead in his study, Marianne Dashwood knows their lives are about to change…though nothing could prepare her for just how much.
Their half-brother is the sole heir due to a failure to update a will (scary reminder to get this kind of thing sorted) and Mrs Dashwood and her daughters are given a paltry sum to survive and left to make their own way. A terrifying prospect at this time…so it’s useful that the girls are something out of the ordinary.
Both Marianne and Elinor are convinced there is more to their father’s death, so they carry out their own investigation. Soon they learn that things are more complicated than they could have predicted.
Really enjoyed the focus on the growing opium industry and the way women were presented in this. Can’t wait for book three!
Upon discovering her father dead in his study, Marianne Dashwood knows their lives are about to change…though nothing could prepare her for just how much.
Their half-brother is the sole heir due to a failure to update a will (scary reminder to get this kind of thing sorted) and Mrs Dashwood and her daughters are given a paltry sum to survive and left to make their own way. A terrifying prospect at this time…so it’s useful that the girls are something out of the ordinary.
Both Marianne and Elinor are convinced there is more to their father’s death, so they carry out their own investigation. Soon they learn that things are more complicated than they could have predicted.
Really enjoyed the focus on the growing opium industry and the way women were presented in this. Can’t wait for book three!
April 4, 2022
Sense and Sensibility is one of my favourite Jane Austen novel. I love it because of the sister dynamic so I was interested to see that portrayed throughout this mystery. It went above and beyond what I expected in regards to that and everything else! All three sisters felt authentic but new. I loved the new setting of London and how other characters were the same at heart with a few tweaks of circumstance. I also love the fact that I was throughly tricked! It must so hard as everyone knows who is good guy and who is a bad one but the twists and turns kept me entertained while tricking me. My only negative was that I had a robot narrator as I had an arc so that impacted my enjoyment. I refuse to let it take away a star though!
I received an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 28, 2022
Oh my gosh, I flipping LOVED this book! I honestly couldn’t put it down and read it in an afternoon/evening. I found it to be even more engaging than Pride and Premeditation, and I didn’t think it possible. I’m very familiar with the source material, but I don’t think you have to be to enjoy the story. The author’s interpretations of the characters, even the villains, was brilliant, and I could so easily read further escapades of the Dashwood sisters!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss. All opinions are my own.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss. All opinions are my own.
April 27, 2022
When their father is found dead in his study, the sisters Dashwood are both devastated and financially ruined. Mr. Dashwood may have made some enemies as an investigator, so his enterprising daughters Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret, are out to catch his killer.
This was a fun Regency mystery. It was well done, if a bit heavy-handed at times, and I enjoyed the characters.
I’ll definitely read sequels or other books by the author if there are any!
Thank you to NetGalley and the the publisher for this ARC ebook!
This was a fun Regency mystery. It was well done, if a bit heavy-handed at times, and I enjoyed the characters.
I’ll definitely read sequels or other books by the author if there are any!
Thank you to NetGalley and the the publisher for this ARC ebook!
April 11, 2022
It was so good! In the beginning, I didn't think it would be as good as Pride and Premeditation, but it was!
April 16, 2022
ahhh this was so fun! I love this series and can't wait for the third book. I definitely recommend for fans of Jane Austen or historical mysteries!
May 11, 2022
i loved it so much. i already love jane austen and i like murder mystery’s so them together is just perfect. love
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